Two weeks passed, yet Aishwarya continued to stay in the house with Padma and Lavanya’s support. She had grown close to Sharmi and the three of them often spent time laughing and chatting together.
Aakash, however, ignored Aishwarya completely, as if she didn’t exist. Most days, he preferred having his meals in the room with Meenakshi.
Though Aishwarya tried to strike up conversations with him, he treated her like air. His attention was fixed only on his wife and their bond seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
It was a Sunday and Aakash was in the backyard, cleaning, but he kept his shirt on, unwilling to be seen casually by anyone other than Meenakshi.
Aishwarya approached him with a bottle of water and Aakash clenched his jaw the moment he saw her. From the kitchen, Meenakshi watched the scene and rolled her eyes.
“Meena”, Aakash called out loudly and she walked out to the backyard, carrying a glass of buttermilk.
Without a word, Aakash pulled out the pallu tucked at her waist and used it to wipe his face before taking the glass from her.
Meenakshi glanced at Aishwarya and spoke calmly, “Aishwarya, you are a guest here and you are an educated woman. You should understand when someone is avoiding you and when your presence isn’t welcome.”
Aakash casually wiped his mouth again with Meenakshi’s pallu and winked at her. Aishwarya felt the sting of humiliation and quietly walked back inside, where Lavanya sat playing games on her phone.
Later, Aakash left for the market and Meenakshi went up to the terrace to collect the dried clothes, while Lavanya and Aishwarya were busy clicking photos.
“You should have been my sister-in-law. We would have had so much fun. You and my brother would have made the perfect couple… my poor brother.” Lavanya said with a mocking smile.
Meenakshi didn’t respond. She silently gathered the clothes and walked back to her room and dropped them onto the bed. She had never told Aakash about the taunts and mocking remarks from Padma and Lavanya.
But she wasn’t naïve. She knew exactly what game they were trying to play.
“Aakash is my husband… and he will never look at anyone but me. Fuck with her beauty,” Meenakshi muttered under her breath and started thinking of a way to deal with Aishwarya.
That night, the family sat down for dinner. After finishing her work, Meenakshi deliberately placed a few extra vessels in the sink and wiped her hands before walking out.
“Lavanya, wash the vessels. And Aishwarya, you can help her, there are quite a lot today. After all, you both are close friends, right?” she said calmly before heading to her room.
Lavanya and Aishwarya stared at the pile of vessels and cursed Meenakshi under their breath.
The next morning, Meenakshi woke up feeling unusually dizzy. She sat up slowly but the heaviness didn’t fade. Giving in, she lay back down feeling the need for more rest.
Aakash woke up at his usual time and noticed she was still asleep.
“Meena… are you okay?” he asked softly and she nodded faintly but he could see the tiredness in her face. Not wanting to disturb her, he let her sleep.
When he walked out, Padma was serving tea and coffee.
“Where is she?” Padma asked casually but Aakash’s irritation flared instantly.
“Her name is Meenakshi. If you can’t call her by name, then don’t call her at all. And if you are expecting her to cook breakfast, she won’t. She is not well so I will buy breakfast for me and my wife “, he snapped and without waiting for a response, he walked into the kitchen.
“The day isn’t far… be prepared,” Balaram muttered as he walked away.
Aakash returned to the room with tea for Meenakshi, but before she could even sip it and she suddenly threw up.
Concern flooded his face seeing her suffer.
“That’s it. We are going to the hospital. You are not okay,” he said, wiping her face gently with a towel.
” No… it’s okay. I’ll just rest at home today,” Meenakshi replied weakly and sat on the bed.
” Ok, but don’t do any work. I’ll get you breakfast and order lunch as well. Just stay here and rest. Don’t step out of the room. I’ll try to come back early today.” he said firmly.
He leaned forward, kissed her gently and left the room. As he stepped out, Aishwarya stood in front of him, holding a bag.
“I packed breakfast and lunch for you, Aakash ” she said softly.
Aakash glanced at her and then at the bag. Just then, Meenakshi stepped out of the room to hand him his bike key and paused looking at the scene.
She saw him take the bag. Without a word, he turned and walked out.
“Finally, my brother is getting his senses back. I hope he realizes his worth and understands who truly cares for him.” Lavanya said with a smirk and she hugged Aishwarya, who was smiling with quiet satisfaction.
But moments later, Aakash walked in and without a word, he threw the empty food box onto the floor.
“You are no one to me. Stay within your limits. I only eat food cooked by my wife. You should have left long ago, but no… you chose to stay here and act like nothing happened. Who knows you better than I do? Just get lost.” Aakash said coldly.
He turned toward Meenakshi and silently gestured for his bike key and she handed it to him without a word.
Once he left, everyone rushed outside. The food he had thrown away was now being eaten by street dogs.
Meenakshi smirked faintly and glanced at Aishwarya, who stood frozen, staring at the discarded food. Without hesitation, Meenakshi stepped forward and slapped her.
She raised her forefinger in warning. “Stay away from my Aakash,” she said firmly before walking back to her room.
A minute later she could hear Aishwarya break down, while Lavanya, Padma and Sharmi trying to console her.
“He just needs time… be patient,” Lavanya said, trying to calm Aishwarya.
Meenakshi clenched her jaw and anger simmered within her.
Aakash returned home later with breakfast for both of them. Before leaving for work, he strictly instructed Meenakshi not to step out of the room and to rest.
Three days passed and Meenakshi still felt weak and nauseous, but she managed to go to school and even cooked dinner on her own.
Aakash grew increasingly worried.
One evening, when he returned home, he saw the rest of the family casually watching a movie and laughing as if nothing was wrong.
Ignoring them, he walked into his room. Balaram was there, handing a cup of tea to Meenakshi.
“Aakash, take her to the hospital. She has been vomiting even today,” Balaram said seriously before stepping out.
Aakash took a deep breath and sat beside his wife and Meenakshi immediately leaned onto his shoulder.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. Tomorrow, we are going to the doctor. I can’t focus on anything like this… I’m losing my patience,” he said and his worry was evident.
Meenakshi nodded, “We have already taken too much leave. Let’s go in the evening. You don’t have to take a full day off… just get permission for a few hours,” she said gently.
Aakash was about to argue, but she placed her finger on his lips and stopped him. He sighed, then leaned forward and kissed her softly. Sitting beside her, he gently caressed her hair for a while.
Later, he went to the kitchen and prepared a simple dinner for her. The next evening, they reached the hospital and Meenakshi explained her symptoms to the doctor.
After listening carefully, the doctor suggested a pregnancy test and the couple exchanged nervous glances.
The wait for the result felt heavier than anything they had faced before. Aakash paced restlessly outside the room while Meenakshi went in to give the samples. When she walked out, he immediately held her hand, his grip was tight as they waited for the result.
Soon, they were called back into the doctor’s room. One look at the doctor’s smile… and everything became clear.
“Congratulations, your wife is pregnant,” the doctor said and for a moment, the world stood still.
Nothing else mattered. Aakash and Meenakshi could see only each other. Aakash’s lips curved into a smile and his eyes filled with tears.
Meenakshi felt her heart swell. She had never expected life to gift her such happiness, a husband who loved her deeply and now, a child growing within her.
The doctor cleared his throat, bringing them back to reality and went on to prescribe vitamins and gave instructions for her care.
Once they stepped out, Aakash pulled Meenakshi into a tight embrace. She felt his tears against her shoulder.
“Thank you, baby… thank you so much. I never thought I would truly smile in my life but today, you have given me everything. You changed my life for the better.” he whispered and kissed her forehead gently.
On the way back, he bought sweets and drove the bike unusually slowly.
” Idhukku naama nadandhe pogalaam kanakku pulla ” (It’s better we just walk, accountant sir ), Meenakshi said with a playful pout.
Aakash chuckled at her words.
“Sorry, madam. The roads aren’t great… let’s not take any risks,” he replied carefully.
They finally reached home with excitement bubbling within them. But the moment they stepped in, they froze. The family was already celebrating with sweets.
They looked at each other, confused. Padma was the first to notice them and rushed toward Aakash with a box of sweets.
“Aakash, Here, have some sweets. Sharmi is pregnant. I’m going to be a grandmother soon. There will be a baby in our house “, she exclaimed happily and her joy was unmistakable.
“Aakash, did you go to the hospital? What did the doctor say?” Balaram asked, walking quickly toward them.
Aakash smiled and opened the sweet box in his hand and fed one to his father.
“Meenakshi is pregnant, Appa,” Aakash said with a smile.
Balaram’s eyes filled with tears as he immediately hugged both Aakash and Meenakshi.
Joy radiated from him but the rest of the family stood frozen. Their earlier excitement faded instantly. Aishwarya stood shocked and pale.
“I expected this, so I’m not surprised. Congratulations, Rajesh. Take care of Sharmi.” Aakash said calmly.
Meenakshi smiled genuinely at Sharmi. “Congrats, Sharmi. We are really happy for you,” she said softly.
Balaram gently placed his hand on Meenakshi’s head. “You are a gem, Meenakshi. Take care of your health and get enough rest. I can’t wait to carry little Aakash or little Meenakshi,” he said, casting a sharp glance at his wife, who stood silent.
“Congratulations, Aakash. I’m very happy,” Padma added, patting her son’s shoulder and smiled at Meenakshi.
“Take care of your health,” she told her again and Meenakshi nodded her head.
Inside their room, Aakash pulled Meenakshi into a tight hug and kissed her repeatedly until she lightly slapped his arm.
“Stop worrying about anything or anyone. We are having a baby and we are more than enough for our child. We will give all our love to our baby.” he said firmly.
Tears rolled down Meenakshi’s cheeks. “What if our baby is hated just because I am his or her mother?” she asked softly and Aakash cupped her face.
“Stop overthinking,” he said gently wiping her tears.
” And don’t forget the doctor’s advice. You need healthy food and proper rest. Looks like I have to stop reading your novels and start reading pregnancy books now.” Aakash said and Meenakshi burst into laughter.
“Your smile is all I want to see, Meena. Don’t lose it for anyone. Now get changed and take some rest,” he said before stepping out.
As he walked away, a storm brewed inside him. ” What if they treat our child the same way they treat us? What if they discriminate between the children too? Meenakshi had already suffered enough. Now she needed care, love, and peace. I need to do something… for my wife, my child… my family”, he thought.
He sent a message to Vishnu to meet him.
When he returned, Meenakshi was fast asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly changed and walked into the kitchen. Seeing his mother cook, he silently walked back, lost in thought.
At 9 PM, he gently woke Meenakshi for dinner. They stepped out to see the family already eating.
Padma was serving dosa to Sharmi and sitting beside her. Meenakshi walked into the kitchen and Aakash followed.
There was no batter left. Only plain rice and a little sambar was left for them.
Aakash clenched his jaw in anger. But he didn’t want Meenakshi to feel hurt. He quickly made an omelette and served food on a plate for her.
Meenakshi barely ate before returning to the room. Aakash boiled milk and brought it to her, making sure she wouldn’t go hungry.
The next morning, Meenakshi began preparing breakfast and Aakash helped her cook lunch.
Padma entered the kitchen, made fresh juice and walked out. She handed it to Sharmi and Aakash watched silently and that was enough to snap his patience.
He stopped Meenakshi mid-work and gently pulled her out.
“You don’t have to cook anymore. Stay in the room,” he said firmly. He returned to the kitchen and packed breakfast into boxes and left some for his father alone.
“Appa, breakfast is ready. Meenakshi won’t be cooking for at least the next three months. Ask Kamala akka to come early and cook breakfast and lunch. I’ll pay her and I’ll handle dinner.” he said and without waiting for a response, he left with Meenakshi.
“What does he think of himself? Is he earning in lakhs to spend like this?” Padma scoffed and Balaram’s anger snapped.
He almost raised his hand to slap her.
“You should be ashamed. He is hiring someone because you couldn’t take care of his pregnant wife. It hasn’t even been a day and you’ve already started showing your discrimination” he thundered.
“Tell me, who will pay for Sharmi’s expenses? Do you have money for her checkups? Does your son earn enough to support her medical expenses ? Do you have any savings to pamper her like you were doing now ? ” Balaram asked and Padma fell silent at his sharp voice.
“You are living off his earnings and still treating him and his wife like outsider in their own home. His patience is running thin,” Balaram said, storming out.
Sharmi, who had overheard everything, felt reality hit her hard. She and her husband had nothing. Everything depended on Aakash.
That evening, Aakash returned early, carrying fruits and a basket.
“Aakash, you bought fruits? There were none at home. I was about to call you,” Padma said with a smile.
Aakash returned a polite smile. “Yes, Ma. I need to take care of my wife. She has only me,” he said calmly and walked into the room.
He placed the basket on the table and arranged the fruits neatly.
“Why keep them here?” Meenakshi asked, confused.
“These are for you. I’ll buy snacks and nuts tomorrow. You will not enter the kitchen so until I return from work, eat these fruits.” he said softly.
He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently. Meenakshi held his collar and kissed him back with equal love.
Aishwarya, who was heading to Sharmi’s room, caught the sight of the couple through the slightly open door. Aakash hadn’t closed it completely and she froze as she saw them lost in a kiss.
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A/N:
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