Meenakshi sat on the sofa watching TV while Balaram sat on the mattress on the floor beside her, keeping her company as they waited for Aakash to return home. It had been three weeks since the incident, yet the entire house still carried the heat of it.
Lavanya hardly spoke to anyone except her mother and Rajesh. Rajesh, as usual, spent most of his time outside and returned home only late at night, close to dinner time. Padma, on the other hand, never missed a chance to make indirect remarks targeting Meenakshi.
Balaram, as always supported Meenakshi and gently asked her to ignore Padma’s words.
Aakash continued with his routine, working long hours and returned home late at night. During the little time they shared over dinner, he would talk about his work and ask about her day. He often asked if his mother had caused any trouble but Meenakshi always hid the truth from him. He was already carrying too much on his shoulders and she didn’t want to burden him further.
They would talk for a while before going to sleep but the distance between them remained the same.
Meenakshi knew she had to wait. Only after knowing about his past could she truly help him heal.
Just then, she heard the sound of a bike outside. Immediately, she got up and opened the door. Balaram quietly lay down on the mattress in the hall to give them their space.
Aakash smiled the moment he saw Meenakshi and she returned the smile. A sense of relief washed over him seeing her welcome him like that.
Meenakshi placed the plates on the table and Aakash walked in, rolling up his sleeves.
“How many times have I told you this, Meenakshi? Why do you wait for me? You should eat on time.” he said and took a bite of the idli and fish curry she served him.
“Hmm… wow. You really have magic in your hands. This is awesome.” he said, his eyes lighting up.
Meenakshi smiled softly hearing his words.
Ever since they had decided to be friends, Aakash never missed praising her cooking. She appreciated the effort he was making and felt happy that he was trying.
Aakash served dinner onto her plate and gestured for her to eat.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said, placing a piece of fish on her plate.
“Finish dinner first. We’ll talk in the room.” Meenakshi replied and Aakash nodded.
After finishing their meal, Meenakshi carried the vessels to the kitchen and Aakash followed her to help until the last vessel was cleaned.
Later, he opened the snack jar and noticed a different sweet inside.
“You are spoiling me,” Aakash said playfully, stuffing a piece into his mouth.
Meenakshi smiled as she watched him enjoy it. Once everything was cleaned up, they returned to their room.
Meenakshi sat on the mattress on the floor, while Aakash sat on the bed, ready for their conversation.
“Aakash, I think you should quit the part-time job at the coaching center. It’s hard to see you return home so exhausted every night.” she said gently.
Aakash looked at her and smiled, touched by her concern.
“I understand that you care for me but I think this job will help us financially. I want to be prepared for the future, for everyone, including us. I also feel bad that you wait until late at night for me. So please have dinner and sleep on time. I can serve myself when I return… or you can wake up when I get back.” Aakash said thoughtfully.
Meenakshi rolled her eyes at his words, making Aakash chuckle.
“Friends are supposed to give the best advice. And I’m being a good friend right now.” she replied and he looked at her curiously.
“I want you to quit the job at the coaching center and start taking online classes instead. That way you can return home on time. You can fix your own schedule. You could even conduct classes for a few hours on Sundays without exhausting yourself. There is always an option.” she said.
Aakash thought about her suggestion for a moment.
“You are right. Let me think about it. I can’t quit instantly… but we can plan it.” he said finally.
He then opened his bag and handed her a small parcel. “I passed by the chaat shop you mentioned on Sunday. So I bought some snacks for you.” he said with a smile.
Meenakshi opened the packet and smiled when she saw her favorite chips inside.
” Naan ippove nalla gunda dhaan iruken. Idhukku mela innum gunda aayiduvenu ungalukku kavalai illaiyaa ? ( I’m already fat, aren’t you worried that I’ll become even fatter?) she said teasingly as she placed the pack on the table.
“I’ll quit my part-time job at the coaching center but in return, you have to stop talking about being fat.” Aakash replied casually as he lay down on the bed
He shook his head slightly. ” Yen ponnunga eppavum avanga body shape pathi ivlo worry panranga? ” ( Why do women worry so much about their body shape?) he mumbled.
Meenakshi heard him and smiled quietly.
Aakash woke up suddenly at the sound of something falling. He opened his eyes and saw Meenakshi picking up a moisturizer bottle from the floor.
She stood in front of the mirror, her hair pulled forward over one shoulder, leaving her back visible. As she adjusted her saree, her waist was briefly revealed.
Meenakshi was usually very cautious about how she dressed. Even while sleeping, she always covered herself properly with a bedsheet.
” Ayyo kadavule ! naan yedhuvum paarkkala ” ( Oh my God… I didn’t see anything) Aakash muttered to himself nervously.
He quickly turned to the other side and shut his eyes tightly but the brief glimpse of her back and waist lingered in his mind.
His hands tightened around the bedsheet as he tried to calm himself. He waited until Meenakshi left the room. Only then did he sit up and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“Idiot, Why are you behaving as if you can love her like a husband? Just stop.” he muttered under his breath.
Unable to fall back asleep, he decided to step outside and see what his wife was doing, perhaps he could help her.
In the kitchen, Meenakshi had tucked her saree pallu at her waist and was reaching up to take a cereal jar from the shelf.
Just then, Aakash walked in and he froze for a moment at the sight before him. From the side, the graceful curve of her figure caught his attention unexpectedly, making him swallow nervously.
Embarrassed by his own thoughts, he quickly turned away and opened the refrigerator, silently cursing himself for waking up so early and walking into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be asleep by now? Or did I disturb your sleep?” Meenakshi asked, surprised.
She stepped beside him and took a milk packet from the refrigerator. The fresh fragrance of her soap mixed with the scent of her moisturizer reached Aakash instantly. Without realizing it, he closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled the scent.
“Mr. Aakash ?” she called again.
He quickly cleared his throat. “No… I just woke up and couldn’t fall back asleep so I thought I could help you a little.” he said.
He watched as she took out the vegetables to cut. Before she could begin, he gently took the knife from her and started cutting, chopping and dicing them.
Meenakshi quietly prepared a cup of coffee and handed it to him.
“Have this coffee and go relax. I’ll handle the rest. You have already helped more than enough.” she said and Aakash smiled faintly at her words.
He returned to the hall and sat on the sofa, sipping his coffee. But his mind kept replaying the brief moments from earlier, the glimpse he had accidentally seen.
He felt he shouldn’t have seen it at all. Just then, he felt a light tap on his shoulder and looked up to see his father sitting beside him.
“Where are you lost? I’ve been calling you for almost five minutes.” Balaram asked.
Before Aakash could respond, Balaram got up and walked toward Rajesh’s room to freshen up before leaving for his morning walk.
Aakash finished his coffee and returned to the kitchen. He quietly washed his cup and placed it back carefully without looking at Meenakshi, then quickly stepped out of the kitchen, letting out a small sigh of relief.
By the time everyone gathered for breakfast, Meenakshi had already served the food. She placed the plates on the table and then went back into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with Aakash’s lunch bag.
“You didn’t eat the snacks yesterday,” she mumbled as she zipped the lunch bag.
“I got caught up with work,” Aakash replied.
He waited for her to sit and join them for breakfast but she kept moving back and forth between the kitchen and the dining area.
Soon she returned with a lunch box and placed it in front of Lavanya.
“I made your favorite pulao, I’ve also packed some snacks for you.” Meenakshi said gently but Lavanya rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Oh yes, of course. I’m just a little kid going to school, right? Why don’t you pack me snacks, a water bottle and maybe some fruits too?” she said mockingly.
Aakash stopped eating and turned toward Lavanya, ready to speak. But before he could say anything, Meenakshi subtly shook her head, silently asking him not to interfere.
After a moment, Aakash quietly got up from the table and walked into the kitchen. He saw Meenakshi standing at the sink, washing the vessels.
“Why don’t you have breakfast with me? I keep telling you this every day but you never listen.” Aakash asked and shaking his head, he walked out.
Once everyone had left, Meenakshi wiped her hands with a towel and picked up a plate to serve herself breakfast. Just as she was about to do so, she heard footsteps behind her and turned slightly.
“What are you trying to do? Are you trying to show that you are the only one who cares about him and create a rift between us?” Padma asked sharply but Meenakshi remained silent.
“Aren’t you happy already? You’ve created problems between us… between Aakash and his own brother and sister. What more do you want? You seem to be very happy enjoying all the attention from him. But let me remind you, he only feels pity for you. No man would want a woman like you as a wife.” she said further and her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Meenakshi tightened her grip on the plate. “Aunty, I haven’t done anything. I only cook and take care of the housework… just like you asked me to.” she replied softly.
Padma laughed mockingly as she looked at Meenakshi holding the plate. “Have some shame. You eat from the money my son earns, yet you are playing games within this family just so you can rule this house the way you want.” ” she scoffed.
The words felt like a sharp stab in Meenakshi’s heart. She was tired of fighting this woman and she knew this woman would never change. She didn’t want to spoil her day so she remainded calm yet her thoughts raced.
” What is her problem? I’m trying my best to keep the peace in this house, but she is always ready to start a fight. Why can’t she just treat me like a human being? Is my fault simply that I’m fat? ” Her stomach growled again painfully and she returned to her room feeling frustrated.
“God, give me many children… and let them all be fat like me. Let their grandmother be reminded that the woman she hated gave birth to her grandchildren.” she muttered under her breath.
A moment later she realized what she had said and chuckled softly.
“No… God, let our children be like their father, handsome and perfect. I don’t want them to suffer like me.” she said and then she suddenly paused, frowning at her own words.
“What is wrong with me? Am I going mad because I’m hungry?” she muttered and shook her head.
“Is there even a chance that we would ever become husband and wife? I don’t see the possibility… but here I am thinking about our children.” Her stomach growled again.
“God, I’m so hungry.” she muttered and just then, the packet on the table caught her attention.
She opened it and started munching on the chips Aakash had bought the previous night.
By late evening, she began preparing dinner. She suddenly gasped, clutching her chest when someone cleared their throat behind her.
Turning quickly, she saw Aakash standing there, looking slightly guilty.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you would be surprised.” he said quickly and scratched his eyebrow awkwardly.
“I am surprised. Actually… I’m shocked. Usually no one enters the kitchen while I’m here, so I got startled.” Meenakshi said, still catching her breath.
She looked at him curiously. “But why are you home so early? Did you… quit?” she asked, lowering her voice for the last word as if it were a secret.
Aakash nodded his head. “I applied online. Two students wanted to learn from me, so I quit the coaching center. I’ll start taking classes from tomorrow.” he said.
Meenakshi felt genuinely happy for him.
“That’s great,” she said with a smile.
“Do you want coffee until dinner is ready?” she asked, already taking the milk packet from the fridge. But Aakash shook his head and walked toward their room.
Inside, he noticed a pile of clothes on the bed. Usually Meenakshi folded them while waiting for him to return home.
He quickly changed his clothes and started folding them. Piece by piece, he folded everything neatly.
Then his hands suddenly froze. Right on the spot where he usually slept… a black bra lay among the clothes.
Aakash stared at it in complete shock, his throat turned dry and he swallowed nervously.
“What should I do now?” Aakash wondered, pacing across the room.
” Idiot, she does all your chores every day, and here you are hesitating to do this one thing for her? ” his mind scolded him.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to fold it and finish the task. But the moment he picked it up, his hands began trembled as if he had suddenly developed a neurological problem.
Just then, the door opened and he dropped the bra back on the bed. He gasped and immediately hid his hands behind his back as Meenakshi walked in, carrying a plate of snacks for him.
Her eyes moved from his awkward posture to the neatly folded clothes on the bed… and finally to the single remaining piece still lying there.
Realization dawned instantly and her face turned red.
Without saying a word, she quickly placed the plate on his desk, grabbed the bra and hurriedly stuffed it into her cupboard.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you would come home so early or I would have folded the clothes already.” she said quickly.
She glanced at him and noticed that his hands were still trembling slightly.
“No, it’s okay. I don’t have a problem doing it. I mean… you know… I was just about to finish the task.” Aakash stammered.
Meenakshi calmly placed the rest of the folded clothes in their proper places.
“Of course you were trying. But don’t do something that makes you uncomfortable.” she said with a small smile.
She paused for a second before adding playfully, “Or one day I might start thinking you need to consult a neurosurgeon.”
With that, she walked out of the room. The moment she left, Aakash shut his eyes tightly and lightly hit his head with his palm but a smile lingered on his lips.
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A/N:
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