One month passed and Aakash took complete responsibility for his wife and he never relied on his family for anything. Meenakshi too, noticed many changes in him.
He packed her snacks, lunch and fruits every day. He made sure their room was always stocked with healthy food. He returned home on time, helped her with dinner, gave her tablets without fail and even maintained a record of all the changes in her health.
Meenakshi watched Padma, Rajesh and Lavanya celebrate Sharmi but she never felt envious. Aakash did everything for her without expecting anything in return. She never yearned for anything from others even if it was for a cup of tea.
One person who had changed, however, was Sharmi. She started speaking to Meenakshi and even tried to initiate conversations with Aakash but he responded only in monosyllables. Meenakshi, on the other hand, treated her with kindness. She bought snacks for Sharmi whenever she craved something and Aakash even got her medicines when Meenakshi handed him the prescription.
Meenakshi could see the guilt in Sharmi’s eyes every time she asked for something, but she fulfilled her needs with a warm smile, just like an elder sister would do.
As usual, Meenakshi was getting ready for school while Kamala was preparing breakfast. Aakash placed the tiffin boxes on the dining table, packed lunch carefully and arranged snacks and fruits in separate boxes for Meenakshi.
“I have made the breakfast you asked for, Meenakshi,” Kamala said, placing sweet poli in a box. Just then Sharmi entered the kitchen, looking hungry but she stood ashamed to ask for food.
“Have breakfast if you are hungry. Others can eat at their own leisure time. Kamala akka, serve her,” Aakash said, before walking out to pack his own lunch.
Meenakshi arrived and smiled at her husband, who was double-checking everything he had packed. He placed a plate before her and served breakfast. Sharmi quietly served herself passing smile at Meenakshi.
“Meena, tomorrow is your check-up. Don’t forget to inform your coordinator and take permission,” Aakash said.
Sharmi cleared her throat hesitantly. “Meenu akka, I missed my monthly check-up last week. Is it okay if I join you tomorrow?” Sharmi asked, looking away in embarrassment.
For a moment, no one spoke. Meenakshi then nodded with a gentle smile. Later, Aakash dropped Meenakshi at her school but she noticed he seemed uneasy.
“Meena, let’s give her some money and ask her to go with her husband for the check-up. These monthly visits feel very personal to me and I don’t want anyone else joining us. She shouldn’t feel bad or hesitate to ask for anything, so let’s just help her financially,” Aakash said and Meenakshi understood his point and agreed.
That night, Meenakshi messaged Sharmi to meet her in the kitchen and waited for her. When Sharmi arrived, Meenakshi handed her some snacks and money.
“Sharmi, please don’t misunderstand me. I think you will be more comfortable going with Rajesh. You seem to hesitate a lot to ask us for anything, so take this money and go with him. Please don’t take this the wrong way,” Meenakshi said softly and Sharmi shook her head with a faint smile.
“You are right… actually, you have always been right. I feel ashamed to depend on both of you for everything. I’ll take him with me, but I won’t give him this money. I don’t even know what to do… I have no experience to find a job. I should have listened to my parents and gone with them. Love is different and marriage is different,” she said wiping her tears.
“Don’t feel bad, Sharmi. You are family and we are happy to take care of you. But there is something you need to realize before its too late. I don’t want you to feel like I’m influencing you but how long do you think this can continue? Your baby will be born soon. When he or she grows up, what will you teach? You need to take control and guide your life in the right direction. Stop just listening to him and make him listen to you. How will your child feel if their father doesn’t provide for the family?” Meenakshi said gently.
“Don’t stress yourself too much, but you do need to act before it’s too late.” Meenakshi said further and Sharmi nodded slowly, taking in her words.
“Rajesh said he has an interview tomorrow, so I’ll go for my check-up the day after. I don’t want him to miss the interview for any reason,” Sharmi said.
Meenakshi nodded in understanding. Sharmi thanked her softly and the two women returned to their rooms in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
The next morning, Aakash and Meenakshi arrived at the hospital and the excitement was evident on their faces as they sat among several couples waiting for their turn. Meenakshi watched the women walking around, gently holding their baby bumps and realized that very soon, she too would be walking the same way.
Unconsciously, she placed her hand on her abdomen. Aakash nudged her shoulder lightly. When she looked at him, he was already smiling, having guessed her thoughts. and she blushed instantly.
“You will look gorgeous walking around with our baby growing inside you,” he whispered.
Just then, Meenakshi’s name was called. Aakash patiently watched as the doctor checked her vitals. After a brief examination, the doctor asked them to return with the ultrasound scan report.
They then moved to the scan section, where more women were waiting.
“I think we should take a full day off for future check-ups,” Aakash said as they waited for their turn.
Meanwhile, a nurse advised Meenakshi to drink plenty of water. Aakash immediately bought her water and juice, making sure she stayed comfortable.
“Actually, I wanted to be with you during the scan but money speaks louder than emotions in our country. Celebrities and rich people get to stay with their wives,” Aakash muttered under his breath.
Meenakshi smiled at his words. When her turn came, she went inside while Aakash waited outside, pacing impatiently.
Inside, Meenakshi lay on the bed, but she couldn’t see the monitor as it was turned away from her. The scan was done quietly, leaving her both curious and anxious. She walked out a few minutes later and Aakash rushed to her immediately.
“What happened? What did they say?” he asked, unable to hide his impatience.
“We aren’t celebrities, Aakash… so we will have to wait for the report,” she replied with a small smile.
Aakash huffed in frustration just as Meenakshi hurried toward the restroom. Soon, they collected the reports and returned to the doctor.
The doctor reviewed them and smiled. “Everything is normal. The baby’s development is on track. Continue the medicines and come back next month,” she said.
Relief washed over both of them. They thanked the doctor and walked out of the hospital together. As they stepped outside, the sun blazed down harshly.
“Meena, I’ll book a cab for you and I’ll follow you on my bike. But first, let’s have lunch at a nearby restaurant,” Aakash said.
They drove to a nearby restaurant and settled down. Aakash opened the scan file and tried to locate their baby in the grey image but all he could see were vague shapes and lines.
“How do they even identify the baby in this?” he asked, looking at Meenakshi in confusion.
“Maybe we’ll get a clearer image in the next scan,” she replied, watching him gently touch the picture with a soft smile.
“Our baby, Meena,” he murmured, kissing the image and held it close to his chest.
“I’ll make a copy of this and laminate it. I want to keep it in my wallet all the time, this is the first image of our baby,” he said.
Meenakshi pouted and pretended to be annoyed. “You never thought of keeping my photo and now suddenly you want the baby’s photo?” she asked.
Without a word, Aakash handed over his wallet. Meenakshi opened it and smiled, seeing her photo neatly placed inside.
“You don’t notice me anymore,” Aakash complained playfully and she pinched his cheek in response.
After lunch, they returned home and Meenakshi fell asleep almost immediately.
Aakash quietly closed the door, informed his father and stepped out for a while. He returned after two hours carrying a few bags. The family watched him curiously but he walked straight to his room. Relieved to see Meenakshi was still asleep, he carefully hid the bags inside the cupboard behind his clothes. After taking a shower, he lay down beside her.
As if sensing his presence, Meenakshi shifted closer and rested her head on his chest. Aakash smiled and kissed her forehead.
Later in the evening, Meenakshi craved pakodas and decided to prepare them. Aakash was in the hall with his father, watching TV, when she brought them hot coffee and pakodas.
“Wow, hot tea and pakoda feel like heaven, even in this summer, Meenakshi,” Balaram said, taking a bite.
Meenakshi called Sharmi and handed her a plate of pakoda and tea. Padma silently observed the growing bond between them.
“Lavanya, your exams are over. What have you planned next?” Aakash asked.
Lavanya glanced at her mother before replying, “I wanted to study further, but Amma wants me to find a job.”
“She is right, Lavanya. You can find a job and continue your studies at the same time. That way, you will gain both experience and a postgraduate degree. Let me know if you need help, I can speak to some of my clients,” Aakash offered.
Balaram felt a quiet sense of pride seeing Aakash still trying to support the family, despite everything.
“I’ll let you know. I just want to rest for a month,” Lavanya replied casually.
“This is exactly what Rajesh said after finishing college. If he had listened to Aakash back then, he would have been settled in a job by now,” Balaram taunted.
Sharmi turned her attention to Aakash. “Aakash mama, can you help him find a job now? He went for an interview today, but I’m not sure about the results,” she said hesitantly.
Aakash thought for a moment before replying, “He won’t be comfortable if I arrange a job for him. It’s better you talk to him first.”
That night, Rajesh returned home late. The moment Sharmi saw his face, she understood the result of the interview.
“Rajesh, I spoke to Aakash mama about helping you find a job. Please talk to him in the morning. Try to understand our situation. We are having a baby and we are dependent on him and Meenakshi akka for everything. She even gave me money for my doctor’s visit tomorrow. I feel ashamed, Rajesh. What will our child think when he or she grows up? Please… we need a job to take care of our family,” Sharmi pleaded, holding his hand.
Rajesh pulled his hand away with irritation evident on his face.
“You are saying all this as if I haven’t tried. And if I go to him, he will mock me for not being able to do anything on my own,” he snapped.
“Isn’t it the truth?” Sharmi shot back and her voice trembled yet she was firm.
“You, me and everyone in this house… we are dependent on Aakash mama and Meenakshi akka. We treated them so badly, yet they are the ones taking care of us. I should have listened to them and gone back with my parents. Look at me now… I have to depend on everyone except my own husband. Don’t you feel ashamed, Rajesh? At least I realized it after knowing I’m carrying our baby. What about you?”
Before she could say more, Rajesh slapped her. “Shut your mouth, Sharmi. I’m tired. Stop this nonsense,” he growled, lying down on the bed.
Sharmi sat silently on her side and tears streamed down her face. Every word her parents, Aakash, Meenakshi and Balaram had said on the day she married Rajesh echoed in her mind.
She cursed herself for blindly believing in love and choosing Rajesh. The initial days had felt beautiful and she had never realized she was becoming a burden on others. But slowly, she had started observing Aakash and Meenakshi.
Despite having an arranged marriage, they shared a deep, genuine love. They never gave up on each other. They stood strong through every hardship. Aakash never let Meenakshi feel alone, no matter how others treated her.
And Meenakshi… she did everything she could to support Aakash. They lived in their own little world, peaceful, respectful and full of love. Watching them, Sharmi finally understood something important.
Movies, beaches, shopping, romantic dialogues and kisses aren’t the languages of true love.
Love was what Aakash and Meenakshi had.
“Their baby will be born out of pure love… unlike us. We were just living the excitement of a new marriage, mistaking it for love. What if Rajesh never finds a job? I can’t go back to my parents after everything I’ve done. It’s better I find a job for myself… or maybe I should ask Aakash mama to help me. I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” she thought.
For the first time since their marriage, Sharmi turned away from Rajesh and slept facing the other side.
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A/N:
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