This Story will end with 50 chapters.
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In Aakash and Meenakshi’s room, she was sound asleep. Aakash heard the loud arguments from Rajesh and Sharmi’s room but he chose to ignore them and quietly began decorating their room with the artificial flowers he had brought.
A little later, he received a call. He walked to the front gate, collected a parcel and returned silently to the room.
Exactly at midnight, he gently woke Meenakshi. She gasped in surprise as her eyes fell on the beautifully decorated room. Aakash cupped her face tenderly and kissed her forehead.
“Happy birthday, Meena. May all your dreams come true and may you have all the happiness in this world. Happy birthday, baby,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
They pulled away and Meenakshi smiled, kissing his cheek.
“Thank you so much, Aakash. I haven’t celebrated my birthday for years. Appa used to buy me a dress, Hema would gift me a saree and we would spend the evening chatting together,” she said softly.
“But you are my queen… so we shall celebrate properly,” he replied and showed her the cake on the table.
He lit the candle and handed her the knife, but Meenakshi held his hand and together they cut the cake. Aakash fed her a large piece and in return, she playfully stuffed a huge piece into his mouth.
After cleaning up, Aakash handed her the saree he had bought. Meenakshi’s face lit up with excitement as she draped it over her shoulder.
“Wow… this is beautiful, Aakash. But when did you buy this?” she asked, turning around to show him.
“Today, when you were asleep,” he replied and gently pinched her cheek.
He took the cake and stepped out briefly to place it in the refrigerator. When he returned, he saw Meenakshi sitting on the bed. With a playful smile, he removed his shirt and leaned closer to her.
“I read somewhere that women may have stronger cravings during pregnancy… do you have any cravings, Meena baby? ” he asked softly, brushing a light kiss on her lips.
Meenakshi shyly nodded. Aakash happily helped her sit comfortably and removed her nighty. He groped her bosoms and Meenakshi moaned when his warm lips latched on to her buds.
” They are growing too Meena, they are more soft now ” Aakash said and his touch was slow and careful, filled with affection rather than haste.
“Tell me if you feel uncomfortable or in pain,” he whispered softly near her ear.
He held her with tenderness and expressed his love in the gentlest way, while Meenakshi clung to him, her heart full and content.
Aakash kissed her lips as he held her close, their love lingered in the quiet of the night. When they finally rested, Meenakshi leaned forward and kissed his nose softly.
“Best birthday ever… thank you so much, Accountant Sir, ” she whispered with a cute smile.
“Thank me once again and I won’t care who hears what happens in our room,” he teased with a playful grin.
He helped her freshen up and soon they lay down, cuddling each other to sleep.
The next morning, Meenakshi wore the new saree Aakash had bought, along with the ready blouse. She stepped out of the room, with Aakash following her.
“Happy birthday, Meenakshi. I saw the cake in the fridge and figured it out. You could have told me,” Balaram said and Meenakshi immediately bent down to touch his feet and sought his blessings.
“I’ll get you something in the evening when you return from school,” Balaram said, blessing her.
“Happy birthday, Meenakshi akka,” Sharmi wished warmly.
“Thank you,” Meenakshi replied with a smile.
“Happy birthday,” Padma and Lavanya said, more out of formality. Meenakshi thanked them as well.
Aakash stood near the kitchen, watching Kamala cook.
“I have prepared everything you asked for. Breakfast is ready and lunch will be done in a few minutes,” Kamala said, placing the dishes on the table.
“So, what’s special today?” Balaram asked as he sat down for breakfast.
“I asked Kamala akka to make Meenakshi’s favorites. Kesari, idly and vadacurry for breakfast. Mushroom biryani for lunch. We will be out in the evening. I have booked movie tickets and we will have dinner outside,” Aakash said and Meenakshi smiled and felt touched by his thoughtful planning.
Aakash served breakfast onto Meenakshi’s plate and Sharmi sat opposite them.
“Aakash mama, can you help me find a job? I’m willing to work now,” Sharmi said and Rajesh, who had just stepped out of the room, turned sharply with anger flashing in his eyes.
“Are you doing this deliberately to provoke me? What’s gotten into you now?” he demanded.
Before Sharmi could respond, Padma stepped in.
“I know exactly what’s happening here. I have been noticing the changes in Sharmi lately. This woman has been influencing her and today she has succeeded in creating a rift between you both. This isn’t new for her. First, she turned you, Aakash and Lavanya against each other… and now she is creating problems between you and Sharmi,” Padma said venomously, holding Sharmi’s hand.
“Sharmi, don’t fall into her trap. She is jealous of you and envies the love you share with Rajesh. Don’t let her create misunderstandings between the two of you,” Padma said with tears in her eyes.
Balaram and Meenakshi looked at her in shock but Aakash slowly clapped his hands with a mocking smile on his face.
“Wow, Maa… I thought you wouldn’t do anything to spoil this day for Meenakshi, but you have proved once again that you will never change. What did you say? Meenakshi is jealous of them? What is so special about them that my wife would feel jealous? Why would she envy a man who isn’t even ashamed to raise his hand against his own wife?” Aakash said.
Sharmi immediately tried to hide her cheek but everyone had already noticed the marks. Balaram turned to Rajesh and slapped him hard.
“How dare you raise your hand on a woman? Why did you marry her if you couldn’t take care of her? And why are you stopping her from working? At least now she has realized that she needs to stand on her own,” he said angrily.
Rajesh looked at Meenakshi, gritting his teeth.
“Eyes on me, idiot,” Aakash roared.
Rajesh glared at him for a moment before storming out of the house. Aakash then turned to Padma and his expression was cold.
“You don’t care that you are hurting your own son and your only goal is to hurt Meena. Am I right, amma ? Your hatred is so deep that you have become blind to everything else. Is it our fault that we have been patient and kind with everyone? Everything has a limit… and all of you crossed it long ago. I have stayed silent because I felt responsible. Don’t make me rethink that,” Aakash said firmly.
With that, he walked out, taking Meenakshi with him. Aakash dropped Meenakshi at school and smiled gently at her.
“Meena, whatever happens, don’t overthink or stress about it. I’ll handle everything. Nothing changes in our plans. I’ll come in the evening to pick you up. And don’t worry about me taking leave often, I’ll compensate by working from home. I’m still leading for the promotion and I hope that comes through soon,” he said before driving to his office.
Throughout the day, Meenakshi received calls from her father, mother, Keerthy and Hema. Remembering Aakash’s words, she chose to stay calm and focused on her work. She received many birthday wishes from staff and students, making her day feel truly special.
In the evening, Aakash arrived at her school and together they headed to the mall where he had booked movie tickets. They sat in a corner seat and Aakash handed her the juice he had bought.
“We could have gotten married before your birthday, then we could have celebrated it together as husband and wife. Now we have to wait for your next birthday,” Meenakshi said, leaning on his shoulder.
“That’s just a few months away. Also we have so much to celebrate, our first wedding anniversary, welcoming our baby, the naming ceremony… there’s a lot coming up ” he said, feeding her a piece of puff.
“You are an accountant for a reason,” she chuckled and they watched the movie together, enjoying the quiet happiness between them.
After the movie, they went to a restaurant. Aakash started ordering all her favorite dishes, but Meenakshi gently stopped him and ordered just a dosa.
“I don’t want to keep running to the bathroom to puke at night, so a light dinner will do,” she said and Aakash nodded in understanding. Still, on their way back home, he bought ice cream for her.
After reaching home, Meenakshi changed into her nighty. She was about to sleep but decided to drink some hot water. She walked out of the room and went to the kitchen.
She poured water into a vessel and waited for it to boil. Suddenly, she sensed someone’s presence. Turning around, she saw Rajesh sitting on a chair and opening the lids of the casseroles. His hands were unsteady and he looked completely different.
” What happened to him? Is he drunk? But he has never come home drunk “, she wondered, but chose to ignore him and focus on her task.
She picked up a flask and poured the hot water into it. Rajesh looked at her and suddenly clapped his hands.
“Hello, my dear sister-in-law… how are you? Oh… I’m so sorry, you are the queen of this house, so of course you would be fine. Please forgive me, Maharani, ” he said mockingly as he staggered towards her.
His steps were unsteady. Meenakshi tried to leave the kitchen, but he had already blocked her path.
“Rajesh, you are drunk. Move out of my way before I call your brother,” Meenakshi said firmly and stepped back with a protective hand on her abdomen.
“Yes… my brother. What did you do to him, huh? He suddenly became a hero. Lucky fool… am I right, sister-in-law?” Rajesh slurred.
Meenakshi clenched her teeth hearing his words.
“Get out, Rajesh ” she said loudly and hearing her raised voice, everyone came out of their rooms. Aakash rushed towards the kitchen.
At that moment, Rajesh lost his balance and stumbled forward almost falling onto Meenakshi. She screamed in fear but before anything could happen, Aakash reached just in time. He grabbed Rajesh by his collar and dragged him away from her.
Aakash slapped him hard, again and again and pushed him to the floor.
“How dare you?” Aakash thundered and raised his leg to kick him but Padma quickly stepped in and pulled Aakash back.
“Aakash, please stop. Don’t hurt him… he is your brother,” Padma pleaded.
Aakash turned and glared at her, his eyes burned with anger.
“Don’t call him my brother. He has never treated me like one. He always looked at me as if I were nothing. I have endured enough of this idiot. And today… if I hadn’t reached in time, he would have hurt Meena. He can do everything except earn his own living and you never correct him. It’s you who is spoiling him,” Aakash shouted.
Balaram grabbed Rajesh by his hair and slapped him hard.
“I’m ashamed to call you my son. Useless fellow. You couldn’t find a job, but you got married. You raise your hand against your wife and now you come home drunk? What if something had happened to Meenakshi?” he demanded angrily.
Aakash pulled Rajesh up from the floor and slapped him again.
“Get out and don’t step back into this house until you find a job. And if you plan to continue this drinking habit, then don’t come back at all,” Aakash said firmly.
Padma looked at him in shock. “Aakash, please don’t do this. He is your brother. I agree he has been irresponsible, but where will he go? He has a wife and she is pregnant. Please forgive him. He will find a job in a week… or you can help him find one,” Padma pleaded and helped Rajesh stand.
“Her parents may have distanced themselves from her, but we are responsible for her safety. She can stay here or go back to her parents but she will not go with him until he is capable of taking care of his family. If needed, I’m ready to speak to her parents,” Aakash said firmly.
Rajesh let out a drunken laugh. “Yes, boss… you are the king and the queen has given her orders, so you must obey,” he slurred.
Padma immediately slapped his arm. “Shut up, Rajesh ” she yelled and then turned back to Aakash, folding her hands in front of him. But this time, Aakash didn’t give in.
“Maa, I’m done being calm and patient. I have watched my wife being disrespected and hurt for long enough. Meena is pregnant and this is the second time she has been in danger. I don’t want my wife to feel unsafe in her own home. I won’t risk anything happening to her or our baby. He has to leave now. This is my final decision ” Aakash said, leaving no room for argument.
“Aakash, this is his home too. He has every right to stay. Just because he made a mistake, you can’t throw him out. Open your eyes, your wife is the problem here. No one likes her. She is the one creating all these issues. Everything was fine until she entered this house,” Padma said sharply.
Aakash turned to her and his eyes were bloodshot with anger.
“You never fail to amaze me, Maa. Am I even your son? Have you ever treated me the way you treat Rajesh or Lavanya? Why this discrimination? And Meena is not the problem. You were all happy when I stayed quiet like a coward, just earning and providing for everyone. I never stopped doing that. But the moment I chose my own happiness, you couldn’t accept it.
It’s you who ruined the peace of this house. You should have been a mother first, treating all your children equally. But you only saw me as a source of money, while letting the others live freely. You never supported me when they disrespected me. You never stood by me… never showed me your love.
And today, you have made it clear… I will always be your unwanted son,” Aakash said and his voice broke at the end.
“Aakash, I didn’t mean that… you are my son,” Padma tried to explain but Aakash raised his hand and stopped her from talking further.
” I’m done ” he said quietly, his voice filled with pain.
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A/N:
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