Chapter 11

Aadhi sat on the couch, her knees pulled to her chest,  she was sobbing and wiping the tears every now and then with a cloth she had saved by her side for the purpose.

Rishi grit his teeth for the umpteenth time glaring at her through the mirror while adjusting his tie as he got ready for his office. He raised his hands in air due to frustration and turned to her with his hands on his hip.

Rishi: Will you shut the fuck up and tell me why you are a crying mess this early morning ?

Aadhi once again wiped her tears and looked at him ready to answer his question.

Aadhi: I m just thinking why am I so lucky and blessed to have a handsome and well talented husband like you ? Everyone in my college got to know about our marriage and they are  jealous of me.

It took a while for Rishi to understand and he stepped close to her and Aadhi’s breathe hitched with the fragrance of his cologne.

Rishi: Wish, I could say the same too.

He moved back and picking up his wallet he walked away leaving Aadhi stunned entirely forgetting the fact, ” what one gives, comes back to him or her ten folds. “

Two weeks passed and nothing changed in their life. It actually turned out worse for Aadhi. Waking up early in the morning, focusing on her studies and Rishi returning home late every night only added to her misery yet she never complained about to him. If there was something she worried that was the one week which was left for her to take over the kitchen and start cooking for the family.

She was looking at her book lost in thoughts when a maid knocked on the door and informed her that Vani called for her.

Aadhi Mv: Why is she calling me now ? Did she change her mind that I should start cooking early than a month ?

She scurried to the living and saw Vimal and Manjari talking with family. Controlling all her excitements she stood next to Manjari and smiled at her brother and held Manjari’s hands.

Aadhi: How are you both and how are dad and mom ?

Vimal looked at her face that had lost all the natural glow. He smiled at her in return. To everyone’s surprise Rishi entered and sat next his father and smiled at Manjari.

Rishi: How are you Manjari ?

Manjari: I m fine bro, we returned last night from London and thought of visiting you all and give gifts.

She gave a diamond bracelet to Rishi and clothes, watches to her father, mother and grandpa. Finally she gave a diamond earring to Aadhi.

Manjari: Do you like it Aadhi ? I personally chose this for you.

Vimal and even Rishi felt she was mocking Aadhi but stayed mum. Vimal passed a bag to her.

Vimal: I got this for you Aadhi and I think you will  like it.

Aadhi opened the bag and saw a penguine plush and boxes of chocolates in it. She looked at her brother and badly wanted to hug him so she moved to him and side hugged him.

Vimal: Rishi, if you don’t mind let me take Aadhi out with me for a while. I missed my sister a lot and I think she misses me too.

Rishi bobed his head and Aadhi rushed to her room to get ready. Rishi received a call and entered his room to get changed and saw the diamond earring on the teapoy and Aadhi twirling around holding the penguine in her hand. With no doubt he looked at the floor and saw few wrappers of chocolates. On seeing Rishi she stopped and passed him some chocolates still holding the penguine in her hand.

He felt like accepting it but his ego stopped him and he moved to the balcony.

Aadhi: Rishu, I m leaving with my brother and if you change mind and then please have how many ever chocolates you wanted. You are special and I don’t mind sharing it with you.

She entered the closet and got changed into a salwar and reached the living and saw Rishi was already seated with Vimal. On seeing Aadhi, Vimal rose to his feet to leave and when Manjari was about to follow them but he stopped her.

Vimal: Manju, you are here after 3 weeks so spend some time with your father, mother, grandpa and your brother too. They would have missed you a lot. Me and Aadhi will be back in less than 2 hour and we shall return home.

Manjari looked at Aadhi who was impatient to leave and bobed her head. Vimal and Aadhi walked out Aadhi jumped on to Vimal and hugged him which Manjari and Rishi watched when they walked out to send them off. Vimal opened the door for Aadhi and closed it as soon as she got seated. Moving to the driver’s seat he drove without sparing a look at the brother and sister who were watching.

He drove to a chat shop and the brother, sister sat next to each other. He ordered all her favourite snacks and all the while Adhi was holding his hand.

Vimal: So duckling, how is your life ?

Aadhi: Life is so cool bro, Rishu is so good and I m so happy. The only thing that makes me tired is that I have to write all the assignments myself. Even today I have 3 assignments to be completed. I have to stay awake and now you are feeding me with so much snacks so sure I will fall asleep. You are at fault if I couldn’t submit my assignments.

Vimal: Then don’t worry I will help you.

Aadhi: You tell me how is your life ? Oh I can see love is in the air so should I be ready to welcome my niece or nephew.

Vimal: May be, may not be but why have you lost weight and why is your face missing the glow Aadhi ?

Aadhi: I was tired and sleeping when you came with sister in law so stop cooking stories.

They enjoyed the snacks and Vimal bought some snacks before they left and passed it to her. They chatted all the way back to home and Vimal passed some money to her but Aadhi refused to accept it.

Aadhi: Bro, Rishu will feel bad if I accept the money. He is taking care of me so please I don’t need the money.

Vimal: I will transfer to your account then. Use it when you need it.

On the other hand as soon as Vimal and Aadhi left Manjari left to her room to pack some of her things that she needed and Rishi left to office as he received a call from Sudhir. Once Vimal and Aadhi returned home, Vimal and Manjari took their leave.

At night as usual Rishi was yet to return so Aadhi decided to complete her assignment. She received a video call from Vimal and answered it immediately.

Vimal: Aadhi, I will give company for you to complete your assignment.

Aadhi: Bro, I can do it. You must be tired and sister in law might feel disturbed if you keep talking so cut the call, go to sleep.

Vimal: She will not feel bad and she is busy watching some series in her mobile so you start and tell me if you need my help.

Aadhi smiled and quickly showed him the questions she needed answer for. She managed to do it on her own and asked for his help only when she felt difficulty in finding answer. Rishi returned home at 11.30 and was shocked on hearing Vimal’s voice in his room

He saw Aadhi was falling asleep and the voice was from her mobile.

Vimal: Aadhi, wake up, just 2 more questions, you can sleep after completing them.

Aadhi: 2 minutes bro, please.

Vimal: ok fine you finish it in the morning atleast go lay on the bed. You will feel pain in your neck if you sleep on the couch.

Aadhi: Good night bro.

Vimal mumbled good night and cut the call. Rishi saw her sleeping and got changed into his track pant and T shirt before he laid on the bed.

Morning Aadhi woke up and saw Rishi sleeping and cursed herself for not serving him dinner. She quickly got ready and entered the pooja room and saw Vani in the kitchen but her expression scared her.

Aadhi: Good morning aunty. Is everything ok ?

Vani: You are asking me if everything is ok ? Aadhi, if you couldn’t wait to serve food to Rishi you could have told me and I would have stayed awake and served him food. My son had slept with empty stomach last night and this has never happened in his life.

Aadhi felt ashamed and hung her head unable answer her. Hearing Vani’s voice grandpa came out of his room and heard everything. Aadhi apologized to Vani and returned to her room without her coffee. She sat on the swing in the balcony and sobbed that Rishi had slept without having his food.

She heard the sound footsteps and rushed back to room and saw Rishi getting ready for his day.

Aadhi: Rishu, I m so sorry. I slept and couldn’t serve you dinner. Because of me you slept without having your dinner. I m so sorry Rishu.

Rishi: First thing, I had my dinner outside and second thing its not like I let you serve my dinner. Its a custom of this home that wife serve food to their husband but I never gave you that right so why worry about something that doesn’t exist in your life. You don’t have to be fake in front of me.

He walked out and she followed him to the dining. Before they could start the breakfast grandpa caught all their attention.

Grandpa: I think its time for Rishi and Aadhi to focus on their life so I made a decision. Rishi and Aadhi will live in the penthouse which is close to Rishi’s office as well as Aadhi’s college.

Rishi: Grandpa, I return late from office and she will be left all alone so I don’t think its a good idea of moving out. I want to live with all of you and I think your grand daughter will also wish the same.

Aadhi: Yes grandpa, I don’t want to stay alone. I m happy here with all of you.

Vani: She hasn’t even started taking responsibilities and how do we trust her to take care of Rishi all alone. Yesterday she failed to serve him dinner and Rishi slept with empty stomach.

Rishi: Mom, I had dinner outside with clients.

Vani: But what if you didn’t had your dinner outside ?

Grandpa: I have arrived to this decision after seeing and thinking of everything happening in their life. If Rishi feels she will be left alone then he should realize he has a wife at home and return home early eventually Aadhi will not fall asleep and serve him dinner.

Raghavan: Father, she is too young.

Rishi: Good, you realized it dad.

Grandpa: Rishi, you cannot let down your wife just like that.

Rishi: I didn’t meant anything wrong grandpa. If we weren’t married god knows she would have called me uncle.

Aadhi choked on her saliva and Raghavan, grandpa glared at Rishi.

Grandpa: Its decided you both are moving out and staying in our penthouse. Go pack your things.

Rishi: Grandpa, are you serious ? you want us to leave right away ?

Grandpa: I have talked to the servants and everything is ready for you both to move in there. Complete your breakfast and I will give send off before I go for a walk.

Rishi Mv: May be this is good in a way. I don’t have to share a room with her and I can keep her away from me to mind our own business.

Rishi and Aadhi returned to their room and Aadhi pulled out her luggage that was placed in the corner of the closet. She watched Rishi pull trolleys and dumping his suits into it.

Aadhi: You want my help Rishu ?

Rishi: Just wait for us to reach penthouse and I will make sure you will never step in my room so now get out and let me do my work.

Aadhi walked out with a pout and waited for him to complete his packing. An hour later they walked out and grandpa waved bye to them with a smile whereas Raghavan and Vani who weren’t happy with the decision send them off with a gloomy face.

Rishi and Aadhi arrived at the penhouse and the servants welcomed them and carried the luggage.

Rishi: Place her luggage in the guest room, she will stay there.

Servant: But sir, your grandpa has locked all the room other than your bed room.