Chapter 33

Rishi and Aadhi spent the whole day together and shared the chores with little convesations here and there. They both hid the pain and tried to be casual yet the worry and pain was evident on each other’s face. By evening Rishi turned on his mobile for only 2 miniutes and made call to Sudhir. He entered the kitchen and leaning on the counter, he watched Aadhi pour milk in the pot and gesturing him to take over.

Aadhi: I will teach you to prepare coffee.

Rishi: No Aadhu, its not the coffee but the person who made is the reason, it turned out as my favourite. If I ever have coffee in my life then it would be made my Aadhu.

Aadhi was stunned on hearing his words and looked at him bewildered.

Aadhi: What does that mean ? Wouldn’t you prefer to have coffee in your office ?

Rishi: No, I will miss my milk coffee as well for six months so please be prepared to welcome me with my favourite milk coffee. Hug, kiss and coffee.

Aadhi smiled and turned her attention on preparing coffee for them. At night after dinner they returned to bed but they couldn’t sleep and wished for a long night. Rishi wished the sun would never rise and he wouldn’t have to let go of Aadhi. Around 11.50 he walked out of the room and returned exactly at 12, holding a huge bunch of rose and a cake in his hand.

On seeing Rishi entering with flowers and cake, Aadhi sat leaning on the head board. Rishi passed the flowers to Aadhi with a smile and placed the cake before her.

Rishi: Our first six months haven’t been good and it was me who spoiled it and the next six months are going to be hell and ofcourse I m the reason for it too but I promise, this six months would be the only phase you will be hurting and in pain. Right from our the day of our first  anniversary I will give all my love, I will take care of you. I love you Aadhu. Now lets cut the cake.

Aadhi: You got cake to bed room Rishi.

Rishi: Yeah, I know, its Aadhu’s Rishu sitting before you and he would do anything for you. There is no rules or boundaries between us baby.

Rishi crawled next to her and together they cut the cake. They fed each other and Rishi placed the roses on the night stand next to Aadhi and the remaining cake in the fridge.

Rishi saw Aadhi was hesitating to speak and gently squeezed her palm.

Rishi: You can ask or say anything to me Aadhu. Tell me what is that you are hesitating.

Aadhi: Rishi, I want you to leave for office as usual.

Rishi stop squeezing her palm and gulped hard knowing she didn’t want him home and be her side when she would leave him.

Rishi Mv: Can’t I stay back and give you a good bye hug and kiss, Aadhu ?

He just said ok and Aadhi shut her eyes unable to see the hurt in his eyes. They just laid with their eyes closed and every now and then watching each other’s face.

In the morning Rishi got ready just like Aadhi wished and entered the kitchen with a heavy heart. Aadhi smiled at him which he returned painfully. She passed him a cup of coffee and Rishi shut his eyes on tasting his favourite coffee.

Aadhi: Rishi, I know you will take care still… ………………………take care Rish..

Rishi: Rishu…. call me Rishu once Aadhu, please

Aadhi: Take care Rishu..

Rishi placed the cup on the counter and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. Both shed tears which broke their heart.

Rishi: I will miss you Aadhu, I will miss you so much, my day and night won’t be the same without you. I m sorry love, I m so sorry for all the pain I brought in our life. Wish I could go back and correct everything. Remember that I will be counting every minute the moment I walk out. I have called Sudhir to help you, please don’t deny Aadhu, let him help you. Take care, focus on your studies and be happy with your friends because after six months I want all your attention on me, every minute and second of your attention, I won’t let you go away from me. I love you Aadhu.

He pulled back from the hug and pressed his lips on her forehead before walking away with a heavy heart. Aadhi stood holding the counter for support and shed tears on hearing his fading foot steps and then the door open and shut.

Aadhi: I m sorry Rishu, I m so sorry but we need this space. I want you  to realize my space in your life. I will wait for you Rishu, please come to me. Everyday will be hell without you and I will be counting the days to see you again.

She broke down and instantly felt him hug her from behind, his tears and lips on her neck.

Rishi: I will come to you Aadhu, you are my home.

With one last kiss on her temple he walked out this time for real. Aadhi cried for a while and later she returned to their bedroom and looked at everything and sat on the swing in the balcony for a while. An hour later she started packing her things and placed them outside the room. She heard the door bell ring and wasn’t surprised to see Sudhir when she opened the door.

Sudhir: Good morning madam.

Aadhi: Bro, call me Aadhi and thank you for coming here to help me. I have my things packed and I have few more things to be done but I need your help.

Sudhir: I m here to help you with anything Aadhi.

Aadhi thanked him and they spent two hours to pack the things. Aadhi informed Sudhir to book a cab for her and they waited for the cab to arrive.

Aadhi: Bro, please take care of him. I m not sure if he would have his breakfast and dinner so make sure he had his lunch without fail.

Sudhir: Aadhi,  the last few months I have seen a very different boss. He would never listen to anyone still I will try to accomplish the task you have given me. I think he will take care of himself for your sake.

Sudhir received the call from the cab driver and Aadhi thanked Sudhir befire he helped Aadhi move out with her luggages.

Rishi stood by the glass wall of his office, struggling to envision going back to a home devoid of Aadhi’s presence. The sudden blare of his phone shattered his trance and spotting Sudhir’s name on the screen, he quickly answered it. After hearing Sudhir’s words, he ended the call in silence, his expression unreadable. He grabbed his car key and walked out, with each step his heart thudding against his chest.

Rishi entered his home and looked at the empty couch and then clenched his fist in fear before he looked at the wall, the one habit of him to look at their wedding portrait but on seeing it missing, tears brimmed in his eyes. He made his way to their bed room and looked for her things but true to her words she left no trace of her existence in the room. He quickly entered the closet and opened her wardrobe but nothing was left. Raking his fingers through his hair he entered the washroom and found all her things gone.

Rishi returned to the room and sat on the edge of the bed holding his head. He was going crazy and was unable to stop the tears that found way on its own. His mind reminded of the wedding saree he had in his wardrobe and like a mad man he rushed to the closet and opened his wardrobe. He pulled out all his clothes looking for the saree but his little wife stood true by her words.

He wiped his face and stood before the mirror and smiled looking at himself.

Rishi: What if you don’t leave anything baby ? You are in my heart, in my thoughts, in my soul.

He picked a sticky note, pen from the draw and started writing a note for Aadhi and pasted it on the mirror.

Rishi: Day 1 Aadhu… miss you a lot but I love you more.

He rolled his sleeve and arrived in the living looking for his mobile but stood surprised on seeing Latha.

Rishi: Latha aunty, weren’t you given leave for a week ?

Latha: Yes sir, but Aadhi wanted me to return to work. She called me this morning to dispose some torn clothes from her room.

Rishi: Torn clothes ?

Latha: Actually not torn, seems like she cut them with scissors. I disposed them and bought vegetables.

Latha carried on with her work and Rishi sat on the couch with his elbows proped on his knees.

Rishi Mv: Thank you Aadhu, for giving me this chance. I promise that you will never regret.

Aadhi was in Malini’s room, crying and Malini trying to console her. Aadhi revealed everything to Malini’s parents since she didn’t want to give them any wrong ideas. Earlier Malini too informed them about Rishi helping her with admission and they decided to help Aadhi and Rishi in their relationship.

Malini caressed Aadhi’s hair and wiped the tears from her eyes.

Malini: Aadhi, stop crying girl. You made this decision so stay strong. Six months will pass in a blink.

Aadhi: I miss him already..

Malini: I know but you need to calm down. Imagine the day when your crushy baby would come to meet you after six months. You both will be like crazy and sure you will not focus on studies after six months so concentrate on your studies now. Just for today we are staying home, from tomorrow we will be good girls and focusing on studies. We shall invite Chaitra on weekend and have fun.

Malini pushed Aadhi to get down from the bed and threw a towel on her face to refresh. Meanwhile Malini started unpacking Aadhi’s luggage and arranged her books on the study table not before ordering their favourite ice cream.

Three days passed by and Aadhi missed Rishi but Malini forced her to college to keep her distracted. Rishi felt Aadhi’s presence in every corner of their home, everything around him reminded of her. He started having conversations imagining her with all the while.

Meanwhile Manjari who was discharged from the hospital decided to stay at her parents for few days before returning to Vimal’s home. She was asleep in her room when Vimal arrived at Raghavan’s home and was welcomed by his mother in law.

Vani: Manjari is asleep in her room Vimal, please go to her room and I will send refreshments to both of you.

Vimal thanked her and ascended the stairs and opened the door of Manjari’s room. He sat next to her on the bed and feeling the bed dip beside her Manjari opened her eyes and shed tears on seeing Vimal in her room. She moved her head to his lap and he gently stroke her hair.

Vimal: How do you feel now Manju ? I never expected you would decide to stay with your parents.

Manju: I need this time Vimal, I felt like grieving in solitude especially when you don’t believe in my words.

She moved away and turned her face away from him. Vimal rubbed his face in frustration and before he could initiate a conversation a maid entered the room with a tray and placed it on the teapoy.

Vimal: Manju, your mom has sent juice for you. Get up and have some, doctor has adviced you to follow healthy diet. Once you are done I will leave.

Manjari sat leaning on the bed and stared at him with tears as waterfalls.

Manjari: You won’t stay with me for a night atleast ?

Vimal: Manju, I would if you don’t bring up the same discussion everytime I try to talk to you. Now please calm down and have this juice.

Vimal picked the glass of juice and passed it to her but Manju pushed his hands and the juice spilled over his shirt.

Manjari: I m sorry, I didn’t mean to spoil your shirt. Please forgive me.

Vimal: Its ok, I will clean up.

Manjari: I have a shirt in my wardrobe. Get changed into that.

Vimal bobed his head and entered the closet to clean up. He opened her wardrobe looking for the shirt and picked the one before he entered the washroom.

He discarded his shirt and cleaned the juice from his body. He opened the cabinet looking for a towel but froze on seeing the bracelet gifted to him by Aadhi, the one which he lost or thats what he thought for a long time.