Chapter 36

Manjari sobbed as Raghavan and Vani lashed out on her after Rishi revealed the truth to them. Her grandfather glared at her and rose to his feet to leave but turned to her and looked at her with disappointment.

Grandfather: You reap what you sow. You are the perfect example to it.Does Vimal about this ?

Manjari bobed her head and everyone was shocked on hearing it.

Vani: Is that why he left abruptly ? Does he even want you back in his life ?

Manjari shook her head and Vani continued to lash out on her while her grandfather walked away leaving them.

Raghav was fuming that he wouldn’t be able to face Aadhi, Vimal and their parents. Manjari had no answer to any of their questions and finally Vani and Raghavan threw a disgusted glare at her before walking away. Manjari rushed to her room and burst out crying, she tried to reach Vimal but all her calls were unanswered and none of her messages were read.

Everyone ignored her and she felt left all alone.

The next evening Aadhi entered the cafe and saw Vani waiting already for her. With a polite smile she greeted them and got seated opposite to her.

Aadhi: How are you aunty ? How are uncle and grandpa doing ?

Vani: As if you will let us to live in peace. First of all I will apologize for what Manjari did to you. Your brother left Manjari and doesn’t want her back in his life but now I m here to discuss about my son. If you have decided to leave my son then why didn’t you inform any of us ?

Aadhi: Aunty, we haven’t fallen apart. We just chose to live apart for a while.

Vani: I m not falling for your words and I don’t want to waste my time talking to you so I will be straight in my point.

Aadhi: Go ahead aunty, I m all ears.

Vani: Divorce my son. I don’t want him to live with a girl like you. I can’t see him suffer and I don’t think even your brother will accept Manjari back so it won’t be good for both the family.

Aadhi: I have talked to my brother to forgive Manjari but end of the day he is the one to decide it and about the divorce, please go to your son and tell him to send me divorce papers. I will sure sign and walk out of your son’s life if he is the first person to sign the papers.

Vani: Why don’t you initiate the divorce ? The least you could do is let go of him just like you walked out of your home and husband.

Aadhi: I m sorry aunty, I can’t do that. Together we decided to stay apart for 6 months and if you feel I m not the right girl for your son then you wasted your time visiting me. Please go to your son and talk to him.

Vani: Rishi will never go against my words so consider this is your end.

Aadhi: Thank you aunty, I m happy to see that you are worried for your son. Now if that is all, I will take my leave.

Vani: Where do you stay ? I need the address to post the divorce papers. We can’t keep running to you for your signature.

Aadhi: Your son has my address aunty, all you need to do is drive to his office and convince him to divorce me. Take care.

With a smile Aadhi walked out and looked at the sky. She closed her eyes as the drizzle touched her smooth skin.

Aadhi Mv: I know this isn’t going to be easy for us Rishu.

She got in the car with Malini who waited for her and they drove back home.

Vani arrived at Rishi’s office and he was surprised to see her at office. He welcomed her and informed Sudhir to get coffee for them.

Rishi: Mom, what a surprise ? Is everything ok ?

Vani: Rishi, I m upset that you are left alone in your life. We should have listened to your words when you denied marrying her. Please forgive us but its not too late. Divorce her and we shall find a better girl who will take good care of you.

Rishi grit his teeth and his blood boiled on hearing his mother’s words.

Rishi: Not even in my dreams.

Vani: Why do you want to waste your life when she walked out of her life ? Let her go Rishi.

Rishi: I will let her go only if she ask for it. To your better understanding, I will divorce her if she is the person to initiate it.

Vani: Rishi, I just met Aadhi at a cafe near by her college.

Just hearing Aadhi’s name curved his lips into a smile and he waited for his mother knowing well she must have pulled some stunt.

Vani: I asked her to divorce you and she said the same. I don’t understand why you both are holding on to a relationship when you are ready to let go of it ?

Rishi: Mom, don’t you understand that our thoughts are the same and we are not ready to give up on us ? Let this be the last time you talk about our divorce or forget that you ever had a son. it would be better that you never meet Aadhira without my knowledge. Now I have a lot of work so do you want me to call the driver ?

Vani walked out of his room and Rishi moved to the window and smiled looking at the setting sun.

Rishi: I know you will never give up on us sunshine. I love you baby.

Three months later:

Rishi wiped the sweat of his forehead and looked at the cake he baked and completed icing.

Rishi: Its been a month I learnt to bake a cake Aadhu. I hope it tastes good. Everything is done love, I will get ready and we shall start the party.

He carried the cake to the bed room and placed it on the table that was decorated with flowers.  He had also decorated the room with flowers, candles, balloons. He jogged to the washroom and took a quick shower and got dressed in a button down white shirt and black pant. He rolled his sleeves and set his hair.

Rishi: I hope you love me in this costume baby.

He walked out of the closet and picked the gift and flowers from the couch. He looked at the time and when the clock struck 12 he placed the gift and flowers on the table.

Rishi: Happy birthday Aadhu, You are the most beautiful person in and out and I wish you only the best things in the world. I will try my best and beyond my limits to see you smile my love. I hope you will love the gift and now lets cut the cake.

He cut the cake singing for Aadhi and placed the first piece on the plate that was placed opposite to him. Later he picked a piece from the same piece and tasted it.

Rishi: Not bad Aadhu, but don’t worry, I will bake a better cake to celebrate our anniversary.

He picked the camera he had placed to record everything and rewind it to check the celebration.

Rishi: Wow, all the decorations look amazing baby, you better appreciate me. May be a kiss.

At Malini’s home Malini, her parents and Chaitra woke up Aadhi and wished her and placed the cake on the bed before her.

Aadhi smiled at their efforts and she heard a pop sound and Vimal appeared from behind holding a gift for her. She hugged everyone and picked the knife and closed her eyes to make a wish before she cut the cake.

Aadhi Mv: Today is my  birthday Rishu and we are close to the end of 4 months. I really miss you a lot Rishu. I really wanted to make to wish to have you in my life but I want that to be your wish so I wil just wish that 2 more months pass in jif.

Aadhi opened her eyes and cut the cake with everyone around her. She fed everyone and received gifts in return. She thanked everyone and Vimal hugged her close to his chest.

Vimal: Wish u a very happy birthday Aadhi. I wish you all the love, joy and success in your life. Let this year change the course of your life and I wish only good things happen to you.

Aadhi thanked him and he took his leave. Finally Malini, Aadhi and Chaitra laid on the bed planning the day to celebrate Aadhi’s birthday. Once Malini and Chaitra were alseep Aadhi stood by the window and touched the nuptial pendant on her chest.

Aadhi: Are you missing me Rishu ? Do you know its my birthday today ?

With a faint smile she returned to sleep. In the morning Aadhi, Malini and Chaitra got ready and were about to leave when Hariprasad and Kavitha entered holding a gift.

Kavitha/ Hari: Happy birthday Aadhi.

Aadhi: Thank you.

She received the gift they presented her and gulped the tears unable to hold it back.

Kavitha: Aadhi, please forgive us. We never thought Manjari would be so cunning. We are here to take you with us.

Hari: We should have stood by you but we failed you and I m sorry for that. This isn’t good Aadhi, come with us and let me talk to Rishi and his family to take you back with them.

Aadhi: Thank you for believing in me after all these months, for coming here and also for the present but your responsibility ended the moment you got me married to Rishi. I m sure you would have heard of our decision so we still have 2 more months left to decide our future. I want to stand on my own irrespective of what happens to my marital life. Thank you for coming all way here. I think you should focus on your family.

Hari and Kavitha felt ashamed and left immediately. Malini, Chaitra and Aadhi carried on with their plans for the day.

Hari and Kavitha returned home and Vimal saw them being upset. Kavitha narrated everything happened at Malini’s home and Vimal chuckled looking at them.

Vimal: Why this sudden concern when you ignored her all these months ?

Without waiting for their reply he returned to his room with Manjari tailing behind him.

Manjari: Vimal, they are trying to fix their relationship with Aadhi. Why don’t you talk to her to return our home ?

Vimal: You are here only because my sister wanted me to bring you back. Do you remember the condition upon which I let you live here ? You will never interfere in anything related to my sister’s life or I won’t think twice to show your place you deserve.

Manjari: I m sorry Vimal, can we talk please ?

Vimal bobed his head and continued getting ready to leave for office. Manjari stood next to the vanity and looked at him setting his hair.

Manjari: Its been 3 months Vimal, I thought you really wanted to give a chance for us but I don’t see any progress happening. You are always busy and we hardly speak or have food together.

Vimal: I m busy with new projetcs but don’t worry I will buy a diamond ring or earring to compensate.

Manjari: I don’t need any jewel Vimal, please give me your time.

Vimal: You weren’t happy with the time I was giving you so I will give you the thing that truly brings smile on your face.

Manjari: I m sorry Vimal, please give us a chance.

She hugged him and sobbed pleading for a chance from him. Vimal grit his teeth and tears brimmed in his eyes as he reminisced signing the form the day they lost their baby and Aadhi blamed for the loss. He also reminisced the words of Aadhi and shut his eyes exhaling to let go of his pain and anger.

Vimal: The damage you caused in all our life is not something easy to forget over night or in such a short period.

He pulled back from the hug and walked out, heading to his office.

Days passed by with Aadhi and Rishi missing each other yet an invisible string held their heart together despite they stayed apart. Rishi lived in his own bubble that Aadhi was by his side. He continued his life just how it was Aadhi, he continued his conversations just like how it was when she was with him, he never failed to buy flowers, chocolates and gifts for her, he learned to cook and bake her favourite cake. He was no more the grumpy and arrogant Rishi to anyone, even at his office he was calm and composed.

Aadhi was feeling impatient with each passing day. She couldn’t get over him and yearned to get a glimpse of him. Her heart assured her that Rishi would sure come to her on their anniversary yet she decided to face whatever fate has decided for her.

Months passed by quickly and three days before their first anniversary, Aadhi was as usual stressed as fear crept her thoughts and heart. She saw Chaitra calling and reluctantly answered the call.

Aadhi: Yes, Chaitu, please don’t call me anywhere. I m not in a mood to go anywhere.

Chaitra: Aadhi, I m on way to Mumbai to meet my grandpa who is sick but I called for you something else. I just saw your crushy baby at the airport. I sent you his pic.

Aadhi couldn’t wait to hear further and cut the call immediately to look at the photo. She opened Whatsapp and saw Rishi at the airport dressed in a formal royal blue shirt and black pant. He was holding a luggage as if he was leaving for a long trip. Her gaze landed on the girl beside him, holding similar luggage and smiling at him. They seemed like travelling together. Tears rolled down from Aadhi’s eyes and her hands started trembling in fear.

Aadhi: Have you moved on Rishu ? I hope its not like what I think. May be she is some acquantiance he met at the airport or might be his friend or business partner. May be they are travelling for business purpose. But the luggage is too much to return in a day or 2. What if he doesn’t return in 2 days ? Does it mean, we have fallen apart ?