Chapter 57

Aadhi and Rishi returned home from their honeymoon and the next day being Sunday they decided to meet their parents, Vimal and Manjari to give the gifts they bought for them. Rishi carried all the gifts to the car and Aadhi got settled in the passenger seat. Rishi drove to his parents home and the family welcomed with a warm hug.

Vani: Its good you both showed up early morning, we shall have breakfast together.

Vani pinched Aadhi’s cheek who followed her to the kitchen to help her but smiled on seeing the maids busy in cooking and Vani instructing them to set the table as soon as possible. Holding hands they returned to the living and Aadhi gave them all the gifts. Raghavan was bewildered on seeing a video game and looked at Aadhi.

Aadhi: Uncle, I have watched in movies, once father retire from his work, father and son would play games on weekends so please learn to play games and next time we are here we shall have a match between you and Rishi.

Raghavan: You think I can learn this games ?

Aadhi: Ofcourse you can uncle. We will form teams and grandpa will give gifts for winner.

They all laughed and Rishi was stunned that Aadhi had bought the video game for his father and upon that she even planned for a match to spend a quality time with the family. They had breakfast together with lot of chattings and then the Aadhi and Rishi started from there and drove to her parents home.

Hari and Kavitha were surprised to see Rishi and Aadhi all of a sudden. After a brief greeting and hugs they all settled in the living. Aadhi gave a similar video game to her father and this time it was Rishi who expressed his desire to play with him and Vimal. Kavitha insisted them to stay back for lunch but Aadhi informed them that she wanted to visit Vimal and spend some time so Hari and Kavitha didn’t force them.

Aadhi leaned over Rishi’s shoulder while he drove to Vimal’s home. He could see the excitement in her eyes that she would meet her brother and they would spent some time together.

Rishi: I already feel that I will be left alone once we reach Vimal’s place.

Aadhi: Jealous baby, its been a long time I got to spend some time with my brother and its not like you are deprived of my time for you. We returned home last night and we will be clinging to each other once we return home.

Rishi: I know Aadhu, just kidding. I love the bond you both share and wish me and Manjari had a better relationship. I still couldn’t understand what is stopping her that she couldn’t believe that we all have changed.

Aadhi: Don’t feel bad Rishi, may be plan a brother sister day out, only you and Manjari. Spending more time together might fix your bond. Rishuuuuuuuuuuuu, how about we do that today ? I will stay home with bro and you might take her out.

Rishi: No, not today I will plan something on a day this week.

They arrived at Vimal’s home and saw the door was open. Together they stepped in and called for Vimal not wanting to ruin their privacy. Vimal walked out of kitchen with a apron tied to his front. On seeing Rishi and Aadhi he immediately turned off the burner and discarded the apron before rushing to them. Aadhi thew herself into his arms and Vimal pat her head lovingly while Rishi smiled at them and looked around for Manjari.

Vimal: I m sure today is gonna be my best day after I got to see you both.

Together they settled on the couch and Vimal noticed Rishi and Aadhi looking for Manjari. He didn’t want to ruin their happiness atleast not until he found a way out his life so he hid his emotions and called for Manjari in a high pitch voice. Manjari who stayed in a guest in the ground floor rushed out with a irritation on hearing him call her which Rishi and Aadhi didn’t miss to notice.

Manjari covered up her frustration and sauntered to them. Rishi immediately hugged and pat her head but noticed her go stiff in his embrace.

Rishi: How are you Manju ?

Manju: I m fine bro, how are you and I m so happy to see you both.

Aadhi: We returned from Norway last night and met our parents to give them gifts before we drove here. We got some gifts for you both too.

Manju: I saw your photos from social media, the location looked pretty and you both too.

Aadhi: Bro, what were you cooking ?

Vimal: Just a simple lunch. Now that you are here, we shall order and enjoy a better lunch.

Just then the door bell rang and they saw a delivery boy at the door step with a food parcel. Manjari made her way to him and received it which rang a bell in both Aadhi and Rishi’s head but Vimal tried to manage the situation. He quickly pulled Manjari to sit beside him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Vimal: I wanted to eat but she wanted to have her favourite food so I let her order for her.

Rishi: Your bed room is in the first floor right so what were you doing in the guest room ?

Vimal: She was helping me in the kitchen and I accidentally spilled sauce over her outift so she decided to clean up in the guest room.

Rishi noticed the way Manjari was trying to avoid his touch over her shoulder and the stiffness in her sitting beside Vimal.

Rishi: now that we are here how about I cook for us and Manjari can help me while Aadhu and Vimal might get some time too.

Aadhi immediately agreed and Rishi rose to his feet and held Manjari’s hand inviting her to the kitchen. Vimal and Aadhi arrived at the garden and settled on the swing.

Aadhi: Bro, what is happening between you two ? Please don’t tell me everything is fine. I can see from your face and infact I noticed some changes on the day of our house warming but I assumed it to be some minor issue and brushed it off.

Aadhi placed her head over his shoulder and Vimal took an exxagerated breathe trying to hold back his tears.

Vimal: Nothing serious Aadhi, just the usual fight that happens between us.

Aadhi: Bro, you can share anything with me. I can see you are stressed but just be assured that you are not alone. Don’t bottle up your emotions please. It hurts to see the real smile missing from you. You can’t fake anything to me.

Vimal: I will tell you at the right time Aadhi but don’t stress over what you felt on seeing me today. Everything will be fine soon.

Aadhi: I m sure Rishi would have noticed the change in equations between you two. But whatever it is stay strong and you have us.

Vimal: Alright granny, tell me how was your visit to Norway may be I will plan too.

Aadhi smiled at him and they bickered for a while until she heard a notification in her mobile. She checked the message and saw it was from Malini.

Aadhi: Malini wanted me to join her to buy gift for Chaitra’s birthday but I want to spend some time with you now so I will buy her a gift on way back to home.

Vimal: Chaitra’s birthday ? When is it ?

Aadhi: Tomorrow, me and Malini have planned to meet her at our usual place.

Vimal bobed his head on hearing the information and after a while they returend to check on Rishi and Manjari only to find Rishi cooking alone in the kitchen.

Aadhi: Rishu, why are you cooking alone and where is Manjari ?

Rishi: She wasn’t feeling well, seems like she has headache so I let her rest.

Vimal grit his teeth and cursed her under his breathe. Aadhi noticed him clench his fist in anger and immediately grabbed his hand to give him a comfort. Vimal forced a smile and looked at Rishi who had hurt evident on his face. Vimal started helping him and Aadhi excused from them and knocked the door of the guest room. Manjari opened it and smiled at Aadhi who excused herself to use the washroom but she didn’t fail to notice most of Manjari’s things in the room.

When Aadhi walked out of the washroom she saw Manjari seated on the edge of the bed.

Aadhi: How are you feeling now Manjari ? Did you have tablet ?

Manjari: I will be fine in a while, just need some sleep but I will nap later. Lets go now.

Aadhi: No its ok, you should sleep and I will call you once the food is ready.

Manjari bobed her head and Aadhi walked out with a mix of emotions. She saw Rishi and Vimal laughing out on something and sat on the counter listening to the silly encounters they face in business events.

They clicked selfies cooking together and once the food was ready Aadhi knocked on the door to invite Manjari but there wasn’t any response. Vimal felt bad to see both Rishi and Aadhi attemtping to get her out to join them and his anger only rose to an extent that he wanted to get rid of her from all their lives.

Vimal: Aadhi, let her sleep. I will heat the food later and feed her with my own hands if that will satisfy you.

Aadhi returned to them and they served each other but Aadhi didn’t miss Rishi’s eyes looking out for Manjari. She gently squeezed his palm under the table and passed him a smile to ease his mind. After lunch they watched a movie and waited in hope that Manjari would come out.

In the evening Rishi and Aadhi were ready to leave but Rishi tried to talk to Manjari before he left and he also wanted to give her the special gift he bought for her so he knocked on the door and waited for her to open. Manjari opened it lazily and from her face he knew she wasn’t sleeping all the while.

Manjari: Bro, I m sorry, I didn’t know I slept for so long. You could have woke me up earlier.

Rishi: Its ok Manju, we are getting late and I was waiting to give you the gift I bought for you.

Rishi passed a jewel box and before she could open it he stopped her and held her hand.

Rishi: How about we spend some time together ? May be lunch, dinner or how about a day out ? Tell me a day and I will make the arrangements, just you and me. Lets spend some time together.

Manjari: I m busy with works these days but I will let you know for sure.

Rishi hummed and returned to Aadhi who was waiting her him by their car with Vimal beside her. Rishi hugged Vimal and gave a pat to his back and mumbled a sorry before he pulled back from the hug. Vimal watched the car leave his home and immediately returned to the guest room which was once again locked. He banged on the door and Manjari opened it with a thud.

Manjari: What is your problem now ?

Vimal: You are my problem witch, are you even a human ? It was not only my sister but your brother was here to meet you and that guy wanted to spend some time with you. He was looking at the fucking closed doors with yearning. You couldn’t be a better wife but atleast you could have been a better sister to him but what am I even expecting from you when you aren’t even a human in the first place. You better behave when you carry the tag of being my wife. You might not respect your brother but he is my sister’s husband and you will respect him and I m not taking a fucking no.

Aadhi placed her palm over Rishi’s lap while he drove back to their home.

Rishi: Something is terribly wrong Aadhu and I don’t know what to do with her attitude.

Aadhi: They don’t live in the same room Rishu, I tried talking to bro but he is not ready to open up, atleast not now, thats what he said. May you should try to talk to Manjari before its too late.

Rishi: I have informed her to choose a day so lets hope for the best.

Aadhi leaned over and kissed his cheek to chill him and Rishi smiled entwining their fingers and kissed her knuckles.