Anika’s PoV
The whole car ride was bouncy and happy with me and Tarun playing and Priya joining in on us. Arjun was driving and he adjusted the rear view mirror in a way that he could see me. Once in a while he would look at me through it, making me squirm in my place. His eyes are so talky, that it literally yanks me to bed. He is a naughty man.
We were playing ‘I spy with my little eye’ and even Rajesh joined in the game. Tarun got so excited and uncle turned to look at me appreciatively.
“I see Priya and Tarun are on your side. Good, Anika. I tell you, those are the tough ones.” He laughed.
“Dad, you are so mean.” Priya whined to her dad. This just reminded me of my dad. It’s been two days since I talked to him. Though I talk to mom daily, I talk to dad every other day. Mom is so happy about her flower shop and she has started making good money on it. Advay still holds on to his billing part-time job in the supermarket and enjoying his holidays before college.
I am a daddy’s girl. Here, uncle is a very strict father and also very straight forward. But my dad, he would take up my side, no matter what. Even after he knows that I was at fault, he would never change sides. That was how much he loved me. He still loves me but not the same. Or that is what I feel. If I could go back in time and erase it, I would definitely erase my memories of Arun, that way, the humiliation of getting caught in home can be avoided and who knows maybe my dad would still be healthy. It’s all because Arun.
“Anika, are you ok?” Aunty asked me when I stayed quiet.
“Yeah, aunty. I am alright. I just thought of my dad.”
“Don’t worry, Anika. He will be fine. Arjun said he is well taken care of.”
“Yes, aunty. The doctor has said that there is quite a good improvement in his leg. He could feel his fingers move and also get back some senses in his thighs. That is a good sign. If this continues, there is a good chance that he could use a walker to walk instead of being tied to a wheelchair.”
“That is really good news. Just hope for the best.” Uncle told me.
“Yes, uncle. Mom is way cheerier than she normally is. All thanks to Arun.” I said but bit my tongue. I said Arun instead of Arjun. God, what a blunder. But it appears that no one noticed it. I felt too guilty for blurting out his name instead of Arjun.
I stayed quiet until we reached their huge grove with sky-high trees and a beautiful cottage in the midst. I was completely engulfed in the beauty that I hugged myself as I got down. As it was already 7pm and the breeze caressed me like a puppy, it almost felt like I was back in my hometown. We all walked into the house while Arjun was still parking the car. He joined in with us but went past me into the home.
“Appatha, how are you?” He asked his granny who came to the doorstep with a walker.
“I am too good, Ajju. How are you?” She asked him squinting her eyes to see him clearly.
“We are all so good. Come, sit.” He took her hand and walked her carefully to a rocking chair and made her sit there.
“Priya, where is my great grandson?” She asked Priya.
“Here he is, appatha.” Priya took Tarun from me and walked closer to granny.
“Hmmm, he looks like you.” She told uncle. She is right, Priya looks like uncle and Tarun looks like Priya, which means Tarun looks like uncle and with the photograph on the wall, I think uncle looks like granny (his mother). So technically, Tarun looks like her.
“Your eye-sight is very good, Amma.” Uncle laughed at her.
Everyone started talking with her and no one cared to introduce me to her. I felt left out and it was kind of awkward for me.
“Ajju, where is your wife?” She asked Arjun. Ah, finally. I got ready for Arjun to take me to her. But he just sat there without making an attempt to introduce me to her.
“Oh, there she is.” Priya pointed to me and the granny squinted her eyes to see me.
“Ah, don't trick me. She is not Ajju’s wife. I remember his wife well, a tall, slender girl. What is her name? Ah…. Anamika? Right?” She said, God, not this again.
“Appatha, your memories are bad. She is his wife.” Priya looked at me apologetically and reassured her by pointing at me.
“Liars. I remember her well. A very quiet girl with beautiful eyes. A very respectful girl also. Where is she? Who is this girl by the way?” She asked Arjun.
“You are right, Appatha. My wife has gone to her parent’s place. This girl is working in my office. She is here to help you out.” Arjun told her, earning everyone’s condemning looks.
“Oh, thank you, dear. I actually want someone to help me here. I would like someone to read this Mahabharatham to me.” Granny gestured to me to come close to her.
“How are you, granny? I will surely read the book to you.” I told her as I neared her.
“Hmmm you are beautiful too but no one can become Arjun’s wife except for Anamika. She even gifted me a beautiful Krishnar statue made of glass. Hey Arjun, when are you going to give me a little Krishna? I am eager to see a great grandson from you guys before I close my eyes forever.” She started with me and ended the conversation with Arjun.
“Very soon, Appatha. Soon after, Anamika comes back from her parent’s place. Now I am hungry. Shall we eat?” Arjun told her.
“Sure, can this helper girl cook? Muthu was not feeling well so I asked him to go home today.”
“Muthu was not here, appatha. He was working for you when you were in coimbatore. Kathir is here to cook. Everything is ready already. We just have to go and eat.” He explained to her.
“Oh, where is your wife?” God, I never expected this to be this hard.
“Appatha, this is his wife.” Priya tried again.
“Come here dear.” Finally, I ran to her to take her blessings.
“You have changed a lot. Do you remember the milk kheer you made for me? Can you do that for me again? That was out of the world.” She said to me, what should I do now? Should I be happy that she forgot Anamika’s face or should I be sad that I have to pretend to be Anamika? For the Nth time, I am regretting being his second wife. Why didn't he see me first before he saw Anamika?
“um...Sure, Paati (granny)” I stood up and walked towards the kitchen where Yashodha aunty joined me.
“Don't panic, Anika. Kathir will make it. You just have to serve it to her. Don't mind her, she is suffering from dementia.”
“Arjun told me earlier, aunty. That is not a problem at all. I would like to make milk kheer for her but I truly don't know how to make it. Can I take Kathir’s help and make it myself?”
“Sure, dear.” She left me in the kitchen with a 50years old man. It was so easy and even relaxing for me to talk with him. He taught me some tricks and we did the milk kheer together. Talking to him was like going back to my home. Even after a whole month of being with Arjun, I still feel I am not made for this luxurious life. I am still afraid to handle things around the house.
We all had dinner together and granny asked for Arjun’s wife another couple of times and everytime, Arjun never tried to do anything or say anything. She appreciated me for the milk kheer. That was the only good thing that happened all together on this visit. The similarities between my name and Anamika’s made granny finally accept me as Arjun’s wife. Now, I remember how no one noticed when I said Arun because it is very similar to Arjun. I am actually happy that Arjun didn't notice that since I know how hard and heartbreaking it is to be compared with your partner’s ex. Though Arun is not my ex to my heart, technically he is my ex, isn't he?
Arjun’s indifference was something that hurt me so much but again, that is him. He gets into his shell for no reason and gets back to me, again for no reason. He is a very complicated man. When we were all done with the dinner, we all came out and sat under the moon and stars to enjoy the cool breeze. I sat beside Arjun but he moved away from me and sat with Tarun. Rajesh and Priya noticed it and I felt so embarrassed with the whole situation.
On the way back, he adjusted the rear-view mirror back to its normal position, making sure I am not visible to him through the mirror. Tarun slept half way and so did I.
“Anika, wake up. We are home already.” Priya woke me up, lifting up Tarun in her hands. I woke up with a jolt only to find Priya and Rajesh near the car. Rajesh took Tarun in his hands and went inside with a little nod to me. Arjun is nowhere near.
“Arjun went in, Anika. Is everything alright?” She asked me, walking into the home.
“I think so.” I told her. What should I say when I myself is not aware of what has happened all of a sudden.
“Arjun is a tough one, Anika. But I can see that he likes you. Arjun doesn't like being lied to or getting deceived or betrayed. I would recommend you to have a more open talk with him to sort your differences. Take care.”
“I will, thank you, Priya.”
I walked to the elevator with so much confusion in my mind. Anamika is not going to disappear from our lives and I am to learn to live with it or her memories. I don't think that is going to be a cake walk. Everytime I hear her name or being compared to her, I feel very low on myself. She breaks me from inside. And Arjun, I don't know how to read him right. What happened to him suddenly that he is avoiding me?
I walked into our room only to find him standing on the patio in the midst of the beautiful plants and the fountain. I walked to him,
“Arjun, what’s wrong?”
“You are just a roommate for me, now on. You will do as I say and you will never talk about this to anyone, for if you do, I will erase your family off of the face of earth. I gave you enough time to confess your crimes to me but you chose not to, thinking me as a fool. You cannot share my bed still thinking about your ex-boyfriend. I tried hard to let go of your past but it looks like you are not yet ready. Now, even if you are ready to move forward, I am done forgiving you. Get out.” He said every word with conviction.
My ex-boyfriend? He knows about Arun. He noticed when his name slipped off my tongue. That is why his demeanor changed all of a sudden. What should I do now?