Arjun’s PoV
I had already made arrangements for Anu to go to Salem where one of my acquaintances is practising as a doctor. We wanted everything to be lowkey and as subtle as possible so I avoided joining with her. I arranged a special transport for her from Chennai to Salem and dropped her.
“Thank you so much, Arjun.”
“Don’t mention it, Anu. Here, have this phone and use it to contact me at any time. I have saved my number in it. The doctor there will take care of you very well. All your necessities will be fulfilled there. If you need anything, ask them or me. Ok?”
“Sure, Arjun. About my request..?”
“I will surely make arrangements for you to see your parents. But not now.”
“Ok!” She left.
I went home to collect some basic things for our months of stay at the farm house. I know I have to answer all the questions from my family for this shortened honeymoon trip. I can handle everyone except my dad and I managed to sneak in when he was not home.
“Ajju, What are you doing here?” Mom caught me while I tried to use the stairs.
“I have shortened the trip, ma. I got some work that needs my immediate approval. It was unplanned”
“This is unacceptable. Where is Anika? She should be sad.”
“I know, ma. That is why I didn't bring her home. I promised her that I will spend some days alone with her. I dropped her at our farm house. I gave holidays to everyone there except for the watchman and one gardener. We will stay there for sometime to make it up to her. I also have planned for another honeymoon after three months. She is fine with my offer.”
“Whatever! I feel bad for that poor soul. She must be very disappointed now.”
“You don't have any idea! She is beyond disappointed now. But I will take care of her. Now send Priya to our room to pack Anika’s things for our stay there. I will pack mine.” I told her and left to our floor to escape her further questions.
I started taking all the important stuff and my clothes. I even have made arrangements in the lab and factory such that I am needed only three days a week. The more time I am with her, I can witness the more hurt she gets. But just then, I saw a tray full of clay mouldings, a paint palette, and packets of hooks. I should admit that the danglers she had moulded were beautiful. I packed them all along with my things. The more the work is, the more exhausted she will become.
After Priya packed up the things for Anika, she came to me to talk. Strange that we have not been in talking terms for years now. Since her marriage with Rajesh, I stopped talking to her. That was a little anger and that little gap stayed with us. When I think about it now, I am not angry with Priya at all. She, though makes some ruckus here and there, is living her life and Rajesh is happy too. But the thing is I cannot talk to her like we used to before.
“Ajju, are you alright?” She asked me.
“Yes, I am.” I tried to walk away from her to avoid this awkward situation.
“Wait there, Ajju. I want to talk to you. Why are you angry with me? Because I made Rajesh stay at our home? I had many times regretted that idea already. Now I am not here to talk about me or my life. I am here to talk about Anika and You.”
“We are fine. I am not angry anymore, Priya. It is your life and you have all the rights to shape it as you like.”
“Thank you, Ajju. I know we are both hesitant to open up to each other after that bitter part in our relationship. I believe that misunderstanding was caused because of me and so now I am here to break that silence between us.”
“Really, Priya, I was hesitant. I’m sorry I behaved like an idiot.” I told her, heartfelt. It is true that we have had an amazing childhood. I always used to pamper her and was vigilant whenever she was out. Even in college days, she was two years younger to me and we studied in the same college. I used to guard her until the years I was there, but apparently, after I passed out, Rajesh came into her life.
“Don’t be, Ajju. Over the years, I understood why you opposed this idea of bringing him into our family. I did that not because I wanted to live a luxurious life, but because I didn't want to leave you all behind. I thought I could not survive a day without being here in my comfort. I forgot to think about the love Rajesh has for me. Also with what he told me about his family, I thought his mom, dad and sisters would try to suck the maximum out of us. I believed him, that time. But now, when I think about the past, I think I was being selfish. Though we married off his sisters and are sending money to his parents regularly, I was wrong to have separated him from his family.”
“Sorry, Priya, would it be fine if I go along with Anika and leave our parents here all by themselves?”
“I know, I was wrong. But now, I am ready to go live with them but Rajesh is now used to being here with all this luxury and he is not ready to come along with me. I am bothered with how he is treated here and in our office. I don't blame you or dad. You guys don't disrespect him but at the same time you are not considering him as our family as well. In the office too, all the subordinates and workers see him differently though he is doing the same work as you and dad. I didn't think of all this before. But in as little as a month, I figured out that my decision was wrong. But that time, I was reluctant to admit my mistake as my ego was huge.”
“Let it go, Priya. Do things that make you happy but also don't hurt anyone else. I am by your side. I will do anything for your happy life.”
“Thank you, Ajju. Now, tell me, are you really alright?”
“Yes, I am.”
“You are lying, Ajju. I know you. I know your anger. What did Anika do? Whatever it is, I am sure she did it without knowledge.”
“Priya, You are right. There is a conflict between me and Anika. I am taking this break from you all to understand her. I will sort this out.”
“If what I have perceived you is right, this break you are taking is to punish her for her mistakes. I am afraid of that. But if what you say is true, I am happy for you both.” She said which irked me but I stayed calm.
“Arjun, unlike Anamika, Anika is a girl full of emotions. She gets happy, angry, sad, motivational, and what not emotional. Anamika was a girl void of any emotions. It was hard to connect with her. She was quiet and respectful but she never showed any extreme emotions ever. But as far as I talked with Anika, she told me to pursue my passion. She even gave me ideas. She encouraged my art when no one of you had time to even look at my creations. Now I sell my paintings online and also an art gallery has come forward to pay royalty for my art that they make copy and sell. Anika even gave me a contact for an art exhibition. I am making thousands on my own. It was all because of her. I owe it to her. She even took the liberty to advise me to take Rajesh out of this house to help him earn respect. I was even angry at her for her inappropriate talk. She is a girl who cannot stop herself from telling things that her heart feels. I am not telling you that it is a great character. But it is a good trait of hers that Anamika did not possess. She is an immature girl, Ajju. Teach her what to say and what not. I would say, the mistakes she might have made would be purely of her immaturity. Every person has positives and flaws. You love a person with both. She might have flaws just like every other normal human being. But it is not wrong to give her a chance. Don't be too hard on her. I can see that she is in love with you. Don't push her too hard so that her love for you fades away and is replaced by insecurity and hate.” She continued when she saw me being quiet.
“Your anger on me vanished years ago, but yet you could not talk to me like we used to. Relationships are that fragile. You handle it wrong or break it too much that it cannot be repaired again, You will lose that person forever. Anika is a person to be cherished. Don't lose her just because of your anger at this time.” She left me with a nod.
I need her, I love her, I cannot lose her. But she doesn’t love me like Priya anticipated. She is still in love with Arun. How can I tolerate that? Mistakes out of immaturity? No, that is not what she has done. She pulled off a well planned scam on me. She is not immature, she is too mature for her age. She is calculative, she is an opportunist, she is a heartbreaker.
But one thing Priya said was true. That anger I have now may not be the same after years. Should I look past everything again and start living with her oblivious of that love she has for Arun? How can I even do that? Am I angry with her now? Yes, I am. Then I should look past her mistakes and try living my life with love. But I am not just angry, I am hurt, I am betrayed, I am deceived, I am made a fool, I feel used by her. How can I make all those emotions vanish? Is that even possible?
Just then my phone pinged with an email. An Email from her? From that beautiful girl!
‘Hello Stalker,
Hope you are doing great. I am not. I am so sorry to have to mail you at my distress everytime. But you know, you come in handy in such situations.
Remember the last mail I sent you about love? It turns out that I have finally found the meaning of love but it seems useless now. I am now married and I wish to live my life with happiness. But again, my wish is futile. Happiness is like a fruit out of reach for me. Everything here is a misunderstanding and my past has become a nightmare.
My husband’s friend is a totally irritating person and I don't get a good vibe from her. But I have to tolerate her as she is VERY IMPORTANT for my hubby. I don't know, shouldn't he consider my feelings? When I thought that was over, came another problem.
All I wished was to bury my past and move forward in life but my love and mistake came haunting me. My husband is angry and he has every right to be angry. I understand that it is my responsibility to make him see my point of view. I am ready to do it. But as I said, happiness is a fruit out of reach, my husband’s past slammed me right across my face.
I don't know what to do. I am completely clueless of the path my life has taken me. Just pour in your positivity which I am lacking right now. Sorry for this long venting mail.
Take care.’