Ashutosh:
In the morning, I went downstairs. I saw mom and Rudrani cooking in the kitchen. I sat on the sofa beside my dad. Rudrani gave coffee to dad.
"Ashu, coffee," Rudrani gave coffee to me.
"Sweetheart, I decided to quit coffee from today, so I don't want," I said to her.
"Ashu, are you quitting coffee? You love coffee from your childhood and never agreed to give up on the coffee," mom asked me showing her surprise with my decision.
"Nothing mom, just being health conscious. I applied for Masters in the US. To clear the online test and manage everything, I must be healthy," I said looking at my wife.
"Wow Ashu, all the best. So finally you decided to do Masters abroad. That's good," my dad said.
"Ashu, you were married to Rudrani recently. I don't think it's a good idea to leave her now. How will she adjust to our family without your help, Ashu?" My mom asked me.
"Rudrani can manage herself, mom. I don't think she needs me. Everyone has their own life, and one can't sacrifice career for the another," I said and left to room.
"Ashu, are you leaving because of me?" Rudrani asked me.
"Does it matter to you?"
"Of course Ashu, you are my husband, and it matters to me," she said.
"Really? Do you remember that I am your husband?"
"Ashu, don't I have space in my life? Should I say everything to you? There's no compulsion Ashu. I have my friends and life. You can't compel me to share everything with you.
On that day, I thought to go to the camp but suddenly I got a call from Sanjay, and I went there. I don't think what I did is wrong. I have my friends in my life before you, and I can't leave them for you," Rudrani said seriously.
"Fine then leave me for them. Let's take divorce, Rudrani. So that you can live your life as you want. You will be free from this relationship and me," I said.
"If that's what you want, I am ready to take divorce, Ashu," Rudrani said.
I didn't talk much, and I went out to the hospital. I think treating patients can make me feel better. A month passed by so hard as I avoided Rudrani completely. Rudrani didn't try to talk to me at least once. She was happy and fine, and I didn't feel that she missed me. I slept on the couch all these days leaving the bed to her.
We are living together, but there's no love, no care, nothing. Why is Rudrani this stubborn? Does she value her friend more than me?
We were having dinner.
"Mom and dad, I want to ask you something," Rudrani said.
Mom and dad looked at her.
"I want to go to my parental home for few days if you didn't have any objection," Rudrani said looking at me.
I had my food without reacting to her words.
"Sure Rudrani, you and Ashu go to your parents and stay for few days. As it's your holidays, you both may have a good time there," dad said.
"No dad, I am busy with my studies. I can't accompany your daughter. I will ask the driver to drop her there," I said.
"Ashu, at least drop her there and speak to your in-laws for some time. If you didn't go, they might think otherwise," my mom said.
"It's ok mom; I will go alone. I mean Ashu no need to waste his precious time for me," Rudrani said.
"No Rudrani, it's not good to send you like that. Ashu, you are going to drop her," my dad said.
"Okay, fine," I said seriously looking at her.
Next day I dropped her at her parental home and drove off immediately. After two days, I got a call from her father.
"Namaste uncle," I said.
"Namaste Ashu beta, how are you?"
"I am good uncle,"
"I want to talk to you, beta," the uncle said.
"Sure uncle, tell me," I said.
"I want to meet you," the uncle said, and I agreed.
I asked him to visit my farmhouse.
"Ashu beta, what happened between you and Rudrani?" Uncle asked me.
"Nothing uncle," I said.
"Beta, Rudrani was upset these days. These two days, she didn't talk properly to us. She was irritated and crying for everything. We understood that something happened between you both. Did you ask her to leave your home?"
"No uncle, I never asked her to leave my home. It's her home too. Rudrani herself left my home. It's her decision," I said.
"Ashu, Rudrani was habituated to hide her pain and pretend to be strong. She never shows that she needs love or care. Through her behavior, we can understand that she is missing you. Rudrani is becoming dull day by day. Please beta, if she hurt you, I am sorry. Please understand her, whatever it is I am sure that Rudrani never does wrong. You know her better than us," the uncle said apologizing me.
"No uncle, it's okay. I will talk to her," I assured uncle.
Is Rudrani missing me? Being angry, did I miss the change in her behavior? I went to her parental home. Rudrani opened the door of her room and shocked looking me. She moved aside giving me the way.
I went into the room and closed the door.
"We are leaving to our home. Pack your luggage," I said looking at her.
After a month, I was speaking to her.
"I will stay here for few days," Rudrani said.
"I said to pack your luggage," I said again.
"I don't want to come to your home," Rudrani said.
"Don't force me to take you to our home forcefully."
"You can't-do that because you have no right," She said increasing my anger.
"I know I have every right on you as you have every right on me. Leave it. Are you going to come to our home or not, Rudrani? Answer me finally," I asked seriously.
Rudrani thought for a minute and packed her luggage.
"Go and sit in our car, I will come," I said seriously.
She didn't argue and went calmly.
"Uncle, don't worry I will talk to her. She will be happy with me," I promise her dad.
"Jijaji, shall I talk to you if you don't mind?" Her sister asked me slowly.
"Hey come here, tell me what you want to talk to me?" I said smiling at her sister.
"Jijaji, didi is sensitive, and she never shares her feelings with anyone. In her life, till now she is all alone and never got any love. Please jijaji, at least give your love to her. Only you can make her share her feelings with you. Her heart bears a lot of pain all alone. This is her diary, read it. You will understand how she hides her tears behind a fake smile," her sister gave her dairy to me.
I smiled and went to Rudrani. I hid the dairy and started the car. We reached home, but Rudrani didn't speak to me. I slept on the bed beside her. After few minutes, I took her into my arms. She looked at me.
"It's okay, let's forget this, but I hope you won't hide anything from me again. This should be the last time," I said, and she hugged me tightly crying.
"I hate you. You avoided me for one month. I tried to talk to you, but you didn't give me a chance. I hate you; I hate you," Rudrani cried.