It has been five months since Sameer have gone Canada. Everything is going fine and plain. My full attention is on now my final years exam....
It was 8 p.m. my phone rang. It was Varun-my final year project partner. I wondered why has he called me at this time. We never talk after college. I picked up the call. "Hello, Aarti?" I heard a manly voice from other side.
"yes Varun?"
"Thank God, you picked the call."
"Why you something so restless?"
"Actually, some problem has occurred in our project. I need to have those files in my pen drive which are in your laptop right now."
"Why is that so?"
"Because I have lost them and you know that tomorrow is our presentation."
Oh God! This guy is going to bring death to me. How can he be so careless.
"What have you done? you know that those files was so important for our presentation. Now, how are we going to make it?" I asked him in anger.
"I know. I have done a very big blunder. But we can do one thing. I can come to your place to get those files." He suggested.
"What? At this time?" I asked him in suspicion.
"Aarti, I know that it is sounding very weird. but you also know that if it wasn't so important I would have never asked you to come at your place." He said politely.
What should I do now?
Should I call him over?
No!
I can't.
My mother-in-law will eat me up.
'but this is also very important. Don't you want your gold medal?' my subconscious mind reminded me.
Of course, I do.
What ever will happen, I shall see it. But, right now, time is demanding something else. Something which is not liked by my family members.
But this is important.
Gold medal is worth of everything.
"Ok. Come. I am waiting for you." I told him.
"Thank you, thank you so much. I'll be there in 15 minutes." He said in rush.
I didn't know what to tell my in laws.
What is there not to tell? He is my project partner. Tomorrow is a big day. He is not coming here for some fun. He is coming here for something very important.
You are overthinking, Aarti. You are not going to let him come in your room. He will come in front of your in laws, you will give him pen drive and he will say thank you. What is objective there?
Nothing!
Absolutely nothing!!
I transferred the files from my laptop to one of my pen drives. I heard the door bell. I knew that it was Varun. I got out of the room to open the door. But as expected, my mother in law had already opened the door and Varun was sitting in the hall.
He saw me and stood up. He gave me a light smile but I replied with nothing. I knew that it was so rude of me but what could I do?
My mother-in-law already seeks for my one mistake to put me down.
I gave him the pen drive. I looked at my mother in law. She was already looking at me weirdly.
"Does it contain all the files?" My attention shifted to Varun at his voice.
"Yes, it does." I replied.
He just smiled and pendrive in his hands. He sad goodbye bhai to me and my in-laws. I closed the main door and turn to return my room.
"These were the only days left to be seen now after my son's departure that her male friends have started coming in our home."I heard her sing from behind. She has become really obnoxious now. How can she even say that? This is the first time when someone from my side had come to our home that too in front of them. Whatever we talked, the top ten front of her.
I turned and walked towards her.
"He is not my friend. He is my college mate and project partner. There was something very important to be done at this moment. Otherwise I would have never let him come in the house. And don't worry! He won't come back. This is the first and the last time this has happened." I said while folding my arms against my chest.
She didn't reply and left for her room rolling her eyes, as always.
I didn't pay attention to her. I was already very busy for tomorrow's preparation. So, I just came back to my room and started working up on my project.
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Everyone clapped as soon as Varun and I finished with our presentation. Our maths professor was looking at us with twinkling eyes. We love that him and he showed us a thumbs up. If he like our presentation then it was definitely good one. We both looked at each other and congratulated by shaking hands.
"It was awesome. I am sure going to get highest marks in this project." Pretty said excitedly.
"I hope so. The marks of this project are very important for the hike in my final marks." I said hopefully.
"Of course, your project was screaming to the hills that how much effort you have put on it." She said. "Thank you. Now I have to leave before it gets late." I told her while seeing my watch. "Oh come on! Everything was so perfect today. You can go late today. Let's get into a place where we can party. After all you did exceptionally good today. It's your day baby. Let's enjoy it a bit." She said holding my hands. I really didn't want to disappoint her. But I have to rush home before the deadline. I couldn't say anything to her but I think she has done mastery on reading my face now. "Your mother-in-law?"she asked annoyingly. I didn't say anything but I just not it giving a very sheeping smile. "O God! Where are you stuck." She said signing a long breathe out. I didn't like what she said but it was true and it is also true that she wants my wellness. "Ok fine then.See you day after tomorrow. I know it is not something to be told to you but don't forget there is exam day after tomorrow. So don't let anyone come between you and that. Ok?" She said laughing.
I got out of the college campus and started looking for a taxi. Before I could grab taxi Varun came in front of me on his bike.
"Hi"
"Hi, so you are leaving early today?"I asked him to ease my uncomfortness.
"Yes, come. I'll drop you to your home"he offered me a lift.
"O no no, I shall go myself." I denied him.
"But how will you go? I mean buses are on strike." He asked me back.
"I shall take taxi."
"I know but I want to drop you." He said sincerely. His reply made my eyebrows furrowed a bit. he understood that I didn't like the way he said that he wants to drop me.
"Please, don't get me wrong. It's just I know you are very private person. You don't do party and all and you don't even hangout with anyone. See, today we did well. I would never be able to do this without you. I know that if I'll ask you to come out with me somewhere, you will definitely deny. I want to thank you. That's it." He explain himself.
"Varun, I appreciate it and I have accepted your thank you. So, there is no need of dropping me. Really." I tried to convince him.
"Please Aarti, this is my way of thanking somebody." He said.
"By offering them lift?" I asked and laughed.
He laughed along with me.
"No. The people I want to thank, I probably take them out for some coffee or dinner but I know you won't agree for that. So, this is the least I can do to express my thank you. Here I am." He said opening his arms.
He pleaded so much that I couldn't deny him. I was already very rude to him last night when he came over my place. If I continue this then definitely he is going to think otherwise of me. I decided to go with him.
"Why have you stopped the bike? I didn't ask you to." I asked him while getting down of the bike. He took off his helmet and look at me. "You didn't but I knew that you were about to ask me to stop here." He said looking down. He was right .this is the place where uh my house can't be seen. "How did you know?" I asked him. "I know that your in laws are problem." He said nodding his head.
I really didn't want to push this conversation any further. I said a simple goodbye to him and left from there. I walk for about 10 minutes and reached my home.
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I am so excited today. My exams are going to start from today onwards. They will go on for about 15 days. I am excited not because I know that I am going to do well in this but I know that I am well prepared and I am going to give my best.
I woke up at 4, did my yoga and completed my kitchen work as soon as possible. I grabbed my kit, hall ticket and few notes of formulas to revise. I didn't want to be late. This is why I decided to reach at exam hall 1 hour before the actual time.
As soon as I opened the door of my room, I had a very big surprise. I saw my husband standing in front of me.
My job was dropped.
My eyes widened.
I don't know how to react on this. I didn't expect this.
"Surprise" he said while opening his arms and hugging me.
"Are you not happy seeing me?" Text while noticing the expressions on my face.
"I am happy. It's just I didn't expect you to be here." I answered him.
He walked towards the table and kept his briefcase.
"Who were you expecting then? Huh?" He asked while taking off his tie and watch.
"No one. Actually, I have my exam today. They are getting started from today onwards. I was in rush actually." I told him.
I never felt this way in front of him ever before. I don't know but his sudden arrival is scaring me. I am really not having good vibes from him today. I just want to get rid of this place right now.
"Shall I go?"I asked him in hope of getting rid of the situation.
"Your husband has come after 5 months. Can't you give him half an hour?" He said looking at me intensely.
"I would definitely. I would have given you all day but there is my exam today. You know how important it is to me." I tried to convince him.
"Of course I know. But I want you to stay here. Just 15 minutes." He asked nodding his head.
I couldn't deny him. I knew that I had to stay even for few minutes. I didn't see any harm in staying since I was already ready before the time.
He made himself comfortable. I brought breakfast for him. He was having his breakfast.
"You didn't tell the reason of a sudden arrival?" I asked him. I really wanted to know this reason.
"Well! I need it few answers. Answers from you." He said while chewing.
"What answers?" I asked him back.
He got up and wiped his mouth with tissue paper. He looked down and then looked at me.
"What ever I am going to ask to you, I just want clear answers of all those questions" he said sternly. I could feel the tension in air.
"Go ahead." I told him confidently.
"What were you exactly doing behind my back?" He asked me keeping his dangerous gaze on me.
"What do you mean?" I asked narrowing my eyebrows.
"Who used to come at home when I was not there? Who you used to hang out with? Huh?" He asked me directly.
My eyes widened and then it clicked in my mind that where is it coming from.
"Aunty called you and backbitched about me. Right?" I asked him annoyingly.
"Don't you dare to talk about my mum like this." He said in angry tone.
"Then ask your mother to not to dare spread misconceptions about me." I answered back even more angrily.
Although our voices were calm and composed but we both were in anger. I can't believe this. He has come all the way from Canada just to find out weather someone is coming in our home in his absence or not. Disgusting!
He stood up in anger and turned.
"Look, I don't know what has she said to you. But I have nothing to explain. He was just a project partner, he came due to reason and then he was gone. That's it." I told him trying to be calm as much as possible.
"That's it? Huh?" He asked turning back.
"Yes, that's it" I replied looking into his eyes.
"Mom, mom.... come up, quick" he yelled to call his mother up in our room.
She came after 20 seconds. I look that her. The smirk on her face was a tight slap on mine as if she was taunting me with her face.
"Yes beta, what is the matter?" She asked as if she doesn't know anything. But I knew that she is the one who has ignited this fire.
"I want you to tell everything, whatever you told me on phone." He asked his mother.
"Let it be beta. The matter will get stressed uselessly." She said trying to be innocent.
"Oh please, the matter has already been stretched. So whatever is there, tell him the truth." I demanded her.
"How are you talking to my mother?"
I turned it is question to him.
"How do you expect me to talk when I know that she has poisoned you against me." I told him. I can't even tell the level of anger rising in me right now.
"Beta, don't push this. Who is going to listen to this old lady in the house? Just take a look, if she can behave like this with me in front of you then you can imagine that how was her behaviour with me when you are not here." She said again trying to show herself innocent.
"What are you speaking? Just tell one single incident when I miss behave with you." I asked her in confusion.
What this lady is up to?
Why she behaving like this?
What have I actually done to deserve her hate?
"Shut up! Shut up arti!" He screamed from back.
He came near me angrily and wrapped my arms very tightly.
"Don't you dare to argue with my mother." He want me in high voice pointing his finger in front of my face.
This is the new Sameer I am meeting today aur I should say that this is the real Sameer meeting today. His voice, his face, his actions were so threatening that I couldn't composed myself for the reply. This was shock to me. I couldn't say anything. My whole body, my voice was frozen at a place.
"It's ok Beta. What if her male friends used to come at home? What if she used to take lifts from them? What is she used to do party with them? What is the use to get into your room in your absence?"
I looked at her with shocked expressions. I couldn't believe her words. Before I could say anything she continued her lies.
"It's ok Beta. Maybe we are old fashioned. We might have misunderstood her intentions. But what I saw, i just said." She continued speaking.
I looked at Sameer back. He was furious. His face was red with anger. He was looking at me as if he was going to eat me up.
"Sameer, she is lying. Yes, it is true that he came to our house but that is for once. he came for work, we talked in front of your parents and then he left. I didn't invite him to my room neither he did come. And as far as about this lift thing, then he insisted me. This is why I agreed. I swear Sameer, I never went to the parties. All the time I was engaged in my studies. Please believe me." I told him while crying.
"You really think that I should believe you. First you called my mother a backbitcher and then you are saying that she is a liar. Huh? and you expect me to believe you over my mother?" He said giving me a dangerous smile.
I didn't know what to say now. This was the point when I had understood that there is nothing I can do to make him believe me. Doesn't matter what, he is going to be on his mother's side always. He doesn't even want to look the things in real way. He is saying every stuff because his mother has said so.
"Whatever! I don't have enough time for this rubbish. I have more important things to do. I'm having my exam. We shall talk when I'll be back" I said while taking my bag and my notes in my hand.
I was about to get out of the room, suddenly Sameer graft I am again and dragged me to the bed.
"Where do you think you are going sweetheart?" He said keeping both of his hands on his waist. I was just staring at him blankly. He made sit on the bed. Kis nast my phone from me.
"What are you doing? What are you trying to do?" I asked him in terror. I looked at his mother who was standing behind. She was smirking as if she was telling me that she has won.
He took my face in both of his hands and smiled at me.
"Darling, you have done something which is off limits. You have done something which has disturbed me to the core. You did not just break the rules of being a good daughter in law but also accused my mother. You shouldn't have done this."
"What is going on? What are you going to do? " I asked him again.
He didn't say anything. He just left the room with my mobile phone and his mother. I tried to get out of the room but he locked it from outside.
"Sameer, please open the door. there is my exam. I need to be there. I have worked very hard for this day. You just can't do this to me. You can't take away this opportunity from me. You can't treat me this way. Sameer, Sameer open the door." I screamed again and again. I even better them to open the door and get me out of the house. But no one listened.
I looked at the clock. The time of my exam has already been started. At this time, it's not only me who is crying, it's my soul who is crying. Every word, every phrase, every sentence is less to explain the pain that I am feeling right now.
What have I actually done to deserve this?
The time was completely gone.
I was laying on my bed thinking about nothing actually.
Nothing was left for me now.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to shout.
I wanted to yell.
I wanted to cry my heart out.
But I knew that there was no use of it.
Suddenly the door gets open and she comes in in with a tray in her hands. She put the tray on the table beside the bed and was about to leave.
"Why have you done this? What have you got out of all this?" I asked her from behind.
She stopped and turned to me. She was crossing her arms against her chest the way I used to do in front of her.
"What do you think, I have forgotten the day when your father snapped at my son and husband?" She said.
I got out of the bed and stood up.
"You are still stuck there?" I asked her in disbelief.
She smirked.
"How can I forget the day when your father lectured my husband and son. Who was he to tell them what to do and what to not? He is as same as you." She said in anger.
"He did nothing wrong. He was just telling them the way a man should behave. She was just telling Sameer to take his stand. He was just telling your husband to watch out what is going in his house. He was just teaching them that how a man should be." I said defending my father.
She suddenly held my neck with their hands and started choking me.
"Then listen to me carefully. I am the man of the house. What ever happens here, happens on my orders. What did I tell you? I told you that you are not going to study. But you were courageous enough to get my son to your side. But see.what happened! what is the use of spending three years in college when you have no chance to give final year examination. You are going to lose this. You are going to lose your exam. You are going to lose your gold medal. You are going to lose the only way of gaining respect. You are going to lose your dream. And this is the consequence crossing me." She said and threw me on the bed.
Before I could get out of the room. She locked it again.
I ran towards the door and started beating it.
"Please open the door."
"Please let me be out"
"Please, please let me give me my exam"
"Please......."
I was screaming continuously and then I broke down. I said near the door in hope of of getting it open.
But no one came.
The door wasn't open at all.
She was right.
I really have lost everything.
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3792 words 😥😢
it has taken a lot in me to write this chapter.
Please be humble enough to comment.
I really had tears in my eyes while writing this chapter.
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