✔️The single housewife (Completed)

The abandoned house

Era's POV

I marched towards the old home, that was now legally mine. All the enthusiasm of redecorating it went into the drain ever since I laid my hands on the divorce papers. Deep had messaged me that he won't be able to come home that night. I wished at least he could have called me and stated the reason for his absence. But now I didn't have anything to expect from him.

It took me a whole night of restlessness to wonder where did I went wrong? I mean I did everything that a dutiful wife does. I sacrificed my entire being to make him and his family happy. It was only during the early hours I was able to sleep. I finished all the chores. My in-laws were supposed to visit their village today so I helped them pack. They would be back after 2-3 days. Since I was home alone, I had leisure time, probably the first time in three years.

To contain my restless and frustrated self, I decided to visit the place. I opened my purse to take out a small sapphire ring. It brought a smile to my face. During my childhood, I found it while playing on the swing that was hung by my grandmother.  It was one lazy vacation afternoon when I found it gleaming near the storeroom. I picked it up and treasured it ever since. The sapphire like diamond gleamed, always reminding me of my beautiful childhood that I had spent in that huge bungalow, overlooking a huge lush garden front aback.

It was situated right in the middle of the town, yet hidden from the busy lifestyle. Its rich architecture gave it a look of a "heritage site". The Bungalow was given company by a few others with the same kind of architecture, albeit they were less grand. However, those were well maintained and this one looked like it was haunted.

The perfectly quiet neighbourhood bestowed me with some kind of unusual comfort, the one I received unintentionally during my childhood.

In midst of the playing squirrels and chirping sparrow, I entered the entrance of the heaven, with the white metallic door creaking the welcome song. I roamed around my childhood paradise, climbing the wooden stairs and touching the pieces of furniture that still had space in my heart.

Suddenly I felt like I heard music. A strange one. As if some kind of party was going on. I followed the faint voice and climbed the stairs to the third floor. The floor had a room, a terrace and a small storeroom.

I remembered how it was forever locked even while we were kids. I glanced at the sapphire ring and remembered how I found it outside the storeroom. The music fainted and it seemed like I was mistaken. The lobby had an ancient kind of stillness. Was I hallucinating?

I went downstairs, fished out my book and started making a list of things I can purchase to clean the house and make it a bit presentable.

I went to the backyard and saw my swing, covered with dust. Thorough cleaning with my handkerchief ensured that now I could sit on it comfortably. Even though two decades had passed, the swing still was stable and strong, making me fearless that I won't fall. I wished my marriage too gave me the same feeling.

I decided not to focus on my failing marriage. And just go with the silent inviting cool breeze that gave me a signal to let myself free.

Within a few moments, I was on the air, my melancholy replaced by silent laughter. I felt free. No obligations, no fear of being called lazy, no expectations to be a perfect wife or daughter in law.

"Maam may I know who are you?"  I opened my eyes to face a handsome stranger, with blue eyes. He had an amusement on his face. His blue eyes matched the colour of the stone my ring. As if, both were cast using the same colour.

"Ummmmm yes. I am the new owner here. I came late here, days after this house was announced to be mine." I clarified. I felt a strange sense of attraction towards him as his blue eyes gazed at my ring.

"Yes, I always knew you would come." He smiled. There was a kind of enigma hidden behind his smile.

I was so awestruck by his sudden appearance that I couldn't help staring at him. His face looked familiar. And yet I couldn't remember him.

He turned around and exited through the back gate. There were two gates. One was in the front of the house and another in backyard.

Suddenly I realised that I had forgotten to ask him the most vital question. Who was he? And how did he enter the house? And why the hell did he came inside the backyard.

Perhaps he was some kind of employee of my uncle? Or maybe a caretaker?

As the sun was about to set, I realised that I had to go to the place I had always called my home. But I guess now it was no more my home. Home is a place where u feel like going after a tiring day. Even though I wasn't drained, I didn't feel like going.

It took a loads of positive affirmations and mental self scolding to lift my feet towards the exit of the house. While on the way, my mind went back to that handsome stranger.

"Yes, I always knew you would come." He had smiled when he had said that. Why? Who was he?