✔️The single housewife (Completed)

The Full Story

Era's POV

"Hey grab this." Neel said as he handed me over a soft and fluffy white colored blanket from a cupboard.

It was a small cupboard, located in an inconspicuous corner. It was filled with perfectly folded woolen blankets.

"We keep blankets here, in case our volunteers are stuck here during the ice storms." He said as he grabbed his own and we both sat close to the window.

"Like I had said, the winters occupy this place for around nine months. We have to be prepared for ice storms." He said as he switched on some kind of heater.

"Oh! I had no idea about it. I have just come here with my basic winter wear. I have no blankets or heaters or chimneys at home." I said.

"Don't worry. All the houses and buildings here are installed with heaters. Yours too should have it. I have extra blankets and winter clothes. Will call my mum and she ask someone to send it to your place." He said and his concerned face naturally brought a smile on my face.

And a thought came into my head.

"Neel, I wanted to ask you how did you come to know about my marriage? I never told anyone about it!" I asked him.

"Well, "He paused. As if trying to frame a reasonable answer.

"I wouldn't lie to you. I had sneaked inside and watched your life through the control room in the councilor's building." He said after sometime. He looked like a soldier, ready to face the defeat on the battlefield.

"And may I know why did you do that?" I was trying to contain my anger and tears of frustration. It was really embarrassing to face the fact that I had a failed marriage.

"Well, when I saw you the first time in this mansion, you were swinging the swing, painting a picture of a deep melancholy. Tears blanketed your cheeks while you looked at your phone. I felt bad for you." He said as his eyes became soft.

"And you decided to pity my state and include me here!" I couldn't help but be angry at him.

"No. Your marriage or emotional distress has nothing to do with you being here. I really trust your mettle. I know the wonders that you can do!." He said.

"You are lying. How do you know about my weakness or strengths? You barely know me since past week!" I reasoned. Even though my mind was fogged by the vapors of disappointment, my brain was all set upon to function normally.

"Actually that's not true." He said, looking at the empty coffee mug.

"What do you mean?" I asked him in a lower tone.

"Actually, I have been observing you since we were kids. Since the day you placed my family's ring in your little ignorant finger to the days when you came here to play. I was fascinated by your simplicity and innocence. I still am. I would wait every vacation to just see your face." He said.

I was floored. But that didn't give him any right to spy on my married life.

"When your uncle left, I secretly prayed and prayed for him to not sell this house. My joy knew no bounds when you stepped inside the place. And I couldn't wait to meet and talk to you. I was no longer a kid then, and had a right to approach a person from the outside world. However, I was perplexed seeing you crying a few times. I couldn't help myself but again sneak inside the control room and see your married life. And that pathetic husband of yours having time of his life with his ex." He spoke up, this time his voice coated with disgust.

"I just wanted to see you happy. You are a gem of a person. You deserve every happiness in your life." He said as he patiently waited for me to say something.

I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. I mean, I had found someone who really cared about me but I didn't appreciate him taking interest in my personal life. Especially because I was embarrassed of my broken marriage.

"You do not need to be guilty about it." He said. And I knew what was he referring to.

"Trust me, its your husband's fault. Its his folly to leave you." He spoke up again.

"His love, Deepa didn't come between us. It was me who came in between his love life. Agreed that I still love Deep and I sometimes pray that he comes back to me, but I know the prayer is futile. He will never be mine." I cried. The tears swelled up so freely for the first time in so many days.

I had never discussed about it with anyone. I was scared of being judged. But now I had an outlet and someone to listen to what was I going through.

I told him everything. About my married life, about my in-laws, my family, my efforts to be an ideal wife and daughter-in-law and so on.

It was after a while I felt in peace. I was now glad that the tears had opened floodgates to my emotions and I no longer felt lonely. I felt light after pouring my heart to someone so sensitive about my emotions.

As if by magic, my a glass of water came into my hand and smile adorned my lips again.

"Promise me.' I said, still not over the fact that Neel has literally breached my privacy.

"Yes?" he asked.

"You will never spy my personal life. If you want to know anything, you will ask me directly. Am I clear?" I said.

"I promise." He smiled as he sipped his own coffee and looked outside the window.