✔️The single housewife (Completed)

The change

Era's POV

"Mmmmmmm" I was in a good mood and singing a random tube while dusting the windows. I thought about the appreciation  I had received while covering a new story. I was still struggling to cope with the interns and putting in extra hours to compensate. Finally, for the first time, I had felt like my persistence was paying off.

For the first time in my domestic life, I felt like I had something to look forward to a whole day. Having a profession in the field of passion is more than fulfilling. Now I had a reason to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and excitement in my heart.

Deep had gone to the railway station to get my mother in law. We had decided to tell our in-laws first about our marriage and then to my parents. Besides, I was still insecure about whether the Council would accept me at the end of the third month.

My mother in law soon entered the house, and I touched her feet as a mark of respect. We exchanged formal pleasantries and talked about our domestic life. She was satisfied looking at the immaculate home.

Deep and Deepa had created a messy home. It took me hours at late night to remove her traces. I had to request the Househelp of my neighbour to assist me in cleaning the place. It took a great deal of hard work, intense eye contact with Deep to join the force, and some monetary compensation to the house to help do the extra help. I didn't want my mother-in-law to doubt my absence in the place.

It took me 3 hours to remove the traces of Deepa and make the house look normal by embedding the paths of our mundane lives. But what about Deepa's fragrance that has itched into the mind of Deep? How could I remove that? Nay. I was okay without Deep now. He can have whomever he wants.  I smiled, thinking about Neel.

"Era, Deep said that you wanted to talk about something serious?" Asked my mother-in-law as I slogged in the kitchen, wondering when would I be able to walk back to the Cerulean city, my world. My home. My place. I was preparing tea for my mother-in-law.

"Era?" my frustrated mother-in-law woke me up from my open-eyed slumber.

"huh?"

"Where is your attention nowadays? Let me repeat it. Deep said that you wanted to talk to me about something severe." She said as she dipped a biscuit in the tea.

I looked around to find Deep signalling me to talk to her. I gave him a look. The divorce was entirely his fault. He must be the one to take the initiative!

"Deep!" I shouted! "Let's tell her together, okay?" I called, and he was forced to come from his hiding place.

"What is happening? is someone going to tell me what is the matter?" Asked my mother-in-law impatiently.

"We are planning to end our marriage." Said Deep as he held my hand for the support. Both of us knew that a full-fledged drama awaited us. Though our paths would be separated, we had to fight the one last battle as one force.

"huuuuaaahhhhh huuuuaaahhhh", my mother-in-law struggled for breath. I wondered if she had any seizures. Perhaps we both should have had created an atmosphere and slowly revealed the news.

"But... why?" words fell out from her anxious mouth.

I held Deep's hand tighter. He needed my support.

"Ma... do you remember my college love Deepa? said Deep in a low voice.

"Yes? "asked my mother-in-law, her tone indicating that she feared for the worst.

"I want to marry her. I don't love Era. Even after years of marriage, we both failed to find compatibility." Deep tried to explain, and I nodded at her. I was agreed that Deep had cheated me. But he wasn't entirely wrong.

"Beta (son), you need to have a child. After that, everything will be okay!" She gave a suggestion. It was the worst advice ever. One look at Deep's face, and I knew he was ready to erupt like a volcano that had been dormant for a while. But I knew I needed to shut my mouth. Why get wounded in a battle that was initiated by someone else?

Three...two...one... and go!

"Ma, what if he ends up having a child and still does not fall for each other? How many times did I tell you in the past to not get me married to a girl whom I didn't love? Because of you and papa, three lives are at stake! Poor Era is faultless, and yet, she would have to suffer! All because of you and papa! If you hadn't forced me, I would have told Era everything on the day before our wedding!" He shouted, his ears pink.

I expected my mother-in-law to get a panic attack. Because now it was the question of family's prestige. How could her "bahu" leave her son? That would lead to defamation of the family's name. Unfortunately, such a glitch didn't affect her health, and she looked hale and hearty. She was in no mood to even get unconscious. I looked at Deep, who was equally disappointed. Perhaps he, too, had hoped for the same. It took a great deal to hide a smile.

Deep 1, Mother-in-law 0

Suddenly I saw her flinching. And now the game is one. On her marks, get set, Go!

"Agreed that your father and I are at fault! But you could have tried to honour the relationship you had with Era. Poor thing tried to win you every day, but you always ignored her efforts! We tried to talk sense to you, and we also felt ignored! Nothing has changed yet. Both of you need to think once more and drop the idea of separation! I am calling your father and Era's parents. Maybe they will put some sense in you, Deep!" She said and went towards the kitchen.

And that was the score! Deep 1, MIL 1 !    I expected newer players the next day.

Deep looked at me with an apologetic face, classless of what to do next. I gave him brief eye contact and went to my room to lie down. I hoped that within two to three days, I would be free from all the drama. Even if she manages to convince Deep to save our sinking marriage, I wouldn't be ready to do so. I had tasted the freedom and enjoyed the mental peace. No amount of persuasion would compel me to return to my present situation.