"Why is everyone taking his side?"
Sarla Arora looked at her with pleading eyes while Preeta shook her head, totally determined.
"He has been doing too much. He has registered you in the University. He has been bringing those books, medicines, and things to eat. He is being too much polite, Preeta. Don't push him so much."
Preeta breathed and lowered her eyes. "I can't. He is rich. Those things were not a big deal for him."
". . . and living in his friend's home? His own family is hating him for you. They aren't allowing him to enter home. He is suffering as much as you. He is getting the punishment, Preeta. He is scared of losing you. Don't test him like such," her mother said softly while putting hand on her shoulder.
Preeta looked at her mother. "You know what he did, mummy. You know how he behaved. I can't forget it. I can't forgive him. I won't back up this time."
"You know, he is sorry. Is this how, we maintain our relations? Is he not putting full efforts? In this whole week, has he left a day to not see you here? Hasn't he requested you every time? Ask for your forgiveness? You know, he is regretting. This is not the end, Preeta. There can be so many troubles ahead in life. You both need to face them together. You both have to be together."
Preeta's eyes turned glossy as she gulped. "He would hurt me again. I can't."
"He has learnt the lesson, Preeta. Be on his place and try to feel. You too would have been angry. I know, he was harsh but apologies need to be accepted if they are genuine," explained her mother.
"Don't break him, Preeta. Wrong or right, whatever he does. He does it all in your love."
A sob erupted from her throat as she covered her mouth but suddenly the bell rang and both the ladies got alert. Without giving her mother a glance, Preeta ran upstairs to her room.
Her heart started beating faster knowing it would be him. Everyday, at six, he was directly coming from office to check on her, beg her forgiveness. He would try to request her, talk to her parents.
But she took her stand. She knew that she wasn't wrong and suffered for no reason.
He needed to suffer just like her. He needed to know how it felt when someone you love, don't trust you enough.
She didn't trust him as he could do this again. He could get angry on her again for no reason.
She won't forgive him for this. She won't. Even if a week had passed. Even if her parents were pitying him. Even if she loved him.
A sudden knock startled her but Preeta didn't reply. She quietly stared at the door and gulped when it was knocked again.
"Preeta, open the door. He is gone. He just came to give these books. He was telling about going to Mumbai for a week," her mother said through the door.
She frowned.
"I don't know what he said properly. He was talking about some deals. Take these books and some medicines are there too."
Preeta felt her heart drowning in pain. She clenched her jaws and felt her eyes burning with hatred. She opened the door and saw her mother looking at her apologetically.
"He didn't say anything?"
Her mother smiled sadly. "He requested me to take care of you."
Preeta's lower lip trembled in betrayal. "That's it? Take care of me. Just that for me. His wife is newly pregnant and he just said, take care. This is the son-in-law, you adore so much. This is how he cares for me. Here, I am conflicted if I should forgive him or not. I miss Kritika and Mom. I want to meet them. I want him to ask for my forgiveness again and again. But guess what? Mumbai is more important. His deals are more important than his pregnant wife," she spat harshly.
