His Innocent Wife

Learning to Live

Nisha's pov:

After a week:

The daylight had dwindled to a barely perceptible lightening of the gloom. Each wall of concrete was identical to the next without an identifying marker of any kind. Standing in what could be any part of the labyrinth, I realized my folly. I had been so certain that I could do better than before, that I would be in the hearts of these people. There was no reason that left would be better than right, or ahead better than doubling back. I always, considered sitting until the dawn, but who knows what would come when I was made blind by the night.

Dusk came sooner than expected, the last of the sun's rays cosseted behind soft grey cloud. The street took on the look of an old photograph, every familiar thing a shade of grey. Slowly the view faded to blackness and the night began.

I retreated to the living room to the people who would come out searching for me, if the sun was lost from the sky and the darkness consumed everyone. Aside from Aarav leaving his chair to attend a call every now and then, the evening passes in amiable silence, each of them content to hear only the crackle of the other's day and each other's steady breathing.

Today, I completed a complete week in this house. This one week was really a roller coaster ride for me, not physically but emotionally. I experienced a tornado of emotions run wildly through me. Care, respect, love, patience, family bonding, standing up for our own rights, I felt everything in this house. I have seen everyone's grumpy self when not in mood as well as the most joyous shade when happiness is on its peak. Be it the younger or the elder one, the care and respect they have for each other is commendable.

When anxiety and fear grab me by the tongue and dry my mouth, I don't panic anymore around these people. I know that I'm with my people and am absolutely safe and secure with them. Every fear is less scary and I am all the stronger for my battle scars. So instead of letting my old memories take me down, I tell myself everything will be alright. I remind myself that I am a good person, I do good things, I have a heart full of love and there is world is full of good people out there who care for me selflessly.

I left my home but, I can definitely say that I got one in return too. No comparisons but, Mummy and Papa are pretty chilled out and affectionate than my parents. They don't just love from the heart, they express their love too. They don't just care for you emotionally, they show that too. They don't just expect respect, they give it too.

As of Aarav, well he is not only brother in law but, also my brother too. The way he initiated our first conversation with a lot of awkwardness and made it end with a hefty laugh, made me like his personality a lot.

Laughing is a signal of feeling safe, of feeling comfortable enough to indulge in high emotions and feel how they bring real health. The same happens when I'm with Aarav. His jokes, his antics and his sense of humour is all that keeps the house sane. Mummy's words, not mine.

As of Amu, she is a sweetheart. Even though, she is the middle child but, still treated as the youngest princess of the house. And, no doubt, she enjoys this treatment. For me, she turned out be a good friend in need and my sister in relation. It's quite surprising for me to find her having the same thoughts and way of approch towards life as me.

And, then comes my dearest husband, whom I have last spoken three words two days back. 'You want tea?' That was it. He leaves house really early in the morning and God knows his time of return. He has his lunch, dinner as well as breakfast in the office itself. So, there's no point of waiting for him even at the dinner. Mummy told me that he is working on a really important project right now and that's the reason for his busy schedule.