Secret wife

Chapter 19

"RAVI! Use your words carefully. You don't have to repeat what Amma said," said Rajiv.

"Sorry Acha. But that would be what everyone will believe," said Ravi.

"Don't worry; I will try to mend everything after your Amma's operation," said Rajiv.

"When are you planning for that?" asked Ravi.

"As soon as possible," assured Rajiv.

After consoling Ravi, both Rajiv and he went back into the house while Mahadevan left for his home.

For the next few days, the same silence that Rajiv had previously maintained persisted. Gomati tried her best to talk to him, even trying in her own way to apologize for saying things to him by cooking good food, greeting him, and taking every chance to talk to him. But he responded with nods and murmurs and did not even oblige her with a whole sentence, frustrating her.

"What in the world am I supposed to do to make him talk to me?" she asked in anger to Padmanabhan.

He was reading an uncrumpled newspaper for a change and was not in the mood to gently tell her, so he said, "You didn't apologize to him directly. Then why are you asking me what you did wrong?"

"So what should I do? Fall at my own son's feet?" she asked him, all riled up.

"No need for that, just tell him frankly. He is like me, as long as you are direct, he will relent to you," said Padmanabhan.

"I am too old-fashioned; a mother never asks something like that," she said in a huff.

"As you wish," said Padmanabhan without any care.

"By the way, Janaki is going on leave from tomorrow for a few days, so I will be cooking," said Gomati.

"Do you think you can handle it?" asked Padmanabhan.

"Well, this week your son is going on tour, and Abhimon is going for his college tour with his classmates. So it will be just Ravi, Kiran, you, and me. Besides, Mani will help around," replied Gomati.

"Alright," replied Padmanabhan.

The following day, Janaki and Leena departed for Chennai by flight. Upon reaching Chennai, Leena was admitted to the hospital, and two days later, Rajiv joined them. In a haunting reminder of the challenging birth of Kiran, he once again found himself waiting for Leena's surgery to conclude and her hospital stay to end. These moments were excruciating for Rajiv, but his attention was divided, as he had to console Ravi, who remained at home. He made hourly calls to update Ravi on his mother's progress, ensuring that Ravi was not overly concerned.

Five days later, Leena was discharged from the hospital, and Rajiv had reserved hotel rooms for the three of them. While Leena stayed in his room, Janaki stayed in the adjacent one. Even though Janaki was present, Rajiv seldom allowed her to tend to Leena. These were precious moments for him, and he was determined to cater to all of Leena's needs. During the initial two days, walking was agonizing for Leena, and she had to be wheeled to the bathroom. Rajiv tenderly carried her into bed, and she felt content, despite feeling like a burden. Over the past decade and a half, whenever she fell ill, she yearned to rest in his arms. This time, her beloved husband was there for her. As Rajiv leaned against the headboard, Leena nestled her head in his lap. He gently massaged her forehead and planted a tender kiss on her nose, causing her cheeks to flush with happiness.

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Abhi looked around only to find the boys of his class all looking pale and green in their faces. Suddenly, one of them got up and ran into the bathroom and violently retched, triggering the three other boys to run and join him. The door of their hotel room opened, and a man with a bushy mustache walked in.