What A Beautiful Face She Has

Divorce

Mathew's POV:

"Stella, I know this might be shocking for you, but you have to accept the fact. It’s been five months since we got married and we are not compatible with each other. I married you on one condition and you agreed to it. You promised you’d lose weight within six months but you failed. I’m not happy having a fat wife. You aren’t even working. You’re just sitting inside the room, eating, sleeping and repeating the same. I don’t think this will work out. I feel disgusted seeing your face. Let’s end this. Let’s divorce. I’m sure about it. I wanted to tell you this at home but you were sleeping after munching food and I didn’t want to handle your tantrums or see you crying. That’s why I’m sending this text."

I sent her the message and was enjoying the party with Joe.

“How is your life da? All good with Stella Anni (sister-in-law)?” Joe asked.

“No da, I’m planning to divorce her,” I said.

“What’s wrong with you? She’s an angel, da.”

I told him everything.

“You’re telling me all this. But did you even ask her what she’s going through? Why she’s behaving like this? First do that, talk to her. Don’t divorce her, da. She’s a good girl.”

I just shrugged.

“Naan unkita kalyanathuku munnadiye sonnen, Ava Yamini madhiri oru ponnu miss pannidadha-nu. Nee enna da ipdi pannitu iruka?”
(I told you before marriage, don’t let go of a girl like her. Why are you behaving like this now?)

“Vidu. Don’t spoil my mood,” I said.

“Dei, you’re spoiling your life, that’s what I’ll say.”

We started enjoying the party again.

After a few hours, I headed home. I felt relieved, like a burden was off me after so many days.

I rang the bell. No response.

Oh, right. Ada, ama la... naan dhana lock pannitu ponnen.
(Oh right... I was the one who locked the door before leaving.)

I unlocked it and entered. I was just about to head to my room when I saw her sleeping on the couch.

Innum thoongitu iruka, cha. Enna ponnu iva? Idiot. Naan vettilendhu kelambi 6 hours aagudhu, poite vandhuten. Innum iva thoongitu iruka. Epdi dha oru manushan ipdi thoonga mudiyumo?
(She’s still sleeping? Damn. What kind of girl is this? Idiot. I left the house 6 hours ago, came back and she’s still sleeping. How can someone sleep like this?)

I went near her.

“Stella? Get up.”
She didn’t respond.

I rolled my eyes and shook her shoulder.

“Hey, endhiri...”
(Hey, get up...)

That’s when I noticed it, her shoulder was burning hot.

Ennachu ivaluku? Ipdi udambu kodhikidhu.
(What happened to her? Her body’s burning up.)

I touched her forehead, it was burning like fire.

I ran to my room, grabbed the thermometer, and checked.

105°.

I panicked. Grabbed paracetamol and came back.

I gently nudged her awake. “Stella, wake up.”

She slightly opened her eyes.

“Have this,” I said.

She slowly swallowed the pill.