His Bride: When Fate Made Her Fake

|| 18. DISTANT ||

A-202, IYER HOUSE
AKASH GANGA HOUSING SOCIETY, MAYUR VIHAR PHASE-2
NEW DELHI

"Ishu. Tell me how's everyone at home?"

"Everyone? We are just three people at home Amma."

"Okay. I understood but are you taking care of your mother in law?"

"Yes but she is quite cool, she rarely bothers me for anything in fact many times she treats me with her handmade delicacies."

"Santhosh Ji is really very sweet, I am thinking of inviting her someday. Will she accept my invitation?"

"Definitely Amma. She is really sweet and humble."

"And Raman? If he is like his mother?"

I doubt if he is even a child of a human or not. Who knows if he is an adopted child. Ishita murmured thinking about her three weeks old husband and an anguish of her failed marriage reflected in her eyes. A month into this marriage and she doesn't remember a single day when her husband even tried to pay attention to her. It feels like he lives in an entirely different world where no one exists.

"Ishu! What are you thinking?"

"Nothing Amma. He is fine as well. Leave him, you tell me how appa is doing now? You took him to the doctor for a follow-up checkup?"

"Yes. He is doing better now."

"How are you managing his medication Amma? I am not earning even."

Madhavi face paled on listening Ishita question, she looked here and there and licked her lips before looking back at her. "Some savings you have done and even Vandu started working now na, so she is sending money to us. Don't worry we are doing fine here."

"Pakka?"

"Han meri Maa. How will you go today? Will Raman come to pick you up?"

"No Amma, I don't think so. He is apparently busy with some project. I will go by myself."

"And dinner?"

"I will do dinner with you. Toshi Aunty is not at home either, so I am anyways only one to have food." Madhavi nodded her head and served dinner for the two. Her husband already slept after having early dinner whereas Mihika hasn't returned back from her office either. Recently she started her internship which keeps her busy, Ishita sat next to her mother and relished the taste of the dosa and sambhar prepared by her mother. She dearly misses South Indian cuisine in her new home, that home has everything except the warmth which the home suppose to have.

"Ishu tell me clearly, is everything going fine between you and damad ji?" Ishita face turned stoic on listening her mother question, it's not the first time when she is asking about her married life but she don't know if she should tell her truth or not. The complexities of her marriage seems never-ending, everyday she try new way to impress her husband and everyday she sleeps with a new disappointment.

"Ishu! Kahan kho gayi beta?"

"Nothing Amma. Raman is just aloof. I used to think learning organic chemistry is tough, but my husband surpassed every bar." Ishita chuckled continued to relish the dinner made by her mother.

"Don't say so kanna. Marriages could be overwhelming, things takes time. Don't worry I believe everything will turn alright. Prepare his favourite meal, treat him with your handmade coffee. Arrange marriages are little tough."

Why I have to be on tougher side everytime.

Ishita groaned inwardly continued to finish her food. "Take this box before you go. I have prepared sweets for everyone." Ishita nodded her head, she kept her dish back in the sink and washed her hands. Her driver arrived some half an hour later, Ishita wished her mother and took a cue to leave. Everytime she leaves her mother home, she feels something leaving behind. Her mother's face kept flashing in front of her eyes and it was making her restless, she didn't know if Amma is telling truth or not. Her face didn't looked convincing enough, she looked outside through window and leaned her head against the glass wondering about her future with Raman.