Unwanted

Chapter 26

Archit

I walked downstairs.

I looked down at my plate.
Tearing my roti into small bite size pieces I picked it up and ate it.
"Son of a b*tch."
I looked at Baba.
"Motherf*cker." He said.
"Can't even take a catch properly."
I digged back into my food.
Baba was drunk.
He was hurling cuss words at his phone just because a fielder missed a catch.

I looked up at Priyodorshini and saw her looking at me.
I quickly looked back at my plate.
Priyangshu was in my room sleeping.
"F*ck! How can he be so stupid." Baba said puching the dinning table. I flinched due to it.
Thank God Priyangshu is asleep.
Priyodorshini cleared her throat.

"Uncle." She said making Baba look at her.
"How many times have I told you to just call me Baba." Baba said slurring his words a little.
"Baba, I don't want you to drink anymore." Priyodorshini said.
Baba stayed silent staring at her.
"Don't ask him Dar-"
She glared at me.
"I-I mean don't ask him to stop drinking Priyodorshini." I said while munching my dinner.

Priyodorshini looked confused.
"I have asked him before. He never listens."
I said trying my best not to sound sad.
"Amari kotha shonena tomar kotha toh jiboneo s-"
[Translation: He doesn't even listen to me, he would never listen to you in a lifetime.]

"If Priyodorshini says then I'll stop."

Baba said making me choke on my roti.
I coughed. Darshini handed me a glass of water.
"Don't talk so much while eating Archit." She said scolding me.
"Anyways, thanks for that," Priyodorshini said to Baba with a smile.
Baba looked at her, his eyes suggesting that he wanted something.
"Baba." She finished her sentence after a long pause. I looked at Priyodorshini and then at Baba.

You always mocked me whenever I told you to stop drinking. Then, why now?
I couldn't help feeling jealous.
No. Not jealous, I feel envious. Afterall, jealousy is when you are worried someone is trying to take what you have.
Envy is when you want what someone else has.
My thoughts mocked me.

Priyodorshini and Baba continued talking, about their day, work. I felt uncomfortable and left out.
"I'm gonna go wash my hands." I said trying to catch their attention. It was of no use. They didn't bother with me.
I got up.

After washing my hands I went straight to my room.
I saw Priyangshu sleeping on the bed peacefully.
A smile formed on my face.
I went and sat beside him.
"Good night sweetheart. Sweet dreams." I mumbled kissing his forehead.
Priyangshu tossed in his sleep, his finger got tangled with my amulet. He gripped it.
My fingers touched my amulet.
I tried to detangle it, remove it from Priyangshu's grip.
"Baba."

He whispered in his sleep.

I left the amulet.
I looked down at him.
My son. My baby.
I kissed his forehead again.
He was the only one who cared about me.
I lied down beside him, his little hand still gripping my amulet tightly.
I ruffled his hair and started stroking his head gently.
My eye lids started feeling heavy.
I closed my eyes.

●●●●●●

"Archit, wake up!"
I sat up with a jerk and opened my eyes.
Priyodorshini was standing infront of me, her hair wet.
"It's 8:00 am, wake up." She said.
I threw the blanket off and got up from the bed. Priyangshu was still sleeping.
"Good morning." I mumbled while rubbing my eyes. My voice came out as low and husky.
"Good morning." Darshini said sternly.
I nodded ny head still half asleep.

"By the way, if you wanted to sleep on the bed you could've told me earlier." Darshini said making me recall last night.
Oh shit! I must have fallen asleep.
The bed felt comfortable after sleeping on the floor for a month.
"Sorry." I mumbled bowing my head down.
Darshini walked out of the room.

I stared at the mirror.
I started unbottoning my shirt.
She is so cold to me. I don't know why?
All kinds of thoughts started encircling my brain.
Should I try to be more romantic?
I looked at Priyangshu who was sleeping peacefully.
I smiled.
My son.

After changing my clothes and brushing my teeth.
I walked downstairs to have my breakfast.
Baba and Priyodorshini were already having their food, chatting.
I sat beside Baba and served myself.
I took a bite out of my toast.

"Archit listen." Priyodorshini said, her voice calm and collected.
"Hmm." I answered while chewing my breakfast.
"I was thinking of enrolling Priyangshu in play group." Darshini said while applying jam on her toast.
"He's about to turn three." She finished her sentence.
"Hmm." I answered.

Priyodorshini stared at me.
I bowed my head, not wanting to make eye contact with her.
"You need to come with me." She said.
"Where?" I asked, raising one of my eyebrows.

"To enroll Priyangshu ofcourse."

I know it's short and not that good but I wrote after a long time.
Updates are going to be really slow from now on as my life has caught upto me.

I am shocked to see the state of women's safety nowadays.
It is really sad to see this in a place where women are worshipped.