To Be Loved

A mistake?

The next day was a bright day and the first thing I noticed was that Mahalakshmi was not by my side. The washroom is wet and I grit my teeth at that. I am not used to wet washrooms for a few years. And the worst part? The slippers I use for the washroom are also wet. Fuck my life.

I went to the washroom and got freshened up. Fought with myself while helping myself to get into the clothes. Guess I am finally independent and can do some stuff on my own. I thought I couldn't do stuff on my own but getting myself a beautiful innocent-looking wife made me look at things differently... I guess?

I went out and saw Mom pushing her out of the kitchen and as soon as she was out, she saw me. I gave her a small smile but she? She???? She dares to not just not smile at me at the same time look away from me like I do not exist.

Okay, what the hell?

I looked at Bhabhi who was inside the kitchen. She asked me if I wanted tea or coffee to which I said tea and she started boiling the milk. It's 8 in the morning and this is the only day I woke up a little late. I usually wake up by 7 and get my things done.

"Varun don't forget, you have to accompany Maha to the doctor today." I heard my mom and replied yes. She is reading a newspaper on the table and I am sitting on the sofa. The dining area is attached to the living room so I have a clear look at her face. She has a very stoic expression while reading.

I heard a throat-clearing sound and looked at Bhabhi who was giving me a teasing smile and I frowned at her.

"I am not admiring her," I told her firmly.

She gave me a silly look "I am sure you are not."

To which I shook my head and took the tea cup from her hand.

Now Mahalakshmi is coming my way and sitting in front of me. She is neither looking at me nor is she sneaking glances. I know because I am staring at her continuously.

How can someone be so rude? Not considering me as her husband is one thing but she is not even acknowledging my presence? If it was old me I would have annoyed the shit out of her just to piss her off but I am not. Sometimes I just miss being myself.

"Bhargav! Here you are." I heard my mom's startled voice and looked up to see my neighbour come close friend come now, brother-in-law.

I expect now this girl will go jump on her brother. But she is sitting there. Like a rock. Not even looking at him and he looked at her. A painful expression on his face as he made his way inside towards us. He greeted me first and was about to talk to her when she got up and hurried inside. As if looking at him will disgust her.

Maybe it is because of me. Maybe it's because of this wedding that she is mad at her brother. I mean I get it. Who wants to get married to someone who can't even walk without a stick let alone a half-body burnt man? And it's Mahalakshmi we are talking about. The milky white skin perfect doe eyes pretty pink lips gorgeous Mahalakshmi. Who am I kidding? Why did anyone think that she would settle for anything less? How can anyone think that I Varun who is now nothing can be suitable for Mahalakshmi?

One thing I do not understand is that if they are so wanted her to marry her off why did they not make her go through an abortion? Why did they make her keep the baby? Would it not have been easier for them if they just got her aborted and then got her married to some other person who is better at something... or anything? Why me? Especially when she doesn't even like me. Not that I like her. But she seems to be disgusted by the idea of me.

Do they not want what is best for her?

"She is still mad at me." I heard Bhargav say and he gave me one sad look to which I could not reply.

"She might but you can always talk to her Bhargav." I heard my mom talk and that's when I realised she had come here.

"I can't Aunty. We no longer are kids for her to forgive me." he sighed and left outside leaving my worried mother inside. She looked at me and I just shrugged at her not knowing what to do.

"Isn't it supposed to be them who should be mad at her?" I said making her frown.

"I mean it was her who eloped and came back pregnant and I think she should be the one who should be begging for their forgiveness. She not just called off her wedding, she eloped and got married to some dude and her father got a heart attack after that. They have searched for her like mad dogs for five months and then found her pregnant with that lousy husband of hers leaving her. Why is she the one showing attitude?"

My mother listened to me calmly but with anger on her face and before she could react we both heard a small thud sound and looked back to where the sound was coming from. It was Mahalakshmi standing there with tears in her eyes and her phone on the ground. She hurriedly picked up her mobile and ran inside our room.

I looked at my mom who rushed after her and sighed.

Maybe I should just shut up.

✰✰✰✰✰✰

After lunch, I went to my room to take a nap and Mahalakshmi was already sleeping. I took the duvet got comfortable on the bed and tried to sleep, and before I knew it, I drifted into sleep.

It was close to four thirty when I woke up and my head was pounding. I got freshened up and left outside. My mom was outside folding the laundry and I sat beside her and started helping her. I looked around to see if Mahalakshmi is around but she is nowhere to be seen.

"If you are searching for your wife then she went outside." I looked at my mom and nodded and looked at her to tell me where she went. But my mom continued folding the laundry and smiling to herself.

She looked at me and started laughing making me frown.

"If you want to know where she went you just have to ask."

"I don't care where she goes, she better be home by seven so we can go see Gynec," I said continuing to fold the clothes.

She just pulled my cheeks and laughed. I sighed and continued what I was doing.

✰✰✰✰
Around six or so my mother called Mahalakshmi to which she said she will be coming. I got ready and started waiting for her. The clock is ticking and she is nowhere to be seen. It went from six thirty to seven and seven to seven fifteen and she is not even picking our calls. Everyone is getting worried and when asked even her parents said that they haven't seen her.

Bhargav came to our home and we together left out searching for her and calling for her. We first went to the nearby park to see if she was there but no, and then we searched a few more places, the bridge where she hangs out, the ice cream parlour everywhere.

Just as were about to start to another place I got a call from my mother.

"She is home." she said as soon as I lifted the call and Bhargav nodded at me. We both left to my home and I tried to walk as fast as I could upon reaching.

There she is, sitting in the couch with a prescription in her hand talking with bhabhi and maa. There were medicine too on the table and they all looked at me as I entered. Everyone but her. Bhargav came and stood beside me and started shouting at her. She neither looked at him nor acknowledged his presence. Everyone stopped talking as Bharghav walked towards her and grabbed her by her hand. I stood there watching as he gripped her hand and she winced. He gripped her face and everyone is trying to stop him.

She did not look at him. No. Neither at me. She closed her eyes, I guess in pain. And when she opened, she looked at me.

"Bhargav." I called out and he immediately released her.

"She might be your sister. But she is my wife. I hope you do mind it before you lay a finger on her."

Saying so I left to my room.