Chronicles Of My Darling Husband | ✓

118. Kalaha (Part 3)

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"Well, actually, Xav and I discussed it." Subhadra hesitated, biting her lip. "He thinks it might be best to tell my parents after he finishes his master's and gets his business off the ground. He's on his own financially, and he doesn't want to seem...unprepared, I guess."

A hint of admiration flickered in Nishita's eyes. "He's quite mature about the whole thing, you know? Responsible. Sounds like a good guy."

"Life hasn't been easy for him, he has faced too many things in such a young age..." Subhadra conceded, a note of quiet pride creeping into her voice. "But that's just made him stronger, more determined. And I know that my Xav will conquer this world one day and I'll be there, front row seat, cheering him on every step of the way because I know that his heart beats only for me."

Witnessing Subhadra's unwavering dedication to Xav made Nishita question the people in the Singh household. The sheer intensity of Subhadra's love mirrored what Nishita had observed between Yashoda and Veer—a love bordering on madness. It was a beautiful madness, a testament to the power of the heart, yet a part of Nishita couldn't help but wonder if it was a path she could ever walk. Could she ever surrender herself so completely, so fiercely, to another person?

Sounds impossible...

"Promise me, Bhabhi, you won't talk about this to anyone until I talk to Maa and Papa... Please." Subhadra requested, cutting Nishita's thought short.

"Promise to my pyari Nanad," Nishita teased, her laughter echoing in the room as she pinched Subhadra's cheek. "By the way, do I have any chance of meeting this mysterious Xav before he jets off to rule America?"

"Oh, Bhabhi!" Subhadra swatted Nishita's fingers, hiding her face under her hand, "I'll ask him if it's possible, I don't think he would be willing to come around any of my brothers for now."

Nishita laughed aloud.

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Time passed by, and soon Subhadra returned to her college while Yashoda went back to Kamptee. A month had already gone by, and Nishita began to feel the deep loneliness that came with her charade of ignoring Jagdish. He didn't seem to be bothered at all by her silence, rather she felt he quite enjoyed it.

Why the fuck he married me if this is what he wanted?

Maybe he just wanted to agree with his mother.

But he said he loved me...

Ugh!

He adhered to a very strict routine: waking up early, practicing his sitar, going for a jog, freshening up, eating breakfast, and then leaving for work. In the evening after returning home, he would sit in his study doing some goddamned work, then have dinner with her in silence before going to sleep. Such discipline, much wow...

The chef who came to prepare meals was always in a rush, never stopping to chit-chat, and focused solely on her work. She cooked and left as quickly as she arrived. For lord's sake, she had no clue what the chef's name was!

And the house help, well she was no different than the chef.

Nishita, now trying to study for her prep, struggled with the unfamiliar environment. She missed the lively atmosphere of studying with friends, where chit-chatting all day helped alleviate the stress. Alone, she felt increasingly depressed. The silence became a living entity, a mocking presence that seemed to amplify the squeak of her pen and the rustle of turning pages. Each passing day amplified her frustration.

Driven by the need for connection, she found herself talking out loud—explaining complex concepts to the potted ficus tree in the corner. The absurdity of the situation elicited a shaky laugh, a fragile spark of sanity in the encroaching darkness. But the laughter died quickly as she realized that there was nothing that she could do to let this silence end.

To distract herself, she turned to cooking, frequently calling her mum and Devika for recipes and tips. Though she knew the basics, the combination of study stress and her desire to divert her attention from wallowing over her husband's indifference led her to become quite the master chef. Cooking became her escape, a way to channel her frustrations and anxieties.

One particular day, her frustration reached its peak. She had spent the entire morning studying, her head throbbing from the effort. In an attempt to find some solace, she decided to make Jagdish's favorite dish, Baingan ka Bharta. Yashoda had once mentioned that Jagdish enjoyed spicy food, and despite her anger towards him, Nishita found herself wanting to cook his favorite meal. She chopped and stirred with a fervor, each motion a release of her pent-up emotions. The kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of roasted brinjal and spices, a temporary balm to her troubled mind.

So much for staying mad at that asshole!

She thought bitterly as she plated the dish, her anger simmering just below the surface. The act of cooking his favorite meal felt like a betrayal of her own emotions, yet she couldn't help herself.

As she sat at the dinner table, she noticed Jagdish joining her. She remained silent, serving herself food and then scrolling through Facebook, her fingers tapping aggressively on the screen. She refused to look at him, her mind a whirlwind of conflicted feelings.

Deep down, her heart yearned to hear him praise her cooking skills, to see him savor the meal she had painstakingly prepared just for him. But her stubborn mind was resolute, deciding against showing any sign of vulnerability. She gritted her teeth, determined to maintain her facade of disinterest, and ate quietly, each bite a testament to her internal struggle.

Would he like to eat that?

I DON'T CARE!

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A/N

I enjoy writing about conflicting emotions because they reveal how stubbornness and ego can crush one's own happiness. It's sad to see neither person taking the step to talk, even though it's what they both secretly desire. They yearn to talk and laugh together, but their foolish pride only makes things worse. In my opinion, Nishita isn't wrong—she was insulted and deserves an apology from Jagdish. She has every right to be angry, but after a certain point, it's hurting her too, and that's where I believe the line is crossed.

"Jab Saiyaan" kinda fits the mood, I mean it's depressing but romantic as well. It depicts the wait and love.

Also, did I mention that Kalaha means quarreling/fighting?

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