"How could you, Kajal? How could you be so irresponsible?" Sommit's voice thundered through the lavish living room of their upscale apartment, his face contorted with anger. Kajal stood her ground, her heart pounding in her chest, but her resolve unwavering.
"I told you, Sommit, it was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
"An accident? You always have an excuse, don't you? Do you even care about this family?" His words cut deep, each one a reminder of the growing chasm between them.
Before Kajal could respond, a small, trembling voice interrupted their argument. "Mama, Papa, please stop fighting," Naina, their five-year-old daughter, stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her innocent plea was a stark contrast to the bitterness that filled the room.
Kajal's heart ached as she looked at her daughter. She knelt down, opening her arms to Naina. "Come here, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice softening. Naina ran into her embrace, her tiny body shaking with sobs.
Sommit's anger seemed to wane for a moment as he watched them, but the tension in the room remained palpable. "This isn't over, Kajal," he said, his voice lower but still filled with frustration. "We need to talk about this later."
Kajal nodded, her eyes never leaving Naina's tear-streaked face. "I know," she replied quietly. "But right now, our daughter needs us."
As Sommit stormed out of the room, Kajal held Naina close, her mind racing. She knew their marriage was on the brink of collapse, and the constant arguments were taking a toll on their daughter. She had to find a way to protect Naina, to give her the stability and love she deserved.
Later that night, after putting Naina to bed, Kajal sat alone in the living room, the opulence of their surroundings feeling empty and hollow. She thought about the life she had envisioned when she married Sommit—a life filled with love, partnership, and happiness. But reality had been far different. The arguments, the resentment, the feeling of being trapped in a loveless marriage—it was all too much.
As she sat there, lost in thought, a pamphlet on the coffee table caught her eye. It was an advertisement for a family gathering in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a place she had always dreamed of visiting. The images of pristine beaches and lush greenery seemed to promise an escape, a chance to start over.
The trip was mandatory, a family tradition they couldn't avoid. Kajal picked up the pamphlet, her fingers tracing the vibrant pictures. She imagined herself and Naina walking along the sandy shores, the sound of the waves soothing their troubled hearts. It was a dream, a distant hope, but in that moment, it felt like a lifeline.
She knew she couldn't continue living like this, not for herself and certainly not for Naina. The decision was made. She would endure the trip, but she would also use it as an opportunity to find a way out, to start a new life away from Sommit's anger and control.
Dear reader, this is where my journey begins. I invite you to join me as I navigate the portal where me and my husband can finally live happily.
