ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕟

6

Her Friend
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Water bottle romba palasa irukae ka?

( This water bottle seems so old, ka?)

Tara leaned forward, curiosity bright in her eyes as she asked Akshara, while being perched on the kitchen slab. The evening sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow around the kitchen. Akshara, focused on the cooking, nodded at her sister,

Ama Tara, adha mathanum. Ana ippo illae, masa kadhaisi agatum

( Yes Tara, I have to change it. But not now, I'll do it at month end)

Just by the look on her sisters face, Tara understood something and it made her frown deeply,

Un kittadhan kaasu irukumlae? First'uh vanga vendhiyadhu dhane? Modha kudha pathen, un handbag romba mosama iruku

( Don't you have some money with you? Why didn't buy this necessary stuffs first? Even your handbag was in a very bad state)

En handbag'la ungaluku yenna vela madam?

( And why were you lurking into my handbag madam?)

Tara pretended to cough, drawing a playful glare from Akshara. With a chuckle, Akshara turned back to the stove, the soft sizzle of vegetables in the wok filling the kitchen. She stirred the colorful mix with practiced ease before answering Tara,

Anniki veetuku things vangumbodhu konjam paichiten, ippodhiku emergency'ku use pannika dhan konjam kaasu iruku. Adhan vechirken, month end salary pothona, na poi yellam vangikuven

( I used some of the money I had when we were buying things for home the other day, for now I have some just in case of an emergency. I'm going to keep it, and once I get my salary I'll get everything I need)

Akshara felt an undeniable urge to contribute when she and Vikram went shopping the day they moved in. She couldn't shake the discomfort of standing idly by as he counted the money in his wallet, eyes narrowing slightly as he calculated if it would be enough. The sight made her chest tighten; it didn't sit well with her to let him shoulder the entire burden, especially when he had opened his home to her. She wanted to be more than a silent observer—she wanted to lighten his load, to share the responsibility in a way that made her feel less like a burden.

Because that's what a good wife would do, right? 

While Tara sighed and shifted the conversation to another topic, Vikram, seated in the living room with his laptop open, paused for a moment. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, the subtle tap-tap of typing ceasing as he listened intently to the conversation drifting from the kitchen.

Vikram couldn't shake the strange feeling that crept over him—an odd realization that Akshara had never shared these things with him. He always tried to be open and friendly, making sure she felt informed and included in his world. But as he thought back, he wondered if, in all his efforts, he had somehow overlooked giving her the space to open up in return. Had he missed seeing her as she truly was, beyond the polite conversations and shared responsibilities? The thought tugged at him, leaving a trace of guilt.

Without a word, he stepped into their room, his eyes drifting to the small details he had previously ignored. There, hanging behind the door, was Akshara's handbag. Tara's words echoed in his mind as he reached for it, noticing the worn leather strap with patches where the material had peeled away. It was clear that the bag had seen better days, and Vikram felt a pang of regret for not noticing before. It was a simple thing, but it spoke volumes about what she hadn't said.