The Dilemma Diaries : Decisions of the Heart

She Still Needs You!

The next day when everyone woke up, they got busy for the preparations as it was Teej the next day. It was chaos all around.

Nishka came downstairs, all ready for the office.

"Nishka, come here. Let me explain you about all the rituals before you leave for the office else you would not get time for this later." Yamini said.

"Yes Mom, coming. Tell me please."

"See, tomorrow, you will have to observe fast for the whole day. I would not stop you from going to the office but make sure you are comfortable in managing both. In the noon, we all will apply henna in our palms, you do that tonight only because you will not get time for this. Also, come home a bit early so that you can get ready on time. We will do Pooja in the evening and break our fast. Everyone will be here and that is why your dadi does not want any problem."

"Mom, Mom, Mom. Please be rest assured. I will come early; later in the noon. I have already spoken to my team about this. I will work from home if anything urgent comes up, but I am not going anywhere. So, I will join you all for henna also. But currently, I am getting late. So I will take your leave. Bye!"

Nishka left after that. Yamini was worried about her not being able to mark the presence on this occasion but here she was, she had already planned it all. 

She then called Kartik and asked him to get her a gift as she would be observing fast for his well being only.

"Kartik, either you go by herself and get her a gift as she does not seem to have time at all, or if you can take her out late night (if she agrees), but please get her something. It is our ritual and it us her right also. Okay?"

"Ok Mom. I will coordinate with her. Whatever she feels like, I will go that way." Kartik replied.

"Kartik, I know you both are close but not as close as a couple should be." She indirectly told him about her being known of their relationship while cajoling his cheek.

"It is nothing like that Mom. We are fine." 

"I am your mom, I know everything. See, the way this marriage was unexpected and unwanted for you, it was for her as well. At least, you were prepared for being married but she just had to enter and accept this all. At least, you are with your family, nothing has changed much for you but she had to leave her house, her family, her lifestyle, just for you and that too unexpectedly. She deserves this respect, care and affection. We all are trying our best to give her that but she still needs you. And we all can see that hope in her eyes, she is happy around us but she seems depressed from within and we all have felt it. Your Zurich trip hopefully has pulled her out of this a bit but you need to be more considerate towards her. Please, stay with her, forever!"

Kartik was stunned. This time he felt that now he should tell Nishka about the truth known to him so that she might relax and it would be easier for her to live with this relationship.