Path of her Anguish

Chapter-33

AUTHOR

At night, Maya sat on the couch after changing her clothes. She looked at her hand. She needed to change her bandage.

Ekansh came inside with his laptop after finishing his work. He locked the door and noticed Maya, who was seated on the couch. He placed his laptop on the table and went into the washroom to freshen up.

Maya thought of leaving it as it was since she didn't know where the first aid box was either.

She sat silently, not knowing what to do. She fidgeted with her fingers.

Ekansh came out of the washroom with the first aid kit and sat beside her, surprising her.

He placed the box in his lap and held her arm, which was bandaged. He started removing the bandage. Maya stopped him.

"I will do it myself," she said, trying to take her hand back.

"Let me do it."

He said, opening the bandage.

Maya kept looking at him as he continued his work. As his eyes were focused on her arm, she could gaze at him carefree.

I will try everything to make things right, Ansh.

She thought to herself, looking at him. She couldn't look into his eyes without feeling guilt, so it was better he wasn't looking at her.

She averted her gaze as he finished.

"Did you eat?" he asked.

Maya nodded.

"Tablets?"

Maya remembered that she had forgotten them. She looked at him.

"Didn't take them?"

She shook her head. "I... I will take them now."

She got up, took her tablet out from her bag, and grabbed a glass of water. She nervously looked at the tablet strip and at him, who was still sitting there. She was thinking of ways to throw the tablet away without his notice.

Ekansh sighed and extended his hand, asking for the tablets.

"I will drink them myself," she said.

He took them from her. "I will bring milk. Drink it and sleep."

He went out of the room to the kitchen to get the milk and mix the tablets inside.

Maya huffed, knowing he would put the tablets inside.

A few minutes later, he came back and made her drink it without complaint.

______________

Maya looked ahead at the celebration going on. Everyone was happy, and the house was full of people with bright decorations. She couldn't see their faces, but she could feel the happiness.

She looked at herself standing in the corner away from them.

She wanted to join them, but something was stopping her. She gulped, feeling anxious. She looked at herself. She was clad in a saree.

She took a step forward to join them, but someone yelled at her, making her flinch. She couldn't see anyone clearly. An old lady came near, telling her to back off.

"Do you have any sense? Didn't I tell you not to come outside? You are barren! You shouldn't be here! Go!" she yelled at her harshly.

Maya controlled her sob. The word "barren" felt like a stab.