As told by Tulasi

CHAPTER 2 - Past, Present and hopeless Future

I never thought I'd see Karthik angry, but I did. Seeing him shout at Kalyan, our team member made me realize never to piss him off. He looked so scary that anyone would keep their distance and think twice before messing with him. Strangely, I also felt relieved that his anger is not directed towards me and made me understand that there are lot of shades in him that I am totally unaware of.

Karthik never failed to surprise me. He can be the best friend that supports you no matter what you did and still be the adorable boyfriend that protects you from other people. Being from south India where people have parochial views about a girl being with a guy who is not her family, Karthik never failed to impress me with the way he handled things.

In the days we were together, he never tried to change me or told me to be something that I am not. He never told me to wear dresses of his choice or what his parents expected from me; in fact I don't know what he likes to see me in.

I don't think I can ever find a guy better than him but some part of my mind, always knew that it's not going to work out. I can never be with him. My family and relatives would rather kill me than agree to my marriage with him. May be that's one of the reasons why I never confessed to them. If I did, they wouldn't let me get back to Hyderabad and would've gotten me married to some idiot in hurry; and I don't want that.

So, I decided to be with him as long as fate permits and let it go the normal way. I never told Karthik about any of this since I am sure he would say 'let's get married this instant'. My family would rather die in pride by committing suicide than accept a disgrace like me. Deep down, family always comes first to me and sacrifice is something, every girl has to endure at some point of her life and I am no exception to that.

Though I love spending time with him, we meet up, only for some time every weekend since he also wants to be with his parents during that time. Yes, he is a mama's boy. Another bonus.

Since we sit in the same cubicle at work, we got so attached to each other that I missed him when I don't get to see him during weekends. It immensely pleased me when he said that he missed me too.

One of the best things that he did for me was the day he took me out to a movie. I wanted to see this Disney movie that I complained to him all week long. He purchased the tickets and surprised me by coming to our flat in the morning without informing beforehand. My flat mates swooned over him and flirted with him all the time he waited for me but Karthik being his usual shy-self didn't say a word to them. They got bored and finally left him alone.

After we were seated in Screen 1 of Prasads IMAX, he took my hand and intertwined our fingers together. I laid my head on his shoulder and watched the movie, hoping I would be lucky to keep him with me for the rest of my life.

Once the movie was over, he took me back to my flat where he cooked for me. Luckily, my flat mates went out and we were alone. We had a quiet romantic dinner after that, with the two of us having a light conversation about our project. Before leaving, I kissed his cheek and he gave me a small smile.

That day is one of the memorable days of my life.

I always knew that life threw surprises when you least expect it. That's what happened to me too and I got a call from my parents to come to Vizag immediately. However, I didn't expect to hear that my parents settled my marriage with a college professor which will happen in a few weeks.

The day after my engagement, I called Karthik to inform my situation. He said that he'd come and talk to my parents but I refused. If convincing them about us was easy, I would've done it long back. Doubting that he might come for me, I lied that my marriage is in a week and we can do nothing about it. After pleading that I don't want to hurt my parents and relatives, he relented.

I don't know if I did the right thing lying to him like that. I always knew this is how it's going to end but I couldn't keep myself away from a wonderful man like Karthik. He is every girl's dream and I am never going to regret the time I spent with him.

A month later, I was married to Vinay, who works as an associate professor in an engineering college. On our wedding night, I informed him all about Karthik and asked to give me some time to start a new life with him. He agreed without asking anything more making me realize that he may be a good person, after all.

However, his parents weren't like him. I understood that the first day with the way they treated me like a servant. All they expected from me is listening to their orders, cleaning and mopping the house, cooking, washing the utensils and household clothes. And if something wasn't on time, the criticism and snide comments were always prevalent.

It hurt me knowing that a B.Tech student and an Infosys employee like me is nothing but a mere servant here; a servant who is not paid.

After working a whole day, I would go back to my room where Vinay would sit by me, trying to cheer my mood. He would talk about his day at college and his crazy students that I forget all my efforts and smile, listening to his stories.

As months passed, I succumbed to his charms and finally accepted him as my husband.

Nothing changed in my life though. I was the unofficial servant to his family and he did nothing to change that.

I never ranted to him about the work and the way people behaved with me. It was only when I had severe back pain, at that time of the month and I was chastised for not completing the work, I complained to him that I am not a servant and shouldn't be treated like one.

I expected him to say a word to his mother which didn't happen, much to my shock. Instead, he said I should listen to her just like him and his father.

I was angry and upset at his reply.

What am I to them? Just a person who serves and pleases them?

Wanting to have a break from all of this, I told them that I had to go back to Hyderabad to apply for resignation which I hadn't done because of my sudden marriage. Since I told my PM that I will be on a long leave, I can now resign making me eligible to receive a certificate of experience and my PF.

When I explained this to my mother-in law, she gave a sarcastic reply 'What's the use of a certificate when you'll work all your life here?'

If that was supposed to be a joke, I didn't find it funny at all. Or maybe I have a pathetic sense of humor.

When I told my husband, I got the routine reply 'Do as mother told you to'

It was only after I told her that I get the last two months' salary plus the PF, she agreed unwillingly.

She wanted my money. But, I wanted something else.

I wanted to meet Karthik and apologize to him. I want to tell him to find a nice girl as I am sure he'd need a lot of time to forget me and accept a new girl. If he is like most guys these days, he would've forgotten me the day, I last called him but since he is not, I am scared he would go back to his usual 'I am a loner and I don't talk to anyone' self.

Little did I know that he left the company, the month I got married.

When I got back to Vizag, I received another surprise from fate. The land that my parents gave as dowry was occupied by a politician and my mother-in law wanted me to bring money from my parents; worth the land's cost.

Knowing my parents don't have that much money, I requested that we will file a case and get the land back. She didn't listen to my pleas and threw my entire luggage on the patio, shouting at me to get out. I looked at my husband to save me but all I found in his eyes was helplessness.

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Thank you for reading. Please Vote, Comment and Share.

I hope this gives an insight of her life before and after marriage. 

I still haven't started working on the next chap of 'He is in..' I will update as soon as I am done with it. If I take a little longer than usual, I will at least update this one.

Have a nice day...

- JANAKI S