The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

5. Neil

Ishani was not Ishani anymore, weird questions, weird things made her angry. I couldn't believe she was angry that I talked to her on messages. What was wrong with her?

I cared, more than I could tell her and I knew I was an hour late. Work came and I forgot to charge my phone while rushing here. I reached the restaurant and asked for Ishani, they did not know her name. "Are you Mr Neil? Your wife is waiting for you from two hours." I nodded and followed her. I saw her before I entered, sitting alone, smoking up and looking so miserable that I could have kicked myself. I strode towards her. "Ish? I'm sorry." I could not say more. I felt too sad to even say more. My work and its pathetic habits were taking a toll on her.

"Come Neil. I just ordered another bottle of wine and dinner. She said pouring me a glass. She looked tipsy. But I couldn't say anything without a public meltdown from her. I knew this evening shall never be forgotten by her and she might never forgive me.

I accepted my drink. " I ordered a grilled fish with potatoes and a spaghetti bolonese." She said drinking from her glass. She was chugging the drink. "Ish you okay?"

"Really Neil?" She answered quietly and had another sip. Her hands were shaking as she lit that damned cigarette. "I'm sorry my phone died." I was trying to salvage a situation I was sure I would lose at.

The order arrived and Ishani took the fish. I wolfed down my food and drinks. Maybe I could make amends. As we walked out, "let's go for coffee and ice cream." We walked ahead and the way she walked I knew Ishani was drunk. As much as it angered me thinking about her actions, I felt guilty too. I had driven her to this. She was lonely, I ditched her every time she wanted to spend time with me.

As we sipped our coffees waking around the area I decided. Ishani will go back to India. Her parents, my parents, her friends and her job. I was killing her here. And she never looked this miserable even when she thought I was cheating. I needed her here but her life was empty and today was a testimony to the fact that I was foolish.

"Let's go home?" I asked. "Home?" She blinked maybe she was too drunk. "Ishani you okay?" I knew she was not but I needed her to talk to me. She took a deep breath, nodded and started walking. We moved to the nearest taxi stand and were soon home. Ishani kicked off her shies and flopped on the bed. I went to change my clothes and came back to a sleeping Ishani. I tucked her in, got her a glass of water and two pills to cut the hangover she would get tomorrow morning.

"Ish?" She stirred in her sleep, "get up" I woke her and made her have the pills before switching off the lights but I could not sleep. Her sitting alone at that restaurant was an image I wanted to shake off. But every time I closed my eyes I saw her sitting there. It was 5 AM when I finally got out if bed and made some coffee and called my father. He knew me better than I did. "Namaste dad. Good morning. How are you?"

"Neil all okay. Isn't it early there? How's my bahu?" "Dad I have a small issue. I an sending her back." "What? Neil, Ishani isn't a toy. What do you mean by sending her back?"

"Well I cannot find time for her and she is alone here. Bored too. Last night I wanted to take her out. Only that I came after she had been there for two hours drinking up waiting for me. I fell terrible dad." I broke down, marriage wasn't easy but not living up to someone's expectations was worse.

"That's okay beta. I once forgot to take your mom with me for a family party. She was ready and went in to fetch you. She still taunts me about it," he was laughing. Probably reliving his time. "Dad I'm serious. She looked miserable. I don't want her to think of me as a mistake."

"Son get her to adjust with you. All her if she wants to come back here. We are there for you both. But ask her decision once. You cannot run away from your mistakes and sending her back would be a big one. Also stop calling yourself a mistake, she loves you. You are undermining your marriage." I smiled maybe he was right. "Good night son. Sleep for a bit."

I smiled as the sky became a beautiful red orange as the sunrise started. I changed and headed to the gym downstairs.

I promised you two chapters but here is the third one for today. Please show some love by hitting the like button.