The Workaholic Wife ✅

Swimming Against the Tide

"Adoption?!" Aniket bellows as we stand near the beach, watching the young children trying to make sand castles.

"Yes. Why? You don't approve?" I ask, the hopelessness sinking within me.

"No, don't look at me like that Krithi. It won't work. These kids— they will never think of us as their parents. Adopting— I am not ready to be a father yet. I thought I had a few months before I got my mind together about our child."

"I understand Aniket. I'm not quite ready to be mother either. But life just sneaks up on you and we will work through it."

"And when will you have the time, Krithi? Both of us work. Who is going to take of our child in the first place? In this situation, you want to adopt six more! It's ridiculous and we won't be good parents to them." He argues.

"Aniket, I am just saying for a short period of time; you know, until we find them all a permanent and suitable home." I point out. "Besides, why are you so against this?"

"It won't work. It didn't work with my adoption and I don't want the same for these kids."

"You were abducted from the hospital, Aniket, not adopted. You can't base this on your own life."

"I have no choice! From my perspective, it looks like we will fail as parents and I will not fail my child like my father did." He covers his mouth, when he calls Prakash his father. "I can't—

"I know Aniket. You'll be a great father. You can't conclude these things without going through the path. If you say no, you will be leaving these children to fend for themselves for the rest of their live. They will be miserable."

"I know, but we can't just adopt them, Krithi. You may have a big heart, but as a businessman, I don't." He says, poking his chest.

"What do you suggest we do then? Let these kids suffer?!" I yell, crying uncontrollably.

Aniket sighs, closing his few momentarily. "Before we got married, I opened a trust in your name. I know, I should have informed you. But this is not the time to argue about that. I think our trust will help these kids get an education, and they could always stay at the nearby hostel. They will be provided basic necessities, and I know a worker there. I trust her to take of these children like her own." He suggests.

I think about it for a moment, not entirely convinced. I still want to adopt the little girl, though. I don't think I can ever forget her face. "I love the little girl Aniket. I'm sorry but I really want to be her mother. I just—

"I know, baby. But, she will be separated from her brother—

"What is this about, Aniket? Do you just want a heir of your own blood? Is that it?" I holler.

"No!" He lowers his head after a moment. "Okay, yes! Alright?! I confess, I want our child to have our blood. I worked hard for this company. It didn't just fall from the sky, Krithi. And I can't bare to see this little girl as the future ruler of the vast empire I created. I just can't!"

"Fine. Whatever." I say, throwing up my hands in exasperation and walking away. He sighs, tilting his head up to face the sky.

"Krithi! I didn't mean that! Please!" Aniket says, running after me. I shrug him off as he clutches me by the elbow, turning me to face him. He suddenly forces his lips on mine, tears descending from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'll do anything. J-Just don't leave me. I can't survive without you."

"You should have thought of that before refusing to help these poor children!" I scream, hitting his chest.
"Why are we always fighting about children, Aniket?"