Life After Marriage

10

It has been a few minutes since Manik left to check the door. I went outside wearing a robe to see what's taking him so long. There was Ramu standing in my living room talking frantically.

".... Miss Naina is with her at the hospital, I came here to inform you about it, as your phone is switched off. Naina madam also tried calling you many times but it didn't happen" he said. I tilted my head I confusion and asked: "what's wrong, who is at the hospital?"

"Preethi fell off the stairs at the house and got hurt it seems, she and Naina are at the hospital and we need to go there," he said already walking towards the room to change. I turned towards Ramu and asked him to take a seat while we come back which he politely declined.

I rushed into the room and changed hearing Manik mumble that it was all his fault and he shouldn't have left her alone. "Manik, calm down it's nowhere your fault okay, accidents happen," I said rubbing his back soothingly."

"let's go" he got up and held my hand. Soon, we were at the hospital and went straight to Preethi's room. Naina was sitting outside waiting for us. As soon as she saw Manik she hugged him and started weeping.

"I got so scared! where was your phone?" she yelled. "I am so sorry that you had to do this alone, come let's go and see her," he said and went inside the room and I followed them.

"The doctor said that her arm and leg got fractured and she is supposed to be on the bed till it heals" Naina explained. I felt really bad for Preethi she is so sensitive and cannot even bear a paper cut.

Preethi was awake and in a sitting position when we entered her room. "Why did you come now, huh? Go to wherever you've been till now and leave me alone" she screamed at Manik with tears streaming down her face.

Manik went near her and pulled her into a hug. He repeatedly apologized to her and after some time she finally calmed down. Then I went near her and said sorry to her as it was partly my mistake. Manik wouldn't have switched off his phone if it wasn't for my stubbornness.

I felt really guilty as she has only him to look after her, although I'm here right now she would never confide in me. She always saw me as a barrier between her and Manik.

I was clearly surprised when all she did was nod her head when I apologized. I was readying myself to face another one of her temper tantrums. Naina went and sat beside Preethi and started running her hand through Preethi's hair.

Manik was on the phone talking to his parents and explaining them about the current situation. I just stood there awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other. Finally, I decided to break the silence "I'm going to the cafeteria to get a coffee, should I get something for you all as well?"

Preethi and Naina asked for one and Manik said that he would come with me after ending the call. I went and bought some coffee, Manik followed soon.

"Here," he handed over the money to the person behind the counter an took the coffee cups from my hand. He went over to one of the tables and placed the cups on it. I went over and sat with him "I am sorry for keeping you away from your house" I said.

"Our house!' he corrected me and I just smiled. "What did your mom say to you on the phone?" I asked sipping my coffee.

"They are going to fly back next week and I'm supposed to take good care of her. Mom is really excited to come and meet Naina as well. They used to be really close and she is mom's favorite," he said chuckling.

"Where did Naina stay all these years?" I asked.

"She was living in Delhi till now, she has her own boutique over there. Her parents live in the US and wanted her to go with them. But Naina refused and said that she wanted to be independent and live on her own. She lived with us 5 years back but then had to leave," he explained.

There was a sad look on his face when he came to the last part. I didn't question him further but I sure admired her attitude of being self-dependent. That is where I want to see myself in the future.

"I didn't want to bring this topic up but I don't want to keep any secrets from you..." he started.

I encouraged him to go on by nodding my head. "When Naina used to live with us, I-I uh... she and I used to be in a relationship and it was actually serious, b-but she left after 2 years saying that she doesn't want to be tied up and all. After that, her business flourished and she didn't even turn back and went expanding her business" he said sighing as if a heavy weight was lifted off of his shoulders.

I was nowhere near surprised after this huge revelation from his side. I had always suspected that they were closer than they seem to be. Him always giving her the longing looks and she always flirting with him openly. But what I would like to know is whether his feelings for her are still strong and intact.

From Naina's side, it is clear as a day that she would happily take him back if he is willing to. I hope that Manik will stay loyal to me. For that, I need to show him that he could love me as he did to her, that I'm worth all the effort. I need to love him first and support him like a good friend, lover, and wife.

I understand that he has been through heartbreak and is still afraid to love someone else. So, I need to be patient and get him to pass through this phase where he is struggling to trust someone else to be with him for the rest of his life.

"I'm here for you and I always will be," I said softly holding his hand. He smiled and kissed my palm.

We went back to the hospital room where Preethi and Naina are waiting for us. Apparently, the coffee became cold and I had to buy another one. "Took you long enough," Naina said in a sarcastic tone.

"Yeah, there was a long line actually" I shot back in the same tone. This whole exchange took place while Manik was still outside the room and Naina was back to her sweet, bubbly self as soon as he came inside.

Such an actress I thought and let it slide as I'm already well acquainted with her bipolar personality.

"I just spoke to the doctor and he said that you are good to go," Manik told Preethi. They brought a wheelchair into the room and Preethi sat on it. "Oh! Nandu the doctor said that he will give a list of healthy food's that Preethi should eat during the healing process, can you please get it for me?" he asked.

I agreed and went to get the list when I came out Preethi was sitting on the backseat and Naina already settled herself beside Manik in the front. When I went to open the back door Naina gave me a smug smile as if she won a lottery. I just chuckled and shook my head at her antics.

Hey!

How are you all doing?