Paths of Life

Part 29

Neha signalled their driver to drive her. As she was going to sit in the car, Namit stopped her by holding her wrist : I asked something. Where are you going?

Neha jerked her hand furiously : None of your business.

Namit : It is my goddamn business because I am your husband.

Neha : Really? So now are we back to husband thing. (She poked his chest with her finger angrily) Where was this husband who should have trusted his wife? Where was this husband who should have known that his wife won't replace him with anyone else in this whole freaking world? Where the fuck was that husband????

Namit was not been able to meet her eyes. She was right. Where was he? She shook her head and sat in the car and asked the driver to drive. As soon as the car left the main gate, Neha started crying. Out of all the people, Namit accused her of something which is her pride. He questioned her dignity. She wondered where she lacked in loving him. It was better if he had slapped her rather. It would have pained less.

She asked the driver to take her to the beach for sometime. She wanted to cry alone and vent out her pain so no one from their families see her so shattered. After few hours, when she returned back, the driver asked where to take her. Neha wanted to say home but stopped thinking how her husband showed her position in HIS house. That brought fresh tears again in her eyes. She quickly wiped them and told the driver to drop her at her mother's house.

It was nearly dinner time when Neha rang the bell of her maternal home. Megha opened the door and was surprised to see Neha standing there. She engulfed her in a bear hug.

Megha : Ohh my God Neha what a pleasant surprise. How come you here suddenly?

Neha tried to plaster a fake smile on her face so no one can see her sadness : Was missing you all very much so thought to come and stay here few days.

Megha pulled her inside closing the door : And Namit allowed?

Neha stiffened hearing Namit's name. Meanwhile Akash and Muskaan came from their respective rooms for dinner and were surprised to see Neha. As soon as she saw her mother, Neha ran to her and hugged her tight. She wanted to hide in her mother's embrace.

Muskaan reciprocated her hug : What happened baby?

Neha sniffed : Nothing missed you so much.

Muskaan chuckled caressing her back : Ohh my baby. Stop crying. If you missed me this much then why didn't came to meet me earlier?

Neha : Now I came. I will stay with you all for few days.

Megha : Neha where is your luggage if you are staying?

Neha gulped hearing her question. In hurry she forgot to bring her clothes with her. Now she needs to think something real fast or her sister will not stop her interrogation.

Neha : Didi I didn't bring clothes with me. You know na I always keep few dresses here whenever I come. So why bother to bring the luggage

Muskaan : That's true. Your clothes are in your room and also I bought some new dresses for you when me and Megha went shopping last week. Try them dear.

Neha nodded smiling and went to give Akash a hug. Out of all, Akash noticed the dullness on her face and knew it was not because of missing them all but something else. Neha was like his little sister. They both share a very unique bond. Words were not needed for them to communicate. He whispered in her ear when she hugged him.

Akash said in a low voice : I know something happened. Tell me when you are comfortable ok!!

Neha knew her jiju would understand her so she nodded and buried her face further in his chest and sniffed softly so no one hears. Akash lovingly caressed her back and asked her to join them for dinner. After dinner she sat with her family chitchatting for sometime and this elevated her mood a little. She felt light coming back after a long time. Since Namit came back she had not stayed here for a single night. She would come for just lunches and dinner and that too not alone. Megha needed rest as she was now due anytime so everyone retired to their rooms.

Neha came to her room and changed into her nightwear. She laid down to sleep as she was tired from today's events but sleep is far away from her. She heard her phone ringing in her purse but didn't bother to pick up. Again it rang but she ignored it. Third time it rang and now she knew who would be calling her. She was not in the mood to talk to him yet so she took her phone and cut it. Namit continued to call her and she continued to cut his call. He messaged her atlast when she was not receiving his calls.

Namit : Please talk to me once. Just one time.

As soon as she read his message, her phone rang again and this time she picked up but didn't said anything. Neither Neha nor Namit spoke for few minutes. Both didn't know what to say. One was angry and one was guilty. Finally Namit broke the silence.

Namit : I was waiting for you.

Neha took a deep breath before replying : I am at Mama's home. Don't wait.

Namit : I will come to take you back tomorrow.

Neha : No need. I will be staying here.

Namit : For how many days?

Neha huffed : Don't know....

Namit sighed : I am really sorry baby. If you don't want to see me then I will occupy guest room but please come back home.

Neha scoffed : Your home? I am at my house Namit so why should I come...

Namit : Neha come back to our home. That home which is your, mine,mom and Dad's. I am no one to change this.

Neha kept her silent and tears brimmed in her eyes on hearing this.

Namit : What will I tell mom and dad about your absence? This house is empty without you sweetheart.

Neha : I will talk to maa papa tomorrow. Bye

Namit : I am sorry. You know me more than anyone Neha. I didn't mean anything I said that time. I am having bad days at work since sometime and today was the worst. I was not in my sane mind. I trust you more than I trust myself. You know my temper don't you? Please come back. I am missing you so much please.....

Neha : Namit what you said today hurt me deeply. I need some time to forget all these please. Give me some days to stay away from you because right now if I see you I don't know what will I do with you.

Namit : Scold me, hit me or give me any punishment you want but please don't distance yourself from me. Every couple have their own fights Neha but that doesn't mean that they distance themselves from each other.

Neha : Yeah but then it's not everyday your husband raises question on your dignity.

Now it was Namit's turn to keep silence as he did not have answer to that question. He knew he did a big mistake and he didn't wish Neha to forgive him that easily. He just wish her to give him a chance to earn her forgiveness but at the moment that seems difficult. Anyways giving up was not an option. Neha is his life, the reason of his existence. She needs time and space to cool down and he will give her that but won't stop his efforts to gain her forgiveness.

Namit : Can I come and meet you tomorrow?

Neha : No

Namit tried to cheer her up : Well that was harsh darling.

Neha was in no mood of his jokes so she replied sternly : Well what you said this evening was also harsh!!

Namit : Alright I know I messed up big time but don't make me feel more guilty than I already am. You must be tired take rest.

Neha hummed.

Namit : Neha one more thing. This house was, is and always be yours sweetheart. No one can stop you from coming here not even me. And from next time if I ever say some stupid thing like I said today then kick me out but you don't go.

This made Neha smile a bit but still her anger had not melted away completely. She wanted Namit to realise his mistake and make sure he doesn't do such things again.

Neha : Goodnight

Namit : Goodnight baby. I love you and I will be waiting for you. Come back soon.

She disconnected the call without saying anything further.