Almost Love (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 15

It had been a week since Simmi had gone back after she closed the deal in Pune. She had informed me that in a week or so, she'd have to relocate here for a few weeks so i had to help her settle in her apartment. Unfortunately, Vinod had to take care of Meeshu back home. Both of them couldn't shift to Pune along with Simmi because firstly, Meeshu had her play school and secondly, Vinod had his own work.

Over the last week, my son had been very good. I knew how much he loved chocolates, but i had warned him to not have more than one a day, since they could lead to cavities.

"You don't want black cavities on your white teeth, right Yuv? Then doctor uncle will have to pull your teeth out and it will hurt so much." I warned him.

He looked at me in horror. "Will they will pull the entire tooth out?"

"Yes," i nodded solemnly, making him promise me to have his chocolates but under a limit.

The past week had been pretty tough with Pawan. After Simmi left, he had been extra mean. It was as if he was trying to take revenge for that small remark my cousin had made.

"If your relatives are going to insult me in my house, then don't bother inviting them. How dare they insult me?" He had asked angrily.

It was one of the days when his anger had been too savage.

As i lay in the bed that night, he easily removed my clothes and savagely had sex with me. His thrusts were deep and forceful, with his hand squeezing my right breast. He didn't even notice that i was staring at the wall and not at all into the work he was doing.

After he came, he grunted and turned on his side, instantly going off to sleep.

For a few seconds i lay in bed listening to his snores.

Throughout our married life the sex had always been like this. Never had he paid attention to my needs, he had always done what he had to do and then turned around and instantly went to sleep. Not once had we cuddled after sex.

Earlier I had felt that it was my duty as his wife to satisfy his needs, and i did it without any questioning. But lately, my mind had always gone to one thought that i had buried deep inside my mind— what about my needs?

I jumped out of the bed and silently made my way to the washroom and turned the shower on. I stood underneath the cold shower, rubbing soap all over my body.

He was my husband and he owned my body, but lately i felt dirty everytime he touched me. After scrubbing myself, i got into my nighty and got into bed.

I lay awake for sometime, my thoughts wandering to Kabir. Where was he? What was he doing? Did he try to find me? It had been years but every night when i lay alone, not having anything to keep my mind busy, my thoughts would often drift to him. I didn't even realise when I fell into a deep sleep, until the shrill ring tone of my mobile woke me up.

I turned around in my sleep and checked the caller. Simmi. Why was she calling at 3 am? As i picked up the call, Pawan grunted in his sleep.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Meera," her voice was thick with emotion. I instantly sat up straighter in bed. Something was wrong, i could hear it in her voice.

"What happened?"

"Everything is over." She started sobbing.

"What's over? What happened Simmi?" I asked again, only to be met with her fervorous crying. Pawan turned around and sat up. He wore his spectacles and looked at me as i spoke.

"Hello?" I asked again in the phone when Simmi didn't reply.

Then her father in law came to the phone. "Vinod has passed away."

"What?" I asked, shocked. "How did it happen?"

"He had a heart attack. We are in the hospital right now."

He informed me about the last rites and then hung up since Simmi was in no state to talk.

I placed my hand on my head and bit my lip in stress. How did this happen so suddenly?

"Who was it?" Pawan asked.

"Simmi." I was unable to say anything more.

"What did she want at three am in the morning?"

He was irritating me so much right now. Ughh! "Pawan— her husband passed away an hour back."

"Oh."

* * *

The next morning my mother called me to speak about the last rites.

"Meera you will have to handle everything. Aman's wife is pregnant and as it is your father and I are not well. Aman will fly to Bangalore the first thing tomorrow morning, but we won't be able to come."

"Okay, ma." I spoke on the phone.

"Explain it to uncle Pramod why we couldn't be there. You know how Aman is, he won't talk much, so you handle everything there." She commanded me.

I didn't want to speak to her anymore. I was already so stressed for Vibha and what she must be going through right now. I didn't need my mother ordering me around.

"Pawan? I will have to fly to Bangalore tomorrow." I inform him.

"Where will Yuv stay? Take him with you. You know i have my office." He groaned.

Even in such a situation all he could think about was himself. How self centred could he be?

"Don't worry, I've spoken to your mother. She's agreed to keep Yuv for the weekend."

"Fine."

He booked my tickets and i started packing. I was grateful for my mother in law. She wasn't like those villainous mother in laws seen in the tv serials. In fact, she was entirely opposite. She was the sweetest and most caring mother in law i could have asked for.

She was very understanding when I informed her about Simmi and before i even asked, she told me to let Yuv stay with her.

So the next day i flew to Bangalore. When I entered the house, i saw everyone in white, mourning around the dead body. Simmi was crying with her mother in law and Aman was sitting with his head low.

My eyes met Meeshu's and she ran over to me. "Meera maasi, why is everyone wearing white clothes? Can you dress me up in my favourite red dress?"

Oh my little baby.

"I promise i will dress you up in the evening." I told her softly, my hand on her head.

I went to Simmi and hugged her as she cried on my shoulder.

"Mummy," Meeshu started, "Why is papa mot speaking?"

"Meeshu, papa has gone. He will not speak ever again." Simmi harshly told her while sobbing.

"Come here Meeshu," i said, "Papa has gone into a very long and deep sleep. Now he will not wake up. You know he loves sleeping so much, right?"

"Yes," she nodded, smiling, "One day papa, i will also come and sleep with you."

My heart was breaking for my little niece.

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