Goodbye Yesterday

Suspicion

Ever since Sameer returned from his business trip, Adhika had noticed something usual about him — something she couldn't pinpoint. It seemed as if he was a total different person. In the past, he usually didn't pay much attention to her, but recently, things had begun to change. She thought she was only imagining things and getting her hopes up — as she usually did, until Divija decided to bring up the topic.

Sameer had left for work early and Adhika was left alone in the room. She was busy flipping through pages of a fashion magazine, when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in, Divija." She permitted and put magazine aside.

Divija pushed open the door and walked in, with a cup of coffee in her hand. "Good morning! I brought you coffee, since you've decided not to step out of this room."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help you with the chores today. I had a migraine." She informed and collected the outstretched cup from her. "Actually, I still do."

"Really?" Divija beamed.

Adhika's face scrunched up in confusion. "What's exciting about that?"

Instead of giving a response, Divija hugged her. "Mum is going to be so excited to hear of this awesome news."

Realization suddenly hit Adhika. She shook her head in disbelief and pushed her away. "You better get rid of that thought from your mind. It's not what you're thinking."

"But what if —"

"There's no 'what ifs' in this situation, okay?"

Divija looked unconvinced and Adhika didn't know how she was supposed to tell her cousin that the relationship she shared with Sameer, wasn't the same as other couples. At moments like that, she was always tempted to blurt everything out to her...or to anyone else, but she just couldn't bring herself to do that. Everyone would judge Sameer and she she didn't want that to happen. In spite of how stupid it might seem, she understood his predicament. She was willing to wait for him, no matter how long it would take. She loved him that much.

Divija hummed and fixated her gaze in her cousin's. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Adhika shook her head. "There's nothing to be worried about, Divija. All is good."

"We grew up in the same house, shared the same bed, ate from the same plate and literally did everything together. There's no one who knows you better than I do. You're hiding something from me." She stated, matter of factly.

"It's nothing I can't handle." She opened up. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything is going to be alright. Time is what is needed."

"It's about Sameer, right?" She probed.

"Like I said, everything is going to be alright. Just have trust in your older sister."

"If he hurts you, I'm not going to let him off the hook. I'm serious about this!"

"Really?" Adhika laughed. "The last time I checked, his presence intimidates you. You're just a scaredy-cat when he's around. 

"That's not true." She huffed. "I just respect him, that's all. There's a difference between the two. Your husband may look intimidating, but I'm definitely not intimated by him."

"Keep telling yourself that." Adhika teased.

"That's the fact." Her expression then detorted to a serious one. "On a serious note, Adhika, you don't have to keep your problems away from me. If your husband is treating you wrongly, you shouldn't tolerate it. Not at all. I'm always here to render my supports to you, so don't hesitate. You know you can always rely on me."