CHAPTER 48

Prabhu's POV

"How is my mama, now?"

"He passed the stages of risk. He is now stable and his reports are good. The doctor said that he would be back to normal in a few days. Nothing to worry, Machan."

I sighed in relief, yet I wanted to be with them and provide comfort to my family. But no one wants my presence there. And I don't know why Vidhu behaved like that. I could tell Nandhini's presence at our home is somehow related to the whole issue. But I wanted to know what happened exactly. Above all, my vixen's sudden cold behaviour pained my heart more.

"Can you please tell what's going on? Why is everyone giving me cold shoulder?"

"Machan! You have the audacity to hug and cry on the shoulder of your ex-fiancé in front of your wife and her parents who came there to surprise you without expecting that shock. And that poor man got a mild cardiac arrest thinking that you are meeting your ex-fiancé in your wife's absence.''

Akash said sarcastically.

I am speechless with guilt. They have seen me apologising to her. But they didn't listen to my full ranting. If they did, my mama wouldn't be hospitalised now.

But how could they think so low of me?

What is our trust levels?

Is Janu too thinking the same?

God! We consummated just yesterday!

''Janu...?''

I couldn't complete as I fear the answer might be yes. I couldn't bear that. And I didn't even express my heart to her yet.

"She trusts you that you would never do something like that to her That's what she said when I asked."

I sighed in relief, but still, she seems angry and mentioned 'our home' as 'my home' which I didn't like a bit.

"But she is angry."

I stated.

"Yeah, who wouldn't be. Why can't you leave the past in past? You messed up, Machan!"

"I know, Akash. You don't have to remind me that."

"Okay listen now. I am getting Jaans and Vidhu to the canteen. Go to your athai and apologise. If possible, explain everything. You, waiting outside the hospital is not going to change anything. And delaying thing like this will have more adverse effects. So hurry up and clear all the confusions."

"Thank you so much, Akash."

I said gratefully. He was fulfilling my place there. And I don't know what I would have done without him.

"Thank me after things get cleared. Okay, I gotta go. They are coming."

He hung up before I could reply.

I locked the car and walked into the hospital once again. A lot of emotions are bubbling in my heart. But I am angry with them. How can they doubt their parenting? On our wedding, my mama told me that he trusts me. But is this the level of his trust? My heart pains, knowing I am the reason for my mama's current state. What pains me more is my family's lack of trust in me.

I saw my athai and amma sitting outside the ICU. I walked towards them and knelt in front of my athai. She stiffened on seeing me but didn't say a word. My amma tensed, but her eyes held a disappointed look. I didn't want to beat around the bush. Before they tell me to get out, I have to reason myself.

"Athai, I am really so sorry. I will never think of any harm to our family. Just because I cried in her shoulder doesn't mean we are into some relationship. She is just a friend of mine. And she told me that she was impregnated on the day her drink got spiked and she doesn't remember anything happened on that night. I felt responsible for leaving her alone there that night and apologised. I would never betray, my Janu. You and mama know me better than my parents. It pains to know that you don't have enough trust to see the truth."

My voice broke as a few involuntary tears leaked from my eyes. I noticed realisation and regret in her eyes. On seeing my tears, she started crying again and hugged me to her stomach.

"If it's any other woman, we wouldn't have to get that thought. But... No! You are right! We failed to see the truth, Prabhu. Sor.."

I cut off her by closing her mouth with my palm.

"Don't apologise, athai. I shouldn't speak with her after learning Janu's absence in our home. Please forgive me. I am the reason for mama's..."

Tears spilt out as I remembered Akash telling me that Janu witnessed the doctors doing defibrillation. I brought so much pain and damage to my family, which I promised to protect and cherish! Damn!

Athai hugged me, and I felt my amma patting my shoulder to calm down.

"He will understand, Prabhu. You are the first child in our family. He likes you more than his daughter. That's why he broke down on seeing you with that woman in close-position. Also, you were apologising for some mistake. We thought something else. And I'm really sorry for judging the situation so quickly. But he will understand you. And he will recover very quickly after knowing the truth."

She said, stroking my hair while I rested my head on her lap.

Janaki's POV

"Seems like we missed some drama!"

Vidhu muttered under her breath.

"Yeah. I think so!"

I whispered back.

We got some refreshments for our parents. But we found my dear husband speaking with my appa inside the ICU, and they are smiling and talking with each other as if nothing happened.

I nudged my athai's shoulder, who is watching my appa, amma, and her son with a smile.

"We are gone for just 20 minutes. But things seem changed upside-down!"

I exclaimed in a hushed tone. She hit my arm playfully, and everyone came out as appa started dozing off.

He halted on his step upon looking at me, and a smirk crept on his face as he glanced away from me. His eyes were red, and his cheeks had tear stains.

My amma smiled at me brightly.

"Janu, your appa is getting normal. The doctor too checked him and told us that we can discharge him tomorrow evening."

Now I get the reason for her smile.

"Athai, I will cook some light food for mama. And you send everyone home. The doctor allowed only two persons to stay. We two will look after him tonight. I will return in an hour with our food and some essentials. Call me if you want me to get anything."

He spoke to my amma, who has been looking at him lovingly and nodded.

What? So I have to stay home while these two look after my appa?

Are they kidding me?

"Hey, I wanna stay here."

I protested looking at them.

"Janu, I am not leaving. And you won't be helpful in all situations. Prabhu will be able to handle them if there are any emergencies. So don't behave like a child and go home. You can come here early in the morning. You have to make sure everything is ready for your athai and mama's stay."

My amma said in a warning tone.

She can be right. But my appa? I looked at my husband who was biting his lip, trying hard to control his smile but failing and also looking at the floor. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why is he not looking at me at all?

I nodded my head and looked at my appa, who is sleeping peacefully. Prabhu mama went home without even looking at my way. I sighed and looked at Akash. He smiled at me. I eyed him suspiciously as a sudden thought arises in my head. How did Prabhu mama get inside exactly when we went to the canteen? I closed the distance between us.

"So you distracted us and helped your friend to clear his mess up?"

I whispered thoughtfully. He stiffened and looked at me with wide eyes.

"See this is why you got rank in IPCC, Jaans."

He whispered back and smiled sheepishly.

"Thanks, Akash. It's a great relief that this problem ended so soon. But I need a favour from you."

His face turned serious and nodded his head.

"Please go home and take rest. Or at least come home with us and rest there. I will come early here tomorrow and update you about my appa. Because I cannot afford to see my best friend get admitted in the same hospital as my appa."

He smiled at me and extended his hand to promise that he will go home soon. I smiled in return and walked to my mama to give him a cup of tea. He smiled at me and patted my shoulder. He might have returned while we were at the canteen.

I asked Vidhu to come home with me as I need some help to make sleeping arrangements and also need to prepare dinner for all.

We took an auto after bidding goodbye to Akash. Athai and mama will come home after Prabhu mama's arrival.

Vidhu agreed to clean the room for her parents, and I noted to get some vegetables on our way to cook dinner.

I used my key and opened the door as I didn't want to disturb him. But the memories of a few hours ago flashed in front of my eyes. I took a few deep breaths and entered our room to freshen up. Vidhu went to the guest room straight away to start her work. I entered the kitchen and found the idlis packed in a hot pack and sambar in a silver container. He made plenty, so I just have to prepare some idli or dosai.

He came into the kitchen and started packing the food in a basket. I stared at him the whole time. But he never looked at me and behaved as if I don't exist. A lump formed in my throat as I cautiously put my hand over his shoulder.

He turned and looked at me, but there are no emotions in his eyes.

"Do you want anything?"

His voice is just like his eyes; void of any emotions. I nodded my head negatively.

Woah! What happened to him?

He walked out without even a bye. I locked the door and brewed some coffee as my headache came back again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been six days since my appa got discharged. I came along with my parents to Kanchipuram after the day he got discharged from the hospital. I just wanted to be with him to see he is okay. I still couldn't erase his unconscious form from my mind. I feel like missing him. So I came with them.

That's doesn't mean I am not missing my sexy husband. I keep on 'zoning out' whenever I listen to some love songs as my stupid mind would take me to him immediately. I got embarrassed a few times in front of my parents because of that. But he was a great pain as he continued to ignore me. He never attended my calls, but he will daily speak with my appa at least thrice. I didn't even know the reason for his behaviour which getting on my nerves every passing day.

While I asked him whether shall I go with my parents, he was silent for a whole minute then nodded his head. My parents didn't like me leaving their son-in-law alone as he needs to do all the chores at home, but I didn't listen to them also he reassured them.

My appa started his routine from yesterday. And I feel so boring now. I have to attend the next ITT classes batch to compensate for the missed hours. My athai told me that he is coming tonight after work as the next two days were off. I am eagerly waiting for him as its already nine at night. He should have reached here by now.

After about two hours of staring at the closed door, I convinced myself that he might change his plan to come by tomorrow. When my appa asked whether he came here, I just blinked in confusion. He continued that Prabhu mama visited him directly in our hotel at seven in the night and spend a few hours with them before going to the home. I didn't reply to him but went to my room and locked myself.

I thought he would be just as eager as me to see me after these six days, which personally felt like years.

But I am wrong.

Did he lose his interest in me already?

Don't he like me anymore?

Tears started spilling as I remembered the night before his birthday. He told me that he couldn't get angry with me. But what happened to those words now?

Why is he treating me like nothing?

Don't I mean anything to him?

I couldn't get sleep any soon as many questions raised inside my head.

I woke with a great headache and blocked nose from my crying marathon and also the effect of skipping the dinner. I cooked all his favourite dishes in the eagerness to eat along with him. But he never came. Even my parents were so excited about their son-in-law's visit as they forgot to ask me whether I had food or not.

I made a cup of hot bitter coffee and gulped it to clear my headache. I showered and sat inside my room as I didn't want to do anything. I never thought I would be so affected by him.

What are you doing to me, mama? I couldn't think of anything else. He feels like a missing part of my puzzle. I feel incomplete. Actually, it should be me who has to be angry. But here I am longing for him.

I miss him so much.

I miss his eyes; those brown orbs captivated me...

I miss his smile; the smile that would give warmth to my heart...

I miss his presence; which made me feel whole...

I miss his touch; which never failed to lit up the chemical reaction in my stomach...

I miss him securely wrapping me in his arm where I felt at peace...

I miss his heartbeat; my favourite rhythm that has the power to calm my heart...

I miss his lips on mine; the kisses routed me to heaven...

I miss our make-out sessions; which we never get enough of each other...

I want him so badly. But I want him to come to me. I didn't do anything wrong. He is the one who dared to hug his ex in our home. I'm not going to run to him and beg him to speak with me. I too have self-respect. But I need to go back there to continue my classes.

I drank five more cups of coffee to get rid of that irritating headache like a drunkard, but I started feeling more worse. I felt my temperature rising. God! I don't want to get sick. At least not now!

I heard the doorbell and went to open it. My mind started getting cloudy as I opened the door. My parents entered, but they noticed my unsteady form and started asking something, but I couldn't hear anything, and that's what I knew before black dots started forming in front of my vision.

I heard the whispers of my parents. I could recognise their voice but couldn't make what they are speaking. My head is pounding like someone ran a bus over me. Slowly I opened my eyes. I was greeted with the handsome face of my husband.

Am I hallucinating? NO!

Wait! What is he doing here?

Yeah! I fainted. So now he wants to act like he has the concern.

I quickly sat up from his lap and held my head as my sudden movement affected my blood flow, and my head is paining more. Tears dropped from my eyes while everyone surrounded me and started asking infinite questions. Bile rose to the throat as I pushed past them and entered the bathroom to empty my stomach. All the caffeine that I dumped this morning into my stomach came out. I felt someone holding my hair away from my face while I continued emptying my stomach.

I flushed the toilet and stood up slowly as I feel my knees weak. I slapped the hands as soon as I realised who it was and walked to the washbasin to clean up myself. I didn't even look at his face once.

I walked to my bed and laid down as I need to sleep. My system automatically shut down as I was embraced by the sleep.

The next time when I woke up, I felt much better. I will never be drinking so much coffee in my empty stomach. I declared myself. When I was about to sit, I realised a hand around my waist. I let out a deep breath and slowly removed his hand and walked to the living room.

My parents and his parents were sitting there chatting, and they seem so happy. Seeing them happy, automatically boosted my mood as a smile crept on my face. My athai noticed me first, and she quickly rose from the sofa and rushed towards me. I was little startled by her reaction but grinned big when she pulled me into a hug. My head felt light, reminding me of the remaining headache. My temperature seems normal now, but I am not completely feeling okay yet. I took a seat next to my appa and leaned on his shoulder.

"What are you all talking about? You all seem so happy."

I asked in my sleepy voice.

"You are the reason, dear. We never expected for you bring happiness so soon into our lives."

My mama beamed.

I looked at him confused. What's up with his puzzled speech!

"Appa, I asked you guys to not tell her anything. I am the one supposed to tell her."

A whining sleepy voice came from my behind. I didn't even turn as I wanted him to taste his own medicine.

"We didn't tell anything. You can tell your wife."

My athai replied teasingly.

What are they all talking about?

Did he get promotion again?

I felt happy, but that shouldn't be the reason for him to ignore me. My amma told me to go back to my room to rest and would get something to eat. I obliged as I still feel little dizzy. I didn't look at his face but walked towards the stairs, but my footing slipped as a yelp escaped my mouth, but I caught the railing and steadied myself. But soon everyone surrounded me to check if I got hurt.

"Janu, you have to be careful at this time."

My appa said worriedly.

Oh! My sweet family! I must have scared them with all this fainting and vomiting.

I reassured them that I am okay. But a stubborn pair of arms lifted me up in bridal style and carried me to my room, ignoring the teasing from our parents.

He made me lie down on my bed. I extended my hand for water, but he took it immediately and opened the lid and gave it to me. I controlled my urge to roll my eyes and drank it and gave back to him.

He sat on the edge of the bed nervously.

"How is your friend?"

I asked sarcastically. He looked up at me confused. Oh! Did he forget that he never spoke about Nandhini's sudden arrival at our home?

"Akash is doing fine. I thought you two were speaking with each other daily."

I rolled my eyes.

"I asked about your friend!"

I spat out annoyingly. He looked at me and studied me for a minute. I kept my face blank. The realisation hit his face as he raised his eyebrow at me.

"Yeah! She is doing fine. We met a few times in the past week."

So he has time for his ex, but not for his wife! Very nice!

I let out a sigh and made myself comfortable and turned my back to him. I closed my eyes.

I felt the bed dip, followed by his arm around my waist. I slapped his hand away and sat up angrily.

"You don't need to pretend like caring for our parent's sake. You ignored me all this week. Now just because I am feeling sick, you don't have to do something which you didn't want to do."

I yelled at him but regretted soon as I realised what I told. His eyes were flashing hurt, which made my heart clench.

But that's what he made me think. Even yesterday he went to our hotel directly to avoid me. If I haven't fallen sick, he would have never come here.

I rubbed my head and looked at him. He let out a deep sigh and sat straight leaning on the headboard. I followed his action. We didn't speak as I heard someone's coming up.

My amma appeared near the door, but she knocked before coming inside. Strange! But I felt embarrassed as I realised the reason for her behaviour. She wanted to warn us to be decent when she enters.

She gave me a bowl of Rasam sadham and signalled at my mama something before rushing out.

"Ate?"

I looked at him and signalled the bowl in the thought of sharing. He nodded his head positively. But took the bowl from my hand and started feeding me.

He cares for me!

"I didn't mean those words."

I muttered in between.

"I know."

He whispered with a forced smile.

"What happened that day?"

I asked him.

He narrated the whole thing that happened that day. Also pointed out that he didn't believe that I am part of anything and that he suspects it's one of many lies by Sanjeev. I nodded yet felt proud that my husband didn't even have little doubt on me.

"Then why silent treatment for past one week? Did I have to fall sick every time to break your ego."

I asked him, showing my pain in my words. He let out a dry laugh.

"Trust me, my intention is not to hurt you. I planned for something but God has planned something for us!"

He sighed, but his eyes lit up at last part. But it confused me more.

"Why everyone is speaking in riddles? What's wrong with you all?"

"Nothing is wrong with us! But something is good with you!"

He said with a mischievous glint.

"What are you talking, mama?"

I questioned him annoyed.

"Oh my dear darling, you made me feel so happy today. I never expected this gift from you. Remember that I will be with you in every step of yours. We will make a great family."

I narrowed my eyes at him as something felt off. What gift! I don't remember getting him anything.

"Why do you have to be so dumb, my darling?"

He asked but looked away shyly, and I felt his cheeks getting red.

God! I would have done so many things if only I am feeling good or this nutcase mama isn't letting me hang on with this curiosity.

"I think... We think... You... YOU ARE PREGNANT."

He said out at last. But my heart skipped a beat on listening to his answer.

What the hell?

It's not at all possible!

All our parent's extra care is not for me... But for this nonexistent baby.

I was so angry with him for believing this along with our family. But I couldn't help as I burst into laughter.

He looked at me confused but waited till my laughter die down.

"I told you already that I want to finish my studies and I have a list of goals to achieve... "

I said calmly, but he cut off me "We could have this baby and you continue to pursue your goals. Our parents will support us, Janu."

I grinned at his enthusiasm for our family. But not yet, my dear husband.

"That's not I wanted to tell. I understand what you are saying but..."

He again cut me off, but anger took over his body.

"Don't you dare tell me about killing this innocent soul. How can you, Janu?"

His voice broke, making me annoyed.

"Will you please listen to me without stopping me in middle!"

I gritted my teeth. He obliged with a nod.

"I can't be pregnant, mama..."

"How can you be so sure? There are so many symptoms..."

"I TOLD YOU TO LISTEN WITHOUT INTERRUPTING ME. I CAN'T BE PREGNANT, BECAUSE I AM TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. I was drinking coffee too much to get rid of the headache that caused because of your behaviour and ended up sick. I AM NOT PREGNANT. GET THAT INSIDE YOUR SKULL."

I yelled in frustration.

He looked at me shocked, but he could not form any sentence as he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. A sound of silverware hitting the floor diverted our staring competition. My amma stood there with a shocked and sad expression. She picked up the milk tumbler and walked out of the room.

Not another drama, God!

Why you are always choosing my life to play with!