Chapter 78 — The letter

Aradhya's POV

I have called him over three times. I don't know what he was doing, but I'm sure it would be important for us. He is used to doing things, which are especially important for me. 

I have spent my half of the day with Dii, Dadi, Vyom and Vihan. Both boys are so naughty, I can’t imagine how Dii handles them. Dii and Dadi, I can’t remove my gaze from them, they are glad; it was flowing from their smiling faces. 

Nowadays, he keeps secrets from me, many things, I can sense all his pain and happiness. I know it is weird but, it just happened, when he is closer to me, his heartbeats make the hopping of goosebumps inside me, with every beat, I can understand he is hiding something. 

He always used to avoid picking up my call, when he hides something from me. I know it but I never let him know about it. Maybe, he knows but never shares about it. I checked the time, quarter past twelve. I sighed, he must be at home, he never skips his promises. He told me that he will be with me while having lunch.

“Aradhya…” Dii called me, and the chain of my thoughts were broken by her voice.

“Coming…” I responded with a wide smile.

I paced inside the house and shuffled the hairs of both naughty princes. They pouted, “Maaamiii…”

I sat on the chair beside him. He always honours Dadi as the head of the home, she is sitting on her chair and his chair is empty between us.

“You should eat, don’t wait for him, now you must have to take care of your health,” Dadi was saying orderly to me while having a  first bite of roti and paneer tikka masala. It was normal food, which is cooked often. I am not feeling well, its smell filled my nostrils. I became numb, covering my mouth with my both palms. I huffed and…

“Aradhya… are you okay?” Dii rubbed my back but I rushed to the nearest bathroom. I throw out whatever I ate in the morning. After vomiting, I felt weak, 

I cleaned my throat with lukewarm water given by Dii. I splashed water on my face.

I wiped off my face with the towel and paced out of the bathroom. Dii offered me lemon water instantly. I clutched the glass and the scene occurred a few months ago, reverberated in my mind. I don’t remember exactly when this happened. I stressed my mind, taking a sip of lemon water.

“Yes,” I mumbled. 

“I threw out like today, on that day, the sabji was Paneer Tikka,” My mind raced with mine.

“But the doctor told us, it was food poisoning, then why now?” I was in my thoughts.

“ Aradhya, what are you thinking about? Vomiting?” She made me sit on the dining chair and continued, “It’s normally during pregnancy. You should consult a doctor, the doctor will give you medicines and you will not feel weak. I will book the appointment for the evening.”

I shook my head, agreeing with her.

“This Samarth is so ridiculous, how can he do this? He must be with you and in the hospital, you need a doctor,” Dii was mumbling, while dialing a number, maybe she is calling in the hospital. My mind is running for that day, it was the same like today.

My ears caught the attention of the sound coming from outside, it was his car. I smiled and slapped my head, “Stop overthinking about it, it is only co-incident.”

I stepped to welcome him, Dii smiled and let me go, but he is not looking happy, why? I can’t figure out, but his face was gloomy, he gave me a forced smile. I returned with a sigh.

“He was eagerly waiting for the good news, then why he is not happy, there was no problem at office, nor at home, then why is he worried? Should I ask him?” I was still glued near the entrance.

He scooped me and smiled again, this time he glads. Dii scolded him for not taking care of me,but who heard her, he is lost in my eyes. She also told him about vomiting. He must have heard this, I know, he becomes deaf when someone scolds him and complaints, always hears first.

“Let’s eat, we are going after lunch,” He informed me. I nodded like an obedient wife. I think he has already taken an appointment for the check up.

He placed me on the couch and ordered maids to bring food there, I denied to have anything, but he forced me so I demanded for the glass of the orange juice. I have vomited once, so he didn’t force me to eat but he also had only orange juice with me. He ate nothing else, it hurts me.

After afe minutes, he scooped me again and dropped me near the car, he opened the door for me and slipped inside. He tied the seat belt around me and then him. He sped up the car to make it run on the road.

“Is something to be tensed?” I broke the silence in the car.

“Nothing,” I know he lied to me. I shut my mouth and waited for his words but as usual nothing came out from his sealed mouth.

When we reached the hospital, he was about to scoop me again but I halted him. I feel awkward if someone sees me like this, we are married and five years have passed. We are not newly wedded couples.

He helped me to come out, and wrapped his hand around my waist, rubbing his fingers on my belly, I glanced at him, he was smiling. I bite my lower lips.

“Stop drooling over me, wifey,” He muttered huskily without gazing at me. I looked down instantly.

He is the Goenka, I don't think he had taken any appointment, he drove me directly to the doctor's chamber. She invited us with a smile. After checking up on me, she gave some advice to us then wrote a prescription note. My eyes widened looking at the list, I counted like a kid, total five.

I gave her a deadly glare, I whimpered, “Is she giving me all the medicines of the pharmacy store?”

I hope she doesn’t listen to me. We got up from the seat and strode out quickly. It seems weird he didn’t ask a single question to the doctor, it never gonna happen. I thought, “ Did he meet her before me or consulted with her on the phone?”

I shook my head as I was feeling dizzy. I asked, “Where are we going?” As the direction of the exit was opposite from the corridor, we walked in.

“Your father is not feeling well, so we admit here him. Now he is fine, nothing to worry,” He informed me.

“What? Are you kidding?” I gasped. I tried to keep open my eyes.

“Not a big problem, just blood pressure was high, now under control,” He cupped my worried face.

“Dad, “ I almost shouted, he guided me to the elevator, soon we were emerging in the private room. A bottle was hanging on the stand, its strip went to his right arm, a small needle was tucked in his vein, tears rolled over my cheeks. 

“Dad,” I cried.

— Samarth’s POV

I saw her crying, I made her sit on the stool, Dad is also crying but he is speechless. 

Thanks to God, he became conscious before I left from here, he was good so the doctor shifted him to the private room. I strictly warned mom not to reveal anything to Aradhya. If I wouldn’t bring her here, she would feel hurt, and I don’t want to make her hurt.

She is crying and her tears are hurting me. Dad glanced at me gleefully.

— Flashback…

“We will talk about it later, I’ll not tell anything to her and mom, You know Samarth Goenka, who never believes in forgiving. But my wife and your daughter believe. So for the sake of her, it’s your last chance. I want to know the whole truth, why did you do this? Get well soon, father in law, we will talk about it very soon.” I whispered in his ear, he was just shifted in the room. Mom was adjusting some things on the desk, which were brought from home.

Anaya’s condition is still worse than him. She is kept in the ICU room. Her husband arrived when I informed her about it. I’m glad he doesn't overreact to her for this step. He knows everything, still he is standing with her. That’s called love, but I don't think she deserves this kind of true love.

After  that I exited from there, I didn’t wait for his reply, I put on my goggles to hide my tears. These tears for love for uncle, whom i consider as my father from my childhood. He is alive but he died yesterday for me. Now he is nothing for me.

I sat in the car, before I turned on the key… Then turned off. I slipped my hands inside the pocket and pulled the envelope. I opened it without thinking more.

Simply written a few words…

 “Dear, Mamta  I’m sorry, you are the best wife, the best mother, the best housewife.

But..

I’m not a good husband, not a good father and not a good businessman. 

I have cheated on you, I’m sorry. I can’t face this truth, I wish it would be kept secret, this is my last wish.

Yours…”

“I have cheated on you, what does he mean by it?” My mind raised a question.

“Thank God, mom didn’t open this envelope, otherwise, she would die reading these words,” I rested my head on the back of the seat.

I halted there and tried to analyze it. Then a spark in my mind, “Is he having an affair with someone, and Anaya or Sameer learnt about that. Maybe, they were blackmailing him, so he provided them money.”

My heart is not ready to accept this fact. I started the car and drove back to home, i know she is waiting for me.

— Flashback Ends…

“Samarth, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I came out of my thoughts hearing her.

“It was not good to give you stress, just calm down, he is fine. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I exited from there making an excuse.

She would recognize my lie. I don’t want this, so I went to the pharmacy to purchase her medicines. 

While returning, he collided with me, before I was not liking her, as he loves my wife, and maybe still he loves. But I'm thankful to him as he called me on time and informed me about Anaya.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s okay,” I smiled, which I had never given him before.

“Thanks for the call, you saved my wife’s life,” I thanked him.

“It’s okay, I can’t see her in pain,” He sighed.

“How do you know about it?” I inquired.

“Sir, yesterday I came back to India. Brother and bhabhi were here, when I reached home, I heard her talking on the phone, she was saying, “Dad, I want everything by hook or crook, for that if she needs to die, she must die, otherwise, I will tell mom everything about it.” She changed the topic looking at me, I came to the party, because I have doubted Bhabhi, that she is talking to harm her, i feel that. I tried to tell her about this, but maybe she wouldn’t trust me. So I skipped the Idea. I got your office’s number from the internet and called there. I got your number from there. Then I called you. And I think I was right, that’s why both are in the hospital. Bhabhi can’t kill herself, she must be poisoned by her Dad, because evil Saul never dies so easily.” He smirked completing his storytelling.

I shook my head agreeing with him, I again thanked him and paced towards the private room. I saw her talking with her father cheerfully. All of them are smiling.

“Shall we go home? You also need rest,” I asked lovingly.

“Yes, you must go, you should rest beta, i’m here with your Dad for taking care of him,” Mom supported me.

“Okay,” She pouted like a kid.

She instructed mom and Dad like a teacher instructs students in the exam hall before staring the exam. I grabbed her hand and pulled her outside of the room, she is still speaking, i shook my head in irritation.

In the car….

“Samarth, if you are hiding anything about Dad, i won’t ask you but make sure, don’t harm them and won’t let them be harmed by anyone,” She pleaded with teary eyes.

“Aradhya…”

“Promise me,” She held my hand in her.

“Promise,” I untangled my hand encircled around her neck. 

I smiled at her and to change the topic, I said dramatically, “Wifey, I’m thinking that…”

“We need to spend some time together to celebrate our happiness,” She cut me off glancing at me with teary eyes.

“Yes,” I smiled.