Chapter Five

Vidya:

I was in the kitchen preparing the breakfast. I went to the room to check if Jay is awake. As soon as I went, Jay shouted at me.

"Where were you till now?"

"Good morning, Jay."

"I asked where were you till now?"

"Why are you so serious? I was in the kitchen preparing the food," I said.

"I hired a cook for that."

"But I told her not to come."

"Are you mad? Why did you do that?" Jay said.

"Jay, only we both are living here. Can't we do our works? Why do we need a maid? We both can do the works together. If you can't help me, it's ok I will do it. However, I am your wife and I will take care of everything until I am here."

"Look Vidya, you no need to do any work. Let the servants do the works."

"You don't consider me as your wife. I know that. That's why you don't like me doing your works. Am I right?"

"Vidya, who told you that wife should do all the works?"

"In every family, I saw wife taking care of the works."

"Taking care of works is different from doing the works."

I looked at him confused.

"You are my wife. It doesn't mean you have to do all these works. Because you are my wife and not a servant.

Let me tell you clearly. Even if I consider you as my wife and we are real couple, I would not allow you to do all the works. Because I just expect love, care and loyalty from my wife but not the service.

Wife is the heart of the family and her only duty is to love the family and to keep family united and happy. In return she has to get the same love, support, care and respect from that family. That's the true way of living as a real couple. But not to serve and work all the time just to please the husband or his parents, sacrificing her life."

I remembered my family teaching me from the childhood that girls should learn all the household works and serve the the family of husband. I saw my mom managing all the works but still my dad and grandma remained dissatisfied and found fault with her. I remembered Neel's words asking me to learn all the works before marriage, otherwise his parents won't accept her as a daughter in law. He also told that a good wife and daughter in law is the one who serves her husband and his family well.

"Hello, where are you lost?" Jay said.

"I am listening to your words."

"See Vidya, if you want to manage the works, just keep a check whether everything is completed on time or not by the servants. But if you still feel servants are not necessary for us, then let's do all the works together, but not you alone."

I agreed with him and later on, we had the breakfast.

"Shall I go out today?" I said with hesitation.

"You can go anywhere anytime. No need to ask me. But just take care of yourself. If you need any help just call me."

"Don't you want to ask where I am going?"

"No because I trust you."

Jay is so different from others. He is trusting me. He is giving full feeedom to me. His views about wife are really so good. But how can I trust him? Should I trust him or help my dad? If I break his trust, he will kill me. The most important thing is he will trust no one again and may become depressed. What should I do?

Whatever I will help my dad but I won't leave Jay. I will be with him forever as his wife but I am not sure whether he accepts me or not after betraying him. Whatever I can't break relationship with my dad or with Jay. I will save my dad but I will make Jay too happy. I don't want Jay to be lonely or depressed. I can't bear it and moreover I value our marriage.

Marriage is a sacred bonding and I don't want to break it. If you are wrong I will try to change you. I am going to steal pen drive from you but please forgive me, Jay. That will be my first and the last mistake in our relationship. I promise after that I will never hurt or betray you.

"Jay, I am going to meet Neel."

Jay clenched but tried to hide his feelings. I was scared to talk to Jay anymore.

"I want to apologise Neel for breaking the engagement. And want to say...."

"Do whatever you want. I am getting late, bye."

Jay left without listening to me.

I want to apologise Neel and tell him to move on as I want to be your wife forever, Jay. Why didn't you allow me to complete my words.

In the evening, I will ask you to accept me as your wife forever, Jay. I hope you will accept me though you are angry with my father. If you accept then I will make you happy forever. I will try my best to love you.

In the afternoon, I went to meet Neel at his home. But stopped going inside listening to his mom's words.

"Neel, what will you do now? You trapped Vidya and we thought we will get her property after the marriage. So that, our status will be changed. But now she married someone else."

"Don't worry, mom. Still Vidya loves me. Just now she called me asking to meet her. I came to know that she married him to protect her father as a deal. So she may soon divorce him and surely will come to me. It's second marriage and no one marries her. So, we can demand more property and money from her dad to marry her. Even after the marriage, they will fulfill all our wishes because it will be a big insult for them if her second marriage too breaks. Everything happened for our benefit. So, don't worry," Neel said, shocking me.

I went inside and they were in shock seeing me there. I slapped Neel and went out from there. I walked with tears in my eyes. I couldn't control my tears.

What is this? Why everyone are playing with my life? Neel loved me for my property. Jay married me for his revenge. Why does this happen to me? I am a fool to trust everyone. I know Neel from years but can't understand him well. There is no love, nothing. I can't trust anyone. I trusted Neel a lot but how could he do this to me? I hate you, Neel. I hate you. I can't bear this.

A car came to hit me but someone pulled me to the side. I looked at him and it's Jay. He slapped me.

I didn't say anything and hugged him tightly. He broke the hug and shouted at me revealing his care or love for me.

"Are you out of your sense? Where are you seeing? If that car hits you n something happens to you how can I live? I told you many times to be careful. Why are you careless, Vidya? Answer me. I am talking to you. What do you mean by staying calm?

I hugged him again with tears seeing his concern for me. Jay was shocked and then, caressed my hairs. Jay broke the hug and cupped my face.

"Vidya, I didn't mean to slap you. I don't know why did I do so. I saw the car coming towards you and I was worried about you. I am really sorry. But please don't cry. I would never behave like that with you."

I cried more. Jay didn't understand anything.

"Anyways, come let's go to our home first."

I cried continuously in the car but Jay didn't ask anything to me. After reaching the home, he tried to know the reason behind my emotional breakdown.

"What happened to you, Vidya? Why are you so upset? Is everything ok with you? Do you want to meet your parents? Are you crying for that? If yes, don't worry I will drop you at your home. You can meet your dad too but don't be so dull. If you are crying because of me then I will free you soon from this relationship. But what all I want is your happiness. I feel guilty if you cry. I am sorry for spoiling your life by marrying you without your permission."

"I am not crying because of you, Jay. Don't be guilty," I said.

"Then what's wrong? Did Neel say anything to you as you married me? Don't worry. I will talk to him and explain to him why did you marry me and that you still love him so much. I will convince him," Jay said.

"No need, Jay," I said.

I was about to say something and his phone rang.

Jay went onto the balcony attached to the room to attend the call.

"No. I am not coming to the meeting. Cancel all the appointments today."

"It's ok. Whatever happens I will manage later. Nothing is more important to me than my wife. She is ill today and I can't leave her alone in this situation. So cancel everything and don't call me again. I am switching off my mobile. Bye."

My eyes filled with tears but this time it's because of Jay and his care for me. Or is it his love? Though I could see the love in his eyes at times, still I denied it as I can't trust that Jay loves me in such a less time.

"Did you meet Neel?" Jay said.

I nodded.

"Tell me what happened to you there," Jay said and I told everything to him.

"Did you have your lunch?" Jay said, without reacting to what I said.

"I don't want to have anything."

"But I am hungry," Jay said and I was forced to have the lunch with him.

I got angry at Jay for not consoling me even after knowing what had happened with me because of Neel.

Jay:

Don't worry, Vidya I won't leave Neel that easily for hurting you. Wait for some time and I know how to make you smile again. But one thing is true that you are so innocent and sensitive. It's not good in this society at present days. You should become strong and I will make you strong. I won't mind whether you will be with me or not. But I will do anything to make you happy. I will change your mood soon, sweetheart.

I smiled thinking this and Vidya got irritated seeing me smiling though she is upset.

"I hate you," Vidya said.

"What?"

"You are so cruel," Vidya said, confusing me.

"But why?"

"You love to see the tears of people."

"Vidya, first tell me what did I do. Then you can scold me. Tell me the reason."

"You are smiling seeing me in tears. You are enjoying my grief."

I saw her once and then her plate. She completed the lunch. I smiled again.

"Of course. Your father is my enemy. So, definitely I wouldbe happy if you cry. And I love to see you hating me."

Vidya got up and went to the room seriously. I went to her and sat beside her.

"Vidya, we are going out. Get ready."

"I am not in a mood. Leave me alone," Vidya said.

"You shod obey my order, beautiful. Otherwise you know well what would I do," I said seriously and immediately she got up to get ready.

I don't understand why this girl gets scared of me. Even if I raise my voice or acts seriousness, she will be frightened and starts crying. Damn sensitive.

Anyways, I want to surprise you this time, Vidya. So I spoke that way to you.

Otherwise I know you won't come and will resume your crying session.

Vidya got ready and came out. For sometime, she forgot her grief of getting cheated by Neel by being angry with me for not consoling her and forcing her to go out. However, I enjoyed her seriousness. I decided to irritate her more.

"Vidya, Can you please bring a coffee for me?"

"I can't," said my angry wife.

"Why?"

"I don't know to prepare the coffee."

"Bring me a coffee right now," I said, raising my voice a bit.

Vidya was scared of me again and prepared coffee for me. I looked at her with a smile.

"Thank you for the coffee. I love coffee prepared by you. By the way can you smile once? I am missing light in our room. If you smile, our room brightens up with it."

"Enough, stopit. I think lover boy is coming out of you, Mr.Jay. But I won't fall for you."

I went near to her and very close to her face. I came close to her lips and she closed her eyes but didn't move away from me this time. I smiled and went away from her.

"Open your eyes."

Vidya opened her eyes and saw me sitting on the bed.

"You have already started falling for me, Ms. Vidya and soon you will become Mrs. Vidya Jay."

"No way. Please come out of your day dreams or you would get disappointed," Vidya said.

"Let's see. Anyways come let's go out," I said.