Its haven't been a while. I mean i was so sure about this just six months ago but why am i so skeptical about this now. Shraddha was thinking while standing in front of judge in the court.
" So Mr. Biswaas, do you want your this meaningless relationship to end." the advocate asked Anirudh that if he wanted divorce. Shraddha's heart raced to keep up with the increasing heartbeat. What if he says yes. what if he really wants this relationship to end and what the hell is wrong with you Shraddha, wasn't it you only who first wanted this relationship to end then why now, why are you so unsure about this. Why is it bothering you so much that if Anirudh do not want you in his life.
It was the same court, same judge and same advocates who were there six months ago when Shraddha was pleading for divorce in shear anger," My lord, i want this relationship to end. What haven't i done to be with this man. but all he cares about is his job, his life and his honor. I left my career, my life and even my self respect. but all he thinks is that he is the man of sacrifices."
She was even more annoyed when Aniruddh was asked for his reason for divorce and he simply said," If my life partner, my better half is not happy in this relationship then its better to end it, I too want this relationship to end." Look at him, acting like a saint. As if he is doing it all for my sake. If my happiness was all that counted then why didn't he allow me to do the job. Why doesn't he had time for me when i was all bored at home, Shraddha gave a smile of satire. Aniruddh just gave a look of disbelief to Shraddha over her smile.
"It can be clearly seen that there is no meaning in forcing both of them to remain in this relationship but for the law sake you both will be given six months to live together and see if anyhow you both can make your relationship survive this hard time." Judge said.
Outside the court, Aniruddh's mother in law, Shraddha's mother, came to Aniruddh. She had all the sad expressions on her face. Aniruddh gave a sad fake smile to her. She came to Aniruddh and said," Son, i never considered you as my son in law, you are as precious to me as Shraddha herself. Are you sure that you both can't live with each other." Tears came in her eyes.
" Maa ji, if Shraddha is not happy with me then i have no rights to steal her happiness from her." Aniruddh said.
" So you are saying that you are giving up in the girl you have always loved just because she is upset over some nonsense thing and want to give away the best gift she ever got." Aniruddh's mother in law said in anger and disbelief mixed.
Aniruddh and Shraddha have been in love from their college time and were married to each other soon after Aniruddh was settled and had a reputed job. Soon the sense of wealth took over Aniruddh's other senses. He couldn't find time for his almost newly wedded wife. It wasn't much time after their marriage, could have been one half or two years when Aniruddh almost stopped paying any heed to his only love of life, Shraddha. It didn't mean that he stopped loving her or caring for her but his sense of love now was all diverted towards the wealth and prosperity he could provide to Shraddha. Shraddha on other hand wanted her husband back. She was educated and could use her degree to remain with her husband atleast in the office but Aniruddh never wanted Shraddha to see the corporate world. For him Shraddha could not bear all the politics and unworthy competitions of the professional life. His too caring nature was slowly and slowly becoming chains for Shraddha which she wanted to break. Sometime too much care becomes the worst part of a relationship.
Sweetest fruit is always the first to rot.
"You don't have time for me, you don't want me to join you in office. What should i do then, tell me?" Shraddha said, all bored and upset as soon as aniruddh came back from office. Such a warm welcome after a bad day was all needed for Aniruddh's anger to burst out," if you can't help me in getting my mood right after office then please don't talk to me."
" Ya i am the one who spoil your mood. Your female office colleagues must be really consoling, isn't it?" Shraddha said in anger. Ignored life partner is always tended to suspect on their life partners. Aniruddh couldn't see the reason for this sentence and out of anger and disbelief, he stood and slapped Shraddha for her cheap comment.
" How could you think so cheaply." Anirudh said.
" I want this realtionship to end. i can't bear this meaningless living together anymore." Shraddha said, tears came out of her eyes.
It is said never take a decision when you are angry but they both did the same," fine Shraddha if you want it to end, I don't want to pile it on you."
Whole night passed, they didn't talk. Shraddha drowned her face in pillow and kept crying for whole night. She couldn't believe that Aniruddh slapped her. This was the last thing she could have ever imagined. On other hand, Aniruddh couldn't believe his hand did that deed. How could he slap the only woman he had ever loved. Because of him, that person was all sad and crying whom he wanted to provide all the happiness of this world. And then how can she say such a thing and suspect any other woman in his life. Anger over a silly topic kept both of them away from talking to each other whole night.
By the morning, Aniruddh had calmed himself down but he thought not to say a word to Shraddha. "She might understand me when she is calmed down". But Aniruddh's decision went against him. Sometimes a lady needs to be pampered like a child. like when a child is angry then his father bring a small toy to make him smile again, same way a lady needs a surprise or a childish and playful sorry or anything which may provide a evidence of her importance in once life but Aniruddh forgot this little thing. Meanwhile Shraddha kept waiting for Aniruddh in her room. She wanted him to come to her, let it be for scolding her to blame him about other women in his life but to her surprise she heard his car roaring out of gates. She was heart broken. His love didn't know how to show love to her anymore. In fact he doesn't even love her anymore, she thought. She can't be in a meaningless relationship anymore. She wanted divorce.
" What?" Aniruddh was shocked. He never thought that Shraddha would ever say this.
" You heard it clearly Aniruddh. I want divorce." Shraddha said firmly. Aniruddh tried to find pain in her eyes while saying this but he found none. She was not feinting. She was sure about this. At last Aniruddh gave up.
Watching his mother in law desperately trying to save their marriage Aniruddh couldn't hold his feelings. His eyes became wet. He somehow controlled his tears since he didn't want Shraddha to see him crying who was watching her mother and his to be ex husband talking to each other. He took his mother in law to the court's canteen.
"What i did wrong maa ji?" Aniruddh said and burst out into tears. He had been holding his sorrow, his despair inside him till now but now it was more than anything for him when he saw his last hope fading away as Shraddha asked to end their relationship without any hesitation.
" you tried to be man. A man whom Shraddha didn't love. A man who had been juxtapose to one whom Shraddha loved. See son i am not saying that Shraddha is not sure about her divorce but you have six months. Give my daughter back the Aniruddh whom she loved. Aniruddh who forced her to take initiative in her life. One who made her feel free from the burden of the world which she felt on her shoulders after her father died. Can't you see son, out of your care you have chained her, caged her. She wanted to be free She wanted her Aniruddh desperately. She is not angry Aniruddh, she is sad. Cheer her up as you used to do. Revive her dormant love for you." Shraddha's mother said. She was bit relieved to see Aniruddh still loved her daughter. Hopes were still there.
" what does this mean that i can't live here Ma." Shraddha said surprised over her mother refusing to take her in the house.
" Its just i want you to live with your husband for these six months. You are not divorced still, remember?" Shraddha's mother said.
" i will never go back to that house again. I don't know what has he said to you yesterday but i am not buying it." Shraddha said in anger.
" If you won't go back to Aniruddh now then you will not see me alive." Shraddha's mother used old emotional trick. and to her least expectation it worked. Shraddha agreed to go back to her in law's home.
On other hand, Aniruddh desperately waited for Shraddha. He was excited as if he was on his first date. I have to win this girl again. I have to win the love of this girl as i won her in college time. After a while Shraddha was in front of her, all furious. Without saying a word She turned and moved towards her room.
"Thats my room." Aniruddh said. He smiled in himself.
Shraddha was teased to her core. She almost shouted," It was mine too. What the hell, why my mother wants me to live with this psycho." and she moved to other room. Aniruddh smiled and sat on sofa.
" hey Shraddh, can you please bring me a glass of water and feel free to have one yourself too." Aniruddh said.
" How could he order me around like this? what he think he is?" Shraddha thought and vomitted same words in front of Aniruddh. Irritated to a limit she sat on the bed holding her forehead in her hands.
" I thought you were thirsty." Aniruddh said holding a glass of water in front of Shraddha. He was smiling. Confident about himself. He found old him and now knew that he would be able to find his old love too and will make Shraddha fall in love with him again.
Shraddha was shocked. To be clearer she was confused. Confused over what does Aniruddh wanted? Some moment ago he acted like a total jerk and now here he stood as an idol of what they call a Gentleman. She got irritated, unable to find answer. " i don't want, i am not thirsty."
" Ok then i am leaving for office, if you want something then tell me on phone." Anirudh said with a smile and left the room.
Why is he acting like a husband? Why now, when he hasn't, for so long? Why now he is acting like the one for whom so long i have longed for? Shraddha was puzzled. Anger, irritation , confusion, all burst out from her," Why are you trying to be my husband", she shouted.
Aniruddh turned with a calm and smiling face and said," i am your husband Shraddha, at least today i am."
Shraddha didn't expected this answer. For a moment her heart skipped few beats. Aniruddh left the house, leaving Shraddha in confusion. Her half brain was saying he is back but in other there was an idea imbibed that Aniruddh's new behavior is all meretricious.
Whole day passed, Shraddha was feeling as if caged in this house. A feeling of discomfort was engulfing her," now what would Aniruddh's behavior be like?" ," Why i have to be here?" , " Why my mother is supporting Aniruddh?" ," Was i had been wrong this whole time, had Aniruddh been always so nice?" All such questions were stabbing Shraddha was inside. She desperately needed answers for all these. So desperately that she didn't took any meal whole day.
Meanwhile Aniruddh entered. Seeing him Shraddha again turned her face and moved to her room. Aniruddha followed.
" It was really a bad day. Too tiring. And my boss is such an as****e, he never listen to me." Aniruddh kept on telling Shraddha the detail of whole day and Shraddha kept on listening although pretending as if she is not interested. But somehow she felt contented, after all, this is all what she always wanted and Aniruddh out of extra caring, never shared his burden with her. Then again she felt why is he telling me all these now. Again a sudden anger took over Shraddha and she turned and said," i don't care Aniruddh. Don't bother me with your whole day's crap."
Aniruddh stood up and with a smile said,"Sorry, i forgot you would have had a long day too, but you see i do not have anyone else to bother with my whole day's crap except you." Aniruddh said and left the room and again Shraddha's heart skipped few beats.
Why? Why now when i am so determined to end up with him. Why is he trying to win me back? I won't let him. I won't let him win now.
Shraddha went to Aniruddh and said," i won't let you. This relationship is over Ani. I will not let you win me back."
Aniruddh again smiled, took few steps towards Shraddha and said," i have already won my first phase Shraddha. Its almost after eight months you called me Ani." Ani was the name Shraddha used to call Aniruddh out of love.
What is wrong with you Shraddha? Are you seriously planning to fall for him again. Shraddha was irritated and after beating the ground by her feet she went out of Aniruddh's room. Aniruddh was happy. He was winning his love back. But now for Shraddha it was a challenge. She committed that she will never let Aniruddh win over her.
Out of confidence and commitment, Shraddha didn't let any of Aniruddh's attempts to reach her. Now the dices were on Shraddha's side. She was happy and Aniruddh was confused. It was after a week when one day Shraddha got a call from some BPO for the post of the shift manager there. Somehow she knew it was Aniruddh who brought this opportunity to her. She was furiated. She was vexed between the feeling of happiness and anger. Ya! She always wanted to have a job but Aniruddh bringing that opportunity to her and thats too in such a situation was unacceptable for her.
" I don't want your concern for me. How dare you forward my resume to a company." Shraddha said.
Aniruddh as always was unmoved by any of Shraddha's reaction. "Don't accept the offer then. Why so much commotion over this?" Aniruddh said and again turned back into the novel he was reading. Shraddha now didn't know what to say. She wanted to have a job and she was getting it. After giving it thoughts for whole night, she decided to take the job.
Whole month passed. Shraddha was now no more a trainee and was given responsibilities of her post. Work load increased, target were given to meet and though Shraddha always wanted a job but she never thought that it would be so tough. Bosses as always were such an as*****. First the workload and then the baseless arguments of boss took all out of Shraddha when one day she reached home. Aniruddh had already reached home.
" Ani could you please give me one glass of water." Shraddha said.
Aniruddh turned his deaf ear to what Shraddha said and started complaining," There is no proper vegetable in the kitchen and see no proper spices are kept. And this house is so scattered. And you don't have time for any of this."
Shraddha couldn't believe this. How could he? " How dare you say that,i mean how could you start complaining about these things as soon as i entered the house. Do you know how bad my day was in the office?"
"Exactly. But atleast now you know how i felt then when you complaint like this when i used to come back from office. And by the way my day was not good either. Here is your glass of water." Aniruddh said and went to his room. Shraddha was stumpped. She didn't know what to say. She remained standing in same position for few moments and then moved back to her room. Was it all my fault? I never tried to understand how much Ani had to endure in office. All i thought was about Ani not giving me proper time. Its inevitable that he slapped me that day. How couldn't he when on him saying such a small complaints i felt like slapping him. Shraddha's chest filled with sorrow. She fell on her bed and cried. For first time she realized her fault in her relationship falling apart.
Next morning she wasn't sure about her decision of breaking her marriage. She decided to atleast say sorry to Aniruddh for that night. But aniruddh had already left for the office. When in evening Shraddha was back from the office She saw Aniruddh talking to a friend of his.
" So your uncle started searching for your second wife." His friend asked.
" Ya buddy i fear so." Aniruddh said with a sheepish smile. Shraddha was devasted. He decided to move on! Shraddha hid herself to listen the conversation.
" So dude. Congrats for your new wife" Aniruddh's friend said with smile.
" No yaar. If uncle brings anyone else into my life then She might be my uncle's daughter in law but my wife will always be Shraddha, no one else." Aniruddh said. For no reason, Shraddha blushed after listening this. She was filled with fear when she thought that Aniruddh wanted to move on. For no reason she felt relieved when aniruddh said that my wife will always be Shraddha. For whole night she kept smiling again and again thinking Aniruddh's words.
Aniruddh won. Shraddha again fell in love with Aniruddh.
Just two weeks remained. Shraddha now wasn't little bit sure about her ending this relationship. She desperately wanted Aniruddh to come to her and say lets start it over again. Lets give our marriage a new chance. Lets forget all what happened and see what will happen and see it together, holding each others' hands. She wanted Aniruddh to slap her again for what she said that night. She wanted Aniruddh to come to her for atleast to ask her if she really wanted to end this relationship, over which she could say, NO , NEVER and hug his love of life tightly. She again wanted to feel the broad shoulders of Aniruddh beneath her cheaks. She wanted to cry again in the his arms like she used to cry whenever she missed her father. But Aniruddh never came to her. He never asked Shraddha if she had changed her decision.
Finally there was the judgement day. And here was Aniruddh and Shraddha again standing in front of each other in the same court like they were six months ago. Shraddha desperately waited for Aniruddh's answer and she wanted him to say no. Aniruddh paused for some moments and then with his heavy voice said," yes i do want to end this meaningless relationship."
Hearing this Shraddha's knee weakened. She controlled her overwelming emotionsand her desire to go and ask Aniruddh, why? If he intended to let go this relationship then why he made her fall in love with him again. Why he tried so hard to win her back. Or is it he found someone else. What if his uncle has found someone whom Aniruddh also found desirable. Shraddha found herself in a whirlpool of thought. For first time she felt the fear of loosing someone. She wanted to shout to Aniruddh to take back his words. She wanted to cry and say, i lost my father but i never want to loose you. But she can't. Now she knew what Aniruddh meant when he said, when my better half do not want to be in this marriage then its better to end it. Now it was turn of Shraddha to resonate these words.
With tears in her eyes, Shraddha said, mixed with sorrow, anger and the pain of loosing," Yes me too want to end it." In next few moments divorce papers were signed.
Outside the court, Shraddha stood with her mother. She couldn't stop her tears, She kept on criticizing herself," i was such a fool to leave him Ma. I mean, i love him. i always have.But i don't know why i took that decision to leave him." She was stifling due to her uncontrolled emotions. Her throat was choking and words were hard to come out.Her mother could not do anything else than to console her.
Suddenly someone tapped Shraddha on her shoulder. She turned and saw it was Aniruddh. Shraddha felt urge to grab him in her arm but she couldn't. Call it ego or due to her guilt feeling, but she couldn't. He was smiling. "how could he smile?" Shraddha thought.
Aniruddh said with a smile," I have heard, you just got divorced?" Shraddha felt irritated. Is he here to abase me.
She didn't answer and turned to move away. Aniruddh followed," Hey listen. Actually my wife just left me, so would you mind if i ask you to marry me." Shraddha stopped. Aniruddh's proposal was unexpected. She never hoped this.
" So what you say, lets start a life together and not let our ex life partners bother us ever." Aniruddh said with a smile.
Shraddha moved towards Aniruddh and slapped him. And just in next moment she had Aniruddh grabbed in her arms. She did all the thing she wanted to for last two weeks, hugging Aniruddh, slapping him , crying in his arm,complaining , loving, everything.
In all these moment she tried to say one thing but she couldn't. Suddenly Aniruddh held her hand and said," ya i know, no matter what i will never let you go."