14. In Search of Love - Sandhya
"He is my brother. Do I need any reason to go and stay in his house?"
Nikhil looked at his wife as if he couldn't understand her language.
Pooja turned her head as if to escape from his gaze.
"I don’t get it Pooja. You are his sister but you are also my wife. If you have any problems in our home you can always tell me about it. I can fix it all for you"
He was literally pleading…
Pooja could understand it.
"Please Nikhil, I need some fresh air to clear my mind. Lot of things has happened in the last few days. I am really confused"
Nikhil took couple of steps and went closer to his wife. Using his hands he turned her face to face him.
"Give me a chance, my rose! I love you and I will take care of you"
He said those words directly looking into her eyes.
Pooja's heart melted! But she hardened her mind and freed herself from her husband.
"Please Nikhil, don't try this emotional blackmail again"
"No Pooja, I am not…."
"Please Nikhil let me talk. Throughout my life I have been made scape goat for others mistakes. I never asked my dad to be a bad person but my mom punished me for that. Just when I was coming out of it, you entered my life…."
Pooja stopped abruptly as if she was not able to speak.
Nikhil starred at her quietly. There's no need for him to ask her… He knew the reason… He could feel the pain in her heart…
If he could just make her understand his real love…
Pooja shook her head as if to free herself and continued her speech.
"… and you made me pay for my dad's mistake too… I am tired Nikhil. I have been searching for love throughout my life. Now, I have a reached a stage where I don't look for it any more. The only person who has showered affection and has truly cared for me is Praba. He does not believe that you really care about me and I don't have anything to talk against it…"
"So you want to test my love?"
Pooja didn't turn her face this time but looked straight into his eyes and said,
"Yes! And you owe me that!"
There was hostility in her tone and gaze.
Nikhil continued to stare at her for a few seconds and then said,
"Let's get back home, it's getting very cold out here!" and started walking.
Pooja tried hard to swallow her disappointment. She was expecting Nikhil to react but there was not even a slight change in his face.
There was no reaction at all!
So, he is happy to send her with Praba?
Anger started to boil within her!
Nikhil turned back to check his wife and found her still standing in the same place.
"Come on Pooja… You are not used to this climate. You might get sick"
Oh yeah that's the only worry you have, thought Pooja biting her teeth hard as if to keep her mouth shut.
"Come on!"
His voice had that usual warmth in it.
Pooja couldn't resist any more and hence started walking in his direction.
"Please be careful, some of these plants have thorns"
"hmmm"
"Some are poisonous too"
"Don’t worry about that. I have seen people with poisonous mind and heart. I can handle these plants perfectly well!"
Nikhil looked at her for a second and continued to walk.
Pooja followed him quietly with anger raging inside her. She was disappointed with his reaction!
She expected him to do something to make her stay back… May be plead to her or show his anger!
But he has remained very calm. Too calm and that made her feel bad.
So it's true that he doesn't care about her.
Pooja stayed quiet immersed into her own thoughts while travelling back. Kalai and Pallavi were chatting about something. Though she was sitting next to them, she couldn't make any sense from that.
After reaching home, Pooja went straight to her room. Nikhil didn't follow her but went to meet his father.
Time slowly ticked by…
After dinner, Pooja started to pack few of her clothes in her suitcase. Nikhil kept watching her quietly.
When she finished packing and closed the suitcase, Nikhil asked,
"So you are starting tomorrow morning?"
It was as if he was waiting for her to finish her packing.
"Hmmm…" muttered Pooja.
"So, plan is to travel in your brother's car?"
"Yes"
"Are you planning to travel…"
Pooja lost her patience!
"Why do you ask me all these questions? Do you really care?"
"I will, if you want me to…" said Nikhil with a smile.