Loveless Marriage - My Second Wife Has A Baby

Chapter 6

Ithal

I don't know how long I was crying last night and when sleep took over my sorrows but I woke up to the clinking of utensils coming from the kitchen. I expect it to be Aadhi but I find two women instead.

"Hello, ma'am. Sorry if we woke you up.." The elder one among the two says with a polite smile. "I'm Vasantha. I cook here. And this is my daughter-in-law, Meenatchi. She does the cleaning.."

"Hi.. Please don't call me Ma'am. I am Ithal. And thanks for waking me up or otherwise I would have slept the whole day.." I tell her as I stride near the stove to make myself a cup of coffee.

"I can make you a cup of coffee, Ma'am.." Meenatchi rushes near me and doesn't give me a chance at it. "Meanwhile, you can freshen up. ma'am.."

"Thanks.." I walk back to my room and grab my phone from the side table to find a missed call from my mom. So, I call her back.

"Ithu.. Have you woken up?"

"Yes, amma. Just now.." Yawning, I look up at the wall clock and curse myself for saying that. It's ten past nine. The way I said that sounded like I went to sleep very late last night because of endless rounds of s*x on my first night whereas the truth was far from it.

"That's okay, sweetheart. You must have been tired.."

I want to scoff at her but I don't. "No, I am good. I am actually planning to go to work today.."

"Ithu, what is the hurry? Just yesterday you got married and why do you want to go back to work so soon?" I can feel the disappointment dripping from her tone. "Where's Aadhi?"

"He just left for an important meeting that he couldn't miss.." I lie cleverly. I don't want to tell her that he left me alone on our first night and hasn't bothered to return home yet. If I am right, he will not be back anytime soon. So, it will be a total waste of my time to sit here and wait for my husband to get back home. I have better things to do.

"Okay.." She pauses and I hear her sigh, "Ithu, is Aadhi being good to you, my dear?"

Now how do I answer that?

Is he a good man? He definitely is. I have known him for as long as I can remember.

But is he being good to me? I am not very sure he is. Leaving his newly wedded wife alone on the wedding night cannot be labeled as 'being good'.

My eyes focus on the ring lying in the place where it was left last night. I force my eyes away quickly. I don't want to think about it and get myself upset.

Clearing my throat, I reply to her honestly, "It's too soon to answer that, amma.."

"You are right.." She shrugs with a laugh. "Ithu, you have never told me this but I know you have always loved Aadhi. You both deserve a second chance at love. That's the reason I almost forced you to marry him. I hope you will understand my intentions someday.."

I hope I do but right now, I am very angry at my mom for forcing me into another loveless marriage.

"Amma, I need to get ready for work. Can I call you later?"

"Sure, dear.."

I end the call and decide to take a shower so that I can get out of the house. The more I keep myself busy the better.

As I go back to the living room, I find my breakfast ready and it looks so inviting that I don't wait to grab the plate and start gobbling the hot Aapams with vegetable stew.

"Thank you so much, akka, for the delicious breakfast.."

Again a smile flits across her face, "Oh you don't have to thank me, madam. I am just doing my job. Please feel free to tell me your food preferences and taste, I will change it accordingly.."

"Don't worry. You give me anything and I will eat without complaining. I am not very choosy when it comes to food. And please don't call me madam.."

"But we are not comfortable calling you by your name. 'Madam' is what we prefer.." She looks at her daughter-in-law who agrees with her with a nod of her head.

"Fine. Do as you wish.." I say dropping my plate into the sink and looking around the house. I haven't had a tour of the house yet. Maybe later.

"Uhm, does Aadhi have breakfast here?" I force my face to remain calm and try not to give her any clue to find out that my dear husband didn't spend the wedding night with me.

Vasantha straightens her shoulder, "Yes, Sir usually comes at around ten. He has his breakfast here and then leaves for work.."

"Ohh, and when does he come home from work?" I ask to which she shifts uncomfortably as if it isn't her place to talk about my husband's daily activities.

"He usually comes late or sometimes.." She hesitates, "he doesn't come at all.."

I look around the kitchen as if trying to pretend it doesn't bother me, "Then what do you do with the dinner that you cook?"

"In case he doesn't return home, he asks us to take it the next day.."

I nod my head then fall silent when I don't have any more questions to ask them.

"I heard you are a doctor.." Meenatchi asks me excitedly.

I bob my head, "Yes, I am. For the next month, I have the morning shift and I will come back by six in the evening.."

"So, will you prefer me packing the lunch for you, ma'am?" Vasantha inquires.

"Yes, if you can.."

"Of course, I can. What am I here for, ma'am?" She mutters, "And what would you like to have for dinner.."

I smile, "Anything.. I don't mind as long as it is tasty.."

"Ok, I will make something that you might like to eat after a long day at work.." With another polite smile, she goes back to doing her work.

I leave the two and go to my room to get dressed for work. As I am leaving my room, I hear the door unlock from outside and stiffen in my place to see Aadhi. He is still dressed in what he was last night after the shower except, now it's crumpled. His hair is ruffled as if he'd run his hand several times through it and there are huge bags under his eyes which are clear signs that he's been drinking all night. Is this why he left me home alone last night?

"Looks like you are going somewhere.." He remarks when he takes a look at me.

"Yeah, I have duty this morning.." I tell him, keeping my eyes everywhere but him.

"Do you want me to drop you?" He asks but I know it is just formality and if I say yes, he will probably curse himself for offering that in the first place.

"That's okay. I can drive there myself.." Thankfully my brother had dropped my car here a few days back along with all my things.

"Great.." He sounds relieved.

Suppressing a snappy comment, I walk past him with a quiet 'Bye'. Of course, I didn't get a response from him, not that I expected it from him but it still hurt.

***

I am halfway through the day when my phone vibrates in my pocket. On taking it out, my lips stretch into a wide grin.

"Hey, Mini. How are you?"

"I'm good.." I can tell how happy she is by the sound of her. She's one lucky woman who got all the love in the world from the man she married. Nothing like me but hey, I am not jealous of her. "You tell me, new bride. How are you?"

"Good.." I try to sound cheerful but I doubt I do.

"So have you and my brother got a chance to get to know each other?"

"Not yet.." I answer her evasively.

The line suddenly becomes silent and I wonder why. "Are you at work, Ithu?"

For a second, I want to lie to her but if I do, I know she will find it out. "Yes.."

I expect her to shout at me or throw something judgemental at me but she does neither. "He didn't remain home last night, did he?"

My eyes well up and I blink hard to conceal them but I fail at it miserably when a few roll down my cheeks. I wipe them before someone can see them.

"Were you alone last night, Ithu?"

"Yes.." I sniff. "He came back this morning though.."

Drunk and looking horrible.

If I may add.

"God, I am so sorry, Ithu. If only I were there to kick some sense into his thick head.."

I laugh but there's no comedy in it. "What are you sorry for, Mini? It's not your fault. Not every couple works well together.."

"Don't say that.." She adds worriedly, "Don't give up so soon.."

"What else can I do? He's still grieving her loss.." I mumble with dejection gripping my throat.

"Then change that, Ithu. Make him forget her.."

"But how?"

"Look, it's just been a day since your wedding. Make conversations with him, even if he doesn't want to, get to know each other, go out, spend quality time together, and most importantly give him some time. He is a man with a broken heart, Ithu. You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to marry him, right.."

"I did.." I say in a low whisper.

"Just don't give up hope. I'm sure he will slowly start seeing what an amazing woman you are.."

I want to believe her and talking to her has given me a new ray of hope. "Okay, I sure.."

"Fighting.." She encourages me, making me laugh.

"When did you start watching K-Dramas?" I ask her as the mood shifts to a pleasant side.

"I don't but I know you do.." She relies. "Anyway, I need to go. Eegan has got up.."

"Give my kisses to him. Bye.."

"Bye. Take care. And remember what I told you.."

"I will.."

I work till five in the evening before my duty comes to an end. As I drive back home, an amazing idea comes to my mind. When I reach home, I find Vasantha in the kitchen. "You are back, ma'am? Do you want me to make you a cup of coffee?"

"God, yes.." I say slumping on the couch.

I feel much more relaxed after having the much-needed cup of coffee.

"Do you mind if I cook dinner tonight?" Walking into the kitchen, I ask her.

"This is your house ma'am. You don't need to ask me but I can cook for you. You must be tired.." She answers me humbly.

"I want to cook for Aadhi.."

I see a flash of sorry look on her face which she quickly masks behind her smile.

Does she think he will not come home?

But I tell myself it's okay if he doesn't show up. At least I will try.

"Do you need my help, ma'am.."

"Yeah, just tell me where can I find the things I will need to make chicken curry and chapati. Then you can take leave.."

"Sure.." For the next few minutes, we go around the kitchen to grab all the ingredients. Vasantha doesn't leave immediately though and helps me with the recipe. Once she's sure the dish has come out well, she finally takes leave.

I arrange the dishes on the dining table and wait for my husband. I almost gave up waiting for him when it was half past ten but he came home. And much to my surprise, he isn't drunk.

"Hi.." I smile at him.

"Hey.." He nods at me.

"Have you eaten?" I ask, expecting him to say he did but he shakes his head in a no.

"I have made dinner, Aadhi. Do you mind joining me?"

"Is it okay if I go shower first?"

"Sure, take your time.."

I sit down on the chair as he disappears into our bedroom to come out after a few minutes. He takes the chair opposite me and rummages around to see what's for dinner and it makes my heart flutter.

"You like chicken gravy, right? Your mom told me.." I have always known his love for chicken.

"Yes. It's very thoughtful of you. Thanks."

I hand him a plate and fill it for him. As he takes the first bite of it, I wait anxiously for his feedback.

He nods approvingly. "It's good.."

"Thanks.." I blush. "How was your day?"

"Nothing special.." He mumbles. "What about you.."

I am happy that he's making an effort to keep the conversation going. "Busy but not boring.."

"I talked to Mini today.." I add quickly so that our conversation doesn't meet a dead end.

"Ohh.." He speaks in between chewing his food but not glancing at me. "What did she say?"

"They are coming here next week.." I tell him, "I wish she could settle here with us. It would be so much fun, don't you think?"

"Everyone wishes something but not everyone gets what they wish.."

I blink as his cold eyes meet mine. I can read through his lines. He is talking about his wife and how he wishes she was here, in place of me but couldn't have her.

I swallow hard, not able to speak again.