Chapter 11

When the married woman breaks the Karwa Chaut fast, the husband feeds her a sweet and helps her drink water. Only then can the fast be broken.

I was dressed in my red saree as I sat on the bench on the terrace as I observed Mom and Sonia do the rituals. We had already done the puja and now they were breaking their fast while I waited for my husband to show up. He said he'd come home earlier but I knew better than to trust his words.

I spent my time with Natasha. She's good at keeping me company.

I had told Sonia not to fast. It isn't healthy for a pregnant lady to fast. But, the stubborn person she is, she fasted. Roshan was there with her the whole day. Not leaving her for a single second. Sometimes, I look at them and I'm a little envious. I never had anyone love me that much. They've been married for 6 years and the love doesn't seem to fade. They're cute.

We all went and sat in the living room making small conversation here and there but most of the time, I chose to space out from the conversation.

He hasn't come.

I felt tears prick my eyes when the thought hit me. Today is Karwa Chaut and he knows I won't be able to eat anything if he doesn't show up. I know I could just eat now that he hasn't shown up on time, but I choose not to do so.

The clock hits 8, then 9, then 10, then 11 and finally when it hits 12, I start feeling a little sleepy. I even tried calling him but he would pick his call.

It was all just an act. Putting sindoor. Telling me that he'll come earlier. Acting nice. All a fucking show.

I think I fall asleep because I jolt awake when I hear the front door open and a stifled giggle. I stand up and notice that mom and dad are there with me too.

They should've been sleeping. I merely glance at the clock and it read 1:30. When I hear the footsteps, I look at the cause and I think my whole world just stopped. There he stood. In his glory. But instead of gawking at him, I glare at him. Because in his arms was Aradhya. Tears pooled in my eyes at the sight of them. Aradhya was probably drunk. I didn't bother blinking my tears away.

"It's a beautiful day", she slurs. He looks at me with a pained expression.

"Unbelievable", mom says loudly.

"Do you know what you did? Do you know how you've embarrassed me in front of my daughter?", she questions him. He immediately lowers her and one of the butler, takes her to her room.

"Mom, I-I"

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"I-I just, I was just coming back when she called me and she said she needed my help, I couldn't help but go to her because she said she was being followed and stuff like that"

"Are you naïve?" Dad asks. Arjun looks confused but I know what dad is implementing.

"So you chose her over me?", I finally speak up.

"No god damnit! It's just that she needed my help", he says while running a hand through his hair.

"What about her? What did you think would happen to her? What the fuck were you thinking?", I gape as mom cusses.

Now I know what Aradhya's words meant. She wanted to ruin it. She did. She was successful.

I don't stop the tears that fall from my eyes cause I'm beyond hurt at this moment. He didn't show up for this auspicious day. He knew I was fasting.

"She didn't even eat anything the whole day and hasn't yet eaten anything", mom added with a sigh. He jerked his head up and looked at me.

"Don't bother mom, I didn't count on him to show up, I really didn't. I'm not surprised. And it's not like I'm not used to being neglected. All my life I have been neglected, it's nothing new. Aradhya probably was more important than the dumb bitch who was fasting for him", I don't bother saying sorry about my language. I know mom would understand.

With that I turn on my heels and walk towards my room.

"You messed up"

"Aradhya is getting out of my house the first thing tomorrow and is going to stay with her parents"

"You shouldn't have done this"

"She's gone through enough..." The words fade out as in enter the room. I finally start crying and sobbing as I make my way towards the bathroom. I shove all the things away, frustrated at myself for thinking that maybe he was trying.

When I'm done with my episode, I come out and quickly change into comfortable clothes, before getting under the bed. Just as I do that, the door opens and even without looking, I know it's him.

I hear the closet door open and close and after sometime, I hear him walk out and I feel the bed dip besides me.

"I know you're not sleeping, so tell me why didn't you eat? I'm sure you were hungry", I scoot over to the edge of the bed and turn around.

"The fast is for the husband's long life, if I broke it without you, it would mean otherwise", I said while I fiddled with the blanket.

"And what about your health, and who gives a damn about my long life?" He says while shaking his head and getting up before walking over to the sofa and settling himself down on that.

"I do", I whisper softly knowing that only I could hear it. I look over at him and find him adjusting himself on the uncomfortable sofa. God only knows how he can sleep on the sofa. It's small for his 6 feet long frame.

I suddenly feel the tiredness wash over me and not to soon I'm in my dream world. Awaiting for what tomorrow beholds for me.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

When I wake up the next day, my stomach is growling because of the lack of food and the sweet aroma only making it growl louder.

As I fully open my eyes, I look at Arjun, who is sitting opposite of me with a plate full of delicious food. He hesitantly scoots closer to me until his knee touches my leg.

"I-I made something for you, I know this isn't enough for you to forgive me but I guess, I have to do this bit", he says while scratching the back of his neck. I smile inwardly knowing that atleast he's trying. I extend my hands for him to give me the food.

What? Don't judge me! Food and sleep get priority.

"Nah-uh, I'm gonna be feeding you, if you don't mind. I mean even without moon, we could do the other half of the ritual, right?"

I just shrug and open my mouth for him to feed me with the heavenly goodness of pancakes. After I'm almost done, I am about to get up when he takes hold of my wrist and pulls me down on the bed.

"I know what I did yesterday was messed up, hell, I know I fucked up from the day you return after the pag phera. I'm sorry, I really am and it's ok if you don't forgive me soon, but I just hope you'll forgive me", his words are so sincere. I just look at him and nod. Not bothering to say anything. Because, him being close to me, would mean I'll utter stupid stuff.

Just as I'm about to get up, I hear Sonia let out a cry and before I know, I'm out of the room, rushing towards her.

I find her outside Natasha's bedroom as Natasha stood there with red marks on her body. Upon looking closely, I gulped as I found out what it was. Roshan and Arjun were not too far behind me.

I look at Roshan and ask him for something. Something for which Sonia could hate me but my main priority is getting Natasha and Sonia safe which meant separating the mother-daughter.

"Roshan, take Sonia away from here right now!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Saving you from the possible harm your daughter could cause you and the baby", I grit out. I look at Arjun and he steadily walk over to Sonia.

"Don't do that! Who gave you the right to order around stuff like that?" She demands.

"Sonia, listen to me, Natasha's got chicken pox, you get it. It's contagious and it could affect you and the baby, please get away"

It's said if you've got chicken pox once, you won't get it again, until and unless your immune system is bad. I remember mom talking to one of her friend whose daughter had got chicken pox a week ago and telling her that non of her sons have gotten it yet and Sonia has also not gotten it yet. That's why her safety is my priority right now.

As Arjun and Roshan take her away. Arjun turns behind and asks me.

"Have you ever gotten chicken pox in your life?"

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