Chapter 39 His Disappearance and The Disaster

Anika’s PoV

I waited so long that night for his arrival but I didn't know when I fell asleep. When I woke up the next day, it was already 7.30A.M and I felt a wave of guilt surge through my veins. I ran to the restroom and finished my morning routine and searched for him everywhere on our floor. He was nowhere to be found. I ran downstairs on the steps and looked for him in the dining room and drawing hall and there was no trace of him anywhere. I felt so disappointed and went to the kitchen to see if I could help there.

“Good morning, Anika. Here is your coffee.” Yashodha aunty was there in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Aunty. Sorry, I slept a little too much.” I said timidly.

“No problem, dear. You are free to do anything you please.”

“Um… Shall I cook today, aunty? I am good at making Biryani.” I told her.

“But Arjun is out of town, Anika. He will be here on thursday. You can make Biryani when he gets back home.” She said that took me by surprise. My husband is out of town? He didn't care to let me know?

“Oh, where did he go, aunty?” I asked her.

“He didn't tell you? He has gone to Maharashtra to supervise our production unit there. He will be back in two days.” She said. Looks like it is his usual trip. Maybe I was asleep when he came home last night. It must be past 1.30A.M. He must have taken off early today. Maybe he will call me.

I went back to our room and waited for his call but I got none. I grew impatient and called him over and over again all in vain. He didn't pick any of my calls so I decided to text him. Maybe he is too busy to take up my call.

‘Hi Arjun, sorry, I slept yesterday night. I called you so many times. Call me back when you are free. I miss you already.’ I sent this message and waited for him to call.

I started walking around the garden on his balcony. It is so boring here. There is nothing I can do and killing time literally kills me. I leaned on the rocky fountain which had a beautiful lady on top. I never knew that this would happen but the lady fell down as the rock that I leaned collapsed. It was carved in marble and with the force it hit the ground, the lady broke into pieces. It knocked off a pot too. God, what should I do?

“Aunty, I accidentally knocked off the fountain in the garden upstairs.” I ran to Yashodha Aunty.

“Oh no. That one was from Belgium. Arjun’s favorite. Don't panic, Anika. It’s ok. I will send Arundhadhi to clean up the mess.” She said worried.

“I am so sorry, aunty. It was an accident.” I told her. Guilty is not the right word for what I feel. There should be a more strong word for the strong emotion I feel now. I don't fit in here. Though she says it’s ok, I can see that she is completely disappointed. That might be very costly. God, I just wish that the land opens up and eats me alive.

I went back up and started to clean up the mess I made when Arundhadhi came in. She came in without knocking. Servants here are so mean and rude. Of Course they would be, for they don't like me at all.

“Oh my god, you broke this? You know how much this was? It was fifteen lakhs when Arjun sir bought it 5years ago. It was imported. Huh, how would you know it’s value? Just in a blink of luck you came here. You are a disaster.” She told me with a face that exhibits disgust. How dare she?

“How dare you talk to me like this? Remember that you are a servant maid here and you have to respect me.” I almost shouted when aunty got in. God, everything at the wrong time!

“Anika, it is not right to talk like this to the maids here. Arundhadhi, you go downstairs. Come a little later to clean this up.” She sent her down and stared at me.

“Aunty, she was…” I was cut off by her.

“Whatever it was, you were so wrong in talking to her like that. People here have been working for us for years and I always treat them like one of us. I hope the same from you.” She said. Ok, I have got on the wrong side of my mother-in-law.

“Sorry, aunty. She said that I broke it without knowing the value of it and she said that I am just lucky to get married to Arjun. That is why I lost my cool. I will be more careful next time, aunty.” I told her in the plight to at least let her know what actually happened.

“If she had spoken like that, then it is wrong of her. I will talk to her. But she was right in onething. You clearly didn't know the value of it. It was a much valued possession of Arjun. He won't be happy when he gets to know about it. Please be cautious when handling things around you.” She said and went away leaving me in dismay. I know I made a mistake. It could happen to anyone and it was an accident. Besides, I am not used to being around costly things.

Nothing is right here and I decided to make it right. The pieces were not crushed and it is still mendable. I got down after gathering all the pieces in one place. I am unsure of any places here and I went out to see the driver standing leaning on the car.

“Anna (bro), I have to buy some epoxy clay, some adhesives and a color corrector. Can you take me to a shop where I will get them?” I asked him.

“Sure, madam. Get in.” He said, opening the back door for me. Whoa, the first time a person that works here talks to me politely.

“Thank you, Anna.” I got in.

We came back in two hours and I started mending my mistake. I used the mix of clay and stone adhesive to put the pieces together. It took me about 4hours to complete that and Then I started correcting the colors of the clay to merge it with the statue. It took forever for me to finish, so I refused to go down for tea or dinner. It was good as new when I finished working on it and I decided to let the driver help me put it back where it belonged.

I retired to sleep with a hungry stomach, hurt heart and no calls from Arjun. No one cared to come and see me, if I was alright when I refused to go down. I felt very lonely in this huge palace. Why is Arjun avoiding me? I just hope that the next day will not be a disaster like today.

The next morning, I got down to help with breakfast. I helped Savithri even when she was rude to me. When everyone showed up at the dining table except for Rajesh and Arjun, Uncle asked me to join them.

“Sit down, Anika. Are you ok?” He asked me.

“I am good, uncle. Thank you.” I told him.

“I heard that you broke the fountain. It is no big deal. I can replace it with the same piece. Don't feel guilty for it. I value people more than things. I guess everyone in this house is the same.” He said while looking at everyone. His tone is rather strict and there is a pin-drop silence.

“Thank you, uncle. I fixed it already. I just need help to put it back up.” I broke the uncomfortable silence.

“Oh, really? I would like to see it.” He said.

“Sure, uncle.” I stood up but he stopped me saying I have to finish the breakfast. He came along with me and aunty to see the statue after we were all done with the breakfast.

“It is wonderful, Anika. Good job. It doesn't look like it was broken at all.” He said.

“I warned Arundhadhi and she said she will never talk to you like that ever again. All good, Anika. You don't have to stay in the room anymore.” Aunty spoke to me.

“Anika, consider yourself queen of this home. Everyone here must be respectful to you. You have to earn that respect from the family members and you can demand that respect from the maids here. A warning is not enough, Yasho. Terminate Arundhadhi. That will teach lessons to other maids here. They cannot disrespect our daughter-in-law. They must know that we won’t choose them over her.” He said to Aunty. Great! I am sending home a person within a week I got here.

“Ok nga. I will do it.” Aunty said and they both got down. Uncle is my most favorite person at the moment. He is supportive enough, no, more than enough. I ran behind them when I finally came to earth.

“Arundhadhi, you have crossed your line yesterday and Hari sir thinks that a warning is not enough. You are being terminated.” Aunty was talking to Arundhadhi in the kitchen while uncle was watching it from the hall.

“Uncle, can I tell you something?” I went to him.

“Yes, Anika.” He looked up at me.

“Uncle, I want to let this go for this once. I feel terrible for doing this to her. If at all she behaves badly to me again, I will make up this decision of sending her away.” I told him.

“Alright, then. Handling the maids is your responsibility from now on. You can send them away if you don't like them.” Uncle said to me with a mild smile, just like Arjun.

“Thank you, Uncle.” I told him.

“I trust that you can never make a mistake. Don’t shrink in a room. Try and get along with your new home. We are here to help. You can count on me for any help you want.” He said and stood up from the sofa and left, leaving me in Awe.

At least the maids problem is solved.