78. The Mistake I Made!

Anika’s PoV

After Arjun left, I spent my time with my mom and dad. We all had lunch together and my mom said how guilty she feels to accept all the help that Arjun is doing to them financially. My aunty told my mom to think of Arjun as their son and not as their son-in-law. It was a wonderful sight to see my aunty wash away my mom’s guilt. I am blessed to have found Arjun and his family. How can all of them be nice and good hearted? I settled my mom and dad in a room after lunch, as they looked tired of a whole night's travel. I went to my aunt’s room to see her knitting projects.

“No, dear, you need rest now. I will figure it out myself. Now please, go and have some sleep.” Said she when she saw me trying to undo the wrong stitches.

“It’s ok, aunty. I am fine and I don't feel sleepy now. You take some rest, aunty, I will take them to my room.”

As I came out of her room, I saw Priya on the stairs and she called me to her room. I walked towards her and we both went to her room. I saw that she made some changes in the room, she even brought in Tarun’s bed.

“Why is Tarun’s bed here? Has he moved in with you guys?” I asked her.

“Yes, Anika. I stopped the nanny as Tarun started going to school full time. Tarun wants to sleep with us so we moved his bed here.”

“Ok ok. How is Tarun?”

“He is super good. He actually just went in his school van minutes before you guys came in. He is really missing you.”

“Awe, I miss him too. We will come back soon, Priya. When will he come from school?”

“3.30PM. So how’s life? I thought you guys were fighting.” She laughed happily at me.

“Shhh, come on, stop laughing like that.” I tried to stop her. She was totally embarrassing me.

“Haha, ok ok. So tell me, you guys sorted out your differences?”

“Hmmm, why do we always have to talk about me and Arjun? Let's talk about you and Rajesh. When are you going to give Tarun a baby sister?” I asked her and immediately regretted asking her that. Her face went from happy to gloomy in a nanosecond.

“I am sorry if it was a touchy subject, Priya. I didn't know.” I added when I saw her quiet.

“No, Anika. It’s ok. I decided to stop with Tarun.”

“Ok!” I was scolding myself inside for making a happy conversation into an awkward one.

“Please, Priya, don't cry. I am so sorry.” I tried to calm her down.

“No, it's not your fault. You know what, Anika? I love babies. I was taking care of Tarun until he was 3 years old. I met with an accident that wanted me to spend some time in bed and the nanny was appointed then to take care of Tarun. Even though I wanted another baby to accompany Tarun, I decided against it. All because of Rajesh and his insensitive talk. You know, we were dealing with so much hate and criticism when Anamika went missing. Everybody talked ill behind our backs but Rajesh had that fucking nerve to tell on our face that Arjun was not man enough, staying in this damn house. I decided to stop him from being a man! He deserves no child.” She cried and I hugged her crying.

What have I done? I said the exact same words to him that snapped him and hurt him. I knew it was a mistake but I never knew it was something he is already hurt with. No one can throw their opinions on people, they don't know what people are dealing with. At that time, when Arjun didn't know that Anand was trans, how hard would it be for him to face this world when all he did was give Anamika her space. You can think whatever but you cannot say everything you think out loud. I guess this is what Nithya was trying to tell me all my life. A life lesson.

“Arjun never said anything back?” I asked her to know if he at least put Rajesh in his place.

“Nope, he said nothing, he just left the place. My dad stopped talking to Rajesh except for business needs. Arjun has never been friendly to Rajesh, so he continued the same. My mom is tolerating him. I know they all bear with him just for the sake of me. I am still living under this roof because I didn't want to worry my mom and dad more than they already are about Arjun’s life. Now that Arjun is happily married and going to have a baby soon that will make my parents busy with their grandkid, I am preparing myself to leave for my in-laws home to lead my life there. I am done putting up with Rajesh. Besides all his thoughtless acts and a little greed for a comfortable life, Rajesh loves me so much. He needs a rein and I am now ready to put it on him.” She spoke with clarity.

Though I felt outrageous on Rajesh for his stupid talk, I couldn’t react because I was no better than him until now. I truly felt sorry for Priya and I actually am glad that Priya has boldly taken a step to hold her life together. One thing I learnt from her is that she owned her mistake and has been patient enough to try and straighten the wrong she did. I am happy for her.

“Don't worry, Priya. Everything will be alright. I am sure Arjun holds no grudge on Rajesh. I know Arjun’s anger and what it can do. If Arjun is cool around Rajesh then I think you have nothing to worry about. Rajesh will definitely feel bad when he gets to know the true Arjun.” I told her.

“Sorry, Anika. I spoiled your happy day. Forget about it, how is your jewelry coming along?” She changed the subject and we continued our chit chat for some more time in a happy mood.

In the evening, I got a call from Harish when I was making coffee for everyone. I saw Savithri looking at me and I took the call looking back at her.

“Hello, Harish anna. Tell me.”

“I am at Arun’s place. He is working in Abrave solutions in old Mahabalipuram road. His mom says his salary is Rs.50,000. I know Abrave Solutions and in no way they would give 50k for a fresher. You want to talk to her?”

“Yes, please.”

“Hello, Anu. What is this all about, dear? How are you?”

“I am so good, aunty. How are you and Vinitha?”

“We are good, dear. I heard from Vinitha that you got married. Arun didn't say a word about it. Did Arun do something wrong?”

“Yes, aunty. I am very happy in my life now. But Arun has been interfering in my life. He keeps disturbing me. He is doing this to me, getting money from another woman named Preethi.” I told her still looking at Savithri. I saw her face drain all the color and she started sweating.

“What are you saying, dear? I can’t believe Arun would do anything like that. I am so sorry. I will talk to him and make sure that he doesn't bother you anymore.”

“I am shocked too, aunty. Looks like he is doing this for money. I am planning to take this up to the police, aunty. Preethi is trying to hurt me and Arun is helping her. I am going to make a complaint on Preethi and the people who help her. I just wanted to let you know what Arun has been doing. His true salary should be around Rs.20k at the max.” At this point, Savithri is at the verge of crying, fear evident in her face.

“Please, Anu. Just give me a chance to talk to him. A police complaint will spoil his future. Please.”

“Sorry, aunty. He has created havoc in my life and I am not prepared to let go of him easily. Bye aunty. Take care.” I got off and looked at Savithri.

“So, you are with Preethi? You were knowingly taunting me?” I asked her.

“No, I dont know what you are talking about. I was clear of your path ever since Hari sir told me. Don't try to pin me on something I didn't do.” Said she.

“Oh, you don't know what I am talking about? No problem, Preethi is already in custody. You will be arrested too if she tells your name.” I tried to threaten her to tell the truth.

“I did nothing and no one has paid me to do anything.” She said when Priya came in.

“What happened, Anika? Is hse bothering you again?” Priya asked me.

“Yes, she is! But she wont accept that she had been bothering me on purpose. No worries, Priya, a simple police complaint will do.” I told her still looking at Savithri. Priya guessed something was wrong and tried to play along.

“I have already called the police. We don't want to deal with her, Anika. Come on now.”

“What? No, no, I didn't do anything for the money from Preethi madam. I was just angry that she took Preethi madam’s place. I acted out on it. I am so sorry. Please, no police. Just let me go, I won't even think of coming back again.” Savithri broke. Priya was confused and I was feeling happy! So Savithri thought that I took Preethi’s place.

“What do you mean Anika took Preethi’s place?” Priya asked her.

“Preethi was the one that introduced me to this family. I was working for a very low wage in an orphanage where Arjun sir comes to celebrate his birthday. Preethi saw me there and joined me here. Janani is my relative. She had lost her parents 4years ago and I helped her get a maid job in a home where they provided her place, food and salary. It was a home with just an old couple. I thought she would be safe there. But just after a year she worked there, the lady died of a heart attack and soon after, the man started misbehaving with Janani. He was threatening her to abide by him. One day, I was telling all this to Preethi and Preethi said that she could help her. I introduced her to Janani and now Janani is living a life she could never even dream of. All thanks to Preethi. With the way Preethi reacted whenever she was with Arjun sir, I knew that she was in love with Arjun sir. When Anamika disappeared and Preethi came back after the divorce, I thought Preethi and Arjun sir will marry and they will be happy together. But you came out of nowhere and I felt like you snatched Preethi’s place. Preethi told me that you are having an affair with your ex-boyfriend and asked me to give you a hard time for you to adjust here. I am so sorry, but I didn't get any money from her.”

When she finished Priya was in absolute shock and confusion. But I could understand her gratitude for Preethi. “Do you mean the Janani that was having an affair with Preethi’s husband? You say Preethi was the one that made them meet? I don't understand.”

“You will now. Preethi is in love with Arjun. When Anamika went missing, Preethi hooked her husband with Janani and used the same excuse to get divorce from him. She came back from her husband just after Arjun got divorce from his first wedding. She thought she could marry Arjun but she is now angry that I came in between. Nilesh told me that Preethi threatened him that she could commit suicide with Avni if he ever talked to anybody about this. Nilesh believes that Preethi was suffering from HSDD but I doubt that. She is a criminal who moves coins in the right direction at the right time to reach Arjun.” I said and Priya was totally shaken.