Chapter 9 Change Of Plans

Arjun's PoV

I am relieved of the stress I had for Preethi. Though she said she felt better because she spoke to me, I have a strong doubt that her sudden change of mood is because she met Harish. It is human tendency to compare them with someone that has a similar problem only worse than theirs. I think she felt better when she saw him with that heartfelt smile. I knew very well that she doesn't have any love back in school or college but what if they both can find solace in one another's company? He is a widower and she is a soon to be single mom. He has a son and she has a daughter! They will together make a perfect family. This may not happen overnight but if they are moved in the right direction, this will happen soon. I decided to make their meeting more often to make them spend time together.

I finished my work and closed the laptop. I looked at the time and it said it's 7.30pm. I walked out of my room and took the elevator. The watchman ran to bring my car from the parking upon seeing me coming out. While waiting, I got a call from Preethi.

"Hello Preeth. What's up?"

"Ajju, I am on the way to your home to pick up Avni. Where are you?" she asked me.

"I am just starting from my office. She just came here today. Let her stay with Tarun for a week, Preeth. Take this time for yourself. I will make sure she is well taken care of."

"I know Ajju. But I am alright. I miss her."

"If you want her back at your house, you could have just called me."

"It's ok, Ajju. I didn't want to disturb you. Besides, I feel like I wanted some fresh air. It's been a long time since I met aunty and uncle. So I thought of seeing them too."

"If that is the case, then it's fine. Stay there until I come."

"Ok Ajju. Bye."

I got off the phone and hopped in the car. On the way home, I was thinking about my married life. A year full of disappointments that followed by two years of hawk eyes and harsh comments. Finally people forget about that part of my life and I am breathing normally but my mom is not ready to let me stay sane. She wants to pull that hell back onto me. My luck is very bad in finding the right life partner for me. I don't want to be judged again. I don't want to be disappointed again. I don't want to serve my heart in a glass platter again to be shattered. I don't want to relive that terrible year all over again.

I parked the car in front of the house and got down. I saw an auto standing outside.

"Waiting, sir." the auto driver said.

"Here, you can go." I gave him some money and sent him off. I can drop Preeth and Avni.

"Hey Ajju mama came." Avni and Tarun came running to me at the doorstep.

"Whoa whoa, Hold on. Let me go clean myself and come. You guys go play." I ran to the elevator to get refreshed.

When I came back, I saw mom and Preethi talking in the sitting area. I could see the traces of tears on their faces. Expected! But the doctor said it is good for her to cry and melt those hard feelings away instead of keeping it to herself. Talking out the feelings is the best remedy to come out of depression.

"Alumoonji (Cry baby)! What's up?" I sat on the arm rest of my mom's sofa and asked Preeth.

"Look at him, aunty!" she whined to my mom.

"Don't pull her leg, Ajju. We were talking about our Tirupur plan. I called Preethi too. It will be a nice change to her. She will feel new. Avni was also not ready to leave Tarun." mom said.

"That is a good idea. Then stay here tonight, Preeth. Anyways mom and dad will start early in the morning."

"No, Ajju. Aunty said it is a two days stay. I need to go grab some clothes for me and Avni. Aunty said Tarun is also coming with us. So Avni will be fine here for the night."

"Oh, Ok then. And I sent that auto. I will drop you after dinner." I told her.

"Pch! Why did you do that, Ajju? You just came home. You take rest. I will call for a cab."

"No problem! I will drop you."

"Ajju, aunty said you will come on Sunday. Why don't you come with us? I will be comfortable with you. You see, new place and all, I will feel misplaced. If you are with me, I will feel fine. What do you say? Come with us Ajju, please!" she asked me, putting her best puppy face on.

"I have work, Preeth. You know that I can't change plans on the last minute, right?" I tried to reason with her.

"Huh, I know, your work is more important to you!" she mumbled.

"What did you say?" I asked her.

"I said I am not more important to you than your work. Is it wrong?" she asked me furiously. I am enjoying the bubbly childish Preeth that is coming out. Truly, Preeth and Praveen are more important to me than myself.

"Haha, Ok Ok, I will assign my work to my subordinates for tomorrow." I lifted my hands, surrendering to her friendship.

"Good Boy. Aunty, I won in the bet. You owe me your yummy Chicken curry and idli for dinner now." she said to my mom.

"Adi paavi (sinner), you had a bet with my mom? Ma, this is cheating. She blackmailed me emotionally. I was cornered! I was helpless!" I acted like it was a shock.

"Ha, Whatever you are, the outcome matters. She won and I lost. That is all. I will go prepare the chicken curry. You guys have a chat meanwhile." Mom left us and went to the kitchen.

"Haha, Thank you for making me win, Ajju." She laughed at me.

"If you will be happy like this always, I will make you win no matter what." I told her.

"Why did this happen to me, Ajju? I was true to him. I loved him truly from the bottom of my heart. I did everything to make him happy. Never once have I felt that I am being played. He was such a smart actor. He had this affair even before our marriage. He says that she is his mistress and I am his wife. How dare he!? Even after I confronted him, he talks like it is no wrong."

"That is what he is. Classless, cheap man. Don't waste your tears on him."

"No, Ajju. He justifies himself to me. He asks me if he ever made me feel neglected or not loved. The answer to his question is NO! He never made me feel that way in the 6years we have been together. He made me think that he is in love with me like I had on him. He provided me and Avni with everything we have ever asked for. He took us everywhere we asked him to. I thought we were made for each other. I thought my life was perfect with him. It was actually a shock for me to find that he has an affair with another woman. I could not believe it at first. That was how normal and loving my life was. But I realized that my life was nothing but a soap bubble that popped when reality hit it. How can he justify all this betrayal? How can he expect me to live with it for the rest of my life? How can he expect me to be ignorant even after the truth slapped me hard across my face? Why did he do this to me, Ajju?" She spoke calm and soft, every word sharp and strong but her eyes never stopped flowing.

It hurts me like hell to see her cry like this and it annoys me to the core that I can do nothing about it but to be a spectator. I truly don't know the right thing to say to her so I stayed calm, trying to soothe her. My anger turns totally on Nilesh for doing this to her. If I can get my hands on him, he will never see another day.

"This change of scenery is essential for me, Ajju. I am glad I came here today. I have made up my mind, Ajju. I am done crying over a thing that didn't even exist in the first place. I shall come to your office if you offer me a job."

"You are appointed as my personal secretary from Monday." I told her.

"What happened to your Personal Secretary now?

"I have no PA so far. I have had only my manager who will sort things for me. This is specially created for you." I told her and her posture changed. I shouldn't have said that.

"No, Ajju. I don't want to be a burden to you. If there is no work that I can do or help you with, then I will look for a job somewhere where I am really needed." she said, that sparked a flash in me.

"Your area of expertise is certainly not needed in my office, Preeth. Give me a week, I will find you a suitable job." I told her all the while planning to steal the contact of Harish from her mobile.

I may not find a soul mate in this life for me, but I will make sure that Preethi finds her soulmate!