Over the course of next few months, I was engaged in doing the same routine.
Wake up. Make breakfast and lunch. Get dressed. Go to work.
When Adam is free on some evenings, we go out to a restaurant. Adam and I have grown closer. He is taking his medication regularly and the mood swings are less frequent. He is able to have a healthy control over his emotions. We did go to the doctor for regular checkups.
Claire and Liam got married. I was Claire's maid of honor.
Adam made sure his name got cleared. Ben was still continuing the embezzlement. Adam cleverly was able to trap Ben and the truth was out.
Adam was well ... Adam.
He did have this devious streak to him. He was shrewd and cunning. The authorities never were able to trace some of the wrong doings of Adam.
I was not bothered by the news. Especially since he promised he would never do something like that ever again. I believed him because I loved him and trusted him. And I knew my feelings were reciprocated.
Liam was able to clear his name. Adam came clean and apologized to Liam. They were not on the best of terms since then.
But Adam with his connections recommended Liam's profile and now Liam had a good-paying job - better than what he had at VelHans Technologies. But, it was in a different city. So, Claire and Liam had to move to Austin, Texas.
Everything was forgiven and forgotten. And they invited us to their home for thanksgiving.
My grandmother got better. The treatment worked and she was free of cancer. And we did go to India to visit my family.
Adam was a bit overwhelmed, but he coped very well. Everyone loved him. He was funny and charismatic, charming and gentlemanly and I had to dish out the evil eye to my googley-eyed female cousins, who thought he hung the moon in the sky.
Silly girls. I think.
But life was perfect. I had a picture-perfect family.
But then a few days later, disaster struck.
Adam and I were enjoying biryani in none other than the famous 'Paradise' restaurant. Once I told him what the restaurant was famous for, he practically dragged me to the restaurant.
Boy, was he so excited to try Biryani.
Once the waiter took our orders and we were waiting for our food, I casually start a conversation.
"Darling the biryani would be really spicy here. It is different than the one I make for you.", I warn him.
"If I can handle you, I am sure I can handle some spice.", he says and winks at me.
"We will see about that, white boy", I say with a smirk.
One and a half hour later, after 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 2 litre bottles of refrigerated mineral water and two dozens of tissue papers to rub a watery nose and eyes, we pay the bill and leave the restaurant.
As we are waiting for our cab, someone calls out to Adam.
"Adam, is that you?"
Adam and I turn. I see a woman in her late 20's. She is beautiful. She smiles. But, it is not genuine. It is just for appearances.
Beside me, Adam freezes.
"Priya, hello", he says.
Oh no, I think to myself. The woman standing infront of me is his ex.
She blatantly ignores me.
"I missed you.", she says and hugs him brazenly with an old familiarity and intimacy.
I don't feel good. Infact I feel murderous.
"Hello, I am Aishwarya, his wife.", I extend my hand to her.
"Oh, wow. Adam I never knew you would settle down. Hello, I am Priya. I am sure Adam must have told you about me. I am an old friend of his. Infact we were more than friends.", she inserts maliciously.
" Well, Aishwarya dear, do you mind? It's been so long and I want to catch up with Adam."
" Are you married to him still? ", Adam asks.
" No, I divorced Rahul a year ago.", Priya replies.
"Oh..", Adam says.
Is that interest in Adam's voice?
I can feel my heart breaking.
"Aishwarya, why don't you go home? I will catch up with Priya.", Adam chimes in.
What? How can you do this to me Adam? I think inwardly. Do you still love this wretched woman?
But I don't say any of it.
I simply nod and leave with my pride and dignity intact.
I reach home. I help mom with the household chores. It is evening. My husband has not returned home yet. I half-heartedly watch my mom's favourite serial with her.
It is dinner time. He has not returned home yet. No call from him.
Why should I bother calling him? He is having a great time with that witch. Let them carry on. I think sarcastically. My pride not allowing me to call him.
"Where is Adam?", my father asks as we have our dinner.
"He is catching up with some friends of his.", I lie casually.
After dinner, I go to our bedroom. I lay on the bed and that is when I let the tears freely run.
After about half an hour, I hear the door open. I look up to see who it is.
Adam is standing at the door, looking at my tear-stained face in shock. He quickly comes in the room and settles me on his lap.
"Aishwarya, what happened, my darling?"
I just cry harder.
"Go away from me."
"Tell me what is wrong."
"You sent me away to spend time with her. And you did not even bother calling me. It's been nine hours Adam! Nine."
I cling to him and sob harder into his shirt.
He cradles me.
"My moonlight. I am sorry. My battery died. That is why I could not call you."
"Well, what did you do with her for nine hours. No one talks for nine hours. You are hiding something from me. If you want to be with Priya, go. I won't stop you. If she makes you happy, you can be with her. I don't care., you rotten cheating bastard."
" Such language...you have such a potty mouth, my sweet. For the record, we did talk and also do some sightseeing. She was just giving me a tour and well we even had dinner together because it was late. And no, before you say anything, it was not romantic at all. Whatever feeling I had for her, evaporated the moment my eyes saw you.", he says and kisses my nose.
I am still not convinced. There is jealousy still raging inside me.
"What did you guys talk about?", I persist.
"I saw the way she was flirting with you today afternoon. She definitely wants you."
He laughs.
"Priya has a 2-year-old son from her previous marriage and the whole time we were having dinner, she was showing me pictures of her son. He is her whole world. And, she apologized for leaving me for her husband a few years ago. There is nothing in that. We just had our closure. We made peace with the fact that our relationship is over. We are on friendly terms. Also, she is dating some other guy right now. But, I can tell she still has feelings for her ex-husband."
"Oh I see."
"And now enough of Priya. Let's talk about you. Were you jealous my darling?"
"Jealous? Me? No way. I was just merely curious. "
" Oh really?! Well, then why is your face as green as a leaf? My jealous darling. My sweeting ", he teases me and tickles my sides.
"Shut up!!", I laugh trying to escape his torture.
"And I am not greeen!", I exclaim.
"Oh you are. You are as green as that ogre Shrek. Green with jealousy."
We laugh and play around for sometime.
Finally, we settle down. We make love and I am content with the fact that I am cherished and adored by my husband. I sleep in his arms peacefully.
------------------------------------------
AFTER ONE YEAR
------------------------------------------
"Husband, let me go. Everyone will be wondering where we went."
"Let them wonder. Who cares. You are my wife. I can't get enough of you.", he says huskily, pressing wet kisses onto my shoulder and the back of my neck and ear.
His hands are locked onto my waist, just below my breasts.
I smile. Enjoying his attention.
"Eat your lunch before it gets cold.. sweetheart."
"I am hungry for you, my darling."
"Adam, I made your favorite. Butter naan with butter chicken and Biryani."
"Wow ... yum what's the occasion?"
I turn around facing him. I look into his eyes. I wrap my eyes around his neck.
"Congratulations Mr Dralin, you are going to be a father.", I say lovingly.
He shouts with joy and lifts me up and swings me around. He sets me down. He draws me close.
"I love you.",he says and kisses my eyes.
"I love you." He kisses my forehead.
"I love you." He kisses my nose.
"I love you." He kisses my cheek.
"I love you both.", he says and kisses me deeply on my lips.
He puts his palms over the tiny bump of my stomach. He kneels and pushes my shirt up and kisses the exposed skin of my stomach.
"I will cherish you until the day I die, little one.", he talks to my stomach.
Silly man.. My adorable silly man.
His declaration of love brings tears to my eyes.
From hatred to love. Me and my husband have come a long way. We were from different cultural backgrounds. Yet we made it work. This baby is proof that our family would stay strong and be together. We might not have all the answers now. There will be endless flights, tantrums, misunderstandings. But as long as we have the trust, love and respect for each other.. we can face our problems.. head-on.
I glance at my husband... my former tormentor, my former enemy, my former nemesis... all those fights we had seem childish now. I gaze into his eyes and am filled with more love towards him.
He gets up. He smoothes my shirt. He takes my hand and we kiss.
And with that kiss I know, I will never have to worry anymore.
------------------- THE END---------------
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