Anamika reaches her home in the next twenty minutes. Her mind was occupied by what her friend commented. Actually he was right, her condition and position is not more than a servant in the house, who's working day and night without any salary and the family or even her husband doesn't consider her. But she can't change it, all she can do is to either bear it or just leave and currently she feels leaving the place is the best option and someday she'll surely do that. With a heavy heart, she enters the house only to find the house empty. She narrowed her eyes to see the silence embracing the house but then she likes it at least she can work in peace until others are in their room. 

She heads to the kitchen and arranges the groceries she had brought. Washing her hand, she sets to prepare lunch as it's already 1 p.m and her kids will be back in an hour. She placed two cookers on the stove, one with rice and the other with dal. And while these two were in process, she cut veggies and prepared a dough. After rice and dal was done, she took them off from the stove and set to prepare the other items. It took her an hour to prepare everything and by the time her kids entered the house, she was all done with her cooking. 

Anamika asks her kids to freshen up with the help of the house help but they denied as they wanted their mother to help them which the lady had to agree. 

While on their way to the kids room, Anamika heard some sound from her room which she found weird. She asks her sons to head ahead while she enters her room to check the matter. 

As she entered the room she was left surprised to see the whole family gathered in the room and Vineet was lying on the bed. Bua saw her entering the room and made a face, glaring at her.

“Lo maa, aa gayi iski biwi ghoom ke. Pati yahan iske liye ladd ke bimar pada hai aur biwi ko bazaar ghoomne se fursat nahi.” Bua says sarcastically, taunting Anamika who felt enraged but was tensed at the same time to see her husband lying weak on the bed and seem to be waiting for her. 

“Bahu kahan reh gayi thi tu? Hum kab se tera intezaar kar rahe hain, Vineet ki tabiyat kharab hai toh usse chor ke jaa bhi nahi sakte hum. Itni der kaise lag gayi tumhe?” Kaushalya enquired. 

“Wo main niche thi, lunch bana rahi thi.” She told them and took a step forward when heard her kids shouting for her. She stops in a dilemma, trying to figure out where she should go first? She can't leave her husband in such a condition nor can leave her kids unattended. 

“Bhabhi tum jara apne poto ko dekh lo kyunki logon ka toh yahi kehna hai hum unhe bigad dete hai toh aap hi unhe sambhal lo jara.” Bua spoke teasingly, Anamika just lowered her gaze. She doesn't want to pull out any argument at the moment. 

Kaushalya assures her about the kids and leaves the room as do the others. Anamika closes the door and heads towards the bed. She took her seat beside him and checked him, he had a fever. 

“Dawai li fever ki?” she questions in concern, finding him in such condition worries her. 

“Bas headache hi tha kuch der pehle tak toh ussi ki dawai li thi.” He replied in a low tone, Anamika nodded and smeared his head. 

A silence prevailed between them, they were staring at each other, holding pain in their eyes. 

“Ana ye sab kyun ho raha hai? Aisi kya galti ho gayi jo ye sab ho raha hai? Mujhe samajh nahi aata main kya karu? Kiska saath dun main? Sab toh mere apne hi hai yahan, kiske saath khada rahun aur kiske khilaf? Main…main kya karu?” He word his feelings, Anamika gently patted his head.

“Sho jao kuch der, headache kam ho jaayega aur uske jaate hi fever bhi thik ho jaayega.” She says gently in concern, avoiding what he just mentioned. 

“Mere so jaane se baki sab thik ho jaayega?” He questioned her.

“Wo toh tumhare jagge rehne se bhi thik nahi hoga na, tabiyat bigdegi alag, toh so jao taki at least tabiyat toh thik ho!” She exclaims. 

Vineet stares at her for a moment and chooses to obey her for his headache seems to be hard on him. He closes his eyes and with her gentle pat on his head, he falls asleep in no time. 

..

Vineet grimaced and opened his eyes, his headache is much controlled and he feels better. He tries to take a turn but feels heavy around his shoulder, he turns his head, Anamika was sleeping soundly. It seem she fall asleep while patting his head, he gently pulls her down and made her lay beside. He pecked her head warmly. He wishes to share such moments with her but destiny has its own plan, everything seems to be shattered, their love has almost disappeared, only anger has left and he can't take it. He loves her immensely and can't see the growing differences between them. Also, he doesn't want to upset his family who is already upset because of his decision to get married to a girl of his choice. 

He holds the lady close to his heart, praying to find a midway which would harm neither his family or wife sentiments for they all are close to his heart and he doesn't want to break them apart.

Anamika stays asleep under his warm embrace, she seems to be carefree when in his arms, she has made herself comfortable. Vineet caressed her back gently to ease her, he knows he can't wash off her problem in an instant but the least he could do at the moment was to hold her gently and let her sleep in her safe place.

But it seemed to be not possible as someone knocked on the door harshly, it was his mother calling for Anamika. Anamika sits up in an instant hearing her name, she looks around and realizes that she has fallen asleep. 

“Relax, maa bas abhi aai.” He told her, she nodded her head and descended the bed, straightening her saree and opened the door. She doesn't want them to talk about the matter. 

Kaushalya had brought lunch for them, the househelp entered their room and kept the tray on the table and took her leave while Kaushalya inquired about Vineets well being. 

“Main theek hoon maa, don't worry!” He assured his mother who smiled at him and left patting his head. 

Anamika again closes the door, she asks him to get fresh while she serves lunch for him, meanwhile her kids run inside and take their seats. They enquire about their father to which Anamika told them that he is not well and at the moment he is in the washroom. 

Hearing her statement, the boys giggled and said something that amused Anamika while Vineet felt a little embarrassed. 

To be continued...