Sindhu was disappointed to see Karthik getting ready for office on Saturday; she hoped he wouldn't go. She was bored and disappointed of her life. As much as she loved doing everything for him, she expected something in return; even if it's a small compliment or a simple thank you.

She was a software employee like him and knew they had holidays on weekends; she went to office only once on a Saturday as they had deployment that day and knew they don't happen every week. Even if they did, only one person is not expected to go every time and realized she was true - he was only going to avoid her.

After she gave his lunch, he left without saying good bye. As she continued with her household work, Govind came to wash clothes.

"Mam, I wanted to ask something" he asked calmly.

"Huh! What is it?" she asked softly.

"I wanted to know if you need a maid"

If I appointed maid, I will bore to death; Sindhu thought dramatically.

"No, I don't need a maid"

He looked a bit disappointed "If you ever need one, tell me mam. My wife Lakshmi will come"

"Definitely" she said with a smile.

****

Sindhu was preparing 'Pav Bhaji' in the kitchen when Karthik came back from work. She checked her watch that showed 3.50 PM and thought he was early; his face looked painful as he clutched his forehead.

She understood he had a bad day at work. She went to kitchen and kept a pot of water on the stove when she heard the door bell.

She opened the door and found a guy from flipkart with her order. After signing, she ventured back to the living and started opening the packet.

"Who is it?" Karthik who came out of his room hearing the bell, asked her.

Flipkart" she announced trying to remove the brown case when she suddenly remembered the tea she left on the stove.

Leaving the box on the couch, she ran back to the kitchen.

When she reached living again with a cup of tea, she found it empty and so went to his room.

"Tea" she offered him.

He raised an eyebrow as if asking her how she knew he wanted one.

"I thought it would help you with the headache" she said slowly.

"How did you know I have head ache?" he asked with a suspicious look.

"Your forehead lines are creased like you are in pain" she said pointing to his forehead.

Karthik was shocked to know that; he didn't know she can understand him so easily and he didn't like that.

"Shall I get you a tablet or something?" she asked calmly.

"No, it's a mild one" he replied with an irritated look. He didn't want her help.

"So what did you order?" he asked, looking slightly interested.

"Huh? Oh, that. An SLR Camera, Nikon" she said with a smile.

"Why? I mean —- why, all of a sudden?"

"I wanted it since a long time" she sighed.

Karthik was sure it costed a lot; almost half of his month's salary. He was a bit irritated knowing she spent money so easily; he didn't pay for it but still he didn't like spending on something that's not useful. He knew she didn't have many friends; just like him. And she wouldn't need a camera except to take pictures of herself which can also be done with her smart phone.

"You told your dad you ordered a camera. Does it mean—?" he wondered his doubts aloud.

She nodded "Yes"

Karthik thought she lied to her dad when she told him; he thought she was pretty good at lies as she gave a fast reply.

"You thought I was a good liar. Didn't you?" She asked sadly.

He nodded as she added "You judge people pretty fast"

"And I am mostly right" he stated.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked dryly.

"I thought you spend money like water and I am right" he replied, as if daring her to oppose.

"You think buying this camera is useless?" she said, trying to stop her anger.

"Of course. You have none to take pictures of, why do you need it? You stay all day at home alone. What would you do with a camera? That too, not an ordinary one. An SLR"

Sindhu thought his explanation seemed right, logically. However, he didn't have the right to judge her based on that; he knew nothing about her. She gifted herself a camera for her birthday; she didn't find anything wrong with that.

She wanted to say a lot of things, call him godawful names but stopped herself remembering he is unwell.

She controlled her anger and said in the softest voice she could muster "Will you sleep or shall I get you something to eat?"

Karthik was surprised with her change of tone. He realized she didn't want to fight with him as he is not well.

"No, I am fine"

"Are you sure? I am making Pav Bhaji" she asked with a teasing smile.

Karthik was startled hearing that; he had no idea how she knew he loved Pav Bhaji.

She looked like she knew it. But, how did she know? Only his mother, Ravi and Tulasi knew that he was crazy about it.

Did Sindhu ask his mother about his likes and dislikes? Is that why she is behaving like the perfect wife he wanted? Is everything he thought about her was all a show to him? Was he played by her?

Karthik liked strong and independent women; but he also wanted them to be caring and homely. And Sindhu is everything he ever wanted in a wife.

She is very similar to Tulasi; He can't help the resemblance he found in them, a lot of times. Their opinions may differ in a lot of things; yet, they are similar in a lot of ways.

He couldn't believe Sindhu was acting the whole time. However, his thoughts instantly shifted to his mother's announcement of their Manali trip. He argued with his mom about it but Sindhu never said a single word during their whole conversation.

Did the two of them plan it together?

Was everything that happened the past two months was all a show? A show that Sindhu and his mom planned?

"Karthik" He heard her soft voice, stopping his train of thoughts.

He looked at her; he was furious seeing her innocent look and knew she was faking it.

"How did you know I like it?" he asked her coldly.

Sindhu blanched. She took time to reply "I guessed"

"You think I can't see through your facade? All your lies and acts?" he fumed. "You think your act of a perfect wife will make me accept you?"

"What are you talking?" she said through gritted teeth.

"Stop your drama now. You need not put your show of innocence anymore"

"I don't know what you are saying" her eyes flashed defiantly.

"Oh I think you do. You act like the perfect wife who takes care of her husband and does everything he wants"

"You think I am acting?" she shouted at him, with a shocked look on her face. "You think I am doing this only to impress you?"

"Yes" he said firmly.

"You know what, I think you should stop judging me; you know nothing of me"

"I know enough about to you; to judge your character"

"Why do you have a habit of making a fuss out of small things? What do you want me to do now?" she yelled at him, her eyes glassy.

"I want you to leave me alone; to stop interfering in my life"

"When did I ever intefere? we lead separate lives for god sake" she rasped.

"I don't want you in my life" he yelled furiously.

"But we are married and we can't change that; we have to live with each other, in the same house" she said, her voice breaking.

"Yeah, thanks to you; I got to live with you in this house" he spat coldly.

The way he said 'this house' made her wonder if he had history with it; like he planned something with the house.

"You bought this house for her?" She croaked, finally voicing her suspicion.

His face snapped to her direction; he looked like he wanted to kill her.

It is true then. He planned to start a life with Tulasi in this house; but, he got her.

Sindhu understood why he hated her so much; he didn't like seeing her in Tulasi's place. He didn't like her occupying Tulasi's position when he dreamt of a life with Tulasi doing all of that for him.

And all he got was me, Sindhu thought sadly.

When he left the house furiously, she walked into her room and sobbed hard.

Sindhu lost the little hope she had; a hope to change him back. Now, more than ever she realized he is never going to change and is never going to love her;

All that she gained in the past few months is pain, disappointment and hurt; and she understood today that he felt the same.

Sindhu felt like being in a crossroads; she has two different paths now. One that will give more pain to him and to her or another one that will let him free - from her.

A few minutes ago Karthik made sure what he wanted; a life without her.

And so she took her decision; to leave the house. She realized that would make him happy, or at least peaceful.

She quickly took a bag of hers and threw her clothes in it. She is not planning to return but she can't take all her luggage and so only kept important stuff she needed; like her certificates and some comfortable clothes. She washed her face and looked around one last time.

She wanted him to know that she left; not that he would worry but she felt it's her duty to inform. She quickly wrote a short letter and stuffed it under her pillow.

As she descended the stairs, she wondered where to go. If she left to her house, her parents would send her back and she didn't want that.

She saw Govind in the ground floor.

"Are you going somewhere mam?"

"Yes" she replied calmly.

"When are you coming back?" he asked her, looking suspiciously at her large bag.

She wanted to say 'never', instead replied "Not sure"

"Oh"

"Can you do something for me?" she asked him softly. When he nodded, she gave the house keys telling him to handover them to Karthik. She also told him to send his wife from the next day to Karthik's house to do the household work.

After that, she walked towards the auto stand where she found only two auto-rickshaws.

She went to the first one "Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station"

—

Sorry guys for the late update..

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OK, I know you all hate Karthik now and me too. But, I am going to share a good news that this is the last chapter of that sort.

I'd love to hear what you guys think of this chap.

- JANAKI S