OUR MARRIAGE IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPER : EPISODES 101 – 110
Episode 103
The white clouds added to its beauty, complemented by the arrival of spring and the lively birds. Mornings are always beautiful, but people often forget to appreciate their magnificence.
Upon entering the room, I was surprised to find that Ahana wasn’t there. I quickly checked the bathroom, but it was empty.
I was certain that I hadn’t heard her leave. Oh no! Did she really leave me alone? I hurried downstairs, searching the kitchen, garden, and guest room, but she was nowhere to be found. Sweat started forming on my forehead.
I entered the living room, running my hand through my hair in a state of nervousness. What if she never comes back? I realized my phone was in the room, so I rushed back upstairs and dialed Ahana’s number.
It began ringing, and I noticed a blinking light beneath the pillow. Oh God, she forgot her phone here! I was incredibly worried. I checked her wardrobe, but her clothes remained untouched.
What am I doing? Why am I checking her wardrobe? She can’t leave me, can she? “Sara! Sara!” I called our maid. “Yes, sir?” she responded, startled by my distressed tone.
I pulled my hair back again, consumed by panic. “Where is Ahana? Tell me, dammit!” I exclaimed, banging my hand on the table, causing Sara to recoil. “I-I don’t know, sir. I haven’t seen Mam since I arrived this morning,” she stammered.
“It’s 6:15 in the morning, Ansh! Let your dad sleep. What’s all this commotion?” my father interjected, coming out of his room. He looked at Sara and asked, “What happened?” I didn’t say anything.
“Actually, Ahana isn’t home, so Ansh was asking me where she went,” Sara explained. My dad turned his gaze toward me. “Ansh, you’re supposed to know. Anyways, did you call her?” I showed him her cellphone. “Hmm… She’s very responsible. She probably went for a morning walk. Relax,” he reassured me.
I know I’m the only one on the entire planet who is irresponsible. I wish she really went for a morning walk. But… I doubt it. “Did you say something to her?” my dad inquired. I didn’t look at him. “Ansh… I don’t understand why you do that when you can’t bear her absence. It serves you right for upsetting her… I think she won’t return today, and she shouldn’t.
You’ve hurt her,” my dad stated, sitting on the sofa and reading the newspaper. I remained standing near the door, glaring at him. How can he be so calm? Doesn’t he care? “Sara, my coffee?” my dad called.
“Yes, sir. Mam prepared it. I’ll bring it right away,” Sara responded. Wait, what? How is that possible? “Ansh, come here. Your wife will be back soon. And don’t you dare think that I don’t care about her. I know her well,” my dad added.
OUR MARRIAGE IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPER : EPISODES 101 – 110
By now, it was already 7 am, and the sun had fully risen. I was still pacing around the living room.
Dad had finished his cup of coffee and almost the entire newspaper, and I was still not fully awake. I was sleep deprived and worried. Finally, losing my patience, I grabbed my car keys. Enough now.
“Hey… Where are you going?” As soon as I heard that voice, I turned around.
There she was standing.
Ahana… I could see a couple of bags in her hand. She was in her track pants and pink t-shirt. The small and cute baby bump was clearly visible.
“Morning Ahana… Your husband was desperately in need of you for an hour, didn’t sit for once… Ansh, what are you staring at? Go help her…”
At once, I jumped over the sofa and took the bags from her. They were heavy. Ahana was also breathing heavily. But still, her fragrance caught hold of me. Her hair were tied in a high ponytail. She sat beside Dad and drank some water.
“Morning, Dad,” she said finally.
“So… Where did you go in the morning? Ansh was about to call the police…” She looked at me.
Astonished and equally surprised, I was still standing beside her. I never imagined that I would be so worried.
Dad started laughing.
“I was just kidding,” he said.
She smiled, and her dimples made her look more alive. She looked fresh.
“Oh! I wasn’t able to sleep properly at night. So I was awake in the early morning. I went for a morning walk.
Anyways, Mrs. Bhatt said that I need to walk daily. It would help me later. And then on the way back, I saw hot pancakes.
Suddenly I had a strong craving for them. Along with pancakes, I brought some fresh fruits too. Where is Grandad?”
“Wow… That’s amazing… C’mon, let’s have it. He is still in his room. He will be down soon,” Dad said excitedly.
“Ahana… Why didn’t you take your phone along?” I said, showing her the cell.
“Oh! I am sorry… I forgot,” she said casually.
“Ahana… Do one thing. Next time, take Ansh along with you. It would be better, so else he takes the entire house on his head.”
I saw Ahana laughing now. Even I smiled. For a second, I thought I lost her, but then I never really had her as my own.
“Or… Ahana… I won’t mind accompanying you for a walk if your husband refuses to…”
“Hey!! I never refused…” I said promptly.
And then I was surrounded by more laughs. I am waiting for Ahana in the living room. We are supposed to go to the ‘Little Angels’ Orphanage. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary.
Ma was already on her way. I was in a grey suit. A white linen shirt, a grey blazer, and similar shade trousers. I wasn’t wearing a tie, or else it would look too formal.
I saw Ahana descending the stairs. God! She looked gorgeous; that would really be an understatement now.
She was in a long satin off-shoulder gown. It was in a hue of purple and burgundy. The small bump made her look more beautiful. She smiled, and her dimples could make anyone melt.
“Ansh!!… Can we go? I think we are already late.”
“Oh… Yes…” Initially, I didn’t hear what she said. I was really busy admiring her.
OUR MARRIAGE IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPER : EPISODES 101 – 110
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