Shailja was shocked after reading the chat and knowing that she is none other than Aakash’s wife Preeti. Her body was trembling with anger. She wanted to confront Abhay but how should she ask all these in front of kids. Kids are already upset with their everyday arguments for drinking and coming home late. Pulak and Lavanya are both old enough to understand such conversations and don't know how it will affect their developing mind and gentle heart. So she thought to ask Abhay when the kids were not at home.
But her mind is not able to accept this sudden shock. She was thinking, what led Preeti to get involved with Abhay when she is spending a happy life with a husband like Akash and two kids. They seem to be a perfect family. Even though Abhay’s personality is quite attractive and he is way smarter than Aakash, but still how can a married woman spoil other's married life. And Abhay who had a love marriage with her, what did he see in Preeti that he got attracted to her at this stage in their married life and all this is going God knows from when and that too so secretively. Now she is understanding the sudden changes in Abhay’s lifestyle, getting decked up with stylish clothes and branded accessories and moreover, the house interiors and wall colors changed according to their taste and choices. Preeti has not only taken over Abhay but also her house which she had decorated with so much love. Tears rolled down from her eyes.
Finally, the opportunity arrived. On weekends, both kids have plans to go to their friend's house for an overnight stay. Shailja helped them pack their stuff and instructed them. In the evening, they both left for their friend’s home. Abhay was not seen since he left in the morning saying that he had a meeting. Shailja was waiting for him impatiently. Today she wanted answers to all the questions that were haunting her since she read the chat. Around midnight she heard unlocking the door. Abhay silently entered the guest room thinking that Shailja must be asleep. But sleep was far away from Shailja’s eyes. She got up from the bed and followed Abhay. As she opens the door, she can smell Alcohol. Abhay was drunk and lied on the bed.
“Where were you?” Shailja asked angrily.
“I told you I had a meeting.” Abhay replied half-consciously.
“Which official meeting takes so long?” Shailja questioned again.
“Ohh God Shailja... Why are you asking so many questions? What would you know about work and business? Sometimes meetings go on for long. Please let me sleep now. I am already very tired.” Abhay replied irritated.
Hearing this Shailja couldn't control her anger and she said sarcastically, “Yes you are right. How would I know about all these official things when I don't even know what is going on in your personal life. After all, everything is password protected now.”
“What are you blabbering Shailja? I don't understand anything.” Abhay’s hangover has started fading.
“Really... Let me make you understand then.” Saying this, Shailja forwarded all the screenshots to Abhay’s cell phone and asked him to check his phone.
Abhay got furious with this unexpected confrontation and lost his temper. He started shouting, “How dare you to check my phone? You are spying on me.”
“Dare? Do you really think this is daring? What should I call this then, that you are doing for God knows how many days?” Shailja’s voice also got raised and she pointed towards his phone.
Abhay knows that he is caught red-handed and now he doesn't have a way to escape. So he confessed, “Yes... I love Preeti..”
“Don't you have any shame left? How can you do this to me Abhay? You haven't thought about us before going into an extramarital affair. Leave me for a moment, haven't you ever thought about kids. What went wrong suddenly with our relationship? I always thought you are busy with your work and I accepted it. When you come home late drunk, that also I accepted but this… even thinking about it makes me sick. Tell me Abhay why did you do it? I want the answer.” Shailja’s anger now turned into pain and it was flowing from her eyes.
“Ohh you want to know the truth then listen.. After your operation, you were out of my heart and mind. You became very cranky. I felt there was no happiness and cheerfulness left in our relationship.” Abhay replied shamelessly.
“What did you say? My nature?? Really… You knew I underwent surgery and how tense I was. If there were crankiness and sadness because of the illness, it wasn't going to last long. It was just a matter of time. And instead of giving me moral support and love and care, you took this way and moved on. I know that's not the actual reason. Ohh yes, now I get it. This.. right..?? She touched her scarred face.
“Tell me this is the reason right? You don't find me attractive and beautiful anymore. That's why you went out and now you are blaming my nature for your shameful act. How cheap can you be?” Shailja said furiously.
An intense slap on her other cheek echoed in the room.
“How dare you to call me cheap... You stupid woman who is spending her life on my earnings, living in my house... Will you teach me now? Yes, I don't like to see your face anymore. I also have some needs and expectations and you are not able to fulfill it anymore.” Abhay’s ego, anger, and alcohol turned him into a monster and he slapped Shailja.
Shailja was shocked and stunned for a few moments. She never felt this much pain even when she underwent the surgery. She couldn't bear it and gave Abhay a reply with a strong voice, “Your earnings? Your house? If I will make you start counting what I have done till now and what I would have earned if I was doing all this as a job, your earnings will be nothing in front of that.”
“Ohh so you will now do calculations?” Abhay asked sarcastically.
“You have started it and now I will make sure to calculate everything. Now you listen to me... Keep your arrogance and your power with you. Next time if you even try to touch me, it will not be good for you. Let kids finish their schooling because I don't want to disturb their studies. As soon as they both go out for their higher studies, from the very next day everything will be calculated. I don't want to spend my life on your charity. I am capable enough to take care of myself.” She slammed the door and came out. She couldn't stand him anymore. Abhay was looking at her stunned as he thought she would cry and plead for him to take her back but she showed him his place very clearly.
Shailja fell on the bed and her eyes were staring at the ceiling. From the very first time she met Abhay in college to now, every moment passed like a movie in front of her eyes. Human nature keeps on changing but such kind of heart wrecking change, she never expected. No dignity and humanity left in him.
The next afternoon, when kids returned from their friend's place, they were very happy and excited. They were telling Shailja about what all they did. They had no clue what storm had come last night in their house. Their happy and cheerful faces made Shailja think, living separately at this time will harshly affect the kids and their future. They are at this tender stage of their life which builds the foundation of the future. She was also on a dependent visa. She has to go back to India and start everything afresh. She also married Abhay against her parent's wish, so going back there is against her self esteem. She decided this is the time to think from the mind and not from the heart. She will stay in this house only but in a totally different way.
