Now sitting on the sofa she didn't know what to do. Ekta wanted her to pack her bags and leave. Her mother in law was not saying anything to Rahul. The whole family was quiet. No one dared say anything to Rahul lest he do something stupid. Suddenly the mobile beeped. Simran looked at it. There was a message from Rahul.
I am really sorry Sim, I didn't mean to hurt you. I am sorry I pushed you. Believe me I have broken up with her.
This message infuriated Simran further. Angrily she typed her reply:
I hate you Rahul Rai! How could you do this to me? All the time you said that I was wrong and that I spied on you and that I doubted your love. I was right all the time. I am not a liar. You are a bloody asshole and I hate you.
Rahul: say whatever you want to I am sorry. But I never slept with anyone.
Simran: stop lying! She clearly said that it was her biggest mistake that she slept with you.
Rahul: no I never slept with her. I just kissed her.
This message further irked Simran and she again felt the blood rush to her head and her hands trembled with anger.
Simran: how could you even kiss her? She is bloody half your age. Didn't you once think of me before kissing her. You have a 16 year old son for God's sake!!! I hate you Rahul I don't want to live with a liar and cheater.
Rahul: that's your wish. If you leave me I will commit suicide as I won't be able to show my face to my parents or yours.
Simran: you are a bloody coward!
Rahul: say whatever you want to. I will just concentrate on my business and work hard to give Avi everything he needs in life.
Simran: I want that bitch out of your office today. If she is still there I will come to your office and create a scene. Then don't say that I spoiled your reputation!
With that she switched the phone off. Her head pounding and she felt like breaking the furniture and everything she laid eyes on.
Ekta called again and asked her what she had decided. Simran had thought all night. She didn't want to leave her house. She told Ekta that for one person she couldn't leave so many other people who loved and respected her. She was scared that if she left Rahul's dad might suffer a heart attack. Ekta thought that she was being stupid but accepted her decision. She said that she was proud that her sister was so strong. Weeks passed by Simran and Rahul were still not talking to each other. She did everything she used to do like make his tea, breakfast, tiffin, etc. but she just did not talk to him. After Avi's exams ended in April Simran told Rahul that she wanted to go to London as it had been a long time. Rahul arranged for her tickets and both Avi and he went to drop her off at the airport in delhi.
Upon arrival in London Simran was quiet. She didn't want to talk much. But her mom kept on bringing the topic. She kept on talking about Rahul. For the first time in her life she shouted at her mom and told her that she didn't want to discuss this topic anymore. They had already spoiled her life by getting her married off in a village. She ran off to her room, locked the door and lay on the bed crying. Mr. Kapoor knocked on the door after 10 minutes and softly called out her name. She got up wiped the tears and opened the door. Without looking at him she turned about and sat on the bed hugging her knees. She kept staring at the wall. Her father sat next to her patted her hand. "Everything will be okay. Don't worry. He is a good man. He made a mistake. Forgive him. He has a heart of gold. You know him better. Men tend to stray. But he loves you. He will always come back to you."
"What if I strayed? Would he forgive me? This is not fair at all. Just because he is a man he is allowed everything. Why??" she asked with tears welling up in her already puffed up eyes. "You are angry at present. Think with a calm mind. Stay here as long as you want. I won't force you to go back. I will ask Rahul to come here. We will talk it over." said her dad. "Get up and go out for a walk. Or go meet your friends." He said patting her head lovingly. But she just shook her head and sat there hugging her knees.
She missed Ekta. If she had been here it would have been different. Ekta had gone to USA on a business trip. She was now looking after her father's business. She would be back after a week. Simran slept through the day. In the evening she had an early dinner and sat watching movies all night. She didn't feel like meeting anyone or going out. She slept the whole day and stayed up all night. This was becoming a routine and her mother had started worrying about her. One evening Simran was in her room when her mobile beeped.
She picked up her mobile to see who it was. To her surprise it was Ali. He had sent her a joke and it made her laugh. She replied
Simran: Hi! Where are you?
Ali: Hi girl! I am in Singapore.
Simran: I am in London. Any plans of coming over?
Ali: not yet
Simran: so what's up?
Ali: I thought it had been a long time since I said hi.
Simran: okay
Ali: how is jijaji and didi?
Simran: all good.
Ali: How is Rahul and Avi?
Simran: they are okay too. In India.
Ali: I really miss you Sim. I think about you a lot.
Simran: really?
This was a shock to Simran and suddenly she felt her heartbeat quicken.
Ali: I remember how we used to play carrom and piano.
Simran: I still remember the song you taught me to play. I taught Avi how to play that on the piano too.
Ali: nice
Simran: why did you stop all communication then?
Ali: you got married and I didn't want that there be any controversy in your life due to me.
Simran: why would there have been a controversy?
Ali. Yours is a traditional, conservative family. I am a Muslim. Your in laws might not have liked that. More over you were happy with Rahul.
Simran: hmmmm
Ali: are you happy Sim?
Simran: why do you ask?
Ali: last time I met you, I felt that you wanted to say a lot but didn't. You seemed lost.
Simran: yes. You are right. I am not happy. Rahul is having an affair.
As soon as she wrote it she started thinking why she was opening up to Ali. Was she still infatuated by him?
Ali: what!!
Simran: I found out last month. He pushed me and I broke my arm.
Suddenly she felt like opening up to Ali.
Ali: what an asshole! He seemed to be a nice handsome man. But I never expected this from him.
Simran: he was, I don't know what happened. I am still trying to find out the answer to this. Maybe I am just not good enough.
Ali: don't say that. You are a very nice person. He should be grateful that you are in his life. You are a good wife, a good mom and a good daughter.
Simran: thanks. Why do you love me?
There was a pause. Ali seemed to be typing then deleting. The message came after a long pause.
Ali: because I always have.
What!! Simran thought. She was surprised at this answer. Ali loves her?
Something made Simran type what had always remained in her heart.
Simran: do you know I had a huge crush on you when I was young.
Ali: really?
Simran: why do you think I always let you hold my hand? I was crazy about you. When did you fall in love with me.
Ali: long back when you were in college and I happened to be at your house when your results came. You gave me a tight hug when you found out that you had passed. That's when I fell in love with you. I still remember you were wearing a white sweater.
Simran: really? I don't remember the sweater but I remember the kiss you gave me.
Ali: yeah.... why didn't you tell me?
Simran: I was scared. Why didn't you propose to me then if you loved me?
Ali: would your father have agreed?? I was 10 years older than you and your uncle's friend. On top of that a Muslim.
Simran: yeah true. But if you had proposed I could have talked to him.maybe things would have been different.
Ali: I missed the boat then.
Simran: you sure did.
Ali: okay girl I think you should go to bed now. It's quite late. Keep in touch now. Love you and bye
Simran: love you too goodnight.
With that Simran kept the mobile down and lay in bed thinking. What had she just done?? She had done exactly what Rahul had done to her. She had just confessed her love for someone else other than her husband. She too was betraying his trust. But serves him right. Tit for tat! At least she was not sleeping with someone. How would Rahul react if he found out? With so many questions in mind she fell asleep.
The next day all she could think about was Ali. Suddenly she didn't even want to think about Rahul. She was feeling happy again. Ali would send her a good morning message every day. Then jokes and forwarded videos. Simran started to wait for his messages. She would now feel concerned if no message came and happy when one came. Ali occupied her brain. She would daydream about Ali. She started to listen to songs again. Ali would chat with her at night. He had told her to concentrate on her job when she went back and let Rahul be. Stop checking his mobile and pockets was what he suggested. You can't leave him. So give the guy space. Stop nagging him.
When Simran went back to India she did exactly what Ali had told her to do. Rahul was being civil again. Simran resumed the duty of daughter in law and was back at her monotonous routine.