CHAPTER: 3

"Aaradhya, why aren't you talking. Tell me about your decision!!" Nikhil asked me while observing her facial expressions.

She is debating whether to tell him about her decision, as it's his first time to ask about her opinion

But something ringing sound made her to wake up from her dream, she smiled sadly. Same dream same time, she quickly got up from bed and make sure not to wake him up.

Her steps are wobbly, it is just 4 in the morning but she needs to prepare Breakfast and lunch for Nikhil and Kids.

Reaching for Vegetables in the fridge she made curries and started cleaning house,somehow managed to complete lunch and cleaned house at same time.

It took 2 hrs to clean and cook, now she packed it up in three boxes...

Now it's time to wake up kids she thought and went towards her mother in law room

"Riha" she whispered bad she don't want her MIL to wake up from her sleep

After a good 10 minutes, Aaradhya succeeded and lead her to bathroom to freshen up.

"Rehanth" she called him before knocking on his door

"Bhabhi... I'm in washroom" he yelled from common washroom for his and their room.

"Ok...get ready quickly, it's already 6:50" she said to him

As she made her way to prepare milk for them and chai for her husband.

Within minutes they both came down.

"Here take this.." she handed them

"Bhabhi...." Rehanth called her

She turned her attention to him..

"Actually we need to pay this term fees..." he asked feeling ashamed.

Rehanth knows their current situation, his brother income will only cover for their rent and medicines for their mother.

But his sister in law always makes sure to earn some money to pay for their fees, nobody knows this except Rehanth. Because she will go for work when they aren't home.

His thoughts broke when his sister in law gave him some money.

"Here take this and pay fees.." she said

"Bhabhi, I need some money to buy some stuff" Riha said

"Which stuff" Rehanth questioned he knew why she asked just to spend it on her lovely boy friend.

"Some books and project report" she said while searching for a reason

"How much you want" Aaradhya asked her

She knew the value of education, even her parents are rich enough to buy her anything without caring about money but she is always ignored.

Only her little brother Vivek got everything he wanted. He is just a year elder than Riha,Rehanth currently studying in same schools as them

"5000 rupees" she said

"What..are you crazy!" Rehanth shouted at her.

"Rehanth..its not like she is spending it on scarp" Aaradhya quickly said to him

"No bhabhi, you don't know " Rehanth is about to say something but Riha cut him off

"Why do you always interfere in my matters" she said and turned to Aaradhya

"I will ask my brother, no need of your charity" she said and about to go his room..

"Riha..wait he is sleeping, he came late yesterday don't disturb. I have some money adjust with them" Aaradhya pleaded her.

It's too late.. " Paa" she shouted. (She calls her brother pa)

Riha got mad listening to outsider stopping her to go to her brother room.

Nikhil came running listening to his little sister shouts.

"Riha..calm down, mom is sleeping" he shouted at her in low tone so not to wake his mother.

"Fine...everyone sleep peacefully, I don't need anything" she said angrily

Nikhil came to her and asked calmly "what happened Riha"

"I just asked bhabhi, money for books and reports but she said she didn't have enough money and to adjust with money she has. When Rehanth got full money for his fees!" She questioned angrily

Nikhil is shocked listening to her..

"Rehanth gets separate room when I don't have one, Rehanth gets bicycle where I have to come with him to school, Rehanth gets money when needed not me..I'm tired of listening to this partiality" she said pointing her finger between Rehanth and her

"Riha...." Rehanth shouted

"Do you make any sense....you're talking bull shit...how can you say such words to them" Rehanth shouted at her

"Enough you two" Nikhil said

"How much do you want Riha"

"I don't want any now..." "5000 rupees" both Riha and Rehanth said simultaneously

"Here take this" Nikhil said while giving the amount

"I don't want it" she said

Nikhil is burning with anger but he is asking her calmly "then what do you want ?"

"I want to go to abroad for futhur studies" she said

That's it.. Aaradhya heart stopped beating for a second not when she accused them for treating her like low graded but for the wish she asked for

On the other side Nikhil brain is clouded with thoughts,memories and started to figure out ways to send his sister abroad

"Ok.. fine I will send you " he said which shocked both Rehanth and Aaradhya

Aaradhya thought to say is it necessary to send her but decided not to

Even he didn't asked her before making decision to send her

"Bhaii..but" Rehanth started but cut off by Nikhil glare

Nikhil patted her head and asked her "happy now"

She nodded her and hugged him while saying very happy paa

Both left for their school, one with heavy heart and one with happy heart

"Aaradhya, bring me tea" he said and left from there.

Aaradhya felt guilty, if she had given her money none of these had happened.

With those thoughts she gave him tea.

"Aaradhya, take your luggage and shift it to ma room and shift Riha's to this one"

What about you and me her thought remains to herself as he finished his tea and shifting his luggage to his brother room.

Now she won't feel anything Nikhil thought about Riha but forget about Aaradhya.

His mind not even send him signal that his wife is going to stay away from him.

Nikhil got ready immediately and went to his office. In daytime she shifted everything as he asked for.

"Aaradhya...why is your luggage here" her MIL questioned

"It's nothing ma, Riha is having a hard time in studies so she needs more time to read. It may disturb your sleep so I shifted here"

Santhoshi decided not to because she knew she don't get truth.

Around noon after eating lunch, Aaradhya gave her MIL medicines and went out to work

She is working as a maid at nearby apartment without informing anyone. Because she knew they don't feel good about it. However Rehanth knows that she is working but don't know what work

Aaradhya works for more than a few homes just washing and cleaning houses inorder to get some income.

She is proud of her work because it covers one of the kids fees and for running household.

Nikhil never asks for money details, he just hands her some money for house hold activities. Aaradhya always saves them and minimizes her expenses just to provide kids as good life they can give.

Today she quickly completed work and returned by evening just before Riha and Rehanth.

She immediately prepared some snacks and drink for kids.

They ate it and she took nap for an hour then again started preparing dinner.... It's her routine

"Aaradhya..." It's not her mil it's her sis in law

Aaradhya became still why riha is behaving like this!!!!

"Huh" Aaradhya stared at Riha in confusion

"Where are my clothes" she asked more like commanded

"It's in this room" she said while pointing to once their room.

"Really...I have a separate room now" she went away excitedly

But Rehanth who listened to this conversation felt guilty band decided to do something.

As daily routine all went to sleep and Aaradhya waiting for Nikhil to come home.

NIKHIL POV:

Nikhil reached office before time than usual he needs to find an end to this situation.....

Why can't I live normal life....he thought and searched for any options

"Hey....man" his colleague Ravi said

"Good morning " he greeted in return

"What are you thinking early in morning man, just give your brain a little break" Ravi smiled while saying

"That's not the matter, actually I need to earn more.." he said

"Who don't want to!" Ravi asked sarcastically

"Hm...leave it" he said and carried way with work

During lunch time he called Mohit

"Mohit..." He said eagerly

"Yes...Nikki" he replied

"Riha wants to study abroad, I need money to send her and her expenses" he said in a single go

"What" he shouted

"Did you hit your brain somewhere?? It requires lakhs of rupees"

"I know but"

He silenced me "but what Rey... stupid.."

"I know but I don't want her to compromise on her dreams like me"

That words lead him to cut the call

With many regular thoughts...I reached home

She greeted me with same warm smile, that moment made me forget all the worries for a second.

After bath, I went to see ma...

"Ma how is your health?"

"I'm good Nikki, she is not letting me out of bed even a second" she said

Much time has passed I laid in her lap and we are chatting... suddenly what she asked made me realize

"How will she sleep in this small bed!"

How can I forget, Riha is sleeping on a single cot that too big for her height but not for Aaradhya!!!

I said to ma that it's just matter of days but I knew it is not

"Good night ma" I said and kissed her cheek

Aaradhya and I had dinner in regular silence, she didn't even questioned me why I don't tell her about my decision first, not even I told her to move her things...

She silently kept glass of milk on table near bed and said good night before closing the door

"Bhai.." Rehanth called

"What happened Rehanth"

"Can I move to mom's room" he said while staring at ceiling

"No...it's not necessary, I will think something. You don't worry, sleep" I said to him while I myself worried about uncertain future..