Chapter 56: chapter 56

SRUTHIThe one week in the hospital passes slowly in the same manner. I would wake up and the chief doctor would come for a checkup. After he makes sure that I am recovering with no side effects, he would leave the room. I would eat my breakfast that was from the hospital canteen and then fall asleep or read a book or just scroll through my phone. Sometimes, people who wanted to be on the good side of my brother would visit me. At other times, either Madhav, Vikram or Nisha would stay with me. Out of the three, I preferred Nisha’s company the most because both the men were always grim and serious. They treated me very carefully like I was some glass that would break. Whenever Madhav looked at me, his eyes were filled with guilt and sadness. While on the other hand, when my brother looked at me, his eyes were filled with rage and wistfulness.So, yes, I prefer Nisha over them since she treats me the same. Somehow, I survived the week in the hospital and now I am on my way to Madhav’s place. The car is filled with ominous silence. My brother is the one driving with Madhav in the passenger seat. I am in the back seat with Nisha who is doing some work for my brother on her laptop. Talk about overworking your employees. My brother seems to be the best in that aspect. I am starting to understand why Nisha hates my brother.My eyes are involuntarily drawn to Madhav. Things are weird between us. Yes, I know, even before this incident, we both had a rocky relationship with awkwardness and weirdness. But, now, that awkwardness and weirdness seem to be quadrupled. I want to have a normal relationship with him. Call it the wisdom of nearly dying and returning to life but I sort of now understand Madhav’s profession and his values. The weeks in the hospital made me realize many profound things. I had nothing to do but to think, eat, sleep and repeat. So, think I did. I realized that I have been seeing this world in shades of black and white. But in reality, the world is in grey. There is no fully good or fully bad person. Each one of us has both black and white shades. In some, the white is dominant while in a few the black is.  I can in a way understand Madhav now. Not everyone is a born sinner. Some circumstances in their life turn them into it. Something tells me that is the case with Madhav. Our whole relationship from day one was one big disaster. There were a lot of misunderstandings and a lack of communication between us. I want to bridge the gap between us, to understand him better and to let him understand me too. Maybe, just maybe, we can find common ground and build something meaningful out of this mess. But how do I even begin to approach him without making things even more awkward than they already are?An inaudible sigh leaves me as I gaze out of the window thinking about making things less awkward between us. All I wanted was a marriage with no drama. A marriage in which my husband showered me with his affection and love. A relationship that was easy and natural with no complications. A relationship in which I am the real and messed up me. But, I don’t even know what to label the thing that I and Madhav have. To the world and my family, we are husband and wife but only he and I know the truth. Heck! We didn’t even properly complete the marriage ritual. Can we still be called husband and wife?Snapping of fingers pulls me out of my thought and I turn to my side to find Nisha giving me a funny look. I look at the front to find both the men’s focus on me.“Huh? Did I miss something?”Nisha chuckles beside me, “Nothing except for the fact we reached our destination.”“Oh!” I say looking out the window to find the car parked in front of Madhav’s house. Nisha leans closer and mutters in a low voice so that only I can hear her words, “Were you daydreaming about your husband?”“No,” I deny quickly. Too quickly that makes Nisha throw a knowing smirk at me. Before she could reply, the door to my side opened and I found Madhav standing there. When did he get out of the car?I get out of the car with the help of Madhav. I am not fully recovered yet. Moving my left arm is still a hassle and my body is not the same as it was before. The doctor told me that it would take some time for my body to return to form.“Are you sure you can do this?” Madhav asks as I start walking towards the house. He walks beside me while my brother and Nisha are busy unloading things from the car.“Madhav, I can. I know you are concerned about me but can you at least have a little bit of trust in me?” I ask raising my eyebrow at him.He seems taken aback by the statement for a moment, “Of course, Sruthi. I trust you. It is just that I don’t want your phobia to be triggered.”I sigh, “I understand where you are coming from. But, I have decided to face my fears. It will be difficult but I want someone with me who will encourage me to go forward and face it when I want to give up. Not someone who will stop me from facing it just because I may get hurt in the process. I want you to be that someone who would encourage me to face my fears. Will you be that person for me?” I ask meeting his eyes.His eyes hold mine for a moment. He looks conflicted for a moment before a determined look crosses over his face. It replaces the sad and mopey Madhav of the past few days. His fingers find mine and he brings my hand close to his mouth. I know my brother and Nisha are watching us from somewhere but I don’t care. Something tells me that this moment would change our relationship forever. His answer is going to shape our relationship. I want him to trust me and treat me as his equal. I don’t want him to treat me like I am some kid who isn’t able to do things. “I will be anything you want me to be, Sruthi,” he says and presses a soft kiss on the back of my hand.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥