Married To A Stranger

Sreesha Pov:

“Karthik” I tried to gain his attention which he ignored while tapping his phone.

“Oh Siri, this is Sadhika. Sadhika this is Sreesha and Karthik” Manoj said introducing the mystery girl, who frowned hearing my name.

“It’s her” she whispered taking a step back.

“What are you talking about?” Manoj asked reaching for her.

“No-nothing. I… I’m going to uh Disha di’s house. I… I’ll be back after a week?” She said stuttering.

“Disha? But…” she cut him off saying “oh look, di’s coming towards us… I… I’ll call you later okay? Bye” she said in a baby-like voice trying hard to get away from here.

“But I thought we could have dinner and-” again she cut him off saying “I’m going with Disha di, I don’t want your food,” she said stubbornly, jealous was clear in her tone. Manoj was about to say something, but she stopped him saying “I’m going. Di’s is waiting. Bye” she said sparing a glance or should I say glare at me? With that, she ran to her friend leaving a very confused Manoj behind.

“Sorry. This is the first time she behaved like this. She must be having a bad day or something.” He explained looking at us. I nodded smiling knowing the reason “Yeah… she was crying, right? But for what?” He asked, to which Karthik shrugged.

“Why is she behaving like a kid?” I blurted out. A flicker of anger crossed his eyes “Sorry” I apologized immediately.

“She had an accident a few years ago and lost her memory. Even though she’s in her 20’s, she behaves like 13 yr old. Doctors said that her mind struck at her 13th birthday” he said sighing. “We have a flight to catch in 2 hours. If you don’t have any plans we should get going” Karthik said curtly checking the time on his watch.

I want to say how sorry I’m and beg for his forgiveness for doubting his love for me. But this is not the right time or place.

“Five minutes” I mumbled, He nodded curtly walking towards our car. I shook Manoj who was still looking at the way Sadhika left “She’s beautiful” I said trying to make conversation. He nodded.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Where is Karthik?” He said searching around.

“He said that he would wait in the car. It’s time to go” I said nodding at his retreating figure. “I’m so happy for you Sree,” he said sincerely “Even though I’m a bit jealous of that lucky Idiot, he deserves you. I thought I would never let you go. If we ever met but look at me now, I’m so happy to let you go now ” he added smiling.

“You know, I’m so sorry for hating you all these years,” I said with teary eyes. “Promise me we’ll be friends again. True friends?” I added, tears pouring down my face.

“Shh…” cupping my face with his both hands “I’ll never leave you alone again. I’ll be in touch with you, I promise. Don’t cry Sree. You look like a racoon when you cry” he joked tipping my nose.

“Shut up,” I said slapping his hand feigning a glare, giving him a small smile. “Oh look, your husband is waiting, you better get going before he plots my death,” he said winking, I nodded smiling.

“Manoj”

“Yeah?”

“Clear the misunderstandings between you and Sadhika” I mumbled.

“Huh?” God! He’s so clueless about her feelings towards him “What misunderstandings?” he asked confused.

I sighed. “Manoj! She thought we’re together again.” I said frustrated.

“I will. She’s a great friend after all” he mumbled. “He’s waiting impatiently, Siri” he added gesturing towards Karthik, who was checking his watch impatiently.

“Okay. Our friends are home. Give me your phone” I demanded. He obeyed without question. I saved my number and gave it back to him.

“Call me when you need expert advice, I’m sure you will need one in the near future,” I said smirking walking towards my husband leaving a very confused Manoj behind. —

Karthik didn’t utter a word. His answers were curt whenever I ask him a question otherwise, he’ll just shrug.

“Karthik” I called him for the nth time, and his answer was a nod.

“Karthik Shekhar” I yelled losing my patience.

“What?” He said matching my tone.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you” I mumbled, he shrugged keeping his attention on the road.

“I said I’m sorry” he nodded again.

“Can we talk?” He shrugged again.

“Karthik-” he cut off me saying “we’re here”. I noticed that we reached our destination. The Airport.

“But our luggage is still in the hotel room” I tried to remind him.

“Sir here’s your luggage,” a middle-aged man said beside me. Karthik gave him a curt nod and took our luggage. I thanked the middle-aged man and followed Karthik. We boarded the flight. I kept my mouth shut. This isn’t the time or place for these kinds of talks. I kept repeating everything is going to be okay.

Right?

Karthik Pov:

Why does it have to be me all the time who loses?

When I look at those two, I couldn’t help but feel lost. It felt like someone slapped me right across my face. My heart went numb. It lost its capability to make me feel any pain.

He’s not at fault!

I should let her choose even though it kills me, and her happiness is more important than anything else. He was never at fault.

But he left her!

Someone threatened his mother.

If it’s not her father, then who might it be?

I called Tej and let him know about my next step.

I was about to turn around, a girl around Tej’s age came running towards me and collapsed on the floor crying loudly.

“Hey,” I said placing my hand on her shoulder, she flinched.

“I hate her” she mumbled.

“Huh?” Now I’m completely lost.

“I hate her” she continued chanting the same sentence again and again.

“Hate who?” I asked slowly. I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t leave a girl in this state.

“No one” she snapped at me. I raised my hands to let her know I mean no harm.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked patiently. I learned to be patient for the sake of Sree.

“No” she mumbled, “can I hug you?” She asked out of nowhere.

“I-I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said not knowing what to say.

“When I was sad Manny always hugs me saying it will be okay, but now he’s with another girl treating her how he used to treat me ” she complained crying even more.

“Hey… hey stop crying okay? Umm If I let you hug me; will you stop crying?” I asked her having no other option.

“Yeah,” she said and hugged me tightly, crying. “I hate her” she started chanting again. Why is she behaving like a kid?

“Hey, it’s going to be okay alright” I said remembering the words she mentioned.

“You know all the people here think I’m weird except my Manny. He’s a good man. He cooks for me, he plays with me even though all the mean guys told him not to… and” I tuned her voice out, whoever this Manny guy, he treated this girl well that is why she’s not able to take in when she saw someone else in his arms.

She was snatched away from my hold by … none other than… Manoj?

Manoj is her Manny?

And the girl she hates is Sreesha?

Can this situation be anymore… what to say? Dramatic? Embarrassing? Awkward? Whatever it is, I’m more than relieved that the girl is no longer crying in my arms.

I stole a glance at Sreesha. She was smiling at Manoj and the mystery girl.

“Oh Siri, this is Sadhika. Saddy this is Sreesha and Karthik” he introduced the mystery girl. I nodded.

I said I’ll be waiting in my car and left them alone when Sree told she would join me in 5 min. I couldn’t help but look at them each and every second.

I couldn’t shake the voice back in my head repeating what happens when she chose to be with him?

If it makes her happy, there is nothing I could do than repeat the history. I promised her well-wishers that I’d keep her happy no matter what… if her happiness belongs here, with him, who am I to say no?

A lone tear escaped from my eye. I shouldn’t let my emotions rule me in this situation. God, I love her so much! Once everything settles, and when I know no one’s going to hurt her anymore, that day I’ll let her make a decision.