CHAPTER 22 - Disappointment

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Please read the author's note at the end of the chap :p :p

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It was close to 9 PM when Sindhu heard the doorbell. She opened the door excitedly only to see the two of them with tired faces.

"What happened? Why are you late?" she asked curiously.

"We were stuck in traffic jam for almost an hour. It's very annoying. I will go to sleep" Tulasi announced, leaving the room before Sindhu could say something.

"Um.. Wash your hands. Let's have dinner" she informed Karthik and was greeted with his guilty face "I am sorry Sindhu. We already had dinner"

"What do you mean? I told you I'd cook for---"

"I know. I am sorry. Tulasi said that she was hungry and I gave her company. I thought to eat little but the food at the restaurant was so good that I couldn't help it" he said slowly.

"At least have a little" she pleaded. She spent more than two hours cooking everything he liked only to be disappointed now.

"I can't. I am really tired" He said, heading to his room.

Sindhu was hurt knowing her efforts were useless. She didn't like throwing food as she is aware of the importance of it. At the place she volunteers, rice is valued since lot of effort had been made to feed hundreds of children.

Standing in the kitchen's utility, she thought about what to do with the food since she is no longer hungry. She was lost in her thoughts, when she heard Lakshmi's voice from downstairs.

She looked around and found her ahead, dragging her son while complaining about something.

"What happened?" she shouted at her.

Lakshmi checked around before looking upwards "I have been searching for him since evening mam. He left the house without a word and his dad & I were worried" And she continued ranting about how she found her son in some bachelor's home.

"Have you had food?" Sindhu interfered her rant.

"No mam. I have to cook now. I don't know what his father will say---"

"Come here. I have food" she offered.

When Lakshmi came upstairs with her son, Sindhu gave everything she prepared for her husband. She felt happy that food is not going to be wasted; at least someone's going to enjoy it.

"Since I have prepared for three adults, I think it will be sufficient for you, your husband and your two kids"

"Thanks mam. I will send the hot dishes back with my son" Lakshmi replied.

"You can bring them tomorrow" Having said that, Sindhu bid them bye and closed the door behind her.

Her room was empty making her realize Karthik is in the wash room. Lying down on the bed, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

When Karthik returned to his room after a shower, he found Sindhu on the bed. He switched off lights and closed the door, before walking towards the kitchen.

Once he took a water bottle from the fridge and had few sips, he switched off the lights in kitchen and was about to go back to his room when he heard the doorbell.

"What happened?" he asked Govind's son who was standing at the door step with hot dishes.

"Mother told to give these to ma'am. She cleaned them"

Karthik looked at them in suspicion "What are these?"

"Mam gave food in these" the boy replied innocently.

"When?"

"A few minutes ago"

Karthik took the boxes from the boy's hand and placed them on the dining table. When the boy left, he locked the door and went into kitchen.

He understood the situation and realized that she didn't have food. Since it would take a lot of time to cook and she might have slept by the time he's done, he boiled milk for her.

He switched on lights in his room where he found her sleeping under the comforter.

"Sindhu. Get up" he announced, placing the glass of milk on the nightstand.

When she didn't budge, he said in a louder tone "I know you are awake. Now get up"

He knew her long enough to know if she's sleeping or not.

She groaned getting up "Why? I am already finding it tough to sleep"

"You wouldn't have had that problem if you had dinner"

Narrowing her eyes, she said "What do you mean?"

He crossed his arms over his chest "You know what I mean. Why didn't you have dinner?"

She lowered her head "I couldn't"

"Why?"

When he was greeted with silence for a long time, he sighed "If I didn't eat, doesn't mean you shouldn't"

"You won't know" she mumbled under her breath.

"What?" he asked her softly.

"Nothing" she said sulkily.

He sat opposite to her on the bed and took her hand into his "Sindhu.. What happened?"

"I told you already. Nothing"

"I am going to sit here until you tell me.. " he said stubbornly making her groan in impatience.

After a long silence, she finally replied "I don't like eating alone"

"You could've called me. I'd happily give you company"

When they stared at each other in silence, he added "I know that's not the real reason. Now tell me the truth"

She sighed heavily knowing she has to say the truth now "I cooked everything you like. For you"

Karthik was taken back. He didn't expect her to say that "Why?"

"Um because I thought I owed-- it'd be a welcome home present for you" she lied.

He stared into her eyes making her look away "So, you are not unwell?"

"Um no. I am sorry for lying" she said shyly.

His voice broke the silence again "What did you cook for me?"

Her eyes met his "Potato fry, Sambar, Paneer Cashew curry and Semiya Kheer as dessert"

He gaped at her in surprise "How did you know they are my favorites?"

"You eat them more than the usual. As for the dessert, everyone loves it"

"So, you gave everything to Lakshmi?" When she nodded, he added "You should've put them in the refrigerator if you wanted me to taste them"

"I don't like refrigerated food. They lose taste" she said sadly.

His eyes softened seeing her sad expression. He wished he could change back time and ate that food even if he was full just to see the smile on her face.

"Come here" he gestured, opening his arms.

Her eyes widened as she gazed at him. When she heard him again, she wrapped her arms around his neck, placing her head on his shoulder.

"I am so sorry" he said softly, while holding her tight in his arms.

A tear fell down her cheek feeling how honest his apology sounded. Though she was upset about what happened earlier, she was glad with the way he reacted. She loved his hugs so much.

They stayed like that, with none of them saying a word or attempting to get out of the embrace. It's like the two of them wanted to stay like that, forever.

It was only when Karthik realized that milk's getting cold, he pulled away "You should have this at least"

When he gave her a glass of milk, she looked at him in surprise "Thanks"

When she slowly sipped milk from the glass, he wiped the tears on her face, feeling sad for being the reason of her bad mood.

****

Karthik took Sindhu and Tulasi with him to his office as his boss wanted to interview Tulasi. He wished Tulasi got the job as she needs to be financially independent at this stage of her life.

"We can come inside with you?" Sindhu asked in a surprised tone, looking at the casual entrance of their office.

When he nodded, she gaped at him in horror "There are no card swiping machines or proper security. You work here?"

"Sindhu. It's not an MNC to have all those things. It started only a couple of years ago"

"Still. How can anyone know if you are coming regularly and doing your work properly?"

"There are close to 100 people working here, in total; divided into different teams. The project head and team leads make sure of everyone's attendance" He replied in a boring tone.

Soon, Tulasi was called for the interview while Karthik and Sindhu stayed outside, sitting on an old sofa.

"What happened?" Karthik retorted, seeing Sindhu's expression.

"This just doesn't feel like a software company" she complained.

He rolled his eyes at her drama "I already told you this is a small company"

"My dad told that you work in a big company" she said with an enthusiastic smile.

"When did he say that?"

"Before our first meeting. His exact words were 'The guy's family is good. He works in a big company and earns well' "

"So, you agreed to marry me because I earn a lot?" he asked curiously.

She chuckled "No" and added in a teasing tone "But I would've gotten a reason to reject your match had I known about your company"

Karthik stiffened and his demeanor changed suddenly "So, you think I am not good enough for you now?"

"Karthik. I didn't mea--"

"Right. Why would I be? I am the guy without a heart" he said coldly making her wince.

Sindhu was disappointed hearing his words. She left him alone and walked into the ladies' bathroom feeling the need to clear her head and stay away from him.

Karthik couldn't believe he voiced his fears aloud. He felt horrible for behaving like a guy with no feelings during the first few months of their marriage and even now. The past few days, he was scared he was not good enough for her and hearing almost similar words from her made him lose his temper.

When Tulasi returned, he entered his boss's office trying to stop his internal battle.

"So, what do you think about her?" he asked Shekhar, his boss whom he knew since college.

"I am sorry Karthik" he replied sadly.

"Why? I mean she was good. She worked in my team when we--"

"It's not that Karthik. She had experience in Java and you know we don't have any Java based projects here. She has no idea about the middle-ware tools that we work"

"She is a quick learner. She can--"

"We don't spend our money on training like MNCs; you know that. She might have good knowledge on Advanced Java but it's of no use to us"

Karthik sighed understanding him. He's absolutely right.

"I am so sorry man" Shekhar said in an apologetic tone.

He nodded and left the room. When he looked at Tulasi, she gave an encouraging smile making him realize that she already knew the outcome.

When Sindhu came out of the wash room, she noticed a woman observe her curiously, from a cabin opposite to her.

She walked to her "Do I know you?"

All the six people sitting in that cubicle turned to her.

"Are you Karthik's wife?" a guy asked her.

"Yes. So what?"

"We saw him walk in with you. So--- By the way, we are his team" Another guy announced while Sindhu snorted "You are saying as if you guys are The Avengers team"

All of them laughed while she faced the group opposite to her with a smile.

"So, you guys having fun working with him?" she asked casually. The team looked at each other awkwardly making her understand their situation.

"Never mind. You must be used to taking orders from him all the time" she said in a sulky tone, remembering the way he snapped at her, a few minutes ago.

When everyone gaped at her curiously, she added with a mischievous smile "How do you put up with him all day long? He doesn't even smile"

She heard few chuckles and then someone reply "He's changed in the last few weeks"

Yeah, right. He shouted at me a while ago for no mistake of mine, she thought angrily.

"Does he have a split personality disorder or something?" she asked the group who were looking at her in doubt as if thinking if it's appropriate to criticize their boss in front of his wife.

When someone's computer pinged, she added tensely "I think you should go back to work" and turned around, mumbling under her breath "Wonder what Mr. Arrogant will say if he found out I was disturbing his team"

Sindhu was surprised to find Karthik, observing her from the adjacent cubicle with his arms crossed. He was glaring at her while Tulasi was looking at her with an amused smile.

"Done?" she asked Tulasi whose smile disappeared.

Uh-Oh. Looks like she didn't get the job.

"Sindhu, come with me" Karthik said and then turned to Tulasi "You stay here"

He took her with him to pantry and waited until it was empty.

"What were you doing there?" He hissed angrily.

"Nothing" she replied dully, not meeting his eyes.

"You were bitching about me in front of my team"

"No.. I just---tried to be funny"

"It's NOT funny. I never expected this from you" And he continued ranting about her behavior.

"Ok, fine. I am sorry. Shall we go now?" She yelled at him, as tears prickled her eyes. She felt like a child hearing him scold her. Ok, it's a mistake to bad mouth him but he was responsible for her bad mood.

"Sindhu---" he started in an angry tone but didn't get to complete as she walked away from him.

Sindhu left the building, without informing Karthik or cared to see if he was following her. She is not a kid who is supposed to do everything others advise her to. She is tired of life and wanted to run away again; any place that doesn't remind of him.

She stood on the road, fighting back tears when she noticed a small stall and a shop opposite to her. She crossed the road and walked towards it.

"Do you have water bottle?" she asked the shopkeeper, who took a bottle out from the refrigerator.

She took a few sips from it and then washed her face.

Drying her face with a hand kerchief, she asked "How much?"

When the man said 20 rupees, she opened her wallet when someone placed a twenty rupee note on the counter. Knowing who it is, she pushed it aside and placed two ten rupee notes on it.

"Sindhu. Let me pay" she heard him in a serious tone.

"Not necessary" she replied firmly.

Karthik sighed heavily and put his money back into his pockets. He tried to take her hand but she pulled away from him making him say calmly "I have to drop you home"

"I can take an auto" she replied dully, still not meeting his eyes.

"I have to drop Tulasi too" he said and she followed him towards the building's parking lot.

Tulasi was puzzled to see Sindhu occupy back seat making her realize that things are not fine between the couple. She took the front seat guiltily as they drove in silence to his house.

---

Thank you guys for reading..

Are you angry at me? I know you are disappointed but trust me, this should happen for what I am planning.

Want me to update everyday? Then how about we make a deal?

Your votes and comments are a big motivation to me. You keep pouring them in and I update every day until you guys are satisfied with Karthik and Sindhu's relationship.

So, what do you say? Deal or no deal? Remember it's a lot of hard work for me..

Please don't forget to Vote, Comment and Share

- JANAKI S


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