Her Second-Hand Husband!

Anika's PoV

After making up my mind just like mom said, I felt a lot better. I called up Nithu and told her about the change of plans. I am still reluctant to let her know what actually happened. But anyways I must tell her on Monday before I tell Arun to wait for me for a year. We got ready and went to the bus stand to go to Tirupur. It is 2hours travel from Coimbatore to Tirupur. Once boarded I found a window seat and sat comfortably there. Advay sat near me leaning on me to sleep.

"Akka, did you tell Arun about your decision?" he asked me.

"Not yet da. I have to tell him on Monday. It is not nice to tell this on the phone. He will come to college on Monday. I will explain to him then." I told him and myself that I can do this.

"You know dad will never approve of LOVE. You should have been more careful, akka. Just like mom says, you must have avoided any situation where you lose control of yourself." he spoke like a big man.

"You will never know what that situation is, Adu. Do you think I wish for all these embarrassments? I never knew all these were going to happen in my life. You sleep." I shut him up to avoid further awkward conversation.

I checked my phone for any message from Arun. But there was nothing from him. It is like I almost disappear in his world on weekends. He never messages me on weekends and of course I never complained about it ever. It helped me spend my time with my family on weekends and that is how mom didn't smell it coming. I opened my mail and to my surprise, the stalker had replied to my mail. I didn't waste a second to open it.

"Hello Beautiful,

I am better. I am sorry to hear that you are not doing well. Trust me, time will heal you of the pain and the embarrassment you are going through now. I tell you this because I have personal experience on this. Do what you think is right and it will definitely turn out good. Concentrate on your studies as you are almost at the end of your degree. I am glad that you consider me as a good friend and I assure you that you can turn up to me at any point in your life for moral support and to share your distress. I will be all ears for you.

Regards!"

A smile crept on my face reading the mail. He is the best. He doesn't know what has actually happened to me but still managed to soothe me with a general talk. It is definitely a convenience to make friends with a stranger whom we don't meet at all. He is a friend with a lot of benefits. I decided to reply to him with a thank you.

"Hello Stalker,

the kind words. I am truly grateful for your friendship. Your message has lifted my soul up from the deep hell. I don't know what caused your distress, but I am happy that it passed and you are better. I wish all the happiness in

Regards!"

Monday about this decision I have taken. Again it sounds so wrong that I took a decision that involves both of us. It is like cornering Arun without any options. But I have no other choice now. After making up my mind to do the right thing just like the stalker said, I felt really light

happy and it helped me to take their minds off of my problem. We went to my granny's house and the house was very calm and quiet. I saw slippers on the

gloomy. How else will they be? Their only daughter is lost and it's been 2years

them while ammachi came

she called us

greeted each other and Advay went out to see his friends here. I went into the room and mom and dad started talking to them. I was bored and decided to

hear anything from the

have decided to close the case. Maapla(son-in-law) has got his divorce legally stating her absence. Because of his influence, police were looking for her. As he is out of the case now, police have stopped working on this case. There was no lead on where she might be. We lost hope also." he spoke with his voice so heavy that he

worry, she will come back to you soon."

she is still alive." he spoke and Periyamma immediately stopped him

life happily. Maybe this marriage is not destined for her. She is alive!" She started with a loud voice but retreated at the end. I can understand her feelings. No

The next day we all went to the temple and had our lunch there. Dad felt a little

thud and a moaning sound from dad's room.

ran to the kitchen to bring water. Periyappa rushed

to look for the medicine. Dad has high blood pressure and the doctor has advised dad never to skip medicine. This is the second time

tablet to him and mom brought water. By that time, dad's mouth had completely dislocated and his left hand and

wake him up but all in vain.