Her Second-Hand Husband!

Arjun's PoV

Remember I have partnered with my friend in his concern? I am now going to Coimbatore to see him. There is a function and he wants me to attend it every year without fail. I agree to this because I like to see the laughs of young people there who don't even know what life holds for them in future. Their laughter is something I envy. It is more pure like a baby's laughter.

"Arjun, welcome." My friend Shravan came to my car.

Shravan and I studied in the same college and he is a son of a minister. That central minister is my dad's friend and that is how we were made friends. When he came to me looking for a financial partner in his new concern, I readily agreed to him because I like looking at the fresh faces. Though I don't visit here often, I never miss this time of the year to attend this function.

"Hi Shravan, How are you da?"

"I am good, da. Everything is ready, we shall start in another half hour. You go and refresh yourself." he said to me while walking to his room.

"I am good da. I need some cold water." I told him.

"I will ask them to bring it to you. You make yourself comfortable. I have something to take care of. I will be back in a few minutes." he told me and left me in his room. I sat back relaxing myself.

"May I come in, Sir?" I heard a girl knocking on the door.

"Yes!" I said and she came in with a glass of water.

I could see shock evident in her face. It's been almost a month, I last saw her. I never expected to see her here. She must have completed her studies and gone out for work. What is she doing here?

"How are you, Anika? How is your dad?" I asked her.

My dad is doing fine." she said without even looking at me. She made it look like she is more concentrated on the water glass

your interviews?" I asked

be so mean?" she blurted out, anger evident in

to me like you do. I don't stand

need anything else, Sir?" She asked me as if her work in this room was done.

her the door. She calls me mean for my care towards her and her family? I don't have to put up with her

saw her eyes which were ready to shed anytime. Those teary eyes again. Those teary eyes that disturbed my sleep for almost a week after we returned from Tiruppur. I still remember the time I met her here. It was almost two years ago. Just when Anamika disappeared. I refused to go anywhere but when Shravan called me for the award distribution in his college where I am one of the chairmen, I decided to show up here as I thought seeing young people will divert my mind. She was there at the reception desk. She gave me a flower bouquet and welcomed me in. She looked so beautiful in the saree and I felt a gentle breeze in my heart seeing her innocent smile. It is true that looks are deceiving.

a little while, Shravan came in to fetch me and we proceeded to the auditorium. It is Graduation day in college. It is this function I wouldn't miss. I saw her, here and there helping the staff members and arranging the certificates and medals backstage. She was the one who came to the stage with them when the students' names were called upon. Why is she doing all these things here? What happened to her

I called Sivaprakasam uncle to get her address. I

are you?" I asked

ok, Maappillai. How

fine, uncle. How is

me to perform the last rights to our daughter. She still thinks that she might be alive somewhere. To top it off, a fortune teller said that Anamika

uncle. I called

"About what, mappilai?"

stroke? I am in Coimbatore only, uncle. I just want to visit

sure, Maapillai. Last I heard, he is

towards the address. She is still here and that is a good thing. I am not ready to talk to

These people are just strangers to me and I have no grounds to come to their home. This wont work, I decided to go away just

arrival. Please, come in." Excitement evident in her face, I had no choice but to go in with

will bring some water." she