The next day sudha got up to do her regular chores ensuring her husband was sleeping without any disturbance. She saw her maaji collecting milk from cattle while her dadi was chanting in a low voice.

No matter where dadi is, she will wake up early and start her routine of chanting mantras. She is a strong believer of God and never missed a day to pray. She had been like that since sudha could remember. She always chants holy mantras when someone is ill or in pain. It is her way to express God's prayers and seek blessings. Even when sudha would be ill she would do the same. During sudha's childhood she used to tell stories about God and goddesses while sleeping. She used to pick up small stories from Ramayana or Mahabharata and narrate them as bed time stories. She still remembers how she would ask several questions to her dadi annoying her sometimes. Being old had taken a toll on her as she easily got angry or irritated. But she would still manage to answer her most of the time.

Now that she was staying with sudha, she was carefree as she could see her granddaughter's life closely.

Sudha prepared breakfast and by then shyam was also freshed up. He had difficulty taking a bath but still he managed without touching the bandage on his head. He was feeling refreshed after taking a bath and felt relieved now.

.....

Days passed by and it was already a week since sudha's dadi came home. She was preparing various healthy dishes and soups which really helped shyam to recover soon and his ache in the head also reduced. Dadi was having a good time staying there and she also warmed up well with both Devamma and shyam. They also liked dadi's company very much. She was a kind lady who would help sudha in house chores and also have long talks with Devamma.

" Sudha, I am planning to go to work in the mill where shyam worked. It had been a while since I was staying home so I think I will talk to the owner and somehow get some work there. Shyam's health is also not too good so I decided to go. What do you think? " Devamma asked sudha one afternoon while the ladies were sitting in the backyard. Devamma stopped working in zamindar sahab's house and it was the biggest relief in her life as there was no more constant yelling and taunts from someone. She really felt peaceful without hearing anyone's taunts everyday. And now she decided to work and help her family financially.

" You do not have to ask me anything maaji. It's your decision and I don't think I should interfere in it. Just make sure you inform your son as well " sudha said with a small smile. Dadi liked the exchange between them and smiled contentment.

" I will be the happiest if you will never work in that house where they don't value you maa. And about working in the mill is your wish. I will also join within two or three days. I am feeling much better than before " shyam said after hearing her mother's wish of working.

" Then I will start tomorrow. You do not have to stress shyam. Take as much rest as you can " Devamma said and left from there to the market to bring a few groceries.

" Sudha can I ask you something? " Dadi asked when it was them both alone.

" Sure dadi. What is it? " Sudha said looking at her dadi.

" How are you going to repay the money my child? I know you have been thinking about it for a long time and I don't have a say in your personal matters but still I am curious " dadi said.

" I thought dadi. In fact the only thought that lingers in my mind is about the money. I came to the conclusion that we don't have anything in hand right now. I sometimes feel like I did a haste in accepting the judgement " sudha said with tears filling her eyes.

" No Sudha. You didn't do anything in haste. Whatever you did was for your family's self respect and it should be your top most priority. You did right sudha. Do not doubt that " dadi said while placing her hand on sudha's shoulder.

" Then I thought of something " sudha said looking at her.

" Don't hesitate my child. Tell me what you thought " dadi encouraged.

" I...I think I will sell the je.... jewellery and arrange money " sudha said and pressed her lips waiting for dadi's reply who sighed heavily.

" Will that money be enough? " Dadi asked after sometime.

" I don't think so dadi. But still it will be the most we can get money from. And I also have savings from my writings maybe I can use them too " said Sudha.

" Does shyam know about them? " Dadi asked expectantly to which sudha shook her head and dadi sighed.

" I thought of telling him about it dadi but everything happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to tell him " sudha said nervously.

" I understand that I was the one who asked you to forget about these writings and focus on your married life but I want you to continue it my child. Considering the situation of the family and financial status it is necessary for you to think about that job they offered you. Maybe they are still waiting for your reply? " Dadi said.

" I know dadi. You are right. But he doesn't know that I am educated and was typically doing a job before marriage. What if he feels... " Sudha was saying when she heard a sound from behind. Both of them turned towards the source and found nothing but sudha thought it was surely her husband as maaji is gone.

Shyam's POV:

I was heading towards the backyard when I heard both of them conversing seriously. I don't want to interrupt their talk and stand by the wall listening to them. When dadi asked her about the money she replied which made me feel sad. She is ready to sell her jewellery just to repay my money. I surely was really fortunate to have such a wife I thought. When I thought of going there to lighten their talk I was surprised to hear her dadi talk about some writings by Sudha and job.

What kind of job are they talking about?

Were they talking about sudha or someone else?

And what does it mean she can apply for a job now?

Many questions lingered in my brain and I moved closer towards the wall to hear more.

Sudha said she was educated which I do not know.

What does she mean by it? She never once mentioned her being educated or about studies. My foot came in contact with the pot beside me and it made a sound making them stop talking. I felt betrayed for not being told about her education. I would be really happy to know that my wife is literate and would have encouraged her to pursue the job whatever she was talking about but she never mentioned anything. She didn't consider me worthy enough to share her personal life. She didn't consider me a trustable person to talk about her passions and aspirations.

I went to the room and sat in bed with my head in my hands. I know she is aware of me eavsdropping their conversation I mean she is not a fool to not understand but still I don't want to see her when I get to know the bitter truth. She never trusted me in this marriage. I loved her with my whole heart while she thought it difficult to share her educational background with me.
(Shyam's POV ends).

......

Dadi said she wants to rest after she saw Sudha silent for a long time. She knew he heard. He must be feeling bad that she didn't share with him but she should talk to him to make him understand.

" Sudha I will take a rest. I think you should also take a nap " dadi suggested and she nodded. She went inside to see maaji who came just now with a bag in her hand. They both arranged all the groceries and cleared the kitchen.

" Sudha I talked with the mill owner on my way home and he was alright with me working there. From tomorrow I will be going to work. I hope you will manage everything " Devamma said a bit sad that she couldn't spend time with her and dadi and moreover shyam was still recovering.

" Don't worry maaji. I will take care and you should rest now as you will be busy from tomorrow. Come on now take a nap " she urged her maaji and entered her bedroom to see her husband sleeping with his arm covering his eyes. From the way he was sleeping she can say he was pretending to sleep. She took a deep breath and went near the bed to sleep. She wants to talk but seeing him ignoring her like that made her heart swell with uncertainty and pain. She closed her eyes and again looked towards him to find him in the same position.

Shyam was not asleep and ignored her presence. He could feel her sleeping beside him but he ignored and stayed silent. He didn't want to see her after she thought so low of him.

Shyam continued to ignore her even during tea and dinner. There was an unknown tension whenever he asked to pass the curry or water from her. She was trying to maintain the composure as she didn't want her dadi or maaji to know about the invisible wall shyam building around himself not allowing her.

" Did you take the medicine? " Sudha started to talk with him but pressed her lips not getting any response from him.

" Maaji was saying she will go to work from tomorrow. You are aware about it right? " Sudha continued to talk trying to lighten the mood but shyam was still silent. She placed her hand on his arm but he jerked away. Sudha's eyes grew wide as it was the first time shyam behaved so hard with her.

" I am tired. Let me sleep " he said not allowing her to question further. She didn't know how to convince him about the matter which involved her education and job. She just prayed with time everything will be fine.

Shyam was heartbroken to learn about her wife's personal qualifications that too not from her but secretly. He thought he got a partner with whom he can share everything and vice-versa but he was so wrong. Sudha has many secrets which she never once revealed nor gave any hint. All these days he was blind to not think or ask about it. He thought if there was anything she would share with him without any doubts but how wrong was he?

That day during the exhibition, he found her near the book stall but he didn't ask her what she was doing. He saw her clearly reading a book but he thought it was just the pictures she was looking at as any other uneducated or illiterate would do. But how wrong was he? She was well educated and had a job for goodness sake.

That day when she wanted to talk to her dadi when she went to town with him, she carelessly wrote the phone number in it. Then too he didn't suspect she was educated. He only thought she might be well versed with the numbers which are easy to remember. How wrong was he? She was not only well versed but well acquainted with them.

All these thoughts made his mind clogged and he could not sleep. When he turned towards her, she was sleeping peacefully while he was not even able to close his eyes. He took deep breaths and calmed himself. He turned towards her and slept looking at her.

Another week passed by with shyam maintaining his distance. No matter how many times sudha tried, he kept to himself. He only answered when required or with dadi and maaji. Sudha was losing patience and was feeling extremely low with his behaviour.

Fine I was about to update yesterday itself but I waited for any ideas from you guys but no one really gave any idea except one I guess.
So I myself decided to update.
Today is the last day of the year guys so I hope you start your new year focussing on self care, self improvement, self confidence and self respect.
Being yourself and supporting yourself towards positivity brings lots of goodness in life. So always focus on yourself and be in a mission to improve yourself.
Advance new year wishes loves❤️❣️🫶
Keep voting, commenting and following.
Till then bye...