eFiction India eFiction India Vol.02 Issue.09 | Page 76

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STORIES

we hardly discuss it. He has a mother and
a twin brother,” Niharika said.
“And father?”
That was when it struck Niharika that they
had never discussed his father.
“I don’t know mom, we never talked.”
“See Niharika, love and all is okay, but you
should know the family you are going to be
a part of. After marriage, it’s not only about
the husband, you are going to be a part of a
new home. You should know about them,
meet them, get their approval, you understand?” her mom explained.
Next day, Niharika told Nikhil that she had
told her mom.
“She was asking me about your family.
What your dad does…” Niharika said.
“My dad is in the Merchant Navy. He is
away for months together.” Nikhil said.
“And mom? Does she work?”
“Yes. She runs a chain of beauty parlours.
‘Reshma Beauty Centres.’ You must have
heard about them.”
Niharika now felt better. There was nothing
that Nikhil was hiding from her. She felt
bad for doubting him and for holding him
responsible for his mom’s and brother’s
behaviour.

“And Akhil?”

It was a female voice.

“Who is he to object anyway? Now let’s
talk about something else. We are already
behaving like a typical boring married
couple.”

“Yes. Who’s this?” she asked.

Few days later, as Nikhil was escorting her
to the bus stop, he told her that he was
going to his uncle’s place for a few days.
“Uncle’s place? Where?” Niharika asked.
“Pune,” Nikhil replied.
“All of a sudden?” she asked.
“No, my mama called yesterday. He asked
me to come for a weekend. Their son and
daughter are in the US. They miss them a
lot. So mom asked me to go and meet them
to make them feel better,” Nikhil explained.
“Okay,” Niharika said, realizing how much
she would miss him.
“I will miss you,” he spoke the same as was
on her mind. “But don’t worry, we will
speak on the phone daily. It’s just a matter
of few days,” he added.
Niharika nodded. “I will miss you too,
Nikhil.” They held hands till her bus
arrived.

“Satisfied?” he asked.

Next day Niharika missed him terribly.
She couldn’t wait to go home and call him.
As she stood at her bus stop that day, she
received a call from a landline number. It
was from Mumbai, but looked unfamiliar.

“Very much,” she smiled.

“Hello?” she spoke.

“I also told my mom about you,” he said
casually.

There was silence. No one spoke for some
time.

“Oh really? What did she say?”

“Hello?” she repeated.

“She said okay. Didn’t I tell you she’s cool?”

Just as she was about to switch the phone
off, she heard a meek voice.

“And your dad?”
“Will tell him soon,” Nikhil said.

eFiction India | June 2014

“Hello, Niharika?”

“I am Nikhil’s mom.”
Niharika was astonished. Why was Nikhil’s
mom calling her?
“Y-yes aunty?”
“I want to meet you. Can you come home
now?”
A cold fear began to crawl up her back.
Why was Nikhil’s mother calling her to
meet while Nikhil was away?
“Okay aunty, give me directions,” she
managed.
Half an hour later, Niharika stood in front
of Nikhil’s house, fearing the worst. His
mother probably wanted her out of her
son’s life, without his knowledge that his
mother was behind it. That could be the
only reason she had called, what else? With
her heart beating in her throat, Niharika
rang the bell.
The door was opened by a weak and tired
looking woman. Nikhil’s mom seemed to
have aged ten years from the last time she
saw her.
“Come in,” she said.
Niharika followed her inside the house.
The house was immaculately clean, with
all walls painted in off-white and furniture
done in wooden brown. Matching brown
curtains hung against the window panes.
Niharika sat down on the sofa.
Nikhil’s mother went into the kitchen and
came back with a glass of water. She handed
it over to Niharika.
“Thanks,” Niharika muttered. But she was
feeling so anxious that she could not drink
even a sip. She was sure she would throw
up. His mom sat on the opposite chair.