CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN

Agni :

She didn't speak a word though I remained in silence, kneeling before her for fifteen minutes. I kept my head in her lap.

"Jwala, I know it hurts you a lot. Yell at me, hit me or punish me as you like. I am scared of your silence. I don't know what decision you will be taking, but this silence is very uncomfortable."

Still, she stayed silent. Is she planning to leave me? No, I can't imagine it. Without Jwala, I can't imagine a day. What if she asks me to divorce her. Tears filled in my eyes. Even if mom is alive, she would hate me too.

"Agni, tell me one thing. What's the difference between you and Aadarsh? Due to blackmail, he betrayed me and handed over to those idiots. You too did the same" she said.

"Maybe no difference," I answered.

"Why shouldn't I choose to leave you too as I hate Aadarsh."

"Hate me Jwala but please don't leave me. I am nothing without you. Please, Jwala!" I pleaded her with tears.

I felt her caressing my hairs and kissing my head. I looked at her in confusion.

"I won't leave you and can never hate you because you are the best and most loving husband in the world," she said cupping my face.

"Get up and sit beside me," she said lovingly.

I sat on the bed beside her. She cupped my face.

"You and Aadarsh are never same. The difference between both of you is repentance. You are repenting as you realised your fault in the past. Even in the past, you sent me to Rona, and his brother, as you have no other option but you tried your best to save me. I can understand that," Jwala said cupping my face and kissing my forehead.

"Agni, I won't leave you. You are not bad as a husband. But, as a human, you should change. I want to see that Agni, seeing whom your mother would have felt proud if she is alive. We both have made many mistakes in the past and as you said we couldn't change them. You are repenting now. So, show it in your actions too" she said taking my hand into her hand.

She kissed my hand.

"I love you Agni. Only love had the power to heal a broken heart and forgive a person who broke our heart. Just one chance, let me heal you completely."

I hugged her tightly. Maybe only a woman can forgive and understand a person to this extent. I am happy to know that she is not going to leave. I will surely protect her and baby till my last breath. I am ready to sacrifice anything for her. I kissed her forehead, cheeks, and lips.

"Aah," she screamed and held her stomach.

"What happened to you, Jwala?" I asked panicking.

"Don't worry. It's just casual pain which I get for these three days" she replied.

"How can I cure it? I didn't know much."

"It's ok. Usually, the pain will be less, but when I cry or get tense, I get severe stomach ache during this time" she said.

I made her sleep on bed keeping her legs in my lap.

"How can I help you to get rid of this?"

"Be with me, that's more than enough. Your company makes me forget every pain," she said.

I pressed her feet and legs. I slowly massaged her stomach too as I heard somewhere it may cure this pain. I didn't understand how to help her. Talking to me, slowly she went to sleep.

I browsed the internet for her and bought few things to help her. She woke up and smiled looking at me.

"How are you, baby?" I said and leaned towards her to kiss her cheek.

"Yes!, little bit okay. You might be hungry. I slept without preparing dinner. I will prepare now" Jwala said.

"Yes, I am hungry. If you cook something soon, I will have it."

"What do you want to eat?"

"I want to eat vegetable rice."

"What? Now?"

"Yes"

"But I can't Agni. I am not feeling well. My legs are aching too. I can't prepare now."

"Ok, if you can't prepare it, leave it. I will take milk and will sleep. I didn't want to eat anything else."

"Ok, I will try to prepare that," she said and went to the hall.

She might have scolded me in her mind for forcing her to cook. She looked at Aneesh who is setting the table for dinner.

"Hi Aneesh, did you prepare food for yourself?" She asked

"No, actually as you are tired, brother cooked food today. I think brother prepared all your favourites.

She looked at me. I raised my eyebrows and smiled staring at her. We had our food. She came to the bedroom and lied on the bed. I heated lavender oil and went to her. I sat beside her and started massaging slowly with lavender oil on her abdomen to cure her menstrual cramps. She smiled looking at me.

"You are the best husband."

"I don't know whether it's true or not but it's true that I love you so much. I can't see you even in little pain. I will try removing your every pain as much as possible to me" I said.

I gave ginger tea to cure the stomach ache. I took my wife into my arms, and she slept keeping her head on my chest. I kissed her hairs. She was looking cute and innocent like a baby while sleeping. I love her so much, and she is adorable.

I wanted to do something that makes her understand that I repent for my mistakes. She forgave me with love, but I need to prove myself. I should do something which makes my mom and wife proud of me. She was right; repenting without doing anything is not true repentance. I decided what to do.

My wife's reputation and dignity are equally important to me as my own life. I decided what gift I should give her when she returns to India. I will surprise her. She will see a new Agni in whom there will be no bad qualities. She will be proud to say that I am her husband. That's one gift among three gifts which I planned to give her.

I should also stop yelling at her for everything. I should change my behaviour towards her. She is a human, and she too has feelings. I must end this nonsense of scolding and punishing her for everything. I promise you my Sona; I will change my ridiculous behaviour for you though you accepted me as I am. You are pulling me into the light from darkness. I love you, angel. I kissed her again and slept happily deciding to make her happy and more pleased.