Adultery A husband's mistake

[rahulishere]

With the sound of a meeting reminder in my mobile, I came back from my thoughts. Everything was fine with me, but when Sukanya narrated the incident, she told me that’s she felt like jumping off the terrace when she was afraid of the scenario. I hoped it was rhetoric. I also vowed to be careful and not go to any extreme ends. I knew she feels happy when the fun is within the limit. Or maybe the shock of the theatre incident still didn’t wane off. She also told me about the rude way she behaved with Sharath. I advised her request Meena to convey her regret to Sharath about the incident and told her not to think too much about anything that doesn’t bring her happiness. She accepted my advice with a smile. I know I have a lot to keep me busy but she should be feeling bored at home. She was also not very keen on working. Maybe because she was brought up in a conservative way. I was ok if she changed her mind. But I advised her to make friends, at least at our apartment.
‘Raghav, the meeting starts in 3 minutes.’ One of my colleagues reminded me.
I got up from the cafeteria and rushed to the conference hall. It was quite an uneventful day for me. At home Sukanya looked a little composed. While we were having coffee, Sukanya sat close to me and leaned on my shoulder.
Sukanya: You know, as you told, I went to Meena akka’s flat to convey my regret for my behaviour with Sharath. When I rang the calling bell, Meena akka came to the door. I conveyed her the message and told that I didn’t intend to hurt him. She suddenly asked me to say that myself. As she moved away from the door, I saw Sharath sitting on the sofa. I was worried if I went at the wrong time.
Me: Doesn’t he work? He seems to be at Meena’s flat all the time. (I joked)
Sukanya: Shut up and listen. (She said jokingly)
Sukanya: I felt so embarrassed facing him. Because I was not used to such scenario. He politely stood up and asked me to take a seat. I wanted to leave but I thought it would again be rude if I did that. I half heartedly went in and sat. I wanted to apologize to him, but he made me feel easy when he himself spoke about it. He said that he completely understood my situation and that he should not have unnecessarily disturbed me. I surprisingly felt at ease. They insisted to have a coffee, but I told them some other time and left.
Me: Good that you took the weight off your chest.
Sukanya: Yes. Now I feel better. And hey one more thing. Mrs Nair came this noon to invite us for the 60th birthday celebration of her husband Dinesh Nair uncle.
Me: Oh! That’s wonderful. I’m glad you are finally socializing.
Sukanya: I didn’t do anything. She only came and invited.
Me: Well, that’s a start. Try to make friends. I don’t like you being solitary when I keep myself busy. Also tell me if you have any ideas to keep yourself busy.
Sukanya: I don’t feel that bored. But I’ll think about it.
The birthday party was on the following Sunday and I had no issues attending it. They seem to have invited only the tenants from our floor as they are very private couple who do not mingle so freely. The party was Sunita Nair’s idea as she wanted to add a few friends to their lonely lives.
Sukanya asked me what to wear. I went to her wardrobe with her. I loved the black semi-transparent saree, but she refused to wear it. I understood her reason and didn’t insist. There was this maroon saree which I liked very much. It was neither transparent nor sexy, but even my wife’s sexy body made it look appealing. It was fixed that she would wear a maroon saree. 



We got ready and was all set to go for the party. We were actually early for the party as Mrs. Sunita Nair was setting things. Sukanya volunteered to help her. Mrs. Nair was very glad that Sukanya was so helpful and kind. I enjoyed their bonding as she helped her with the arrangements. I went to Mr Nair and initiated a conversation. He was polite, but a little introvert type. I tried to establish some friendship with him just that day despite the few years I stayed there as their neighbour. Maybe that’s why you need a lady in the house. With Sukanya’s help Mrs Nair was able to finish the work soon. Soon the tenants started coming in while Sukanya and Mrs Nair were in the kitchen wrapping up their work. First it was Mr. Rajasekar’s family that arrived who were introduced to me. He arrived with his wife Poornima and his second son Vishal and his youngest son Vimal. His eldest son was not able to make it as he was on duty. Mrs. Nair and Sukanya walked into the hall. Mr. Nair introduced Rajasekar’s family to Sukanya. I could sense a feeling of uneasy nostalgia, but she somehow coped it and forced a smile. Rajasekar introduced his wife and his two sons to Sukanya. She meekly smiled at them. When Vimal extended his hand to Sukanya. She hesitantly shook his hand for a brief time and rushed to help Mrs Nair who was grateful for her care. As Sukanya set the table Meena also made an entry. She came along with her kid. As soon as she came in, Mrs Nair eagerly took the kid from her and cuddled him. It was clearly evident that they miss their kids. I knew many elderly parents who feel proud of their children’s accomplishments, but when they leave them alone to pursue their career, they were left heartbroken. While the kids enjoyed the success, the old parents suffer solitude and negligence. I suddenly felt a sudden increase of love and respect for Mr Nair who was looking at Mrs Nair, controlling his tears. I felt ashamed of myself for not having noticed such a tragedy just next door. I moved closer to Mr Nair and suddenly hugged him close to my heart and said ‘Happy birthday, sir’ He hugged me back, but his grip was so tight that it seemed like he feared I’ll also leave him alone like his kids. I stayed like that for a few more seconds. Sukanya noticed it and she gave an emotional smile as she too held Mrs. Nair in an embrace. It felt as if they have got their kids back in another form. Mr. Nair realized that he was being too emotional. He moved away and cleared his throat. In a shaky tone he spoke.
Mr. Nair: Hello and welcome to all.
He again cleared his throat. I understood that he was trying not to break his emotional threshold.
Mr. Nair: As you know this is a rare occasion that we have a party of this kind as I’m not so inclined to parties. But on this occasion, I like to thank her for being with me all through my nagging and annoyance. She should be awarded for patiently putting with an old man like me. But I should confess that I couldn’t have made it so far without her. I’m glad you have honored our invitation. Thank you for coming.
Everyone of us were dumbfounded by such an emotional confession. I started loving my wife more after this scenario. Mrs. Nair was wiping her tears in a corner and Sukanya cheered her up. We all clapped for the couple. While the cake was served, we started engaging with each other. At one stage Vimal happened to strike a conversation with Sukanya. He looked like a jovial kind. He seemed to be very casual and natural. I can sense Sukanya’s heart beat rising as he spoke with her. She shyly smiled as a response. I can understand why she felt uneasy. As he spoke for a few minutes, I saw Sukanya felt normal and started talking in response. I appreciated Vimal engaging capacity. I moved ahead and began to talk with Mr. Nair. He was not an expressive kind, but I tried. Mrs. Nair also joined us. She thanked me for bringing Sukanya and she appreciated about her caring nature. I’m glad not only that Sukanya is making friends. I was also glad that this couple have got some hope in her form. As I was talking to the old couple, I saw that Rajasekar was having a conversation with Meena. Looks like he is trying to make friendship with her. Rajasekar was a 60-year-old and he should be more likely talking with the old couple. But instead, he is talking to Meena. I was getting a feeling that he was trying to impress her with his wits. I sense that when I saw him laughing at everything, he himself says and I felt that Meena was forcing a laugh as it was not really funny. His wife who was carrying the kid didn’t seem to mind his flirting. His second son seemed to be a shy type and he was eating the cake sitting in a corner. I felt like the time flew like a wind. I was happy that I got the acquaintance with the old couple as it served as a relief to them too. A little later I saw that Vimal was getting very friendly with my wife. She seemed happy with his company. I let them alone and I moved to talk to Rajasekar. He was also almost same age as Mr. Nair, but this guy looked a little younger with the kind of dress and his attitude. He didn’t seem to leave the company of Meena. When I joined them, he smiled at me, but I could sense that I had broken his progress. Meena smiled at me and said ‘Although we are neighbors, it’s a rare occasion to meet. Maybe we should meet often. Afterall, we are not a crowded community.’ I agreed with her. The couple had arranged dinner for us. I sat with Sukanya while we had dinner. While she served me food, Vimal sat on her other side. As he had the gulab jamun, he said ‘Ummm, this is really tasty. You should try it. Let me bring it for you.’ He said and went to the delicacies even before we objected it. He brought two cups of gulab jamun and gave it to both of us. I thanked him and ate it in silence when he was continuously chattering about his college life and his friends around here. Finally, the dinner came to an end. I thanked Mr. and Mrs. Nair for having invited us for the party, but they thanked us in return for coming. ‘It made our day. It had been every long since we had so much fun.’ Mr Nair confessed. We hugged with a good night.
When we reached home, I was silently sitting in the hall, lost in thoughts. Sukanya came and sat beside me.
Sukanya: What are you thinking about?
Me: I have been here for more than two years but I was oblivious to the pain they were suffering. It must be a terrible life for them living in solitude when they have children who don’t seem to mind their parent’s suffering.
Sukanya: I agree with you. They don’t deserve the suffering.
Me: I’m also glad you could make a few friends.
Sukanya: Yeah. Me too. Nair aunty is so sweet.
She hesitated for a moment.
Sukanya: That guy Vimal was talking to me continuously like a chatterbox. You know what?
Me: What?
Sukanya: He asked me for my number.
I was surprised but not shocked.
Me: Ok
Sukanya: I did not give him. I told him that it’s a new number and I have not memorized it and I don’t have the phone with me.
Being a neighbor, it’s not a big deal to get her number. I also have no issues if he did, because I trust my wife.