03-10-2025, 12:47 PM
Chapter 94: A Test of Resolve
Nivi woke to the gentle hum of a new day, the weekend stretching ahead with its usual rhythm. The apartment buzzed with the kids’ laughter as they played with their toys, the scent of fresh dosa wafting from the kitchen where her mother-in-law worked her magic. Nivi moved through the morning in her nighty, the fabric soft against her skin, helping the boys with a puzzle, then tidying the living room. The trolley of outfits sat quietly, a reminder of her growing confidence, but the day felt ordinary—laundry, a quick meal, the kids’ chatter filling the gaps. Her legs, still faintly sore from the park visit, eased with each step, the weekend’s intensity fading into routine.
Saturday passed in a blur of domesticity. She cooked lunch with her mother-in-law, the kids spilling rice in their excitement, and they watched a cartoon together, the TV’s colors dancing on the walls. The shimmering leggings and light kurta from yesterday were folded away, replaced by a simple salwar suit for the day’s ease. The evening brought more play—tag in the small courtyard, the boys’ giggles echoing, Nivi’s energy matching theirs despite the lingering ache. The night closed with bedtime stories, the kids drifting off, and Nivi sinking into the couch, the week’s weight lifting slightly.
Sunday morning dawned with the same quiet comfort. Nivi helped the kids dress, their toy car and dinosaur in tow, and they played board games, the living room a mess of laughter and scattered pieces. Her mother-in-law prepared a spicy chutney, the kitchen alive with aromas, and they ate together, the meal a warm break. The afternoon stretched with more play—drawing, a makeshift race with the car—Nivi’s kurta getting smudged with crayon marks, the day a gentle flow of family time.
As the sun dipped toward evening, the kids dragged Nivi outside for one last game, the courtyard filled with their shouts. She chased them, her salwar suit fluttering, when her mother-in-law stepped out, wiping her hands on her saree, a thoughtful look on her face. “Nivi, aren’t you going to the park today? That Rajendar fellow?” Her voice was casual but probing, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Nivi paused, catching her breath, the kids running circles. “Raghavan said he’s only there on Saturdays. I went yesterday with you all.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, brushing sweat from her brow.
Her mother-in-law tilted her head, a sly smile forming. “Yesterday, he mentioned weekends, not just Saturday. Why not go alone today? Spend some time with him. I’ll handle the kids.” Her voice was encouraging, her hand resting on Nivi’s arm.
Nivi looked at her, surprise flashing in her eyes. “You seem more eager than me! What’s this about?” Her voice was curious, the kids’ play fading as she focused.
The older woman laughed softly, her gaze distant. “I wasted my life hesitating, postponing decisions—that’s why I’m like this now. I don’t want you to do the same. There’s a selfish side too—I don’t want my last years in poverty. Anand won’t care for me; you’re the one I’ve got. I need you successful, and I’ll support whatever you do. Don’t end up like me, stuck and silent.” Her words were raw, her hand squeezing Nivi’s arm, the saree swaying in the breeze.
Nivi stood still, the words sinking in, her mind racing. She’s right—hesitation held her back, she thought, the courtyard’s noise a distant hum. She nodded slowly, her resolve hardening. “Okay. I’ll go. Thanks for the push—and the support.” Her voice was steady, gratitude mixing with determination.
Her mother-in-law smiled, patting her cheek. “Good girl. Go get him—or at least try. I’ve got the kids.” Her tone was playful, her eyes twinkling as she shooed Nivi inside.
Nivi headed to her room, her heart pounding with the new plan. Test him, she thought, deciding to dress bolder than yesterday to see if Rajendar noticed. She chose a deep red kurta, the fabric clinging to her curves, paired with shimmering black leggings that hugged her legs, the dupatta a light accent to draw the eye. She checked the mirror, the outfit sexy yet subtle, her figure outlined without being overt. Will he look? she wondered, a thrill running through her, the power of her beauty stirring.
She grabbed a small bag, kissed the kids goodbye—her mother-in-law waving with a mischievous grin—and stepped out, the evening air cool against her skin. The walk to the park was short, the streets quieting as families settled in, the park’s green expanse coming into view. She entered, the grass soft underfoot, the dogs’ distant barks a faint call, and found a bench near the tree where Rajendar had been the day before.
Nivi waited, her red kurta catching the fading light, the shimmering leggings reflecting it subtly. She watched the path, expecting Rajendar, her mind replaying his gentle dog-feeding moment. Minutes ticked by, the park growing quieter, families leaving, the dogs pacing near the corner. The sun dipped lower, the sky turning orange, but he didn’t appear. Where is he? she thought, her confidence wavering.
The dogs grew restless, their eyes hopeful, and Nivi couldn’t resist. She walked to a nearby vendor, buying a pack of biscuits, the crinkle of the packet loud in the stillness. She returned, kneeling by the dogs, breaking the biscuits into pieces. “Here, sweeties,” she said, her voice soft, feeding them one by one, their tails wagging, the fur soft under her hands.
As she petted them, her mind wandered. Should I head home? she thought, the evening deepening, the park nearly empty. Or wait longer? What’s next? The dogs nuzzled her, the red kurta brushing the grass, the shimmering leggings dusty, her thoughts a mix of frustration and resolve as the chapter ended.
Nivi woke to the gentle hum of a new day, the weekend stretching ahead with its usual rhythm. The apartment buzzed with the kids’ laughter as they played with their toys, the scent of fresh dosa wafting from the kitchen where her mother-in-law worked her magic. Nivi moved through the morning in her nighty, the fabric soft against her skin, helping the boys with a puzzle, then tidying the living room. The trolley of outfits sat quietly, a reminder of her growing confidence, but the day felt ordinary—laundry, a quick meal, the kids’ chatter filling the gaps. Her legs, still faintly sore from the park visit, eased with each step, the weekend’s intensity fading into routine.
Saturday passed in a blur of domesticity. She cooked lunch with her mother-in-law, the kids spilling rice in their excitement, and they watched a cartoon together, the TV’s colors dancing on the walls. The shimmering leggings and light kurta from yesterday were folded away, replaced by a simple salwar suit for the day’s ease. The evening brought more play—tag in the small courtyard, the boys’ giggles echoing, Nivi’s energy matching theirs despite the lingering ache. The night closed with bedtime stories, the kids drifting off, and Nivi sinking into the couch, the week’s weight lifting slightly.
Sunday morning dawned with the same quiet comfort. Nivi helped the kids dress, their toy car and dinosaur in tow, and they played board games, the living room a mess of laughter and scattered pieces. Her mother-in-law prepared a spicy chutney, the kitchen alive with aromas, and they ate together, the meal a warm break. The afternoon stretched with more play—drawing, a makeshift race with the car—Nivi’s kurta getting smudged with crayon marks, the day a gentle flow of family time.
As the sun dipped toward evening, the kids dragged Nivi outside for one last game, the courtyard filled with their shouts. She chased them, her salwar suit fluttering, when her mother-in-law stepped out, wiping her hands on her saree, a thoughtful look on her face. “Nivi, aren’t you going to the park today? That Rajendar fellow?” Her voice was casual but probing, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Nivi paused, catching her breath, the kids running circles. “Raghavan said he’s only there on Saturdays. I went yesterday with you all.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, brushing sweat from her brow.
Her mother-in-law tilted her head, a sly smile forming. “Yesterday, he mentioned weekends, not just Saturday. Why not go alone today? Spend some time with him. I’ll handle the kids.” Her voice was encouraging, her hand resting on Nivi’s arm.
Nivi looked at her, surprise flashing in her eyes. “You seem more eager than me! What’s this about?” Her voice was curious, the kids’ play fading as she focused.
The older woman laughed softly, her gaze distant. “I wasted my life hesitating, postponing decisions—that’s why I’m like this now. I don’t want you to do the same. There’s a selfish side too—I don’t want my last years in poverty. Anand won’t care for me; you’re the one I’ve got. I need you successful, and I’ll support whatever you do. Don’t end up like me, stuck and silent.” Her words were raw, her hand squeezing Nivi’s arm, the saree swaying in the breeze.
Nivi stood still, the words sinking in, her mind racing. She’s right—hesitation held her back, she thought, the courtyard’s noise a distant hum. She nodded slowly, her resolve hardening. “Okay. I’ll go. Thanks for the push—and the support.” Her voice was steady, gratitude mixing with determination.
Her mother-in-law smiled, patting her cheek. “Good girl. Go get him—or at least try. I’ve got the kids.” Her tone was playful, her eyes twinkling as she shooed Nivi inside.
Nivi headed to her room, her heart pounding with the new plan. Test him, she thought, deciding to dress bolder than yesterday to see if Rajendar noticed. She chose a deep red kurta, the fabric clinging to her curves, paired with shimmering black leggings that hugged her legs, the dupatta a light accent to draw the eye. She checked the mirror, the outfit sexy yet subtle, her figure outlined without being overt. Will he look? she wondered, a thrill running through her, the power of her beauty stirring.
She grabbed a small bag, kissed the kids goodbye—her mother-in-law waving with a mischievous grin—and stepped out, the evening air cool against her skin. The walk to the park was short, the streets quieting as families settled in, the park’s green expanse coming into view. She entered, the grass soft underfoot, the dogs’ distant barks a faint call, and found a bench near the tree where Rajendar had been the day before.
Nivi waited, her red kurta catching the fading light, the shimmering leggings reflecting it subtly. She watched the path, expecting Rajendar, her mind replaying his gentle dog-feeding moment. Minutes ticked by, the park growing quieter, families leaving, the dogs pacing near the corner. The sun dipped lower, the sky turning orange, but he didn’t appear. Where is he? she thought, her confidence wavering.
The dogs grew restless, their eyes hopeful, and Nivi couldn’t resist. She walked to a nearby vendor, buying a pack of biscuits, the crinkle of the packet loud in the stillness. She returned, kneeling by the dogs, breaking the biscuits into pieces. “Here, sweeties,” she said, her voice soft, feeding them one by one, their tails wagging, the fur soft under her hands.
As she petted them, her mind wandered. Should I head home? she thought, the evening deepening, the park nearly empty. Or wait longer? What’s next? The dogs nuzzled her, the red kurta brushing the grass, the shimmering leggings dusty, her thoughts a mix of frustration and resolve as the chapter ended.
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