Chapter-1

On the outside of the home, we all had been experiencing minor weather changes in the last few days. The difference in temperature was not only definite but scheduled as well. That was the other thing. It was proceeding slowly and smoothly, but we could not deny the fact that it was not showing up in the atmosphere? We could witness it and felt that the daytime was getting shorter and shorter than usual. At the same time, we did not feel the sun's heat that intense, so men and women did not mind stepping and staying outside a bit longer during the day hours and finishing all the outside chores.

To be honest, they were fine with the idea of staying out a little longer. They wanted to finish their daily tasks in the daytime, without wasting time. Accordingly, the night was getting longer, and colder, so, despite that, people preferred to get back to their families and stay in their respective homes before it got dark outside. Roads and all used to have a lifeless and vacant look after nine o "clock. What to talk about roads? Even the dogs' barking used to echo and scare the people staying inside the closed doors. Sensible and mature residents hardly ever try to step out, as long as there was a dire need then.

I remembered the same roads and alleys used to relate some interesting as well as different stories until a few days back. They looked full of life until a few days ago, even after 7 or 8 o'clock for two more hours. The list of the changes added more and more and gave us a significant indication that autumn was about to take adieu, guys, and then it was the turn of winter to approach.

Therefore, all the people needed to get ready to welcome and encounter the changes and challenges accordingly. It was happening so gradually that both men and women could feel it and prime themselves for that change.

But, what if something happens all of a sudden, and you are not prepared to deal with it? One day, we will all experience that sort of thing in our lives. The changes are beyond our expectations and may be the turning point in our lives. It affects not only us, but also those large numbers of people who were connected with us in some way or another. If an unexpected thing happens in our favour, it increases our delight many times over and helps us to be a better person. But many times, it can cause us to live a life full of grief. And in such circumstances, how maturely we handle the situation without getting hyper set the strong basis of our future.

That morning, whoever was at home would have witnessed and experienced the same thing; it was not only an unprecedented event in that house, but it was also beyond anyone's wildest imagination.

But that single event gave me a clear warning that something terribly bad was about to happen in my life, and it was high time to prepare to face that upcoming danger with all my strength. I could not comment on the rest of the people, but my daughters and I were indeed lost and confused to a great length. It was a typical morning for all of us, which began with similar regular activities.

There was nothing to show it might be unusual.

We were occupied with our respective daily chores or, if not occupied with some work, certainly pretending to be occupied. The kids had got ready for school, and I was assisting them with finishing their food quickly. It was not the first time; I did it. Actually, they were a bit fussy about having a meal, so; I had to struggle hard to make them have their breakfast quickly and rushed to school. Ravi was acquainted with the whole thing.

In the meantime, Ravi had also got ready for the office. He was about to come to the dining table for breakfast. I always had a meal after they left in the morning with ease. Because I found it hard to swallow the food when Ravi was around. In addition to that, I did not remember Ravi, and we did not have any meals together, except for a couple of occasions.

Ravi got down the stairs and sat on the chair for breakfast. All at once, he held my hand, asked me to sit by his side, and we had breakfast. I was literally, astounded and his behaviour seemed to be outlandish. Candidly, I could not believe my ears, and at the same time, I would not say I liked the way he held my hands and asked me to sit by her. However, I kept myself in check from reacting. I thought, maybe I might have heard something wrong.

But my doubt was confirmed when he insisted on my doing the same. I just said,

"Let me ensure the kids have their food quickly; after that, I will have my food."

Then, we all witnessed something beyond the imagination of each of us; that was the abrupt aggressive swing in Ravi's temperament that day.

I was afraid to say that over ten years had passed since our marriage, but I had experienced none of Ravi's temperaments rather than a frosty attitude toward me so far. I could not come to know why he was so bitter towards me from the beginning. However, I was accustomed to it then. I was equally not pleased with being married to him, but then I wanted to give my marriage a chance. But before long, I made myself understand that it was merely a waste of time to invest your energy there.

There were no benefits to draining oneself before a stony and frosty person like him. Therefore, long back, I had accepted his indifferent attitude toward me. It did not affect me anymore for a bit until it did affect my comfortable and lavish lifestyle. I could not deny the fact that I loved myself more than anything else in the world.

That was the only reason his behaviour seemed abnormal and hard to digest for each one of us, but it was a fact that morning; he was a completely changed person before us, especially after so many years of marriage to me. It was next to impossible for those who knew him well to believe and digest simultaneously, but; it had occurred that very morning. He went off, which was not only unexpected but also unprecedented.

It shook the entire house and quieted everyone. In a fit of anger, he threw all the food laid on the table. The kids were utterly lost and shocked to catch sight of their father's fierce look. As of now, their father loved them. He did not get tired of showering all his love on them. But that day, he gave an excellent scold to each of them and passed the bloody buck on them unnecessarily, even when they had committed no mistake. He made a fake and baseless accusation against them.

"You guys should shame yourself. What sort of kid are you after all? Despite growing up enough, you people cannot do even the slightest thing on your own. A number of times, this thought comes across my mind that, in reality, you people are nothing but selfish enough. You cannot let your parents sit together and have breakfast; you cannot realize that just because of you people, your mother, who is my wife as well, does not take care of me.

You, people, are responsible for not letting us spend some time together. I am fed up with you people, and I have made up my mind. I will put both of you into some boarding school before long if you remain like this and do not change yourselves. And right now, get out of my sight. "

I was well aware that whatever the charges he had pressed right then on, my daughters were absolutely fake as well as full of lies. I could not commit the mistake of denying the fact that I was staying in that house just because of those two kids. Anyway, they were filled with fear and began to cry, as I had never seen.

Actually, they were not in the habit of being scolded. Perhaps the first time it occurred to them that their father would have howled at them like anything, and that too, before so many people around them. Then he rushed to the office in a fit of anger, leaving them crying behind bitterly. They were so scared that they began to tremble severely and pee in their clothes. And frankly speaking, the first time it happened to me, I didn't particularly appreciate the way he gave scolding to my kids. Moreover, they did not seem at fault to me anywhere.

In fact, I did not want to think about it for the next five years and more. Hardly, I had just gotten married and four months had been spent off. I wanted to explore and enjoy my life, and I would not mind enjoying it without my husband's stuff. My head literally began to reel fast after hearing the bloody news, and at the same time, my mind had ceased to function for a few minutes.

I was cursing myself repeatedly. What did I do with myself? Why did not take some precautionary measures? Having a baby was a huge responsibility, and I was not mentally prepared to carry that responsibility.

A few days back, I had made a plan to go shopping with my group of friends, and after that, we would have lunch at some fancy restaurant in the city as usual. Yes, I had a group of six ladies. And there were plenty of things common among us. First, we were all leading a dull and boring married life despite being beautiful and sexy enough. Our husbands did not bother us. Even after that, we did not stay behind to make a fake claim that our husbands loved us a lot. Besides, they always showered us with gifts and surprises.

Then I had half mind about going shopping after knowing about that unceremonious news. I was despondent from the inside and felt like sobbing. At that moment, I just wished to drive home right away and spend some time all alone. But I knew, it would be a great blunder for my side if I made some excuse and dropped the plan to go shopping.

My so-called bright and fake friends would doubt my real intention immediately that I was trying to hide something from them, and they would take no time to begin to spy on me. And as far as I knew them, they would not take much time to look for the hidden secret and spread it all across the city, adding some more spices.

As it was, somehow, they had gained knowledge that I had been coming to them after paying a visit to the gynaecologist. Reluctantly, but having a fake mask of a smile and excitement, I accompanied them. When they inquired about my visit to the clinic, I told them it was just a regular visit, nothing more than that. Although I could have sensed, they were not content with my response, by God's grace, they preferred to remain quiet and concentrate on shopping at that time.

They showed on their faces that they counted on me what I said, but I knew at heart they did not believe my version. Then I was the target of their snooping. While shopping, physically, I was there, but mentally I was just thinking about my unwanted bloody pregnancy and the way to get rid of that problem without further ado.

I was in an awful mood until, unintended, I blew the money on my absurd shopping like water. And the worst thing was knowing I was just shopping randomly. Even my friends were surprised, observing I did not take much time to pick up the pieces of stuff, but they stayed quiet. After that, we went for lunch there in an exorbitant restaurant. As soon as I got there, I got the expected restrained and threatening message from my bloody husband,

"No more shopping this month should happen. It is enough, or I will make your card blocked permanently. "

The weather was extremely horrid outside. We were profusely wet with our sweat. They all certainly got great relief after getting inside the restaurant. But I could not claim the same as them. I was drained physically and mentally. I was undoubtedly sitting there and listening to their talk, but in a passive manner. In fact, I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I could not register what the five were talking about at that time. I had little food. I ate quietly there and was able to foot the bill for my part.

By the time I reached back home, it was four o'clock. It was no doubt a very hectic day for me. More than that, I was worn out mentally. I was overwhelmed with the fear that Ravi would undoubtedly give me a good scold for spending so much money that day. I did not get at all what explanation I would provide for so much expenditure and how I would save my skin.

My mind was constantly jogging without any respite. I tried my best to give it a break to think, but I failed in all my attempts. And I was not getting what should be my next course of action to get rid of that existing problem as soon as possible? A lot of confusion was going into my mind, and it was a tragedy that I did not have a single person in my life with whom I could share my problems and lighten my burden.

There was for the namesake; I had an extensive list of family in my life from both sides, as well as I had a bunch of friends in my life. Even then, I was alone in the entire world.