5. Strain

Arjun's PoV

I am now driving to Preethi's house. Preethi's married life is at strain now. She recently found that her husband has an illegitimate relationship. Preethi's wedding was an arranged marriage. She has been married for almost 6years now. Her life was going smoothly until 3months ago when she found some dirty texts on his phone.

Praveen and Preethi's family is an upper middle class family. I am an avid reader and I go to the library very regularly even at my very young age. I got their friendship when I was in second grade as their house was near the library that I went to and they were often seen outside the library playing. I started to make acquaintances with them in the time I waited outside for the car to come and pick me up. Preethi was the one that came and talked to me first. Our friendship grew stronger as the days passed and I started to go to the library just to spend some time with them. I am an introvert and I don't talk so easily to anyone. But with them, I was myself and I liked it. I even changed my school to be with them. My parents were glad that I made friends and never opposed the change of school after making acquaintance with Preethi and Praveen's parents. Our friendship has become stronger and tighter ever since, so is our parents'. 

Preethi got married when we were 24 years old. Her husband's name was Nilesh and he was 29 years old during their marriage. He spoke very nicely to all of us and we all worked with so much happiness in her wedding. Preethi had a baby girl the very next year of their wedding, her name is Avni. Avni is now 5 years old. 

"Preethi!" I knocked on the door of her room. She is now in her parents' home. Aunty and uncle are devastated and are not ready to talk it through. Even though she found out about her husband's cheating, she tried to fix it up. After 3 long months of struggle she finally realized that her husband is far from retrieving. She came here last week and refused to open up the door for anybody.

"Preethi, open up, dammit!" I kicked on the door out of frustration. Preethi is a bubbly girl. She is a carefree girl that lived in the moment. She never had any big dreams but was happy and satisfied with every little thing she has got. She has lost herself for that douchebag.

"Preethi!" I shouted at the top of my voice and the door opened up.

"Ajju!" She called me. I couldn't recognize the bubbly girl that I know. She was standing there like a ragged painting that lost all its color and glory. 

"Preethi!" I took a step forward and that was all she needed to rush to me breaking into tears.

"Ajju, I... I want to end my life, Ajju. I don't want to live but what will happen to Avni? Will you take care of her?" she leaned on my shoulders putting her arms around my neck. 

"Shhh, Preeth, Come in. calm down!" I tried to calm her down. I made her sit on the bed and gave her water. I sat beside her and tried to talk some sense into her.

"Preeth, listen to me. Marriage is not the only thing that life has to offer you. You have Avni! She is a beautiful soul that God has given you. She will make your life colorful and beautiful. We are all with you. He is a scoundrel and you want to cry over him? He is not worthy to have you. You are a pearl and he is not the right man for you. Come with me to our office. Make yourself busy with work. This will pass soon." I know this cannot be forgotten or moved on in a blink of a day but still I tried to make her feel better.

"Ajju, promise me that you will take care of Avni." she asked me without any reaction.

"Preethi!" I pulled her face towards me and her eyes had no life. I could not see her like this.

"You want me to kill that scoundrel?" I asked her.

She nodded NO!

"You want me to end his affair?"

She nodded No!

"You really wish to live with that douchebag?" I am out of patience now.

She nodded No again.

"God, what is your problem, Preeth?" I asked her.

"I want to die!" she said for which I slapped her hard across her face. Aunty and uncle came running to the room but stopped right on the doorstep. They could do nothing but cry.

"Are you insane? You want to take your life for that bastard? Then what are we to you? We are not as important as him to you? Look at them. What will they do if you die? Avni? She already has no dad. Do you wish for your child to live without mom too?" I asked her.

"I loved him, Ajju. You won't understand. I loved him with all my heart. I thought he loved me too. I could not take this betrayal, Ajju. My heart feels heavy that it may stop any minute. I cannot live like this forever, Ajju!" she cried, hugging me and aunty and uncle broke their silent cries and joined her.

I could do nothing but give her shoulder to cry on. She is depressed. It is not good for her nor her parents. 

"Preeth, look at me. Do you believe me?" I asked her. She nodded Yes.

"Be ready tomorrow at 9am. I will be here to take you to a place. I want you to trust me and give me your time and your whole heart for one week. I promise that if you don't feel better at the end of one week, I will do as you ask." I told her.

"Ajju!" aunty exclaimed in shock but uncle stopped her and took her away. Preethi looked at me and tried to smile in which she failed. I took her leave and went out to talk to aunty and uncle.

"I am so sorry to have hit her uncle." I told him.

"No, Ajju. You have all the rights to take care of her. She refused to open the door for us. We are happy that she at last opened it. We trust you, Ajju. Take her in your hands" Uncle told me while holding my hands together.

"She is in depression, Aunty. It should be treated properly. She needs counseling. I will take good care of her aunty." I told her.

"She is blessed to have your friendship, Ajju. Give my daughter back to me!" Aunty said.

"I will aunty. Make sure she eats well and get her ready by 9am tomorrow." I took their leave and started driving home.

I called Rishab, my friend whose sister is a psychologist. 

"Hi, Rishab. How are you?" I asked him as he picked up the call.

"I am good, Arjun. How are you?"

"Good. I need a favor from you."

"I knew it when I saw your call. Tell me, man."

"I want an appointment with your sister tomorrow."

"Are you ok?" He asked me. Yeah, everyone thinks like this because I am a failure in my married life.

"I am perfectly alright. It is for my friend." I told him.

"Ok, da. Can’t say no to you. I will ask her to free her morning for you."

"Thank you so much, da."

"I know you wont ask for favors easily. So it must be important. Don't mention it, da."

"Ok, da. Take care. Bye."

I got off the phone and called Praveen.

"Where are you Praveen?"

"In the lab, Ajju. Will start to go home in 30minutes." he said.

"Sharanya didn't call you yet? It's already 9pm." I asked him as his wife is too strict with timings. She often tells me to leave him early. Praveen lives in a separate home that is close to his parents home.

"No, da. She knows the situation now. She must have thought that I am with Preeth."

"I just came from home, da. You go home and make sure Preethi eats. She will be fine. Bring Avni to my home da. Your home is very gloomy for that little girl. She will be happy with Tarun."

"She opened up the door?"

"She did. Bring Avni tomorrow to my home. Pack her things for a week." I told him.

"Ok da!"

I stopped the car at the corner of the road and leaned on the steering. Why is this happening to Preethi? My life is already a hell and now her's too? Why do people always break the heart that has love in it? She says I can't understand. But I can! I know the pain of love being refused. I know the pain of taking up betrayal. I have experienced it!