Her Second-Hand Husband! novel Chapter 17

Anika's PoV

Our home is devastated is a very small word to describe our state now. My dad lost his job and as he was not working in a government office, he got very little benefits from his industry. It really never was supple to even cover his hospital expenses. Every time I saw my dad, the feeling of guilt that surged through my veins knew no bounds. It literally kills me. Though mom consoled me saying that it is not my fault and dad already had this condition, I know deep in my heart that this happened because of me.

I called up Arun to let him know of my condition. But he already knew of it from Nithya but he decided not to call me. I was in a way, relieved that it won't be that hard for me to ask him to stay away from me.

"Hi Anu, how are you doing?" he asked me like it's usual when I called him three days later, after we came back from hospital.

"I am not good, Arun. My dad..." I couldn't finish it as I couldn't control my cries.

"Shhh, relax Anu. I know. Nithya told me on Monday."

"What? Then why didn't you call me?" I asked him in complete dismay.

"I wanted to give you your space, Anu. I didn't know your situation. So I restrained myself from calling you. I waited for you to call me when situations are better."

"Oh, you could have at least messaged me. Nevermind, I want to tell you something."

"I know, your mom and dad know about us! Nithya told me that too." he said. Apparently, when I spoke to her in the hospital, I told her everything out of my guilty conscience. She had told him everything. Everything including that I am feeling guilty that it is because of me and yet he didn't try to console me or make me feel better.

"Oh, all I wanted to ask you is some time, Arun. You concentrate on your job hunt. I will do mine. Let's get things better at both of our ends. We will convince my dad when it is the right time." I told him.

"Come on, Anu. Your dad's consent is not important anymore. If your mom is fine with us, why do we want to take a break?"

"Shut up, Arun. How dare you talk like this? He is my father and he is important to me no matter what."

"Relax, Anu. I am sorry. Long distance relationships don't work properly. And you are asking me to wait even without talking to you. It is so hard, Anu. You know I can't stay away from you." he said which actually soothed my hurt heart.

"Please understand, Arun. At Least we have to wait until you find a decent job."

"Huh, ok. I don't want to force you anymore. If you are sure that this is what you want with us, I am fine. I will come back to you when I get a job. But remember, I love you!" he said before disconnecting my call. I felt a lot better than before calling him.

I finished my exams more than good given my current state of mind. I am sure I will pass it with the distinction. Advay was very broken when he saw dad in this state. But my mom and I supported him well and made him write his final exams. He knew our present condition and made up a part-time job in the nearby supermarket. We took the bank savings that dad saved for my wedding. It is that money that keeps us going for the past month.

I was eagerly waiting for the call letter or mail for the final round of interview from the two companies that I was selected in. But later we realized that it was vain to wait for them because my seniors told us that they were still waiting to hear from them. Apparently, the companies just come to the campus to conduct interviews just because they have tied up with our college. Our college just pays them to come to campus interviews to add it to their prospectus and the companies never really offer jobs to our college students. I was more than broken then.

I asked my H.O.D to offer me a job as his assistant to help him finish his Phd. As everyone in my college knows my dad's condition, he readily gave me that work and paid me. I had to just type and edit his work in the document and I thought I could do it at home. So I also asked my OS lecturer to provide me with the lab assistant work. She talked to the management very quickly and made it happen. So now I work in the lab as the lab assistant and gather the works from my HOD and do it in the evenings at home. I also take up bouquets making orders from my mom's clients.

It is graduation day at my college today and I have loads of work to do. All the certificates and medals are in my custody and I have it ordered as per the ranks and alphabets. I saw the invitation for graduation day. It said chairman Shravan and chairman Arjun!

ARJUN! I don't know what has happened to me but I felt like I have seen him before. Ever since I saw him back in my granny's home, he always disturbs me in my sleep. Those pitiful eyes, I hate them. His car, his looks, his eyes, his clothes all scream of money and his pitied eyes are filled with sarcasm. Though I hate him, I could not deny that attraction I had for him. And I hate him more for that. I know it is not fair that I hate him for the attraction I felt for him but that helps me keep his thoughts at bay.

I banged my head for my irrelevant thoughts and started to get ready to go to college. I reached my college in time and ran to the auditorium to set things up for the function. The intercom in the auditorium rang and I was the one near it.