Her Second-Hand Husband! novel Chapter 32

Anika's PoV

Would he think I am desperate, if I message him? He will!

'Hello Arjun, if I am not disturbing you, may I ask if there is anything positive regarding my job?'

I composed this message but was hesitant to send it. He would think that I am starting a talk deliberately. Or what if he thinks that I don't even know that he is a possible to-be groom for me? Then he won't think bad of me for texting him. Besides, it's been two weeks since I sent my resume to him. He is a busy man and it is my responsibility to follow-up on him. I need that job after-all. I hit the send button. Soon after he read the message, he started typing a reply to me. I waited impatiently for him to finish typing and send a response to me.

'Hi Anika, Sorry, I missed sending you the venue of the interview. I thought it would be helpful for you if you work in Coimbatore itself. That way, you can take care of your family and it will benefit you in savings also. My friend owns a software company named 'Nishta Solutions' in Saravanampatti. It is located on the second floor of the tidel park. You can visit him tomorrow at 10AM for the interview. Tell them your name and that will do. All the best.'

Wow, he can talk this long? Ok, he did what he promised. He is so considerate and thoughtful to have fixed an interview in Coimbatore itself. It is just like he heard my mind voice. He is just climbing to the hilltop in my heart with his goodness. I feel like his goodness is filling in me and it makes me feel elated. Why is mom so adamant in rejecting him?

'Thank you so much, Arjun. I will never forget this timely help. I am sure I will ace the interview. I will talk to you after I am done with the interview tomorrow. Thanks again.' I sent it to him and ran out to tell this to mom.

"Ma, happy news. Arjun sir just texted me with the details of an interview tomorrow. The best part is it is here in Saravanampatti. I just have to make my resume and things ready." I told her.

"Oh, thank god. I know you will do good. All the best, Anu. Prepare yourself for the interview." she said with a happy smile.

"I am already prepared, ma. He is a very nice man, ma." I told her.

"Yes, he is. I wish him all goodness in his life." she said looking up above.

"Am I not good enough for him, ma?" I asked her and I want to cut my tongue for saying that out loud. That was so dumb.

"Anu?" my mom looked at me with wide eyes.

"Nothing, Ma." I tried to leave but she stopped me.

"Anu, he is a divorcee. His wife went missing. He is 29years old. And above all, you hate him."

"A divorcee with no fault on him. I remember you asked me, How can you hold him responsible for something that is not his fault? Do you think Anamika akka disappeared because of him? I know you don't think that. He is 29, what's wrong? I am going to be 22 next month. The age gap between you and dad is 10years. You are both happy. Above all, he is a good man and I don't hate him." I told her. I don't know why I am doing this. Maybe it is time that I give in to that damn feeling inside me instead of denying it.

"Why are you doing this, Anu? Have you heard Sivaprakasam periyappa talk?" she asked me.

"I did, but..."

"No Anu. I can see what you are trying to do. You don't have to sacrifice your life for our well-being. We can't trade your life for our selfish gains." she said. God! How can I tell her that I am not sacrificing anything by marrying him but I am marrying him out of my likeness towards him?

"Not that, ma. You know that except that it is his second marriage, there is nothing you can point out to reject him. And I don't see that as a problem at all." I told her. How will I tell my mom that I like him and I am happy to marry him when my mom thinks that I am struggling with a break-up? I just broke up with my boyfriend and I am ready to marry another man just like that? It sounds so ugly.

"You have insulted him every time you saw him and yet you want to marry him? You like him?" my mom asked me, for which I stayed quiet. I could not say that out loud. Something was stopping me from doing it.

"Anu, think it through. Don't make decisions hastily. If you like him, we don't have anything to stop this except that it is his second marriage. Again, if you are OK with that, we are OK too. They are a very good family and he is a very good man. I am telling you again, only if you like him. Don't you dare think of all the benefits periyappa told. We can live without it." my mom told me and left me alone.