Their Equal Share

15.And I will

Niranjana p.o.v.

I started to prepare the sweet in which I am very good-Mysore Pak.First I took all purpose or gram flour four cups and sieved it from dust and lumps.Next I took two and half cup of ghee,after heating the ghee I added all four cups of flour into the ghee and mixing it completely in a thick liquid consistency.By mixing like this we can get softer Mysore Pak.If ghee is not sufficient we can add little oil into it.On the other hand I took three cups of sugar and little water and made a sugar syrup.

After heating it for nearly 5 to 10 minutes I took the little syrup between my forefinger and thumb and pulled it, when I was sure that it formed into single thread consistency I added the mixed batter of ghee and flour into the syrup and started stirring it under low flame.I kept stirring it continuously and again in between I added another cup of ghee,so that it would leave the sides of pan and become non-sticky.After continuous stirring for nearly 20 minutes under low flame,the mixture turned frothy and porous.

I had already placed a tray greased with ghee,After switching off the stove I immediately transferred the mixture into the tray and gently leveled it with a spoon.After 10 minutes I cut into small rectangular pieces.All the pieces were soft and the aroma of ghee filled the kitchen.

When the breakfast table was set,the maids helped me to take my sweets to the table. "Hmm...the sweet smells delicious I should really taste it." my father-in-law told by eyeing my sweet. "Don't say you had made your special Mysore pak today.Because I can smell the aroma." Harini said while entering the dinning room.

"Ofcourse dear she had done it."my mother said on behalf me."Then I must really taste it.She makes best Mysore pak." my cousin Rishi interrupted by taking his seat.

"I really can't wait to taste it by listening to all your praises." my mother-in-law butted in.Every body took their places including Surya.All tasted my sweet and really praised me."Your handmade sweet is really delicious Niranjana" Ram appreciated me.

"If you stay here and often prepare such tasty sweets then I will soon become a diabetes patient." my father-in-law said for which my mother-in-law nodded in agreement.I could see again that pride in my parents eyes.

Everybody told their opinions but except one my-so-called-husband.After knowing his opinion yesterday,I didn't expect him to comment.I had made the people little happy who really cared for me.Who wanted me to be happy.But still I expected him to give his comments at least for formality in front of the family.

I saw Ram and my mother-in-law eyeing him often whenever he took a bite from my sweet.I think they too expected him to tell something,but he seemed to be not caring and he was willingly out of the table conversation.He finished his food before everyone and returned back to his room.Yes his room.When he cannot accept me then I too cannot accept his room as mine.

"Ram...call Surya here."my father-in-law said to Ram when everyone completed their food.Ram nodded and went upstairs to bring him down.Surya came down with Ram after few minutes."Surya,Niranjana,you both have to leave for Salem as a ritual after marriage.

."We will be leaving today afternoon so that we can prepare for your welcome,you both can come tomorrow" my father butted in.

"No...I cannot come,I have lots of work to do in office at Hyderabad" he said firmly."Son..it is also important ritual to be followed.You have to go.Can't you manage another week." my mother-in-law said to him politely.There was a moment silence.

"I think I can manage.Anyhow I had already planned to leave today.I will manage everything until Surya returns."Ram said to no one in particular.

Surya sighed "Ok...but I will go tomorrow and will head back to Hyderabad next day itself after the ritual." Surya said as if his decision was final.My heart filled with sadness immediately,I have to leave everything back here soon.I cannot even spend some more quality time with my family and my new family.I have to go with a person who don't even wish to be my husband to a new place.How ironic?

I could see sadness on faces of my family,my dad,mom,my brother and even Harini.I really felt more bad after seeing their faces. I felt like crying but I composed myself.I knew this would be coming, one or the other day I have to leave my family.

I composed myself by keeping a blank face until I reached his room.I locked the room from inside and cried my heart out.All at the same time,I could not handle,a husband who don't want be a husband,wanted to live with him don't know for how many days,leaving back my parents,friends and home.

Now I really think my opinion was right.Marriages are not a fairy-tale.Reality is really hurting but no other way,have to accept it.Pushing all my negative thoughts about marriage away I wanted to try,at least for the sake of my parents.But again I am back to the square about marriage.Happened is happened.Let me face it,I cannot sit and cry over my fate thinking again and again like a coward.I am strong enough to handle myself.

Let me go with flow for now,soon I can make a decision.And I will.I got up and unlocked the room,after few minutes I went down to send off my family.I assured them that I will be there tomorrow.For sake of my loved ones and their happiness I can go to any extent.Whether I have to behave arrogant and stubborn or be kind and loving.I can be both if wanted.

The day passed and at night we were back to couch and bed.Next morning,when I was packing,he came in "we will be returning Hyderabad straight from Salem.We will be back to Chennai from Salem through my dad's jet and from Chennai to Hyderabad in passenger plane.So,pack accordingly.We will not come here after returning from your house.We will board straightly from the airport."he said and was about to leave.

"Why passenger plane?and why we will not come here.We have to say our goodbyes to your parents also."he stiffened by my question. "I don't have time to say goodbye and I wish to use my own money for my travelling.I am using jet because I was forced to use it,for your sake."he snapped at me and marched out immediately.

Anger boiled inside of me.Can't he even say it politely?But his words made me realize that I had never seen him talking to his parents like me or any other son.He didn't even have any conversation with them separately.He was always with Ram whenever he talked with them.Why is he like this?What happened between him and his parents,so that he is avoiding them?