Page 75 of One Hellish Wedlock
Radhika blinked, stunned. “A job? Why? Did Reyansh say something? Or was it Nani?”
“No, he didn’t,” Aanya replied quickly. “No one said anything. It’s my decision. I get bored staying home. Reyansh leaves for work. Nani is busy with her rituals and routines. And you and Jeeju will leave soon too. So I figured instead of wasting time, I should use it to do something I genuinely like.”
Though Radhika nodded, she didn’t seem entirely convinced. Her hand reached up to cup Aanya’s cheek gently.
“Are you absolutely sure? Reyansh or Nani didn’t push you into this?”
Aanya swallowed hard. She hated lying, especially to Radhika, who had shown her nothing but sisterly love and kindness.
“Even if someone did trigger the thought,” she admitted, “I still want to give it a shot. How long am I supposed to live like this dependent on my father or husband for every little thing?”
Radhika understood then. Reyansh and Aanya must have fought last night, likely over her drinking. She knew how rude her brother could be when angry.
“So what you’re saying is,” Radhika asked, “every housewife should work and not depend on her husband’s money?”
Aanya shook her head. “No, Di. That’s not what I’m saying. I respect women who run a household with all their effort and energy. But that’s not me. I want something different. I want to see if I can survive on my own feet.”
Her voice broke slightly, and tears brimmed in her eyes. Radhika pulled her into a warm hug, her heart aching for this young woman.
“I understand,” she said softly. “And who said you can’t survive? If you can survive as Reyansh’s wife, you can survive anything.”
Aanya chuckled, grateful for the attempt to lighten the moment.
“Thank you, Di.”
“I’ll help you,” Radhika offered.
“No,” Aanya refused quickly. “I don’t want help from anyone. Otherwise, I would’ve asked Dad or Reyansh.”
“Alright, alright,” Radhika conceded, “but at least let me help you get started the right way. Going through these newspapers isn’t going to get you anywhere fast. You need to prepare a proper resume first.”
Aanya’s eyes lit up. Why hadn’t she thought of that?
“That’s a great idea! But... I don’t have any experience. Will my resume even count?”
“Of course it will. Everyone starts somewhere. I’ll get Rishi’s laptop. We’ll make a stellar resume and upload it to every job portal we can find. I’m sure something will come up.”
Aanya jumped with joy, her heart lighter than it had been in days. If this worked, she’d finally feel like she was doing something meaningful, something forherself.
But Radhika’s next question struck her still.
“Have you spoken to Reyansh about this? I mean... he is your husband. Shouldn’t he know?”
Aanya’s smile faltered.
Explaining things to Reyansh was never easy. He had never really understood her, not truly. Would he now? He was the one who had pushed her to consider independence. Surely, he couldn’t object if she was finally taking him seriously. Besides, their deal was temporary. He had no say in her future after that.
“I’ll tell him, Di. Not right now. Once I get a job, I’ll talk to him.”
Radhika seemed satisfied with that. She gave Aanya a hopeful nod having no doubt this girl would thrive, wherever she landed.
Chopra Group Office – Later That Day
Sunny could tell his boss was not in his usual form. Reyansh appeared distracted and burdened. Wanting to lift the tension, Sunny tried to make conversation.
“Boss, I hope the party turned out the way you expected?”
Reyansh didn’t even look up. “Hmm.”
