Page 44 of The Unwanted Husband
“Good to see you.”
Nina smiled before handing Isha a file. “These are the reports from the accident three months ago and also the one from twelve years ago.”
She took the file and felt her fingers shake in anticipation. Ashok had already told her; her brother’s death was an accident. And from what she could remember there was no suspicion that there was any foul play in her parents’ death.
She opened the file and saw the details. She read the report from start to finish, three times and set it aside. It was an accident report for which the cause was speeding. She picked up her parent’s accident report and it was a similar report. The vehicle lost control and slid into the valley.
Isha set aside the reports and closed her eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and nodded at the young lawyers. “Let’s proceed with filing the case.”
She had hoped to see some proof that her loved ones’ accidents were premeditated but based on the reports they weren’t. It was just unfortunate what happened and she had to accept it.
*****
It was late at night, over a week after she had talked to Chandini, her cousin called. Isha guessed her cousin probably found out about what happened between Aman and her. Definitely not all the details but about the break up.
“You do realize it’s late here, right?” Isha tried to keep it light.
“Shut up,” Chandini was pissed. “When were you going to tell me?”
Isha paused like she wanted her cousin to catch a breath. “I told you; it is not a big deal. It was just time to move on.”
“Did that moron cheat on you?” Chandini never was the kind to beat around the bush.
“Yes.”
“He is dead meat. How dare he do this to you?” She was fuming.
“Chandini, I told you. I don’t care about what happened.” Isha was being truthful.
“How is that possible? You guys were together for such a long time.”
“Yes, but our dynamic was different.” In her mind, they weren’t a thing for a long time but people just assumed they were a couple.
“How,” her cousin seemed to be at a loss of words. “How can it be so different? You should have some connection if you have that physical attraction, even if there is nothing emotional, unless…” her cousin’s voice trailed off like she was piecing things together. “Are you even intimate with each other or are you really like coworkers?”
Isha didn’t know how to answer the question without giving too many details. “Yes and no.”
“What the heck, Isha?” Chandini was not showing any signs of calming down. “When was the last time you guys were intimate?”
Isha knew that was coming. “It doesn’t matter.” “It was never an emotional connection, she wasn’t capable of being connected to anyone at that level.
“Yes, it does.”
“Chandini…I—”
“That’s enough. I don’t want to hear it.” Chandini sniffled and that made Isha’s heart twist. “Now listen, without interrupting me. I want you to have the relationship you deserve. You need to let someone take care of you. Let down the walls you’ve built around you and truly embrace your feelings.”
Isha would have shut down such statements but this time she had to agree with Chandini. In all these years, she badly needed someone to comfort her, like no other time. And the person who could do that was Ashok.
How could someone, practically a stranger, who she knew nothing about was able to give her the comfort that she did not seek all these years. “You’re right.”
Chandini fell silent like she had to process the part surprise and shock she felt when for the first time her cousin agreed with her. “When you come back, we’re going to arrange for you to meet someone, a guy who is good marriage material for you.”
They both laughed and Isha chuckled before adding, “You know, I’m technically already married?”
“Why are you doing this to me? Dropping bombshells on your sleep deprived cousin?” Chandini laughed like she was sure Isha was joking.
Isha had specifically not mentioned the marriage on paper to her family, not even her cousin who was very close. She didn’t deem it necessary. “Well, Ashok and I, as singles, cannot officially adopt both kids. As per the rules, I’d be only able to adopt Vaish and him Vish.”
