“Mai Nirmal ko bhejti hu.”

(I will send Nirmal.)

She whispered and his smile fell. Nirmal came and changed his urine bag. He closed his eyes and reminded himself that he was getting better. 

“Thank you, Nirmal.”

“Arre koi baat nhi sahab.”

(No problem sir.)

The boy said and left the room. 

Another month went by. The sessions were starting to show results. Vishesh would sometimes feel a twitch in his fingers. It was slight, but there.

It happened for a quick moment and then everything went motionless again. But it was a start. An indication that he was recovering.

Surekha’s behaviour hadn’t changed. She still avoided talking to him. Avoided being in his presence altogether.

Somewhere during the month, she even shifted her stuff in the guest room. Vishesh had informed his parents. 

They had noticed one day when they were visiting. Vishesh hadn’t hidden the truth from them. He didn’t blame Surekha. But it hurt him that she did not even try to communicate.

Nishtha reached his place. She was about to ring the bell when she noticed the time. She was a few minutes late.

Assuming that Surekha would have left for her office and Vishesh would be alone, she decided not to ring the bell, in case he really was alone and felt helpless due to the bell ringing.

She fished out the keys from her bag and unlocked the door. As soon as she took a step inside, she froze.

Her eyes widened and she shut the door and leaned against the wall outside the house. Her chest heaved with disbelief.

She heard shuffling and curses from inside. A few moments later, the man ran out without giving any glance at her. 

Nishtha stayed still. Her eyes still wide with disbelief.

“Andar aao!”

(Come inside!)

She heard Surekha call. She took a deep breath and held her head high. Nishtha stepped inside and looked at Surekha, straight into her eyes.

The shameless woman had the audacity to look into her eyes.

“Keys kaha se aayi tumhare paas?”

(Where did you get the keys from?)

Surekha asked as if Nishtha was the one committing a wrong.

“Vishesh ne di thi.”

(Vishesh gave it to me.)

Her answer was clear, crisp. Surekha raised an eyebrow.

“Vishesh? First name basis kr aaye dono?”

(You came on first name basis?)

Nishtha didn’t bother replying. 

“Pasand krti ho na usse? Sharam nhi aati tumhe? Mera pati hai wo.”

(You like him right? Do you not feel any shame? He is my husband.)

Nishtha raised her eyebrow and took a mocking step forward.

“Aapko yaad hai wo aapke pati hai? Mujhe laga ki shayad aapne kisi aur ko pati maana shuru kr dia hai.”

(You remember he is your husband? I thought you started considering someone else your husband.)

Surekha fumed and clenched her fists.

“Tameez mat bhulo apni! Ho kaun tum? Ek nurse! Kaam kro aapna aur jaao yaha se.”

(Don’t forget your limits! Who are you? A nurse! Do your work and leave.)

“If you think I will stay quiet and not tell Vishesh anything…you’re sorely mistaken.”

Surekha looked at her in a challenging manner.

“This is our personal matter. Tumhe beech mai padne ki koi zarurat nhi hai.”

(You don’t have to get in between.)

“Personal matter? Unhe pata hai iss personal matter ke baare mai? Personal is when it involves two people, mam. Not just one person.”

(Is he aware of this personal matter?)

“Tumhari problem kya hai? Kyu beech mai padti ho harr baar. Patient hai wo tumhara. Kaam kro aapna aur chalti bano.”

(What is your problem? Why do you always meddle in between. He is your patient. Do your work and leave.)

Surekha gritted out in annoyance.

“As a nurse, mai sirf apni duty krungi. But as his friend, I will tell him the truth.”

(As a nurse, I will do only my duty.)

“Oh! Ab nurse se friend tak aa gyi ho. Aage kya? Friend se wife banne ka plan hai?”

(You became a friend now. What next? Do you plan on becoming his wife?)

Surekha asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Nishtha shrugged and said.

“Why not? Aap toh ban nhi paayi. He deserves someone who is there with him in each phase of his life. Not just when things are rosy and happy.”

(You couldn’t become one.)

“Tumhe bilkul sharam nhi aati! Accept bhi kr rhi ho.”

(You do not feel any shame! You’re even accepting.)

Nishtha looked dead into her eyes and took a step forward. Her eyes blazing with anger. Anger at the betrayal she had inflicted on Vishesh and how hurt he would be after knowing it.

“Sharam toh aapko aani chahiye. Apne hi pati ke ghar mai…when he is at home, in his room…kitni hi besharam hai aap…meri aankhon mai aankhein daalke khadi hai aur mujhe besharam bol rhi hai. Such a bitch you are!”

(You should be feeling ashamed. At your husband’s home…when he is at home, in his room…you are so shameless…you are standing and looking me in the eyes while speaking so shamelessly.)

“How dare you!?”
Surekha gritted out with eyes blazing with anger.

“How dare you! How dare you do this to him? Agar unki himmat nhi ban skti thi, saath nhi de skti thi toh kam se kam ye harkat toh mat krti. Atleast unke khud ke ghar mai, unki naak ke neeche toh nhi. Itni besharmi ek bitch mai hi ho skti hai na.”

(If you cannot become his strength, cannot stand by him, atleast you could have not done this. Atleast not at his own home, under his nose. Only a bitch can be this shameless.)

Nishtha didn’t bother talking to her anymore and moved towards Vishesh’s room. He smiled wide seeing her enter.

“Hi!”

His voice was excited. Finally getting her company after so many hours. Nishtha smiled weakly.

“Hi.”

He frowned at her unusually low voice.

“Kya hua? Is everything ok?”

(What happened?)

She put her bag aside and sat beside him. She helped him sit straight and got him something to eat. She knew he would lose appetite after she told him the truth.

After she had given him his supplements and medicines, she sat beside him and sighed softly.

“Ab bataogi kya baat hai?”

(Will you tell me what happened?)

She looked up into his eyes and said.

“Mujhe laga tha ki aaj mai late hu isliye Surekha mam ghar pr nhi hongi…so I used the keys you gave me.”

(I thought I was late so Surekha mam would not be home…)

“Toh isme kya ho gaya? Use krne ke liye hi di thi.”

(So what happened? I gave it for using only.)

Vishesh couldn’t understand.

“When I opened the door, she was there….”

“Chhuti li hogi. Koi baat nhi-”

(She must have taken a leave. No problem-)

“...with a man.”

He froze. 

“W-what?”

Nishtha closed her eyes as she recalled the visual she saw when she opened the door.

“They were having…doing…it.”

Vishesh clenched his jaw and looked away. His eyes blazed with the anger that came with a feeling of betrayal.

He asked her to call his parents. There was no point in dragging this anymore. Not after what she’d done.

Nishtha did as asked and his parents were there in another hour. Vishesh told them about his decision and the reason for it.

“Kya? Kaha hai wo? Besharam ladki!”

(What? Where is she? Shameless woman!)

His mother spat angrily. Even his father looked disgusted and angry.

“Papa. Mere naam se divorce petition file krwa do. As soon as possible.”

(File a divorce petition by my name.)

His father nodded. He had a few connections within the legal system and got the petition filed.