A businessman is always on the job and Saurabh is no different.An urgent video conference held and he left Surbhi alone in the room.He instructed maids to bring curry ,rice and salads for her.When he returned,she fell asleep. There is a plate full of rice , curry and salads on the side table. It seems she ate minimal food .Her hands have residue of curry.Her appearance is dull,hairs were messy and clothes were misplaced.The woman sleeping on the bed is broken,weak and in need of care . The resilient and calm woman ,he once loved is lost somewhere. He took a napkin and wiped food from her hand and lips.He was damn hungry after the conference but after seeing her ,his appetite is completely gone. He took her plate and ate from it. Curry has strong flavour of onion and garlic.No doubt she hadn't ate it.She doesn't like it that much. He prefer to eat spicy food but she prefer minimal spices which created many bitter moments.

"What is this?"Saurabh glare towards the chef.

"Sir, I prepared food with Madam's instruction."he meekly said

"Leave" chef left after hearing the order from the master of house.

"How many times I have told you that instruct him properly." there is disappointment in voice

"Saurabh, today is ekadashi.(holiday in some sect of Hinduism)"she tried to reason

"So what? I neither stopped you to follow rituals nor prohibited to follow your faith but don't impose it on me. Do whatever you want to do but please spare me."

"Saurabh,its expected from a couple to follow religious things...

"Don't you understand or not want to understand. You are again arguing on wrong grounds. After a hectic day all I want is a good meal and you are debating on that too.

"You are exaggerating things."

"I am exaggerating,tell me, when we ate chicken last time." He asked bitterly ,Surbhi was thinking ,but he continued "I knew you will struggle to remember. You have no interest in delicious meal. You don't want to put efforts. I am providing enough food supplies,chef and maids are there to arrange help you. All you have to do is ,just think but you are failed in that too. I am just fed up with all this. I am fed up with your ways."he threwed the plate on floor. Entire dining area echoed with the breaking of cutlery. He left the place , leaving a crying Surbhi behind him. He was angry with her and in his viewpoint ,she deserves this reality check. Someone needs to show her a mirror.

A sound of glass breaking bring him back to present. Surbhi is awake and looking towards the broken pieces. He called a maid for clean up and another to bring water. He handed her a stainless steel glass which is filled with water. She drinks water but her eyes glued on his movements.

"Harshil..her voice stammered and his features became stiff. He didn't replied her.

"Cumballa... hills... another words came out from her mouth. His fist tighten with anger.

"Surbhi.. Surbhi... Surbhi.."she repeated but unable to remember other words. Fear settled in her and she clutched her clothes tightly.

"Surbhi... cumballa hills... Harshil..."she forgot remaining words taught to her.

"Surbhi.... Surbhi.. Surbhi..."she tried again and again but failed miserably. Tears start brimming from her eyes but she doesn't stop reciting her own name."Surbhi... Surbhi.....

"Surbhi Saurabh Rathod" his firm voice came and her attention shifted to him. She calm down to some extent."Harshil went to USA for studies and Cumballa hills is father's place."he continued. She concentrate on his words and he repeated few more time. Although she didn't grasp full information, she is calmed. There is pin drop silence in the room. He wanted to say many things to her but she will not understand anything. Nasal discharge sliding to her lips, he moves towards her for clean up but tears start flowing from her eyes.

"Babygirl" word he used to tease her in past ,came out from his mouth. She lipsing the word and looked towards him curiously. He flash his teeth and she came forward. She touched his beard and it sink to him. Harshil and Jignesh prefer clean shaved look,beard is new thing for her.

"Babygirl , please, don't push me away." a lone tear falls from his eye.She touched the warm liquid with a finger.

"Tears, sad.sad ,tears"she said looking at her finger. She stare at him for a very long time then something clicked her. She brought her plate of food and forward towards him . "food"she said and watched him expectedly. Its too much for him to bear it. His chest tightnes and voice chocked. It would be better if God have ripped him apart. This pain is too much for his soul to bear. Its not easy to watch, someone whom you vowed to cherish
, suffering because of you. He chewed few bites of food with great difficulty. She clapped when he finished the meal. "Food , Smile"she established a connection which is non-existent.His hand unknowingly touched her head and she became alert.Her breathing hiked.He carress her head gently and she relaxed with every subsequent touch. He grab the comb from side table and combed her hairs. Her eyes is closed and features is relaxed. He took the opportunity,he stand up and brought a bottle of hair oil .He massaged her hair and scalp gently. Her eyes became heavy and sleep is about to take over her concious.

"Trust me babygirl, I'll not harm you."he whispered in her ear.She tried to grasp the fact but sleep doesn't let her do that.