CHAPTER SEVEN
What does it take to get yourself land in hell? No. It's not a lie. An incomplete truth.
That is what can make your life turn into hell.
Swayam was lying on the bed with his eyes wide open. Sharon's words were ringing in his ears. Everything was so perfect between them until a few days back and now her words pierced his heart. A part of him wanted to hug her tight and tell her every damn thing but he knew that was not possible. Not in this condition of hers. Hurting Sharon was the last thing he would ever want to do but he had no choice. She was his wife and she was carrying his baby and she deserved every bit of his care, protection and his love but he wasn't able to even stand in front of her. The hurt in her eyes, those questions, that flickering hope that keeps on floating in her iris, the love which comes out with the pool of her tears was something which made him feel helpless and torn. He wanted to love her and she deserved that, only if could bring himself to give her that. A sudden rush of anger filled him from within. He hasn't given it much thought because he was way too involved in his own mess but the question was how all of this actually came into focus?
Those pictures? How come they were captured? And why is Sharon involved in all this? Why it all was sent to her?
His mind jolted. Was this some entire cheap plan? Swayam's head was suddenly aching. He wanted answers but he didn't know from where he should start. He didn't have any idea. There was so much at stake. His life, his reputation, his family, his child and most importantly Sharon. What the truth will do to her? Stress was something not good for her in this condition. But after what ever had happened he cannot keep her away from it. It was impossible. Even if he tells her the truth he was not sure how she was going to deal with it.
Truth is hard, it always is.
But it is important too. He reminded himself.
The pain in his head grew more acute and he closed his eyes in an attempt that it will close down his thoughts too.
He knew he was not ready to tell her anything which is even remotely close to the reality. It was harsh like summer loo' hitting your face.
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It had been two weeks to that incident. Sharon had made it very clear that she didn't want to talk to him or even be with him in the same room. They had hardly seen each other in the two weeks and both had different reasons for it. Sharon's ignorance towards him was affecting her health because she would refuse to eat food and medicines given by him and calling his mother everyday was out of question.
"I don't want mom to think there is anything wrong between us. She would be really tensed. So do not call her again." Sharon had clearly mentioned him when he had tried to warn her about calling mom again.
It was a difficult situation but Swayam was not ready to compromise on her health. So he had called Samentha , Sharon's best friend.
"Sam???"
"Sharonnn. . . Oh My God! Woman, I am very upset with you. You are going to be a mother and you didn't even inform me? Thank God for Swayam who called me and told me."
"What? Swayam told you?"
"Yes. . . Well Sam totally deserved to know." Swayam smiled at Sam and then looked at Sharon. Her eyes were searching his for answers for this new drama.
"Yes and I am going to stay with you for the next two weeks. Simple." Sam said and hugged Sharon. Now the drama didn't need explanations.
Swayam was relieved. Sharon had someone with whom she can talk and there was someone who can take care of her. He stayed away from Sharon as much as he can without getting into notice of Sam that there was anything wrong between them. But now he will have to think of something else because Sam was gone now.
He was eating his fingernails in anxiety when he saw Sharon looking at him from another side. He looked at her.
"Swayam stop eating your nails. Don't I serve you enough food that you now you have to eat your nails too?"
"Siren On." Swayam mumbled.
"What? What did you just say?"
"Whoa! Nothing! Nothing! I said you look beautiful" Swayam immediately said trying hard to distract her as he caught her in his arms.
A faint smile came on to his lips as Swayam recollected that past incident. Sharon averted her gaze from him; she knew what he was thinking.
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"Sharon food!" Swayam brought the plate to her even though he knew what was coming his way.
"I don't want to" Sharon stated flatly.
"What are you planning to do Sharon? Kill our child?" Swayam said irritated.
"Swayam" Sharon yelled as tears brimmed in her eyes.
How could he say such things?
"Sharon look. . . Your health is important. You are upset with me. Then punish me! Do not punish yourself please!" Swayam said softly.
"I am leaving the food here. Please eat it. And then take your medicines." He stood up and went out taking a last look of her teary face.
Only if he had known the plate would be kept there untouched.
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Two days later, Sharon came out of her room. Looking better than what she had looked like in the last two weeks, at least from outside. She needed some fresh air. She wanted to see sunlight. She wanted to see if there is any light that can penetrate into her dark world and give her some clarity when everything around was blurred. But the presence of an unknown girl in her home, across her dining table startled her.
A young girl around her own age was arranging cutlery kept on her dining table.
"Excuse me, who are you?" Sharon asked her totally confused with her presence in her home. Her, It was HER home even if she had told Swayam a few days back she had no idea what she was doing here.
"This is Stephie!" Swayam's voice filled her ears from behind as the girl flashed her vibrant smile. Sharon turned around to find Swayam standing almost ready for office. He came towards her and slid his hands around her waist. Her eyes gave away her shock to his actions. He looked nonchalant.
"Stephie this is Sharon, my wife and Sharon she as I told you is Stephie." He stated doing the formal introductions.
"I heard that. What is she doing here?" Sharon asked Swayam in a stiff voice trying to keep her confusion away.
"Oh! She is going to be here all the time with you till I come back." Swayam said smiling at her widely.
"What? But why?" Astonishment was now dripping from Sharon's voice.
"To take care of you of course! As I can't be here all the time and you should not be left alone." Swayam said looking at her. He looked happy.
He turned her attention to Stephie, carefully creating a distance between himself and Sharon as he reverted her hand from her waist leaving a sudden pang in her heart.
"Stephie, Sharon is pregnant so you have to take well care of her. This is her routine chart. She is careless so please make sure she eats her meals on time and her medicines too. She may want to go on terrace in the evening, make sure she doesn't. And if any emergency crops up or you find something too difficult call me at once."
"Don't worry Sir. I will take good care of your wife." Stephie smiled broadly at Sharon and him.
He smiled back at her and then turned towards Sharon and spoke softly
"Sorry Love! You left me with no choice. I cannot let you compromise on your health." He kissed her forehead leaving his own self surprised and an already annoyed Sharon stunned as a wave of emotions flooded through her body.
She looked at the retreating figure of Swayam and then at her new caretaker, Stephie and realized she had no idea where her life was headed anymore.
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