Crazy but Intelligent

Part 12: Crazy but Intelligent

Arjun was getting dressed after taking a bath when Meera brought him coffee. She extended the cup toward him, and he took it from her hand, placing it on the table. Just as Meera was about to leave the room, he called out to her.

“Meera, wait.”

She turned to look at him. Arjun opened the closet and pulled out a wad of money.

“Take this,” he said, handing it to Meera. Her eyes widened in shock.

“Oh my God… What’s this, Arjunji?”

“Your pocket money.”

Meera bit her nail in confusion. “Pocket money? But I don’t have pockets in my dresses.”

Arjun rolled his eyes, smiling. “Okay, fine. Keep it in your purse.”

“But why?” she asked, still puzzled.

“For your expenses since you're going to college tomorrow.”

“Am I taking a taxi?” she questioned.

“Not at all! I’ll drop you off every day by car.”

“Won’t I take lunch from home?” she asked.

“You will. But why are you asking that?”

“If I'm taking lunch from home, what’s the need for money? Isn’t that too much?” she asked nervously.

Arjun was amazed. “Wouldn't you want to spend money on your own needs?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“You should have money with you when you go out. We must always be alert because we never know how the situation might change, okay?”

“Fifty rupees is enough.”

“You don’t have to spend it; just having it won’t harm you. Is it really that heavy?” he asked with a smile.

“But what if I lose it? I’ll be stressed if I carry this big amount,” she responded anxiously.

“Get used to it, Meera. You need to handle such situations. It’s not a problem if you lose it.”

“Won’t you scold me?” she asked.

“No…”

“Why not?”

“Does anyone lose money on purpose?”

“No…”

“Then what’s the point of scolding you?”

Meera nodded in agreement. He took her palm and placed the money on it. She stared at the cash without blinking, amazed to see such an amount meant for her personal use for the first time. After a moment of thought, she took two hundred rupees from the bundle.

“This is enough for now, Arjunji,” Meera said hesitantly.

Arjun shook his head, smiling. She offered the remaining amount back to him.

“Keep it with you. You can use it whenever you want and ask me for more if you need it.”

“More? No, that’s enough,” Meera panicked, putting the money in the closet.

‘Arjun Beta, it seems your bank balance will never decrease. What a wife you have! Mrs. Arjun is frightened to handle money. You should try to get attached to her soon-to-have children. That’s how your earnings will truly find value,’ he thought with a smile.

The Next Day

Meera woke up earlier than usual. Arjun was glad to see her excitement.

“Meera, take this,” he said, extending a box.

“What’s this, Arjunji?”

“Open it.”

She opened the box to find a mobile phone. Just as she was about to say something, he interrupted.

“Don’t say 'I don’t want it.' This isn’t for you; it’s for me. I want to be able to contact you whenever I need to, okay?”

“But I don’t know how to use it,” she replied.

“Did you know me before our marriage?” (She shook her head.) “Did you know my family members?” (She shook her head again.) “Did you know anything about Delhi?” (She shook her head again.) “But you got used to everything else. You’ll be able to use this phone expertly in a day or two.”

Meera gulped as she looked at the new phone.

“Everything seems odd until you actually become familiar with it. You’ll only discover its value if you engage with it. So try to get close to everything that is yours, Meera.” He spoke the last sentence calmly and intensely, so she realised what he wanted her to understand. For the first time, she could not take her eyes off his face.

Just then, Meera noticed Sanjana coming in with a pooja plate. She rushed to greet her with a smile while Arjun sat on the recliner, checking emails on his laptop. Sanjana placed a pinch of vermilion on Meera’s forehead and fed her a sweet piece. Then, she turned to Arjun and was about to put vermilion on his forehead.

“Sanjanaji, he doesn’t believe in God,” Meera said.

“I know, but my Chintu won’t refuse me. Right, Chintu?” Sanjana said with a smile.

Arjun smiled back at Meera, who looked confused.

Sanjana gently touched Meera’s cheek. “My Chintu loves me so much. Nothing is more important to him than me. That’s what love, Meeraji.”

Meera forced a smile as Sanjana left the room. Meera sat on the bed, deep in thought, biting her nails.

Arjun, smiling, murmured, “I wonder what’s going on in her mind.”

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

Meera shook her head, indicating she wasn’t ready to share. She hurriedly left the room, leaving Arjun with a frown.

Meera got ready to go to college. She received blessings from Nani and Ganga and well wishes from the others.

“Shall we go?” Arjun asked.

Meera nodded in agreement and followed him. Arjun smiled, noticing her excitement. However, Meera became confused because that wasn’t a route to her college.

“Arjunji, where are you taking me? This isn’t the way to my college.”

“Are you sure?” he replied.

“Yes, we took a different route that day.”

“Not bad... You're brilliant, Meera. I thought you would have forgotten the route since you only went to your college once.”

“Yes, I can remember everything easily,” she replied proudly.

“Good."

"Where are we going?”

“To meet some important people.”

“Who?”

“You’ll find out in a few minutes.”

“But I’ll be late for college!”

“No, we started early.”

After that, Meera didn’t ask any more questions. Since Delhi was new to her, she watched the city pass by through the window. Eventually, Arjun stopped the car and gestured for her to get out. He rang the doorbell of a small house. Meera squealed in excitement when the door opened to reveal Narmada. She hopped toward Narmada, making her take a step back. Arjun chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“My God, don’t you know how to act like a married woman? (looking at Arjun) Namaste Beta.”

“Please come inside, Beta.”

“When did you arrive here, Amma?” Meera asked.

“Last night,” Narmada replied.

Meera turned to Arjun. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“To surprise you,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

“Amma, do you know I got admission to college?”

Narmada was shocked. “What! College? Did you put him under pressure, Meera? What would his family think?”

“No, Aunty. She didn't say anything about it. This is purely my decision. I want her to study because she is capable,” Arjun explained.

Meera raised her imaginary collar proudly, which Arjun found amusing.

“She always wanted to study, but our financial situation didn’t allow us to fulfil her wish,” Narmada said.

“It’s okay, Aunty. She can study whatever she likes.”

“You are so lucky to have such a good husband. But just because you are studying doesn’t mean you can neglect your duties at home. Try to be a good daughter-in-law to your family.”

Meera nodded in agreement.

“She is an understanding girl, Aunty. She will manage everything wisely,” Arjun added.

Narmada and Buaji admired him.

“What would you like to eat?” Narmada asked.

“No, Amma, I'm getting late for college. We can come another day, right, Arjunji?”

“Sure.”

“Bye, Amma! Bye, Buaji!” Meera said, taking blessings from them as she left. Narmada’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“Don’t get emotional, Narmada,” Buaji consoled.

“I never expected my child to achieve her dreams,” Narmada replied.

“That’s true. She is lucky to have such good in-laws,” Buaji added.

“Meera’s father isn’t lucky enough to see his daughter going to college,” Narmada sighed.

“It’s all fate, Narmada. Don’t dwell on what we lack. Be happy for Meera,” Buaji reassured her.

Narmada nodded, feeling content.

On the way to college, Arjun spoke, “Meera, this is your first day of college.”

“Yes, Arjunji,” she replied joyfully.

“I don’t need to tell you much since you’re an understanding girl. This society will be new to you, but you won’t find it too hard to cope. People won’t be the same as us. Don’t let that bother you. Try to learn something from everyone, and you will succeed.”

“From everyone?” she asked.

“Yes. Learn from good people how to be and from bad people how not to be. Okay?”

“What should I learn from you?”

Arjun chuckled. “You’ll have to figure that out. Look for the qualities you like in me and ignore the things you don’t.”

Meera fell into deep thought, assessing Arjun, who opted not to interrupt her. They soon arrived at the college.

“We're here,” Arjun said.

Meera looked out the window, taking in the scene.

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“For sending me to college and for your advice.”

“My pleasure,” he replied.

Meera smiled at Arjun, making his heart feel light. As Meera exited the car, she spotted Pooja waiting for her. Arjun gestured to Pooja, indicating that she should take care of Meera. Pooja nodded in agreement. As Arjun prepared to leave, Meera called out to him.

“Arjunji, as you advised, I have started learning new things.”

Arjun raised his eyebrows, intrigued.

“We should encourage everyone to make them happy,” she paused, “I learned that from you, Arjunji, because no one has ever praised me like you do.”

Arjun was momentarily taken aback. Meera smiled at him and began walking toward Pooja. Realising she was pretty insightful, he smiled as he watched her retreating figure. He then headed to the office with the same smile.

To be continued…