Meera BOND

Part 15: Meera BOND

A Month Later

Rishab lifted his head, sensing someone near him. Chandni stood there, extending some papers toward him.

“What's this?” Rishab asked.

“I want to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology. This is the application. Please sign it,” Chandni replied.

Rishab took the papers from her hand and signed them.

Happily, he said, “I’m so glad about your decision. You need a distraction like his. I hope you will forget everything and find happiness as you did before.”

Chandni nodded in agreement.

“You can get your PhD in London if you want,” Rishab added.

“No, Dad. I don’t want to leave you alone here,” Chandni replied.

Rishab, feeling extremely blissful, said, “I'm sorry I couldn’t make your wish come true.”

“Forget it, Dad. I don’t want to think about it anymore,” Chandni said.

Rishab nodded in relief, touching her head with satisfaction. He left the room, feeling a pang of regret. Chandni looked at the application, a devilish smile creeping onto her face.

In Her Mind: “I’m sorry, Dad. I fooled you. I can’t let go of what I desire. I’m going to hurt someone psychologically, which will be worse than a physical wound.”

Our Mansion

Arjun's family members were delighted that Arjun had started coming home earlier. Within a month, they witnessed a gradual improvement and an increase in confidence in Meera’s behaviour. Thanks to her spoken English class, she began using simple English words in her conversations.

Meera enjoyed her college experience, her spoken English class, and Arjun’s company. At the same time, she never neglected her duties as a daughter-in-law.

College

Meera waited on the last bench with her lunchbox while Pooja and Simran went to the canteen for lunch. She noticed a guy approaching her. He was her classmate, but she didn’t know his name.

“Hi…” he said.

Meera recalled Pooja’s advice that she shouldn’t call anyone ‘Bhaiya’ or ‘Di.’

“Hi…” she replied.

“I’m Sameer Khan,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Meera,” she said.

“I know,” he responded.

“Oh,” Meera replied, surprised.

“Can I ask you something?” Sameer continued.

“Sure,” Meera said.

“You told the professor on the first day that you’re from Lucknow and attended a Hindi-medium school. Why don’t you seem to struggle with our material like I am?” Sameer asked.

Meera smiled and said, “Arjunji is helping me with my studies.”

“Who is Arjunji? Is he your tutor?” Sameer inquired.

Meera smiled, “No, no. He is my husband.”

“Wow, that’s really great!” Sameer exclaimed, surprised.

“Yes! I was very scared at first. In addition to joining me in my spoken English class, Arjunji teaches me daily,” Meera explained.

“You’re so lucky to have such a husband,” Sameer said.

Meera nodded thoughtfully. “You can ask me if you have any questions or doubts about our subjects. I will help you,” she said.

“Thank you so much, sister,” Sameer said.

Meera felt delighted to hear him call her “sister.”

“You're welcome,” she replied, choosing not to call him "brother" since she didn’t want to upset Pooja. Sameer left just as Pooja and Simran returned with their lunch.

“I’ll bring lunch for you starting tomorrow. Don't eat canteen food,” Meera said.

Simran playfully hit Pooja on the head and said, “She always runs after outside food.”

“Because it tastes good, you know?” Pooja added.

“But it’s not good for your health,” Meera insisted.

“Okay, Baby. Forgive me,” Pooja said, holding her ears.

Simran looked at Meera curiously. “What's going on? You got good marks on the test! Poo, it seems like Meera is not our type.”

Pooja laughed and said, “Exactly. Meera is just a typical good girl.”

“No, Pooja. I have to do this for Arjunji. He trusts me a lot,” Meera explained.

“Really?” Pooja asked, genuinely interested.

“Yes, he teaches me in Hindi every day, which is why I’ve been able to keep up with our coursework,” Meera replied.

Pooja was amazed. “What!!! Arjun and Hindi?”

“Yeah…thank God he also studied in Hindi medium,” Meera said.

“What?! That’s unbelievable!” Simran exclaimed.

Pooja gestured for Simran to be quiet. Simi stopped, looking at her in confusion.

“Is Arjun really helping you with your studies?” Pooja asked.

“Every day,” Meera confirmed.

“You’re so lucky, Meera. Besides sending you to college, is he really helping you?” Pooja added.

“That’s great! I’ve seen many girls discontinue their studies after their marriage got fixed,” Simi commented.

Hearing that, Meera's face fell. How blessed she was! She never expected to have the opportunity to study after her marriage. Yes, her Arjunji was indeed a gentleman. She felt grateful inwardly. She went to wash her tiffin box, feeling proud of her Arjunji.

When she came back, she heard Pooja and Simran discussing things seriously.

"Why did you stop me when I was supposed to tell her the truth about Arjun?"

Meera was stuck on the word ‘truth.’ What were they talking about?

“He studied at Oxford University, but why did he lie that he learnt in a Hindi medium?”

"Arjun would have said that because he wants to make Meera comfortable. She might feel reluctant to ask him to teach her if she

knows that Arjun is spending time learning Hindi to help her."

Meera couldn’t understand anything because she had no idea about Oxford University. However, one thing was clear to her: Arjun was putting effort into her. Pooja and Simi stopped talking when they noticed Meera. She didn’t show them that she had overheard their conversation, acting normally while her mind raced with thoughts.

With those thoughts swirling around, she attended her spoken English class. A doubt suddenly struck her. Didn’t Arjun say he had learned English here? Was that true? She asked her teacher,

"Sir, when did Arjunji study spoken English here?"

Meera noticed some tension on his face; he seemed reluctant to answer her. How could he respond when there was no clear answer to her question? He composed himself.

"Five years ago."

"Oh."

"How could I forget him? He was a brilliant student." He added.

"You're right. He told me he studied here five years ago, but I had forgotten."

The master sighed in relief, glad he hadn’t been caught in a lie. He forced a smile.

To Meera's surprise, Arjun came to pick her up, waiting outside the institution. He smiled at her, but she didn't return it, looking at

him with different eyes.

Meera, are you alright?"

"Jee..."

"What are you thinking about?"

"I am thinking about my next task."

"Next task? What’s that?"

"Active voice." She said, making herself up.

"It’s very simple but based on language."

"That’s exactly what the master told me." (pause) "When did you study spoken English here?"

Arjun paused for a second

"When I was in college."

"Means?"

"Nine years ago." He said it casually, unaware that he had been caught in a lie.

"Ohhh… what did you do five years ago?"

"I started my business at that time."

"Where is your office?"

"Do you want to visit?"

"If you don’t have a problem."

"Why would I have a problem? You have to come one day. Intcom is waiting for you."

"Why?"

"Because you are my wife. And 'Accounts Management' will be part of your next semester. You can learn accounts from Jeejaji if

you want."

"Jee."

After that, Meera didn’t press him further. One thing remained on her mind: she wanted to learn more about Oxford University,

where Arjun studied. Arjun was confused as he noticed Meera deep in thought during the ride home. She decided to ask someone about Arjun.

Upon arriving home, Meera began her usual routine. After some time, she looked for Isha. She was enjoying a chocolate mousse in the dining area. She smiled at Meera and offered her a spoonful. Meera accepted and found it delicious.

"How is it, Mami?"

"Excellent!"

"Dad brought it for me."

"I have seen Pooja eating this many times."

“I hope you’ll start eating it too.”

Meera nodded.

“I think Arjunji must have eaten this at our college.”

"Your college? No, Mami, he studied at Oxford."

Meera struggled to hide her surprise.

"Ohh, where is that?"

"It’s in England."

Meera tried to control her shock.

"So, Arjunji must have struggled to learn English, then."

"Mama struggling with English? English is the one that always struggles in Mama’s mouth."

"What do you mean?"

“He completed his schooling at an Anglo-Indian school. He grew up speaking English."

"How do you know all this?"

"Everyone don’t do much other than praise Mama. They want me to be like Mama, so they repeat his history."

"Like him means how?"

"Skilled in English, smart in business, clever in handling problems, and wise in calculating everything."

Meera was stunned to learn about Arjun and his effort into her. Searching for Meera, Arjun came down the stairs. He smiled upon

seeing her eating mousse with Isha but left to give her space.

Meera scratched her head. Why was Arjunji doing this? What was the need to lie? Poor girl, she had no idea that ‘a true man only lies to make his girl comfortable. A true partner always motivates, inspires, and supports the other.’

But Meera couldn't think that way, as she didn't know Arjun was doing everything out of love. Until that moment, she viewed things through her unique perspective.

Suddenly, her mind sparked with clarity.

"Didn’t Arjunji say, 'Intcom is waiting for you?' Being a savvy businessman, he recognised my brilliance. So he is preparing me for his company. He needs my help, so he encourages me to learn.”

‘Arjunji, you are so lucky; you know how talented I am. But you don’t know that a detective agent is hiding inside me. I will uncover all your lies soon.’ She supposed.

Meera BOND was ready to discover the truths behind Arjun's words. In her quest, would she uncover how deeply her husband loved her?

To be continued…