I said “but Vikas…”. He said “Just keep it. I already told you in the beginning that if you make me happy then you will make much more pocket money. So this is exactly what it is”. I accepted it with my head still spinning and left from there after a sensual good bye smooch.
On the way home I must have glanced at that cheque fifty times because I could already visualise my dreams coming true. I reached home and crashed on the sofa. I was already in dream land reminiscing today’s job interview.
Everything I had longed for in my hubby but did not get, Vikas was already giving it to me in abundance. I looked at the time and still had good few hours before anyone got home. So I changed into a jeans and t-shirt and went out to shop for clothes for my new job.
I bought enough variety to tide me over a week by when my “pocket money” would be credited so I could buy more. By the time I reached back, my hubby Manju and son were home.
Manju asked “so where have you been? Does not look like you went to work today”. I said “I took the day off to attend an interview”. Manju asked “so how did the interview go”? I replied “it went very well and I got the job”.
He asked “so what is the package”? I replied “I never asked yours Manju, so let’s leave it at that. Just assume that I will make enough to contribute towards our family and take care of myself”. This did not go down with him well due to his inflated ego, he shouted again like last night.
He said “how dare you talk to me like this Laila? I shot back “how else should I talk to a man who cannot respect his wife and calls her a slut and a whore”. Next second he slapped me hard making me black out for a brief moment.
When I opened my eyes I was on the floor staring at the ceiling. My son came running and took my head in his lap. This was not the first time Manju had slapped me, but today was really very hard. My son brought some cotton with antiseptic to wipe the blood flowing from my lips.
My son said “mom you know how dad is, why did you have to argue with him”? I composed myself and got up with his help and looked at myself in the mirror. My left cheek and lips were swollen and not looking good.
My son took my phone and called my father because this was happening for the nnth time. He explained everything that transpired to my dad. Dad came within the next half hour because my parents stay in the same city.
Dad called the cops and lodged a complaint on the spot against Manju after seeing my condition. The cops took my and my son’s statements and photos and arrested Manju. Despite all this, Manju kept shouting abuses and threats at us while he was being taken away.
After it was over dad sat down with me. For the first time dad really understood the gravity of my situation despite me complaining to them many times in the past. Dad finally asked “so if you happen to divorce Manju then can you take care of yourself, especially financially”?
I confidentially replied “yes, I can”. He left saying “let me see how to get you out of this mess quickly”. Anyway life continued normally from next day, I resumed office. Despite using the icepacks my son gave me the previous night, my injuries were still showing.