UNSPOKEN SECRETS

UNSPOKEN SECRETS

It was a late Saturday afternoon. My work had ended early, and I was heading home sooner than expected. Meera hadn't found a job yet and had been bored since we moved to Bellary, a small town outside Bangalore. My company had set up a new plant there, and the job demanded long hours from me.
Despite being married for only three months, I had to spend a lot of time at the office. We had a few arguments about it, but Meera was understanding and willing to make sacrifices, for which I was very grateful.
Ours was an arranged marriage that turned into love. Our parents had fixed our alliance, and we fell in love over the days of our engagement and subsequent meetings, lunches, dinners, phone calls, and text messages. I was smitten by her beauty and considered myself extremely lucky to have her in my life.
She was 5'6", slim, with an oval face that beautifully accentuated her features. She had brown eyes, long eyelashes, and curly hair that fell to her waist and bounced when she laughed. Her laugh was infectious, a full-body moment of joy. She worked out regularly and had a well-toned body with beautifully shaped features. I, on the other hand, was tall, lanky, and a bit on the thinner side, with a face that was very forgettable. But my good salary made up for my looks, and we were happy.
Meera's cousin, Atul, a distant relative who lived about 25 kilometers from our house, dropped by occasionally on weekends and sometimes spent the night. We didn't mind because he was good company, very jovial, and mild-mannered. He was four years younger than me, about the same age as Meera. He worked at the local newspaper and did a lot of fieldwork, which probably explained his fitness. He was muscular and had a six-pack abdomen that would be the envy of many actors. He had helped me with my car repair, and we had worked together for six hours to set it right. Occasionally, he took Meera out for movies or dinner if I was caught up at work. I was thankful to him for keeping Meera company and helping her have some fun amidst the desolation.
On the afternoon in question, the assembly line roller blade at work had broken down, stopping production, so I wound up early. I was excited to surprise Meera and maybe take her out for a movie and dinner. As I reached our house, I decided not to ring the bell, thinking Meera might be napping in the sweltering afternoon heat. I inserted my key into the lock and quietly opened the door, careful not to make any noise. I placed my briefcase and coat on the sofa in the drawing room. The house was unusually quiet and dark, suggesting Meera was asleep. I drank some cool water from the refrigerator and went for the newspaper on the sofa.

As I sat down to read, I heard a giggle. Clear and unmistakable, it was Meera's. So, she wasn't asleep after all. Maybe she was watching TV upstairs. I dropped the newspaper and went up to our bedroom. As I was about to push open the door, I heard Atul's voice.
I was struck as hard as a bystander slammed by an 18-wheeler. I stood dumbfounded for a minute. Noises of endearment and Meera's giggles filled the silence. Her laughter turned into soft murmurs that tore through my mind.
I bent down to the keyhole, confirming what I already knew. Inside the room, Meera was sitting close to Atul, her hand in his as they talked and laughed together. They were sitting on the bed, their heads close together, sharing an intimate moment. She wore a loose t-shirt and shorts, her legs bare and tucked beneath her. They looked like they were sharing a secret, their faces animated with joy and affection.
The sight filled me with a mix of emotions. I knew Meera was lonely, and seeing her happy, even if it was with Atul, was a relief in a way. I quietly walked away, gathered my belongings, and silently went out of the house. I stood outside for a moment to collect myself, then rang the bell. Chaos ensued upstairs at my unexpected arrival. After a few minutes, Meera came to the door in a pink gown, stifling a yawn.
"Hi, dear! I had slept off... how come you're back early?"
I mumbled an excuse and went in as if it were any other routine day. She told me that Atul was stopping by and was tired from the journey, sleeping in the guest room. I nodded, had my lunch, and went up to our bedroom. The bed was a bit unkempt, but it didn't matter. I pulled Meera to myself, relieved her of her clothes, and shortly thereafter we were together, holding each other close, cherishing our bond.
The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, but as I lay there with Meera, I felt a sense of peace. Our relationship had been tested, but in that moment, all that mattered was the love we shared.
END