Its ok, they won't mind. I will stay with them until my baby is born.

No, I can't do that. They might face new problems because of me. I should think about my friends' lives instead of being selfish.

With the conflicting thoughts in my mind, I couldn't decide on what I am supposed to do.

Yes, it's easy to accept defeat and live peacefully for a while but what about life after that; after my baby is born.

I can't find a job again. I know that out of experience. It's do or die now.

With no choice left, I continued going to college and tried drowning myself in work. The internal lab exams helped me take my mind off my complicated life.

If it wasn't for Vinay's relentless trials, I almost lived peacefully. He'd try telling me that he is requesting his mother and that our problems won't last long. But knowing her, I doubt if it'll ever happen.

I was sipping tea, in the extremely noisy cafeteria staring at a group of friends teasing each other and smiled remembering my own college days.

Life was easier then. All you have to worry was if your marks were sufficient enough to pass the exams or if a certain person was interested in you. Infatuations and grades. It seemed like the hardest thing at that time but now, after facing so much in life, I'd give anything to go back there.

If only that happened, I can happily chat with my friends, pretend to listen classes and tease a teacher behind his/her back. Those were the golden days that'll never come back.

I sighed heavily, remembering my friends I lost with time.

"Excuse me. Can I sit here?" A voice snapped me out my memories and I turned to look at a handsome man in his early thirties.

"Yes, of course" I said timidly.

"I am Kiran. I - err- teach Engineering Drawing" He introduced himself, giving me a firm handshake.

"Tulasi. And I--"

"You are in the C lab. I know" He intervened with a friendly smile, taking a sip from his glass.

"How do you---? Engineering Drawing!! You mean the ED lab in our corridor?"

"Yes" he replied, smiling again "I saw you a couple of times but never got the chance to introduce myself. So, you are new. What do you think of the college?"

"It's nice" I said in a casual tone "I think the real challenge will be when I actually start teaching"

"You'll be alright. I heard from Prof. Jaya that you get along well with students. That's the biggest challenge for a teacher and you're good at it"

I smiled "Thanks"

"You're welcome. Er-If you don't mind me asking, there's a rumor going around, among the circle of teachers.. Um---" he began, looking like he is apprehensive about asking something.

"You want to know if that's true" I said softly and he nodded "Yes, it is"

"I am sorry" he said, looking unhappy "I know what it's like to be alone with a kid and no support"

Seeing me frown at him in confusion, he added "My wife died a couple of years ago and I live with my five year old daughter"

"I am sorry" I said earnestly.

"It happened long ago and I almost forgot her" he replied, trying to sound casual but the look in his eyes told me something else.

"It must be difficult without her. How did she-um-pass away?"

"Complications in pregnancy. She died a few days after our child's birth. Yes, it's tough to raise a girl without a mother but we are fine for now."

After a few seconds of silence, I asked slowly "If you teach ED for first years, how come you aren't in our staff room? Where do you stay?"

"In Mechanical department of course, as ED is our subject. And I happen to teach seniors of Mech too."

"Looks like I don't know a lot of things here"

He chuckled "No worries, you'll catch up"

I nodded, playing with my empty cup when I heard muffled voices and giggles behind me. I turned around and found a group of girls whispering to themselves while trying not to stare at the person opposite to me.

Teenage Infatuations. Wow.

A chuckle escaped my lips and I heard him "What happened?"

I glanced at him "Looks like you're famous among female students here"

He laughed "I can't help it"

"So, has any of them ever gave a love letter to you?"

"I received a couple. But no one's ever written their name on it. Probably scared that I might complain to the Principal or the other teachers"

"What would you do if they wrote their name?"

"I'd send them to counselling, probably"

I nodded and he got up, giving his hand to me "It's nice meeting you. I'd love to talk more but I have a class and I have to prepare"

I took his hand, wishing the same and he walked away before giving me a polite smile. Talking to him made me reminisce the time I spent with Vinay about a love letter he found on his desk one day. We laughed reading the letter together and it was one of the best memories I had of him.

"What are you talking to him?" A voice jolted me out of my thoughts and I found a scowling Vinay standing opposite to me.

I rolled my eyes "What's it to you?"

He leapt onto the seat and glared at me "Don't you remember that you are married?"

"The last time I checked, you were the one who was getting ready for another marriage, not me"

"I told you, I wasn't"

"Oh, really?" I began in a sarcastic tone "Your mom is trying to find a girl for your non-existent brother then. Isn't it?"

"I never agreed to her" he snapped angrily.

"It doesn't matter if you didn't. You tried nothing"

"You wouldn't know" He replied in a much calmer tone before speaking again "You didn't answer me. What are you talking to him?"

"He introduced himself and we talked about random subjects"

"You were laughing with him" he stated with a frown.

"What? I am not allowed to do that?" I said with a mock gasp.

"Tulasi.. I didn't mean it that way"

"We were discussing about the love letters he got from students" I said casually, turning my attention away from him.

"Look at me" he ordered softly and I glanced at him, trying to hide the sadness in my eyes "You were thinking about our time together reading that idiotic love letter I got, weren't you?"

"It doesn't matter--"

"It does.. You were thinking about me. That's enough to continue my trials"

"Your mom will never accept me back. And you know that. Why don't you stop pretending that everything will be alright?"

"I-I-can change ---things. It will--"

"Stop it Vinay" I said softly and he looked at me in grief "You'll choose your mother, anytime. Even if she is bad and mean to others. You can't be for your pregnant wife. Do you think you'll make a good father for a baby girl?"

"How do you know it's a girl?"

"I am only assuming. I don't want a son who'd take after his dad. A girl is very safe"

"You want your kid to be with you. Yet, you don't understand why I want my mother in my life" he said calmly.

"You said your father always listens to your mom. But, you won't support your wife like he does" I said defiantly "And it's not a matter of choosing between your mother and wife. It's about choosing what is right and what is wrong. You chose wrong, questions barred"

"Her way of thinking is different, she is a bit old fashioned and--"

"Mean? Abusive? Vicious? Rude? Vulgar? Did I leave anything else?" I said sweetly and he tutted in disappointment.

"What happened to you? You bore her behavior---"

"Yeah, I did. For you. But now, no way. I am not going to bear everything for the man who stayed silent as if he was watching a Cricket match when his mom threw me out" I said breathlessly.

"So, you don't want me now?" He questioned, gaping at me in shock and I turned away.

I want him. If only, he knew how much. I thought I can bear his mom but now I came back to my senses. She will never let me live peacefully. A person who wants to marry her son again for money will never be satisfied with a girl like me.

"Who do you want then? That Kiran?" He asked violently.

"What do you mean?"

"He is single and knows how to charm women. Looks like you fell under his spell too---"

"Do you want me to slap you again?" I said through clenched teeth "Trust me I will, if you say another word." He looked troubled, shaking his head in shame and I continued "You were the one who wanted me for money, you were the one who's getting ready for another marriage without getting a divorce, and you were the one who left his wife and daughter on their own. Yet, you have the nerve to accuse me?"

"I am sorry. I was-jealous. I can't help it. I can't imagine you with anyone else. You are mine"

"No, I am not. You left me, remember? I can be with anyone I want to be with"

"Please don't say that. It hurts me to even think of you with another guy"

"Does it? Have you ever thought how I'd feel knowing that you're after another woman?"

"I don't want anyone apart from you; believe me" he said sadly.

"What do you want from me?" I asked quietly, losing my patience and strength "Why don't you leave me alone?"

"I can't Tulasi. I love you" He mumbled.

---

Thank you for reading. Please Vote, Comment and Share

Her mother-in-law will make an appearance in the next chap. Will try to update 'He is in Love' as soon as possible. I am yet to start working on it.

Have a good day/night.

- JANAKI S