Reshma was washing dishes, a part of her daily routine since her marriage. The television was playing some series, the kind of ones where you can safely skip a few episodes without a loss of continuity. She was in a rut that you could pick any random day in her life, and it would just be the same.
A few months back her mother-in-law had gotten ill and bedridden for all practical purposes. She could walk, but with the support of her walker. Reshma had few additional tasks to take care of her mother in law. The jam-packed schedule ensured that Reshma doesn't get time to feel bad about her bland life. But sometimes the thought creeps in, especially when she does the dishes overlooking the street. She sees her neighbors rushing to their meetings, offices, and their busy schedules. She wonders if she had concentrated on her career, she wouldn't be stuck in this rut.
Reshma's husband had passed away last year. It made her existence pointless in the city. She always wondered if it is time for her to go back to her hometown, to her parents' home. Maybe she can take care of her parents for a while. Maybe she can reconnect with her long lost friends. She has gone past the stage where she could think of the possibility of romance or an affair.
Reshma's husband worked in the middle-east for a living. She never had a real connection with her husband. Since her marriage, she has taken care of the house. He visited once in a year. She used to feel bad about her sex life. It was mechanical, both undress, he penetrates, finishes in a couple of thrusts, and rolls off to sleep. In the starting years of her marriage, she used to cry at her sex life. She used to yearn for someone to lust after her, someone to take time, savor the moment, go down on her, make her cum. But fate had decided she was bestowed with two thrusts and come. Now, with years passing, she gave up on sexual desires.
The phone rang and he was brought back to the present. She closed the tap, dried her hand, and picked up her mobile phone. Her father was on the other end. After exchanging pleasantries, her father came to the point. Devika, her cousin, had requested that her son stays in her home to pursue his education.
Krishna moved in with his packed suitcases of books and clothes. Reshma helped him settle in the guest room. Reshma, while unpacking, looked at Krishna how much he has grown since the last time they met. Stubble in the face, broadened shoulders, chiseled jawline compared to the teenage kid she met years before. He has indeed grown into a fine young man, she thought to herself. She let him rest and returned to her daily monotonous chores only to be a little ecstatic this time.
For the first time in tears, she was wondering what she shall cook for the evening. She cooked rice and traditional fish curry. She had no wrong intentions, but the change it brought, the presence of a man around brought her back from her years of depression. She dressed up for the dinner, the first time in years. They both ate dinner discussing his college, his interests, and so on. Post the dinner, she helped her mother in law eat dinner in her room. She remarked the food tastes better after years. Reshma blushed. Her mother in law has been urging that Reshma should move on with life rather than give up on life. But she never considered it to date. That night, she touched herself after a long time. She had to bite her fingers not to scream when she orgasmed. She relaxed and dozed off feeling happy, contended. Over the period of next year, they grew very close to each other.
It was a little over a year since Krishna came when he met with an accident. He has multiple fractures in his leg and arm. He was hospitalized for a month. Although Krishna's mother had come, Reshma had to shuffle between hospital and home. Krishna moved home after a month and her mother had to leave. Reshma assured her that she will take care of him. Krishna had a crutch to help him walk. The cast was removed and Krishna is supposed to go through physiotherapy to gain the range of motion. Reshma felt crushed since the call came about his accident. She felt it's her responsibility to take care of him and get him back on his feet.