Her Second-Hand Husband!

Anandhi's PoV

I was very happy to talk to Prakasam anna. Well he is my mama (uncle's son) actually but I used to call him anna since my childhood. He is a very good man at heart but I don't know why this has happened to him. Anamika was 3years elder to Anika. She was a very beautiful woman. She was such a polite and soft girl that all our relatives adored her. I used to scold Anika, comparing her to Anamika whenever she does some mischievous thing. I can bet that it's not just me who did that, all our relatives who knew Anamika, did the same thing.

Though his daughter has gone, he tries to help us now with this unexpected situation. I would not say this is totally unexpected, we know that this will happen sooner or later. We have always known my husband's health condition. I am grateful that he is at least alive. Prakasam anna has asked for Anika's horoscope and biodata as he knows someone who is looking for a bride. If my husband was alright, we would be doing the same by now. If Anika is sent out, it would be just Advay that I have to worry about. Advay has scholarships available from his school correspondent, so I think his college wouldn't be a problem. I pray to god that he should enter a college in counselling.

"Ennanga (an endearment to call a husband), Prakasam anna called me today. He said there is someone in our relatives looking for a bride. He asked for Anika's horoscope." I told my husband.

"We are not in a right position now, Anandhi. All our savings went in the drain. You should have left me to die!" he spoke with strain and I understood him just fine.

"Please, don't talk like this. You are the most important person in our lives and we need you with us always, at least as a moral support. Prakasam anna said that they don't demand anything from us."

"No... We should not send our daughter empty handed. Her life won't be good if we do that."

"He said that they are rich and won't expect anything from us. You have to consider our current situation too. We have a son ready for college. The little income I get from flowers will be enough to feed us but it will not be enough to pay his college fees. His scholarship will cover 50% of his fees and the rest will fall upon our shoulders. Even if Anika goes to work, her salary will be just enough for her to survive in Chennai or Bangalore wherever she gets her job. Besides, it is not good to make our daughter earn for our whole family. She doesn't need to sacrifice her life for us." I said.

He stayed quiet after that. I know he is feeling guilty that he could do nothing to help us. He has done enough for us already. My kids are grown to take care of themselves. Anyways in another four years he will be retired. I just think that he retired some years earlier.

"Shall I send him Anu's photo and horoscope? I am not asking you to compromise Anika's life. We are not going to fix her wedding right away. If everything goes well and only if Anika is ok, we can proceed. Let's start her wedding process. We don't want to delay her life because of our financial needs." I told him for which he nodded his head yes.

"But Anandhi, Anika is in love with somebody!" he tried to tell me when I was about to get up. Oh yes, that! How did I forget about that?

do now?"

you till death do us apart. This disability is nothing compared to the love and life you gave me. We are not going to compromise anything in Anika's life just because you are in this state now. Shall I ask her to bring Arun home? Let's see if he is good for her. If not, we will send him away and will marry her of our choice. If he was good, then we must give them both enough time to settle themselves. Is that ok?" I asked him.

picked up my phone to call Anika, she went to college for her work. Just when I picked it

me." I

to Saravanan? What did

spoke to him anna. He said ok. But whom are we talking about? Do I know the

asked me to give them the bride's photo and biodata. I don't want to tell you who that is now and give you hope. But I assure you that if that family accepts Anika, then all your problems will be solved and

Anu. We won't be disappointed if it doesn't work out. Also we don't like to solve our problems using her life. All we want is her happiness." I told him.

as soon as possible. I will tell you when the groom's family says ok." he said. He is determined

send you soon, anna." I

up on him, I called

me, Ma." She asked me as soon as she picked

are getting wedding proposals from our relatives.

How can you possibly talk about this right now?" she asked me

marry you tomorrow. Our relative says that the groom's family will expect nothing of us and will also take care of the wedding expenses too. Fortunately, we have

get a job yesterday and today you talk about my marriage? Are you serious? Ok, let's say

a scholarship to finish his studies. With what I earn, your dad and I would

Will you all be suffering while I get married happily? I am already guilty and please don't do

fault. Your dad forgot to buy his pressure medicines two days before that happened. He was not taking his medicines for two days straight and that made him paralyzed. Not you!" I tried to ingest that into her thick