Chapter 21: Chapter 21

"Some people make it so hard to hate them; others make it so hard to love them."

I put the pan on the stove, made tea. Meanwhile, I pressure cooked potatoes, peeled them and after cooling mashed them with salt, coriander and spices. I made round balls of dough and stuffed it with potato mash. I flattened out the rounds making crispy Parantha (oil baked desi bread).

"Hey, I will do it." Bhabhi impeded, coming inside.

"No, I am doing it. You please strain tea for everyone."

"Okay!" She did as told. Bhabhi was herself an interior designer but she left her job when Adi was born as she wanted to give her baby full attention and since then, she became full time housewife.

"Bhabhi, how many years of your marriage has completed?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Um...4 years. I mean, it's four running."

"Good!" I mumbled, thinking how long my marriage will work. Soon, everyone's down for breakfast and we joined them, I peered at Abhimanyu to see he's completely dressed except his tie.

What's wrong with him? It is his room, his things and he can't find his tie. Seriously?

Before I touched his things, he was managing them and he suddenly forgot where they were! Unbelievable! I twitched my lips gobbling the parantha; he didn't even coax me, not for once. Yes, he did try to get my attention so that I would offer him help just like today but his bloody mouth didn't utter please or sorry.

I mean like what? What it would take to accept your mistake and say a simple sorry? It is just a word, of five letters. But the egoistic hot jerk won't say it. Not that I would've forgiven him but still…

"Shree!!" I was snapped back to reality when I heard mom and saw everyone looking at me "Yes?"

"Where are you lost? Abhimanyu said bye and you didn't reply." Okay, it was a shock but latter one was bigger. "He said he will come home in mid noon to take you out on lunch." And my eyes popped out.

"What?"

"Yes! But you didn't reply. So he went. Where were you lost?"

"Uh...nothing." I dismissed but I wanted to ask 'are you sure'. As far as I'd known him in these days, I was sure he was not joking but why in the hell did he think I would go out with him?

"Mom, I am going to my room." I excused myself and staggered to my room, to see it in the previous position; disastrous and disorganized.

I cleaned the mess, not neatly but more messily, I bunched up his things whatever it was; clothes, socks, files and threw on the sofa. I could see red only. How dare he think I will go anywhere with him? My mind throbbed badly and I lied down, decreasing the temperature.

ESV huffs 'This man will make me blood pressure patient very soon with this dedication'.

I woke up lazily and stretched my arms. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and blinked to see Abhimanyu standing before me, folded hands.

My instant reaction cue rolled my eyes. I jumped off the bed and strolled to the bathroom when he gripped my elbow, "Why are you not ready?"

Because I don't want to go, dumb.

I didn't reply him and moved ahead when he pulled me again. "I am asking you something."

"And I am not going to answer. Leave me I need to use the loo." I countered back, struggling out of his grip.

"I am sorry." He mumbled, almost inaudibly. If I wasn't standing at hearing distance, I would've surely missed it.

I didn't reply and padded to the bathroom. Getting fresh, I came out. He was sitting on the bed, probably waiting for me because he stood before me as soon as I neared him.

"Get ready. I am taking you out on lunch." He insisted, and I glared him. "Why?"

"Why others go on lunch?"

"Others!!" I scoffed, "Abhimanyu, others don't behave like you and I am not going anywhere."

I turned to take my laptop but he caught my elbow "But I said sorry." He defended.

"Ah! I am very lucky." I mocked and jerked my hand away, he kept looking at me and I threw his things from sofa to floor and sat on it.

"I didn't mean whatever I said." I heard him but didn't look. "Shree, let's just behave like adults. Stop moping around!"

"I have told you several times, don't you dare to rule me." I pointed my finger at him. "You yelled on me that day, I said nothing but it doesn't mean you will do whatever you want."

He didn't answer but look at me, unblinking "Besides, you should be thankful that I am not trying to be your fucking wife." I laughed humorlessly, air quoting the word 'wife'.

"Don't say that okay. I am sorry. I didn't mean that, it's just I was just angry on someone else." He apologized, sitting beside me.

"Yeah and you decided to pour out your anger on me. Why?" I looked at him, hurt. "When you don't want me when you don't want this relationship, how dare you to yell on me? Who am I? Your servant?"

Exhaling, he rubbed his face. "I never thought like that. I told you I said that in anger. I just couldn't find my -"

"Why didn't you say sorry in last four days?" I demanded and he questioned back. "Were you even looking at me? You used to sleep before me and woke up after me, always around with my family. You didn't give me any chance."

"You can't blame me. Okay!"

"I am not blaming you. It was my fault and I am sorry. I never thought like that. It's -"

"You said I am imposing myself on you!" I reminded him, looking down. Yes, I was hurt. Deeply.

"I am sorry!" He breathed out.

"You said I keep blaring in your ears."

"I am sorry for that also."

"You also-" I started but he pressed his palm on my mouth, looking at me intently and our eyes latched. "I am sorry for all the things I said and all other things I didn't say. Please forgive me."

I thought over his words but decided to punish him more; he had hurt me over the limit, so I mumbled against his palm. "I will not forgive you and I will not go anywhere with you."

He couldn't just hurt me and stand before me shamelessly asking for forgiveness. If he considered me as a human, he must treat me like one and if he was going to keep making mistakes, I thought he must learn by now that not every time, I would overlook it.

***

I made a face while straining tea for everyone. Abhimanyu's really a jerk. A big one. A full day rolled by, damn! A full day. As if, he had some kind of conscience revelation after our only conversation in yesterday afternoon that he decided to maintain distance. I mean who the hell was he?

"Shree! Come and have your breakfast. Everyone is waiting!" Badi ma ushered me and I tilted my chin. "I am just bringing tea."

Moment precisely as she left, Abhimanyu ambled inside. "Give me tea fast. I am not going to have breakfast, I have an important meeting."

Though I was done and I could've given him one of the filled cups, I didn't. Instead, I placed the kettle on the slab and moved aside. "Do it yourself."

Listening my words, his demeanor changed and his eyebrows created perfect frown. "So you're still not doing my work?"

No words.

"Fine! I don't want damn tea!" He spat and zoomed out. I twitched my lips, yes I felt bad. I didn't want to do that but he was behaving moronically. Since yesterday when I said I won't forgive him. He didn't try to cajole me, fondle me. Why can't he understand I am a girl, I want pampering, love and affection.

Sighing, I shooed the thought away, and sat on the dining table after serving tea to everyone.

"Mom!!" Abhimanyu's irritated voice boomed in the hall and I smiled in cognoscible.

ESV sneered, 'Mr. Hot jerk, I hope this is high time, someone brings you to books. Why not me?' I raised a toast to her inwardly.

His ruffled hair, folded sleeves and raged filled eyes meets mine as he came down.

ESV, are you there?

'Yes sister!'

Why am I feeling that hot jerk is mad at us?

"Mom, Where are my files?" Abhimanyu asked mom but I could sense his glares on me.

"How would I know?" Mom casted an uninterested glance at him, "Ask your wife."

"Me...Um...I have no idea." I stuttered, sipping on my tea.

ESV raised her hand with hesitation, 'Date dusting! Are you familiar with the concept, honey?'

"Shree!" He called out sweetly and his fake smile was almost sculptured in that clenched jaw.

"Come with me for a minute."

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head, simultaneously.

No way am I coming with you. I love my life.

"No, I'm having breakfast, so don't disturb me." I waved my hand shooing him and everyone laughed.

"Abhi, stop behaving like a kid. How would she know where are your files? You don't even let your mom touch them." Dad objected.

Abhimanyu paying zero heed to them gripped my hand and took the cup away, placing it on the dining table and turned to everyone. "Give us a moment."

Before I could oppose, he ran with me in supersonic speed and the moment I entered the room, he pasted me in the closed door, bracketing his arms either side of my head.

"Now tell me, where are my files?" He asked but my mind stopped registering his words. I mean okay yes I hated him but however, he was my husband - a male and he was standing so close to me that I could even smell his cologne - which was definitely not doing any good.

ESV propounded, 'Show him some kung fu skills?' I glared her.

Now she called me hesitantly on this, 'What about kissing him and make him baffle for a moment. We can make this chance to run'.

SHUT UP!

"I am asking you something." My trance broke out when he blew a hair stray from my forehead and I gulped nervously.

"I will answer but just.....stay away." I tried to push him by placing my hands on his chest and he griped my wrists, flushing me more into him, making my eyes more wide than ever.

"Come on, tell me." He acted all calm as if he was sure that I was the one behind it all but I was not going to give up this easily.

"Say sorry!" I demanded and like a miracle, he did. He genuinely apologized to me because it looked in his eyes.

ESV warned me, 'He can be a cunning mass. Don't go for his charm!'

"Shree please tell me. I am getting late." He somewhat hissed much to my annoyance.

"Say you will take me out on dinner tonight." Yeah, I gave up on free food yesterday but I was not going to do that anymore.

"What rubbish?" He scoffed. "Listen, I'm getting late for my meeting."

"So?"

"Give me my files." He greeted his teeth and I pretended to be frightened a bit. "I don't know where they are!"

"You'll regret." He threatened blocking me between his arms cage and glared me, "If I miss this meeting, I will make sure you mope around for a valid reason, and so give me my files. Now."

"Fine!" I twitched my lips, trying to show the thick skin whereas it was affecting me. His anger sizzled with his proximity. "Your files are in storeroom." I avoided looking at him as he looked murderous.

He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, someone pushed the door and since he forgot to lock, it opened ajar hitting him on his back and he fell on me.

ESV swirled and fell off the cliff, comatose. 'Oh my God! He's way too heavy'. I immediately pushed him and he glared me.

"Oh, I am just...uh...I don't know you guys were busy....okay I'm going." Vidhi bhabhi scurried away and I got red with embarrassment.

"Get up!" Abhimanyu stood up and after puffing out dust from his pants, he held out his hand for me. I glared him and got up placing my hands on the floor. I rubbed my elbows, yup, I got hurt and actually I wanted to rub my butt but before him...huh...no way.

"Why didn't you lock the door?" I frowned and he glared me back. "Just pray that I don't get late for my meeting else you're gone." He threatened me and whooshed away.

"Moron! Huh!" I adjusted my dress and sprinted downstairs, I also had to attend office today.

"Shree! Beta, we're going to Rajvi's home for Ramayana in the evening. So don't wait for us on dinner." Badi ma informed and I queried. "But Bhabhi and Dada are home right?"

"No! Anshu and I are going to my mom's home. Will be late." Bhabhi blinked smiling.

***

It was almost 7:30 in the evening when I come back, so I decided to have a bubbling hot bath first, err...not to brag but yes, Abhimanyu had a really admiring bathroom with a big bathtub and it just pulled me. I stripped and put my foot into the bathtub, that was filled with rose essence water and as soon as I laid my back against the marble edge, my body immediately relaxed.

After an hour or so, I came out of the washroom sheathed in bathrobe and walked to the cupboard and tried to open it.

"What the hell?" I frowned and pulled the handle with more force but it just didn't open.

"Ahem!" I widened my eyes and spun with a jerk.

There stood a smirking Abhimanyu, leaning against the closed door with hands crossed against his chest. I became conscious.

What the!!! I was totally naked under that fluffy one piece that had barely covered my thighs and I was so sure, it hadn't left much for imagination. My cheeks flushed deep hued red when his gaze roved on my body lazily, shamelessly taking in all the peculiarities.

"Searching for this?" He quipped slogging near me and juggled the keys, I watched the keys confused and then it clicked to me.

He. Locked. The. Wardrobe.

I tried to catch the keys but he heaved his hand up in the air, "Ah ah! Not so soon baby." He winked at me mischievously. "The fun has just started. Do you think I will let you go so easily?"