51. The Horror Of My Life

Anika’s PoV

I am scared of Arjun. Arjun threw me out of our bedroom yesterday night and I was left to take up the room near the swimming pool. He was clearly not in a mood to listen to me talk or neither did I try to explain as I was too shocked to know that he knows about Arun. How did he know that? Did he go behind me to check on me? Arun is a nobody. Everything was over between us and that is why I didn't want to bring him up. I thought I would start a new life with Arjun. Once I realized my love for him, I clearly knew that the feeling I had for Arun was not love at all. I thought Arun was irrelevant to my life, until now.

Looks like my act of immaturity has its own consequences. I now remember what my dad said, ‘It is not the right age to make life decisions.’ How true is that? What should I do now? I should explain to him that Arun is a nobody and it is a mistake I did out of misunderstanding. But will he even let me explain? With the way he spoke to me last night, I am sure he wants nothing to do with me. Is that it? My life is done and dusted just in a month’s time? I feel like I am choking myself with sorrow. I called Advay as I wanted to vent out. I cannot talk to Nithya as she would be very busy and happy now, it is her wedding day after tomorrow. I thought of asking Arjun to take me to her wedding that is happening in Coimbatore, but I cannot do it now.

“Hey Adu, how are you?”

“Akka(sister), I am good, how are you? How is mama(Arjun)?”

“I am ok. He is ok too, I think.”

“What happened, akka? Your voice is not right. Did you fight with mama?”

“Did I? No, I did not.”

“You should not, akka. You should be happy to have mama as your husband. I was scared of your stupid tongue to bring you problems but even after you told mama about Arun, he is so openminded and understanding that he didnt get upset or angry on you. He asked me how to make you alright. He is a true gem.”

“He did what?” If I was in shock that Arjun knew about Arun before, now I am having a cardiac arrest. Arjun knew about Arun and also used my brother to cross check it. Oh, he is a successful businessman. So from Advay, he knew that I was in love with Arun. How am I going to make him understand that it is not true?

“He called me two weeks ago to let me know about my college and also asked me about Arun and your relationship. I told him that you married him wholeheartedly after your break up with Arun.”

Now I remember his cruel punishments for me. That is why he hurt me in the name of sex. That is why he made me work for a day as an attender in his office. That is why he wanted to drown me. He thought that I broke up with Arun and married him for his money. He already had that thought on our first night and that got stronger after knowing about Arun. He must have thought that I lied to him on our first night about my love for him. God, everything is messed up.

“Akka?”

“Uh, yeah, he is a true gentleman. I will talk to you later. Bye, Adu.” I hung up on him

But even after knowing everything, he was sweet to me for the last two days. He asked me to start over, and we were finally happy together. I tried to remember what Arjun said last night.

‘I gave you enough time to confess your crimes to me but you chose not to, thinking of me as a fool. I tried hard to let go of your past but it looks like you are not yet ready. Now, even if you are ready to move forward, I am done forgiving you.’

He gave me chances to confess my CRIMES? Crimes? He has all bad ideas about me in his head. The only thing I did was to not talk about Arun to him which I still think is completely irrelevant to our life. Chances? He always has asked me if I am ok to marry him or happy to be married to him. He tried to let go of my past? Yes, he did and now I messed it up by accidentally speaking of Arun’s name in place of Arjun. He is not ready to listen or forgive me for one last time.

The only way to solve this problem is talking my heart out. Praveen and Priya were so right. Arjun is a tough one. He thinks that I betrayed him. But gauging from his anger last night, he will kill me if I try to talk to him. He even threatened to harm my family. Should I be patient to win his trust and love or should I take it up to the elders? I always spoil things with my immaturity and hastiness. I should try and be patient this time.

We are now packing our stuff for our honeymoon. After our breakfast today, uncle gave Arjun an envelope and asked us to pack our belongings for a week long trip. He gave us tickets to Maldives. Wrong timing. I am more than scared to be with him on the same floor, now they want us to spend a whole week on an island all alone? The flight is tonight and we are already late now for the airport.

“You are late already. Have a fun trip. Stay safe, take care.” Aunty rushed us out of the house. Arjun never spoke a word to me in the car and I ran behind him to the check-in queue. He left me behind in the line.

“Here is your boarding pass, madam. Have a safe flight.” The lady on the counter told me, handing me a piece of paper.

“Thank you.” I walked towards the waiting area to find Arjun. This is all new to me. I have never been to an Airport before. I sat beside him, he was too busy to even notice me sitting near him. I looked at the boarding pass and was stunned to see the destination. It says we are going to Kolhapur. If my general knowledge is right, it is in Maharashtra.

“We are going to Maharashtra?” I asked him, collecting all my courage.

“Yes.”

“But uncle said Maldives?”

“So? You want a honeymoon? With me or with Arun? Should I call him to come along?” He asked me coldly.

“Arjun, stop it.” I got angry.

“Shut up. Don't make a scene here. This is my business trip and you are an extra.” He’s decided to hurt me and he has started it already. I should use this lonely time and try to talk to him.

The flight journey was not very bad. He made sure our seats were not near each other. I had the window seat and my first ever flight experience gave me a neutral feeling. I was neither happy nor sad. It was early in the morning when we checked into a hotel which looked like a palace again. People there knew him well, which tells me that he is a regular there. We were guided to a beautiful suite. As soon as we were left alone, he locked himself in the restroom. I waited patiently outside while he came out and got ready and left the room without a word. Excellent, I am left all alone in a hotel suite in a place full of aliens.

It is past 3pm and still no sign of him. I didn't have my breakfast or lunch as I don't have any money on me. I don't even know how to call the reception to order food. I tried calling him many times but he never picked my call. The hunger and loneliness started to kill me when I finally decided to go out of the room at least to take a tour of this hotel. I am not illiterate. I can find my way back here.

I went out of the room out of frustration and I forgot to take the key-card. Successfully, I locked myself out of the room. Great! Just great! I walked towards the elevator to go down to the reception to ask for their help. I remember to look for the suite number before I left.

“Um… excuse me, I accidentally locked myself out of the room. Can you give me another keycard?”

“Sure, mam. May I know your room number?” The receptionist sang.

“Yeah, it is suite number 559.”

“Oh, you are in a suite, let me check if your name is on the check-in details. Your name please?” she asked me and looked at the computer for my name. “Sorry, madam. Your name is not on the computer. The suite is booked in the name of Mr. Arjun. I can only give the key-card to him.”

“But I am his wife. We checked in together. He is out for business. Here, this is the picture of our wedding.” I tried explaining to her, showing her my phone.

“Is there a problem?” A man in a neat suit came forward. The receptionist explained the situation and he looked at me.

“Madam, please wait for sometime. I will check in with the security cameras just to make sure that you are our guest.” He told me and went in. I walked to the lobby and sat on the cushy couch. This day couldn’t get any worse.

“Sorry for the delay, madam. Here is the keycard.” He came to me.

“That is ok. Is your restaurant open now?”

“Yes, mam. It is open round the clock. You can just tell the waiter your suite number and the bill will be added to your suite bill. Thank you and sorry again.” He went away giving me all the good news. This day is not that bad.

I walked towards the restaurant and stopped on my tracks looking at the scene in front of me. My hunger and anger flew away and in its place sat a huge insecurity. Is that Anamika? She looks very different in the short hair-cut but I can tell that it is her with her height, her figure and those talking eyes. So she is not dead after all. What is she doing here? Why is she crying? Why is she hugging Arjun? Why is Arjun hugging her back? I take it back, this day is the worst day of my life.