60. I Will Never Learn!

Anika’s PoV

That was a blunder again. Gosh, why is it so hard to withhold my tongue? He was already fuming and I added fuel to his anger. With that force he raised his hand, I wouldn't have survived if he had slapped me. He dashed out of the door and banged it behind him. Now I am left all alone in this room. To do what? I am now not sure how I am going to fix this. Where did he go now? He is extremely angry to drive his car. I ran out but saw his car sitting right where he parked it. Ok, he didn't go out, but where is he?

All I wanted to do was to explain that there is nothing between me and Arun that is alive. I wanted to apologise to him for that name slip. I wanted to explain that whatever he thinks or is fed to think is completely false. I wanted to tell him that I am very loyal to him in this relationship. I wanted to clarify that Arun was a closed chapter. I wanted to make him see that Preethi is the trouble maker.

I never expected him to come home in such a mood. Everything went downhill. My anger shot up when he ignored my pain and shut me out. That Arjun who came running to help my dad just disappeared in a snap. Why is he turning into a man who he is not? This is madness completely built on false allegations. The only way was to talk it out and expose the true culprit.

The burn was intolerable but the heartache was more hurting that I disregarded the pain and banged on the door to knock some sense into his brain. When he refused to open the door, I got more angry and my anger turned towards Preethi. It was all because of her. Though I dont have proof to point her out, I knew in my heart that it was her.

Just like magic, the mention of her name did the trick and the door opened revealing the scariest man standing tall towering me with his dead eyes and raging breath. I retreated fearing him for every step he marched forward. He pulled me into the room when granny came out inquiring about all the ruckus. When I whined of pain, he looked at my hand and I could see the pain in his eyes. His eyes never left my wound and he got the first aid kit to treat me. See, this is my Arjun. A very compassionate man who couldn't pass through people without helping them out of their misery. That is who he is.

My love for him knew no bound then. How much should he love me to treat me with so much care at the peak of his anger and when he thinks that I am being dishonest with him? That love he has for me pushed away everything else that had been rupturing our relationship. I wanted to make love to him then and there and I initiated it brushing away all the hesitations and reluctance. He moved in closer to me, ripping my shirt off and pushing me back on the bed, belittling me with his huge figure.

Everything was good until my damn phone started ringing. It was like a switch to him, just like that, he turned all grumpy again and if I’m not wrong, he was more furious than before. The feeling of fear and lust kicked me in and out. I cowered under his strong gaze as I was battling to settle my hormones that were all over him. The feeling of being rejected in bed, refusal to get high, abrupt interruption all made me feel too low on myself. I felt insulted that I could not look into his eyes.

He then spat out those fiery words on me which scarred my heart. It was true that I have sexual urges. I could not stop but to lose control of myself when he is around. It is not just happening to me today or yesterday but has been happening to me since the day I saw him. The mere thought that I am breathing the same air that he breathes gives my body an adrenaline rush. Do I have an explanation for that? No. My body reacts to only him. But he put the words that meant that I have sexual desire that is irrelevant to him. He cannot take him away from that equation which will make no sense.

And as usual, I lost track of what I was saying and said all the horrible doubts I had in my heart. And added a last bit that I never meant to, just to get back at him. He hurt me and I hurt him. That was me all along. But I guess family and love never work that way. Is it too late to mend myself?

Unknowing of his whereabouts, I stayed up all night but he never came back to our room. I was too scared to go out looking for him as it grew dark sooner and I am not used to walking between the trees. It was morning already and I woke up with shuffling noises in the room. Looks like I have slept sitting near the door.

“Arjun, I am sorry.” I stood up swiftly when I saw him getting into the restroom.

“Listen, Anika. I'm done with you. I know you are in love with Arun. I thought that you moved on from him and married me with love. That is why I wanted to start a life with you. But when I heard you say his name, I realized you still love him. I also know that you are talking to him on a daily basis and you are waiting for him to rescue you. I was so wrong to have brought you here. I thought you were mine and wanted to punish you and also keep you for myself. I was so foolish to have thought that. I renounce my hold on you, you can leave here whenever you like. I am going to see the lawyer today. I will come home with the divorce papers with my sign. And about that hand-crafted jewelry I asked you to do for the money I spent on your family, I didn't mean it, I just wanted to see you exhaust yourself of overworking. I am not willing to talk to you any longer.” He said without looking at my face and locked himself in the restroom.

He is completely broken. His eyes lost their life. I could not see him like this. It breaks my heart to see him like this. He loves me. He is in love with me and that is the reason behind all this chaos. What did he say? I am talking to Arun on a daily basis? No, that is not true. Why would he think like that? No, he is not assuming things. He said he knows it and I am sure he must have something strong to believe in it. What am I missing? I am waiting for Arun to rescue me? Rescue me from what? There is something going on that involves me but I am completely off the hook.

I must clear up all the blame on me and for that I must investigate into Preethi first. I strongly think she is behind everything. Arjun is already very mad and broken because of me. If I go and blame Preethi on her face, it will only make the situation even worse. What should I do? That man we saw in the shop, yes, Preethi’s husband. I must start with him.

“Arjun, wait a minute.” I stopped him when he came out of the restroom.

“Who told you that I am still talking to Arun?”

“Arjun, whatever you think is not true. I …” He just cut me off and left. He sure meant that he doesn't want to do anything with me anymore.

He is still an idiot to suspect my love for him but that doesn't fade the fact that I love him to death and he loves me the same way I do. He asked me to leave whenever I like and I am not leaving anytime soon. Not before making him realize his stupidity. Besides, I still don't like to get charity even though he didn't mean it. So I am going to work tirelessly to earn.

I made up my mind and walked out to carry on with my daily activity. It was almost noon when I settled granny after her bath. I am yet to cook lunch. But just then someone knocked on the door.

“Kathir anna, Come in.” I was surprised to see him.

“How are you, Anika? Arjun sir asked me if I know someone trustworthy to work here in my absence. I really had a good time in my hometown for the past week and I was starting to get bored without any work. So I just came back.”

“Oh, sorry you had to cut short your trip.” I told from the bottom of m y heart.

“Oh don't be, I don't have a wife to go to anyways. My wife died a long time ago. I usually will visit my son, daughter-in-law and my granddaughter. And I just found that the hospitality will change between staying a week and staying for months. I don't blame my daughter in law, she is a good wife and a mother. I am happy as long as my son is happy. I am more happy here than there.”

He said which made me think about Arjun. He is a son-in-law to my parents. He did more than any son would do to his parents. You can say that he did it because he has more money, but there are many wealthy people who will never have that heart to give away. I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. He took care of the kitchen. I started to take care of other things like cleaning, washing clothes, taking care of granny, and making my jewelry. My day is jam packed with work and I like it that way.

“Here, I have signed it already. I have not yet talked about this to my parents. Let me know when you are leaving and I will talk to them before that.” He came in with a bunch of legal bond papers and placed it on the table I was working on. He went in and locked the room.

I took the papers and placed it in the drawer of the table where I keep all my clothes. He completely avoided me then and spent his time home with granny and TV and his laptop. He went out all day, even on Saturdays and Sundays. He locked himself in the room and I started sleeping on the couch outside. Days rolled by and we lived in that house like strangers. Arjun doesn't even acknowledge my presence here. He dodged every attempt I tried to talk to him or to help him carry out his work. Though Kathir knew that we are not on good terms, he never breathed a word about it to me. He would cheer me up by talking about his experience and teaching me to cook. Weeks went by before Harish called me with the address of Preethi’s husband.