Adarsh stood staring at the sullen moon , the night breeze giving him chills. Looks like its about pour tonight, he thought. He thought about going in from the balcony, but the reason he came out was still in his room.
Every night, she cries.
End of each day since their wedding, Swadeentha hides away in the bathroom and cries. A haunting sort of weeping, filled with pain, grief and loneliness. She thinks he couldn't hear her but every sob filled him with misery.
I didn't want my bride to be this miserable.
Initially he would just leave the room and come back later when she was already curled up under the blankets. He would put aside his conscience and not think about her.
I wish she didn't have to defend my brother's killer.
But she went against his whole family, and had the audacity to be the defense lawyer for his brother's murderers, terrorists Haider and Asad Jilani. And as expected, his family's disapproval hit her like a blizzard, biting cold and relentless.
They ostracized her from everything. Small talk, mealtime mundanities, shunning her dishes pointedly. She tried and they reacted, then slowly she faded from the scene. He suddenly can't remember the last time he saw her eat anything.
Maybe she ate alone in the kitchen, he thought guiltily.
Did she have any money to buy anything for herself? She'd lost her job with Mom and her parents had left, and... well , the Jilanis are .. where they're supposed to be.
The part of him that adored her felt like doubling over. How can I do this to her? I vowed to love her and be there for her always. I'm going to hell for this!
Then he'd remember Simmi and the anger returns, and the need to punish his wife for her choices along with it.
He walked over to her table, looking over at all her books , papers and things. He found her bag littered with her favourite stress time snack aam papad, protein bars and medicines. Her suitcase was partially unpacked and stood in the corner.
Somehow the sight of that suitcase enraged him. It taunted him like a sign that she is prepared to leave at anytime.
Angrily he turned and marched to the bathroom door. He raised his hand to knock loudly when the door opened on him. She came out without looking and bumped right into him and lost her balance. He too lost balance and they fell on one another onto the floor.
Her face right above his, her fragrant wet hair casting mist around them, he looked into her eyes. Sad, moist eyes, swollen lids, her beautiful lips curved down in woe.
No ! I can't take this...
He turned them over swiftly as she gasped.
He gazed at her beautiful face, flushed and breathless. The sight of her moist parted lips distracted him.
She is my wife. How I looked forward to this after marriage. How I wanted to kiss her, touch her, love her, share everything with her...
Instead... his heart says proceed and his brain says Nay!
With a groan he covered her lips with his. Warm and moist he kissed her thoroughly as they gasped for air in between. Her hands hesitantly touched his shoulder and somehow that irked him. He wanted her hands gripping him , running all over him, as he would her.
Irritated, he pushed up on an elbow. And he saw he look in her eyes. Bracing for rejection, her eyes were wide and fearful of pain.
No, not like this. This is not my Swadeentha.
He crushed her lips hard and guided her hands around him. He kissed her with all the passion that he felt until she began to respond. He kissed down her neck and up her ears as she shivered in passion.
Briskly he stopped.
"I love you Swadeentha. You're finally my wife and I want to make love to you. I'm not about to let you leave me. You go and fight your case for your family, and I will for mine. And after that's done we will come and work on our marriage. Understand?"
Breathlessly she nodded.
"No more crying in the bathroom. And please eat proper food. I want this court case to be over as quickly as you do, regardless of the outcome..."
With that he got up and went off for a cold shower, leaving a thoughtful Swadeentha.
End.
