I lay down on my bed with much difficulty. To say I was tired would be an understatement. The fact that someone had tried to murder me less than 24 hours ago was scaring the shit out of me.
'All because of Biwi and her stupid Ganpati Visarjan!' I thought to myself.
I rubbed my eyes with my palms and tried to stay awake. If not for the fact that I was hungry and wanted to eat food, I may have just slept. The events of today clouded over me like smoke. When had the shooting even happened? Why hadn't I noticed that something was fishy? Most importantly, who was behind all this?
I was pretty sure my slimy step-father and brother had something to do with. Their sheepish looks and lovey-dovey attitude increased my doubts on them. My mother may be in on it too, one could never know in this family. Seemed to me like the only person I could trust in this house was my Biwi.
Biwi.
It was such a loaded word, for me at least. I would have never imagined myself married, tied down to someone, until when she had entered my life. I didn't hate her, that was for sure. But I definitely did not love her, neither did I treat her like how a husband treats his wife. But I knew that I cared for her, that was about all she could expect from a beast like me.
In fact, if there were anyone in this house who might have wanted to kill me, and whose reasons I would have found justifiable, it was my Biwi. She had every reason to despise me. I had ruined her life, in certain ways.
'Yet, RK, she pushed you out of harm's way today.'
Why had Madhu done that? I could only wonder why. I didn't see any reason for her wanting to protect me. But she had, today. My mind went over the incident again and again in my few hours of deliriousness, how she had rashly pushed me, noticing the bullet which was aimed at me as a result of which I had an injury today on the shoulder.
Shooting would have to wait, I guess. All because of that biwi of mine and her stupid concern.
I ran a hand through my hair and tried to ignore the voices in my head which said, 'It's only an injury on the shoulder, RK. If not for Madhu, it could've been your head.'
Maybe this was what Madhu wanted' to be noticed as the hero in my life. To be framed all over the magazines, immortalized over time as the dutiful wife who saved her husband. There's no other reason why she would do something this rash. She had even injured herself in the process of "protecting" me. I had noticed the bandage on her head, somewhere in the course of the day.
'Try to convince yourself that she has no reason to care for you, RK. Not after what you've done to her.'
No' Madhu may have dreams. But she wasn't this cunning. Not cunning enough to want to injure me for fame or hog the limelight. Madhu was everything you could ask for in a woman; passion, strength and love.
'Why the hell is she yours, RK? You define everything that Madhu hates!'
I tried to cut out the voices in my head, my warring emotions. Just as I was trying to sit up on my bed, the object of my thoughts entered the room, looking as ravishing as ever.
"Love her or hate her RK, you can't ignore your Biwi. '
I gave her a quick once over so she wouldn't notice I was staring. She was wearing a white salwar-kameez, looking innocent and gentle. I saw the look she gave me as she noticed I was trying to sit up on my bed.
She was at my side in less than an instant, her gentle fingers on my shoulder. I winced in pain as she helped me up, trying to ignore the tingles I felt at her mere touch.
Get a grip of yourself, RK. She's just a woman!
If only she was just that, my Biwi.
She cleared her throat and gently asked me, "How are you feeling?"
I couldn't help feel those pangs of guilt when I heard her voice, full of concern. What on earthcould make her want to be so nice to me after all the nonsense I've put her through?
I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Good, thank you."
She nodded and was about to say something when I asked her, "How are you feeling?"
I could see the visible surprise on her face and she said, "I'm perfectly fine."
I snorted, "Yeah right, Biwi! You have an ugly bandage on your forehead. Not a great look on you."
All the compassion in her face vanished and she retorted, "Says the man who has scratches all over his damn body and a gunshot wound on his shoulder!"
"Tsk tsk' This," I said pointing to my shoulder, "Is a mark that will continue to fascinate women all over India. Like a... Battle scar."
She smirked, "Bullshit, battle scar. You're lucky it's not on your fricking head! Now instead of sitting and thinking about how your wounds make you look desirable, have your food and go to bed!"
By now Biwi's tone had lost all its sweetness. Atta girl, Biwi. This is how me and you function. No small talk, no smiles.
Despite the anger written all over her face, I couldn't help but notice how snugly her clothes fit her, how her loosely tied hair framed her face in the most natural way.
'People may say a lot of stupid things after you're gone, RK. But they'll never say you had bad taste.'
She glared at the way I was scrutinizing her and barked, "What?! Your bullet wounds have made your lose your focus?! My face is UP HERE!"
I laughed at her obvious discomfort which resulted in horrible pain. I was choking and panting. Before I knew it, she was by my side with a glass of water which I gulped down. She gently patted my back and then said, "You never know what's good for you, do you?"
'And you do?' I thought. I couldn't even retort, but I could definitely stare at her face, so close to mine. She looked up at me at that moment and suddenly we were lost in each other's eyes. Her eyes were just captivating; you could read every single emotion in her head at that moment. I lifted up my free hand and brushed a stray strand behind her ear.
"Biwi," I whispered, "Why-"
"MADHU!" My mother's voice cut through mine. Biwi quickly rushed out of the room, murmuring something about getting me my dinner.
I collapsed back onto the bed. Just interacting with her made me so tired, yet I felt so calm. Like she was meant to be here, taking care of me.
I closed my eyes and tried to remind myself why I thought Madhu was an unattractive, heartless person. I couldn't think, surprisingly, of even a single reason.
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I tried to rest, which failed miserably due to the arrival of a certain poisonous cobra named Dipali. I hated that bitch.
She entered my room, her perfume suffocating me.
'Why can't she wear something more sweet? Like what Bi-'MAN, I had to stop letting my Biwi consume my thoughts.
Dipali tried to talk to me about something but she sounded more like a strangled cat. Before I knew it, Dipali was in my bed, making moves on me.
'So this is what all those heroines feel like in the movies,' I thought to myself, 'when some creepy actor puts his hands all over them.'
Difference was that this wasn't a movie, like most of my life was. Dipali was, un-sexily if I may add, trying to make advances. Even if I were the last man on Earth, I wouldn't want her anywhere close to me.
I couldn't even push her off, and her nails were digging into my shoulder as she was literally mauling me.
Then she was hugging me, "RK! Why are you making this so hard for me? Don't you know that I love you?!"
And before I could reply with a witty comeback or rip her hands off me, Biwi entered with a tray of food in her hands.
Dipali was forgotten in a second. What can I say? When my Biwi enters the room, there's no one else worth staring at.
I could see the emotions flicker through Madhu's eyes. She took in the scene in front of her and then turned her eyes towards mine. I didn't know what to feel when I saw how openly jealous Biwi looked.
Biwi masked it up well as she walked towards my side-table with the tray in her hands. She now looked cold and uncaring.
'Looks like there are others who can act in this house, I thought.'
I pushed Dipali off me in one quick shrug.
"What the f**k do you think you're doing?! Get out of my room before I call the security! You bloody dislocated my shoulder!" The rage in my voice was evident and Dipali's actions towards me had just sunk in.
I noticed how Biwi's cold look softened as she glanced at my shoulder, her worry returning. I looked at her to see her reaction at my outburst but by then, the unemotional Biwi was back. She looked me in the eye, her face clearly showing how disgusted she was with me and she walked out.
I was too tired to run after her. What was with women these days?
"COME ON, RK! Your wife just saw both of us and walked out! Don't pretend like you two are married! She literally gave us permission to do whatever we want! Chill, will you?" Dipali purred.
The anger bubbled within me and I knew I was on the brink of exploding, "I don't give a flying f**k about you, or your body or anything else. I am married, and it's high time you come to terms with that. I have a wife, she is your bhabhi! You will treat her with respect!"
Dipali looked shocked at my outburst and I realized I was shaking with anger. I motioned towards the door. She gave me a sly smirk and walked out.
I barely ate any food and lay down again. I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I didn't know why I felt so guilty about the incident with Dipali. When had I ever cared before about what Biwi thought about me?
The look in her eyes today, however had crumbled my resolve.
I realized that I could face any situation, any person being disappointed with me. But I couldn't face it when my Biwi was disappointed with me. I had to fix this.
I waited for over an hour for my Biwi to return to the bedroom. The hours went by slowly and before I knew it, it was midnight.
I knew that Biwi wouldn't be returning to bed tonight, she was probably angry with me.
The RK in me said, "Screw her, you can deal with this tomorrow."
But the Rishabh in me said, "Find her."
And so I did.
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Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
