The next few days were as restless for Arjun as they have been when he realised Priya was missing. He was frustrated and angered and he had no control over the situation. He tried talking to Sakshi multiple times, but she was just not ready to talk to him. She avoided him like the plague.
Having just finished a hectic day at work, Arjun walked into the house to find Sakshi in the living room. Her laptop was sitting on her lap but her gaze was fixed on the window, with a faraway look in her eyes. When she realised his presence in the house, she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before turning to him.
She had been crying, he realised as soon as he saw her eyes. They still held the remnants of the tears.
"Sakshi" He called out softly before sighing heavily. His hand rose up automatically rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Taking a deep breath he slowly walked up to the couch she was sitting in and slumped down next to her.
"Sakshi we need to talk! Please, just..."
"I have been doing some research" She spoke softly, interrupting him.
"Research? What for?"
"Divorce" Her voice was a mere whisper, as if she could not utter the word.
"What? Are you serious? Sakshi c'mon, we can...we can work through this. Please give me..." His heart picked up speed as soon as he heard the word divorce'. He couldn't believe the way his life went spiralling down in a matter of minutes. He got off the couch in frustration as tears started to leak from Sakshi's eyes again.
"I don't know what else to do!" She cried between her sobs.
Thinking it is now or never, he slowly turned around kneeling in front of her.
"Skashi..." He spoke slowly, gently, "...Please, just give me one chance to make things right. I know I haven't done anything till now to make you trust me...but please...just one chance and a little time, that's all I am asking!"
Few minutes passed in silence before she wiped her tears and sniffed. Slowly she started nodding,
"Arjun, mujhe tumhare past se farak nahi padta, all I care about is our present and future together. If you really want to give this marriage another chance then I am ready to give you the time you need."
Arjun sighed in relief, his heart slowly coming back to its normal rate.
~oOo~
Two months later.
The steady thump of his feet and the accelerated heart beat were the only sounds he could hear. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he forced his legs to push harder. Adrenaline rushing though his veins, he rounded the bend in the path and came to an abrupt stop. Panting heavily, he bent down holding his sides to catch his breath. When he looked up, it was just in time to see the golden rays claw their way upwards into the dull morning sky. The glowing sphere slowly rose up from the horizon, engulfing everything it came to touch in its warmth. A small smile played on his lips as he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Arjun spent a few more moments soaking in the warm sunlight before running back home, having just finished his morning run on the beach.
As soon as he stepped into the house, he was engulfed by the aroma of his favourite adrak chai. He straightaway made his way towards the open kitchen, where, sitting on the kitchen counter was his cup of tea.
The morning after Sakshi gave him a second chance, Arjun came home from his morning run to find a cup of tea on the kitchen counter just like today. From then on, it has become one of those sweet routines for both.
He took a long sip, letting the hot liquid slide down his throat giving the much needed warmth in the early morning. He looked up to find his wife speedily working her way around the kitchen, making their breakfast. It will be three months of their marriage in a couple of days and their relationship was making progress. The awkwardness lasted longer than one would have hoped for. Still, they were trying. He was trying.
"Morning Sakshi"
"Morning Arjun, how was your run?"
"Good..." He said and took another sip of his beverage, letting silence settle between them.
"Umm...mein tumhe kal raat kehna bhool gayi, aaj mujhe office jaldi jaana padega..." Sakshi spoke after a few minutes.
"Oh okay, tum gaadi leke cheli jao...mein Shree se ya Sam se lift le loonga"
"Are you sure? I could catch the train or..." His wife started suggesting but he cut her off.
"Nahi, tum gaadi leke jao"
"Okay" Sakshi nodded and smiled.
He stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before grabbing the morning newspaper and walked into the balcony.
***
Sakshi sighed and went back to preparing the breakfast. It has been three months. Once she got over the initial shock of her husband's rejection and everything that followed, she tried best to be herself around him, and not let the depressing feeling consume her. Every time she got frustrated or saddened about the way her married life was going, something inside her kept telling her to give it some time.
It was proving to be easier said than done, but she wasn't ready to give up.
NINE
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