Part 2 Shivaay paced his room, frustration marring his face with a frown.
This woman is MAD! She is stubborn and absolutely difficult !! Ugh!!
You wouldn't believe what she did this morning. Here he was waiting for her to appear, and she just didn't appear. He was about to march out to find the guest room, when his mother appeared. She was in an infinitely better mood, voice all calm and low pitched again, sat with him for breakfast. She laid out a table for two lovingly, buttering his toast and serving coffee for two.
She looked happy. She was talking about how they never talk anymore , just the two of them. He was so busy with his business and didn't have time to waste to sit with his mom. That punctured his heart, so he listened. She told him how she took interest in his business successes , so she can still be part of his life and victories. He was pleasantly surprised about how much of his achievements in the business world she knew and understood. In fact, she was probably the one who wished him the best always.
Just like that sitting together for breakfast, and his mother is happy. Did it only take that much? All she wanted was some of his time? He understood why Annika left the room then, she saw his mom needed him to herself for a while so she stayed away.
Feeling a rush of fondness for her, he went looking for her. He found her downing a cup of tea in the kitchen and grabbing her bag to go. Running into him at the walkway, she met his eyes with assessing eyes of concern.
"How are you today? Feeling better?"
"You could've come up to ask.." he replied.
"Why, your mom was there. You looked well taken care of. What did you need me for?"
Shivaay searched her face , hearing those words. He didn't find anger or hurt, just a solemn question in her eyes. He found himself at a loss for words.
"What did you need me to do Shivaay? Tell me."
I needed to see you?
I wanted to hear your voice.
I wanted to see your pretty face the first thing this morning.
Shivaay swallowed all those words hanging from the tip of his tongue. She gazed into his eyes for a long time, then deciding that he was not going to say anything. He kept staring at her, wondering what was it about her that was different today.
She was wearing her white blouse and jeans, but something was missing.
Annika sighed and made to walk past him to leave for work.
"Wait... you can't be going out like that?"
"Like what?"
'You forgot something..."
"What did I forget?"
"Umm .. your ...um..your.." he used his finger to indicate the spots where things were missing. She touched the spots absently.
"No, I didn't forget them Shivaay. I just refuse to put them on any more." she muttered and tried to walk out.
"Wait ! What do you mean, refuse? Go, put it on! Now. "
"No, Shivaay, I refuse to wear that mangalsutra anymore, and not the sindhoor either. Main iss shadi nahi maani.. Not any more. "
Shivaay's face went red. "Aise kaise nahi mani ? We are married! You are my... my.."
"When you can't even say the word Shivaay, why do you insist on me wearing the mangalsutra and sindhoor? Whose wife am I? Not yours. I am your "zimmedari" , right? I don't think "Zimmedari" comes with mangalsutra and sindhoor. Hatye ! I am leaving for work."
"Put it on Annika! Or I will do it for you! Don't challenge me... "
"Why should you put it on? Who are you?"
"Why I am your ...ppp pa" and Annika snorted in derision.
"Don't need to say the word Shivaay. I will . I do not see you as my husband either. So the less we get in each other's way the better it would be for everyone and your mom"
She shushed him aside and marched out for the front door , as he spluttered in anger at her obstinacy. He marched into the guest room and picked up the mangalsutra on the dresser with the little container of sindhoor. Walking briskly, he saw Dadi telling her to be on time for the Chadda's visit this evening.
But before he could get in her way, she was off like a bird in flight, on her red scooter. He bristled with the speed she was going in, mentally thinking of buying her a better one, or best still a car with a driver.
This is not the end of this conversation , Annika...
Edited by AnnzSageflower7 - 8 years ago
