This Time, Her Turn [Completed]

Chapter 13

They both entered their room one after another. He went into the bathroom. She knocked and asked, "Do you need any help?"

Nothing came from the inside. He came out after a while.

"What are you going to do today?" She asked him, wanting to ease the mood and to get him to talk to her.

His reply was to lie on the bed on his back.

"How long will you keep this up? I took the pen to see if it was really mine. Here," she sat on the bed beside him and gave the pen to him along with the paperclips. She compromised and let him have them before he dropped the issue of divorce.

"Take them."

He did not want to entertain her. The problem was not that she took the pen. It was the very fact that she knew he cherished it. He did not want her to know. Not unless she valued, treasured and loved him. At one point, he even believed that day was never going to come. Those little things were memories only to him, to be taken to his grave. Yet, he kept on pleasing her. Why? Just to be able to live civilly with her. Her love was too high a hanging fruit. But the truth hurts, really. She just could not bear his presence.

He tried to keep ignoring her. Just as he turned over, she caught his palm, stopping him. "Fine then. Sleep on this side." If they swapped places, he could continue sleeping with his face turned away from her without putting weight on his injury.

He got up and walked over as she moved into his place. He lied down, turned away, and closed his eyes. He did not know what her reason was for the change in her behaviour. He did not want to know either. Who knew what bitter truth he'd learn. In fact, he already learned. It was either for sex, or for money, or for his protection with his very own life, if ever they fall in trouble again. Selfish was what she was, after all. He nestled his head into a more comfortable position on the pillow.

He did not get much sleep the night before because of the constant and dull pain. Somehow he slumbered after midnight only to wake up with sharp pain in his shoulder and had to rush to the doctor.

He decided to get some sleep.

Geetha was much more stubborn than him. Stubbornness was a personal trait that had been suppressed in her childhood. Now that she was an adult and there was no one really stopping her from making her own choices, that trait was dominant.

She stroked the gauze and his shirt. "Is it painful?"

Ramit softly sighed. If only he realised she was so difficult before. Who would've thought he'd one day need a break from her?

"Please stop talking."

He felt a dip in the bed behind him. After a moment she put her arm around his torso. He wanted to get out of bed but he was very tired. "Take your hand off."

Not heeding to his order, she snuggled closer and put her forehead to his back.

"Geetha!"

"Fine," she said and moved away. "But tell me, why did you turn off my alarm? You did not even discuss with me that you were going to complain about me to maa and papa. Why?" she said.

"Did you ever care if I told them? You're acting strange."

She really had no ground to stand strong. "What about my alarm?"

"Didn't want you around."

"Fine."

Finally calm, he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said.

He did not open his eyes. He could feel her bend over to check if he was asleep. He stayed still.