MY ENDLESS LOVE FOR YOU.

CHAPTER-9

"Your memory feels like home to me.

So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds its way back to you."

JYOTHIKA

The empty room made me sigh in gloominess.

Glancing around, I contemplated what to do next. Prithvi was gone by the time I showered and changed my clothes. Finding the saree still lying on the floor, I snatched it and tried to fold it only to sigh in frustration when it was getting ruined again.

Why this seven-meter cloth is so complicated? I hardly learned how to wear it but I couldn't fold it without help to save my life. Clumsily rolling it, I move to his closet, placing it somewhere I get lost seeing his clothes, and accessories neatly arranged. Prithvi followed neatness in every habit. Something I have to learn. It wasn't like I was untidy though not too particular with everything.

I wouldn't mind an unmade bed. Prithvi would give stink eyes to it.

Chuckling at the difference in our habits, I move across his room and sit on the bed, running my hands through my semi-wet hair. I don't have one single thing of my own then again my bidaai  {farewell of bride}  wasn't normal. The remainder of the previous events dampens the bit light mood. The reality was anything but easy. Scooting near the headboard, leaning my head against the soft cushion, I randomly run my gaze around the room.

Nothing much changed in his room. It was still annoyingly spacious with cream-colored walls, and soft blue curtains hung over large windows next to an L-shaped plush turquoise-colored couch. Though the personal touch was missing. Even after years of him residing in this room. For half of the time at least.

I remember the day he whisked me after my last class last year in graduation and bribed me to tag along for window shopping for his room and other necessities. Prithvi could prepare acquisitions to take over companies within minutes but was worst to select even a single thing in home shopping. Somehow the more choices he'd have the more indecisive he becomes.

It felt strange to see my choice of furniture, at least three fourth of his clothes of my selection for him. He could have asked anyone else too.

"You're always there for me, whenever I need you," was his casual answer.

I didn't know what to make out of his straightforward reply.

I was aware all of his belongings that he precisely cherished were stored in his antic box. Must be somewhere in an obvious spot. Prithvi was terrible to hide anything. Whether little keepsakes or his feelings.

This room had a few of our memories.

A shy smile graces my lips remembering the first time I saw him only in a towel wrapped around. And I ran like my feet were on fire out of the main gates feeling weird and extremely nervous for unexplainable reasons. He got worried when I was not attending to his calls or replying to his texts that he have to come across the other end of the town at 1:30 A.M. I made some excuse of having a stomach bug and we talked on the phone for the rest of the night to ease his mind.

I was attracted to him, though I never openly accepted even to myself. I cover my face in my hands, laughing at my silliness.

What an epiphany it was. I berated myself for thinking about my best friend in a romantic way now I'm sharing the same room with the same person- as my husband.

Though at what cost?

My chuckles turn into snobs, and the image of his vulnerable, hurtful gaze, the way his copper brown eyes accused me of betrayal keeps replaying in my mind. Even if Prithvi was talking to me, taking care of my needs I knew it won't be the same. How could it be?