Behind The Door of Mannat [ON HOLD]

Kajol's New Side (3)

— Behind the Kashmir Retreat —

The Kashmir retreat is a turning point for my wife and I. We make sense of our lives, the marriage, the time we spent in a better way. I personally feel closer to her spiritually and redeem a new version of me. The version of a more tolerant, big hearted man. During the retreat I realized that it takes a bigger sacrifice to live the life as someone is getting older. The Ustadz I met in Kashmir told me that the soul of a man does not age with the skin on his body. It remains young and grows with more complicated desires in an adult man. The way I responded to my sulking wife that day was indeed inexcusable. I should have known my limit and be careful with my words. But unfortunately, I lost my cool that day.

“Where were you?” She asked as I walked into our room. I could only stare at her in confusion while taking off my jacket. I really did not know what she was talking about. I just arrived at home, tired as hell, wanted nothing but a hot shower and something to eat. I chose to leave it and went to the closet to change. But my wife would not leave a single chance to find trouble with me.

“You rejected my calls. You didn’t reply to my messages. Pooja asked me not to bother you. What kind of attitude is that?”

I tried to regulate my breath and cooled myself down. I knew if I did not be careful, I would explode like never before. “Can you please warm some food for me? I’ll join you in ten minutes.”

“Answer me.” She stood behind my back, stabbing me with her eagle eyes. I could feel the sense of fight that would keep me up all night. I could not avoid her anymore. I knew she would make this house a whole mess for the next seven days if I did not do what she wanted.

I threw the clothes to bed carelessly. “What do I have to answer?”

She crossed her arms around her chest, still looking at me with those eyes. “Where were you?”

“Work. Where did you think I was?”

“Work.” She scoffed. “I called Rani. She said you were at YRF Studio with your 1050-crore-film's team. Since when is a party a part of work?”

I looked in another direction with a heavy sigh. Ah, here we go again. I tried to explain it in the most right way so it would not cause her to shout at me. But she was not willing to listen to me.

“Baby, I—”

“Don't you ever dare to try to find excuses for it. I still can smell the alcohol from your mouth.”

Checkmate.

“You know I hate lies, Shahrukh.” She took a step forward then lifted my face. My eyes stared straight at hers, making my heart thumping. “Why did you drink? Didn't I tell you that you are under a strict prohibition on drinking alcohol?”

“I didn't.” I said to defend myself. I was not drinking at my will. It happened just like that.

“Then what is this smell?” She sniffed around my neck. “I can smell women's perfume on your body too.”

“God, I've been working with women for three decades. I—”

I rubbed my head which started spinning. I knew she would not leave me this time. But I have no energy left for this. Arguing was the last thing I wanted to do that night. “Can we talk about this in the morning? I am tired now.”