Love Me

29

Daksh was in the kitchen, pouring tea into two cups, when Roshni slipped in quietly and hugged him from behind.

"What happened? You slept the whole day yesterday and now you’re still in sleepy mode. Wake up and do some work, complete your assignment. I’m not going to write it for you," he said, placing the cups on a tray and heading toward the living room.

But Roshni clung to him stubbornly, refusing to let go.

He sat on the couch, and she immediately climbed onto his lap, snuggling close, her palm slip into her t-shirts making him frozen for a second.

"I just want to sleep. I’ll write it I have two days, right? I’ll study for the test also, but not now," she murmured against his chest.

"Just remember, if you score less marks, I’ll kick you out," he warned, lightly tapping her cheeks.

Before he could say more, Roshni sealed his lips with hers.

Daksh raised his eyebrows. "Do you feel like kissing or wanting to touch every time during your menstruation?"

"I don’t know," she replied irritably, sliding off his lap with her cup of tea.

"Can’t we just make out a little?" she blurted suddenly.

Daksh stared at her, wondering if she had lost her mind. He didn’t reply, only picked up the remote and started changing channels.

"Just keep doing this. That’s all you know how to do. Look at the other boyfriend and look at mine. " she muttered before storming off to her bedroom.

Daksh sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What’s wrong with her? What does she want me to do? She didn’t hit her head somewhere, right? A seventeen-year-old kiddo asking for something she’s not ready for. I can’t go close to her she’s becoming irritated, unreasonable. It can’t just be because of her menstruation… why would she feel like this? Stop thinking, let her cool down. She’ll come around on her own in a few hours."

He tried to focus on the movie playing, just as the best part came on. That’s when Roshni reappeared and suddenly pressed her lips to his and sat on his lap keeping each leg on either side of him.

"What’s wrong with this girl?" he thought, gently pushing her back.

"Roshni, that’s enough. What’s gotten into you? Get off my lap right now," he said sternly. She give him hurtful eyes and shook her head.

"I won’t," she whispered, cuddling closer.

"Don’t do anything, just let me sit like this," she mumbled, but her lips brushed against his neck, sending a jolt through him.

"Roshni," he warned, pushing her away again.

"What? Can’t I hug you? Aren’t you my boyfriend? Why are you pushing me again and again? Tell me do you love me or not?" she shouted, glaring at him.

"Okay, then tell me what do you want?" Daksh asked, expecting her to say anything but makeout.

But instead, she returned to his lap, her big eyes pleading. "Just a little make out, please."

Daksh cupped her face gently. "Roshni baby, listen… why don’t we wait until your date finishes?" he said softly, trying to reason with her.

She shook her head stubbornly and grabbed his hand, placing it on her waist. "Daksh…"

She was about to continue when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and silently thanked every god in the universe.

"Roshni, look Mom is calling. Remember, she was coming back? I have to pick them up from the airport and drive them home, so I’ll leave now," he said, lightly pushing her away and standing up.

He answered quickly, his voice softening. "Yeah, Mom, what happened? It’s been so long since we talked."

"You both are fine, right? Did you talk about marriage to Roshni? Did she agree or not?" his mother asked.

"Yeah, she agreed. I told her we’ll marry after her birthday just a few months away. Her birthday is next month," he said almost upset. He never actually thought they will get married like this. But the sudden accident changed a lot of things.

"Hmm," his mother replied. "We’ll come home on her birthday, so tell us beforehand. Or if I get caught up with work, then I’ll only come for the wedding. Your father and I are making arrangements to return permanently. It’s just Kanak we want her to finish her school first. Then we’ll all come back." She hung up after talking for a few more minutes.

Daksh slipped his phone into his pocket. "I can’t go back home right now. I’ll just go to the café for a while." He thought walking towards the park.

In evening, when he returned, he found Roshni sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone with a pillow on her lap.

"Your mom and dad came back, right? Why didn’t you bring them here? How will they manage alone at their house?" she asked, not even looking up.

Daksh froze for a second. "Oh… I almost forgot why I moved out of that house."

"They went directly to a hotel. What are you watching?" he asked, trying to distract her.

"How to reduce belly fat. Don’t you think I’m getting fat these days? I should control it now," she said, still glued to her phone.

Daksh reached out, trying to tilt her face toward him. "At least show me your face."

But she backed away. "Don’t touch me. You push me away whenever I want something, so no don’t come close. I don’t even want to see your face."

He frowned, confused. "I don’t understand. We didn’t just start living together, so why are you suddenly feeling like this?"

"Look, Daksh, I don’t have an answer. I can’t control how I feel. And if you wanted it, I would have let you… but since I want it, you keep rejecting me," she said, frustration lacing her voice.

"Roshni," he said gently, reaching for her arm.

But she moved away again. "No. If you want to take things further, then touch me. If not, then don’t." She grabbed her food from the kitchen and walked to her room, leaving him alone.

Daksh leaned back, exhaling heavily. "What’s wrong with her? I can’t understand," he muttered, shaking his head.