Love Me

55

Roshni's p.o.v

"Daksh, I don’t want to go anywhere! Why did Mom and Dad come early? I don’t want to go to your hometown," I said, throwing everything I’d just packed out of my bag.

"Roshni, don’t throw things," he said, sighing. "We were meant to go there. We have to. There’s no other option. I already booked train tickets since I couldn’t find any flight at such short notice." He began repacking my clothes calmly.

"But my baby doesn’t want to travel!" I said dramatically. "And you remember how we fell yesterday? My stomach is still hurting because of that!" I sat on the bed, one hand on my belly. It wasn’t a total lie.

"Roshni, okay, sit there. I’m packing our bags. Apparently, I have nothing else to do except that," he said irritably. "It’s not like I have work to hand over or deadlines to meet!"

"Go sit with your laptop, then," I snapped, pushing him out of the room. "Stay out of this! I can pack my own bags."

Within an hour, I was done. Just one bag for me and one for Ayaan — two in total.

When I came out, Daksh was still typing on his laptop.

"What are you typing? Did you change your job and become a typist? Or are you chatting with someone?" I asked, giving him a suspicious look.

He closed the laptop and pulled me onto his lap.

"Bag packed?" he asked.

"Yes. One for me and one for Ayaan."

"Hmm. You’ll have to wear a saree there. Will you be comfortable?" he asked gently.

"Of course not! What if it comes undone on the way?" I said, pouting. I'm actually worried I can't imagine what will happen if my saree open in middle of walking.

He laughed softly and kissed the tip of my finger. "Nothing will happen. Mom and Dad are coming after so many years we all have to go. You can be friends with Kanak. She’s younger than you but really sweet."

"When are we leaving?" I asked, placing his hand on my lap.

"I don’t want to go," I said again, pouting.

He just smiled and pecked my lips. "Let’s get ready."

"I don’t want to wear a saree," I grumbled, following him to the bedroom.

Half an hour later, we were both ready. The doorbell rang, and Daksh went to open it.

"Okay, let’s see if I’m done or not," I muttered, checking my reflection. "Payal, earrings, bangles, chain, nail paint, vermilion… perfect! Wow, I look beautiful. Let’s braid this hair otherwise it’ll look like a bird’s nest."

I quickly fixed my hair and walked into the living room. Daksh looked at me from head to toe and bit his lip, winking.

"Dear husband, you’re not getting anything today," I thought, smiling to myself as I sat beside him, clutching my handbag.

During the whole train journey, only Daksh stayed awake. I slept putting my head on his lap while Ayaan dozed off on the other seat.

"I’m so tired, Daksh," I said, stretching when we finally reached his hometown.

"Yeah, you two must be exhausted from sleeping," he teased. "God, I wish I could get tired like that." He grabbed the bags and hailed a taxi.

When we arrived at the house, I rushed straight to the washroom and stopped dead. It looked… indescribable. But one thing was certain I couldn’t use it.

"Daksh!" I called loudly, momentarily forgetting I was supposed to be polite and keep my pallu over my head here.

He came quickly, eyebrows raised. "What happened?"

I pointed toward the washroom. "Daksh, I can’t use that but I have to!"

For a moment, he looked confused. Then, after peeking inside, he gave me a knowing look.

"We insisted on building it years ago, but I guess no one’s used it since," he said, running his fingers through his hair.

"You think I can use it?" I said, desperate.

He chuckled. "Why didn’t you just use it on the train or at the station?"

I glared at him. "Are you serious, Daksh? I don’t use public washrooms!"

He quickly covered my mouth. "Roshni! Don’t yell, jaan! If Grandma hears you, it won’t be good."

"I told you I didn’t want to come here," I said through clenched teeth.

"Just use it for now we’ll figure something out later," he said hesitantly.

I gave him a look of pure disbelief and stormed further into the house. "What’s the point of having this mansion if the bathroom looks like that?"

"Roshni, you can use it for now! Why are you running away from me?" he called, catching my hand.

"Don’t talk to me," I said, pulling away.

He sighed. "Listen don’t call me by my name in front of Grandma. She’s old-fashioned. Keep your voice low around her. Mom’s fine, but Grandma’s strict. And don’t be too playful with Ayaan when she’s around."

I felt like I’d just entered a prison. Adjusting my pallu, I walked slowly beside him.

When we entered, Ayaan followed us. We bent down to touch Grandma’s feet, then Mom’s and Dad’s.

They began talking, and I stood quietly, unsure what to do.

"Ayaan, go with your bhabhi and fill some water with the handpump so she can take a bath," Grandma said.

"I’ll go with her," Daksh offered immediately.

Grandma frowned. "Don’t follow your wife everywhere. It doesn’t look good. Ayaan will help her she’s pregnant and can’t do it alone. Kanak doesn’t know how to use the pump. You stay here."

I felt my heart sink. Don’t run behind your wife… huh. Just wait until we’re alone.

"Don’t be sad, Bhabhi," Ayaan said cheerfully. "It’s not like you’ll be stuck here forever."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I snapped, glaring at him.

He blinked, startled.

"We can’t change it, Bhabhi. The water’s filled — don’t use the handpump yourself," he said gently.

"I want to use the washroom! What should I do, murder your brother who dragged me here?"

"Then just use it! Why are you so angry about it?"

"Go have a look then!" I hissed.

Ayaan went, came back with wide eyes, and nodded. He understood.

"Don’t tell me I have to bathe in that tiny room there are insects wandering around! Call Daksh right now! I don’t care what Grandma says I want him here!" I said, nearly in tears

"Roshni" He try to calm me but I shook my head backing off.

"I’m serious!" I said, voice shaking now as tears finally rolled down. "Call him here!"

He nodded quickly and ran inside to fetch his brother.