Arranged Marriage to MR. CRUSH

Chapter : 23 Doubts and . . .

In their room,

Manisha : Can I please keep my stuff here, in your room?

Himanshu : What stuff ?

Manisha : Actually today I bought some things from my home like my laptop, books, bag, yoga mat and some stationary.

Himanshu : Oh okay. By the way, you can get everything here. You didn't need to bring this stuff all the way from your house. You just have to tell me or anyone else, what you need and it will be taken care of. Dadi has strictly told me to take care of all your needs.

Manisha : Okay, thank you. So can I arrange my stuff in your room ?

Himanshu : Yes you can, wait I'll create space for you. And Mom and Dadi told me that I should make you comfortable here. I know it will take time but consider it as your room too.

Manisha : Okay, thank you. (with a little smile)

Himanshu : You don't need to thank me every time. Do you need anything else ?

Manisha : (thinks for 2 seconds) Can I please get a table and chair? I have a lot to study so . . .

Himanshu : Table and chair, here in this room ? That will disturb the whole setting of the room. If you want, you can study in my office upstairs. It's ample space there. Only if you are comfortable.

Manisha : Can you please show me there?

Himanshu : Oh! my bad, I thought you knew. But you are new here. (Why am I rambling ? Be cool, be cool.) Come on I'll quickly show you. After that, I have some work to do.

Manisha : Okay.

Himanshu gives Manisha a quick tour. They both are feeling nervous but trying their best to hide it. It's quite a scene to witness. Two awkward and nervous adults are trying their best to look cool and normal.

Himanshu: We are on the third floor right now. It's my floor. Now yours too. No house help is allowed on this floor because I don't want any disturbances. As you have already seen on the ground floor there are two lawns- one in front and one in the back, a parking area, a garage, a guestroom, a temple, a kitchen, Dadi's room, Mom's room and 5 other rooms. There is a parking and garage in the basement too and rooms for our house help. On the first floor, there is Bhai and Bhabhi's room, Jiya's room, a Hall, a living room and 4 other rooms. The second floor is Himani Didi's, you have not met her yet. And third, you know now. On this floor, there is my room, 2 other rooms and a pool. On the fourth floor, is my home office. You can study there. I conduct meetings from here if they are an absolute necessity. It is soundproof because I don't like any distractions. And also it only opens with my fingerprint and a passcode. There is also my boxing area on the fourth floor. I think you mentioned a yoga mat, so if you want you can practice there. That's most of it. And yeah, we also have a terrace garden. Rest, you will know. Anything else you want to know?

Manisha : No, thank you, It's enough. You have a beautiful home, very modern and stylish. Thanks for giving me a tour from your busy schedule. If your home office is that secured, I'll study in your room only. There are chances that you can get disturbed by my presence.

Himanshu : (Why she is being so stiff and rude, is she trying to taunt me ?) Okay, as you wish. I'll go now.

Manisha : Okay. (Moves forward to leave)

Himanshu : Wait.

Manisha : Hanji (Yes)

Himanshu : My room also opens with my fingerprint and passcode, so, come I'll add your fingerprints too.

Manisha : (gets a little shocked) Really, you will add my fingerprints. So, now you trust me.

Himanshu : I have to. I'm now married to you and Dadi and Bhai said that I should have complete faith in this marriage and you. Can you please be careful not to leave the door open and be cautious? Because I'm very possessive of my belongings.

Manisha : Yes, I'll be careful. So, now you don't think of me as cheap, attention-seeking, gold-digger, or any other of your creative names that I may have missed.

Himanshu : (clenches his jaw in anger) Look, I'm trying very hard, okay? Please don't make me lose my patience. Do not taunt me and do not try to oversmart me. I'm trying very hard to keep my cool. I know that we are married, and willingly or unwillingly, we have to bear each other's presence. So, please don't make it difficult for me. Otherwise, I have my ways.

Manisha keeps silent.

Himanshu : (speaks louder) Am I clear?

Manisha : Yes, sir.

Himanshu : (clenches his jaw in anger) I have already told you, don't call me sir now. Otherwise, everyone will think that I'm not trying enough to make you comfortable in the new setting.

Manisha : (in a slow voice) I'll keep it in mind. (leaves)

Himanshu : This girl makes everything so hard. (shouts in anger)

After walking for a while Manisha reaches another corridor, keeps her hand on her heart, and takes deep breaths to calm herself.

Manisha : (breathing deeply) He's so scary. Ohhh, be strong Manisha (keeps her hand on her heart) be strong Manisha.

Himanshu : This girl surely knows how to dance on my head. (Punches on the nearby wall). Kahan phas gya yaar, mein. Panch foot ki ladki hai aur attidude toh dekho. Ab toh isse fire bhi nahi kar sakta warna Dadi mera hi patta kaat dengi. (Where am I stuck now ? This girl is so tiny and look at her attitude. Now, I can't even fire her otherwise Grandma will surely show me the way out.)

Manisha goes to the balcony and just keeps standing there looking at the plants.

Himanshu is busy with his work.

Time skips (Now evening time)

Manisha is in the room studying, after arranging her belongings. Gayatri came to call her for dinner.

Gayatri knocks on the door.

Manisha opens the door.

Gayatri : Manisha, dinner is ready, child. Come, let's eat.

Manisha : Okay maa, give me two minutes, I'll just come.

Gayatri nods.

Manisha : (invites Gayatri in the room) Please come inside, maa.

Gayatri : It's fine, beta (child).

Manisha : Please come, maa. I insist.

Gayatri : Don't request, baccha (child). You are making it difficult for me.

Manisha : What maa ?

Gayatri : Nothing, forget it.

Manisha : Please tell me, maa. (holds her hand)

Gayatri sighs.

Manisha : Please maa.

Gayatri : (takes a deep breath) Himanshu doesn't like when someone enters his room. He just hates it and gets furious, refuses to eat, and also doesn't come home for some days. That's why we avoid coming to his room as much as possible.

Manisha : But why, maa ?

Gayatri : I cannot tell you that.

This leads Manisha into a new series of doubts and questions.