To Be Loved

Conditions Apply

I looked at Varun as he made his way inside the room and my brother barged out of the place without saying anything.

A painful lump formed in my throat and I could feel tears pooling in my eyes

" I am... I... Am sorry." I stammered and collecting my stuff I hurried inside.

The door to the room was unlocked and soon as I was inside I realised that I should have stayed outside. Cause he is sitting on the bed with just his pants. I can finally see his scars, that run from his collarbone to his stomach. He looked startled and I looked away. I kept my medicine on the bedside table and started fidgeting with my stole when I heard him sigh. I looked at him and he looked at me back with disappointment shining his eyes.

"Why did you do that?" he asked making me frown.

"Because-"

"Because you like to stir trouble for people around-"

"Because I did not want to take your help," I said and he immediately got back to his stoic face with anger from his disappointed face.

"And why is that? Is it because you thought how a man who can't take care of himself will come to a hospital with you and take care of you and your baby? Is that what you thought?" his words were laced with anger. And something close to that very emotion triggered inside me.

First of all, he proclaimed himself to take me to the doctor instead of asking me. Second, he said that I would not be allowed to help him. Third, he assumed everything was my mistake in that family and now fourth he is disappointed that I did not take him to the hospital because I thought he couldn't take care of me.

"You cannot ask me to take you to the hospital to help me when you will not let me help you. If you think you have to help me but you will not let me do the same for you then I will be a charity and not an equal. You did not let me help you yesterday and to be your equal I went to the hospital by myself."

He looked at me like I grew some thorns over my head before shaking his head sideways.

"This is not a competition."

"It is not."

"Then stop acting like it is."

"I am not."

"Did anyone tell you how stubborn you are?" He said making me frown.

"Did I tell you that you put words to others that you are?"

"You are so hard to talk to."

"Let me tell you one thing Varun, if you are planning to be in my life you have to let me be in your life too, cause I am not a bloody charity case though the marriage might make you feel that way due to my condition but I will not let you treat me like I am a liability that you have to tend to. If you are planning to help me with my life then I am going to help you with yours."

He looked at me a little taken aback before giving me a small smile.

"So all this stunt was revenge for last night?" He asked, rather in a very low deep voice that sent blood to my cheeks.

What? He is the one who is looking at me like I am a child. It was just embarrassment.

"I name it a statement."

"Damn woman you are so...? What are you even? All this drama so that you can make a statement to me that you will be helping me?"

I looked at him for a second, before I started replying.

"No. All this is a statement to say that if you can do your things on your own then so can I. And I believe that's not for what we got married for or made to get married. So if you are planning to help me, be prepared to get some help too."

He stared at me for a few seconds before he started nodding his head saying fine. But I was not unaware of that smirk. The one which I think made him look a little bit handsome. But never mind. Such an arrogant asshole.

The next day nobody dared to speak of what had happened yesterday. I think there is a secret group for this family in which everyone is there apart from me and my hus- Varun. Because we seem like the only two people who are left wondering 'What the hell is happening.'
Everyday.

We both took our seats on the dining table and the conversation started to flow from one thing to another. I looked at Varun's father who was drinking his coffee. I am wondering why he is not saying a single word about the Kalash we created or rather I created.

Nevertheless, the breakfast went without any hassle and I was never so grateful for that. Yesterday after that stunt I pulled I wondered at one point if these people want to do anything with me. But looking at them it feels like it's something they experience every other day. Not the 'going to gynec' part but the Kalash part. My brother too did quite a fantabulous job of humiliating me in front of these people.

One thing I never understood is how men want to control every damn aspect of a woman's life. How do they feel the need to inflict themselves in our lives, surrounding their decisions for us?

"You look deep in thought." I was startled by my mother-in-law's voice and looked up at her to find her smiling at me.

"It's nothing," I murmured and smiled at her.

"You did not trouble her yesterday did you?" she spoke to Varun who glared at her.

"Do I look like a guy who could do something like that?"

"No my sweet boy can't even hurt a fly let alone a girl," she said and ruffled his hair as she giggled.

Mothers and their obsession with their sons!