She glared at him and said.
"Mai aapse shaadi nhi kr rhi."
"Dekh lo? Torture nhi krna mujhe? Biwi se jyada achha torture kaun kr skta hai? Aur phir mai kuch keh bhi nhi paaunga. Biwi ho jaaogi na, haq hoga tumhara."
He didn't know he was so good with manipulating people. Seemed like she was too naive because she yet again seemed to believe him. She pulled her hand out of his grasp again and said.
"Lekin mai abhi kahi nhi jaaungi. Maa ke tervi (13th day after death) ke rituals pure kiye bina, mai iss ghar se kahi nhi jaaungi."
She declared and he nodded.
"Thik hai. Toh tab tak mai yaha ruk jaata hu. Because I'm not leaving you alone in this locality even for a moment now."
She twisted her lips in annoyance but didn't say anything.
"Par ye ring mere size ki nhi hai. Dard kr rhi hai."
She mumbled and he smiled.
"Kal thik krwa dunga. Abhi utar do."
She put cream on her finger and pulled out the ring massaging the area because the ring was too tight.
Rajiv realised he didn't have his clothes here and mentally cursed himself. He had to go back to get his stuff. But he didn't want to leave her alone. Not when she was so vulnerable and naive. If he was able to manipulate her, anyone can and he didn't trust her neighbours.
"I have to get my clothes and other stuff here. Let's go."
He said and she frowned looking at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Mai kyu chalu? Aap jaa kr le aao."
"I'm not leaving you alone here."
"Pehli baar alone nhi rahungi. Maa kaam se bahar jaati thi tab bhi ghar mai alone hi rehti thi mai."
She spat in anger and he sighed.
"Lekin tab sab jaante the ki wo wapas aayenge. Now they know that she is gone and I don't people to take advantage of that fact. Besides mujhe ye jagah kabhi bhi safe nhi lagi. It will take only some time. Please come with me."
At the mention of her mother being gone forever, her eyes moistened again and Rajiv cursed himself.
"Hey! Hey! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Shit! Parul, look at me. I'm sorry for saying all that and hurting you. Tum-tum bhi mujhe hurt krlo. Hit me-ahh!"
He yelled when she unexpectedly bit his hand. He hissed and looked at his palm where she had bitten and now her teeth marks were there.
"Aapne kaha to hurt you."
She mumbled and he chuckled. He held her hand and helped her sit in the car. He leaned in to buckle her but she stopped him.
"Mai kr skti hu khud. Baar baar aise mere paas aane ki zarurat nhi hai aapko."
He nodded and sat on the driving seat. She was lost in her thoughts throughout the ride and he also didn't bother her. She needed time to cope with the situation and grief.
He parked the car in front of his bangalow and she looked at it with her mouth agape.
"Aap yaha rehte hai?"
He smiled at the awe in her tone.
"Haan. Bhaiya ka ghar hai. Unke saath rehta hu."
The Rajiv from the past would have boasted about it being his home. But he now knew that nothing was his own. It was all his brother's hard work. And he didn't feel ashamed to admit that.
