Ishq Junooniyat (Book 3)

48. Excuses Of The Heart

Aarchi remained silent throughout the ride home, wondering what happened in the time she fell asleep. Vihaan didn't wait for her and entered the house, rushing to the room and getting the car keys. Aarchi was slowly entering the house when she met him again in the living room.

"Going out?" She asked with a smile, hoping he was over whatever possessed him.

"I won't have dinner at home" He said walking out without waiting for her reply.

"Vihaan kaha gaya?" Ridhima asked seeing Vihaan Walk out. Aarchi turned around and shrugged her shoulders, telling her exactly what he told her.

Probably sad that he has to rejoin work from tomorrow.

Aarchi gave an excuse to her brain. Hours after hours went, she kept waiting for him but he didn't return. It was past 2 when she couldn't control herself and knocked on to Arush's bedroom door.

"Arush..." She knocked until he opened.

"Vihaan isn't home yet and he isn't picking my phone" She told him, showing him the time and the missed calls, worrying for him. Arush calmed Aarchi and tried to ring Vihaan from his phone but that too went unanswered.

"I'll go look for him. You stay strong. Nothing is going to go wrong" Arush said handing her a glass of water making her sit on the sofa. He was just about to leave when Vihaan entered, circling his bike keys on his index finger and whistling.

"Where were you bhai? Aarchi was worried about you, you could have picked her calls" Arush scolded Vihaan for his irresponsible behaviour as Aarchi walked towards him as fast as she could.

"I'm not a child Arush. I'm a grown man and I had told her that I'm going out" Vihaan replied casually. Arush wanted to argue more when Aarchi signalled him not to. 

"Thanks" Aarchi thanked Arush and walked behind Vihaan to the bedroom where he had already fallen asleep.

Must have been tired that's why he's asleep.

She once again gave an excuse to her heart and lied down beside him.

4 months to their anniversary.

"Vihaan" Aarchi whistled calling his name as she leaned onto the balcony door frame dressed in a blush pink Victoria Secret lingerie set. She had taken the efforts of decorating their room to celebrate their 6-month anniversary. 

In the last one month, Vihaan had slowly started drifting away from Aarchi who gave herself excuses for his behaviour. He talked to her only when necessary and only gave short replies to her questions.

'I'm a married woman now. I can't keep saying childish things.' She had convinced herself that probably her unstoppable rants were the reason why Vihaan only talked to her when necessary. She limited herself into saying things that he'd like, asked only important questions, molded herself into his model.

Vihaan looked at her awe-struck before he rolled his eyes and walked in not sparing her another look. Aarchi's confidence staggered seeing his blunt reaction but she didn't give up.

"How was your day?" She followed him, hugging him from behind.

"Good" He replied removing her hands from him and entered the washroom to change clothes. Aarchi felt hurt by his reaction and sat on the bed waiting for him.

"You are on my side of the bed" He said uninterested in looking at her or even talking with her. She moved away still processing his reaction. She laid down on her side of the bed and once again gathered courage.

"Did I make a mistake Vihaan? Koi galti hui hai mujhse?" Aarchi asked placing her chin on his chest and asked politely.

"Since one month you aren't answering me properly. You are ignoring me. Did I do something that hurt you?" She asked ready to correct her mistake.