ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 26

Yuvaan

"Is this really necessary?" I asked Mom.
When I came to the hall this morning, I was told by Mom that Nishtha and I are moving into an apartment near to the house and to our offices.
I don't understand why.
"It is. I want you two to spend time with each other and come on good terms, after yesterday."
"I don't know what happened yesterday. It wasn't on me."
"Yuvaan, you weren't even at home on the day of your wedding. That's not how it is. She must have felt so dejected."
"I don't think she cares Mom."
"Every girl cares. You only get married once."
"Sure. As you say."
"Look, I know you had issues and I know that despite talking it out, there must still be a few obstacles in your path, which is what I want you guys to solve."
What we have won't get solved, Mom.
"Okay. We'll go." I said and went to make my coffee.

This is all because of yesterday. Once the rituals had ended, I had gone to meet Mr Rupert and let him know that Nishtha would be busy for a few more days before she can get back to work. I was on my way home when I bumped into a few colleagues who were in India for a short while, so I went to have coffee with them, on their insisting.
When I got back home, I didn't see her at all. I asked Jeena and found out that she wasn't feeling good and so she slept - but she slept in the guest room.
Why would she do that? I felt guilty of not being there on the first day of the wedding.
Why though? The marriage doesn't matter.
Shut up.

Now, I sat finishing off the payment for that apartment that we are moving into this evening.
Yes, we brought the apartment.

"Nishtha! Good morning!" Mom said.
I turned back to see her. She looked tired.
Did she not sleep?
"Good morning." She said, in her sleepy voice.
Oh God.
I used to die for that sleepy voice.
"How are you feeling now, bete?" Dad asked.
"I'm good Uncle, thank you." She said.
"Are you going to work today?" Mom asked.
She shook her head, "I thought you are...."
"Yes yes I will. Don't worry."
Are what?
"Yuvaan." Mom called and I walked over.
"Yep?"
"When you leave for work, please drop Nishtha to her house." Mom explained.
"What? Why?"
Why's she going to her house? Is she okay?
"It's pagphera."
"Acha. I see." I said, indirectly relaxing.
"I'll go get my stuff." She said and went back up.
"Go talk to her." Mom nudged my arm.
I sighed and went upstairs.

Knocking on the door, when I heard no reply, I went inside. It looked the same as it did before she came. Why doesn't it look more Nishtha?
"Nishtha?" I called out.
She came out from dresser area, "Yeah?"
How do I talk to her?
What do I even say?
"How is your headache now?"
"Good."
Why is she so dry? This isn't the Nishtha I knew.
Her words rang in my ears: 'you stopped knowing me 4 years back Sir.'
"I'll drop you to your house." I said.
"Don't worry, it's not necessary."
"What?"
"I'll go on my own. You need not worry."
Why is she so aggravating?
"Why are you annoying me subah subah? I said I will drop you. End of discussion." I said, sternly.
"Anything I do annoys you Yu..." she cleared her throat, "I'll go on my own." She said and then took her bag and walked out of the room.
Why's she being so distant?

I got my laptop and came downstairs to find that she had already left for her home.
Wow, she didn't even wait.
"Did Nishtha leave already?" I asked Mom.
"Yes, she said she had to meet Priya before she can get home, so she left early."
"Right, yeah." I said and was about to leave when Mom stopped me.
"Yuvaan."
"Yes?"
"Is she talking to you?"
"Yes Mom. We're fine."
"I know she isn't feeling good being back in this house. She slept as soon as dinner was done, she didn't even eat the kheer she made."
"She didn't eat kheer?"
"No."
"It's fine. I'll talk to her when we get home."
"Ok. Take care. Pick her up in the evening."
"What about her stuff?"
"We'll get that sent to the house."

It was 6pm when I stopped in front of her house.
"Oh. Hi." Neel said, "Please come."
I stepped in.
"Where is everyone?"
"Aai is inside, she's coming."
"Yuvaan! Hi beta." Aunty said coming in.
"Hi Aunty." I said, touching her feet, "How are you? Where is everyone? It's so quiet."
"All are here only. Nishtha and her dad are in the room working on his restaurant launch."
"When is the launch?"
"I am thinking mid August. What do you think?"
"I guess it depends if you are good to go."
"Come. I'll take you inside."
"Arre, I'll go, and please don't make anything we need to leave as soon as possible."
"Of course. You two are shifting, right?"
"Yep, we have to get the keys."
"Come!" Aunty said and I followed her.

I saw Nishtha and Uncle sitting on the bed, their hands and brains completely engaged in the books.
"Nishtha." Aunty said and she looked up, "go get ready to leave."
She looked at me and her face went from peace to fear to something else I couldn't name.
I didn't like that.
"Yeah." She said and left her room.
I sat with them and helped them with their books until she said she was ready and we made our way out.
"Keep coming both of you!" Aunty said.
"Yes aunty." I said.
"Aunty?" She teased.
"I meant... Aai."
She hugged us both and we made our way out.

We sat in the car and I started driving. I saw her looking out the window silently.
"Nishtha." I asked her, tired of her silence.
"Yeah?" She said, without looking at me.
I pulled her towards me and made her look my way. She startled and then glared at me.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Exactly what I'm asking. Why are you being so childish?"
"What did I do now?"
"Nishtha, how long do you plan on ignoring your husband?" I smirked.
"Until my husband decides to actually act like a husband." She turned away and got down.
I parked and got down with her, "What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"You have read our contract and you very well know that I'm not planning to act like a husband to you. What we have is fake."
"Yeah. Of course."
"Then... get used... to this."
Why wasn't I able to finish my sentence??
"Let's go inside." I said and started walking.
What's happening to me?

The house was beautiful. It was a penthouse with a huge living room upon entering. A small sliding door helped to keep the kitchen covered, which also had a dining area. The balcony overlooked the beautiful Mumbai skyline. There was a staircase on the right just after entering. It took you upstairs where there were 3 rooms. The mezzanine was grand, with a chandelier just above the main hall. Overall, it was a beautiful house.

"I have a request" she suddenly said.
I turned to her, "What?"
"I want someone to move in with us."

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