ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 32

Yuvaan

I punched the bag. Again.
She can go out with another guy but not her husband. Great. First she ditches me 4 years ago and now she is spending her days with another man. Great going Nishtha.
Why can't I hate her?
She's giving me every reason.
I tired myself out and passed out for the night.

The next day, I got up with a splitting headache which I fixed with a warm shower after my morning business. It was a Monday but I decided to work from home. I was not in the mood to go outside. I walked downstairs and saw Nishtha talking to her parents, while fixing her bag, ready for work. She looked amazing.
Back off, Yuvaan.
I ignored my thoughts and walked down. She cut the call and looked at me and then looked away.
She's ignoring, despite being wrong. Funny.
Whatever.
I grabbed my coffee and sat on the couch, while she tied her hair in a clip and headed out. I saw her look back once before she left, but she left.

Once she went, I quickly walked out to make sure she got in the car properly but I was surprised to see her waiting outside.
What's she doing?
I saw her sit in a cab.
Why's she using a cab?
I quickly walked to Hari, the driver.
"Hari. Why is Nishtha using a cab and you're not driving her?" I asked him.
He looked nervous, "Sir... vo..."
"Don't be scared. Tell me."
"She told me that she will take cab."
"Did she give a reason?"
"No, she just said that she doesn't want to give you a reason."
"What? Reason for what?"
"I don't know that. I just asked her what's the reason and she said so you don't get a reason."
What's she trying to say?
"Oh, why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"Madam instructed me not to."
She probably used a cab today, to play the pity card, "does she always use a cab or only today?"
"No Sir, she's been using a cab since she moved."
Oh.
"Okay. Thanks." I said and walked back inside.

I sat working while being confused by her behavior. Why was she not using the car? My thoughts were interrupted by a call on my phone.
"Hello?" I said, picking up.
"Beta! How are you?" Aai said.
"I'm good, how are you?"
"We are good. We wanted to invite you and Nishtha for dinner today. If you can come."
"Any occasion?"
"Actually, it's just a family dinner, just... like... aise hi, if you don't mind..."
"Aai, don't hesitate. We'll be there."
"Thank you. I wanted to tell Nishtha yesterday when she came home but we got in a small fight and then she left."
"Nishtha came to you yesterday?"
"Yes bete. She went to office and then she came to meet us. Coincidentally, she also met a friend after that when she was booking a cab to go home. You might know him from: Aryan?"
"Oh. Yeah... I know."
I misjudged her. I misunderstood her. She was being honest the whole time. She didn't go out for him, she went to work. Ughhh.
Why don't you ever listen, Yuvaan?
"Aai... I have meetings, I'll see you tommorow."
"Okay, see you!"
I cut the call and held my head in my hands.
"Ughhh!" I screamed, "What did I do?"
How am I going to fix this?

I finished my work at 4pm. I took a warm shower. Since I was alone, I didn't bother wearing a shirt. I made coffee for myself and sat down and put on a show when I heard the door open. I looked to see Nishtha walk in. She looked drained. Seeing her instantly reminded me of what I said and did yesterday.
Guilt flooded me.
She saw me and instantly went upstairs.
After 15 minutes, she came back down and went to the kitchen. I followed her.
"Nishtha." I said, leaning against the door.
No reply. She continued making chai.
"I want chai as well." I spoke again.
She didn't reply.
I sighed and walked in and grabbed her hand. She quickly turned off the gas and looked at me.
"Nishtha." I said, my hands circling her waist.
She looked down.
"I'm sorry about yesterday." I said. She looked up at me, surprised. I continued, "I shouldn't have assumed and yelled. I spoke to Aai today and she —"
"You will never believe me. You'll always need someone to clarify my words. First Aai, then Baba and then someone else. You —"
I silenced her by putting a hand on her mouth and caging her to the wall, "Shut up. I am sorry I didn't listen."
She struggled to break free.
"No point in that Nishu."
She looked up, her eyes tearing. I suddenly realised what I did. I called her Nishu. I haven't called her that since we broke up.
"Your parents have invited us for dinner. We leave at 7pm." I said, leaving her and changing the topic.
She stood in place, nodding a yes.

I let her go and left the kitchen, sitting on the couch. I went to my room and came back down and I saw her walking into the hall with two cups of chai. She quietly placed one cup in front of me and sat down opposite me. I chuckled.
I drank a sip and I felt old memories crashing down. I only drink chai with her. After she left, I had stopped drinking chai entirely. This was my first sip after 4 years.
She looked at me; I knew what she was thinking.
"It's good." I said, knowing that she wants to know how the chai is.
She looked back at her chai, getting her answer.

Once I was done, I got up and walked to her. She got alert. I took the cup from her hand and put it on the table. She looked at me
"If you're going to wear a man's nishaani on you, it better be your husband's." I said, pulling out a box and giving it to her.
She gulped and took it, she opened it.
An anklet.

Yes. I didn't like her wearing an anklet given to her by that guy. He has been crushing on her since first year, even if he says he doesn't. I don't believe him. I don't want my wife wearing his anklet.

"What's this?" She asked.
"Remove that and wear this." I said bluntly.
"Why?"
"Because.... I'm your husband. Not him."
"A..Sir I don't know... what you're saying..."
I sat down beside her and pulled her to me, "if I hear you say Sir again.... I'll remind you off my name in my own way."
She gulped and looked away.
I slowly brought her leg up and put it on my thigh. Then, I removed his anklet and replaced it with the anklet I got her. It was a simple anklet with a butterfly and an evil eye on it.
Once I tied it, I spoke, "Better."
She looked at it and then at me.
I put her leg down and then came closer to her, "You're my wife, not his." I said.
She stared at me in shock.
I slowly caressed her face, "Get ready by 7." I said and got up, leaving her alone.

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