A Bond Of Intellect

chapter - 2

Evan firmly closed the book, making Riti shiver. "You're not taking this seriously, are you?" he asked angrily, his face etched with disappointment.

Riti remained silent, looking at her hands with tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm asking you something," he pressed.

Then Riti replied, her voice cracking, "What? I just answered you, and it didn't match your explanation. That doesn't mean I don't know anything."

Evan's frustration grew. "It's not about matching my explanation, but as a medical student, you're answering like someone with no biology knowledge, relying solely on common sense."

"If you don't understand anything, you could have asked me," Evan said, "but I don't like your lying."

Riti's irritation rose. "So what? If i just forgot what you taught me."

Evan's anger flared. "After knowing your mistake, instead of apologizing, you're arguing with me. Your parents married you off so you could study, but you're showing your bratty attitude."
Riti replied irritably, "But I don't want any marriage, and never with a person like you."

Evan snapped back, his voice dripping with anger, "But now you are married to a person like me, so bear with me."

Riti stood up from her chair, her anger boiling over. "I don't want to study from you; I'll learn by myself."

Evan's face darkened. "It's not up to you to decide. Just sit there quietly and open the book."

Riti defied him, "I said I won't study."

Evan's jaw clenched. "Don't test my patience. Just sit there."

Riti stood firm, "I won't."

Evan's eyes turned menacing. "I'm a man, and you're not realizing what I can do to you."

Riti Shivered, "Wh-what do you mean? You can't scare me. I still won't study."

Evan grabbed her arm fiercely, his face inches from hers. "What are you doing? It's hurting me," Riti pleaded.

"You're my wife now; you'll do as I say," Evan growled.

Riti struggled to break free. "No, let me go."

Evan's grip tightened. "So you won't study, huh?"

Riti confirmed, "Yes, I won't."

Evan tossed her onto the bed and loomed over her. "If you don't want to study, then perform your duty as a wife."

Riti's heart stopped; she was terrified. Tears streamed down her face. "S-stop, let m-me go," she begged.

Evan sneered, "Why would I? You don't want to study, so there's nothing else for you to do but what a wife does."

Riti wept, "N-no, please let me go, please."

Evan offered a cruel ultimatum, "You have two options: study or do this. Now, tell me, do you want to do this?"

Riti shook her head vigorously. "N-no, I don't want this, please."

Evan pressed on, "Then will you study?"

Riti nodded reluctantly.

Evan released her, realizing he had gone too far. "Get up, go wash your face, and come back."

Riti quickly fled to the washroom, her tear-stained face reflected in the mirror. She sat on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

After some time, she composed herself and returned and sit on chair beside Evan.

Evan explained everything again, then asked, "Is there anything you don't understand?"

Riti pointed to the areas she struggled with, her finger trembling. Her sobbing made speaking difficult.