Passion & Dilemma

51. Determination

Sarthak's POV

As soon as my work ended, I hurriedly packed my bag and wore my jacket before leaving the office. The premises were silent, as they should be at twelve in the morning. The sound of my footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

My first step out of the building made me shudder because of the cold wind. My warm breath mingled with the coldness of the season with each exhale. Pushing my hands inside the jacket, I stalked to my car and gestured the security guard to open the door.

The engine roared and I drove to home. I only stopped at the red traffic light and pressed my head against the head rest, feeling slight ache in my neck and eyes. A knock on the window disrupted my moment of peace. I looked out only to find an old man, with Gajras in his hand.

At first I thought of waving him off, but then changed my mind after seeing him shivering in the cold.

Things people do to feed their family.

"How much?" I asked as my hand went to grab my wallet. I don't know whether Prerna is fond of such things or not. i guess, I will get to know today.

"Eighty rupees," he replied and I handed him a note of hundred. I took the Gajra from him and sniffed it, taking in its smell. I placed the flower on the passenger seat.

The signal turned green and I pressed the accelerator, eager to reach home as soon as possible.

The door to the mansion opened and I went to the parking space but frowned when saw that Prerna's car was not there.

I dialed Prerna's number and it said that her number was unreachable, making anxiety rush through my veins. If she had gone somewhere, she should have at least informed me.

Where should I look for her now?

Should I ask Naina Bhabhi? The way she eyed me in the morning, it seemed like she knew where Prerna was.

I called Naina Bhabhi, without another thought and she picked up after five rings.

"Hello?" she said in a sleepy voice. I could also hear Shobhit Bhai grumbling some curses in the background.

"Bhabhi, where is Prerna?" I asked, cutting straight to the point.

"Oh, right, she got a call from the hospital this morning saying her mother collapsed. So, she's at the hospital."

Knowing that Prerna was safe and fine gave me a little peace of mind.

"Which hospital?" I asked, igniting the engine.

Bhabhi told me the name of the hospital, and I drove rashly toward my destination, feeling furious at Prerna for not informing me.

What's wrong with this girl! She didn't even think about how worried I would be to find out she was missing.

Fine, she doesn't love me, doesn't like me-that's okay. But I'm still her husband, am I not? She should at least let me know about her whereabouts.

This won't do. Prerna has to stop this childish behavior. She cannot act like I mean nothing to her.

When it comes to being physical, she's very involved; then why not involve me mentally too? I'm her husband, dammit, not her fucking sidekick.

I can't tolerate this hot-and-cold behavior anymore. One moment, she makes me feel important, when she feels like it and the next moment, she makes me feel like I don't matter at all.

I am aware that she has not completely forgotten my past mistakes yet. She's still figuring out how to behave with me-whether to be good, bad, or indifferent.