How to Woo Your Bride

26| Buttons Pushed Too Far

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, 

which makes you unique. 

-Walt Disney 

Chapter 26: Buttons pushed too far

   Riya, think of something quick, she told herself.

   "Surprise!" Riya said, getting up from her chair, while placing the newspaper on the table.

   "What?" Madhan said, his anger slightly replaced with confusion.

   Riya twirled around. "Look around, Madhan. What do you think?"

   Madhan closed the door behind him and glanced at the living room. Holy cow, the house looked amazing. Dang, she has great taste, he thought.

   "It looks good," he said, stiffly. "But you should have consulted me about it. You cost me my life savings."

   "Our life savings, you mean," Riya said.

   "No. Mine."

   "I'm sorry, what? I gave up everything for you."

   "It would have been ours if you hadn't hid it from me that you love someone else."

   "Loved." Riya said, quietly.

   "I'm sorry, what?"

   Riya was lying. But she was going to do everything she could to forget Aakash.

   "You're lying."

   "I uh, " Riya stuttered.

   "Save it," Madhan snapped. "I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't want to see your face for the next two weeks. I'm moving out."

   "You haven't spoken to me for a month. I was left all by myself. I'm feeling so alone and helpless, Madhan," Riya said, quietly.

   "You brought all that upon you."

   Riya didn't know what to say. It was her fault.

   "You think only you can love someone else? Well I can, too."

   "Who is it," she asked, meekly. "Is it that girl who was with you at Kohls? I see. I've been replaced. What am I even doing here now?"

   "Now that's a good question," Madhan said, his eyes flashing. "I'm sick and tired of all this. Do you know how much I've been trying? I've been slogging so hard, going to the gym every single day. For whom? You. And you have nothing, absolutely nothing to say about this. And here you are, the moment I leave the house, you spend all my money. Maybe you did marry me for the money."

   "You horrible man," Riya shouted. "I did no such thing. I refuse to be blamed for such nonsense. I did ask you for a ride when I really needed it. And what did you do instead? Go out with that witch of yours. I wanted to be independent. I knew that I couldn't do anything without a car. So I bought it myself. You also did give me permission to change the interior decorations. I bought myself some western clothes since I can't go out in salwars."

   Madhan knew she was right, but he was just too angry to apologize.

   "I don't care. You should have asked me or at least told me about it. I am your partner. Or do you just look at me like a bank?"

   "I'm sorry, Madhan. You're right. I shouldn't have done that. I should have asked you. I really appreciate everything you've done for me. Your hair looks great. Your dressing sense has improved. You seem a lot more healthier now. Can we start over?"