How to Woo Your Bride

33| Fourth Wheeling

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. 

William Shakespeare

Chapter 33: Fourth Wheeling

    Riya slept all day on Monday and Tuesday, waking up just to eat her lunch and dinner, which Madhan had cooked. Allergies made her supremely tired. She was also allergic to dust. Her cold was very frequent when she lived in India. Since Utah wasn't so polluted, she didn't have a cold till then.

   She also knew she came down with a fever due to the series of events that happened. It was so stressful that she didn't know how to react. Madhan kept her sane, though. Even though he was at fault, or appeared to be, he took command of the situation and ensured that everything would be taken care of.

   He could have handled it better, but people learn only with mistakes. She wasn't one to talk. Especially since she was the trigger. Things might have been so different if she had just told him the truth. She had wondered what she would have done if Madhan hadn't told her about his ex-girlfriend. She would have gone ballistic.

   On Wednesday, Riya got up early and surprised Madhan with scrambled eggs. Shocked was more like it, however. She wanted to start fresh. Besides, she had a deal to keep.

   Madhan was sitting at the dining table reading his daily newspaper. Riya had told him to wait, despite repeated requests of doing the cooking himself.

   Riya came out of the kitchen, dressed in an apron, a plate in one hand, and a coffee mug in the other. She felt proud of her work. Madhan was going to swoon over them.

   "How are you feeling," Madhan asked, moving aside the fork and spoon to make way for his breakfast.

   "Much better. Thank you for asking," Riya said, placing the plate in front him. She looked at him in anticipation.

  Madhan gulped. "Egg?"

   "Yeah, why?" Riya frowned. She didn't expect that.

   Madhan looked at Riya, who was looking at him questioningly. Was she playing with him again?

   He decided to play safe. "Alright, what did I do this time?"

   Riya's smile faltered. "What are you talking about?"

   "The eggs," he said, pointedly.

   Riya still looked confused.

   "Is memory loss a side effect of severe allergic reactions?" Oh crap, he thought. He hadn't meant to say those words out loud.

   Riya removed her apron and placed it on the armrest of the chair, annoyed.

   She shot him a dirty look and said, "That was uncalled for. What's your problem?" She made the breakfast so happily.

   She really doesn't remember, he thought. "Riya," he said politely. "I don't like eggs."

   "Yeah I know. But you said you liked mine. You even asked me to give your mom the egg recipe. Which I did, actually. Two months ago."

   Madhan became tight-lipped. "Are you sure I said that?" Madhan asked weakly. Should he tell her the truth?

   Riya crossed her arms. "Fine suit yourself. I'm hungry anyway." Riya bended over to pick up the plate, but Madhan holds it firmly.

   "Okay, I believe you." Madhan took his fork and hesitatingly forked some of the egg. Riya was looking at him so expectantly, and he didn't want to upset her. But...