Learning to Love

Chapter 11

       The next few days passed smoothly.  Aman took Priya to only one other outing, a charity event where there was no dancing required.  The two barely talked to one another other even at the charity event.  Aman left early in the morning before Priya woke up and came home late at night.  She didn’t understand why he worked so much, but she thought it best not to disturb him when he returned home after a hard day’s work.

This morning, Priya woke up early.  She had a difficult time sleeping and eventually gave up trying to fall asleep.  She got dressed for the day, choosing to wear a simple Anarkali style salwar kameez.  She began to descend the stairs, but stopped to wonder whether or not Aman might be awake yet.  She turned around and walked down the opposite hallway towards Aman’s bedroom.  She had never been inside his room before.  She raised her hand to knock on his door, but hesitated.  What if he was still asleep?  She put her ear against the door, listening for any sounds that would indicate that Aman was awake.  She heard nothing.  Priya took the risk anyways.  She knocked.  Nothing happened.  She tapped her knuckles against the door more forcefully this time. 

The door swung open and Priya took a step back.  Aman stuck his head out.

“Good morning Priya.  You’re up this early?”Aman greeted.

“Yeah. I couldn’t fall back asleep.” Priya admitted. 

“It’s good that you’re up. Come in. I need to talk to you.” Replied Aman.  He opened the door wider and stepped to the side, waiting for Priya to enter.  She walked in, and he closed the door behind her.

She looked around taking in the details of Aman’s room.  It was the largest bedroom Priya had ever seen.  It was almost double the size of her own room.  The décor was very modern and neat.  He had a king sized bed and a massive plasma TV on one side of the room.  There was a separate seating area at the back of the room near the giant windows.  The curtains were opened allowing sunlight to spill into and illuminate the room.  French doors separated a miniature office area from the main bedroom, and another set of French doors led out to the terrace.  Priya continued to stare at the features of Aman’s room completely forgetting that Aman needed to discuss something with her. 

“Priya.” Aman attempted to get her attention. 

“Sorry. What did you want to talk about?” Priya turned her attention back to Aman.  She took in his appearance.  His hair was disheveled.  He was dressed in dress pants, but his shirt was slightly unbuttoned and untucked like he hadn’t finished getting dressed yet. 

“Us.” Aman answered Priya’s question.  Priya was surprised.  What could Aman possibly mean?

Aman walked over to his bed and took a seat.  He waited for Priya to join him. 

“We need to figure us out, Priya.” Aman started. 

“What do you mean?” Priya asked, completely confused.

“In the eyes of the law, we’re husband and wife.  In reality though, what are we?  We live in separate bedrooms.  We’re not in love.  We barely know each other.  Nothing about us says husband and wife, so where does that leave us?” expressed Aman. 

“I don’t know. Friends?” suggested Priya.  She understood Aman’s concern.  They needed to define their relationship and discuss their future together, but she didn’t have an answer for him. 

“Friends, Priya? Just friends?” Aman asked incredulously. 

“Well…I don’t know how else to classify us.” Priya replied. 

“What about children? Do want children?” Aman blurted. 

Priya gasped.  She definitely was not expecting him to mention children.  Truthfully, she had always dreamed of having a family.  She wanted a son and then a daughter.  However, she had given up these hopes once she and Aman got married.  Priya looked away, not wanting to discuss her now broken dream.  Upon seeing Priya’s reaction, Aman immediately regretted his question.