THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE

chapter 1

I was forgetting something. I knew it. It was odd really. I never ever forgot anything. Damn.

" Ma'm what do you want for dinner tonight? The same  as every day or something special? I mean Mr. Wentworth is returning today."

Oh that was right. My husband was returning today. My husband, the stranger. Even after being married for 5 years he was a stranger really because he didn't know anything about me. To know someone you had be around them. Talk to them. Communicate. But me and my husband, we were unconventional. I knew everything about my husband and he knew nothing about me. The reason for that of course was the fact that we didn't live in the same house. Not even the same country. He lived thousands of miles apart in England. I lived in Washington USA. He hated me. Despised  me. I had stopped myself from feeling anything for him. It was of no use because he felt nothing for me. And I had stopped feeling anything about anything. I just did not feel. I don't know when or how it happened. I suspect it started happening 2 years back. That was a few months after my husband had slapped me so hard I had fell across the room and he had turned around and went away. He did not even turn back to see that I was bleeding from my lip and my forehead. And he had gone back on his private plane the same night to England and had not come back. Until  now.

And no my husband is not abusive. It was something I did that pissed him off bad and he hit me because he was that angry.

 I was surprised he was even coming back. I thought he wouldn't come back. I even kept hoping for the divorce papers to come. They didn't. Of course he could come anytime he wanted. This was his house. But the thing was my husband did not, could not tolerate me.

2 years ago

Dear Miles,

Do I still have the right to call you dear Miles? I know you are married now. For 3 years, yet I cannot get you out of my mind. It hurts a lot. I cannot sleep at nights because I dream of you. And when I dream about you I yearn for you. I long for you with my whole soul. You are still the love of my life. I shouldn't have written this letter. I know. Forgive me. But you had to know how I am feeling. This is a closure for me. And I hope you have a very happy married life.

Yours lovingly

Anne

Omg! What was this? Who was this Anne? And why was she writing to my Miles? She still loves him? Did  he love her too then? If he did then why did he marry me? Is it because of this woman that he hates me? What the hell was this? I didn't know what to do with this letter. It was for my husband but it had come right in my hands. Should I give it to him? Maybe I should. After all it was his letter. Ughh.. this was so frustrating. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't even ask anyone. Maybe I should just give it to and then he may forg...no no no. I was not giving him this damned letter. How dare this woman write a letter to my husband. What the hell was she thinking? And it had come in my hands. This meant I was supposed to destroy it and that is what I would do. No use giving it to him. He may go running back to her. And that will not be good for me because I have to stay married to him. I have no other option. So I took the letter and threw it in the fire place.

In the evening Miles was back home from his office. I had made sure that the evening tea  was ready for him in just the way he took it. Even though he hated me I still could not stop myself from doing things for him. I took care of the house chores(all I had to do was just instruct the servants). I even made donations in his name in local charitable organisations. Kept good relations with our acquaintances and our local society. I don't know why I did it.One day he had even accused me of playing house. My heart had shattered that day. Because all the things that I did for him I really wanted to do them. I did them from my heart.