Imprecisely Married

Chapter 2 - For the better

The sound of twigs and leaves crushing beneath his feet proved just how heavy his footsteps were. The temperature has gone down by couple of degrees. It was much warmer in the morning, he thought. It was getting cold with every step he took. His simple cotton shirt was not helping either. Should have at least grabbed a jacket, he scolded himself mentally, when her face from the morning got reflected in front of him again. It was the billionth time he was shaking it away. But it just seemed to flicker away momentarily while making a comeback again. How was he suppose to dress up according to the weather when all she wanted was to throw him out of the house. He got into the first apparel he could get his hands on and fed as fast as his drowsy legs can.

He resembled a preta, all alone walking on the dark plundered streets. It was late. Too late. He really need to quicken his pace. But his bleak legs and the thought of facing her would not allow him to move fast. What the hell has he gotten himself into? He spent the whole day trying to figure things out. But the more he thought about, more confused and guilty he came out. It was like a deep sea filled with dangerous creatures and vortex. The more he dived deeper , the more trapped he was in conflicting tides and hungry sharks. How did this happen? How did he let this happen ? What led into this sexual mishap? He was the man of character. He was more than a man of character. His friends often use to call him holy. A holy man, that's what they meant. But today he performed a blasphemy. He wondered what they will call him now. A rogue. How much holy water will he need now to purify himself ?

Is he ready to face her yet? What will she do? Slap him again ? The smacking won't be satiable in this case. Maybe she would just pack her bags and leave. Or Maybe she already left. Without even letting him apologise or advocate himself. It would be primo he thought, if she did choose to leave. After all what's the point of them staying together. The relationship they shared which can hardly be called a relationship was futile. They were never meant to be. That's what he tried telling to her father when he expressed his wish of conjoining them.

" There's no use bounding us together. It will eventually just fall apart."

Just like the last one he wanted to add but didn't. "I'm sure you'll be there to catch." Said her father, eyes filled with so much hope and trust in Zayn, like a drowning man who's only hope was the piece of wood. Only he was not just a piece of wood. He was a lifeguard. A very trusted one for Diana's father. And Zayn felt cruel to let him down. To show him he was not an eligible entrust.

He had to oblige. He had his own reasons to. One, Diana's father was Zayns father's best friend. Second, Diana's last marriage failed drastically. The heartbroken man trusted him more than anyone. He couldn't oppose him. So there they were married but not exactly married.
No invitations send.
No ceremonies held.
Just a simple process.
Where the bride and groom monotonously accepted their fate, or accepted each other.

After the marriage or shall I say process , they moved together in a small apartment, that was Zayns father's only property, and lived there. All that apartment consisted was, one small room and tiny kitchen, a bed and some basic necessities. No couch, no fancy home decors and chandeliers. Dull and humdrum. Just like their life and just like their relationship. It was Zayns dream to be a couturier. It was the only thing that brought exciting vibes in his life. The only thing that gave him happiness was by designing clothes. So he rented a small shop and started working there.

It was the daily routine. Zayn getting up, making his own breakfast and leaving for his shop. He drowned himself to work there. Worked his butt off and would return at night. As for Diana, She was always staring in the space. Her eyes never blinking. She became a walking breathing dummy.
Never talking, Never smiling, Never laughing. Never dressing up. All she ever did was cook herself some food , feed herself and then again sit down and stare in the world only she knew existed. At times , Zayn would see her tears falling and sometimes weak sobs leaving the body. That was the only activity that ever came out of her body.

Zayn would try to talk to her, make her feel alright but all he ever received in response was a slamming door of the bathroom. That's where she locked herself for hours and cry horribly whenever he tried to communicate. After countless attempts he gave up. And now that's all they do. Avoid each other and never speak.

Unless they needed some groceries. She would use one word 'Eggs' and he will understand we ran out of eggs and we need some. He'll ask 'anything else' and she would just nod in response. That's how things were. And No one ever tried to change until last night.

What was horrifying and disturbing Zayn was how on earth did this happen ? He never touched her before this or even looked at her for that matter. Nor did she ever bothered to look at him. Then how can things lead to this. He didn't remember anything that happened last night. How did he approach her ? And if he did why did not she just pushed him away? Like always. Because that's what she has done till date. It was highly impossible that he tried to force upon her. She should have done something. Hit him or push him.

Well it takes two to tango. The only way to find out is 'communication'. They'll have to talk and communicate like a grownups they were. But making them two verbalize is like asking a crow to sing.  You see that's never gonna happen.

But Zayn was adamant this time. He will find out and he will talk to her about it. But only if she's home. If she's gone, She would be gone for better. He won't convince her to stay.

With a fleck of hope he opened the door, only to find the eerily darkness and solemn silence engulfing him. He switched on the lights, and didn't had to take a look to see if she is here or not. She's gone.

The untouched kitchen and tidy bed. She is gone. She is gone. It's for the better. It's for the best. He bellowed again and again to convince himself. Why does it even matter? What difference does it make? Even when she was here, she never was here. Even though they lived together they were altogether strangers. Then why does it feel like something is missing? It's her smell or her imperceptible presence. Oh whatever.

He lied on the bed without bothering to take off the shoes or changing. The moment his head hit the pillow, he realised how awfully tired he was. The day has certainly taken its toll on him. His throbbing head won't let him sleep though.

      Where did she go? There's no one in this city she knows or any friend or relative. Then where ? Her parents live in another city. Maybe she went there. But she's not on talking terms with her parents. In these months they tried to call her and talked to her but in vain. They even called on Zayns cell phone and asked if he could get Diana on the phone, but she always refused. After few attempts, the calls stopped.
 

The throbbing head and the pounding thoughts. What is wrong with her? She never wanted to marry. Then why did she. Her father never forced her. Then why?

And what happened with her ex-husband? She was besotted with him in the high school. They were voted as a star couple of the year. The high school sweethearts turned husband and wife. The whole town talked about it. Everyone wanted a love like that. Then what went wrong? What turned her into this lifeless human? What broke her ? He had this sudden urge to know about her. But there's no one who can answer his queries. No one knew what happened between them. Not even Diana's parents or best friends. They only knew one answer 'Things were bad'.

But how bad! That's what Zayn wanted to know. But How ?

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    Hello sweet people. How are you? And how is the story so far ? I hope you like it. If you do, please vote and comment your thoughts down below. Constructive criticism is appreciated here. I repeat 'Constructive'. Not destructive. Please don't be mean and simply rude. Thanks for reading anyways.