Written in stars (Discontinued)

Hating you

ch 30

After two hours of shopping in a place she knew, the one where she had usually come with ayi during baba's conferences, Chandhini went to pay for all the things, but something was wrong her card, it didn't work. Chandhini frowned but since she had enough cash which ayi had given her before she came to Delhi she paid and left with her packages.

She called the bank, according to cashier her account was empty but she remembered few months ago, Advay had told her that he will transfer money. She didn't need her card before this as she usually shopped with ayi. Today was the first time, she had needed her card.

She shrugged it off and went home. Feeling better after shopping so much, she was humming her favourite song.

She saw Advay was in the sitting room. She was bit surprised. It was first time she had seen him home before sunset. He was sitting on floor, playing video game and seemed engrossed in it.

The driver gave the shopping bags to maid who took them upstairs.

Chandhini's smile widening went to sit on one of the cushions and said, ''hi'', Advay didn't look away from screen or gave any sign that he heard her. She felt bit annoyed, he is being so rude, I will tell ayi about it.

The driver turned to go out when Advay called him. ''Send the housekeeper to me''.

Few minutes later, the housekeeper was there. Advay finally looked away from the game and looked straight at Chandhini, he gave no impression that house keeper was standing there.

Then, he said, ''Mrs shaam from now on wards, no one will use any car in the house except if I order it, everyone whom I pay a salary in this house will listen to only one order that is the one which I say. Please, convey my message to everyone and ask the cook to bring the menus for next two months.''

Mrs Shaam gave one look to Chandhini and then nodded at Advay and went out. Chandhini who had lost her smile felt anger rising in her. With great effort she controlled it but few words still escaped,'' Don't ever do that again, what do you think you will accomplish by this? It's very petty thing to do and beneath you.''

A cruel smile graced his lips, his eyes were ice cold,'' I got what I wanted''
Chandhini still angry and unbelieving at what had happened snarled,'' what? ''

Advay,''You are not smiling any longer.''

Bewilderment tore through Chandhini momentarily displacing anger and she looked at him puzzled, was he okay? did he drink too much?,'' why are you doing this?'' It was incomprehensible for her to think that he would hurt her even if it was with words.

He got up and slowly came toward her and placed his hands on place on either side of Chandhini and leaned in, Chandhini refused to be backed in and looked straight him into eyes.

Advay,'' I hate it when you are happy, I hate it when you look carefree and like you are enjoying yourself, this is meant to be punishment and I am feeling the prison caging me, making it difficult for me to breath'' he leaned closer, his lips so near to hers that her lips felt his words against them, he whispered, 'I cannot laugh, I cannot smile, so you should pay too after all this is your crime.''

''Did you forgot to add money in my account or was that deliberate too?'' Chandhini asked wanting to know the truth.

His smile got a bit more bitter,'' It was deliberate.'' he got up and moved a few steps back and held out his hand, 'Come to my room, we will discuss the rest there.''

Chandhini didn't take his hand but marched upstairs to their room. He followed her into room. Chandhini was pacing near the bed angrily. Advay went and sat on bed, his eyes following her movements.

Advay,'' I closed your cell number too, it was post-paid'', he removed something from his pocket and threw it on bed, 'that's your new sim card, activate it and use it. Its pay as you go.''

Chandhini stopped pacing and stared at him, he closed her cell number! Without even asking her!

Advay opened his wallet and removed some notes and threw them on bed,'' five thousand rupees, this is all I am going to give you every month, if you want more earn it.''

Chandhini,'' When did I ever give you the impression that I want your money? I don't even want these five thousands keep them to yourself''. She angrily shouted the last words.

She strode toward the door but then changed her mind and went back to Advay and stood beside him near the bed and said,'' I love you and I love you not because of your looks or your money, I love the person who is my everything in world, so don't cheapen our relationship by all this because at the end you will be more hurt than me.''

Advay's face lost his smile and he said,'' don't worry about me sweetheart, worry for yourself, and time will tell everything, we are married and bonded for life, sooner or later you are going to prove which is more important to you , your so called love or your comfortable life.''

Chandhini looked at him and said softly,'' I can get money or anything I want from my family and that too without telling them the reason.''

Advay said softly, 'really. Your family?'' he gave a sarcastic laugh.

Chandhini,'' I promise you Advay no matter what I will never ask you for anything monetary from you now onwards.''

Advay smiled again and pointed toward the money on bed,'' That is an exception, since my dad kept you at our home for so long, I feel certain responsibility, that's enough for you to use public transport to go to your college and come back, you can get three time meal from the kitchen and I will provide for your shoes and clothes, other than that if you ask or not, you are not going get anything from me.''

Both stared at each other, the wills colliding and neither one willing to inch backward.

Chandhini,'' I have my car, I will get it moved here, so you don't need to worry about transport, my clothes are my business and same goes for what I eat, don't you dare try to control my life for me.''

Advay,'' 7 a.m. breakfast time, lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner at 7.p.m., remember the timings because no one will be eating before or after those times, my house my rules!

Chandhini simply spun and left the room afraid she might hit him for behaving in this manner.