Learning to Love

Chapter 42

        Priya sat up and looked at Aman, trying to decipher whether or not Aman was joking.  She was caught completely off guard.  

“No you don’t.” Priya said, immediately regretting it after seeing Aman’s hurt expression.  

“Priya, I know how I feel about you.” Aman said quietly.  

“But why?” Priya asked.  

“Why what?” Aman replied.  

“Why do you suddenly think you love me?” Priya said.  

“I don’t suddenly think I love you. I know I do...because you’re beautiful.” Aman cupped her cheek with his hand.  

Priya looked down.  She always did that when Aman called her beautiful.  

“You care about me, and you do so much for me.  Priya, you nursed me back to health even after I cheated on you.  You were supposed to be angry, but you were so caring.  Someone like you at least deserves a loving husband.” Aman explained.  

Priya bit her lip, unable to meet Aman’s gaze.  He moved closer to her.  

“And that innocence...damn.” Aman whispered, placing a finger under her chin to make her look up at him.  “You were never the type of woman I thought I liked, but I was wrong.  You’re exactly my type, and I love you.”

“Since when?” Priya was curious.

“What do you mean since when? I can’t tell you the exact moment.  Sometime when I was hurt and you were taking care of me, I guess.” Aman answered.  

Truthfully, Priya wouldn’t have been able to tell Aman the exact moment when she’d fallen in love with him either.  She didn’t know why she’d even asked such a silly question.  Maybe she just wanted to be sure that he didn’t love her when he’d cheated on her.  

“Do you trust me?” Aman asked, suddenly.  

Priya looked at him.  He’d broken her trust once before, but she’d forgiven him since then.

“Of course.” Priya answered.  

“Then why don’t you believe me?” Aman challenged.  

Priya stayed quiet.  

“It’s just a hard thing to believe.” Priya answered.  

“Why?” Aman asked, exasperatedly.  

“Because it’s not you. You’re….” Priya paused, knowing that she’d just made a mistake.  

“Because I’m what?  A casanova? A womanizer?  Someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of love? That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?  Priya, that was me before I got married. Even after I got married, that was me, but now it’s not.”  Aman tried to convince her.  

“I didn’t mean…” Priya started.  

“No, I know what you meant.” Aman interrupted angrily. Aman took a deep breath, trying to calm down.  

“I don’t expect anything from you, if that’s what you're worried about.” Aman continued.  “Just because I’m in love with you doesn’t mean I expect you to ever love me.  All you wanted was a husband who cared about you, valued you, and loved you.  I want to be that husband because you deserve it, Priya.” Aman said.  

A tear slipped from Priya’s eye.  Aman was being so caring and so selfless.  Aman paused once his eyes landed on Priya’s face.  He reached out and wiped away the tear that had fallen down her face.  Priya took his hand with both of hers and held it for a moment.