The Things We Love and Lose

Chapter 14

"I know it's not that good."

Sparing a glance to his traditional clothing and nervous expression, I dropped my phone on the bed and drank the small room of ours with a single bed and a dresser at the right corner with a wooden door leading to the bathroom. The cream colour walls didn't spoil the mood compared to his fallen face as he stood at the distance, taking in my mood.

"It is for few months, then mom and Rafe will get us new house." Taking long steps, he caught my hand and squeezed it gently. "Say something."

"It is beautiful," I rolled the words out, stood on my toes and placed my lips on his cheek. "It is our apartment. I love the name plate."

"Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi," He whispered softly, a smile felt his lips. "How is my family?"

Obnoxious.

I didn't get good vibes from his older sister, who kept on throwing daggers at my figure as if her step-brother marrying me was the worst scenario in the world, as if I had forced Arnav to sit down with me and take vows to be my husband. I didn't like how his mother kept on throwing snide subtle remarks on my family and how my parents were incapable of understanding the simple things in the world, didn't like how my parents had handled everything for my sake and didn't offer much words.

But it was my marriage day.

I couldn't spoil it over few people when Rafe had been too good with us, with my brothers and father, who ensured them I would be safe here with Arnav.

"They are good," I lied, sat down on the bed and ran my hand on the petals of the red roses and smiled softly at the events that lead us to here, in this moment with the splatter of early rain knocking the window.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

With a satisfied nod, he dropped on the edge of the bed, his gaze concentrated on the opposite wall. "If only I had the company, you wouldn't be in this rotten place."

"This rotten place is our home," I burst out, his whining was getting to my head. "If you wanted the company so badly, why sign it away? I didn't force you. I didn't ask for luxuries. If you had forgotten, I grow up in this state, and for the matter of fact, I love it."

Even if his eyes widened at my sudden anger, I ignored it and ran my finger on the red bangles adorning my wrist.

The first night, and we were already at each other's throat, pointing the harsh words to hurt each other to deepest as if it could change anything as if it could change the bitterness running in his eyes. Be supportive, but how to be when he couldn't stop crying about his lost company?

"I am sorry," He exasperated. "I never meant that." A familiar hand and warmth dropped on my hand. "No more crying?" I shook my head. "You should change. I have no idea how you are still standing."

"Hey!" I shoved his shoulder gently. "I love dressing up." Glancing down at the red lehenga, I tried to contain my grin. "Thank you for this."

"Tradition, Sanjana, tradition." He placed his lips on the side of my head. "Change. They will come the next morning." Standing from the bed, he jogged out of the room and I was left alone in the room to wonder what he had in mind and had I been ready for everything that would play out in this room.

Could I say no?

Could as a wife I could stop him and confess I didn't want him in that way?

Or was I being absurd?

Dismissing the troubled thoughts of the night, I trailed to the brown bag, opened the bag and fisted out the night clothes but as I went deeper into the task, I realised I wasn't able to unhook my blouse, couldn't remove my jewellery except getting the ache on my arms and elbows.