Why Did You?

9. Guilt And Fear

Lucknow, India

"So now you are living in your wife's home as her servant? This is hilarious." Aryan huffed. He had not called Sapna so that she could make fun of him. He had called her to know how he could convince her. "You are my sister Sapna. Help me instead of making fun of me." Sapna chuckled, "Okay sorry. But this is pretty funny. I must say Meera thought really well." Aryan  rolled his eyes at her comment. It had been a day since he had come to Lucknow. And Meera had made it completely clear that she was serious about her condition. 

"So where did you sleep last night?" asked Sapna. "On the floor in the living room." "What???? Meera made you sleep on the floor????" asked a shocked Sapna. She knew Meera was a hothead but this was too much. "She wanted me to sleep on the couch. But I couldn't fit on it, so....?" said Aryan. "Where is she by the way?" asked Sapna. "She has gone to the Dance Academy. Taken lunch with her. It's summer vacations so she has long classes now onwards." 

This piece of information surprised Sapna. How did he know this? Meera surely wouldn't tell her schedule to a man she considered her servant. She asked the same to Aryan. "I don't know why she told me this. I am not understanding her behaviour. Sometimes she is angry. Sometimes she is normal. I don't know....." said Aryan uncertainly. Sapna hummed. She could understand what was going on in Meera's mind. But instead of telling anything to Aryan, she asked a question she always wanted to ask, "Bhai, why did Meera leave doing stage performances?" "Because I am an idiot," muttered Aryan.

"You remember her last performance. After our marriage?" he asked. Sapna replied affirmatively. "After that when we reached our home," began Aryan.

Flashback(Aryan's POV)

Meera and I entered our house. As the doors closed, I pulled her to myself and held her harshly. "I don't want you to do any stage performances." Meera looked at me with wide eyes and muttered, "Why?" "Because I do not want people to stare at the woman, I am forced to call my wife." Saying so, I left her. 

She called behind me, "Dancing is my passion, Aryan." "I don't care. You will do as I say. Or...." Meera's eyes widened with fear and she nodded.

Flasback ends

Third Person's POV

"Why did you do that?" asked an astonished Sapna. Aryan did not reply. He could not tell her. Sapna did not force him for an answer. They ended their conversation and Aryan was drowned in guilt and fear.

Evening

Meera entered the flat and was greeted by the aroma of pizza. She inhaled deeply and licked her lips. She was very hungry and wanted nothing but food. But she had to wait. She had a mission to accomplish. Putting up a stern face, she called for Aryan. He came out of the kitchen. "Answer me truthfully Mr Aryan Sinha. Why are you here?" "So that you will forgive me and come back to me," he replied. "I want to hear the truth, Aryan." Aryan took a deep breath and said, "I am saying the truth, Meera." 

"First of all, you marry me just for a bloody business deal. Then, you make me leave my passion. Then, you go around and flirt with other girls. And on questioning, you tell me that I am no one to you. I still give a chance to our relation and then, you and my wonderful family accuse me of something I never did. And now five years later, you are here wanting me to forgive you and come back to you. Wow, just wow!!!" said Meera in a breath. Aryan's heart pained hearing all this. He spoke, "I did not accuse you, Meera. I...." 

"Shut up, just shut up," screamed Meera. Aryan looked down, tears escaped his eyes. Meera looked at him for a minute and then went back to her plan, "You know what? It's better that I die." Saying so, she moved to the kitchen. Alarmed at her words, Aryan followed her and saw her taking out the kerosene oil. He stared at her and the container she was holding. His head started spinning. He could see fire in front of him. His mouth felt dry. He muttered, "Meera," and fainted.

Meera turned around and saw Aryan falling on the ground. Her heart beat increased and she cried, "Aryaaann......"

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So how is it?

Why did Aryan stop Meera from giving stage performances? 

What was Meera's mission? 

~Purnima