Cause it was an ARRANGED LOVE

CHAPTER TWO

As Arnav advanced into the room, he looked at me for a second with a deeply concerned expression.

"You're still awake. You haven't slept yet? Aren't you feeling comfortable? Do you need something?" His gaze kept wandering around the whole room but he seemed genuinely concerned about me.

"No. I'm okay," I tugged nervously at the hem of my dupatta. "I was waiting for you." An awkwardness had grown between us. I looked around the room, searching for something to insert into the uncomfortable silence. "Actually...um...this room is quite nice."

He managed a gentle little smile and took out his phone from his pocket. "I'm tired. I'm feeling sleepy." He pointed to the door I hadn't explored yet. "That's the washroom. You can get ready for bed."

I stood frozen with fear. Was he asking me to change? Did he expect me to do all that a wife does for her husband? My blood went cold as ice and my breath seemed to stop. My eyes felt heavy and at the age of twenty-five, I was dreading his touch as if I was fifteen and he was a molester. It couldn't happen this way. I couldn't just make out with someone I didn't know. I don't care if I'm married to the man, I didn't know a thing about him! No. I...I needed more time. I know this is what people do their first night together as husband and wife. I've seen the movies and stuff. But I can't. We don't have to do it like everyone else. We could make it a regular night. A normal one. We should just share the room and leave some privacy for each other. We can just get to know each other a little.

I looked down at the embroidery of my lehenga and then at the floor, anywhere that I didn't have to see his face. Arnav read the tension in me, the sweat beading on my face.

"Should I turn up the air conditioning? I think you're feeling too warm," he said, concerned.

What did he want? Picking up all the courage I could, hoping to judge his intentions, I stared directly into his eyes and what I saw there was unexpected. Arnav, this confident, aggravating man, was just as unnerved as I was. He, too, had droplets of sweat shimmering over the skin of his face. He refused to hold my gaze for more than a few seconds. As soon as our eyes met, his darted away. I was surprised. I couldn't imagine someone like him, someone so infuriating, could be so shy. I could guess how awkward he must be feeling just now. Sharing his room with someone he'd basically never met before. And more than the room, he was going to share the rest of his life with that person. He took a few steps back when I denied with a shake of my head.

I moved toward the suitcases and, while unzipping the largest one, changed the topic. "Arnav ji, could you please arrange another cupboard in here? I do have to keep all my things somewhere." I kept digging for the nightgowns I had bought during all the wedding shopping. I was only allowed to bring gowns with robes with me though, Mumma thought my shorts and skirts would be inappropriate after I got married. I was supposed to confine my outfits to the traditional style. "My stuff can't stay in these suitcases." I opened the second one and dug out my red, satin nightgown.

"Kriti ji, that cupboard is half cleared out for you! Have a look," he said as he tore his gaze from his phone. "How many clothes do you have?" He seemed amazed as he looked at my stuff.

When I unlatched the cabinet, more than half was empty. Sure, it had enough space to keep my clothes in there, but a girl's got shoes to think about.

"But the sandals! Where will the sandals go?" my inner fashion-freak panicked.

He threw his hands in the air. "How would I know?"

"You should know," my tone deadpan. "If you don't, then who would? It's your room na."

"Yes...but..." he shook his head, "okay...just give me a list tomorrow and I'll get you whatever you need." He stared at me for a moment as if I was uncomprehendable. "Now go change. Aren't you uncomfortable in all that jewelry? Or do you plan on sleeping in that dress?"