The Love In Marriage

5-

"But it's really okay Mom", Keerthi tries convincing her mother in law.

"No beta. It's better you go. It's kind of a ritual. A small function will be held and there will be guests coming to bless your married life",Sakshi says

"But I already have a lot of new clothes , from the wedding shopping. I can just wear one of those", Keerthi says.

"Keerthi", Sakshi patiently explains,"It's a tradition that the bride wears the clothes given to her by her in laws. You and Vikram go for shopping , okay?"

"Okay", Keerthi relents.

"Good", Sakshi pats Keerthi's cheek, giving her a warm smile and leaves.

It was unknown to the duo that a third person was witnessing the conversation.

Vikram silently stood by the entrance, listening on the conversation between his mother and wife. He was confused. Didn't women love shopping? Why was his wife so different, in every aspect.

Or was her reluctance because she had to accompany him, he wondered. The thought made him mad. Granted, Vikram wasn't exactly behaving like an ideal husband material. But his wife didn't give him a chance to. She went out of her way to show how uncomfortable she was with him all the time. Though Vikram had no issues and he could wait, as there was no rush and he didn't excessively feel affectionate towards his wife, he didn't like the fact that she didn't even want to spend some together, to get to know each other better.

Vikram was just so mad.

He enters,making his presence known.

Keerthi glances at him.

Vikram collapses on the couch,sighing tiredly,as he closes his eyes after nodding at his mother.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat?", Keerthi forces herself to ask after sometime , since her mother in law was present and she didn't want her to think Keerthi didn't care, though in reality she really didn't.

Vikram merely glances at his wife,"Just get me a coffee". He makes his way upstairs to freshen up.

Keerthi nods, making her way into the kitchen, though her nod didn't go acknowledged.

Vikram grunted, as he pulled his T-shirt over his head. He was angry. But the reason seemed childish even to him. He was getting angry without even knowing the other side of the argument. Though his rational side criticised him for getting mad at his wife when she didn't do anything specifically, he couldn't listen to it.

He was mad at her. Period.

He really hoped she wouldn't converse with him, for her sake.

"Here",Keerthi mumbles, handing Vikram his coffee.

Vikram looks up from his phone, watching his wife with coffee mug in her hand. He took it from her, making sure he didn't touch her, as he deliberately grasped the end of the mug.

"Do you need anything else?", Keerthi finds herself question.

"Yes. Please leave me alone for sometime."

Keerthi gapes at him, having not expected such a reply, but she lets him be, not wanting to get into an argument in the living room, where other people could hear.

"You seem tired beta",Sakshi runs her hand over her son's head when she enters the living room, taking a seat next to him.

"Not really. But it was a busy day Ma",Vikram sighs,closing his eyes as he hums when his mother massages his head.

"Okay. There's a function on Thursday. A reception sort of thing. You need to get your clothes for that", Sakshi tells her son.

"Oh", Vikram acts dumb." There's still time. Can I do it later?"