The Love In Marriage

6-

"Good you came on time. Go and freshen up. We'll have dinner",Sakshi said as she saw Vikram and Keerthi entering.

Vikram didn't know a diplomatic way to answer his mom. He could say he ate,but that would raise questions as to why Keerthi didn't eat. He didn't want to put their personal life on show.He was thinking of what to say when Keerthi spoke.

"We already ate outside Mom",Keerthi answered on their behalf,making Vikram feel even more bad.

"Okay",Sakshi smiles.

"Did you get your clothes?",Vihan asked to which they nodded.

"Did you get something for me as well?",Vihan teased his brother.

"Get married. You can shop as much as you want too", Vikram pulled his leg.

"I can buy as much as I want even without getting married. Thanks",Vihan laughed making Vikram shake his head.

"Bhabhi(Sister in law),he is such a moody shopper. Did he even let you buy whatever you wanted?",Vihan turned to Keerthi.

Keerthi stiffened slightly,still mad at Vikram.

"Of course. It was quite fun. Vikram got me everything I wanted",Keerthi smiled at Vihan.

"Of course you'll support him now Bhabhi. It's only a matter of few days that you'll say how much of a moody shopper your great husband here is", Vihan laughed, teasing Vikram.

The whole family had a hearty laugh at Vikram's expense,making him roll his eyes.

"Let him be Vihan",Sakshi reprimanded her son, though her eyes were twinkling too.

"I am tired. I am going to bed", Vikram announced after some time.

"Okay. Good night",the Rathores chorussed as they dispersed.

Keerthi's stomach was grumbling,but she was determined to silence it as she pressed on it.She had changed into comfortable night wear in the washroom,ready to forget and sleep away the unpleasant day.

Vikram had long changed and was in bed when his wife was in the washroom. It wasn't a task for him to fall asleep,being so tired. But something didn't let his sleep. Irritated,he flung the covers off himself grumbling all the way he went into the kitchen.

Keerthi was surprised to see the room void of her husband when she came out. She was sitting on her bedside, removing her bangles and ear rings,when she saw Vikram enter.

"Here",Vikram offered a glass of milk to Keerthi.

Keerthi stared at Vikram, disbelief written all over her face. She just didn't understand him. He had scolded her and had his dinner without an ounce of concern and now he was offering her milk?

But she had had enough. She didn't want to argue with him tonight. But she didn't want to drink the milk either.

"I don't want it",she says quietly.

"What do you mean you don't want it? Aren't you hungry?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't", Vikram shrugged.

"Why did you get it then?"

"Look ,stop trying to piss me off. Drink it if you want to or throw it. I don't give a damn."

"I am pissing you off? Do you hear yourself?"

"Stop getting on my nerves.I just got it thinking you might be hungry. Clearly, there is no point in caring for you. Do as you wish."

"You call this care?", Keerthi scoffed.

"There's no point in arguing with someone like you", Vikram glared at her, placing the glass of milk down roughly, causing some of it to spill on the table.

"What do you mean Someone like me ?", Keerthi shot back hotly.

Vikram closed his eyes, trying to rein his temper."Look woman, I suggest you stop this bullshit if you don't want things to turn ugly. The issue is just over a glass of milk. Stop arguing."

Vikram closed his eyes, sitting on the bed as he got into the covers, ignoring his wife next to him.

Keerthi felt hot tears prick the back of her eyes. She couldn't understand what was going on. Why was he so bitter?He was just so mad,it scared her. She sniffled, unable to hold back the tear that slid down her cheek.

Vikram shut his eyes, hearing his wife's soft sniffles. He saw red. He was already pissed off and her crying now was just tipping him off the edge.

"Stop crying",he said softly, trying to calm himself down as he took a deep breath.

That only increased the intensity of Keerthi's tears.

"Fucking hell. Stop crying Keerthi", Vikram shouted, his voice raising.

"Stop shouting at me", Keerthi yelled, finally losing her cool,"I don't what I have done that you are so mad at me. You have been so rude since you came back from work. You have no right to take out your anger on me like this. I am not your punching bag. Stop treating me like shit", Keerthi cried.

Vikram shut his eyes,counting his breaths as he tried to understand what his wife said. Was he really that rude to her?,He tried to retrospect. He was,he thought.

But Vikram was mad too. The thought that his wife didn't want anything to do with him clouded all his senses. At that moment ,the only thing that mattered to him was hurting her the way she did to him.

But it was unfair for her ,he didn't even give her a reason for his cold behavior.

Keerthi wiped her face as she tightly closed her eyes shut.At that moment,she was scared that he may hurt her after what she had said.

Come on,Slap me. Keerthi waited for the sting.

"You are right. I am Sorry", Vikram apologized after some time, thinking that maybe he really was harsh.

Keerthi blinked her eyes open, had he just apologised. She just didn't get him.

"Did I do anything to offend you?", Keerthi wondered out loud after some time, as she pondered on the possibility.

Vikram sighed,shaking his head in negative as he approached her.He was being a hypocrite. He wanted Keerthi to speak her mind ,but didn't want to when she had given him the perfect chance to to raise his doubts.

Why was she so guarded all the time?Why did she look so unhappy and uncomfortable all the time. It was probably uncomfortable for newly weds. But Keerthi gave a whole new definition to the word.

He had so many other questions in his mind that he wanted answers to.Vikram decided it's better he got it over with.

He sighs, gently cupping Keerhi's face.

Keerthi stiffens at the contact,uneasy.She feels him wiping away the tears off her face.

Vikram searches Keerthi's face,her eyes,nose,cheeks,lips, finally settling at her eyes.

"I will ask you something. Will you give me an honest answer?"

Keerthi stiffens at his question,rigid as a pole.

"What?", She questions,her voice muffled due to Vikram's hands still cupping her face.

When Vikram doesn't say anything, Keerthi gives a stiff nod,"I will."

Vikram takes a breath,gazing deep into her eyes,their faces inches apart,"Keerthi,are you unhappy with our marriage?"

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