The Imperfect Couple (Complete)

Chapter 5

Adi frowned at the dining table scenario and simultaneously wondered if the frown had become the permanent part of his countenance since the girl had stepped in his life.

He had come back from college long back and his grandma hadn't spared him a word. And his dad? He behaved as if he had just now got his daughter, lost years back in 'Kumbh Mela'. Both of them were feeding her with her own hands. What was wrong with his family? And this girl was behaving as if she had all the right to claim their attention. Not that he was jealous or something. He just found it irritating... extremely irritating.

"Adi don't even think of touching it. It's especially for Charu", Sarojini said sternly taking the bowl of kheer from him.

"But that's my favorite grandma", he said pouting.

"No ways Adi. It won't work today. How could you call my princess a 'ghost'?" Sarojini asked narrowing her eyes. Sanjay too gaped at him, horrified.

Adi sniggered at the memory of the car scene and then said coolly, "Because she looks like one."

Saying so he grinned at the open-mouthed girl with immense satisfaction before the realization hit him "You complained?" and then added disgustfully, "But then what else was expected. Kiddo"

Charu was all embarrassed at the sudden accusation feeling all alone all of a sudden. But Sanjay jumped instantly to her defense, "Adi! I think it's you who need to grow up."

That was it. He had enough of this 'my daughter is the best' drama. After all whose house was it? He got up instantly and went to his room, thoroughly annoyed.

Charu's gaze followed the retreating figure of the offended boy and then avoiding the elders, shifted sideways and finally, the victorious smile twinkling in her eyes adorned her rosy lips.

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It was almost eleven when Charu hesitantly entered the room. She was dreading this moment since dinner time. Though she had been with him last night too, but then he was already sleeping. She had tried her best to prolong her conversation with Sarojini and Sanjay but now she had to face him. There wasn't any escape.

Adi was sitting on his bed busy playing with his basketball when he looked up at her.

"What do you want?" he asked raising his brows.

Charu hadn't expected such a blunt question. Not that she expected any hearty welcome from the arrogant boy. But this was too rude. She stammered a little "I – grandma said – "

Adi got up irately, "What grandma huh? This is my house. Don't forget that." He reminded her pointing his index finger.

Charu's eyes filled up instantly. She very well knew it was his house...his room. He just spoke up her mind. She felt like an outsider. Why feeling...in fact she was an outsider. Her mother had put her in such a situation that she depended on strangers...their moods...their pity...

The sudden painful and helpless tears in the large black eyes startled Adi. He was starting to regret his own words when Sarojini entered and almost ran in on seeing Charu crying.

Adi groaned at his grandma's overdramatic expression.

"Not again", he grumbled.

Ignoring his comment Sarojini cupped Charu's face in her hands "Charu, why are you crying? What happened, my child?"

"Grandma", Charu managed in between her hiccups, "grandma, he.. he"

Adi gaped as she started pointing at him. "No grandma I didn't do anything."

"That's it, Adi. You are simply impossible. I wouldn't bear this ok. Charu is our family now, your wife. So stop these silly fights. You are no more children. Do you get it?"

Adi took a deep breath as his grandma started scolding him without even listening to him. So now he had no other option than to nod.

Sarojni smiled as he agreed and then wiping Charu's tears she left the room.

Without meeting his murderous look, Charu quietly went to the bed and covered her face with the blanket.

"Get up complain box. It's my bed. You can sleep on the couch."

"I am not com- comfortable on the couch. You – you sleep there." She fumbled from behind the blanket.

Her words were followed by complete silence and only when she was about to believe that he had probably left the room, he jumped on the bed getting right inside the blanket.

"What are you doing?" she shrieked sitting up on the bed and pulling the blanket with both her hand up to her chin.

Stretched leisurely on the bed, Adi crossed his hands behind his head "what? Are you blind or something? I am doing what everyone does at night."

Controlling her frantic heartbeats, Charu stammered, "but- but how can you – you sleep here?"

"Why? You want me to do something else. Well, I am ready." He said budging towards her.

Terrified by the proximity, Charu jumped out of the bed "Don't come near me" she said pointing her index finger.

Adi raised his brows innocently, "But why sweetheart? Didn't you hear grandma? You are my wife. We'll share the house, the room, the bed and –"

She gulped in at his words and shuddered even at the thought of such proximity with him. In her apprehension, she missed the mischievous glint in his brown eyes and his terrible attempt at hiding his grin.

"I think I'll be comfortable on the couch", she said not meeting his gaze.

"Are you sure?" he asked with utmost concern.

"Yes completely."

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