Just Roommates

Rajgera

"I am really glad that you decided to accompany Arjun on this trip" Sumitra said as Diya zipped one more suitacase. "Manish was skeptical tho, but I told him, If sita could go to vanvaas for 14 years along with Ram then why couldn't our Diya go with our Arjun?" Sumitra added, Diya gave her a repressed smile. 

She had a different relationship with Sumitra, It wasn't like they showed in the serials where the daughter was the daughter in law, Diya didn't get as much attention or affection as Shreya did but it wasn't like an evil vamp mother in law either, there was no need for Sumitra to feel threatened by Diya's presence, yet there was cordiality and niceness in the relationship, sometimes plain concern that brought respect from the other side but there still was a certain openness and space sometimes for a little bit of teasing or leg pulling, by Sumitra ofcourse, no Indian mother in law would tolerate leg pulling by their 'bahus'

Both of them heard a few voiced from the floor below, and went down. Diya's parents had come to see her, she hadn't had the time to go visit them, well she couldn't reveal that she couldn't come because Arjun prohibited it. Arjun had already begun exercising his power, thank the lords that he had packed for himself but he made it clear to Diya that she must only carry indian clothes, preferrably Sarees. Arjun had also specified in the contract itself that Diya must wear her mangalsutra and sindoor at all times outside the house except wherever Arjun would grant his permission. "permission" what was he, a school principal! Diya knew it was just his way of torturing Diya but she also took away his right to love or have a happy relationship so maybe it would all get balanced

 Diya now felt suffocated in this relationship, more and more so everyday, she had never listened to her father, and now she was being dominated by her husband. Mean while Arjun enjoyed doing this to her, he wanted to break her patience so she could finally admit that she was doing all this for the money, but Diya had no idea about this brewery in his head.

"Ma, papa, I am so glad you came"

"We are so glad that you are going with Arjun, away from this city life, in the green farms, you will have so much fun, kyun Goenkaji" her father said. He seemed more gregarious now, more confident and much much more happier. As the parents continued their chit chat with tea and biscuits, Diya's mother went to her room to help her with the packing.

-

Arjun with the help of Dev brought a carton downstairs, he noticed his in laws and went to touch their feet. Diya's father pulled him into a hug, while Diya's mother, who was sitting right next to Sumitra in front of Diya, pulled him and made him sit beside Diya. 

"Arrey Arjun beta, what kind of magic have you done on our Diya, that she has decided to go live with you in the village with indian clothes and without her company!" She said teasingly, while Diya got increasingly uncomfortable. 

"it's the magic of love, mummy" Arjun said as he excused himself to take care of the rest of the work. As they were about to leave, Diya handed her father a brown cover with papers in it, 

"what is this?" her father asked like a child

"Your birthday gift, I won't be here on your birthday right?" Diya said

-

Diya had stared out of the window the entire way, the city, the outskirts, the greens farms and finally the village. Muddy, sandy but having more trees than she'd ever seen. The car stopped infront of a Haveli. Arjun and Diya had spent the entire 3 hour journey in total silence.

Arjun got out of the car and took his shades off. "CEO hai yah Hero, najane kya samajh rakhe hai apne aapko" Diya thought to herself. As she got out her bag, she looked around, it was a Haveli with intricate work. Suddenly she heard the noise of dhol, a fair man, with a little bloated up stomach wearing a kurta, entered the gate wearing a kurta and performing bhangra. He sang or rather just shouted in his baritone voice,