But I swear, I really did plan on cooking an over salted food for him!
He narrowly made an escape from that!
"Thank you!" I replied and rushed into my office not wanting to be late.
All my friends, except Anitha, congratulated me. She was a friend, but just a namesake friend. I didn’t get good vibes from her. I was suddenly reminded about the Facebook comment that I read. Could there be anything between the two?? Maybe I was over thinking.
***
It was half past six and high time for me to leave.
I was totally caught off guard when the doors of the elevator opened. Gautham was already standing near the elevator.
"Finally!!" he sighed, looking at me.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I am going out, Shakthi! Can you manage and go home alone, today??"
Perfect! I was not worried about going alone! That was what I had been doing all my life. It was nothing new to me. But, how will I go home?
I will have to ask my friend to give me a ride.
"Okay!" I agreed, trying my best to not be rude.
"Sorry," he apologized and left.
My eyes followed him as he walked to his car.
Anitha was waiting near his car while he got into his BMW. She took the passenger seat and the car purred and drove away.
A lone tear escaped my eye and I felt it running down my cheeks.
Chapter 12-My Crazy Best Friend
I have to stop crying! But, my heart just doesn't seem to co-operate with my brain!
It hurt me inside out that I was being cheated on.
Just then, I was shook hard by my shoulder and I heard a screeching voice. "Shakthi??" Ankitha's shrill voice pained my ear drums.
I quickly wiped my tears. Apart from Shalini, Ankitha was my other best friend. She was happily married with a kid and knew every inch of me. She kept asking me throughout the whole day if things were fine and why I looked a bit out of myself. But, I just shrugged it off not wanting to disturb her, because she already was stressed about getting her kid into a good school.
"Stop shouting, will you!?" I barked.
"Shakthi?? What happened? Why are you crying? What is it, baby?? Tell me!??" she pleaded.
I sighed. "Nothing Ankitha, I am just overwhelmed with this married life that I am pushed into." I knew she would eventually make me tell the truth.
"Stop spinning tales, Madam!"
"Can you give me a ride home?" I asked, trying to avoid the topic
"I won't, unless you tell me what the problem is with you!" she commanded.
" Fine! But, not in front of the elevator!"
She nodded, giving me an understanding look and soon we got into her car and she started driving.
She couldn't come to my wedding, because her son was ill and hospitalized. I really missed her.
"We’ll talk about this over a nice dinner?"
I knew she wouldn't give up. “Thanks.”
***
We went to Chang's kitchen and found our usual cozy seats.
"So, shoot!" She glared at me.
I hesitated.
"Let it out! It will really make you feel better."
I looked at the table, not sure talking about it would make me feel anything other than angry.
"Trust me!" she said as if she was Edward Cullen, who would read my mind like it was nothing.
I opened up and once I started there was no stopping me. She listened like the amazing friend she was and didn't react even after I was done.
"Ankitha, I am done??!" I said, waving a hand in front of her petrified face.
She cleared her throat. "I think there is a misunderstanding, Shakthi."
"He said he loved her and quickly hung up when he saw me! Where is the misunderstanding?" I cried out.
"Calm down, Shakthi."
Our soups arrived. So, I held my tongue until the waiter left.
"Shakthi, you might be right, but Anitha is not that kind of a woman to have an affair with a married man."
"He got married just a few days back, but the time when he was in an actual relationship, he was unmarried, right? So it doesn't mean she should have a habit of having affairs with married men, it just happens that Gautham is now married."
"No no!! As far as I know she is not in any relationship, Shakthi."
"Fine! But, there can be another woman having an affair with Gautham!” I was frustrated.
" It doesn't matter who the woman is, as of now! Just bring him into your web and all the other things will settle on its own!"
"I don't understand," I said, taking another sip of my soup.
"Listen! What Gautham is doing is totally unfair on you and you don't deserve it, but we can't try and find his girlfriend-"
"Why can't I find who his girlfriend is? I can!" I was determined.
"Shakthi! You should sneak around and go through his personal stuffs for some clue. Which means when it comes to staying in separate rooms…"
"The first thing that I am going to do when I get home is shift my things to his room!"
"Good! A jealous wife is a better detective than a CBI" She winked.
"I am not a jealous wife! I just want to know the reason why he spoilt my life like this and for whom is he doing all this?”
"Then you know what? You should give him a divorce and let him be happy with the one he loves!"
"Maybe you are right! But, not so soon! The law says that, right?"
She looked confused.
" Indian law requires us to be married for a minimum of six months even if you want a divorce by mutual consent, do you know that?"
"Unbelievable!!!" She continued with her soup.
But, she was partly right. I seriously can't do the detective thing. It will be tough for me.
"Shakthi, why don't you ask him about his girlfriend? It will solve everything, right?"
"Ankitha! Any thief when caught will say that he is not a thief! You are talking as if he is going to introduce his girlfriend to me the moment I question him. I don't want to seem so insecure within five days of our marriage."
"I agree with your first part, but not the insecure part! You are his wife! Do you even buy that?”
"Wife, only in words, Ankitha! Not for real." I sensed a sad tone in my voice! I didn't want to be sad.
"You should make it for real, Shakthi! You have six months in hand! Make him yours!!!"
Our main course just arrived. When the waiter left I continued. "I don't want to make a person mine when he is someone else's already!!"
"Don't jump to conclusions! For now, assume he has no girlfriend and take your married life in a normal way!"
"For that you need a normal and a faithful husband."
"Just let nature take its course you will eventually fall for him and he will fall for you!"
I started coughing badly with the food stuck in my throat, refusing to go down. Gulping in some water, I said, "You think he will fall for me? He won't, Ankitha! He just won't!"
"Seduce him, babe," she whispered in a seductive voice which sounded funny.
I laughed until my stomach hurt.
"Are you out of your mind??" I asked her, wiping the tears that slipped from my eyes.
"I have never been so serious!"
"You've got to be kidding me! That is the last thing I would do!"
"I am not asking you to do it today! Take your time, get comfortable around him." She winked.
"Not happening!" I was not going to please such an asshole! Why should I dress up for him and do stuff for him! I will stay with him for six months and then will give him a divorce!
The drive home was pretty pleasant talking about movies and TV shows, and gossiping.
"We're home!" she squealed.
“Bye, babe! Take care! And call me whenever you feel like you need me and my gut feeling says that Gautham will fall in love with you." She gave me a tight hug.
I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, you aren't going anywhere bef
ore you see my new flat!" I commanded.
"No, Shakthi! Sanjay will be missing me at home, I need to go!"
She loved her son so much that I had to let her go.
"Okay, Ankitha! Bye." I waved, walking to my flat.
I pushed the door open and entered.
"Hey, Shakthi!! What a pleasant surprise." Her voice burnt my ears
Chapter 13-He's Mine
The door slowly opened
"Hey, Shakthi!! What a pleasant surprise." Her voice burnt my ears.
It was official!! I hate her!
She was a home wrecker!
How can a woman stoop so low??
It was not just her, how can Gautham do this? Does he think that this was some hotel where he and his filthy girlfriend can crash?
"Well!! It is a pleasant surprise, Anitha!" I air quoted the word pleasant.
She laughed! It was the worst sound I have ever heard.
"Will you allow me into my home??" I raised my eyebrow.
"Ooh! Sorry!!" she said, moving away from the foyer for me to enter.
"Where is Gautham??" I asked
"He just went to get freshened up," she answered and continued watching some crap on the television.
"Do you want something to eat or drink??" I tried my best to be a good host.
"No, Gautham and I just had our dinner," she smirked.
I so wanted to wipe it off!
"Good! Cause even if you want something, I wasn't planning to make it." Seeing the smirk wear off her bitchy face calmed me down.
I went to the kitchen and grabbed some cold water.
So, he took her on a date and he brought her home! To my home??
"Hey?? You are back!" I heard Gautham just then.
"Hmm..yea!" I put the jug of water down.
"I was really worried, you know? Where were you for so long?" he questioned
Like he really cares! If he was concerned one bit, he would have called me!
"I was having dinner with my friend!" I answered
"Name?"
"It is none of your concern!" I said, folding my arms in front of my chest.
He paced forward and pulled me by my arm, twisting it behind me.
"Gautham! It hurts!! Leave me!!" I tried pushing him away with my good hand.
He loosened his grip a bit, but even then I was not able to escape his strong grip.
"I am your husband. And anything concerning you is my business, do you get that?" he snarled.
"Okay, leave me now." I pleaded.
"What is your friend's name?"
"Ankitha" I replied and then he let go of me.
"Now, that is like a good girl," he said, caressing my cheek with the pad of his thumb.
"Looks like we have a guest," I commented when he was about to have his glass of water.
"Oh! Anitha? Her sister is not feeling well and she is hospitalized, Shakthi! And the hospital is just at the next street, so she asked me if she could stay here because it will be easier for her to reach the hospital."
Lies!
Lies!
Lies!
Was she lying or was it him??
If her sister was in such a critical condition she should be at the hospital and not wrecking another person's home!
It had to be Gautham who was lying! He just wanted her near him, but I was not going to let that happen.
"So, she is going to stay here?" I asked
"I guess!!"
"Hmm! Let her sleep on the couch!!" I said
"Shakthi, we have a guest room! Let her stay there!"
It was a relief that she was not sharing his room.
"So, I am sleeping in your room for today!" I said before he could leave the kitchen.
He turned towards me in surprise "Whoa!! Where did that come from??"
"Don't be too happy! Just pretending that we are a happy couple! That is it! Do you want people in our office to know that we are not happy??"
"Oh! Yea! I totally forgot!"
"Of course, you did," because it was just Anitha who was haunting your mind.
I had a nice hot shower and changed into hot pants and a t-shirt.
I tied up my hair in a messy bun and carried my laptop and other things I needed to Gautham’s room.
I had an audit report to submit, so I dived into it, forgetting about Anitha flirting with my husband.
I worked for more than two hours, but I was nowhere close to completion. I felt my eyes droop, so I planned to complete it tomorrow and stopped my work.
It was almost ten minutes past ten! What was keeping Gautham for so long??
I was not going to hit bed without him so I went to see what they both were up to.
"It is really sweet of you, this means so much to me Gautham," I heard her fake flirty voice.
I cleared my throat, making them aware of my presence.
She had her hand on Gautham's thigh and kept rubbing it! Jeez!! She didn’t even remove it when she saw me! Slutty bitch!
"Care to join me in the bed??" I asked him. It was more an order than a request.
"Yea, sure! We were just talking." His gaze roamed from my legs to my eyes.
"I can see that!" I said.
His eyes quickly met mine.
"Okay, Anitha! Do you mind giving a little privacy to the newly married couple?" Her face fell when I said that.
I did a little victory dance in my head and pulled Gautham by his arm to the bedroom.
Chapter 14-In His Arms
We entered our room and I quickly walked to the bed, pretending nothing happened.
I laid on the bed, pulling the comforter over my face, not wanting to have a chat.
"Shakthi?" he said.
I slowly peeped from my duvet, facing him "what?"
"What was that?"
"Gautham! Stop it! I am feeling really sleepy!" I said, faking a yawn.
"Oh really??" He pounced on the bed, pulling me over him.
I felt my chest press against his hard and well-toned body. My heart fluttered and I sensed my breathing becoming erratic.
He held my waist securely and my small, fragile hands grabbed his muscled arms for support.
His face was inches from mine, and his silvery grey eyes pierced through my chocolate brown ones.
"Gautham!??"I whispered
"Hmm??"
"Let go of me!" I managed to say without fighting a move.
"I won't," he said. His lips nearing mine.
No, Gautham! It is really too soon! Stop it! Please...! Don't kiss me! Please!! Don't make me regret of sharing the bed with you! Please!!
Just then I realized I didn't actually say those words!
His lips pressed on my cheeks.
It was a wave of shock and surprise, totally mixed up, that ran from my curled up toes till my stomach.
I felt a spark when his lips came into contact with my skin... I closed my eyes, savoring the small yet precious feeling. My lips shivered wanting to enjoy more.
Then suddenly, I opened my eyes to move away from him.
"Enjoying it?" He smirked
I pulled myself out of his embrace and went under the comforter. I laid in such a way that my back faced him. "In your dreams," I said and then I heard him say, "crazy!!"
***
I woke up the next morning, hoping that I would start afresh.
But, that thought ceased when I saw Anitha along with Gautham in his BMW, leaving for work.
"Perfect way to start a nice bright day."
I drove to the office and my not so good day became dreadful when I saw Anitha all over Gautham, standing at the office corridor, pleading. "Divorce Shakthi, Gautham! You know that she doesn't deserve you"
Chapter 15-Kabir's Visit
My not so good day became dreadful, when I saw Anitha all over Gautham, standing at the office corridor, pleading. "Divorce Shakthi, Gautham! You know that she doesn't deserve you"
I really felt like rebelling against this whole divorce thing! Even if Ga
utham wanted a divorce, I was not going to give him one!
I turned to leave before they could catch me eavesdropping them.
But just then, I heard Gautham yelling. "Are you out of your mind, Anitha?? She is my wife!! Don't you get that?? Get off me!!"
My heart pounded with happiness!
So he really wasn't having an affair! It was all my misunderstanding! I have started watching too many shows which made my imagination run wild!
It was just this little dog, Anitha.
I opened my cabin and I was in for another surprise.
"Hi, Shakthi." He gave me warm smile.
"What brought you here, Kabir?" I was piqued.
We both studied Chartered Accountancy together in the same institute and he was one of my closest friends until he said that he was in love with me.
He cleared his throat. "I’m here for an audit. So I thought of visiting you. It has been a really long time since we actually met up, right?"
"Erm!! Yea! Two years!" I smiled.
"So, I heard that your husband is working here as well! And wait! Shall I guess?? Love marriage!! Right?"
"No!! It was arranged!” I gave him an amused look.
"Just like that!! Are you happy?" he queried.
"Of course, I am!" I was not going to let him know the truth.
"Oh! Okay!" I sensed his face fall.
"So when will you introduce me to your husband?"
"He is actually busy! I will surely introduce him to you some other time, yea?"
"Hmm, okay then! So, will you join me for lunch?"
What? If he was trying to hit on me, again, I swear I was going to kill him!
"Just for old times' sake!" Maybe he sensed what I was thinking!
"I would love to, but, I have an audit report due in a day! I am so sorry! I promise we will meet up soon." Negative vibes always remain that way!
"You surely can spare a few minutes with me, come on!" he urged.
"No, Kabir! Please try and understand!"
"Looks like you aren't going to accept! And that is a cue for me to take leave!"
I smiled and waved at him while he left my cabin.
"Finally." I sighed and proceeded with my work.
***
I'm All Yours Page 5
