24 ~ I Hate You Kiss #2
My heart was still pounding.
I wanted an answer.
I had wanted him to tell me that Samaira meant nothing.
Instead, he had given me silence and somehow...that silence hurt more than a confession ever could.
I couldn't stop thinking about the moment I'd seen Kartik coming out of that room after Samaira.
Jealousy burned through me.
Why?
I had no feelings for that monster then why did it hurt so much?
I was his wife and yet, even after marriage, he was apparently free to meet other women.
I was so upset seeing them together. Seeing her claiming him in front of me in the reception. So I went to the garden for some fresh air.
Rivan found me like that. "Kya hua, Chahat?"
(What happened, Chahat?)
I couldn't answer.
I couldn't tell him what I had seen. I couldn't even admit it to myself.
I didn't know what I was feeling or why I felt that way. Maybe it was because I'd already been through so much.
He simply pulled me into a comforting hug and wiped my tears.
And somehow, when Kartik saw us later, his jealousy exploded.
But all I could think was If Kartik could have Samaira after marriage, then why was I expected to remain loyal to him?
.
.
.
The next morning, I woke up to the soft sunlight slipping through the curtains.
For a few seconds, I simply stared at the ceiling, trying to remember where I was.
I sat up and saw i was late.
I had barely taken a few steps toward the bathroom when three soft knocks sounded on the door.
I turned around and opened the door.
Dadi stood outside with a gentle expression.
"Chahat, mujhe tumse tumhare Pagphere ke baare mein baat karni hai."
(Chahat, I want to talk to you about your Pagphera.)
My expression fell instantly.
I shook my head. "Nahi, Dadi. Main Pagphere ke liye nahi jaaungi."
(Why aren't you telling me?)
(No, Dadi. I'm not going for Pagphera.)
Dadi sighed, but she didn't look angry.
"Chahat, mujhe tumhari narazgi samajh aati hai. Lekin tumhe bhi samajhna chahiye... tumhare maa-baap ne jo bhi kiya, unhone sabka sahi aur achha soch kar hi kiya. Varna samaaj kisi ko bhi chain se jeene nahi deta."
(Chahat, I understand that you're angry. But you should also understand... whatever your parents did, they did what they thought was right and best for everyone. Otherwise, society doesn't let anyone live in peace.)
I stared at her and a bitter laugh escaped me.
"Nahi Dadi, mujhe nahi samajh aata hai ki kaise aap kisi ki feelings, kisi ke emotions, kisi ki puri life... bina usse puche decide kar sakte hain. Aur phir sirf samaaj aur society ka naam dekar expect karte hain ki saamne wala unhe respect aur accept kar lega."
My voice grew firmer. "Main nahi accept karungi, Dadi."
(No, Dadi, I don't understand how you can decide someone's feelings, someone's emotions, someone's entire life... without asking them. And then expect them to respect and accept you just by using society as an excuse. I won't accept it, Dadi.)
She remained quiet for a moment then she nodded.
"Theek hai. Agar tum nahi jaana chahti ho toh main tumhe force nahi karungi."
(Alright. If you don't want to go, I won't force you.)
Something inside me softened slightly.
"Par agar future mein tumhe kabhi bhi apne maa-baap ke paas jaane ka mann kare, toh please hesitate mat karna. Woh tumhare maa-baap hain. Tumhara achha hi chahte hain."
(But if you ever feel like going to your parents in the future, please don't hesitate. They're your parents. They only want what's best for you.)
I didn't answer. I simply nodded.
She gave me one last affectionate look before leaving.
Before I closed the door seema Chachi came there.
"Ye sab kya hai Chahat..." She asked looking at me standing in shorts and t-shirt.
(What's all this, Chahat?)
"Ye t-shirt hai aur ye..." I answered sarcastically.
(This is a T-shirt and this...)
"Chahat!" She warned interrupting me.
But before she can scold me more dadi asked her not to say anything.
"Mujhe koi shaukh nahi hai kisi ko kuch kehne ka...bas ye batane aayi thi ki aaj tumhari pehli rasoi hai. Taiyaar hokar neche aa jao." She pureed in anger.
(I have no interest in saying anything to anyone... I just came to tell you that today is your Pehli Rasoi. Get ready and come downstairs.)
She looked at me once again disgusted as she adjusted her saree pallu on her head as if she's so pious and I'm unholy because I'm dressed like this.
I rolled my eyes.
Pathetic!
"Khana banana toh aata hai na tumhe?" Seema Chachi taunted.
(You know how to cook, right?)
I turned toward her, ready with a reply, when my eyes fell on Kartik.
He had just stepped out of the washroom, drying his damp hair with a towel.
An idea immediately struck me.
I smirked and deliberately glanced at him before looking back at Chachi.
"Haan, Chachi," I said sweetly. "Mujhe toh Kartik ka mood banane bhi aata hai."
(Yes, Chachi. I even know how to put Kartik in the mood.)
Kartik froze.
His jaw practically dropped.
Dadi, who had heard me perfectly, burst into laughter.
Seema Chachi's face turned crimson. She glared at me, the moment she heard me.