Arjun’s PoV
‘I have finally found the meaning of love but it seems useless now.’ What does that even mean? It is useless since she married me?
‘My past has become a nightmare’ this one I agree. Her past, I cannot even say that it is her past when she clearly still has feelings for him. It is a nightmare, not for her, but for me.
She still hates Preethi. Does not get a good vibe? Preethi is a sweetheart who always cheered me up in my low times. She made me open up to people. She stood by my side and understood me very well. Anika can never talk ill about her.
‘My love and mistakes came haunting me.’ Yup, you always have to pay for the deeds you do. You do good, goodness comes to you. If you do bad, evil will get back at you. Her love and mistakes? Her love for Arun and the mistake of marrying me? How dare she!
My past? God, she thinks that I will leave her for Anamika? She is an idiot to even think that. But that is a very sensitive matter to taunt her with. She ironically gave me the idea to hurt her even more.
I was so angry that she discussed these matters with a person she considered a stalker. But I hit myself hard for that silly thinking as I was the one that mailed her first. She has been genuinely concerned for me and also used me as a moral support. I was ok with that so long and I am getting angry now? I am not this kind of a person. But with her, I am not myself.
I have read somewhere that love makes you a changed person. With that special person, you shouldn't be yourself. It should change the person for good. Love should be constructive. But here, she is changing me into a monster. I loaded the car with the stuff with the help of the driver and hopped in the car.
“Drive to our farmhouse.” I told him and relaxed back pondering upon all the cruel things I should do to her.
“Arjun, I want to talk to you.” Preethi said as soon as I picked up the phone.
“What’s wrong, Preeth? Are you alright?” I asked her as the panic in her voice was so evident.
“Come to Brook Plaza right now.”
“First answer me, are you alright?”
“Yes, I am. It is your life that is not alright.”
“I will be there in twenty minutes tops.” I hung up on her and asked the driver to drive to Brook Plaza. I don't know what happened there that she thinks that my life is at stake.
I called her again to know exactly where she was at the Plaza and went there to see her. I could tell that she is really serious about whatever the matter is.
“What happened, Preethi?”
“Here, see this.” She gave me her phone. It was a video she had taken of someone sitting behind her talking on the phone. The place looks just like this food court we are in now.
“What is this? You have taped someone talking? Isn't it wrong to violate someone’s privacy?” I asked her.
“Shut up, Ajju. It is no time to argue about honesty and etiquette. Just look at the video. You will know why I filmed it.”
I looked into her phone and the audio was clear yet I could not see the face as he was facing in the opposite direction.
‘Don't panic, Anu. I will find a way to rescue you from that place.’
‘Just give me a call if he misbehaves with you.’
‘Why are you not letting me call the cops on Arjun?’
‘Your family is well settled, right? The flower boutique is in your mom’s name. What could he possibly do?’
‘Don't be afraid. He can't do anything to your father or brother.’
‘Shall we meet?’
‘Call me when you get to know his regular schedule. I will come to see you.’
‘Take care, love you, Anu. Miss you.’
The video ends and with the little side face view, I can tell it was Arun. So they have been in contact. She talks to him on the phone? What did she think of me? Some idiot?
“What is this, Preethi?” I asked her. I don't want to let her know about any of this. If she gets to know, she would definitely escalate it to my parents and in turn they will send her away to her home. She will leave me and will have a peaceful life. No, that is not what she is destined to. She must endure every pain under my shoes. I have a death wish for her now but she cannot die easily.
“Ajju, I think he is talking about you to your wife Anika.”
“Come on, Preethi. There are hundreds and thousands of Arjun’s and Anu’s. How can you be sure that he talks about us? Besides, me and Anika are living our life with love. I trust her completely and she loves me madly. So I least care about this.”
“But, Ajju…”
“No buts, Preethi. I think it is very wrong of you to videotape someone without their consent. Don't do this again. Now, I have a lot of work. Do you want me to drop you in your home?”
“No, I will go myself.” She said with deep anger. I can sense it but I truly don't understand why she is angry over this?
“Ok, but what are you doing here at this time? Aren't you supposed to be in your office?”
“I came here to meet a client. I happen to hear this conversation behind me. It irked me when your names fell in the conversation.”
“It’s ok, Preethi. We are really fine and happy. You know how much I love her.”
“I know.”
“Alright, bye, Preeth. Will see you this weekend. I will bring her as well. Ok?”
“Ok, Ajju. Take care.” She stood up and hugged me. Odd, but I can understand her concern for my life. I returned her hug and left the place with boiling blood and a volcanic heart. I was ready for eruption and I was sure that I may fail to hold back myself if I see her in this state of mind. I went straight to the bar and tried different liquor to settle my heart. I made some phone calls and confirmed some orders.
I stopped when I felt like I cannot go any more than this. I asked the driver to drop me in the farm house and that he did. She threw her phone when she saw me, maybe she was chatting with her boyfriend and my sudden arrival freaked her out. I avoided her and tried to put her in her place. I went out in the trees to calm myself down. It was so hard for me to see that longing face of hers. She badly wants to talk to me and that I will defy with everything I have. I saw her getting in the room at 3AM. Her tired face and gloomy look weirdly gave me satisfaction.
She is a girl who does Yoga early in the morning every single day. But today, she is still sleeping even after 7AM. I woke her up.
“Hey, wake up.” She sat up with a heave.
“I want breakfast at 8.30 and you have to give coffee for granny and me. Don't expect me to dictate your work every single day. Morning coffee at 7.30, breakfast at 8.30, spend time with granny, lunch at 1.30, evening tea and snack at 5, dinner at 8.30. I want the house to be free of any dust. You can schedule your time to sweep and mop the home everyday. Take granny out in her wheel chair for some fresh air and help give her a bath. You can have all the remaining time for yourself to make your jewelry.” I told her.
She just sat there with her big eyes and innocent face. I stood tall near her legs and looked down on her. Her clothes were not doing its intended work revealing her treasures to my eyes. I could feel myself pushing out the lustful desires in me. And I hate myself for that.
“Stop showing off your flesh like a whore and get on with the work.” I whispered, bending down on her.
“Arjun!” She corrected her dress and stood up pushing me aside. Her eyes, ready to shed.
“Shhh, don't make drama in the very morning. I see you have yet to finish painting your other half earrings. You have very little time!”
“This is not you, Arjun. You are a far better man. Don't degrade yourself in the name of hate. You call me a whore? Why? Because I loved someone before you? Did you know, I have never let him touch me? You are hurting me beyond repair for a mistake I did in your imagination.” She spoke with pouring eyes and I regret having used that word on her. She walked past me into the restroom.
Why couldn't this all be false? Just like she says, what if I am imagining things? Just when I started to think about this, her phone rang. She was in the kitchen and her phone kept ringing. I took her phone to see a number that is not saved. I picked up the phone and said “Hello.” But as soon as I said that, the call disconnected. I checked her call log and saw many calls from that number. Many missed and many attended and talked for about 10 minutes to 20 minutes. I saved that number on my phone and looked for my name in her contacts.
‘Ardent Arjun’
That is how she has saved my name in her contacts. Flaming, Burning! Is that what she thinks of me? Does this mean she has a burning desire for me? Why does this give me a weird feeling in my heart?
But just then, I remember to notice the time of the call came from that number yesterday and it happened to be the time very close to when Preethi called me. There is a very strong chance that this number is Arun’s. I went out in rage after getting ready for the office. I saw her arranging her jewels.
“Is breakfast ready? Where is granny?”
“It is almost ready. Granny is in the restroom.”
“How dare you leave granny alone in the restroom? Go attend to her now.” I shoved her tray which made her drop it on the floor with all her earrings scattered across the room.
“Do you really hate me this much?”
“Stop questioning me and do the work you are supposed to do.” I told her and sat myself for breakfast. I could see she is making real efforts to cook even though it comes out less tasty.
She came with granny from granny’s room and served us with breakfast. I went out to check the phone number I got from her phone. If that number was Arun’s, she would face the wrath of me. “I will be home by 5.” I told her before leaving.