Rudrani:
I read the letter written by my unknown friend. I looked around thinking Ashu may wait for me as I was upset but he left. I wish Ashu to be my pen friend who always motivates me when I feel depressed.
I wiped my tears and smiled reading the letter one more time. I went to Ashu's cabin, but he was not there. I think he left the hospital. I went outside and tried to catch an auto. I felt weak and uneasy due to stress and exam tension. I wished Ashu to be there for me, but as usual, like everyone, he too left me all alone. Suddenly, a vehicle stopped in front of me, and it's Ashu.
Didn't he leave? He opened the door of the car but didn't speak to me. I got into the car.
"I thought you left to our home," I said slowly.
He looked at me but didn't answer. I can never understand this person. I want to talk to him and be with him, but now he is avoiding me. He shifted his room, and I thought to ask him the reason, but mom said that she was the one who asked Ashu to change the room till the exams. I kept calm though I didn't like the idea.
Sometimes Ashu makes me laugh with his tactics, but when I need him, he ignores me. Ashu took me to a restaurant instead of our home.
"Rudrani, order what you want. Today cook took off, and mom said to have food from outside. Mom and dad have a medical conference, and both won't be at home for two days,"
"You should have informed me. I would have cooked food for us. Didn't you have breakfast?"
He didn't reply me. Idiot, I am speaking to him, and he is behaving as a deaf. He ordered food for him and gave the menu to me. I didn't understand what to order because I didn't feel like eating anything today.
"Excuse me, madam, order please," the waiter asked.
"One apple milkshake," I replied.
"Do you want anything else, madam?" Waiter asked.
"No, it's enough," I said and looked at Ashu who was busy with his mobile.
The waiter brought food, and Ashu asked him to go. Ashu took off his headphones and served food to himself and me. I looked at him surprised as I didn't notice him ordering food for both of us that too which were my favorite dishes. I had the food served by him happily.
We went back to the home. Ashu went to his room avoiding the talk. I studied for some time, and suddenly I was disturbed by a loud sound of the Television. I guess idiot is watching the idiot box. I wanted to the living room and stood before him.
"What?"
"Please decrease the volume," I said.
"I am watching cricket. It's World Cup, and I can't watch it with low volume," he said.
"Please, I have to study," I requested.
"Go to the garden and study but don't disturb me. It's my home," he said.
"Hello, it's my home too Mr. Ashutosh. I have equal rights on everything that you own because I am your wife," I said.
He switched off the Television.
"In the morning someone said my hospital instead of our hospital. So I thought it's my home instead of our home," Ashu said and went into the kitchen.
Ashu came out from the kitchen with two cups of coffee and sandwich.
"I won't eat a sandwich during exams because it contains fat and I may feel sleepy," I said.
"It's made at home and keeps you active as I used raw vegetables and it's just toasted but didn't add any cheese," Ashu replied.
Ashu completed coffee and took a sandwich.
"I will prepare dinner after two hours. If you feel hungry before the time, have fruits which I kept in the refrigerator and call me. I will start making dinner," Ashu said and left the room.
I had sandwich and coffee prepared by Ashu. It tasted good. I went back to my room, and I resumed my preparation. Ashu knocked the door without coming into the room. I looked at him.
"Dinner is ready."
I got up and went to have dinner. I tried to serve him the food, but he served himself. Is Ashu avoiding me? Is he angry with me? Maybe I overreacted and hurt him. I don't know why but for the first time I feel that I need support from someone and I badly want that someone to be my husband.Why is this Ashu behaving differently?
"Rudrani, have the food," Ashu said serving me.
I had the food calmly. Ashu is behaving strangely. I mean he is serious and not as a monkey. Though I pretended that I didn't like his nature, but it's true I enjoyed when he calls me as my love, sweetheart and kisses me naughtily. From the day of our marriage, all these three months I laughed heartfully because of him. Only last 10 days were bitter days of my married life, but I felt happy when Ashu apologized and said he would convince me. I was excited to know how will he prove his love for me. However my happiness didn't last long, and the very next day, she shifted his room. I showed the anger in the form of being rude to Ashu when his friends came home. I think it hurt him so much. I shouldn't have insulted him before his buddies.
We completed the dinner and Ashu were cleaning the table.
"I will do this," I said.
"Mom told me to do all these works," he said and cleaned the table and dishes too.
Ashu went to his room, and I went to him.
"As. Hu, shall I talk to you?" I said.
"Tell me, Rudrani," Ashu said.
"I am sorry for insulting you before your friends."
"It's okay, not an issue," Ashu said casually.
I decided to clear this misunderstanding between us.
"Ashu, I..."
My phone rang, and I received the call. It's from Sanjay.
"What? How does it happen?" I asked.
It's Sanjay's mom, and Sanjay attempted suicide.
"What happened?" Ashu asked me.
"Sanjay attempted suicide," I said.
"Why?"
"I don't know, I need to go," I said.
"Is Sanjay in the hospital?"
"No, he is at home. Fortunately, his mom saved him."
"Okay, I will drop you. It's late, and I can't send you alone. I hope this won't be a problem to you," Ashu said, and I nodded.
Ashu dropped me, and I got down.
"I will wait here in the car," Ashu said.
"I will come in the morning. I am habituated to stay here at Sanjay's home. You can leave," I said.
Ashu nodded, and I turned to go.
"Rudrani," Ashu called, and I turned towards him.
Ashu hugged me suddenly.
"Don't forget that I will be waiting for you," Ashu said.
I didn't understand what does he mean? Ashu kept my mangalsutra on my sari to make it visible.
"I love you, it's true," Ashu said and left in the car.
Strange! What happened to Ashu suddenly? Why is he behaving weirdly?