Ashutosh:
I came back to my car and sat in the car. My phone rang and I received the call.
"Ashu, why did you disconnect the call all of a sudden? Is everything okay?" Rudrani asked me.
"Yes, everything is okay," I said controlling my anger.
"Ashu, so why are you happy today? Tell me the reason," Rudrani asked me.
I was happy thinking that I will meet you but you killed my happiness, Rudrani. You lied to me but why? Where did you go? Why did you lie to me?
"Ashu, are you there?"
"Yes, I disconnected the call as you were busy with the medical camp. I am happy because I am realising about the true nature of people around me," I said and Rudrani was silent for few minutes.
"Ashu, are you really fine? You sound so sad," Rudrani said.
Sad? That's a small word to describe my emotion right now.
"I will call you later, bye," I disconnected the call without hearing her reply.
I drove back to our home.
"How is my daughter, Ashu? Is she fine there?" Mom asked me.
"Yes mom, Rudrani is fine," I said.
"Did you meet her? We thought you will return along with her after seven days," dad said with a teasing smile on his face.
"I met her dad but Rudrani was busy with her camp. I don't want to disturb her, so I returned soon," I lied to my dad.
I didn't want to break their trust on Rudrani until I knew the truth. My mom and dad shouldn't misunderstand Rudrani. I went back to my room and at night asusual, Rudrani called me. I disconnected her call though she called me many times. For seven days, I didn't receive her call and reply to her messages.
After seven days, Rudrani returned to the home. She came to me and tried to hug me but stopped seeing my serious expressions. I hugged her as my heart felt happy to see her after ten days though I was angry with her.
"How are you?"
"I am fine, Ashu. How are you?"
"Fine. How was your camp?" I asked wantedly.
She gulped and answered me without looking into my eyes.
"It was good, Ashu," Rudrani said.
"Rudrani, till now you saw my love. I hope you won't create a situation where you will face my anger," I said and Rudrani looked at me with fear.
"Accept your mistake and tell me the truth within twenty four hours or you will surely see the unexpected Ashu," I gave serious warning to her.
I can't be cool and act as if nothing happened. I want her to say the truth by herself.
"Ashu, what mistake did I do?" Rudrani asked looking at the floor while tears flowing down from her eyes.
I looked her very seriously for the first time. I didn't want to say anything because I know well words once said can't be taken back.
"Return to me after getting courage to tell me the truth," I said closing my eyes.
"Are you asking me to leave the house?" Rudrani asked me.
"No, it's your house too. I have no right to ask you to leave. I am leaving the house. If you want to see me or talk to me, you must answer me. Otherwise, you are not allowed to meet me," I said.
"Ashu, please I am sorry. I accept my mistake. Don't leave me," Rudrani said crying.
"Wipe your tears and tell me what is your mistake," I asked her.
She wiped her tears.
"I lied to you about going to camp. I didn't go to camp," Rudrani said.
"Where did you go?"
"I am in Sanjay's home," Her answer increased my anger.
"Why?"
"I can't tell you," She said taking a step away from me.
"Okay, don't talk to me until you are able to say that reason," I said and about to go but she held my hand.
"Ashu, please forgive me."
"If I don't deserve to know truth from you, who am I to forgive you, Rudrani. I am nothing to you. So please stop worrying about my forgiveness. I didn't say anything to mom and dad about this. Behave normally before them. If they get any doubt, I am sure I will leave the house," I said.
Rudrani nodded.
"Leave my hand, Rudrani. I want some space for myself. Let me go out," I said and Rudrani left my hand.
I returned home after 12 am when everyone slept in the home. I am sure she will be awake for me. Usually I don't get angry with the people I love and though I become angry on them, it will fade away soon as love replaces my anger. I knocked the door and as I expected, Rudrani opened the door.
I didn't look at her and went directly to my room. I changed my dress and laid down on the bed.
"Shall I bring dinner for you?" Rudrani whispered.
"No thanks," I replied.
"I prepared your favourite food, please taste it," Rudrani asked slowly as if trying to convince me.
"I am not interested."
"I too didn't have food waiting for you," Rudrani said cutely.
Ashu, no don't melt so soon. She didn't reveal the reason yet. So be angry with her or at least act as if you are angry with her.
"I don't care," I said to sound rude.
She didn't say anything further and took a blanket. She kept it on the floor and slept on the floor covering herself with another blanket.
What's happening? Who told her to sleep on the floor? Ashu, you forgot that your girl is mad. My mind reminded me.
I went to my baby and lifted her up in my arms along with her blanket and threw her on the bed. She removed her blanket from the face and looked at me pouting.
"Why did you threw on the bed?"
"Why did you sleep on the floor?"
"You are angry with me. So, I decided to sleep on the floor till you forgive me as my punishment. I did wrong, so taking my punishment."
Rudrani quietly took her blanket and leaving again.
"Wait, go and sleep in balcony till you reveal the reason," I said sarcastically.
Rudrani didn't speak and was going to balcony. Did she take my words seriously?
"Rudrani, come here," I called her.
She returned to me.
"Go and bring the dinner prepared by you to both of us. I am hungry," I said and Rudrani smiled happily.
She threw her blanket away and brought dinner for us. We had it together. Food was too good and I had it fully. I love the food prepared by my mom and wife.
"Sleep on the bed calmly without arguing. I will tell your punishment in the morning," I ordered her and smirked. Rudrani pouted noticing my smirk.
Rudrani slept calmly on the bed. I said I will tell in the morning because I didn't decide yet. Punishment?? What punishment should I give her? Punishment to a tigress is very dangerous. It may backfire and make me a prey to her wrath. I should be careful in choosing her punishment which should be sweet, lovely and a little bit of uncomfortable to her.
I looked at her who was sleeping cutely closing her eyes. What are you hiding from me, sweety? Don't you trust me enough to share everything with me? I was working hard to gain your trust, love and attention but today I realised I failed. I was busy in thinking how to heal you and remove your insecurities and phobia but today I realised not just your body but even your heart refused me. When I have no place in your heart how can I remove your fear and make you mine? Being with you every minute didn't create love in your heart for me. Then does going away from you has the power to make us one? Maybe distance can make our hearts together and make you miss me. I took a decision and tried to sleep looking at Rudrani.