Rajveer

His eyes stung and headache worsened. It have been whole night to his adventurous and self-respected journey by jeep to his current posting. The moment he had reached the base, he called home informing his mom about his marriage. He had expected her being the typical dramatic mother in law who would never accept his daughter in law because the marriage was a surprise for her. But no. His mom was happy and explained him Her reasons.

'I can understand your reasons Raj. Its not like you committed a crime. Naveen bahut accha baccha he. Aur uski bahan...I am sure she'll better than her brother. Mujhe koi problem nahi he. Aur tere dad ko bhi nahi hogi..Me unko samjha dungi. Bad ek baat ka khyaal rakhna....Get your marriage registered. Okay? Aur morning me mujhe meri bahu se baat karni he. Got it? Ab ja..jake soja..Tu mera ideal son he raj. Kabhi kuch galat ni karega tu...I know it. Bas ab tenaion ni le. Naveen ke arrest ke bad se bahut headache bad gya he tera...Bahu ko bolna...Fikar na kare..Sab theek hoga.'

He remembered whole conversation. How his mom preached of Her innocence and being a good woman. But was she?

She was selling her body and self- respect.

But Raj had no guts of announcing it to his mother. He couldn't even tell her name properly. His mom misunderstood Naina with Neha...and Raj had to correct it. Damn! That name was cursed...so was his life. Because now it was stamped on his life...

He pressed his fingers deep into his temple. Ache was worsening and he had not a single atom of energy left to stand up and reach for balm. What was the need of being a superman! He could have easily handed over the steering to her and could take a nap. But no. He wanted to shift his focus from her and driving was the best idea then. So he opted for a bad headache than having a moment when he was going to curse himself.

'Fuck my life! Please!' He groaned...and shifted himself on chair.

When he had entered into base, security guards were astonished and happily surprised. Raj was famous as an isolated bachelor. Seeing him with his wife was surely a pleasant sight. So both guards asked for treat and Raj became grumpy. He chided them and moved ahead. But he could hear her telling them to take it easy as he was tired. She had then promised them for a lunch and thanked sweetly.

What a facade!

Raj without waiting for her had gone straight to his room. Though sometime later he had heard chiming sound coming closer to his room. She was coming! He thought to shutting his room off for her but couldnt. There was still something left in him in the name of humanity. He without changing had sat on chair in his study while Naina was asking him about something which he deliberately didnt hear. Later he didnt hear her anymore to which he thought.....nothing.

Naina was not his concern....

His headache was!

Driving from gurudaspur to Ambala was a great deal of effort for him. He had never drived this much in his whole life. First from ambala to gurudaspur then to mohali and then back to ambala....Life was a joke indeed. Who'd understand better than him. Nobody.

Just few months ago, he had announced this lady cursed and inhuman...and today she was his wife.

Wasnt it what we call misfortune?

Raj felt two hands massaging his temple. For a second he felt so good but the very next moment his reverie broke and he jerked those hands off her temple. He abruptly stood up.

There she was! Clad in his shirt and Bermuda.....

It just added fuel to fire.

'Can't you see that I dont need you? And who the hell gave you permission for using my clothes? Haven't you brought yours? Aur agar nahi layi ho to I dont give a damn. Pull these clothes off and dump them. Aur please....stay out of my sight.' Without waiting for her reply he had stormed off to his bedroom and locked it.

She deserved this treatment only. Raj felt nauseous. How shameless she was! She wore his clothes and never tried to ask before using them. What a.......

He left those words unsaid. He couldn't open up his whole dictionary besides his threasure was void of names for such women.

He slept in the same dress....

Light blue shirt and denim. Shoes still in his feet and hair messed...watch ticking seconds and with each passing moment he drifted to slumber.

Morning..

THUMP THUMP

His precious sleep broke when he heard someone banging his door. Who the hell was dying to see him in early morning?

He opened the door to see.....

An unpleasant sight....

She was standing there with askew clothes and ruffled hairs. Her heavy stole was draped around her while her jewellery was off. Her eyes had bags under it and kohl was smeared. Lips parched as if she were thirsty whole night.

He felt like barking again but couldn't. His stomach grumbled..It was too soon today for feeling hungry.

'Kya he?' He asked rudely to which he heard a faint reply...

'Wo orderly aaya tha...Brigadier Chandok had sanctioned you half day leave. And someone dr. Shalini was asking you.'

Shalini....his friend as well as his well-wisher....only well wisher by the way. He marched past her to his kitchen but not before pushing her away with his shoulders.

He in his kitchen searched for fruits. Damn! There were none. So he gulped a water bottle down and went to get fresh.

To his sheer bad luck door was locked. She was inside. What was she doing before it? Was it the specified time for attending her morning chores the moment he got up? This woman was getting on his nerves sooner than he had expected.

He beat the door only to hear her faint 'wait up a moment'. He cursed under his breath. This was going overboard and he was nearing explosion with each passing second.

To his bit comfort she came out soon. She was looking fresh. But he was not in mood to examine her and stalk her like a roadside stalker. Instead he had his share of talk.

'An se pahle kya kar rahi thi? You cant let me live in peace. Damn my life.'

He ushered in...leaving her behind. He was sure he heard a faint hiccup but without giving a damn he sauntered in. Morning duty was calling in.

When he came out, he found her sitting on sofa. He spotted her doe shaped eyes staring at him...but to his amazement he didnt see a tear there..He got irritated. She should feel bad for ruining his life. Wasn't she aware of her deeds? She should be shameful for her deeds and at the same time grateful to him for sharing the burden of his shredded character.

'Now What?' He seethed....

'I dont have clothes. My luggage is in jeep. Could you please bring it to me? If not then please give me direction. I couldn't see clearly last night.'

For a second he wondered why she was unfazed. Come on! She knows her place. She cant show attitude, can she? After what she had done in past....

He without giving her request a second chance turned to his bedroom. Her mere presence was suffocating him.

He felt a bit happy after seeing rejection on her face. She deserved it. She a respect-less soul deserved this treatment because no man with self respect would honor her presence.

When he heard the same chiming sound first increasing then fading away he calculated the situation. She was going to bring her luggage herself.

Good for her

But bad for him if shal spots her!

He rushed to door but before he could open the door he heard shal talking.

'Captain' wife? Pretty haan. Any special secrets other than cleansing, face mask and nourishing? By the way where is that idiot captain jisne apni biwi ko pahle hi din academy me chhod diya? Why are you out in this state?'

Raj cursed his fate along her. Now shal'd pull the secrets out.

To his relief she oust her queries..

'Nahi.. nahi..He is damn tired. Whole night he drived. Aur ab just for my luggage, I didnt want to bother him. We were so tired that we slept without changing. You see my messed up state? Thats what we get for waking up whole night. By the way Can you please show me parking? I have to have my trolley bag. Please.'

Raj sighed in relief. This woman was a good actress.. no doubt. And the way they talked he had a faint guess introduction were done already.

'Ohh sure. Why not! Ab raste me main Tumko KMA ke pure staff ka history suna sakti hu..You know I am the librarian here for the secrets-house.'

He heard both ladies laughing. One' laughter bubbly while other just squeezed his hate to increase more.

Soon voices faded..

Time for changing.

He changed into a red shirt and pale denim. It was half past ten. Means suriji would barely allow him to enter into mess.

Suriji was one of his favourite persons on this planet. After Naveen and his mom, he was third to understand his choosy nature in food. His dislike for more than half of veggies was loud and clear for them. And they were also the persons who had been good to him when it was about his diet.

He was wearing his watch when shal entered with her along her trolley and one duffle bag.

Only this much?

Was she going to wear halves for rest of her life with this luggage?

He didnt care.

Shal laughed first seeing her hurriedly enter into bathroom then she strode to him.

'Without informing me you dared to marry!' She pinched him...

'Ouch!' He cried in pain. Those demonic long nails along iron grip was enough to make him feel pain of the world.

'I want to punch you....but I got to know via her about your dramatic marriage. Wese bhi us leechad Naveen ki bahan he..So I spared you. Warna.....You know how dangerous I could be!' He smiled hearing her shallow threats.

Shal couldn't fire properly! Everybody knew in her batch. So nothing was dangerous about her because gun was the fatal and she couldn't handle it.

'Stop smiling. I need treat. I know Naveen phir se jail me he...But like as before he'll come out. Dont worry. Naina...' she called out for her. 'Naina ..come out soon warna iske special paneer paranthe Suriji hi kha jayenge.'

She laughed but his mind stopped processing its surrounding.

She in mess ...that too along him!

No.....

But he couldnt stop enthusiastic shal who drew Naina clad in formal jeans and top with vermilion on her forehead and nuptial chain around her neck.

'What a combination! I must say. Wese Naina. Shadi ke bad pahle din sari biwis to saree pahnti he.. You seem to be out of crowd here. Hmm? Different ha!'

He mentally slapped shal for being too nosey. Saree or jeans or bikney. All she needed was flaunting which she could gave done in any type of dress. After all her kind was pro at this.

'Nahi...actually Saree pahnna ni ata...Aur isiliye jaldi jaldi me lana bhool gayi.'

'Dont worry. Captain ka dil saree par jyada fisalta he...If you want a head start, you must learn how to wear saree. Aur uske liye me hu..I can teach you ..only if you believe in ancient myth of saree being enchanting. You know....Saree sab par bhari.' She winked at Raj who gave a forceful smile to her.

Enchanted? That too to her? Never in his life . ....

He felt like puking with the thought of touching her.

Nonetheless his thoughts were pushed aside with her presence all the time beside him.

Shal dragged both to mess where she tore the bill of her next three days' food in the name of raj who with a heavy heart agreed. Shal talked with both and Naina was so comfortable with her. She replied her without hesitation and raj envied her for being a top actress there. Nobody could tell she was in a marriage where her husband was hating her every moment.

Shal after teasing them to her heart' content left for her class around 1130 hours. Both then without uttering a word to each other stood up and left.

Walk to his room was a silent affair. Nobody talked and he felt relieved. Presence was enough. He didnt need her talks.

When in room he found her asking about place in his cupboard which he clearly denied. He then went out to study leaving her behind.

When he left for his first class he was happy not to spot her.

It was visible that in a single day they were drifting apart... ......he was happy for it...more than happy for not being in constant touch with her! She was better far away..much better.