Author's POV:

"Can I search for a new job??"

He looked at her for a fraction of a second while she was building up her hope of his approval and then putting on a cold posture with no expression on his face he simply said "You are free to do whatever you want??"

Sona's face beamed up as she chirped happily "Thank you" and quickly she  ran to the shelf and came back with a newspaper "How about this one...vacancy for a salesgirl in a mobile showroom...and the distance is walkable too??"

With those shimmering eyes, she kept looking at him waiting for his suggestion unaware of her rapid actions and current position while Arjun was still in a trance absorbing the excitement of his 20-year-old wife...

When she came back with a newspaper he jumped next to him on the sofa like a kangaroo while her shoulder and thigh brushed his and he instantly moved a little aside maintaining a safe distance from the excited kid whose star-like twinkling eyes were still fixed on his moon-like calm ones...

"Salesgirl??" His brows scrunched in confusion while she chuckled a little and raised her brows still unknown to the fact that she was sitting next to the man whom she addresses as a beast "What kind of a job do you expect from the 12th pass out student??"

He couldn't speak anything and stared at her plainly while a voice from the bottom of her heart urged her to speak what she has been hiding within her...

The smile on her face disappeared and disappointment of failure tucked a pinch of hurt in her heart as she began sharing her hidden dreams with her husband

"I always wanted to pursue Masters in Mathematics but as fate had planned everything for me I will not be able to do it...

Since my schooling, I had strong willpower of achieving my dreams so I always insisted to work and did so...

I did all kinds of jobs to support my studies...

You know what I scored very good in 12th and that too without any coaching I was that brilliant

But sometimes though you have a strong willpower fate won't be in your favor all the time...

The interest of the debts was reaching the sky and the taunts and suggestions every day that we were honored with began affecting Maa's health...

Her Bp issues began worsening day by day and Dr had strictly warned her not to take any stress and I was scared to death...

I had only her in my life...

She was my only world...

More than her nothing is important to me...not even my dreams...not even my life...

My part-time jobs weren't sufficient enough to contribute to the debts and also we had our own survival...no matter how much we saved money it would all disappear in a moment

It was getting tougher for me...

Debts...Maa...Daily expenses...Studies

I went all blank for a moment and decided not to join Bsc and invest the time in working to earn more money

I began working like a robot to earn more and more money and throw it on their faces who spoke bad words to my mother...

I still have so much to payback...

Even Arun sir helped us...I need to pay back him too...

And my mother...I need to save money for her health expenses too...

There are too many responsibilities on my shoulder to bear and I never run away from anything...I will fight till my last breath...

And this way my dreams got buried in the name of debts and responsibilities"

She let her heart out while he listened to her every word keenly...

Her voice was quiet and gentle but was painful and hurt too...word by word it reached to his ears but it was more for his heart...

And at that moment two hearts went silent again...Their eyes slightly curved smiling as bright as the crescent moon in the sky

*********

The next day morning went with the same routine...

Sona made a call to the mobile showroom for the inquiry and they asked her to visit them the next day with the required papers

Thinking of getting back to work and responsibilities she felt contended but a small part of her was still hurt and disappointed...

Arjun didn't say a word to her since last night...

It's not like she was expecting him to talk all good to her but her heart was yearning for a small word of comforting from him

Flipping the pages of the book and looking somewhere into the air she was living back to the moment they shared last night

We didn't talk anything but kept looking into eyes seeking solace in each other's presence that felt so serene yet vague

It's always like this...

I always feel that we have a lot to say to each other and we can have a good talk however there seems to be an invisible gap between us...

A gap that can never be crossed

A phone call snagged her out of her thoughts and letting out a sad sigh she closed the book and took the phone in her hand and she was startled as she read the name on the screen

The five letters 'ARJUN' on the screen made her eyes suddenly grow big and twinkle in the afternoon sunlight while her heart pounded hastily and unknowingly the whole blood from every pore of her body was rushed to her forehead and cheeks in an instant...

She couldn't believe her eyes

He had never called her since he got her the phone...

Is it 'HIM' really calling me??

What's the matter??

A small expectation...a little nervous and unknown happiness surged up her heart...

She didn't know what exactly she felt right at that moment...

She scrolled the screen and her heart pounded even harder...she pressed her hand on her chest blushed and pursed her lips as she held the phone to her ear

"Hello"

As his rasp voice poured into her ear she patted her chest and reminded her heart not to thump loud as the beast could hear it and looking at her chest she mouthed 'calm down please'

She managed to blow out some air through her lips but ended up stammering "Hh..hello"

"I'll be a little late today...have dinner if you feel hungry"

He said it one go while it took a few seconds for her to absorb his words and reply "Okay... No...I will wait"

"Hmm" his lips pressed tight while she was about to speak "Drive sa- but he cut the call and her concerned words as well

She kept the phone to her chest and let out a deep breath that she was unknowingly holding till now "Hushhh"

******

The clock in the living room was ticking 9 and as usual, she was sitting on the small steps of the main door searching for the moon that didn't glow up in the sky...

Scrolling the screen she was checking the time every now and then and unknowingly her hand would go to the call logo and see his name on the screen...

Drive safe and come soon

She said looking at the sky thinking that he is under the same sky listening to her heart

Thank God you didn't sing kabutar jaa song

Her mind taunted and she laughed at herself and that's when his bike sound roared in the verandah...

She quickly jumped on her feet excited to tell him about the job but to kill her excitement without even greeting her with his cold yet calm eyes he walked into the house and she like a lost puppy followed him in...

He unzipped his bag and took out a brown envelope that seemed more like a file and keeping it on the table he went into the kitchen

She was about to follow him to make tea but his voice echoed from the kitchen "That envelope is for you"

And her legs halted as her heart was bombarded with many questions

Is he planning to divorce me??

Is it because I have debts to repay and I would use his wealth for the same??

Did he really think I would use his money??

Of course, you used...

His father paid for your house and mother's health

But I promised to pay back every penny

He can't think of me as a gold digger

Because...

I am not a gold digger...

"Open it" he came back sipping water and she was out of her horrifying thoughts...

With her trembling hands, she picked up the envelope while he began tucking out his shirt from his waist and walked to the sofa and relaxed while she was still unable to open the envelope...

For the last time she looked at his relaxing figure leaning his head on the headrest of the sofa and taking a long deep breath she opened the envelope and her fingers felt some papers...

Her heart picked up its pace thinking of the divorce papers...

Somehow she gathered courage and took the papers out...

******

What did Arjun plan??

A divorce with Sona??