Nitya

Stepping inside Prathamji's apartment in the city, I am immediately struck by how different it is from the houses in the village.

The apartment, with its modern decor and elegant furniture, felt like a completely different world than the one I was used to back in the village.

"This place is beautiful," I say softly, still taking it all in.

"You like it?" Shrutiji asks, smiling at me. "I cleaned the apartment after Pratham called us in the morning and told us that he would be coming here with you. Namanji and I thought it would be better if you two stay here and we stay in the apartment next door."

"But why, Bhabhi?" Prathamji asks Shrutiji. "We can all stay together."

Instead of Shrutiji, it is Namanji who replies, "Because this is the first time you two have been out of the village since your marriage. We felt you two should spend some time alone here."

Hearing him, a shy smile creeps onto my face.

I had not thought much about it before, but now, I have realized this trip could be beneficial from mine and Prathamji's relationship. After spending some time alone with each other, we might start getting comfortable around each other and Prathamji might also start feeling something more for me as I have started feeling for him.

"There is no need for it, Bhaiyya," Prathamji says flatly, looking pointedly at Namanji as if trying to convey something to him.

My smile also falters slightly when I gaze at his serious face.

"Of course, there is. And anyway, we have already decided. Only you and Nitya will stay here," Namanji counters.

"I have spent so much time and effort in cleaning this apartment," Shrutiji adds. "If not for anything else, you can at least stay here to appreciate my effort. Right?"

Prathamji sighs as he looks alternately between the expectant faces of Namanji and Shrutiji. "Okay. Nitya and I will stay here."

I feel happy that Prathamji conceded, though it is slightly dimmed because he does not seem too thrilled about the arrangement.

"That's great." Shrutiji excitedly claps her hands. "You two freshen up first, and then come to our apartment for the dinner. We will be waiting for you."

Once Shrutiji and Namanji leave, Prathamji wheels his suitcase into one of the rooms, leaving me standing in the living room with my suitcase in front of me.

I have noticed that there is another room right beside the one where Prathamji went.

Uncertainty gnaws at me as I look alternately between the two rooms.

He shared the room with me at our house in village because he had no choice there. With the family there, he could not deny sharing the room with me.

But I know the reality of our relationship. No matter how much I have been hoping for it to be better, the fact still remains that he has not yet accepted me fully.

Yes, lately he has been caring and supportive, but there is still some distance between us. The distance I hope we can bridge someday so we could be one in every sense as husband and wife.

"Do you need help to take your suitcase inside?"

Prathamji's voice snaps me out of my reverie, and I nod at him. "Umm, yes, thank you."

I accepted his help because then, I would not have to ask him if he expected us to share a room or would he prefer us staying in separate rooms.

Whichever room he will wheel the suitcase in will tell me about his decision.

I watch as he clutches the handle of the suitcase and starts wheeling it forward. My heart skips a beat and lips curl into a smile when he takes it inside the room where he had taken his suitcase too.

I am still smiling when Prathamji steps out of the room.

"Why are you smiling?" He asks, his tone curious.

"It's nothing," I reply, with smile still lingering on my face.

*****

The next morning, when I wake up, I find myself alone in the room.

Looking at the clock on the bedside table, I notice the time to be 6 am.

Prathamji usually wakes up at 7 am.

Climbing down from the bed, I walk to the bathroom and knock on the door.

"Prathamji?" I call out, but there is no reply. When I turn the knob, I realize the door is unlocked. When I step inside the bathroom, I find it to be empty too.

Frowning, I walk out of the room, and notice that he is not in the living room too.

My frown deepens when I hear noises coming from the kitchen—clattering sounds and the faint aroma of something cooking.

Curious, I make my way to the kitchen, and once I reach there, I am stunned to see Prathamji standing there and stirring something on the pan over the gas.

"Prathamji, what are you doing?" I ask, my surprise evident in my voice.

He turns to look at me. "I was making breakfast. I need to leave early for work and I didn't feel like troubling Bhabhi at this hour in the morning."

"You could have woken me up. I would have made breakfast for you."

He shakes his head, turning his attention back to the pan. "Your wound has not healed fully yet. And you must also be tired after yesterday's journey. That is why I didn't wake you up."

Warm feeling rises at the pit of my stomach and my heart flutters, his care touching me deeply. Some more hope ignites within me. Maybe, just maybe, he is starting to accept me in his life. As someone he has started caring for. And perhaps, someday, this care can evolve into something more profound.

I watch him for a moment, taking in the sight of him, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, his hair slightly tousled. I wonder how it would feel to run my hand through it. To step closer to him and hug him, letting him know how much this gesture from him has moved me.

"I am not that good at cooking, but the dishes I make are at least edible," Prathamji says. "I have made breakfast for you too. But you do not need to eat it if you don't like it. Bhabhi will make something for you later."

"You are making it with such care. Of course, I'll like it," I say, smiling at him.

*****

As we set the table together, I cannot help but steal glances at Prathamji. The way he has been with me since he stopped his family from throwing me out, it has made me believe that there is a chance for us. That perhaps his anger for being forced into this marriage has started to lessen, causing him to let me in his life.

After setting the table, we sit down to it. Prathamji has made scrambled eggs, toast, and tea.

When I take my first bite of the eggs, I notice they are a bit salty. The tea sweeter than I preferred. But I continue eating with a smile on my face.

"How is it?" He asks me before taking a bite.

"It's very good."

Smiling slightly, he takes a bite of the eggs, but his eyes widen in surprise as he slowly chews it. He then takes a sip of the tea and almost coughs it out before gulping it with much difficulty.

He takes a few sips of water and turns to me. "Why did you lie?"

"I didn't lie," I tell him. "I really liked it because this is the first time you have made something for me. It's special to me."

He frowns at me, opens his mouth as if to say something, but shakes his head and sighs.

"So, when will you leave for shopping with Bhabhi today?" He suddenly asks, starting to butter his toast.

I remember the conversation I had with Shrutiji last night during the dinner. "In the afternoon. She had said we would leave after the lunch."

He nods, then reaches into his pocket, pulls out some money, and places it on the table in front of me. "Here, take this. Buy anything you want."

I hesitate, looking at the bundle of money and then back at him. "I can't take it, Prathamji?"

"Why?"

I want to tell him I am hesitant to accept it because he has not fully accepted me as his wife yet. But I refrain from saying those words because it will only bring back more bitter memories and will sour our morning.

"I have some money," I say instead. "I had gotten it during our wedding."

"But you can take this too, right? Just in case you need it."

Really, Prathamji. I do not need it."

He sighs. "Okay. I will keep this bundle in the top drawer of my bedside table. Take it if you need it."

I nod, although I know I won't be taking it.

After we finish eating, I stand up and start clearing the table, but Prathamji stops me.

"Let it be. I will put the dishes in the sink," he says. "The hired help will arrive in a few hours and wash the dishes and she will clean the kitchen too. You don't need to do it."

Hearing him, I feel surprised. "When did you hire her?"

"Shruti bhabhi hired her after coming to the city," he replies. "But she will be working here too. That way you can take full rest until your injury heals."

Stunned and touched by his thoughtfulness, I watch him clear the table. All the progress we have been making has filled me with such hope that I feel giddy with happiness due to it.

*****

Spoiler: The higher the flight of the hope gets, the more painful its crash becomes.