It was Sunday morning in Luthras' house. Mahesh Luthra was sitting outside in his little garden. Turning another page, he read the business article with interest. Thinking about his coming guests from foreign, he remembered he didn't have actually discussed it with his son.

To his convenience, Karan was already walking out of the house fully dressed in suit. His eyebrows knitted. Even on a holiday, he was thinking of going office leaving Preeta.

"Karan."

He saw his son stopping on his way to his car which was parked closest to the gate. Karan sighed and came towards his dad.

"Morning, Dad."

"Good morning and where are you going this pleasant day?" He saw Karan shrinking his eyes in bright sunlight and slightly shook his head.

"Nothing. Just a bit work."

Mahesh Luthra observed his son. His eyes were swollen and his face was red. He had an irritated expression which made him guess if he had a headache.

"First, sit here."

Karan rubbed his forehead irritatedly.

"Dad, I need to go."

Mahesh Luthra raised his eyebrows now totally folding the newspaper and putting it aside on the plastic table.

Karan rolled his eyes and finally sat on the chair.

"How's the deal going with foreign clients?"

Karan sighed and leaned on the chair.

"They are being a bit pain in the ..." He cleared his throat. "... I mean they are throwing tantrums. They said they wanted to see the building before buying the whole floor for their company. I am sure they will answer only after arriving here on her head."

Mahesh Luthra nodded in agreement.

"So, have you prepared the projects?"

Karan raised his one eyebrow. "Everything."

Mahesh Luthra looked at him with a questionable glare.

"Then, stop roaming around and spend time with your wife. She has been engaging herself in the kitchen all day and night."

Karan's mind blanked by just hearing her name. His father was talking about the time. He had no idea how much they were messed up. Spending time was a big thing for him. She hadn't even acknowledged his presence since last night. He was alone in his room with a heavy hangover while she had already busied herself in the kitchen.

"Karan, Is there any problem, son? You had been so positive about this marriage. It's strange when you are avoiding her like this."

Karan's eyes lowered as he thought last night. The way he had forced her and didn't even cared about his injury, was a shameful act. He had been so ashamed of himself.

"I know there's some problem. Is she even happy here?"

Karan looked at the table with a blank face. He didn't know how to reply his father. Happy? He had tried everything to make it happen but luck was never in his favour. All his efforts seemed bribing to me. All his pampering seemed fake acts to her. What could he do to make her happy? He helplessly shook his head.

"She still hates me."

Mahesh Luthra felt sympathetic towards his son. He knew his son had done so many mistakes, so much wrong to the girl. Her hatred was totally reasonable. But it was not in her hand to make herself like him. It was in Karan's hand only.

He stared at his heartbroken son who was sitting there feeling ashamed of himself. He had treated him like a prince. He was his part. Seeing him so disappointed at himself was breaking him.

"You know her hatred is reasonable."

Karan was quiet. He didn't want to speak. Things had been messed up so much. He didn't want to disappoint his parents by telling how he had hurt her.

"She is not the villain, here. She is just being true to herself. You know what the actual problem is... She couldn't see you as a good person. Show her, that somewhere in this stubborn son of mine, there is a sensitive Karan who cares for his people."

Karan blinked when his father palmed his knee. Patting it in enthusiasm, he ordered him.

"Go, change and rest at home."

Karan sighed and stood tiredly. He was about to walk away when his father said with a smug look.

"And don't be a chicken. Your mother was head over heels for me just after our marriage and still is. Be my fair son."

Karan rolled his eyes with a weak smile on his face. Mahesh Luthra laughed seeing him shaking his head. His boy was one dramatic son.

_________

It was seven in the evening. Preeta was at the city mall with her mother-in-law. She was actually thanking her in heart for bringing up the offer. She was so desperate to distract her mind. Last three days had been so eventful for her.

About last night, she was still recovering from it. She had understood he was offended by her words. To avoid further dramas, she had decided not to accuse him anymore but this didn't mean she won't fight him during his moments of manhandling her.

"Preeta, the saree I have bought for you is really beautiful. I want you to wear it in future."

"Sure, mom."

Preeta smiled at her mother-in-law. She was a friendly woman. Despite knowing her hatred towards her son, her mother-in-law had been a great support to her. She had actually started adoring her motherly antics. The way she buys lower neck nighties for her had already given Preeta the idea, how cool she was. Never in her life she had experienced buying expensive clothes. Her mother-in-law had forcefully made her buy them.

They were at parking area when Preeta's eyes caught a familiar face behind the glass of a car which was just leaving the parking lot. She blinked many times before concentrating harder.

"Preeta. What are you looking at, beta?" She looked at Rakhi and finally shook her head after thinking deeply.

"Then, please drive. We will be late."

Preeta nodded nervously and got inside the car. She was sure it was her. But it's common, girls hang out with boys.

She drove away the car towards home.

"Why you seem tensed, Preeta? Is there anything you forgot?"

Preeta shook her head. "Just missing, Kritika. I hope she will like my choice."

Her mother-in-law laughed. "Don't worry. She adores you. She will definitely like the dresses," she said laughingly. Preeta fake smiled at her while taking the turn for home.

"She likes shopping. I wonder why she denied today," said Preeta slowly. Her mother-in-law hummed absent-mindedly. "I was also thinking same. But she had called me saying she was going to her friend's home for group study." Her mother-in-law replied. Preeta raised her eyebrows thinking deeply. It was common for children to lie to their parents these days.

She finally decided that she shouldn't think more about it.

_________

Karan looked from the corner of his eyes. Preeta was struggling in unwrapping the medical strap from her finger. Today, she had wrapped it herself somehow. The blood had stopped last night. But the cut hadn't healed yet. Her mother-in-law insisted on taking to doctor. But she had denied heartily telling her that it was a minor scratch.

She bit her lower lip and slowly whiffed at her finger to ease the pain that she got by unwrapping. After taking an evening shower, she was irritated when it got wet.

Karan was now extremely irritated. He had been in his room to show his dad that things were not that bad. But what could he do in the room with her. He had thought ways of apologising to her for last night. She had gone for shopping and was tired. But seeing her face, pushed him back to nothing. He felt like leave it be for sometime. She would again name his sorry as some mean word.

But the torture was beginning now. She was in pain. She didn't go to doctor. She couldn't take care of herself. He frustratedly got up and sat on the bed in front of her.

Snatching the wrap from her hand, he held her hand. Ignoring her continuous stare, he carried on aiding her finger. When it was finally done, he stood up and sat back on his study table. His heart was thumping in nervousness, suggesting him to apologise for last night. But he thought logically. It would only remind her of his stupidity and would make things worse. Right now, was not the perfect time.

He kept on working on his laptop but his mind was somewhere. Preeta had got up silently and left the room to make dinner. He didn't know what to do, how to make things right. Everytime he had tried to do something, it had only made her hate him more. He planned to do right things but they turned opposite. Now, no Kabir, no dad. He would listen to his heart.

He desperately wanted to make her love him. This marriage meant everything to him. He had his Preeta beside his side for whole life. But that wasn't enough. She should be liking him, wanting him, enjoying his company just like he did. But this all felt like a dream to him for now.

He thought about all the times he had tried. She had always thought his actions as an act. That's what the matter was. She didn't know his true nature. During his high school and college time, he was naughty, stubborn, a daring boy. He had been a bit immature for doing all those things to her and maybe that's how she had picturized him all over.

She didn't know if he was a good person. She had never seen how he treated people around him, what were his thoughts, his dreams. She didn't know the real Karan.

Closing his laptop, he pinched the bridge of his nose. This was his direction. He needed to make her feel that he too had a heart like her. He too had a soft side like a good human being. But how would he show her. How would he show her all of that?

Show? We show what we had planned to act. This is about your true nature, Karan. There is no need to show. Be yourself.

Karan's eyebrows raised in conclusion. Of course, he should not show her. If he would be himself, it would automatically visible to her eyes. He needed to live, not caring if she was watching or not. He would just be himself.

"She needs space, bro."

"Is she happy here, beta?"

Karan breathed out reminding himself of the words that his father and his best friend had said. She needed space meant she needed to know him first. He had never actually given her the chance to know him. All she judged him by reminding herself of his previous deeds and old rumours about his childhood image among the town.

If she would know him, she would come to like him. That's it. He would not care from now on and would be himself.

__________

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