Days were passing and so was her cheerfulness. Things were getting dull by each day. People around her were happy. They were charming to make her start a day with a smile. But who knew she was getting lost inside. Her life was not how she supposed it to be. But not when however it is, she wanted to make a difference by living it with a smile on her face. But how could she when her heart was not on her side anymore.

It had been a week since that night. Preeta had been distraught with her husband's behavior. After all the circumstances, Preeta had still this confession in her mind that however Karan was, he loved her genuinely. She had accepted it anyhow and pushed this fact safe in the corner of her heart. Because if she would show him that she had understood, she would be a wrong example for many girls like her.

How much love Karan would try to show her, the kidnappings, the stalking, the threats, they would always be in her mind. If she would accept his love so easily, how would it look to other girls. Any girl could get stalked by her admirer. He could be a decent lover or an obsessive stalker. It would give wrong idea to others how an obsessive man could own a girl by his clever ways.

That's what Karan had done.

She couldn't just accept him without thinking about this. He had done so many things to her that she hadn't believed to be real. How could a boy kiss a girl forcefully? How could a boy beat another boy mercilessly? How could he kidnap her and scare her so easily?

It wasn't like he hadn't apologised for it. She hadn't forgiven him for that. He never showed that he was sorry. All that could be seemed was, him marrying her and leaving no options for her except for accepting her new life. Preeta never blamed her in-laws. They were great people. Her mother-in-law was kindest woman while her Father-in-law was sweetest. She had a great friend like Kritika at home.

But what about the person because of whom she was here in this home? He had repeated the same procedure again. Since that night, Karan hadn't talked to her directly. He had been helping her, replying to her whenever she asked about lunch, dinner. But there were no cheerfulness.

She hated him for making her feel guilt even when he was at fault. He had returned home being totally drunk and had forced on his wife. Was it anyway acceptable? He hadn't even apologised for that day. He wasn't really paying attention to her.

Surprisingly, she felt disappointed for that. Whatever it was, their relationship being forced or platonic or totally complicated. He should at least be attending her for as he had married her and brought her here. If this was the life he had thought of giving her, then he was a selfish, careless person.

He didn't care if she was feeling lonely in this big home. He never cared if she wanted to meet her family again. He never cared how she was feeling since that night. He was just playing his own ways. She had noticed how he had been the good almighty Karan this whole week. He had been completing all the deals, making his father happy. He had been playful with Kritika and his mom during family dinners. In between, Kabir had also visited and even then, he had been quite charming and stress free as if nothing had happened.

His ignorance was taunting her day by day. How much his family members were loving to her but not him!

She wished to meet her family. She needed to see her father. She had called him every second day. He had been alright but she still missed him so much. She wanted to feel the warmth of her home.

"Preeta, you are still awake?"

She was startled by the sudden voice of her mother-in-law. It was eleven in the night and she couldn't sleep but feel frustrated of her dull life. Not being able to sleep, she thought about making a cup of coffee to involve herself in a novel that she had bought last weekend with her mother-in-law.

Preeta turned to look at the beautiful lady in front of her. She was wearing her long night dress and was rubbing her face while yawning. Preeta saw her coming closer and drinking normal water from the bottle.

"I couldn't sleep. So, I thought about coffee and continuing reading the novel," said Preeta while watching the coffee getting ready. She looked at her mother-in-law with a weak smile on her smile. "Would you like a cup too?" She asked politely. Rakhi nodded and turned to lean on the counter.

Preeta slowly made the coffee while she was feeling the intense gaze of her mother-in-law. But she didn't react until she heard her speaking weakly.

"Is there something bothering you, Preeta? You have been quiet all the time these days. I am worried about you. Have someone said something wrong to you?" She looked at her with a kind smile but Preeta only shook her head with a tight-lipped smile.

"It's nothing, mummy..." Rakhi cut her off by putting a hand on her shoulder. "Is this about Karan? Has he done something wrong?" Preeta bit her lip and felt her guard getting down. She sucked in a huge breath and didn't say anything.

It wasn't that she wanted to complain about Karan's drunken behaviour that night, nor she wanted to describe her dull thoughts these days. She herself didn't know what she wanted to do or happen.

She felt Rakhi sighing and removing her hand from Preeta's shoulder. "Preeta, I know how things have not been perfect for you. I know my son hasn't been the good husband..." She swallowed when Rakhi stopped to observe her reactions. But Preeta focused on the coffee and listened to her.

Her mother-in-law continued,"... I am not going to tell you that Karan loves you or you should give him a chance..." Preeta looked wide eyed at Rakhi.

"Mummy, you..." She whispered when Rakhi nodded. She saw her inhaling and replying to her. "Of course, I know. There's still not peace between my son and you, dear. I can observe him and his helplessness. I can observe you too, now as you are my daughter too."

Preeta lowered her eyes and started pouring the coffee in mugs for both of them.

"Preeta beta, Karan has always been naughty, charming, scary too. My son has been quite arrogant because of his father's love. I have known how he has ruined so much and that's making it difficult for you..." Rakhi held Preeta's hand and looked at her with a weak smile. "... I am proud that my son's choice is so great. But I am ashamed at how he manipulated you before. He actually brought you in our life. Preeta, however things are going, I know it's not easy for you. But you can only move on if you forgive and forget. He is already regretting. Give him a bit hope, he would be more than happy. He would behave only if you tell him to, politely. That's all he wants, affection from you."

Preeta blinked and tried to process her words. She couldn't disagree with her words. So, she kept quiet.

"... I have seen him drinking, smoking for you. We had seen him punching in the mirrors, breaking glasses in guilt of hurting you. My son is naughty and a bit out of hands but he is a grown man, Preeta. He would never try to harm you. This marriage means everything to him. I hope, it means same for you too." Rakhi said while caressing Preeta's hair.

Preeta sighed and looked at her mother-in-law. "I don't know if I could think properly. He has conflicted my mind. He argues one day and then, gives me silent treatment for other days. I don't hate him..." Rakhi's eyebrows raised in waiting for Preeta to complete. "... I just need to be easy with him. It's my fault that I am so weak. I can't move on, mummy. He has been quiet these days. He doesn't sort out what he wants or what he wants me to do. He has been coming home really late from last three days."

Rakhi chuckled seeing Preeta's pouted face and rubbed her hand on her head. "It's because he is busy in office works. There are some guests which are importing for them. Karan is quite strict with his deals and he doesn't get easily distracted unless emergency. Preeta, don't worry. I will take his class tomorrow."

Preeta widen her eyes and shook her head. "No, mom. Please. He would only feel amused about this that we talked." Rakhi rolled her eyes and took the sip from her mug.

"... But if this continues tomorrow also, you are going to tell me immediately. I will bring him back to the track. From last three-four years, he has been mad about you and now, you are his bride. He is taking you for granted." Rakhi muttered while glaring at the floor.

Preeta laughed weakly and replied before taking a sip. "It's alright, mom. Deals must be really important. Our arguments can wait." Rakhi smiled at her.

"My son is so lucky to have you." Preeta didn't know why she blushed at the words. Earlier, she couldn't even thought of getting addressed as his and now, she was enjoying being related to him. She shook her head while shyly sipping the coffee.

He surely was conflicting her mind.

___________

Karan had still not returned from the office and Preeta was worried. She wanted to call him but at last she formally messaged him about time for his return. In return, Karan only said that he was staying at farm house as he was completing projects and their plans by Kabir too at his side.

Preeta again felt alone. She sighed and continued reading the book. The novel was interesting but Preeta still couldn't stop about thinking about him. His behaviour had been so unnerving. What was going on his mind? Was he again waiting for any other chance to suddenly touch her?

Preeta breathed at the thought. It was so complicated. She too had kissed him back. She enjoyed the intimacy but again those thoughts of setting a wrong example would ruin it for her.

Suddenly, Preeta remembered her last conversation with Karan.

It was eight in the morning and Karan was getting ready for the office. He had been adjusting his suit perfect for the meeting to happen with officials while Preeta was settling the bedsheets perfectly. But she was paying attention on Karan. She smiled at how he was struggling to tie his cuffs. But then, he did it frustratingly. He looked strangely innocent yet devilishly handsome.

Suddenly, she saw him searching for his tie on the bed but had forgotten to take one from the cupboard. Before Karan could go for it, Preeta already reached the cupboard and said,"I got it." She was expecting an amused comment but heard him muttering a hesitant okay.

She disappointingly took out the blue tie that was matching his sky-blue suit and handed to him who immediately got busy in tying the knot. But Preeta's eyes suddenly caught a box at the back of Karan's hanged suits. She narrowed her eyes and noted, it was a garments box. The brand was of women's wear. Before, she could guess anything, she reached for it and started opening the box.

But her hand was immediately gripped by a nervous Karan. "It's a gift for a client. You don't need to look at it." He said slowly making her feel a ping of hurt. She quietly nodded and backed away from the cupboard not without thinking that he was being harsh even when it was his mistake last time.

Preeta closed the book and put it on her drawer. A gift for a client, that even clothes couldn't be personal enough for her to not see. She felt curious and immediately got up to check. Opening the cupboard, she looked at Karan's side. Taking the white box with women's brand written on it, she slowly opened it.

Her lips parted at seeing a red lacy short nightie. It was two piece including a lacy panty with a lacy frock that was short enough for a girl's stomach to be exposed. Her heart starting beating faster with sudden thoughts.

How of the clients were to receive such a gift? Why would Karan gift a lingerie to someone?

"You don't need to look at it."

That's why he had said nervously. She looked at the box with a heavy heart and noticed a note sticking at the side. She picked it and was shattered by seeing the words.

"I want you to wear it to only remove it myself. For all the sins, I want to perform with you."

-Karan

Preeta gulped while feeling her heart breaking. She had hated him, slapped him, pushed him away. She had told him about his wrong ways, his wrong ideas. But apart from that, she had always told him to wait. Because she knew, being his wife she would have to give in someday. It would be better to take time and make up her mind ready for it slowly.

She had also told him about how this whole marriage was forced. But her inner voice, her morals, her religious thoughts had made her confess to him that she would always be loyal to him. Because even if she hated him, he was still her husband. She wanted him to stop half the arguments which were only about Arjun and Prithvi. She was thoughtful that no matter how Karan was, they had still taken the vows and they meant a lot to her. She couldn't just ignore the fate and laws of her religion.

But shouldn't he respect this? Wasn't it his duty too, to be faithful?

Preeta shook her head and kept the box closed as it was. Shutting the cupboard, she laid back on bed and switched off the lights. She wasn't even allowed to talk to Arjun and Karan was gifting lingeries to clients, sending notes like that. No wonder, why he had not been returning home these days.

Why he even married her, if couldn't have the decency to wait for her?

Guessed, he finally understood that she won't give her virtue to him so easily. Consequently, cheating was the great option. Preeta felt a tear escaping her eyes as she admitted to herself softly, feeling hurt.

"You again proved, Karan. It has always been lust. If not me, then you are fulfilling it by approaching others."

_________

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"What will Preeta do now?"

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