Manik took the divorce papers and left the room with me and his lawyer ( I figured his name was Raj from the Divorce Petition) as we began discussing my surname issue. I obviously didn't want to change my name considering this so called marriage was a one year time-bound thing so I said to Raj "I am not changing my name." "The problem is that your name has been changed already." He said. "How could you change my name without my consent?" I asked Raj because from the little law that I know, things like that require the consent of the party changing the name. "Actually it was a part of the papers you signed the night you got married to Manik." Raj said as I recollected the events of that night and our wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and that kiss... Arghhh! Why am I even thinking that. That was the moment I decided I would never drink again! Thankfully, I hadn't or rather we hadn't done anything physical that night that couldn't be changed afterwards (except the kiss... No harm or is it?)
I was thinking of solutions to change this problem, so I asked Raj, "What do I have to do now? I mean, I want to go back to being Nandini Murthy." He thought for a while and said "In my professional opinion, its best if you stick with Malhotra. Its going to be a hassle to change things and then everywhere for one year at least you will have to justify your marriage" I replied with a simple "fine" because I had nothing more to say.  "Are you planning on travelling abroad anytime soon?" What an absurd question, its none of his business. "No." I answered. "Ok, we dont have to change your passport name then, but I will arrange for all your other documents to be changed." He said. I thanked him and he left noticing that Manik was missing from the scene. After Raj left, I went to the kitchen to make something to eat. It was getting late and I was used to eating and sleeping early as per Amms's preferences. It was a large kitchen, much bigger than my entire room in Mangalore. It had two fridges, a pantry, dark brown wooden cabinets and an island cabinet that made the kitchen partially open to the rest of the house. I opened one of the fridges and found some vegetables. Maybe he was living here from before... Thats something I didn't want right. I have to find out. I took some tomatoes, green capsicums, cucumbers and started cutting them to make a salad. I was hungry and couldn't wait to make any other kind of food although I do know how to cook pretty well. I was cutting a cucumber when he came walking into the private living room (not the one we were sitting and talking to Raj in) wearing nothing except a white towel with water dripping from his hair to his torso. He had ripped abs, and looked fit like he works out often. Him barely clothed was definitely a pleasant sight. Chiii, Nandini look away! I turned my head and covered my eyes with my hands hoping he gets the message and wears something. Really, anything that stops me from wanting to see his abs! To my dismay, my actions made him come to the kitchen. "Whatz upppp!" he said coming very close to my ear from behind me. I shrugged and moved away. The next thing I know, my right index finger was in his mouth and he was sucking it. What!!! I tried pulling away, but he wasn't letting go. " I said I am not willing to do such things and you agreed to my conditions" I said. He looked at me and let go of my finger. I noticed a cut on the finger. Ok, so thats why he did that and I was thinking of other things, due to his lack of cladding and his proximity to me. Thats sweet, but we have to set some ground rules. "You think I was doing that to sleep with you?" He asked. I felt a little embarrassed.  I ignored his question and uttered "Like I said before, no coming near me, no touching of any kind, and we lead separate lives."  He handed me my set of keys for the apartment and said "I have absolutely no interest in coming near you let alone touching you. As I mentioned I have a fiancée who fulfils all my needs. You know what I mean right? What I did was to help you, but if thats what you ungrateful hellcat wants, I am more than happy to lead separate lives."
"Fine" I said angrily hearing the way he referred to me. He also said "fine" and went to the other fridge and got himself some pasta.

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