Roopa left Preetam

Preetam PoV:

I started talking decidedly less to Roopa. I used to reply to her, but avoided initiating conversation with her. I returned home late to evade her. That day, Roopa was awake until I returned.

"I think these days you were too busy to come home by evening. You were late to home today, " Roopa said, taking files from my hand.

"I can keep them on the table," I said seriously.

"Look Roopa; this is my home. I can come at any time I want. I am not answerable to you, but you are answerable to me as you are staying in my home. You have no right to question me. Never repeat it if you want to stay here, Do you understand?" I roared at her.

Roopa nodded shocked at my behaviour and harsh words. I was not in a position to consider her feelings or pain at that time. I continued my imposition of rules on her,

"I think your parents didn't teach you how to behave with husband and in-laws. Change your behaviour at least now and doesn't force me to teach you everything in my way," I said pulling her by gripping her arm tightly.

Tears rolled down her eyes and cheeks were wet with tears. But, nothing had the power to cool my temper today.

"I am sorry, Preetam. I didn't mean it that way. I asked to know whether you were tired. I didn't mean to question you," Roopa said, wiping away her tears.

"Who taught you to call husband with the name? Didn't your parents teach you at least to respect your husband?" I tightened my grip on her arm. Roopa yelped which provoked me more.

"Preetam, sorry... I... I mean... I don't... Know... From... First day... I called... You ..with the name.. You didn't... Object at that time," Roopa bumbled.

"I waited for you to change yourself. Finally, I understood that you never change unless I teach you how to behave with your husband," I said.

I found scared expressions on her face with my behavior and words. I thought to teach her a lesson before she leaves, for messing up with me and playing a game of love. I am not going to leave her easily. I wouldn't forgive her anymore. I fixed to show her another Preetam in me. Till now I loved her a lot, but now she would understand that I am not a fool to fall in her love trap.

"Look, you should never call me with the name. You shouldn't look into my eyes, anytime. You should never raise your head or voice before me. Just do what I say. Never question me. You are going to sleep on the floor every day until I feel that you learned how to behave with your husband and allow you to sleep in the bed," I commanded Roopa.

Roopa agreed as she knew well that arguing with me throws her into more trouble.

"Go and arrange everything for my shower. After that, before I complete my shower, I want you to set the table for my dinner," I gave Roopa another order.

"Okay!" Roopa said, and her voice was hardly audible.

"Move now, how long are you going to stand like a statue?" I demanded her to which her skin formed goosebumps.

Roopa went to the restroom hurriedly and came back.

"Everything is ready for your shower," Roopa said, bending her head as per my rules.

"Good, now give your mobile to me," I said.

"What?" Roopa asked.

"Do you want me to punish you, Roopa? I already told you should do what I say without questioning me."

Roopa handed over her mobile to me. I snatched it from her hand roughly.

"If you get a call, I will be the one who decides whether you can receive it or not. I think I no need to say to you that you are not permitted to make any calls," I said and kept it in the wardrobe and locked it.

"This key will be with me from now. Take my permission, if you want to take anything from the wardrobe. Now go and set the table," I said, and Roopa left for the dining hall.

She served dinner to me. Her eyes became red. I had hurt Roopa with my words. I came to the room after meals. Roopa took her pillow and a bed sheet. She arranged it on the floor to sleep. I looked outside through the window. It was raining, and the ground under my feet was cold. How could Roopa sleep on the floor in this weather? Though I wanted to be rude to Roopa, I can't be cruel to her.

"Roopa, sleep in the bed. It's raining heavily. You can't sleep on the floor," I said.

What if she falls ill?

Suddenly I heard her mobile ringing. I glared at her. It's 12 in the midnight, and she got a call. I opened the wardrobe and found it was a call from Nandu.

"Who is Nandu?" I asked her.

"My friend," Roopa replied shivering to my shouting at her.

"Friend? Is he your school friend or college friend?"

"No!"

"Then family friend or neighbour?"

"No!" Roopa answered again.

"Then what kind of friend is he to you? Your boyfriend, right?" I yelled at her holding wrist tightly and hit her mobile to the ground.

"No Preetam, he is just my friend," she said in a shaky tone.

"I think I should have punished you the moment your father left you with me. But I thought I shouldn't hurt you as I trusted you. I thought to deal with you with love and patience. You proved me wrong. I should punish you for your mistakes, and only then you will realize."

"What did I do to deserve this treatment from you? Knowingly I didn't do anything wrong. Please tell what's my fault?"

"Really? Okay then tell me who is Nandu and why did he call you at this late night?"

"He is my friend, and I don't know why he called me."

"From now, if you get such calls again at late night, you will get enough from me," I warned her dangerously.

I left her wrist and found marks on her hand, which occurred because of my tight hold. I thought not to hold her hand that locked from the next time. It had hurt her. She slept beside me.

I completely restricted her in everything. I started scolding her by finding fault with everything she did. I acted as if I was close to Vinaya by planning dinner and outing with her in front of Roopa. I found Roopa crying many times seeing my closeness with Vinaya. Mom and dad left hurting her thinking I have no feelings for her. Slowly, one month passed by where Roopa faced many insults from me.

On that day, I reached the home after winning an important project. I didn't know why, but I felt to buy something for Roopa to remember this success. I brought a beautiful necklace for her.

"Roopa, this is for you," I gave it to Roopa.

I thought she would be glad to receive a gift for me. But, she didn't take it from me.

"I don't like jewelry. Keep it in the wardrobe. You can make me wear when you feel I deserve it," Roopa said.

"What the hell with you, Roopa? Did I say that you didn't deserve it?" I said, pinning her to the wall.

"Without trust, why are you gifting me such a valuable gift?" Roopa asked me.

"What?" I asked her.

"I already knew that you checked my handbag, bank account, and mobile. Stop the action," Roopa said.

What did she mean? I didn't check anything. I tried to take my shirt, and her handbag fell, and she didn't lock it. So papers fell, and while keeping them in the bag, I saw her ticket. I didn't inquire about her account details. My friend himself sent those details to me. I never checked her mobile till now.

"Roopa, I didn't check anything... "

"How can we live together without trust? Let's get separated. I need the divorce. Within a week I am leaving for Mumbai, before that I will apply for divorce. I can't live with you," she said finally.

I clutched my fist to stop my tears. I understood that Roopa told all that to make me leave her. When I had no place in her heart, there's no meaning in staying together hurting each other and betraying oneself.

"Okay!" I said.

Mom, dad, and Vinaya were happy, knowing about our divorce. We applied for divorce. Mom forced me to accept to marry Vinaya. I looked at Roopa, expecting her to fight with me or show her disagreement in any form.

"Happy married life to you both," Roopa said hugging Vinaya.

I accepted for their satisfaction and with anger at Roopa. I felt to slap Roopa for the first time. After a week, she got ready to leave me and my heart.

"Preetam, can you drop me at the airport?"

I nodded and dropped her at the airport. She took her luggage. I wanted to stop her and bring her back. Roopa left me and didn't even look back at me. She left me forever. My heart filled with an agony of losing my love. I loved her, but I missed her.