CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Jwala:

Agni ended the call and turned towards me to return to the room. For a few minutes, we both looked at each other. Are we a couple? There is no trust, understanding or closeness between us. My heartfelt bad knowing his loneliness and no interest to live. He is thinking about making arrangements for me to live happily is enough, and I am not concerned with his health or problems. Am I that cruel and selfish?

Situations are forcing me not to trust him. If I didn't believe him, then I would have never agreed to marry him though I know his anger and bore his torture.

"Lunch is ready," I said, and he smiled.

"I will just come washing my hands."

He came and sat on a chair, and I started serving food.

"What did my baby prepare for me as my birthday special?"

"All your favourites" I served him the food.

"You too join me, sweetheart. Let's have lunch together."

We finished our meals, and I didn't speak anything.

"Why are you silent Jwala?"

"What's there to talk," I said

"What happened to my baby? Is she angry with me?" He said cupping my face.

"I am fine."

"What happen?" He asked seriously.

"Nothing, are you going to the city at morning."

"Yes"

"Wait till evening. I will accompany you. I will cancel the marriage saying something to my parents. I will tell the truth to Aadarsh that I already married you. Let's go to our home."

"Did you listen to my conversation on the phone?"

"Yes"

"Jwala, I hate sympathy. I don't want your sympathy" he said stupidly as usual.

"Stop it Agni. It's not sympathy, and you are not in a position to be sympathised by someone. I am your wife, and it's my responsibility to stand by you when you are in trouble. I must take care of you when you ill. I don't know whether you sent me to that b*st*rd or not. But as a human, I can't wish anyone to die.

Moreover, you are the father of my child. My child needs the father. When the child comes to this world, I can't say that their father was dead because of my negligence. I want you to be alive" I said

"You expect me to be alive for the child, as a fellow human and as a husband. But not because you love me. Jwala, till now you said many times that you love me, does it come just from your lips or heart? Do you mean it?"

"I don't know Agni. It's not that I hate you or had no feelings towards you. But I don't know whether I love you or not. But your words make me smile; I feel unknown happiness when you are with me. When you touch me, I feel to give myself completely to you. When you hide something from me, I feel like crying. When I see any girl with you, I want to kill her immediately."

I said, and he pinned me to wall suddenly with a smile. He kissed my lips, and it's such a toe-curling kiss that made me gasp lightly. He kissed me again on neck giving hickeys and unpinned saree from the blouse. He touched my blossoms with his lips, and suddenly I remembered the past and pushed him away. He didn't say anything but left me. He smiled looking at me.

"My touch doesn't make you lose in my love but make you scared remembering the past. You don't love me, sweety. Don't betray yourself" he said, and I cried a lot.

He hugged me to his chest making me relax.

"It's ok, don't cry. I know your feelings. I won't hurt you by forcing to be my wife. If you want to marry Aadarsh, I am ok with it. I will divorce you. But think before you take a decision. I recently came to know you had a crush on Aadarsh from childhood. I am sure if I didn't enter into your life, you would have married him. You have time to abort the child too. Decide yourself to abort or keep the child" he said, and I realised his choked tone.

I remembered Agni who used to order everyone. But today seeing him this pathetic is making me unable to bear. I loved Aadarsh in the past. But now I love my child. A child needs both a mother and a father. Moreover, I am already Agni's wife. How can I break the marriage that easily?

He made me sit on the bed and gave water to relax.

"If you choose to live as my wife for namesake and child, you can live happily in our farmhouse. I will leave to abroad after surgery in the name of the business. I will visit just once in a year to see our child. There will be no husband and wife relationship between us. What do you say?"

"I need time Agni. I don't know what to choose. What about my parents?"

"If you choose to marry Aadarsh, everything will be okay. If not, I should try to convince your parents. If they didn't convince, I should play a drama of marrying you forcefully. So, that they won't hate you."

"I thought I loved you," I said as I am confused now.

"I know you didn't like me, but you care for me. Anyways I love you. But I won't tell you to compromise for me. I shouldn't have spoiled your life because of revenge on Vigna and my father."

"I understand. I will tell my decision tomorrow."

"I wish you will take a decision that makes your life better," he said.

"I will leave now."

"Fine"

I left him and came to my house. I didn't know what to choose and what to do. I can't abort my child. How can I trust Aadarsh that he will treat my child as his child? At the same time, I can't believe Agni too. What if Agni ill-treats me after delivery? What should I do now?