What she made next reached my indignation to another level. Why does she have to be this stubborn? I have clearly said not to do that but who is she after all?

We were done with lunch and the waiter came with a bill. I was about to forward my card but before me she forwarded her card.

I inhaled audibly and I curbed my rage which would burst any moment. She paid the bill and without even glancing at her, not caring whether she is following me or not I walked towards the car.

I sat in the car and waited for her, not like all the times I opened the door. I am not in the mood. She entered and was all quite innocent.

I started the drive and my hold on the steering wheel tight as I controlled myself. Somewhere I felt hurt and distant.

✧✧✧

By looking at his demeanor I can calculate how furious he might be. I have triggered him to his last string of patience. It is the first time from our marriage I am seeing him this angry.

He might be feeling dishonored or disrespected but I have my own reasons to do that. I didn't dare to meet his constant gaze.

We reached our penthouse and he got out by shutting the car door with a thud. Like other times he didn't open my door though I am not complaining.

Neither of us picked up shopping bags from the car. I followed him like a lost puppy. Manvika you are done. By seeing his expressions, he is definitely gonna eat you. My mind mocked me.

We entered the house and to avoid him I took baby steps towards our room. But luck was definitely not in my favor.

“Manvika after what you have done don't you think we should have a conversation?” He said coldly standing near the couch crossing his hands over his chest. He only calls me by name when it's serious.

“About what you are taking? I am not getting it.” I tried to act innocent.

“You know exactly what we are talking about and why I am angry.” he added by taking intimidating steps near me.

“Can't we postpone this conversation. I am tired, need rest.” tried to escape by turning my steps towards stairs but he held my wrist in his gigantic hand and pulled me back turning my steps.

“ No we can't. Start your explanation and dare you to try to escape from this.” he said coldly with an expressionless face.

I inhaled deeply and understood I can't run away from this.

“ I know you got offended and might be feeling disrespected. But even women can pay bills. It's not an odd thing.” Now I said confidently because this society made it like only men are providers and can handle finances. Women should depend on men.

It might be a first date, running a home, fulfilling the financial needs men will be handling. Why can't women pay their own bills? They can handle themselves.

Oh god I am becoming a socialist, somewhere we have to break these stereotypes.

“ Manvika, it's never about making you depend on me or rely on me. I haven't felt disrespected or dishonored either. I want to care for you and fulfill your needs. I don't want you to depend on your family even after marriage. As a husband it's my responsibility.” He tried to explain to me.

“ It's not my Papa's money, it's mine. I am earning on my own.” This new disclosure made him even more angry.

“Why am I not aware of it? What is my place in your life Manvika? It's been 2 months since our marriage but I am still unaware of it.” Now I am getting scared looking at him. He is fisting his palm and glaring angrily at me.

“ Since the first year of my college I have been doing a part time job. And I didn't feel you needed to know it.” I muttered . I don't know why I am feeling I have done something terribly wrong.

“Whoa I am your husband for god sake and you think it's not needed. Still, how many things do you feel I don't need to know about? What if something happens to you because of that fcvking job?” Why is he yelling at me? It's a mere thing, it's my choice to do a part time job.

In this heated argument my phone ringed and thanked God for diverting. I turned to pick my phone and it's from my college. I don't know the reason why they are contacting me.

“Hello… good evening mam. “ I spoke in my utmost normal voice.

She replied me to clear pending college fee before the end of this month.

“ ok mam it will be cleared. My papa will pay and thank you for informing me.” Call end. I turned to Arjun.

“What the hell is wrong with you Manvika? Here I am going insane and trying to make you understand. Every little thing related to you is mine now. If you have informed me I have cleared your college fee.” He shouted at me. With this I got hell scared by looking at him.

My fingers started to tremble and my legs were shivering. I was startled by that. No, no I can't fall weak in front of him and show my fragility.

My breath was going short. His back is facing me and I am trying my hardest to not get a panic attack. It's getting unbearable for me to stand in my position.

My legs gave up and I slumped down but managed to hold the sofa's hand rest. The vase on the side table fell with thud and ceramic pieces shattered on the floor.

My eyes were trying hard to not break the flow of tears. With this sudden commotion he turned back.

“MANVIKA” his voice filled with fear and tension. He ran towards me and lifted me in his arms. The moment I felt him my eyes shut down.

I don't know how long I have passed out. Woke up with a slight tap on my cheeks. I realized I was lying on bed in our room.

As soon as I opened my eyes he hugged me tightly, circling his arms. But I struggled to come out of his hold noticing it he loosened.

“ I am sorry. It will never happen again. I will never question you but don't pass out like this.” He continuously rants about it.

Somewhere I remembered how maa treated me and hurt me. I don't know if he felt similar. I am not accusing him but I have my own reasons.

“You are not different from my family. You all are the same.” I muttered.

With this his eyebrows thinned and gave a questioning look.

“ I am sorry baby. I didn't mean it. I don't want you to suffer when I am with you.” He said by kissing my forehead.

I inhaled deeply preparing myself to explain the reason what a little Manvika went through.

“You are desperate to know the reason right then listen. I have my own reasons which made me like this.”

He placed his hand on mine and started rubbing it with his thumb. And signaling me to go on.

“It was when I was fifteen ,Bhai got married to sanjana bhabhi. I would not care about anything. Papa treats me no less than any princess. Even though I liked sanjana bhabhi she is very talkative and treated me well.

After their marriage a puja was organized for the well -being of the family. I showed more interest and participated in everything. Everything went well.

Maa asked me to call bhabhi for lunch. That's when my heart was broken. I don't want to eve's drop but I couldn't control it. The door was slightly open of Bhabhi's room. Her family also came for the event .

Bhabhi is sitting with her mother and her bua. Their conversation broke me.

“Sanjana teri nand toh bahut chalak hai. Tumhe use kabu mein rakhna chahiye. Varna is parivar mein tumhara sthan kamjor ho jayega. Usne toh pure parivar ko apni choti ungli se bandh rakha hai. Agar aise hi chalta Raha toh pura property aur paise woh utha kar le jayenge. Toda dhyan rakhna.”

(Sanjana your nand is very clever. You should have control over her. Or else your place in this family gets weakened. She has bound them around her little finger. If it continues she will get all the property and money. Be careful.)

They were discussing about me. It was all false. Why would I want property or money? I will be happy if they are content. They even made a plan on how to get rid of me.

Overhearing their conversation which is very cruel to me it broke me into pieces. It left me in tears. It was more than what I can tolerate.

From then I shifted to a hostel for my 11th grade. I don't want to create any hurdles between them. So I didn't even discuss it with papa.

Back then not to depend more on papa I started to earn for my expenses in a bookstore and Neha helped me without questioning.

Papa would be paying an academic fee but my expenses I would manage without papa getting suspicious.

My visits to home decreased and when I joined college I started to work for one of my professors as part time.

From then I would not even spend a single penny when it's not mine. That incident developed a constant fear of what people will think if I spend Papa's money or anyone's.

That's the reason for paying my own bills and earning for myself. I didn't mean to disrespect you back then. I am sorry. I don't feel good when someone invests in me.

I never explained these to anyone. Papa questioned numerous times about my behavior but I kept mum.

I am sorry.”

I said everything that's bothering me. Somewhere

I trusted him. And I don't want him to misunderstand me.

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