After he leaves, I do a practice walk around the room. We live in an apartment. After tidying up the rooms I feel much better. I bake chocolate chip cookies. I store some in a container. And I pack the other batch to give my neighbours. Well, I needed to introduce myself at some point of time.
Well, why not today?
I ring the doorbell and a kind-looking woman of about forty opens the door.
"Hi, I am Aishwarya, your new neighbour. I am Adam's wife. We live next door."
"Oh, Hi Aishwarya. I am Martha. Please come in. You look so beautiful. And for the record, I do know who Adam is."
I come inside. There are two kids on the floor doodling something on paper.
"These are my two munchkins. Sara and Timothy. Hey, you two. Say Hi to our pretty guest."
They leave their work and shyly make their way over to me. Sara is the lively one while Timothy is hiding behind his sister.
"Hi", they greet me in unision.
"They are twins and they are 2", Martha explains.
"Hey, you two. I brought cookies. Would you like to try some?"
They happily shake their heads and I hand them my home-made cookies.
"That is so kind and generous of you. You are so different than the other Indian girl Adam data two years ago."
This piece of information gravs my attention.
"Dated another girl.. you say?"
"Yea, but I guess they weren't meant to be. She got married to another guy who was a businessman, while she and Adam were dating. Poor Adam was so heart-broken. He was depressed and suicidal. He became an alcoholic. He went to rehab. And got out clean a year ago. But anyone could see, he was not the same as before. But I am glad, you are there now to light up his life.", she smiles encouragingly.
Oh Martha, I highly doubt that. I think to myself.
After chatting some more, I return back home.
Its evening and Adam is going to return within a couple of hours. I decide to make dinner.
I check the fridge and find potatoes, onions and tomatoes. In the freezer there is frozen chicken. In the cabinet I see a rice packet.
But one problem.. Apart from salt and pepper, I don't see anything else. No spices. Nothing.
I quickly wash the rice and put it in the electric cooker. I cut the vegetables and the chicken. I stir fry the vegetables and make a puree'. I get my keys and go for a quick grocery shopping. The store is just around the corner. Within 30 minutes, I am back with all the supplies I need. I get spices, other vegetables and some fruits and chocolate ice-cream.
Keeping Adam in mind, I adjust the spice level.
The rice is done. And within an hour, the chicken curry is done as well. I set the table.
Just then, the doorbell rings.
Oh, he is a bit early today. I know I look messy. The house smells aromatic with all the herbs and spices. Just like how my home back in India used to smell.
I open the door. He walks in. He looks really tired.
"Welcome home. I hope you are hungry. I made dinner."
He steps forward. He stands there for a moment. He inhales.
"I hope you like Indian food. I made the curry less spicy", I nervously reply.
"What did you cook?"
"Vegetable fried ice and chicken curry.", I say proudly.
"If its still spicy, then we have ice cream in the freezer.", I continue, my smile wavering because of his silence.
"I am not hungry.", he says firmly. But just then, his stomach rumbles contradicting his statement.
"I am going to my study. I have some work to do", he says flippantly and walks away.
I feel hurt. All this effort... but i am determined, to not let him get to me. I breathe deeply and calm myself. Whatever passion we shared in the morning has evaporated.
I eat alone at the dining table in silence. It is 10 p.m. Adam has not eaten anything since the time he came home. I clear my plate and wash the dishes. There is a lot of leftover food. Before putting the food in the fridge, I take out some food and plate it- for Adam.
I go to the study and knock. He doesn't respond.
"I don't want you here.", he says brusquely.
"I know. But, I just came here to give you your dinner.", I reply tersely.
I put his plate on his desk and leave.
I go to our bedroom and take out all the soiled clothes to do the laundry.
After an hour, I come back to his study.
I don't bother knocking. What would be the point anyway?
"I will start coming to the office from tomorrow. My leg is a little sore, but I can still manage. But, you will need to drive.", I say.
He does not respond.
I come to clear his plate. It is empty.
Ah..so someone was hungry after all. Nope..not even a thanks.
"Was everything according to your liking, your majesty?", I ask him sarcastically.
He does not respond.
"Well, okay Your Highness.. I will take my leave", I say.
"ENOUGH!", he stands up ubruptly. The force throws the chair down.
He walks over to me. He has pinned me behind his desk.
"Oh, so you make me dinner once and now you think I must beg? You think I should get down on my knees and grovel? Is that what you want? Huh? What else? What do you want? Tell me"
He takes me by my shoulders and shakes me. The force making my head flop up and down.
"Stop it Adam! I am not her. Don't treat me like your ex!", I shout at him. He is stunned. He releases me.
"How do you know about Priya? Who told you? So, now you are sneaking about huh wife? All you Indian women are the same."
"Oh really! I am not putting up with your crap anymore. Why did you marry me if you have such a low opinion on me?"
" Oh, I have some pretty strong opinions on you. What did you do today dear? You seem to be walking perfectly. Did you go to the mall? Use my money on frivolous trinkets? Liam left the office in the afternoon. Did you meet your secret lover wife? Did you spend a romantic afternoon together, my moonlight?", his hand is cinched across my waist. His other hand, forcing my face to face him.
"No, you jealous swine, I was at home the whole time. But, right now I wish to God, he was my lover. Atleast he would know how to treat women."
That was a wrong think to say.
"And now let me go. Release me.", I say looking into his anger-filled eyes.
"You have such beautiful long legs my darling. Just thinking about them makes me want to claim you.", he says huskily.
"I will never let you touch me. Not while you think, I am unfaithful to you."
He continues to talk as if I have never spoken.
"Where did you learn to cook wife? Your money-hungry mother must have taught you. After all, isn't it to attract a rich man? You must be sad, you did not get hitched to a rich businessman right darling? Oh the things, he would have provided you.", he harshly replies.
"How can you be so dense? I cooked food because I thought you might be hungry. And no, I did not learn to cook so I could attract a rich man. I learned because it is a basic life skill."
"Liar. My beautiful little liar. You must have cooked for Liam, didn't you? Maybe you stayed at home, but you invited him over. Did he thank you? Show his gratitude by f*cking you in our bed?", he questions me calmly as if he is whispering something romantic.
I see red. I slap him hard. His grip loosens and I rush out of the room. I hear him chasing me. I run up the stairs and into the bedroom. I try to close the door, but he barges in. He lifts me up and throws me on the bed. He is on top of me a second later.
He grabs my hips and pulls me forward.
He grabs my legs and wraps it around his waist. He leans towards me. One hand is clutching my hair and he is kissing the sensitive skin on the side of my neck.
"Let me go. Let me go..", I shout. He does not listen. I am wearing a pale cream color negligee.
He slips the straps of my garment down and bites my skin. He kisses the bitten spot.
"Show me what you did to him, my unfaithful little wife.", he urges, trying to remove my garment.
This is too much for me. I let out a sob. And then tears start flowing from my eyes.
He pauses and stares at me. I start crying.
"Aish- darling, my jewel.. I am sorry. My darling. My sweetheart. Forgive me. You make me so angry sometimes. I could not control my anger... my sweet angel. I did not mean to get jealous.", he pleadingly says and wipes my tears.
"Forgive me, my moonlight."
He gently kisses my chin.
"I am so sorry, my wife."
He kisses my nose.
"Sorry. .. I am sorry"
He kisses my lips. I do not respond. I stay passive.
He sighs. He gathers me in his arms. His front is to my back. He strokes my hair and kisses it.
He holds me in his arms. And we stay that way for a long time.
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