Chapter 13: (12)

Ekansh:

Now and then I kept checking my watch.

I caught my head and pulled my hair. Ruhi, you're making it very difficult. You don't know how much you have affected me. In these seven days, I haven't found any peace or solace. I am all alone now. What magic are you casting on me? And now you will stay in front of my eyes.

My phone vibrated with Anthra's number. I ignored her call. Things are not going well between us. And since I saw Ruhi today, it's not easy to behave normally. Things got messed up. I couldn't give Anthra enough time even though I had enough time for the last seven days. It's like my soul went brainless and heartless.

Once again I started to feel disturbed. I am not into two females. But I don't know what's wrong with my head. I gave Anthra my words that I love her and we will get back together. But I want to spend my time and listen to only Ruhi's words and I feel like I am cheating on Anthra.

Now for a moment, I feel like regretting.

And on the other hand, Ruhi shows off, as she is least interested in me or this wedding. That should be a favour to me but inside it's making me feel uneasy. If I want, I can file the divorce at this moment but my brain doesn't want to do it. If she weren't an innocent and kind-hearted girl and is the same she showed me all these years like an arrogant brat, things wouldn't have gotten complicated.

The clock struck 4 in the evening when I received a knock on my door. I sat straight and decided to be as cold as an iceberg with her. But the moment my eyes fell on her every tendril of my nerves melted like a burning wax. One freaking week passed just like that. And all I did was avoid her. Act like she didn't exist.

Nevertheless, I was angry at her for hiding this big info from me.

I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at her by leaning against my chair. I was surprised to see mangalsutra around her neck. So, she wants everyone to know that she is married. Should I consider this as her loyalty?

She crossed her arms too, mimicking my action and raised her brow. "Sit!" I said to her. She settled on a chair opposite me. Then she gave a once-over to my cabin before glancing back at me. "So, tell me what shall I refer to you as Ruhi Ekansh Razdan or Ruhi Kaur?" I questioned. My eyes landed on her lips, which she took between her teeth in nervousness. Instantly my thoughts drifted to the night, the same one which held the memory of me claiming those purple plumps. Her taste, her smell is still fresh in my mouth and breath.

"Everyone would have gotten suspicious, so I used my old name. And when we know Ruhi Ekansh Razdan is gonna stay only for a few weeks or so, why make an effort, unnecessarily," She explained and shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"And why didn't you inform me that are transferred to this University?"

She sighed, staring at the table, "Weren't you the one who told me to mind our businesses instead of interfering in each other's," she replied and I sensed hurt in her words.

I feel dreadful to leave her to herself, to ignore her but I thought this would prevent us from connecting emotionally. But it happened otherwise.

I shook my head and decided to leave our husband and wife argument aside and focus on medicine.

"Tell me what you want to learn Today?" Nodding her head she said a topic to me.

I never thought this day would come into our lives one day. Where I will be teaching her. She asked me multiple questions in mid, which impressed me. She is quite talented, I must admit that. In mid she kept doing that minute and cute gestures of moving her hands and tugging her hair strands behind the ear. Even the way she was nodding her head, felt adorable. For a moment, I remembered my 6-year-old self. My mischievous little wife enchanted me. We used to play, eat and even sleep together. I have kissed her lips countless times. But the one we shared a week ago was something else.

I wet my lips and shook my head and stopped myself from dissolving in the moment.

After I was done, she closed her books and placed them inside her backpack. She gave me a look and spoke, "I came to know it after our wedding in Ludhiana. I didn't tell you mainly because I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable because of me." She stood up. "And I thought, I will never come across you. But...unfortunately, you have to be my mentor." As she said that, I saw wrath in her eye for the first time. "I will take my leave then."

"How did you come to campus?"

"I took a taxi. From tomorrow I will come in my car."

"Let's go home together," I said, hoping that a treat would dispel her anger.

"You sure? People might get suspicious of us."

"I will wait behind the library." She nodded her head.

Suddenly the door of my cabin pushed open without any knock. "I know, I will find you here." Anthra bragged, blocking the entrance. "Why weren't you answering my call?" My eyes fell on Ruhi. She gave a once-over to Anthra and then her gaze drifted to me. I tried to study her eyes but she showed nothing.

"I was tutoring a student," I replied quickly.

Ruhi kept staring at me. Then she took her bag and apron from the desk. " Thanks for the class, sir," she said as she walked to the door. Anthra moved aside, giving Ruhi space to walk out. "Good evening, Dr. Anthra," she silently wished her.

Shit! She did know Anthra already. And she walked away.

immediately, I took my mobile and texted her.

Ekansh: Don't leave the campus. We will go together.

Ruhi: It's ok. I will take a cab. You don't have to compromise things for me.

Why she annoys me?

Ekansh: 5:30. We will leave for home. And that's decided.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Whom are you texting?" Anthra probed peeking in my mobile.

Before she could see it, I offed the screen and slipped my mobile in my trouser's pocket.

"Ekansh, every day my love is advancing for you." She sat on my lap and placed her head on my chest.

"Anthra, we are in hospital. Anybody can come inside my cabin." I protested.

"So what?" She wound her arms around my neck and brought her lips near mine.

"Anthra, we never did these things in hospital." I stood up, pushing her off of my lap. She erased the distance and pressed herself against me.

"Then visit me in my apartment. I am craving for your touch." She traced her hands along my chest. I closed my eyes and grabbed her hands.

"Anthra!"

"Is it tempting you?" She pecked on my cheeks.

"Anthra, stop it!" I yelled at her. My voice was surprisingly loud.

She got startled and took a step back. "I got it," she whispered. "She... That little wife of yours, is satisfying your needs, isn't she?"

"I already told you Anthra. We don't even speak with each other."

Shaking her head, "You know what Ekansh, I am so foolish that I trusted you." Her eyes teared up. "Let's end up here, now at this very moment."

I grasped her arm and beseeched, "Anthra, you are unnecessarily dragging the things." I huffed. "tell me what you want?"

Shaking her head, "Just break with me. I don't want to feel like shit."

"Anthra you aren't that. Fine. Tonight. I will come to your apartment. We will have dinner together and spend some time," I said pressing my forehead against her.

"Don't hurt me, Ekansh. I love you so much that I can't imagine my life without you."

"I know that sweetheart. I am sorry for hurting, you. And I love you, never forget that."

"I will be waiting for you then," she chirped smiling at me. But I was not as happy as she was.

After she left Harshit, my friend, for 8 years stepped inside my cabin. "Hey, I saw Anthra, leaving the department."

Mahi, Harshit and I met during our first year of Medicine, and since then we have been best friends. Later we did PG at the same university, where I met Anthra. She was Mahi's roommate. Since the first year of medicine, Harshit fell for Mahi and they tied the knot, a year ago.

"I mean, you are married and still you are maintaining a relationship with Anthra. You are cheating on your wife."

"I am not cheating on my wife. Cause she already knows that I have a girlfriend. And we decided to divorce."

"What? Why are you doing this? Maybe you both decided but things change after the wedding..." I mentally agreed with his words. Things did change between us. I don't feel as happy with Anthra as I was before my wedding with Ruhi. And I don't despise Ruhi too... in fact, I started liking her. That was the reason, I had to maintain distance from her.

"I get your words, Harsh. But I feel everything to be a mess now."

"What do you want?"

I don't want to leave Ruhi. But I don't want to hurt Anthra too.

"I am not sure."

He chuckled, "Aise toh nahi ki ab tu ek gharwali aur ek bahar wali rakhne wala hai." I laughed at his words.

"No. I am not gonna do that," I assured him.

But I will settle things soon. Before that, I want to know the honest opinion of Ruhi too.

After he left, I went to the parking lot and approached my car. Next, I pulled my car behind the library at 5:30 and waited for Ruhi. Maybe an ice cream will calm her anger. Or should I take her shopping?

10 minutes passed and still there were no signs of Ruhi.

I took my mobile and texted her.

Ekansh: Where are you?

Ruhi: In home.

That's it. She never obeys me. Which means she is least interested in me. I hit the engine and drove home completely angry at my little wife.

Ruhi:

They spend the time together. They eat lunch in the cafeteria. They were so much into each other. Then why I am expecting anything from him?

Chahe kitne bhi din guzar Jaye unke Dil mei toh sirf wo hi hai.

I shouldn't waste my time waiting for him. He might be busy with her. I dunno for what we are waiting for rather than divorcing.

When I received his message I texted him that I reached home. Let him think whatever he wants.

Humara bhi Dil pathar se bana nahi hai ki har bar hum strong rahe.

I took a quick shower and put on a white and light green Patiala suit.

"Kya chahti hai aap?" Out of the blue, Ekansh stepped inside my room and glared at me. The way he looked at me with annoyance, I took a few steps back, feeling scared of his outburst.

When my back touched the wardrobe, he put his hand on my arm and leaned forward, "Boliye Ruhi, kya chahiye aapko?" (What do you want, Ruhi, tell me?) He inquired again with rage in his eyes. "When I told you to wait, why didn't you wait for me?" He demanded, with flared nostrils.

I lowered my head, "I thought you would be busy."

"Didn't I text you to wait for me, even though?" The first time I saw him this angry was on the day of our engagement and this is the second time.

I nodded. "But... I felt to travel alone."

He shook his head. "Do whatever you want." He articulated in anger and walked you.

I huffed and stared at the door, from where he walked out.

Ab kaise apki narazgi dur kare hum.

I thought of only one person. I called Maa and asked her directly, "Maa, what are Ekansh's favourite foods?"

"Hmm... Are you gonna cook for him?" She asked with a teasing tone.

I blushed and voiced, "Yes!"

"Usually, he eats everything but butter chicken and paratha is his favourite. Sarso da saag also."

"Thank you. Maa. I will call you later," I chirped and cut the call.

I went to the kitchen before checking on Ekansh. He was in his room but his door was locked. I decided to call him after I prepared the dinner.

I started to make the curry sauce of butter chicken. I chopped the required veggies and dropped them in the hot pan. I added lots of butter and gave a nice stir.

Gurpreet came running to me to say that Ekansh was leaving. So, I immediately ran behind him.

He was strolling out of the living room when I spotted him. "Ek–" I cut off as I found him speaking on call to someone. And then someone was his girlfriend.

"Yes, I am on the way. Don't worry I will grab take away, sweetheart."

I took back steps silently before he could notice. Until I reached the kitchen my eyes loaded with tears.

"Did you stop him?" Gurpreet asked. Manish uncle stood staring at me.

I shook my head. "He left," I informed and took the boiling saucepan to place aside but accidentally it fell on my left hand and I wailed out of pain.

The tears I held back flew out of my eyes. I couldn't define why I was crying. Is it because Ekansh showed me concern and then smashed my heart below his foot or because of a burning sensation in my hand?

"Ruhi beta!" Manish uncle shrieked a cry.

"Parjai!" Gurpreet caught my hand and Uncle Manish ran out of the kitchen.

I cried out loud. "What should I do?" Gurpreet panicked.

"Please do something!" I begged her.

"RUHI!" Ekansh yelled and stepped inside the kitchen with Uncle Manish. "What the hell? Who asked you to cook?" He grabbed my hand and took me to the sink. Next, he placed my hand under the tap water.

"She was making butter chicken for you," Uncle Manish replied on behalf of me.

"But why?" When I did respond. He called me softly, "Ruhi!"

I sniffled and staring at him, I said, "Bhut dard ho raha hai, Ekansh." (it's hurting like hell, Ekansh)

Bas unhe ye nahi batha sakte ki, mere hath se bhi zyada dard Dil mei hora hai.

★★★★★

So much mess is created, but in the end, Ekansh will spend his night with Ruhi...haha.