Part 35: Truth

Meera slowly opened her eyes, finding herself alone in the room. Her suitcase lay in the corner, her belongings scattered haphazardly. The usually organized room looked disrupted, and Meera realized that none of it was a dream. As she tried to recall recent events, she remembered waiting for Rayaan's impending anger.

She waited, waited for the blow she assumed she was going to receive. But in the quiet of the room, the only sounds she heard were the labored rhythm of her own breathing and the heavy exhale of Rayaan.

With the last thread of courage she was holding, she slowly slid her hands down to gaze back at her husband who had red eyes. He was glaring back at her, and a tear or two slid down his eyes.

Her eyelids drooped, and before she could maintain eye contact, the weight of exhaustion overtook her, causing her body to go limp. In an instant, Rayaan reached out to catch her before she could fall to the floor, cradling her gently in his arms.

As she was thinking of him and previous events, He entered through the door. His one hand holding a tray and the other a medicine packet. His eyes went wide as soon as he looked at her.

All the anger and hurt he had felt earlier vanished as he gazed at his wife. He was scared to see her in an unconscious state before. He kept sitting beside her for a long while she refused to wake up from her slumber.

He quickly approached her, but she shifted back, clutching her blanket tightly. Taking the hint, He kept the tray and medicines beside her.

Maintaining a distance he stood beside her bed, "How are you feeling now? Should I call the doctor?" He inquired, but Meera remained silent, her gaze fixed on the balcony door.

"Meera?" He called out again, concerned about her well-being but she remained unresponsive. Rayaan was left bewildered, he sat on the couch watching her carefully. He kept looking at her if she would ask or say something but it was complete silence from her side.

Minutes later he saw her getting up from the mattress, he stood up too but didn't come near her. He knew she didn't want him to touch her.

He saw her going towards her suitcase, his heart beat raised as he saw her trying to pack it up. She tried picking it up and almost slipped. Rayaan was quick to be at her side, "Careful...please be careful Meera" He tried to take the load from her hands but she snatched it away.

"Fine! You want to go to your parent's home? I will take you tomorrow. Rest for now. Please, Meera" He almost pleaded looking at her limping to the wardrobe.

She snapped her head back at him, "You don't have to act as if you care" she said throwing a piece of cloth to the floor.

"I do, Meera"

"You don't, you had got the chance to cheat, you did. You had also got a reason to hit, you were about to, I just fainted otherwise you would have shown me what place I hold in your life " Her tongue was spitting fire while her eyes were flowing a waterfall. Her voice quivered with anguish, and her small form was shivering. She clutched the clothing so tightly it seemed she might tear it apart.

Rayaan was stunned by her accusations, each one more painful than the last. "Meera, you don't even know what you're saying. Please, don't do this. You're ruining your health," he pleaded, but she was consumed by anger.

"Of course! You can cheat, but I can't even complain about it. After all, you are the husband. I'm the wife, and a wife is supposed to stay under her husband's shoes and not make a noise. I understand." She nodded vigorously, glaring at him with resentment.

"Cheat? Meera, I love you," Rayaan finally expressed his true feelings. He couldn't take it anymore. She was accusing him of things he couldn't even think about in his dreams. He wasn't the best with these romantic things, he might not be the best husband but he can never think about anyone else other than Meera. She was his love and his wife. He couldn't describe the feeling of love but he loved her enough to not think about anyone else."I do. Only you. I haven't laid my eyes on any other girl, Meera." His voice was dripping with sincerity. One look at him was enough to know that he was telling the truth.

Rayaan was sure he saw something flicker in her eyes but she was quick to mask it up and turn her face away from him.

"I don't need love," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "I don't." Her body sagged, and she leaned against the wall for support. "I only wanted loyalty and respect, and you failed to give me."

Rayaan's heart clenched looking at her, "At least let me know what I did. "

Meera's eyes blazed with anger as she retorted, "You want me to tell you? You don't know what you were doing with Nitya? You..." Her words were heavy with accusation, and Rayaan was bewildered.

Rayaan was perplexed, " Nitya? ", He couldn't fathom what Meera was talking about.

"Yes, her. You are cheating on me with her. You thought I wouldn't find out, didn't you? You could smoothly hide it for years, pretending to have a happy married life with me while abusing me?" Meera accused, her voice filled with pain.

Rayaan tried to clarify, "What are you even saying, Meera? Nitya? Nitya is an event planner, and I didn't even know her two weeks ago. You think I would cheat on you with her? I barely know her." But Meera refused to believe him.

"You are lying. What was all that? You were spending your days and nights with her as if she was the only person on this earth. You ignored me because of her. And you say you barely know her?" Meera was adamant.

"Only days. I had spent only days with her. Next week is my parent's anniversary and your birthday. I wanted to make it memorable. I was keeping it a surprise for you and them. I often discussed things with her and sometimes intentionally avoided you because I knew the moment you would ask me what happened, I would blurt out everything. I am so smitten by you that I can't seem to hide even the simplest secret from you. And a few times I unintentionally ignored you. At night to do the office work I missed out " He explained

Meera's expressions changed as his words sank in. She hesitated, then asked, "Why did she mock me for being your wife? She acted as if something was going on between you two."

"I had no idea about that. I will bring her here again to clear everything if that's what you want."

An uneasy silence filled the room as Meera contemplated his words. She had not expected this turn of events.

She was in her deep thoughts and Rayaan knew she was thinking of his words," Meera if I will cheat you, I will cheat my parents' teachings. I can be a bad husband but I can never be a bad son."

"I will die before cheating you" Rayaan's misty eyes were looking at her, Anything could be a lie but not the words he said just a few minutes ago.

Meera found it difficult to match his gaze. She lowered her eyes to the ground.

Silence passed and she didn't hear a thing. She thought he had gone away but he was very much present there when she heard a voice on the call, "Hello Mr. Oberoi "

She snapped her eyes at him. His phone was on loudspeaker facing Meera. While his eyes bore into her with determination. The determination to prove everything she was thinking of was a mere misunderstanding.

"Hey Nitya, I wanted to know about the progress" He said still looking at Meera.

Meera gulped with the intensity of his gaze.

"On it Mr. Rayaan. I think I will get you delivered the final template by tomorrow. " Nitya replied from the other side all cheerful and excited.

"That's great."

"Alright then " It seemed she was in a hurry to end the call.

Rayaan assumed she had other clients. But the situation at hand couldn't wait he had to clear the misunderstanding. "Wait! Nitya I wanted to know something. "

"Yes please go ahead"

"Why did you spread certain misleading thoughts in my wife's mind about you and me?

Nitya's voice softened with regret, "I... I'm truly sorry, Mr. Rayaan. It seemed like she was getting a bit jealous, and I wanted to make things more exciting. I regretted it later, but since neither of you brought it up, I thought everything was fine. Mr. Rayaan I genuinely apologize for crossing my line" She immediately apologized, He didn't even have to remind her the day. Rayaan clenched his jaw hearing it from her. So, It was intentional. He absolutely disliked people who did not respect other's boundaries.

"Ms. Nitya you are a great event planner but I would appreciate it if you keep things professional. I don't like my associates meddling with my personal life " His voice came out stern and harsher than he expected.

"I understand. I am really sorry about it" She sounded guilty. And Rayaan thought of letting it go.

"Do not repeat it with anyone henceforth" He hung up the call. His misty eyes were looking at Meera.

He kept the phone on the table, "If you still don't trust me. You can check anything and everything you want to."

He left the room rubbing his eyes. Leaving Meera alone in the darkness of the room.

Meera watched him go, her eyes brimming with tears. One tear after another rolled down her cheeks, and the weight of her unfounded accusations weighed heavily on her conscience. Her own words echoed painfully in her mind.