Only if: A LOSING GAME (Slow updates)

//Chapter 6//

"Iski koi zarurat nhi hai Bondita. Tum so jao. Mai bhi koshish karta hu." He said, turning his back to her and scooting at the edge of the bed. 

Nodding her head she shifted back to her position. She felt bad seeing him like this. Seeing him like a young boy afraid of the ghosts that might attack him from under his bed. A tiny boy waiting to be hugged by his mother yet scared to verbalize his need, his want. 

She felt bad for how she behaved with him in the morning, stating his life was easy. What did she even know about his life? But boys and men do have it easy, do they not? 

She turned her head to see his back again. She no longer knew if it actually was easy for men. Seeing this man, her husband, balled up at the end of the made no sense to her. What was he hiding? What was he saving himself from? 

Giving one last glance, she closed her eyes, trying to catch some sleep. Maybe a new day will bring in some new opportunities and definitely a new start of their marriage. 

* * * *

Bondita was combing down her hair when she saw Aniruddha coming out of the washroom. She stiffened a little. She had been planning to talk to him about the night but wasn't sure how to actually proceed with it. Should she ask about her lingering thoughts or give him time? Maybe settle in a bit?

When Aniruddha looked at her looking at him from the mirror, the night came rushing back. How was he to proceed with his day and his impending life with her by his side? He had no interest in her, and even less in whatever this so called marriage was. After yesterday's spat in the morning, they had even less scope of co-existing together. But the night, the night surely brought some peace. It felt nice to get a glass of water and he surely appreciated her not questioning about anything. But what next? Should he ignore her? He can't really do that after her being humanly considerate. Maybe let it be and not say anything? Let her decide the pace? Let her take control? Yeah that makes sense. 

"Aniruddha babu, ab kaisa lag rha hai aapko? Aap theek se soye?" Bondita queried. 

"Huh? Haan." He replied with an awkward smile. 

Clearing his throat, he asked. "Tum? Kal ka din vaise hi itna chilla chilli me gaya fir pooja aur fir raat ko bhi mere vajah se uthna pad gya. Do din se tumhari neend hi nhi ho paa rhi."

She found him to be so stiff. It felt as if he was forcing himself to make this conversation but she appreciated it nonetheless. This Aniruddha Roy Chaudhary was better than the one she encountered yesterday? Could she hope then? A little maybe?

"Haa. Bilkul acche se soi. Aur raat me uthne ke baare me aap zyada mat sochiye. Itni koi badi baat nhi thi. Aap theek hai, vahi kaafi hai. Rahi baat do din se neend ki, toh kam se kam aaj kisi ajnabee ke bagal me toh nhi uthi mai." She said with a cheeky smile. 

"Accha? Toh tumhe pata lag gya tumhara pati kon hai?" He asked mischievously. 

"Aniruddha Roy Chaudhary" She fake shouted. 

He snorted hearing her. Seeing the glee in her eyes, he finally gave in to the laughter. Bondita joined him, not being able to maintain the demeanor. Snickering together like this, she felt like a kid and maybe this moment solidified something in their relationship. 

Hearing the knock on the door, they quickly sobered. Bondita quickly turned back to the mirror to get ready while Airuddha opened the door. 

"Aniruddha babu, Choti bahu rani, aap dono ko neeche bula rahe hai. Pehli rasoi ka samay ho chuka hai. Aap dono ko fir kuldevta ke pooja ke liye mandir bhi jaana hai. Jaldi se neeche aa jaiye." Bihari said and ran back down.