I woke up early as usual around 6, went for a run, did some stretching and went for a bath

By the time I came back Neelam aunty, my mother in law was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast, I went to help her

"good morning aunty, good morning uncle" 

"Good morning beta" uncle said while sipping his tea and reading the newspaper

I went to the kitchen cut some fruits for myself, uncle and him as well

I went to his room, to give him the fruits and saw that he was already awake and going for a bath now

"good morning, here are your fruits"

"thank you" he said politely like how you talk to a stranger

It had almost been a month since our marriage and we were still strangers living in the same room

I went back, had my fruits and was helping the cook prepare breakfast

It was a like a tradition for everyone to have breakfast and dinner together, usually everyone came down by 9 and would continue doing their own work

I was talking to Riya, Kabir's younger sister about her college when ma suddenly dropped a bomb on us

"Kabir beta, why don't you and Avani shift to the other house, you both will also get some privacy and its almost been a month, all the rituals are also over now"

"haan mom, we'll see, anyways I am so busy with work now a days, what will she do alone in that house"

"woww, look at bhaiyaa, he thinks so much about bhabhi" Riya added in

I just looked away thinking to myself 'only if they knew the truth'

Kabir just glared at riya

"No beta, I'm sure Avani also wants some privacy and space"

"no mama, i really -

"why mama, did she say something to you?" kabir suddenly asked looking at me sharply

I can't believe he thinks that low of me

As if I would be that desperate to stay alone with him

"No beta, why would she say anything, she is such a lovely girl, she won't complain at all"

"Mumma I really love - 

"Avani" he turned to me slowly asking me " do you have a problem staying here?"

Now I was really pissed, why is he hell bent on making me look like the bad person here

"As I was saying earlier, before you interrupted me twice, I was telling aunty I really don't mind staying her and I love staying with them, why would I have a problem with anything" I said glaringly at him

The whole table fell silent after that and I exhaled slowly to let go of my anger towards him, how can this guy think so low of me

After breakfast, Kabir left for his work, Riya went off to college, Dad went to the club and auntie was having some of her friends over, whom she wanted to introduce to me

I made some snacks for them and went to do my work

I had taken leave from office for 2 months due to my wedding but was doing some freelancing work and was taking some courses online which kept me busy in the afternoon

Kabir's house was actually beautiful, it was a 2 storey house, with 3 bedrooms on the first floor and three on the 2nd floor.

Kabir's room was on the second floor along with his brother's and his parents and Riya's room on the 1st floor and one guest room on both the floors and they had a beautiful garden with a swing, which I loved the most. I would have my morning coffee with his parents there and my evenings with riya in the garden

I met aunty's friends and one of them was her best friend, Priya aunty whose son was studying in the US who was returning soon and him and kabir were best friends since childhood.

By the time they went it was already evening and I had wrapped up all my work and prepared dinner as Auncle, aunty and Riya had gone to some wedding, so it was just going to be the both of us today

Everyday I waited for him to serve him dinner, he would usually come by 8.30 - 9, I am an early eater so my dinner would be done by 7.30 and everyone her goes to sleep by 9.30 - 10, today it looked like he was going to be late

I took a romance book and sat on the sofa, with a blanket wrapped around me while reading it

It was already past 11 and he had still not come home, I was starting to get worried, thinking maybe I should use the number that Neelam aunty had sent to me before our marriage. I have not used that number, not even once, maybe today is the unfortunate day.

Just as I was calling, I heard the car outside and was relieved, what would I even say to him

As soon as he come inside, I could smell it.

Alcohol

I knew that he does drink but never been with him when he was drunk

His eyes looked clear, so I guess he is not a lightweight

"go freshen up, I will heat the food"

he just nodded, went to freshen up and was back in 10 minutes

I served him his plate and sat on the chair next to him

"where's mom and dad and riya? didn't see their car outside" he asked

"They went to a wedding, they'll have dinner there only"

he just nodded

and this was how our everyday interaction was, breakfast and dinner together but still not a word from him

I should have been angry, sad and annoyed but I didn't expect anything from him, he made it very clear on our wedding day itself

FLASHBACK

I can't believe I was married, it was just so unreal that too with kabir. i didn't know him personally, neither of us made an effort to know each other before marriage, we didn't have the time itself, barely after a month of our rishtas being fixed, we got married. His grandmom was sick and it was her last wish to see her eldest grandson married before she dies. This was what I already knew, I just said yes to this marriage for my parents, I had already told them, I would get married to the man of their choice, and if they chose Kabir for me, they would have a good reason for sure and I trusted them and yes he looked like a decent guy. 

I was waiting in his room, really nervous, I didn't know what to expect because I had never spoken to him properly, when the door opened and he entered in. He just glanced at me, took his clothes and went to the washroom, I sat there confused about what was happening

When he came out, he still didn't say a word and I wasn't sure what to do so ..........

"Hi"

"Hi" he said back and the awkward silence descended on us again

He looked everywhere but me and now I was starting to feel hurt, what had I done to him for this kind of humiliation

he kept glancing around and it looked like he was trying to say something

"Look avani, you really seem to be a nice and smart girl, so I'll be honest with you, if you what that"

"yes" cause honesty and trust mattered to me more than anything

"Look I only agreed to marry because of my grandmom, I really don't want any love relationship, I don't believe in love itself, It's just a waste of time for me and I don't want to get your hopes up or make you any fake promises, so I'm telling you the truth, I don't want to hurt you, you genuinely seem like a nice person and I'm sure you'll find someone more worthy and deserving than me, but don't expect me to be that for you.

If you ever fall in love with anyone else, or you want to leave me, you can tell me the truth and I will let you go, but please till my grandmother's health gets back to normal, please just pretend with me to be a happy couple"

I really appreciated his honesty but this was too much

I also had dreams about whom I would marry and my life but I understood his perspective as well but there was one thing I did not tolerate and I would be clear about it

"okay, I get it, nothing can be done about that, you should have told me earlier but okay I understand, but I have a few conditions too"

he looked at me surprised and nodded his head

"you cannot be with anyone else when you are with me, I will not tolerate that disrespect ever, if you find someone else or if you have someone else, than tell me now itslelf"

he shook his head

"well than good, you treat me with basic courtesy and respect, don't interfere in my life, we can be friends if you want, I'll do my duties because I respect the sacred instituition of marriage and I hope you also do and don't ever give me hope that something will ever happen between us, and I want honesty at all times, if you have a problem with me, come to me and tell, not my parents or your parents"

he nodded like he understood this well

"the same rules will apply to me as well and ohh one more thing, I will continue to work after a few days, and you will not interfere in my career as well

I wrote the conditions on a tissue paper which was nearby and we both signed it and I kept it with me

My heart had already been locked in a cage and now it would never come out