Chapter 23 - If the husband can have his rights, then is it wrong if the wife takes a step towards hers? (1/2)

|Innaya|

Sometimes it's not the outcome we are worried about, but the path leading to that outcome. There are times when we want nothing more than to avoid some conversations more than anything. It is because we know, that it's going to be very uncomfortable. The reason behind it, is not the topic itself but the unwillingness of conveying the emotions in the words.

Same, was the case with me as I tried to find any excuse that could save me from whatever Eshan, had on his mind. His eyes spoke volumes. The seriousness in them had me worrying for the reason behind the sudden change in his behaviour.

His hand left my wrist ever so slowly. I wondered whether that was intentional, as his fingers brushed across my skin softly as if they were almost reluctant to part. His fingers uncurled my fingers that unconsciously had curled around the vermilion box and were holding it tightly as if drawing strength from it.

I know it was fruitless to go against him. I couldn't. Just his glance was enough to create ripples in my calm demeanor and now he was touching. I stood no chance of retaliating. Transfixed I watched, as he opened the lid and pinching the vermilion he filled my partition with it.

For the split second his eyes softened or was it my imagination, I did not know. He leaned forward and subconsciously, I stepped back where back of my legs collided with dressing table, halting my further movement.

Eshan further leaned, his head almost near my face, all the while his eyes never moving away from me and even though my eyes were downcast, I was all aware of his minute actions. My breath hitched as the morning incident replayed in my mind. Along with the heat in my face, the anxiousness started rising in my heart, nervously I clutched fabric of my dress in my fist as my teeth began its assault on my lower lip, biting it. With the present close proximity between us, the smell of him coming straight from the shower with the body wash of musk fragrance, I felt my breathing laboured.

”May I know my mistake, Sweetheart?” Eshan whispered almost nearly in my ear with his husky voice.

I had to force out those words as he remained in his position that was excessively close to me to think without stuttering. ”What mistake are you talking about?”

Eshan's right hand snaked around my side almost brushing past my waist. He almost caged me with his arms on both sides and his face on my left shoulder. We were so close but not touching actually. ”The very same one, that has made my beautiful wife angry.”

My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, as whatever he was saying did not make any sense to me. ”I am not angry,” I replied, trying to keep my voice from wavering as my heart fluttered at the endearments he used– first sweetheart then beautiful!

”Yes, you are.” Trust him to be stubborn in his opinions.

”I am not,” I stated with little annoyance.

”Yes, you are.”

Why wouldn't he let go?

”No-” I resisted the urge of smacking him with something as irritation started building up.

”Yeah right,” his mocking voice had my attention, ”And pigs can fly!”.

His further sentence confirmed my doubt that indeed, he was just prolonging our conversation to get to the main point. ” If you are not angry then why are you avoiding me?”

My breath stuck in my throat as he asked the question I was hoping he wouldn't ask. I sighed, before I answered, ”I am not avoiding you.”

”Sweetheart, what's the problem?” His left hand travelled to my right hand and knotted our fingers together. He leaned slightly back so that he was looking directly at me. ”Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?” his vulnerable voice was almost pleading me for explanation.

”No.” I instantly answered. Indeed, it was not his fault.

”Innaya, look at me.”

Then I realized, in the whole conversation I had not once looked at him as if the floor was much more interesting.