I had a certain feeling in my chest. It wasn't a positive one. I knew that much. It wasn't new, but it was more apparent that day. Kail went out early in the morning. The service lady told me I had a fever. I spent my morning curled up in the bed, with sweats and occasional tears. I also felt more sensitive than usual.
My phone buzzed with calls from my family. So I turned it to silent mode. For the first time in my life, roles were reversed. I was the one ignoring them. But I didn't feel any change. That aside, how could I have ever known all those other calls were his? I had already braced myself for the storm about to come. He would get off work at 6– that thought was my biggest mistake. He wouldn't wait that long. His car honked outside in under just 9 minutes. I went to the gates to welcome him. As if that would help.
He was closing in, and I saw the grim reaper as well. I closed my eyes instinctively.
Then I was squeezed. Literally. His breathing was ragged.
"Where the hell were you?" His voice shouted even at low volume.
"7 missed calls. All unanswered. 13 texts. All seen with no response." His words bit into my ear. His hold on me only tightened.
"Speak. What? Can't even bother to make excuses?" Now that sounded hurt but the way he fisted my hair wasn't
"My phone was silent… I was about to call back after reading the texts…" his grip chained my words.
"Don't play this game with me." He whispered between his breaths.
As if something had possessed me, I did something I would never even dream of. I snapped back.
"What game? Kail? Tell me please." I pushed him back with every ounce of strength. Which was more than necessary. He stumbled back a few steps but came back right where he was at. I poked my finger at his chest.
"Am I your pet? Huh? Oh right. Right? That's what I am to you. You asked me if you should buy chains? Why don't you? Chain me up? Am I supposed to wag my tail at your beck and call?" I shouted to the top of my lungs. The fever did get to my head. He looked at me with a clenched jaw. Like he was holding back a punch or two.
"You are the one playing games with me. And I kid you not, I am not your pet. And I can very well make you remember that." Who was I threatening again? Oh right the grim reaper. But it was justified. I realised late, but I did. Even with borrowed courage, every word I said held meaning. And I regret nothing.
"I'm sorry" He said, looking at me like I was scolding him. He hugged me again. Even as I tried to push him away.
"I didn't mean that— I– I was worried. I didn't realise… I'm sorry. Don't push me away…" He had no business sounding that hurt. But even that didn't help. I was far gone. Tears spilled, voice cracked, and I kept going.
He swept me off my foot, like I was just a whiny kid. And took me inside.
"Right, it's all my fault. I agree. But your feet are not healed yet. And why did you come out? You have a fever on top" He said, dropping me on the bed. Which worked more as fuel. I dragged him down with me. Under me.
"What is your problem? You act like the sun revolves around you. Who am I to you?" That one question changed everything we were, and what we are.
"I can't live without you. You are mine. My wife."
He shifted our positions.
"You can hate me, I will apologise. You can curse me, hit me or use me—" he paused for a second. His hand gripped my throat.
"But if you try to leave me, I will not hesitate to chain you down." It was like a cat's hissing, when protecting its territory. He released his hand and got off of me.
"I'm not your property. I will do whatever I want!" I shouted again in a fit.
Turns out he wasn't leaving. He was taking out the medicine.
"Sure, if you want to. Did you take any medicine for the fever?" I thought he brushed me off that day. Now I know better.
I nodded with a yes. Realization washed over me, and I shut my mouth for good.
I took the medicine quietly avoiding his gaze. Which lingered like a moth to flame.
The medicine made me drowsy, along with the fever. I used that chance to escape the embarrassment. As I settled back inside the blanket my phone buzzed again. Cousin this time.
"Password is your name." He said and the buzz disappeared along with him. I peeked out from the blanket, and his phone was there, where my phone should have been. I heard his car leaving, back to work I guessed. I tried ignoring the device right in front of me, but curiosity got the best of me. Aside from work messages and the stupid candy crush with ridiculously high levels, I found my pictures. Everywhere. His social media, his gallery, his wallpaper. There wasn't anything else. So I looked at his chrome history.
"How do I talk to my wife?"
"What if my wife doesn't use my money?"
"Chains"
And the last one was ticked delivered… Curiosity does kill the cat. I threw his phone aside and tried sleeping. It wasn't hard considering my physical state.