Meera's
Last evening was horrible. Akash and I had a massive fight.
And honestly, he wasn't completely wrong. If I am trapped in this situation, then my parents are equally responsible. They never bothered to do a proper background check on my first groom, who ran away on the wedding day. And then, without much thought, they fixed my marriage with Akash.
Would my father's health have improved if my marriage had happened smoothly? Maybe. But would I have been happy? Definitely not.
And to make things worse, yesterday at dinner, my father-in-law completely ruined my plan of getting a quick divorce. He indirectly made it clear that I had no option but to stay. Now Akash and I are stuck in this marriage together.
Akash's point of view also makes sense—he already had a girlfriend. He was committed. He had dreamt of a future with her, but because of society's pressure, he too was forced into this marriage.
That doesn't mean Akash is some perfect, innocent man. No. But he is loyal to his girlfriend, he loves her deeply. That's probably why he was so angry yesterday. Still, no amount of anger, arrogance, or ego can ever justify the way he speaks to me.
Last night I cried a lot. But that's nothing new. I've been crying almost every night for the last one month.
This morning, Sidharth called me. Talking to him instantly lifted my mood. He has always been a good friend. I feel so comfortable with him. He asked to meet me, and I agreed—because Sidharth always brings positive energy whenever he is around.
At 8:30 in the morning, I met him near my school at a tea stall. The moment I saw him, my mood improved. He made me laugh with his stories and silly jokes. After meeting him, I went to my school duty with a lighter heart. Thanks to him, I felt better the whole day.
By 4:30 p.m., I was back in my room.
Akash wasn't there. I even checked the bathroom, but it was empty. Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. After what happened yesterday, I needed to be careful around him.
I changed my clothes, ate something in the kitchen, and returned to my room. Still no Akash. That probably meant he'd only return late at night. Doctor duties are unpredictable, which in this case, was good news for me.
I switched on the Radio Carvaan. Shruti came in with a cup of tea. I took it and opened the window. Cool evening breeze flowed in while an old song played on the radio:
"Apna hi saaya dekh ke tum
Jaane jahan sharma gaye
Abhi to yeh pehli manzil hai
Tum to abhi se ghabra gaye..."
For a while, I forgot everything. I got lost in the moment—the tea, the song, the breeze.
But then, the radio suddenly went silent. I frowned and turned around.
Akash was in the room. The clock read 6 p.m.
He smirked.
Akash: "O mere dil ke chain, chain aaye... mere dil ko dua kijiye."
Me: "What?
Akash: your song? Sounds very romantic. Anything special?"
Me: "I always listen to old songs."
He came closer.
Akash: "But today, it feels like you're enjoying it a little too much."
Me (pushing him away): "What's wrong with you? Why are you behaving so strangely? Honestly, your behavior is weird almost every day, but today it's extra strange. Just go and change your clothes, and stop staring at me."
Akash went to the bathroom to change. I muttered under my breath—this doctor needs a doctor himself.
I left the room and went to Aunty's room to spend some time with her and Duggu. I didn't want Akash to ruin my mood again.
Aunty told me that Shruti's rishta (marriage proposal) was almost fixed, and the boy's family would come on Sunday. She seemed happy because apparently the boy's family was really good.
Duggu pouted, "Everyone's getting married. When will I get married?"
Aunty and I laughed. She teased him, "After Rohan bhaiya's marriage."
Duggu sighed dramatically. "That means never! Who would ever marry Rohan bhaiya?"
Aunty scolded him gently, "Don't talk like that."
We went to the kitchen together, but Aunty told me to just sit and rest because I worked all day. Soon after, my mother in law also arrived. She looked upset. I knew it was because she had fought with my father-in-law last night about the incident. But I didn't ask.
Dinner was prepared, and we all ate together. I noticed Akash constantly staring at me throughout dinner, making me feel uncomfortable.
Later, I returned to my room. I decided not to read tonight—I hadn't slept properly last night. Akash was busy with his laptop. I turned off the light and went to sleep on the sofa.
But Akash shouted,
Akash: "Why did you turn off the light?"
Me: "Because I want to sleep."
Akash (angrily): "Can't you see I'm working?!"
Me: "And what does room light have to do with your laptop work? Anyway, too much light from the screen strains the eyes. If it bothers you, then get proper protective glasses."
Akash: "These are high-quality glasses."
Me: "Then there shouldn't be a problem. Do your work quietly and let me sleep."
His tone turned rude.
Akash: "You act like such an innocent girl in front of everyone, but you've made me the villain."
I sat up, shocked.
Me: "Excuse me? What do you mean by that?"
Akash: "Why don't you tell everyone that you have a boyfriend too? Why should I be the only villain?"
Me: "Not again, Akash. Don't start with my so-called boyfriend. And even if I had one, it's none of your business."
Akash: "It is my business. Why should I alone take the blame for this failed marriage? Everyone thinks I'm wrong, that I'm the reason. You always get the sympathy. Poor Meera, poor wife. No one knows you don't even want this marriage."
My patience snapped.
Me: "Listen, yes—I want a divorce. I don't want this marriage either. I've told every one except my father, because of his health. So don't play the victim here. You're not the only one who doesn't want this marriage. I don't either!"
Akash (bitterly): "Of course. You're in love with someone else. How can you handle this marriage? Sometimes I feel you were the one who made your first groom run away."
Me (yelling): "Enough, Akash! Don't cross the line!"
He switched on the light again.
Akash: "No, I want answers. Tell me the truth—what's your relationship with Sidharth? And since when?"
I stood up, furious.
Me: "Why should I tell you? Did I ever question you about your girlfriend?"
Akash: "At least I told you about her. I was honest. I deserve to know the truth too."
Me: "You don't have any right to demand this from me. Stop finding new excuses to fight with me every night. I'm exhausted."
I started walking away, shouting in anger, while he kept moving backwards until he hit the bed. Suddenly, I realized I was standing very close to him. He stepped back again, lost his balance, and fell on the bed. But he didn't fall alone—he grabbed my waist, pulling me with him.
I landed on top of him.
We both froze. Our faces were only inches apart. Akash looked shocked, silent. My words died in my throat.
He gently moved a strand of hair away from my face.
Akash (softly): "Meera… what is this?"
I immediately got up.
Me: "Why did you even hold my waist? I wouldn't have fallen. Crazy doctor."
He stayed on the bed, still quiet. I turned off the light and went back to the sofa. Tomorrow I have work again. And this crazy doctor will keep ruining my mind every night.
Five minutes later, the light came back on.
I groaned, "This man will die by my hands someday."
Akash stood near the sofa.
Me: "Have you gone mad, Akash?"
Akash: "Just answer one question. Is Sidharth your boyfriend or not?"
Me: "And why does that matter to you? He could be my boyfriend, or just my friend. Either way, you shouldn't care. We're husband and wife only by name, and you already have a girlfriend. So what's the point of this question?"
But he looked at me seriously.
Akash: "Answer me. Yes or no."
I clenched my fists.
Me: "If I had a gun right now, you'd be lying dead. That's how angry you're making me."
Akash: "Just answer."
Me (shouting): "He's just my good friend! Nothing else. If he was my boyfriend, I would've told you that day when you confessed about your girlfriend. Why has this Sidharth nonsense suddenly entered your brain?"
Akash: "Fine, fine. Don't scream so much. You're giving me a headache. I'm going to sleep. You should too."
In anger, I threw a pillow at him.
Akash (catching it): "Now this pillow is mine. You're not getting it back."
Me: "Give it back!"
Akash: "Nope. You should've thought before throwing it."
I grabbed another pillow from the bed.
Me: "Keep it. I'll use this one."
But Akash quickly snatched all the pillows.
Akash: "All mine. You won't get a single one."
Me: "I can't sleep without a pillow!"
Akash: "Then you shouldn't have thrown it."
Frustrated, I climbed onto the bed to grab one back. In the tug-of-war, I lost my balance and fell on the bed—straight on top of Akash again.
It was the second time in 20 minutes.
He smirked.
Akash: "Just sleep here on the bed with me."
Me (pushing him): "Get off first! And no way. I'll never share this bed with you."
Akash: "Why? Are you scared of me?"
Me: "Scared? Of you? Never."
Akash (teasing): "You know what?"
Me: "What?"
Akash (hesitating): "Nothing… just thought maybe the sofa makes you uncomfortable."
Me: "No. The only uncomfortable thing in this room is you. Not the sofa."
I managed to snatch one pillow and jumped off the bed.
Me: "Listen, Akash. If you try disturbing me again tonight, you won't survive. I swear."
I turned off the light, went back to the sofa, and fell asleep immediately. I was too exhausted to think about anything else.
But when I woke up in the morning, I wasn't on the sofa anymore.
I was on the bed.
And Akash was sleeping right next to me.
I tried to remember—How on earth did I end up here?