21. Argument 101

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Samayra POV

I was sitting in the bathtub when I heard the bedroom door open.

"Is it you, Ambar?" I ask loudly through the open bathroom door.

"Yeah.. You can come out.. Dry your legs. I have the ointment." He says.

I pat the towel gently on my wet body and wear my tank top and panties, wrapping a towel loosely around my legs since the thought of shorts had me itching. I walk out a little uncomfortable with the towel rubbing on my legs.

He was sitting on the corner of the bed scrolling through his phone, selecting some files most probably to delete them. I don't pay attention to it.

"Where is it?" I ask and he looks up.

"Why aren't you wearing your shorts.." he asks handing me a small paper bag.

"Because it's irritating my skin and it's not like you haven't seen me in my lingerie." I said taking out the ointment and opening the seal.

"Can you help me?" I ask as I feel the soothing effect of the water lift and the itching to begin again.

"you're old enough to do it on your own." His answer was curt.

What's wrong with him?

Let him be. He's not my priority. My itching legs are.

I sit on my side of the bed unable to stand any longer and start applying the cold pasty substance. After a while he looks up from his phone.

"You missed there.." he says pointing near my Achilles tendon at an area which was supposed to be covered by the towel and I frown trying to cover the whole affected area with medication.

"Where?" I ask.

"Give it here.." He says frustratingly taking the tube and gestures for me to put my legs near him. He shifts forward keeping my legs on his lap and I do as told and he starts applying adjusting the towel accordingly. I pick up the pill.

"Take them at a gap of 5 minutes.." he says, his tone was still very.. rude?

"I know." I say and take the first pill. The cold ointment actually had a very quick effect and I could feel myself relax.

"Why are you so rude? I did all this for you.. I'm sure this is better than some home found gel.. The least you can do is thank me." he asks.

Can you fuckin believe the guts of this man?

Is he trying to pick a fight?

"I'm rude? You are the one who hasn't looked me in the eye, since you returned. The least you can do is give your hurting wife some attention.."

"Seriously Ayra.. You are just sweet and seductive when you want something.. and the rest of time you are a rude, spoiled brat." he says and I couldn't resist but gasp.

"Excuse me..When I want something? Oh my God.. Is this about.. kids?" I ask and he doesn't meet my gaze rubbing the ointment on my skin.

He shouldn't have said that. It's like he just touched a very sensitive aching nerve. And now it hurts.

It fuckin hurts like shit.

"I never forced you.. I just told you my issue and said that the sooner we get the clearer picture, the faster we can take help. Fertility decreases drastically after 30. We have less than 6 years. If we can't have it naturally we can go for IVF.. or so many things available out there preferably before 30. I never forced you. I just told you.. and... also I'm sweet and seductive when I want to be.." I said trying to pull my leg away from his grasp. He holds the other and starts working on the area left to be covered with the medicine.

"Leave my leg.." I shout and he doesn't say a word in response his grip tighter.

"I said leave my.." before I could complete what I was saying he bends forward and pulls my lips to plant a long desperate kiss.

I moan in his mouth at the feeling of his lips on mine, but he doesn't stop, deepening it until we were both out of breath.

"That's how I'm gonna shut you up.. Take the other pill, put your head on the pillow. You need to rest." He says and goes back to start rubbing in the ointment on my leg. I was left speechless by his actions and words failed me.

What the fuck.. Why did he just do that ?

No, I'm not letting this get to me.

I take the glass of water and take the medication, knowing well that anti-allergics make me sleepy and lean backwards, since I was so tired after waking up early and then having to continuously scratch my legs. I wanted to argue, but I really didn't have the energy to do so.

I felt my eyes get heavy and sleep takes over almost immediately.

+++

I wake up the next morning with the sound of chirping birds coming from the open door to the balcony. I could feel the crisp cold air announcing the arrival of winters as light sunshine pours in through the translucent curtains of the balcony door.

I slowly sit up, yawning and stretch my legs underneath the blanket realizing I slept in my panties.

Ah.. just like college days when I lived alone in the hostel room and was too lazy to do laundry.

I hear the room door open and look up at my husband.

"Good morning.." he says his grey vest darker in colour and sticking to his body with sweat and his curly hair lined over his forehead with the tiny droplets. He had been working out.

Hold on.. No..just because he is easy on the eyes does not excuse his behavior from last night.

"Fuck off.." I reply throwing the blankets away and walking to my almirah.

"Atleast wear something.." he says referring to my legs and I completely ignore him picking up my outfit for the day and walk in the washroom.

"Hey.. You can't.." he was about to say something when I shut the door and turn on the shower.

I was almost done when I remembered I'll have to apply the ointment again if I want it to heal quickly. But it'll smudge under my clothes..

And fuck.. The ointment is in the room.

Ambar is in the room.

I'm not asking him to hand it over.

Nop. I'm not talking to him.

So, I just wear my traditional shirt and slide my panties with a towel and wrap a towel walking out.

He was sitting on the couch, his back to me and the bed, busy on his phone. I slowly sneak out and tiptoe to the ointment and then try to make my way back inside.

"I can hear you.." he says without looking up from his phone.

Is he for real? Does he have a pair of eyes behind his head or what ?

I don't answer, ignoring him, shutting the door hard making a loud noise and walk in. I apply the ointment and rub it in. I wait it to be absorbed while I stand infront of the dressing table adjoining to the restroom and start with my make up.

After around 5 minutes, I walk out looking for a pair of earrings to go with this dress when he whistles getting up from the couch and calls out.

"I hope you know it's 6 minutes to 8." He says entering the restroom.

Fuck.. shit.. no.. Grandma will kill me.

I lock the earrings quickly take the dupatta and walk out, running down the stairs.

"Good morning Ayra.." MIL says hearing my footsteps as she looks up from setting the table.

"Good morning, Mom.." I say and go to touch her feet.

"Ayra, you're my daughter.. Don't touch my feet.. give me a hug.." she says lifting me and hugs me tight. I smile and walk to the kitchen, where Lily was working and see everything ready.

"It's okay.. You don't have to wake up early everyday.. I can take care of things here.. You already have a lot on your plate.." she says and I smiled gratefully and help her set the table in a comfortable silence.

After a while, Chetan appears typing on his phone.

"Good morning Mom.. Bhabhi.." he says and mom goes to him snatching the phone and taking his ear in her hand. I laugh.

"Ouch.. Good start to a morning I guess.." I tease him as he winces in pain.

"How many times have I told you, that I don't need to see your phone near the dining table.. Meals are family time only.. I have been noticing that you've been typing under the table" mom says and I laugh harder.

"Mooomm.. she's family.." Chetan cries out most probably referring to his girlfriend.

"Who's family?" dad says walking out.

"Umm.. Dad.. nobody.." he says as Mom leaves his ear. Grandma appears from the other side and I touch both their feet's. Dad blesses me and Grandma just nods.

"Where's the moron?" dad says looking at me.

"I'm here.." Ambar says from up the stairs and walks down.

Well he just admitted he's a moron.

"Good morning, everybody.." he says approaching his chair by my side.

"Aaj dekhein apki nayi bahu ne kya bnaya hai?" he says with a conniving smile pointed at Grandma.

(Let's see what your new daughter-in-law has made today?")

Ambar had said knowing well that I couldn't have made the breakfast in less than 6 minutes. As the aroma of south-indian idli's and aalo parantha fill the air, with boxes of milk and cereal kept nearby.

But Grandma frowned looking at the idli's as If too familiar and dad gestured for us to take a seat.

"Ye Reena ne bnaya?" Grandma said as we all sat down.

(Did Reena make this?)

"Ji dadi ma.." I say afraid of the consequences to this confession.

(Yes, grandma)

"Tumhare hote huye saas kaam krti kya achi lagti hai?" Grandma hissed.

(Does it look nice when Your mother-in-law is working in your presence?)

I could feel Ambar stifling a laugh.

I'll kill this man and then I'll get to wear white all I want.

That's the only solution.

But I don't want to go to jail.

"Maa.. Tabeeyat khrab thi uski..Ab kaise ho, bache?" FIL says.

(Mom, she wasn't well. How are you now, child?)

Just as the words left dad's mouth, I could feel Grandma lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Sach mein? Tbeeyat khrab? Bdhayi ho.. Waah ab to mein ek or peedhi ko mil hi lungi" she says all excited.

(Is it true? Ill health? Congratulations.. Wow.. Now I'll at least meet someone from the next of our family's generation.. )

What.. How.. did she just.. assume that I am pregnant?

What did Ambar even tell dad?

It's been three days since we are married.. four nights.. that's not biologically possible to check for pregnancy at such an early stage even If I ignore the fact that we've never had sex.

No, this can't be right.

I turn to look at an equally shocked looking Ambar.

"Is she talking about morning sickness? What did you even tell dad?" I whisper to him as Chetan clears his throat with a broad smile.

"So.. I'm guessing you knew each other before your marriage?" he says with a raised inquisitive eyebrow.

"What's wrong with you buddy?" Ambar gives him an equally temperamental frown.

"Um.. Yeah.. Sorry.. My bad.. Congratulations by the way.. and I'm so happy for both of you.. and It's so cool that dad just accepted your pre-marital.. um.. intimacy.." Chetan says pouring milk in his cereal. Dad starts his breakfast too, quiet and almost enjoying it as if he didn't owe Grandma a complete explanation for my ill health.

"Buddy.. there's no intimacy.. pre or post marital... so Stop it.." I say angrily, in a no nonsense 'This isn't up for arguement' voice and put two idli's in my plate.

Ambar coughs out loud, choking on his own saliva as I realize what I had just blabbered out. I could feel Mom and dad's scrutinizing intense gaze at being too straight forward and turn to look at Grandma but before I could speak she did.

"Araam se utha karo.. Is haalat mein zyada tnaav nahi lete.. Par.. ye mtlb.. tumhara love-shuv ka chakkar hoga.. toh shadi itni jaldi hogyi.. Mtlb aj kal toh.."

(Wake up whenever you like. Don't take much stress in this condition. But.. like.. I mean.. You must have had a affair or something.. that's why you married so quickly.. Like these days..)

COMMON SENSE HAS LEFT THE CONVERSATION.

This woman isn't comfortable with me sitting parallel to her and chatting, but she's okay with talking about sex using analogies?

I interrupted her mid-sentence.

"dadi.. mein maa nahi banne vali.. raat thodi aur dikkat thi.. Par abhi kujh nahi hai.." I say giving my husband a stinky side-eye.

(Grandma.. I'm not pregnant. Last night there was some other problem.. But there's nothing as of yet..)

"Ayra.. Have your breakfast and Ambar will drop you off at your parent's. The rituals start from today." Mom said changing the topic.

"I can drive myself, Mom.. I brought my car." I say and she nods.

"I know I'll already miss having you around till the reception on Sunday." Mom says and dad looks at me smiling as the mood on the breakfast table changes.

"She always wanted a daughter.." Dad says and I smile.

"She got one.." I say with a smile taking a bite as breakfast passes rather smoothly after the rough rocky start as conversation shifted to the preparations for the reception.

I help Lily and Mom clean up a little and then she sends me to my room. I enter to take my wallet with driving license and stuff and phone charger as Ambar enters after me.

I think dad had told him to meet in his room after breakfast while I was discussing dresses with mom.

"Are you stupid?" he says entering the room and closing the door.

I ignore him, like I've been doing all morning as he holds my arm from above the elbow tightly and makes me turn to face him.

"I'm talking to you.." he says and I flinch at his loud voice.

"Leave me.." I say trying to get my arm out of his grip.

"Stop this childish behavior.." he shouts.

"You said I'm seductive when I want to be.. and other times I'm just.. a Rude spoiled brat.. So this is me being rude.. Deal with it.."

"You just told everyone, about what happens inside our bedroom at the breakfast table.. That isn't very wise either." He shouts back.

"I didn't mean to.. But it's not like you were speaking.."

"I was talking to Chetan.."

"You were stalling.. amused.. and even enjoying me being belittled.."

"they were not belittling you.. they are family. They were just asking.."

"They are YOUR family.. I met them four days ago.. and you of all people know how that topic makes me uncomfortable and you just sat there as if.." I was screaming when he interrupted.

"You think they belittled you? Dad just asked me if I needed a prescription of Viagra.." he shouted louder.

Oh.. That explains why he's so charged and heated... Someone hurt his damn masculinity..

Deserved it.

Before I could answer there was a knock on the door.

"Ayra.." my MIL's voice said.

Ambar's grip on my arm loosened and I shook it free, thankful for the renewed blood supply to my limb.

"Imagine having to actually take Viagra.. because it's feminine equivalent is what I've been dreading and yet preparing myself for.. all this while." I say in a low whisper and push him away wiping my face for a tear that had just slipped down.

I open the door and look at mom standing their worried.

"Hey mom, What's wrong? everything okay ?" I ask trying to act confident.

"I... I was here to give you this.." she said handing me a bag and putting on a fake smile.

"Wear this for your mehendi ceremony tonight." She said and I nod.

"And Ambar we need to talk." Mom says.

"Mom, I don't want to.."

"Ambar.. I heard you guys.. and that's no way to talk to your wife.." She says.

"Mom.. She's.."

"Ambar.. I can see the bruise forming on her arm.. and I very well heard you shouting through the balcony.. I was downstairs in the garden. So, If you know what's better for you, I need you down in a minute." She says.

"I'm going, Mom.." I said picking up my wallet and the bag she had given me.

"Take care Ayra.. drive slow.. don't think much about his words. I'm sure he doesn't mean it." She says and I nod, trying not to think about what just happened.

"Mom.." Ambar goes to say as she silences him with a stern glare of her eyes.

"Bye.."I say and hug her tight as she drops me to the door before I sit in the car finally letting the way my husband just manhandled me sink in, as the tears fall out. I put the car in drive wanting to feel the love and affection of myown house feeling the aching part of my arm as I changed gears.

++++++
Author's note
Hey there.. Who do you think acted more immature?
Do you think Ayra is a spoiled brat or is it because she's hurt by the mention of kids and Ambar's behavior last night.
Do share your thoughts.
Xoxo
Reet

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net