Page 110 of One Hellish Desire

The next morning, I emerge from the guest room to find Mom sipping coffee in the living room. Her eyes widen in surprise.

“Vikram?” She sets down her mug and approaches me as I reach for the newspaper. “What were you doing in the guest room?”

Before I can answer, she continues, “My God! It's not even been ten hours that Maahi is here and she made you walk out from your bedroom?”

Just then, Maahi descends the stairs, freshly showered and dressed in a salwar despite her jet lag.

Mom mutters, “Talk of the devil and the devil is here.”

Maahi frowns, her eyes locking onto mine.

I quickly interject, “Mom, can I get some coffee please? And one more request. Don't start your Saas-Bahu drama until they're here. Can we all just stay like a happy family?”

Mom scoffs, “Happy family? Does your wife even consider herself a part of this family? I don't think so. She still behaves like she never married you.”

“That's my problem. Let me handle it,” I reply firmly.

“Oh Vikram,” she sighs. “I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy,” I growl. “Coffee please.”

As Mom leaves to ask our butler Jack for coffee, Maahi finally speaks up.

“Vikram... I...”

I cut her off, “There's no Puja room here. But there are a few photos of Gods in Daadi's room. You can pray there.”

Rising to my feet, I call out, “Jack! Bring the coffee to my room.”

As I hurry up the stairs, I know my words must have stung Maahi. But she hurt me too. Last night's rejection feels like an open wound. And it's not the first time she's done this. I need some space to lick my wounds and figure out our next move in this complicated dance of relationship we're doing.

MAAHI

I knew Vikram was not going to entertain me after what happened last night but if he keeps walking away, how will I convey him my point? Last night after our argument, I waited for him to return in his bedroom and have no idea when I dozed off. It was only today morning when I woke up, I realized he never came back in the room and slept in the guest room instead. That was so unfair of me but if he had come in the room, we could have talked and sorted it out. Isn't that how relationships are supposed to work?

Daadi steps out of her room and greets me.

“Maahi,” she says, surprise in her voice. “Oh, you had a bath so early?”

“Yes,” I smile, not wanting to worry her with our marital troubles.

“Where is Vikram? Is he awake?” she asks.

“He's in the room, awake and-” I say, but Daadi's attention is caught by Jack carrying coffee upstairs.

“Jack, wait,” she calls out. “Is this for Vikram?”

“Yes, Ma'am,” Jack replies.

“Oh, give it to Maahi. She will take it for him,” Daadi instructs, turning to me with a smile. “There's no hurry for you to come down. Spend some time with him. I'm sure he wants the same.”

He most definitely did until last night. Now? I am not sure. If only she knew. Still, I take the mug and make my way to Vikram's room. I knock, and he calls out, thinking it's Jack.

When I enter, Vikram is shirtless and on a call. I offer him the coffee, but he steps back when he realizes it's me.

“Ajay, push all these meetings for next week,” he barks into his earpiece. “How? Don't ask me. I pay you to do that, so get it done.”

He's clearing his schedule for us, for me and Daadi.

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