Page 61 of That Same Old Love

As soon as she finished, she was about to rush towards the master suite to take a quick shower and change into evening clothes.

Evening clothes, and not night clothes. Because Dinesh hated seeing her dressed sloppily.

Night clothes were meant only for sleeping. Rest of the time she was expected to look presentable. Even if she had to wear those evening clothes only for two hours and nobody else apart from her husband would see her in them.

She was halfway up though the stairs when she heard the garage door open.

“Shit. Shit! Shit! Shit!” Her heart beat sped up in panic.

Dinesh was home.

“Okay. Deep breaths… calm the hell down. He’s told you he doesn’t like idiot women who look like frightened rabbits.”

She rushed down the stairs, straightening her work clothes and stood in the family room.

The door opened and her husband stepped in.

He was on the phone.

“Sure thing, let’s plan something next weekend. My wife is a great cook. She can definitely help your wife with shopping and settling down too. She has a great sense of style in everything.”

He laughed at something the other person said. “Oh yes, I’m very lucky. I did get a wife who is the complete package.”

Dropping his car keys on the coffee table and leaving his laptop case by the door, he went towards the couch.

She picked up the car keys and placed them in the drawer and then put the laptop away in a shelf.

Dinesh expected the house to be always neat. Even though he was the one leaving things lying around. If she ever forgot to pick his socks or didn’t place his used clothes in the laundry basket, there would be hell to pay.

“Okay Aakash, I’ll see you next weekend,” he said and dropped the phone next to him.

“Hey. You are late,” she smiled at him. Her smile was definitely wobbly and forced. “You must be tired and hungry. I’ve prepared spinach dal and chicken fry the way you like.”

He ignored her, and sat on the couch with his legs extended, and turned on the television, navigating to a sports channel.

“The house stinks. How many times have I told you to have the dinner ready much before I come. Go get me some food now,” he said, not bothering to look at her.

Luckily, one of his favorite sports team was playing, keeping him distracted.

Hurriedly, she scampered towards the kitchen and prepared a plate for him. Placing a spoon in it, she hurried back and handed him the plate.

He took a bite and paused.

Oh shit.

“It’s too spicy,” he stated.

She knew very well it wasn’t. She had tasted everything multiple times to make sure it was just the way he preferred. He was just in that mood. Something must have upset him and he needed a reason to lash out.

She also knew it was of no use to argue the fact.

“Let me get you some water,” she said, moving rapidly towards the kitchen.

“Stay,” he barked.

He was looking at her now. Until then he was focused solely on his game

“Why the hell are you still in your work clothes?” he demanded.