Sindhu was glad they moved to a new house; she can finally get some sleep now. But it also meant she has to stay here with Karthik, alone.

Their apartment was in Teja Heights Township, located 45 minutes from Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. The place is far away from city, about 30 minutes to her in-laws house and an hour and half to her parents'.

Though the township is located in the city outskirts, far away from civilization, she loved their house. It is a two bed room apartment located in the third floor of their block. The apartment was spacious with a dining at the entrance followed by living, with a wide balcony.

She strolled around the township and found a small super market, vegetable market, a mini pharmacy, an ATM, a saloon and beauty parlors- there were at least three.

Sindhu was glad to find them. She had no idea how she will manage to cook if she had to run out of township every time she needed something. And going out, is out of question since she didn't have her bike and had to take an auto-rickshaw for it. Yes, the township was that big; with about 1800 flats that you need a vehicle to reach the main road.

After walking around for thirty minutes, she went back to her apartment. It was empty. She remembered how Karthik left for work without even saying goodbye or looking at her.

She already felt lonely. She understood this is how her life is going to be from now on.

Mentally noting not to think too much about future, she pulled her bags from the living towards the guest bed room. When they came that morning, Karthik told her to stay in the guest room while he will be occupying the master bedroom. Meaning she is not allowed into his room and has to stay within her limits.

Sindhu looked around the room and was disappointed when she found no attached bath. Great, she has to use the common one now.

Opening her trolley, she carefully picked out her clothes and started setting them up in the cupboards. She filled the whole cupboards and was still left with a trolley and a bag of clothes. She had no idea where to keep them. She wanted to check his cupboards if they are empty but decided against it.

After neatly arranging everything in her room, she went to the living. She was thankful that her mother in law fixed the furniture before the marriage. Even the kitchen was set up; it was fully stocked except for an empty refrigerator which means she has to buy vegetables.

After cleaning the house and setting up things from few packed brown boxes, she took her purse and went out.

Sindhu returned an hour later with lots of carry bags after her vegetable and groceries shopping. She arranged all the items in the empty Tupperware boxes and set to cook. After a late lunch, she switched on TV and continued watching until Karthik came back from work at 6 PM.

She didn't know what he will have at that time. Tea, Coffee, Snacks, Fruits or an early dinner?

"Do you want something?" she asked slowly.

Without replying, he continued removing his socks followed by shoes.

"Shall I get you Tea?" she asked again, praying he answered.

He left the room quietly and walked to his room shutting it behind him.

She thought of calling Seetha to know what he liked, but stopped herself; realizing she has to learn to do everything on her own.

Not knowing what to do, she went to kitchen and opened the fridge. She was greeted with the fresh fruits she purchased that morning. She took the water melon out and carefully sliced it into pieces. Once she is done, she took the plate of slices and walked to his room, knocking the door.

Sindhu didn't hear him reply but was sure he heard her. She entered the room and placed the plate on his nightstand, observing the room for the first time.

Karthik was on his bed, playing with his phone and looked like he didn't care. She observed the navy blue bed sheets and instantly disliked them. The room was really good and cozy with lots of cupboards and an attached bath; the perfect room for her. The bed sheets were the only put off; she would never prefer that color on her bed.

When he didn't reply, she spoke again "Dinner will be ready in an hour. Have fruits by then"

There was silence again and knowing she won't get a reply, she left the room closing the door behind her.

When she noticed that TV was still on, she picked up the remote and changed the channel. Raising the volume, she went to kitchen and started preparing food. She could hear the songs from hall and continued to cook. She prepared rice, curry and warmed up the daal from morning all the while singing along with the songs played in TV.

She set all the dishes in the dining, that was attached to the living room. She reduced the volume and headed to Karthik's room to call him for dinner.

She repeated the same process again. When she didn't get a reply from knocking, she entered his room and told dinner's ready.

He was watching something in his laptop and didn't bother to reply. That was when she noticed the full plate of watermelon slices in the same position. He didn't eat a single slice.

Sindhu was disappointed seeing it. But she decided not to sulk about it. In fact, she is going to do the opposite.

She walked to him and shut down the laptop earning his attention and anger.

At least, there was a reaction, she mused coldly.

"Why did you do that?" he hissed at her.

"I thought you were not talking to me" she said sarcastically.

"Get out" he snapped, looking very angry.

"Sure, if you come out with me"

"I am not coming anywhere. I don't want anything"

"Yeah, I noticed that" she glared at him, pointing towards the full plate of fruit slices.

When he didn't say anything, she continued "Look, I cooked dinner for us. If you have a problem eating with me, I will bring your food here. That way, you need not see me"

"I am not hungry"

Or you don't want to eat the food I cooked, she thought of replying but kept silent.

She left the room taking the plate with her and returned with another one. She placed the plate of rice and curries on his night stand making him groan in irritation.

"Please eat. It's not healthy to skip food" she said softly.

When he resumed his glaring routine, she added in a gruff tone "And if you won't by the time I come back, I will make sure to feed you with my own hands"

Feeling confident, she was about to turn when she heard him shout "Why are you doing this?"

She replied calmly "Because I am your wife"

"But you told we won't bother each other's lives" he scowled.

"That was before I quit my job. I have nothing to do now except taking care of this house and you. I am only doing what a good wife is supposed to do"

He glared at her, again.

"I will leave you to have dinner peacefully" Having said that, Sindhu left the room.

After having dinner, she washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen. She felt tired and her back throbbed again making her wince in pain; the effect of sleeping on the floor for two nights.

She saw Karthik enter the kitchen with his empty plate. He washed his hands and was about to clean his plate when Sindhu said "Leave it. I will do"

He didn't answer as usual and continued washing his plate. After he left, she went to the living and checked for DVDs in the stand below the TV. When she found none, she made a mental note to bring her DVD collection from her house.

Her house. God, she missed her room so much. She missed her parents so much. She is the only child and was used to being treated like a princess.

Sindhu hoped her parents took care of her room. She hoped they cleaned her film posters and did not get rid of them. She hoped they didn't clear her childhood clothes.

Back home, she had a huge wardrobe. She loved clothes and shopped frequently. It's not like she purchased costly clothes; she only bought affordable ones. It's the concept of new clothes that fancies her. When she realizes she used the clothes for quite a long time, she would donate them.

But her childhood clothes were something she could never get rid of; Even when she wanted space, she couldn't do that. Her mother advised her a number of times but she never listened. She hoped her parents didn't throw them, now that she is away.

Sadness engulfed her making her think of her family. She didn't have relatives from either her dad's side or her mom's side except her aunt. Hemanth is the only person close to family; he is her best friend since they were kids. Ever since he left for US, they didn't talk. Their time zones didn't match and she prayed he was fine.

She went to her room thinking it's too early to sleep. Every day, she would watch a film before going to sleep. She had neither her laptop nor her DVD collection with her to watch something.

When she laid down on the bed, she found mosquitoes in the room making her get up in irritation. She checked the room for any mosquito coils or refills but found none. When she found none in the living, she knocked Karthik's door and entered knowing very well he won't reply.

"You are not sleeping here" Were the first words that came out of his mouth seeing her.

Sindhu felt sad and angry.

Crossing her arms over her chest in frustration, she said coldly "I know that. I came to ask if you have any mosquito refills"

He frowned and got out from his bed, searching his cupboards. When he found one, he gave it to her "Here"

"Thanks" she said dryly and left his room.

What does he think of himself? Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan? Sindhu fumed in her room. She so wanted to slap his face.

Arranging her bed, she switched on the refill and closed the door behind her. She changed to a tank top and shorts before lying on the bed.

What am I going to do with him, was her only thought before falling into a deep slumber.

—

Hey wonderful people. Thank you for reading.

So, what do you think of Sindhu's retort to Karthik?

Pic of Karthik is attached(except that he doesn't smile ;);))

Sorry about that crappy cover page. It's my first time using picasa and I was terrible at it ;) ;)

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- JANAKI S