The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, 

which makes you unique. 

-Walt Disney 

Chapter 26: Buttons pushed too far

   Riya, think of something quick, she told herself.

   "Surprise!" Riya said, getting up from her chair, while placing the newspaper on the table.

   "What?" Madhan said, his anger slightly replaced with confusion.

   Riya twirled around. "Look around, Madhan. What do you think?"

   Madhan closed the door behind him and glanced at the living room. Holy cow, the house looked amazing. Dang, she has great taste, he thought.

   "It looks good," he said, stiffly. "But you should have consulted me about it. You cost me my life savings."

   "Our life savings, you mean," Riya said.

   "No. Mine."

   "I'm sorry, what? I gave up everything for you."

   "It would have been ours if you hadn't hid it from me that you love someone else."

   "Loved." Riya said, quietly.

   "I'm sorry, what?"

   Riya was lying. But she was going to do everything she could to forget Aakash.

   "You're lying."

   "I uh, " Riya stuttered.

   "Save it," Madhan snapped. "I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't want to see your face for the next two weeks. I'm moving out."

   "You haven't spoken to me for a month. I was left all by myself. I'm feeling so alone and helpless, Madhan," Riya said, quietly.

   "You brought all that upon you."

   Riya didn't know what to say. It was her fault.

   "You think only you can love someone else? Well I can, too."

   "Who is it," she asked, meekly. "Is it that girl who was with you at Kohls? I see. I've been replaced. What am I even doing here now?"

   "Now that's a good question," Madhan said, his eyes flashing. "I'm sick and tired of all this. Do you know how much I've been trying? I've been slogging so hard, going to the gym every single day. For whom? You. And you have nothing, absolutely nothing to say about this. And here you are, the moment I leave the house, you spend all my money. Maybe you did marry me for the money."

   "You horrible man," Riya shouted. "I did no such thing. I refuse to be blamed for such nonsense. I did ask you for a ride when I really needed it. And what did you do instead? Go out with that witch of yours. I wanted to be independent. I knew that I couldn't do anything without a car. So I bought it myself. You also did give me permission to change the interior decorations. I bought myself some western clothes since I can't go out in salwars."

   Madhan knew she was right, but he was just too angry to apologize.

   "I don't care. You should have asked me or at least told me about it. I am your partner. Or do you just look at me like a bank?"

   "I'm sorry, Madhan. You're right. I shouldn't have done that. I should have asked you. I really appreciate everything you've done for me. Your hair looks great. Your dressing sense has improved. You seem a lot more healthier now. Can we start over?"

   "No. You pushed my buttons way too far. You'll be getting a divorce notice in two weeks."

   "What?" Riya asked, so shocked at what she was hearing.

   "I apologized, Madhan. What more do you want?"

   "Will you be able to look at me like a husband now?"

   Riya looked down. "No."

   Madhan shrugged, giving the what do you want me to do look.

   "Not yet," she said, quietly. "I'm doing my best to feel at home. That's the reason why I did all this in the first place."

   "I have my needs. I'm doing my best to control it. But I don't know how long I can wait."

   "Wait. Is this what it is all about?"

   "What are you talking about?"

   "Your needs. You can screw that witch if you want. I don't care!" Riya said, raising her voice now.

   "Since you gave me permission, maybe I will. But the needs I was asking about was being taken care of, with love. Having a family and especially being able to look forward to going to someone home for. I'm going to pack now."

   Riya was so shocked she didn't know what to do. Deciding to ventilate her anger at the one person she really despised, she marched to Armaan's house.

   Thrashing on the door, she yelled at him to come out.

   Sheila opened the door with an annoyed look on her face.

   "Oh. It's you." she scoffed. "Did he just dump you, or tell you he loves someone else," she said, looking at her newly painted nails.

   "You witch," Riya shouted, leaping at her to crawl her eyes out. She was so angry, she didn't know who it was at.

   Madhan managed to wrap an arm around Riya's waist just in time to prevent her nails from scratching Sheila.

   "Riya, what the heck are you doing?" Madhan asked, still holding a thrashing Riya.

   "You should have let them fight," Armaan chuckled, walking from the kitchen to the front door. "And you're paying for the dent on my door your wife made, mate."

   "Riya, just go home. You've caused enough damage. Don't worry about the door. I'll pay for it."

   "I'm not leaving until I have a word with Armaan," she said.

"What do you need to talk to him for?" Madhan asked, suspiciously.

   "Armaan?" Riya asked, warningly.

   Armaan sighed. "Okay. I'll give you two minutes of my time. Come into my room."

   "Whatever it is, the conversation happens right here." Madhan said, angrily.

   Riya stomped her foot.

   Armaan sighed. "It must be something important."

   "Fine. Two minutes. Not longer." Madhan said.

   Sheila was wearily watching the scene. What did Riya want to talk to Armaan about?

   Riya follwed Armaan, and locked the door behind her once they entered his room.

   "He said he would send me a divorce notice."

   "I warned you, didn't I?" Armaan said.

   "Yeah. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

   "Shoot."

   "First of all, you called me a witch and I haven't forgiven you for that. Second of all, the reason I said I didn't want to talk to him was because I know he's crazy about me. Or was, at least. I didn't want to lead him on more, or make him think there was any such possibility at all."

   "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

   "No. I wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry for putting Madhan through this. I never wanted to hurt him, but he found out about Aakash. I just needed more time to get over him. For that, I needed to stop feeling dependent and make myself feel home here. I had to use his credit card for that and I was scared to ask his permission so I didn't."

   "What do you want me to do?"

   "I want you to know my intentions and tell them to Madhan. You're his best friend, and he will listen to you. And um..."

   "And?"

   "What's going on between Sheila and Madhan?" Riya blurted out.

   "Nothing?"

   "Tell me, please!" She wanted to give Madhan a benefit of doubt, but she had to know what their relationship is.

   "Nothing? Why do you think there is something?"

   Madhan came into the room, feeling very shocked, and looking so pale. Sheila basically threw a bomb at him.

So now Madhan is angry. Being angry is good! :) You express it and the problem gets solved faster! After maybe a huge fight :P But at least the problem gets solved. Hopefully. :P

Please vote and comment! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :) xx