In one month, we were scheduled to move to Bangalore. My publishing company has their head office there, so it was going to be a better thing for me. My remote presence may have inhibited some of my contribution to the company. Abhimaan was preparing for the moving. He already went to Banglore today to look after certain preparations, and also the penthouse that we were going to stay at. I was fine with an apartment but apparently he earns money for a comfortable life, and he wasn't comfortable in living in an apartment building. He wanted to assert his dominance on a skyscraper, higher than the Anaimudi.

I would not admit, but the mansion looked too silent as soon as he left. Like he's not a crabby kid, but whenever he's home, he keeps giving work to all the staff that keeps running on his beck and call. A coffee, some file, some call, some clothes- he keeps ordering around. Even Ma and Papa don't order that much. I bet the staff prays for him to stay out of the house as long as he can.

When I came to know yesterday that he was going for a few days, I decided to cook breakfast for him. But seeing me cooking, or after knowing I did, his mood soured and he went away with a scowl. I was angry and upset, but then Ma convinced me that he'll be fine in sometime. I only have to focus on my work.

"Why does he get so upset whenever I cook?", I asked her.

She shrugged, "He thinks if you focus too much on household activities, you may compromise with your career. Before your marriage, he increased the number of servants by two times, so you don't have to do anything. Me and his dad teased him alot, but he said 'my wife is only going to write bestsellers. Nothing else.' So now focus on your work, and yeah, looking pretty. Because some days, he secretly steals glances at you."

My face reddened at her declaration and i looked away. He steals glances!?

I wanted to ask her about how he got us married and to elaborate over that 'pulling strings' but I didn't. Shortcuts are never good for relationship. And I'm doubtful if his mother even knows the whole thing. He doesn't look like he gives complete answers to her either.

I was in our room writing, but my eyes were constantly drifting to my phone, waiting for his call. He must have reached by now. But no calls came. I kept eagerly waiting till dinnertime but nothing came.

When I went downstairs for dinner, Ma and Papa were talking among themselves.

"He said the employees have managed just fine in his absence. They are ready to conduct an inauguration in two months.", Papa said.

"And what about the penthouse?", Ma asked.

"Almost done. He's getting some security updates completed before they finally move in."

I looked at my phone in my hand, desperately clutched, waiting for some call or text even. And nothing came.

The angel on my shoulder probed, 'If he didn't call then you could do. Phone works two ways.'

'But he called Papa and updated him.'

'May be Papa called. Plus you can't compare the father son dynamic with your few days old arranged marriage.'

The devil then probed, 'But he's probably oogling at us since five years. That's not a small time.'

I sighed. My appetite already gone. But for the sake of my in laws, I sat with them, and ate as much as I could.

"Arunima! Beta if you are uncomfortable, I can come to sleep with you.", Ma asked me after dinner but I shook my head.

"It's okay Ma. I'll probably work till late night. It won't be a problem."

"Call us if you feel any problem. Anytime in the night.", Dad said before patting my head, and I went to my room.

Throwing my phone on the bed, I changed into a comfortable pajama set, and kept my unfinished book on the bed. After my elaborated skincare, I sat on the bed.

My eyes roamed in the room. His slippers were kept near the bed, removed just before he wore his shoes. His spare glasses were on the dressing table. His perfume bottle, it was sitting there proudly. I turned and looked at his pillow.

I don't like this.- i groaned to myself.

I was missing him badly. He did not call me whole day. But even i didn't call him.

I sighed and picked up my phone.

Would it reveal I was missing him if I make a call? What would I ask him? Can I throw a tantrum about him not calling me? No! I would look too clingy.

Nonetheless, keeping my overthinking aside, I decided to call him.

The phone was received, and I heard a breathy Hello.

"Uhm..hi!"

"How are you?", he asked.

I chuckled, even though it was made up, "Absolutely perfect."

"Yeah ..you are probably enjoying the solitude."

I frowned at his words, "I think the same about you. Look at you. As if you were freed from a prison named Arunima!"

He snickered, "She's not a prison. Though she punishes me for every other line I say."

I huffed, "Yeah! She complains alot! That's why you didn't call even a single time since you left."

I heard nothing but silence on the other side.

"You probably forgot you have a wife. Right Abhimaan??"

"I remember my wife damn well. I just didn't know she was missing me."

"I'm not missing you. I have better things to do!"

Yeah! Like stare at your slippers, glasses and perfume. And pillow.

"I've just come out of a shower. It was a busy day and i wanted to talk to you in peace. I even planned a video call...Wait.."

And then a few seconds later, my phone showed a notification for an incoming video call. I became nervous all of a sudden, but recieved it nonetheless.

My cheeks blushed when I saw him sitting shirtless. He was adjusting the camera on the coffee table and sitting on the couch with a tray of food.

"You know i am quite hungry."

I rolled my eyes, "If you ate your breakfast properly, without sulking, you would have not starved."

He took a spoonful of rice, "You shouldn't cook. We have a plethora of servants for that."

I huffed, "Why? Don't you like the food cooked by me?"

He chuckled, "I love it. I only feel whenever you cook, i should be there helping you. So it is not a chore, but a quality time. Also, you have work to do."

"I can't write day and night. I only cook when I need a break."

He sighed, "Next time you need a break, you come to me. And if you still want to cook, we'll bond over culinary skills."

That was better. Bonding over culinary skills. I can flaunt some of the rare dishes I know. My only drawback was- I can't make round rotis. Infact, they are not even a regular shape. Wheat flour and me don't share a good relationship.

"So...where are you lost? Tell me if you were missing me. I'll understand."

His words were laced in amusement, but his eyes were genuinely questioning. If it was a voice call, I'd think he's judging me, but he wasn't.

I raised my eyebrows, "Are you flirting with me?"

"Don't answer my question with a question."

I shook my head, "I wasn't missing you. Infact now I can roll over the bed from end to end. I feel like a queen."

My smugness earned a scoff from him, "I'll be back soon. And if you're a queen then I am also not a peasant."

"Oh yes! You are. Mr. Peasant Rathore."

*

I felt like crying. Only because it was 4 in the morning and i couldn't sleep a blink. That man there must be sleeping comfortably. And i was finding this bed really strange. Even the windows looked too scary to me now, as if someone would jump in. I kept sitting, even when my back started paining severely.

I didn't know I'd miss him so much. His hold every night, it lulled me to sleep. Now how would I sleep without him..

That man thermostat! I need it. Like now.

I couldn't even call him again because he was very tired and I wouldn't wake him up at an odd time.

By 6, I had already taken a shower and left the room. After having a strong tea, i felt a little better.

My mother in law saw me and became instantly concerned.

"Beta? Why are you looking so dull?"

I smiled, a little strained, "Ma...I was just working till late."

She looked worried and made me sit on the couch.

"Sit here. I'll get something warm cooked for you."

In the couch, where I was in scrutiny of my in laws, I still felt comfortable enough, and my eyes started closing.

By the time, a bowl of vegetable soup was served before me.

"Arunima...beta have this soup."

I woke up with a jerk at her voice. I wasn't completely sleeping either. Once I had the soup, they asked me to go back to my room and complete my sleep.

By that time, my head was ready to burst, and I did not like this room at all. It was as if his absence had terrorised me.

My phone rang and i picked it up to see it was Abhimaan.

"I decided to call you as soon as I wake up so you don't kill me for not missing you."

"I won't kill you..", i mumbled.

The next second, he sounded concerned, "Arunima? What's wrong?"

My voice wasn't as energetic as it usually is.

"Nothing! Just wanted to have a lazy day!", i tried to sound normal. Missing a man so much that you loose your sleep- it's outright pathetic! And i am not telling him that.

He didn't seem convinced but I told him I am going to sleep and then disconnected the call.

Putting my phone on silent, I laid down on the bed, and then sleep engulfed me, but it wasn't a pleasant one.

*

When I woke up this time, i felt like I was on fire. What woke me up was the worried voice of my mother in law.

"My god Shekhar! She has high fever. Call the doctor. Now!"

I drifted in and out of consciousness. A doctor. Some medicines. But my eyes didn't open.

I only wanted one thing. To feel my favourite thermostat. But it didn't come.

When sweat burst, I tried sitting up, only for Ma to hold me back.

"Let me open the windows. You must be feeling hot, the medicine has finally acted."

Soon after, a warm ginger tea was brought by the head cook, who stood beside the bed. My father in law was standing near the foot of the bed, while Ma was keeping a wet cloth on my forehead.

When my vision finally became better, I looked at the wall clock to see it was 6 in the evening.

"How are you feeling beta?"

I nodded, "Better than before."

She sighed, "If Abhimaan didn't call us to check on you, we would have been busy working at the orphanage. He said you weren't picking up his calls."

He called? My stupid heart had the audacity to skip a few beats after scaring my sweet in laws.

"Beta... don't overwork yourself. It was probably due to fatigue.", I heard Papa and then nodded at him, "I'll take care Papa.."

"Feed her some real food, her medicines and then let her sleep. The sleep during fever, it's exhausting more than relaxing.", he said to Ma before leaving the room.

*

I had slept some more, when at night, I started feeling better. More comfortable and more relaxed. A sigh escaped my lips.

I felt some sensation on my forehead and then that familiar warmth.

"You scared me Sweetness!"

Though I wasn't fully fine, but the warmth assured, really lulled me into deep sleep.

The next morning I woke up, I had a wet cloth on my forehead, and another being draped on my feet.

My heavy eyes opened, and they fell upon the familiar figure sitting at the end of the bed, my legs on his lap.

"Abhimaan?"

That pulled his attention from my feet, and he looked at me amazed, "You're awake?"

I nodded lightly and he came to sit just beside me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Warm and weak."

He nodded, "You were fine in the night but by dawn, your temperature rose again. Have a paracetamol now. Let me bring something to eat."

I only heard him and then let him do what he wanted to. I can't believe I fell ill like this. I feel awful for being so vulnerable in front of him. My claws seem like they have been clutched.

Ten minutes later he came in with sandwiches.

"It is still five in the morning. I could only make this."

I looked at him and then as if realisation dawned upon me, "When did you come back?"

He tilted his head a little and chuckled, "Midnight. When you were restlessly tossing in the bed."

I nodded. He had to stay there for four nights. But he came back the very next day. Because of me. More than glad, I was feeling frustrated. How could I become such a hindrance in his work when he doesn't even approve of me cooking only so i could focus on my writing. I was never this clingy. Why will I fall ill because of his absence. I admit I've never stayed alone in a room, but that doesn't mean I've to be so incapable.

"I might have overworked.", I said quietly, not wanting to admit the truth out loud.

He nodded, "Certainly you did. You overworked your brain. You should have told me you don't adapt well to new places that good, especially when you are alone."

I didn't say anything and focused on the sandwich and tea in my tray. This is not good. It's not even a month to our marriage and i am already becoming so vulnerable.

"You can go back. I'll ask Ma to sleep with me. Or I'll call my sister to give me company."

He carefully looked at me, for a long moment, and then sighed, "Don't think too much. Just have your medicine and rest. If I don't see improvement by this evening, I'll get a blood test done on you."

Blood test was not something I liked, but this season was marred with cases of dengue and malaria, so i can't really take it lightly.

*

By evening, I was feeling fresh after a warm bath, and decided to sit downstairs with my in laws. Dear husband was making tea today. Ma said he did that often whenever his parents wanted, and today they specially demanded for it.

The staff brought the tea, some time later, and he came following. I was forwarded a different cup, and I looked at him questioningly.

"It has cloves, black pepper, and lots of ginger. Would help you feel better."

I muttered a thanks and took the cup.

"He's using your trick to impress her.", Ma said to Papa not so quietly.

Papa snickered, "Atleast he's trying to woo her."

"Papa please...", he said embarrassed and then took a seat beside me, "I am just making sure she gets fine and starts arguing like normally. She's pretty quiet today."

Ma laughed, "I never thought my son would swoon over arguments with Arunima. Try getting along both of you. In Bangalore, you'd have no one but each other. So make sure you solve your fights pretty fast."

"But Arunima? Beta if he gets too much to bear, you inform us. We'll set him straight or bring you back here."

I passed him a brief glance who looked baffled at his parent's declaration and then turned to them, "Ofcourse Papa...I'll call."

"If the 'bash Abhimaan' episode is over, shall we enjoy tea? Ma? Papa?"

He said making me chuckle. He looked at me and smiled, "And please you...have your tea quietly. It treats better that way."

"You were right now complaining she's too quiet today!", his father said much to my amusement.

*

Back in the bed, I sighed loudly lying in his arms. My personal thermostat.

He was using his phone but since his hand was around me, and he was looking at it from over my shoulder, I could clearly see what he was reading. His WhatsApp texts were uncountable. So many unread messages. Like he was some celebrity.

"Why don't you reply fast?"

"They are not important."

"The people?", because I saw some names like Adarsh, Rudra, Vikek. They were his best friends. I met them at the wedding.

"The texts.", and then he opened Vivek's chat, and showed me, "Look, he has sent me his dog's pictures. My phone is already filled with those."

I zoomed the picture and looked closely, "He's cute."

"You like dogs?"

I nodded, "I like them, but I can't handle them. Some aggressive ones scare me."

He hummed and adjusted his head to keep it over my shoulder, "I'll buy you a small and cute one. Vivek knows a lot about dogs."

"You will?", I asked feeling delighted at the possibility of having a dog and he nodded.

God! I like this man alot. He's becoming better. I guess i shouldn't have held so much resentment in the start...

*

I take back my words. My resentment was quite right in its place. I huffed, trying to focus on the notebook before me.

"...you fell ill because you were missing me too hard. I didn't know your love language was falling sick."

I passed him a bored glance trying to hide my agitation.

"Why don't you go again? I fell ill because your room is too big! Cold and the windows are huge!"

"They are always closed.", he said smirking, "No chance the air has penetrated the strong walls."

"Mr. Rathore! Don't disturb me. You can go to Bangalore or even Bangkok! I don't care!"

The fact was I did. I've been showing him my claws since the start, but marrying him, it has given my heart some assurance like I was waiting for someone to give me a strong commitment and then I shall give them more of me. I didn't like it one bit. Things were getting out of control.

He was about to say something when I closed the notebook in my hand with a thud, and capped the pens. Standing up, i picked up my things are kept them on the study table before moving out of the room.

Out on the terrace, alone, I breathed long and heavy.

My agitation wasn't right. I cannot possibly want not to like him. But trust and love, they go hand in hand. He's been given to me on a silver platter. I've been given to him too. The same way. Would he anytime love me with that rush, and with that passion? My agitation is rooted in the fact that while I was being sick here, only because of his absence, he was wrapping up his work, like a man on mission, unbothered by a certain wife rotting away in his room. He wasn't falling sick in my absence. Now, was he?

Moreover, he knew me since five years. I'd like to think he liked me enough to decide on marriage. But the type of guy he is, i am sure he would have never felt this vulnerable for me.

Why do I have to be so intense?

I felt a shawl on my shoulders and turned to see him. He was focused on wrapping it around me.

When I looked up in his eyes, he passed me a hasty glance and then looked at the view of the night.

"Try not to catch cold. You're already weak."

I didn't say anything but held the shawl tighter around me. He'll probably mock me again. I can only wait and retort uselessly.

But as I stood there, shifting nervously on my legs, waiting for a comment, nothing came. I was relieved yet a part of me was mocking my own self. How do I shut it up?

*