He parked his car near her office and waited on a bench nearby.

"I'm here," he spoke into the phone.

"What is it?"

"I want to see you."

"Tonight?" His heart broke every time she took things that way. Perhaps sleeping with him was the only profitable thing she got out of this whole marriage

"Now. Let's go out."

"I'm at work."

"I'm here already," he said as he walked to the group of ladies that had just come out of the building.

"Hi," he smiled at her and nodded at the group, who were intrigued by the new person. They all looked at her expectantly. Here was another south asian.

"I'll be back after lunch." She smiled at them but said no more. No introductions, nothing. She hooked her arm around his and walked away with him.

"Were you busy?" He asked slowly. She said so but she seemed just relaxed.

"We were going for lunch."

"Well. Let's eat together."

She unhooked her arm and went to her car.

Seeing him standing still even after starting the engine, "Get in," she said tiredly.

"Where are we going?"

"Restaurant."

"Let's go home. I'll make you lunch."

She stared him straight in the eye.

"Get on!" She maintained her volume at a low level.

"Let me drive!"

"Drive yourself wherever you want! I'm going."

"Wait!" he quickly climbed into the passenger seat.

The lunch was just another mundane activity for her, while he sat on tenterhooks observing her.

After she was done she sat idly waiting for her man to fill his stomach.

He got the bill and they walked out.

She turned to him to bid farewell.

"See you then."

"I'll wait at your office. Let's go home once you're done."

"..."

...

Persistence is the key and she relented and let him drive as she set the navigation to her home. And finally, there he was in her small apartment. He looked around and it was cosy. He cooked a simple meal for the two and she ate without a word. They'd both be humbled down when it came to cooking. But the main difference was, he had a passion for food in general and so, for cooking. She hated the job because it ate up too much of her time. She'd just gobble down anything tasty and be done with the problem of food.

Later that night they both snuggled in her bed. She got on top of him and kissed him passionately. He kissed her alike. She took his clothes off and removed her draping too. In the morning when he woke up first.

Soft hair covered her face. He smiled looking at her.

She too opened her eyes soon.

"Ah, you're still here?" she asked. He thought for a moment and his mood took a hit. He was forgotten.

"Hm."

"I should get ready. Freshen up and get going," she stood up naked as she walked away from the bed. She took the table calendar and planned her day.

"Today is a holiday, right? Some local festival..." he asked softly. He planned this quite carefully.

"It is."

"Then let's spend today together."

She gave him a once over. "I have work to do. Leave soon."

"Just do what you have to. I won't disturb." But he wanted to make her cancel her plans for him.

"I need to go out." She got out of the bed and on the floor was a mess of their clothes. She picked the clothes and separated him out and took the rest to the laundry, clearly showing how she didn't want him there another time.

"I won't move anything here. I won't steal anything. So no worry, right?"

She gave him a hard stare as she folded her hands, her full breasts loosely resting over her arms. He was still in bed, naked underneath the blanket which covered his lower half.

"When I come back I hope I don't see you." She had tried hard the last day, but the man still came into her house.

He sat up and kept watching her. But she didn't read into his actions and went into the bathroom.

He too got out of the bed. In the house there was only one bathroom. He rummaged through his small bag and found his toiletries. He took out a fresh pair of casuals. This time he had vowed not to turn back when she disapproved.

After a while she came out all fresh and ready.

"Why are you still here?"

Perhaps this was the first time he showed her a grim face. He did not respond and went inside the bathroom.

"I'm hungry. Make some breakfast," he said before he closed the door. Had he had some clothes on he'd whip up something for the two, he was not comfortable staying naked for too long, unlike her. Could that be the reason why you don't want me around? Because you want to be naked all the time at home? He never thought about this particular 'reason' but she did like to walk around with bare minimum. It was definitely her way of asserting dominance, showing him the whole place was hers, not theirs.

She looked at him livid. "You dare order me around in my own home?"

This was the reason she didn't want anyone in her home and also the reason why she wanted a home for herself. She did not wish to change her lifestyle. Or put it more meaningfully, she didn't want to waste her time and energy on anyone.

The doorbell rang.

It was the delivery of the small pizza she had ordered just before she went to freshen up. She ordered just one, and she ate it all. She had gotten a ticket for an art exhibition that day. After that she wanted to have some time for herself and do some drawing.

Just as she took the last bite, he came out fresh.

The scene before him really beckoned him to reality. His loneliness grew folds. She really didn't want him around so she wouldn't even be kind enough to let him have some food. Was this her way of making him leave now that he was being stubborn?

"What should I eat?"

"Just get out."

"Don't you think that you are very inconsiderate?"

Well, that was the reason she did not allow him into her home. She looked at him with some contempt. She thought he would listen and get going, so she ordered just for herself. Who knew he was planning to stick to her and irk her all day.

She saw his confusion when he came out. She saw him clutch his towel and tighten his jaw. But what good did it do to explain to him that she wasn't inconsiderate? After all, she was and she very well wanted to be.

"I'm heading out now. I'll drop you by the restaurant."

He did not respond. He walked into the kitchen and cooked himself two eggs. She stood at the kitchen door all the while he cooked. "Pack that and just go."

He sat comfortably and started eating slowly. "What are your plans today?"

"An art exhibition to attend. And it'll start soon." She was distressed with his behaviour. He changed overnight.

"I'll come too."

"Pre-book tickets."

"You have one?"

"Of course."

"Show me."

She showed.

He snatched it from her.

She noticed something and shrieked, but it was already too late.

He tore the ticket in two. The ripping sound resonated as both of them realised something about the other.

She was baffled. He really changed. Her life wasn't going to be peaceful anymore, she thought.