A new day.

New hopes.

As it is said, every morning brings new hope and positivity. But for Samaira she was not so sure anymore.

She thought maybe yesterday was her new hope, but Abhimaan crushed it very easily. She couldn't complain about it either.

For him, he was forced into this. But she was also not dying for this. She was also forced. But the difference was, he had people to complain to and she, she had no one.

Or maybe somewhere, she had hoped with the bond of marriage. She has always heard that it was very strong. So, how strong is this bond?

Her mother-in-law also assured her to have faith, to try and to nourish it. But can a relationship be built by only one partner's efforts?

She got up with so many thoughts. She was thinking about yesterday, how he clearly said to stay away.

Okay then. Maybe that will be good for both of us.

She tried to be normal like him. But deep down, she knew she couldn't do that.

She put her suitcase on the bed and took out her clothes and other stuff. She took out her normal jeans and a loose t-shirt.

She brushed her teeth and then headed towards the shower. She turned the knob of the shower and stood below the stream of water for some time.

She wanted to clear her head.

She dried her wet hair and combed neatly her waist-length black, little brown hairs. Her smooth, silky and straight hair compliments her.

She loved her hair.

They were like her mother. She smiled.

After getting ready, She sat on the bed contemplating if she should go out or not. What if she came face to face with him?

What if he gets angry?

She came out of her room, looking a little nervous. She checked the time: it was 7:30 Am. She took a long breath and walked.

He is not caging me. He just doesn’t...Ummm...like me.

Fighting her inner self, she went downstairs. She was hungry. She didn't eat anything last night. She didn't want to have another encounter with him.

But she can't hide in the same room forever.

Don't worry Samaira. You will be alright.

Roaming a while in the living room, she spotted the kitchen. She entered with small steps and gasped seeing the beautiful- modern kitchen.

Rich people.

She found a woman around in her 50s who was present there and talking to some other teenage girls.

She saw her and stopped immediately. Samaira suddenly felt self-conscious.

"Good Morning, Mrs Rajvansh." She gave a sweet smile.

Mrs Rajvansh. The chills that she felt hearing this were inhumane.

"Good Morning," Samaira replied with a small smile.

"I'm Mrs Annie Dorcas, caretaker and cook of the house and these are my helpers to clean and look after other works of the house." She informed her in a very polite way.

"Oh!" She exclaimed and nodded politely.

"You are as beautiful as Arunima Ma’am described you. A perfect match for Abhimaan Sir." She complimented her.

Samaira felt her cheek heated. She blushed a little.

"Please call me Samaira, you are older than me," Samaira said.

"How can I, Mrs Rajvansh. It will be inappropriate." She replied, getting worried. She knows her limits.

"Please, I insist." Mrs Dorcas nodded to her and resumed her work. Her employer wanted his breakfast at 8 AM sharp.

"Let me help you," Samaira said, looking around at what she is cooking.

"No, you are my boss’s wife, you should enjoy and rest. And I'm here to cook for you. Tell me if you want anything." She said,

"No....but at least let me make some coffee, and now I won't listen to you," Samaira said playfully. To which, both laughed.

Samaira realized Mrs Annie was a humble lady.

After a few minutes, breakfast was ready. She set the table while Samaira poured coffee in two cups. She asked one of the maids to serve Abhimaan.

She didn't want to go in front of him.

She heard him coming and sitting down on the chair. She took her breakfast and sat on the barstool placed against the counter.

Mrs Annie was outside, serving to Abhimaan. She was waiting for her to come out but didn't say anything. She left for the kitchen and found her eating there.

Before she could ask her, Abhimaan called her out. Samaira wanted to listen.

Did he like his coffee?

Abhimaan silently ate his toast and scrambled eggs as his usual breakfast.

He took a sip of hot and strong coffee. He stopped for a second.

It was not like his regular coffee. But he liked it.

"Yes Sir, you need something." She asked him.

"No...everything is good. Coffee was good today.'" He said with a little smile. Samaira smiled a little. He complimented her, not directly but still.

He was not an ungrateful person. He knew how and when to praise hard work. He liked when someone did their work perfectly and with dedication.

At least, he liked something.

"Mrs Rajvansh made this coffee today." Mrs Annie replied, looking towards Samaira whose smile had now disappeared.

He met her eyes and stared at Samaira, who was now looking at him timidly. She gulped and looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.

She hated getting nervous in front of him, because that’s what happened, all the time.

She watched him keeping his cup aside, and pushing his plate away. He stood up abruptly.

She watched his movements with wide eyes.

He was shooting glares, burning holes through her dress. She saw him clenching his knuckles.

She couldn't match his heated gaze and she looked down.

He wanted to say so many things, wanted to remind her again to stay away but he couldn't say anything in the presence of servants.

He took his coat and walked out.

Samaira could practically feel the pity radiating from Mrs Annie's face.

She felt bad. Today, because of her, he left his food in the middle.

Again, my fault.

She went to her room, controlling her tears.

.

.

.

It was evening, she had nothing to do the whole day. She arranged her closet, talked to Arunima and also took some online classes from YouTube, which she used to watch.

She was getting bored and felt alone. In this huge mansion, she had no one.

.

.

.

It had been 3 days since she shifted here with Abhimaan. She was practically living with him, but they were not together.

Samaira also avoids him, still helping without getting in his way. She learnt his timetable of breakfast and ate after he left. And at night, he came late. So, they didn't see each other after the first day.

Abhimaan was busy with his work. His new project and upcoming meetings kept him engaged.

In the meantime, he didn't talk to his parents, not even once. Arunima called him, but he ignored them all the time.

If you can't trust me, then I have nothing to talk about.

It was a normal morning, Abhimaan left having his breakfast. Samaira came after his leaving, Mrs Annie served her breakfast too.

"Mrs Annie, do you know any library here?" Samaira asked her.

She had nothing to do the whole day. At least, she could go to some library. She had a lot to catch up on or she could also search for a job.

Mrs Annie didn't let her do any work at home. She just cooked her meal with her help, that too with so much insistence.

"I think yes, on my way I have seen some. I can give you the address tomorrow." Mrs Annie replied to her.

"Thank you!" Samaira said with a huge smile.

Libraries had always been her favourite place, where she could forget her problems. She could read and learn.

She used to have limited money to buy the expensive books for her classes, so she joined the library. And, also sometimes she wanted to avoid her aunt. The library was always like a safe haven, a place to escape reality.

She also needed to find a job or she would get crazy here without doing anything. She needed money for her college tuition fees too.

She couldn't ask him.

He already considered her a gold-digger. This time, she wanted to prove him wrong.

......

......