MEERA'S POV

Meera entered into her chamber, disappointment and anger clearly visible on her face. Huffing she sat on the bed murmuring "Sab ne tareef ki, lekin inhone compliment toh chodo ek smile tak nhi dia" .

(Everyone appreciated my culinary skills but my husband didn't even smile at me leave alone giving any compliment)

She hurriedly went inside the walk-in closet, standing infront of the full length mirror she observed herself, asking "mein sundar nhi lag rahi hun kya?" to her reflection.

(Ain't i looking pretty?)

"Par khane mein kya kami thi? Saab ko pasand aya sirf khadoos ko chod ke"

(But what about breakfast? Were the dishes not upto mark? But everyone liked it except this arrogant husband of mine)

"Haan thik hai na kare tareef, mein konsa marr rahi hu, huh!"

(Fine by me as if am dying for his compliments, i too don't need his compliments, am neither desperate nor curious to recieve his appreciation, huh!)

"Phir bhi agar ek baari acha hai bol dete toh konsa business mein loss ho jata, lekin nhi yeh toh 'his highness' hai na yeh kyu kuch bolenge"

(Still then even if he would have complimented me he wouldn't have incurred any loss in his business but no 'his highness' will not utter a sweet word)

"Bhabi ma" , Meera's self talk came to an end when she heard Sanyukta's voice.

"Bhabi ma, kya kar rahi hai aap?"

(Bhabi ma, what are you doing?)

"Kuch nhi......." Meera replied

(Nothing productive.........)

"Toh phir mere saath chaliye, mein aapko haveli ka tour deti hun"

(Then let's go, i will give my beautiful sister in law a tour of our beautiful Haveli)

"Thik hai" Meera agreed and they both left.

(Okay)

ABHIMAAN'S POV

She was looking marvelous in her red saree moreover the coffee and all breakfast dishes were toothsome.

I felt a prickle at my heart when I heard kaki ma saying Meera started her first rasoi with my coffee.

After breakfast I asked Sanyukta to make Meera well acquainted with the palace so that she feels homely. Though I had to bribe Sanyukta not to disclose this to Meera.

I was sitting inside my study working on my upcoming deal when I heard a knock at the door and with that Sanyukta and Meera entered.

"Bhabi ma yeh hai bhai ka favourite place hai, apna quality time bhai yehi spend karte hai apne first love ke saath" Sanyukta whispered making Meera giggle.

(Bhabi ma this is bhai's all time favourite place, where he would be spending quality time with his first love)

Abhimaan's eyes were minutely observing Meera who being a huge fan of books , was curiously looking at the books.

Sanyukta making an excuse of phone call left both of them alone.

"Ummm, mind if I take one?" Meera politely asked

"I don't share. These are my collections. If you want can have yours"

"Meany" Meera said

"Trust me I can be meaner" Abhimaan retorted

"Kis baat ka itna guroor hai apko, haan?"

(What reason his highness has for being this arrogant always)

"Haar uss baat ka, jiss pe mujhe guroor hona chahiye"

(I have every reason for which I should be proud of myself, hence I am)

"Dekhiye aap........" Meera's words were cut by Abhimaan

(Look you......)

"Dekh hi raha hu tabse aur dekhne ka mann nhi........kaam hai mujhe it's better you leave"

(I am looking since then, not anymore interested........i have certain important work it's better you leave)

Meera fuming in anger without any word left his study.

'i cannot take the risk of falling in love with you Meera, I don't want to repeat my father's mistake'.

AT NIGHT

During the whole day both neither have any conversation nor even came face to face.

Abhimaan came inside the bedroom but couldn't find Meera. At first he shrugged the idea of searching for his wife but ultimately ended up searching the whole chamber for Meera.

Meera was sitting on the swing present in the balcony, lost in her thoughts.......

Abhimaan cleared his throat to gain her attention but knowingly Meera ignored his presence.

"Andar chalo raat bohot ho gayi hai" Abhimaan ordered Meera

(Come inside its quite late)

Without responding Meera walked to lean on the balcony balustrade.

"Mujhe repeat karne ki adat nhi hai Meera" Abhimaan said with a tinge of irritation present in his voice.

(I don't like to repeat myself)

"Toh na kare repeat " Meera rudely responded

(Then don't repeat, it's simple)

"Chup kar ke agar tum abhi andar nhi gayi......."

(If you don't oblige my words silently......)

"Toh kya kar lenge aap?" Meera impolitely asked crossing her arms.

(Then what will you do? Tell me)

Abhimaan furiously marched towards Meera and held her shoulders tightly, his eyes turning red with anger. Long gone was Meera's courage now replaced with a shaky form.

"Never ever dare to cut my words or defy them orelse you will be in a difficult situation, understand?" Abhimaan said, intimidating Meera with his voice and expression.

"Mein nhi darti apse aur apki baat toh mein bilkul hi nhi manugi" Meera mumbled, her voice shivering with shattering confidence.

(I am least afraid of you and am not gonna obey your any command, it's a straight no)

"Tum darti ho ya nhi yeh toh pata chal raha hai biwi....... aur rahi baat mere words follow karne ke toh, tum bhi karogi jaise saab karte hai" Abhimaan said looking straight at her eyes.

(It's clearly visible whether you are afraid or not wifey.......... moreover when it comes to my command, you will obey my words like others do)

"Hum koi jagir nhi, biwi hai aapki" The moment Meera uttered these words, she was thrown like a sack of potatoes on Abhimaan's shoulders.

(Am not a piece of land on which you can rule as per your wish, am your wife)

"Maan kya kar rahe hai aap......utariye hume neeche" Meera's words were continuously falling into deaf ears.

(My goodness! Maan what are you doing? ............put me down please)

Bringing Meera into the bedroom Abhimaan dumped her on the bed. Hovering over her petite self, he in his deadly voice said "biwi ho isiliye utha kar laya, nhi hoti toh ghasit kar lata".

(I carried you on my shoulder cause I know you are my wife, orelse wouldn't have hesitated to drag you inside the room)

Meera could no more endure his rough words accompanied with rowdyism and slowly tears started flowing from her eyes.

Looking at her tears Abhimaan's egoistic anger flew away from the window but unfortunately he didn't know how to console her.

He dropped his head in the crook of her neck, caressing it with his nose. "Ssshhh, it's okay, it's fine" Abhimaan could only vocalise these many words.

Suddenly Meera hugged Abhimaan sobbing hard on his chest.

"Subhe se gussa kar rahe hain aap mujh pe" Meera said hiccuping.

(Since morning you are angry, no furious with me)

In return Abhimaan only caressed her back. Meera felt so warm and comfort in his arms, that she required no words from him. Giving up to the cozy feeling she slept but Abhimaan kept caressing her back until sleep engulfed him.

NEXT MORNING

Abhimaan was putting his cufflinks when he saw via mirror that Meera standing behind him. When he was about to wear his coat Meera came close to him, helping him wear the coat. Holding her wrist Abhimaan pulled her forward coming face to face with Meera.

"Woh am sorry, kal mujhe apse rudely baat nhi karni chahiye thi" Meera apologized.

( Actually i wanted to apologise for my yesterday's behaviour, I am sorry I should not have talked rudely with you)

" You should be. It's good you soon could understand your fault" Abhimaan smirked, irking Meera.

"Maan, I think you should also say something for your yesterday's acts" Meera prompted Abhimaan to apologise.

"Hmm.......correct, I should say and am saying, listen to me carefully, never behave like a spoilt brat again, biwi.....I won't tolerate.......clear ?" Abhimaan teased Meera by ignoring her attempts to hear a sorry from him and left her alone in the closet.

'Spoilt brat and me?....... The audacity of his, my goodness' Meera stood bewildered, not knowing how to react to Abhimaan's words.