Tanya's POV:

I was aware that Raghav had my best intentions in his heart by trying to push me for my dancing career. But he didn't realize the agony that followed after taking his money.

I was already in so much debt. At least the money used for my family expenses was for basic needs. But this...opening an academy was my dream but it isn't wasn't a necessity. I could still live without it.

"Tanya, you are part of our family. So you will be taking your own money not mine", Raghav tried again.

I sat up and faced him seriously. I had to end this right here before this topic manifested into something big.

"Exactly Raghav. Even if I am a part of this family, the money involved includes everyone and not just us. Each and every member of our family except me has put in their sweat and efforts to earn this money. We cannot just take it".

Raghav looked at me silently with a thoughtful face before coming up with another proposition. "What about my own money? I have saved some. You can take that".

"That's your savings. How can you offer them to me just like that?" I asked in shock.

For a person who claimed to not like me, his behaviour was oddly like a smitten man in love.

"It's not like you are going to run away with the money", he shrugged.

"How are you so sure? I might do that. You don't know me so well to trust me blindly. Grow up and stop trusting people so much". I poked his forehead.

I wasn't going to betray him but this man needed to be careful. Anyone would take advantage of him if kept being such a softie.

"I don't go around trusting everyone. And let me inform you, I have a keen eye to know who is genuine and who is not", Raghav defended himself.

"So...you are opening the academy, right?" He questioned, coming back to the topic.

"I really cannot take money from you", I asserted in a pleading tone.

"How about you take the money now and return me the said amount in installments after you start earning?" Raghav suggested.

"But––", I tried to protest but he interjected again.

"We can even work on barter system".

"Barter system?" I asked in confusion.

"You can keep our room and your wardrobe clean in return of taking my money. Let me tell you this would be the most beneficiary deal of my life", Raghav said cheekily, muffling his laugh.

"Hahaha, very funny", I deadpanned.

Raghav and his cleanliness went hand in hand. He could add that point in anywhere, no matter how serious or stupid conversation we were having.

"Don't give up on your dreams so easily. Not when there's a way to achieve it", Raghav said, getting serious.

"I have trust in you then why can't you trust yourself?" He asked, looking into my eye softly.

His question left me speechless. Along with that, Raghav ignited the hope that was hiding deep in fear.

"I will do my best. I promise that you won't regret trusting me", I promised as determination coursed through me.

★★★★★

I huffed as my sleep broke. It had taken too many efforts to sleep with this aching body. I sat up as the urgency to go to the washroom increased.

I had just kept my uninjured leg on the floor, when I remembered what had happened when I tried to take the clothes from wardrobe. Turning my face sideways, I glanced at the peacefully sleeping Raghav and then at the wall clock.

It was too cruel to wake someone up at 3:00 in the morning, but that didn't matter because it was a matter of urgency.

I shook him a little, wincing as he moved before falling asleep again. Curbing my embarrassment down, I tried once again.

"Huh?" Raghav sat up, looking disoriented.

"Umm..I need help to go to the washroom", I stuttered a little out of embarrassment.

Raghav quietly stood up and came by my side. "It's fine", he whispered while picking up and was silent all the way to the washroom.

I was really thankful to him for being so calm and not adding anything to my embarrassment.

"Raghav?" I spoke feeling uncomfortable as he came inside the washroom.

He looked at me softly with a small chuckle before responding, "Don't worry, I am going outside. Call me when you are done. I will come back to pick you up".

I breathed out in relief as he left. This ankle had to heal soon. It was becoming more and more difficult to handle all this.

We were soon back to the bed. It didn't take a second more for Raghav to fall asleep. He must have been dead tired. I felt really bad for ruining his sleep.

If the night wasn't enough, morning brought a new set of problems. I had to take a shower and I didn't know what to do. This was hella different than asking help for washroom and there was no way I could ask Raghav for this.

I couldn't even call Trisha as her coming to help me would cause suspicion to everyone in the house. They all would know that Raghav and I weren't anywhere near to become a normal couple.

Even though, everyone knew the circumstances under which we married, they all were under the hope that our relation was progressing. They all had assumed that Raghav and I had gotten a lot close when we were away for a month. Yes, we had become close but not in a way they were thinking.

They were assuming a romantic relationship of husband and wife while we had formed a bond of friendship between us.