I woke up to find the other side of the bed empty. My head was banging so hard. I thought it was going to explode. I got up and opened a drawer and searched for pills but instead found our wedding picture. He still had it? And then my eyes caught a paper and suddenly my heart dropped. It was our divorce papers. I slowly took it out and looked at it but his signature was not there. Does it mean we were still married? why would he not sign it? Is he playing some kind of game? Ignoring my headache, I went to his office. He was working when I went inside and threw the papers on the desk, one hand still on my head. He slowly looked at me then,

"Maya, you Ok ?" he was on my side in a second.

I showed him my hand to stop.

"Stop calling me that?" I said with anger in my voice. I was so angry.

"What the hell is that?" I pointed towards papers. He looked at me confused than at the papers. He stood silent.

"What type of game are you playing with me, huh...... Wasn't my blo....od enough?" I found it difficult to even speak due to a headache.

"You are in pain. Please, sit down," he said and I shook my head.

"Don't be so difficult. I will explain everything, first take rest," he said and I glared at him.

He slowly made me sit and gave me pills. I swallowed it and closed my eyes. I didn't realize when I fell asleep. I woke up to find myself in bed and he was standing at the window, looking outside. I stared at his back for a while. Why was he doing this? First, he made a deal and forced me into this marriage, and then he send me divorce papers. It was always about what he wanted and now I find out that he hasn't signed the papers? He turned to face me.

"Why?" I asked him getting up. He slowly came towards me and sat beside me.

"Why are you playing games with me, why?" I said tears in my eyes.

"I am not," he said not looking at me.

I almost laughed.

"I didn't sign it because I didn't want to,"

"Or say my blood wasn't enough. You need more," I said in an angry yet mocked tone.

"No," he almost shouted. "Why would you think that?" He looked at me and I rolled my eyes. I wanted to curl up in a corner and cry but somehow I controlled myself.

"What can be the other reason?"

"I..I ..... It doesn't matter," he replied.

"Doesn't matter? It matters to me." I said getting out of bed. "I am not your puppet. You can't just play with my life. First, you made a deal and forced me into this marriage, and then you send me divorce papers......i.... Wasn't even worth......" My voice stopped right there.

I wanted to ask him why didn't he stop me that day? Why wasn't I even worth a fight thinking it doesn't matter, I stood there quietly. My heart was into pieces. It was not enough for him to destroy me that now he came with another thing to again shatter me?

"Why? I want an answer. I have the right to know," I almost shouted.

He just looked at me and I waited for him to speak. He stood up and sighed. I thought he would say something but without even saying a word, he left. I sat there feeling bad. Why was he doing this? the whole day I didn't leave the room and he didn't even bother to come. I wanted to go in front of him and hit him. I wanted to scream and shout at him and ask why, why he choose me for the deal.

Tina came with a glass of juice in her hand.

"You didn't come for lunch," she said placing it on the table.

"I was not hungry," 

"I know you are still angry with him but....whatever he did it was...was for you, princess," she said. I looked at her with questioning eyes.

"I can't tell you everything but only this much that.... he.... loves you," She said giving me a warm smile.

I couldn't understand why she was saying that. Maybe it was their other tricks to keep me here and get my blood. Why don't they just ask and let me leave? When I didn't say anything she left. I stared at the door. What did I just hear? Does he love me? I almost laughed at that word love. Love? I sat there laughing at my foolishness and crying about all the things that were going on. 

I hated him and I hated myself more for being in love with him and not being able to do anything. The thought of packing my bags and leaving came to my mind but prarthi was out camping and I couldn't go without telling her. She would know the truth and I don't know how to explain everything to her when I myself don't know the truth about anything.

After that, I started to avoid him as much as I could. I felt him beside me at night and I know he used to whisper something to me every day but in the morning he used to be gone. I used to hear Ratna's voice in his office time and again. Even though it made me feel bad, I completely ignored them and sat in the room. 

It was killing me but I stayed quiet. When your own husband doesn't respect marriage or you, what can you do? I didn't like eating or talking with anybody so I either sat in the room or in the garden staring at the sky, thinking how much life gonna curse me, punish me for I don't know what mistake. Maybe my mistake was I tried to end this life and life didn't like it.

I was in the kitchen when I heard the voices. Ratna was already gone. Devil and a quite handsome guy were sitting on the couch, laughing and talking. I ignored them and was about to go to my room but as soon as he saw me he stopped talking giving me his full attention.

"We got a company," The guy said with a smile.

When I didn't bother to speak.

"Hey," he said.

I gave him a fake smile.

"You live here?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Never seen you before," he said looking at the devil.

"She.." devil was about to speak.

"I am just a guest for a few days," I said not letting him finish and he shook his head looking down.

He nodded and as I was about to leave, devil phone rang and he went outside.

"I am Himal. Amol's cousin," he got up from the couch and came towards me.

"Gurans," I said feeling awkward.

"Nice name," 

I smiled. I wanted to leave as soon as possible but he stuck me there with his talking. He was a talker and I wasn't.

"Ughh, I know we just met but if you don't mind, it's time for..... we can go out for lunch?" He asked me.

"I.."

"It's near. Maybe will take 5 minutes to reach," he said looking at his watch.

I was about to say no then I realized how the devil and Ratna were always together. Every day I heard her voice from the office. Even though I was still his wife, he let her in.

"Yeah, sure," I replied and went to get ready.

I felt something was not right about it. I was still his wife and going out with a stranger was so wrong. But he was his cousin so maybe it won't be that bad and besides he never cared about me so I guess going out with him won't be a problem for him. When I came down, the devil was standing there and when he saw me he looked at me with questioning eyes but I ignored him.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I am taking her out for lunch," Himal replied to me coming out of the kitchen. Amol nodded and without saying anything he left. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Let's go then," he said.

I smiled and We were about to step out of the house when Himal's phone rang and he excused himself.