Page 145 of Obsession

She smiled. They finished their food in silence, and soon the staff came to clear the plates away.

She tucked her legs under her, feeling replete. She looked around his simple room, done in shades of beige and navy. Mihir turned on the TV, playing a random episode ofThe Big Bang Theory.

He stretched his legs out onto the coffee table as they watched the show together, laughing at the antics of the characters. This was how they used to be at one time, watching TV together at the end of a long day. This felt familiar; it felt normal.

It was only several episodes later that she noticed Mihir had fallen asleep in her lap, fully stretched on the couch, her fingers entangled in his hair. Her heart reminded her that this was what she’d always wanted, what she’d ached for till date. That she only had to accept what he was offering and be with him, and this happiness she was feeling would be hers forever. The truth was that they were still married. He was her husband, and she only had to say yes for all of this to be hers again.

A panic erupted in her veins. The feeling that all of this would be cruelly taken away from her made her hesitate. Fate had been very unkind to her once. She had trusted Mihir and loved him with all her heart, and he hadn’t even given her a chance. Perhaps one day soon, she’d be ready to accept him fully. But as much as she tried, it wasn’t happening tonight.

She gently caressed his face. His eyes opened, and he stared at her.

“Hey,” she said. “You need to rest. You’ll be more comfortable in your bed.”

“With you in it?” he asked, looking hopeful.

She patted his cheek. “Not tonight.”

“Soon?” he asked.

She wet her lips. “Maybe. Now, come on. You need to take your medicines and sleep. And I need to go home.”

He pushed himself to his feet. She went with him to the bedroom and watched him take his medicines.

She tipped her head toward the bed. “Get in.”

“So bossy you are.”

“I know. Now get in bed.”

“Stay the night, Anna,” he requested after he settled against the headboard.

“I can’t,” she said, even though she wanted to. “Maybe next time.”

“At least stay for a while. I’m not sleepy yet.”

She smiled, dropping onto the bed beside him. He pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest, linking her hand with his.

“Why aren’t you wearing your ring?” she asked suddenly.

He shrugged.

She looked up at him. “That’s not an answer, Mihir.”

“That ring never belonged to me, Anna,” he said. “It didn’t belong to me then, and it sure as hell doesn’t feel like mine now. It was always yours.” He trailed a finger down her chest. “I miss seeing it on you. I’ll wait for the day you ask for it.”

She clamped her mouth shut. She missed having the ring around her neck. She kept reaching for it again and again, and was disappointed each time she realized it was no longer there.

“I never asked you about your panic attacks,” Mihir said. “How are you with that?”

She shook her head. “I’m much better now. And to give credit where it is due, it is largely because of you. Besting you on the mat gave me a different kind of confidence.”

It was true. She felt a lot more confident and surer of herself now—like she’d once been.

Mihir smiled. “Happy to help!”

His phone beeped multiple times.

“Can you not just turn it off for one night?” she said when he reached for it.

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