Page 39 of The Unwanted Husband
“Ok.”
An awkward silence fell between them and as if she was entitled to it. “You interrupted me when I was being hugged.” She wrapped her arm around him, careful not to crush her other arm that was still in a sling. “I just need a full minute.”
He stood still as she rested her head on his chest. She didn’t want to know why his proximity helped. Too much to process. It was more than a minute but she took the time and was glad he didn’t rush her.
Shortly after, he followed her up the stairs back to her room. No words were exchanged but she was glad he followed her to her room. She stopped by her bed and saw he was waiting by the door.
“Good night.”
She smiled. “Thank you!”
He nodded and the next moment he was gone, shutting the door behind him and she fell back asleep not a thing of bother.
What would she do when she returned to San Francisco if she kept having nightmares?
CHAPTER 15
Isha sipped her coffee Saturday morning. The party to celebrate the twins’ first birthday was a blast the previous night. The kids had a bit of fun but the evening turned out to be overwhelming for Isha as a lot of her brother’s friends were there with their families.
She heard so many stories about her brother that she would have never heard from Ravi himself. Sami’s friends were obsessed with the twins, taking turns to play with the little ones. Everything was great, except for the part that the family they had expected to attend, were a no show. They didn’t get any messages either.
Based on how many times Ashok glanced at the entrance even though he had staff stationed to inform him when his family arrived, she knew he had anticipated seeing them. She could not read his eyes but knew he had to be disappointed and as if she felt the need to make him feel good, she stuck to his side.
In spite of how late it was after the party, she could not sleep and when she came downstairs to find Ashok in the kitchen looking out into the backyard. No words were exchanged except for the fact that he was going to the rowing club to workout. Isha felt guilty that she had been in the house for months and didn’t know he rowed for workout. Explained his beautiful stature and structure. knew immediately that something was wrong.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the doorbell rang. It was too early for anyone to show up at that hour. She took a sip as one of the house staff attended to the door and heard them talk to a woman.
Something about the way the woman at the door was speaking, Isha padded to the door in her pajamas and robe wondering if it was one of the neighbors with an emergency. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with a woman who looked overly familiar. The woman had Ashok’s dark eyes, the same strong jawline, the ability to make her feel instantly uncomfortable, at least early on.
“You must be Isha,” the woman said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m Aravinda, Ashoka’s sister. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced.”
Isha’s stomach dropped. Ashok had not mentioned anything about his siblings, except for the fact that he had three older sisters. Just based on the woman’s demeanor, she had to be the oldest of the siblings. She also noticed how she said his name differently.
“Of course not,” Isha managed, stepping aside to let her in. “We missed you at the birthday party last night.”
Isha could not help feeling angry about the woman choosing to show up literally the following morning of the party. And she didn’t know why she was there by herself.
Aravinda did not respond to Isha’s comment, but silently walked toward the small table in the kitchen.
“Ashok is away at the rowing club.” She reached for her phone. “I don’t think he knew you were visiting. I can have him come—”
“No need,” Aravinda interrupted, her gaze sweeping over the space with surgical precision. “I’d love to chat with my new sister-in-law first. We haven’t had a chance to meet.”
Aravinda’s words made Isha’s skin crawl. She forced a smile and asked, “Can I get you some coffee or Tea?”
“Coffee, please.” She paused for a moment and added, “Where are the children?”
“Still asleep.” Isha was glad they were still sleeping because she didn’t know in what state they would wake up after going to bed, pretty late and exhausted after a fun party.
Aravinda settled herself on the chair like she owned the place, pulling out her phone to check something. “I have to say, I was so surprised about the wedding. So sudden, wasn’t it?”
Isha’s hand trembled slightly as she started the coffee maker. She suspected Aravinda may have timed her visit to be when Ashok was away. Was she being interrogated? It seemed like it.
“When you know, you know,” she said, with deep conviction in her voice.
“Hmm.” Isha felt Aravinda’s eyes follow her every movement. “And you decided to move forward with the marriage soon after Sami’s and your brother’s accident? You barely knew each other.”
Isha’s stomach dropped and the pain of her loss was surmounting at the mention of the accident. She swallowed the lump that had formed and turned to look at Aravinda from the kitchen. “We only had each other.”
