Page 25 of The Unwanted Husband
Ashok had taken a couple of steps away before Isha called out to him. She could not bear putting off the topic another second.
“Yes,” he said while out of sight.
“Can we talk?” She started to shake and as if for support, wrapped her arms around the baby who felt like a shield in that situation.
“Later?” he still was not in her line of sight as he stood just outside her door.
“Now.” She paused and added, “Please.”
A moment passed before he reappeared at the doorway. She could not tell his expression from his position. But she knew he had to be pissed about what she did.
Slap him and then kiss him.
“I…I’m…I’m sorry,” she swallowed a sob as she said those words.
Ashok did not move. He stood in the doorway and Isha couldn’t think of saying anything else.
“Let’s talk after lunch.” With those words he left swiftly like he didn’t want to be around her even for an extra second.
The babbling of the twin sitting next to her distracted her. She looked at her and the adorable little face brought a smile to her face. “Yup, you and I both are in trouble with your uncle. I don’t think my wish is granted.”
The baby gave her a response that she could not understand. She gathered the child into her arms and led her to the bathroom. She let the little one hang around as she freshened up before heading downstairs.
Isha took her time to go down the stairs, indulging in the twin’s need to walk down the stairs with support. At the bottom of the stop, Vaish crawled back to where her brother was and started to play with the toys.
One soft step at a time, she made her way to the dining area, expecting to see Ashok in a grumpy mode. It was anti-climatic to not see him around. It was just the staff in that space.
One of the staff handed her a coffee mug. “Ashok sir is in his office.”
“Ok, thanks.”
It was time to rip the bandage off even if she had to beg for his forgiveness!
She took a few moments to take a couple of sips of coffee before walking toward the office. Prepared to have the most embarrassing conversation she knocked on the glass door. He looked up from his computer screen and gestured to her to come in.
Feeling nervous for the first time in such a situation, she entered the office. She placed her coffee mug on the desk in front of her before taking the chair across from him.
“I made travel arrangements for you to fly back to San Francisco. The jet will leave whenever you are ready.”
She almost choked on the coffee in response to his dart like words. “What?”
“Yes, anytime. Just give the team a few hours’ notice.” His face was like a mask.
Isha was still processing his words.
He wanted her to leave?
She was not prepared for what he said, and all the prep to have the conversion about the fiasco the previous night was futile.
“No,” she managed to say. “I’m not leaving.”
His eyes narrowed at her. “Didn’t you tell me you wanted to leave?”
She held his gaze. “That was weeks ago. I…I’ve changed my mind. I’m not leaving until…” her voice trailed off unsure when it would be a good time for her to leave.
“Until?” It was a taunt.
Instead of getting worked up about his tone, she took a deep breath to counter the anger that threatened to rise. “Until your family situation is figured out.”
