Chapter 4: Night of Humiliation

When Arjun came back, I was still crying. The front door creaked, his footsteps slow and heavy. I turned my face to the wall, hoping he’d ignore me, but my sniffling gave me away.

My eyes were swollen, tears refusing to dry. I pressed the edge of my pillow to my eyes, but nothing helped. My whole face ached, but the pain inside was worse.

The love that had filled my youth, in the end, came to nothing. All those dreams—picnics in Lonavala, holding hands on Marine Drive, lazy Sunday mornings—crumbled to dust. I felt hollow, as if someone had scooped out my heart and left me with nothing.

Thinking that Arjun wouldn’t sleep with me, I just hid under the covers. I burrowed deeper, pulling the blanket over my head. My breath came out in shallow gasps, my whole body tense with dread.

"Meera." His deep, rumbling voice cut through the darkness. I froze, clutching the blanket to my chin. The mattress dipped as he sat beside me.

Arjun’s deep voice sounded. Before I could react, he lifted the quilt. A rush of cool air hit me as he yanked the blanket back. I turned away, cheeks burning, wishing I could disappear.

My body stiffened. I lay as still as possible, afraid to move or speak. Every muscle in my body screamed with tension.

Luckily, Arjun didn’t do anything further—he just sat at the head of the bed. The silence between us stretched, broken only by his heavy sigh. He fiddled with something on the bedside table, the faint glow of the tablet lighting up his face.

After a rustling sound, I didn’t know what he picked up. I heard the faint click of a tablet case, then the shuffle of bedsheets as he settled in. My heart hammered in my chest.

When lewd noises started playing from the tablet, I immediately sobered up, blushing as I tried to snatch it away. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. I scrambled upright, reaching for the device, desperate to make it stop. The sounds filled the room, making me want to crawl out of my skin.

"Give it back…" I whispered, my voice trembling. My hands fumbled for the tablet, but Arjun just held it higher, teasing me with a half-smile.

Arjun raised his arm, letting me fall against his chest. His body was warm, solid. I could feel the steady thump of his heart beneath my palm. My breath caught, both comforted and unsettled by his nearness.

Looking at my embarrassed, flushed face, he chuckled: "I almost forgot, Meera isn’t a little girl anymore." His voice was softer now, almost amused. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering. For a moment, I remembered the boyish charm that had once drawn me in.

He seemed to have been drinking. His usually sharp eyes now looked gentle and ambiguous. A faint scent of whisky clung to his breath. His eyes, usually so cold, seemed to blur at the edges. He smiled, slow and lazy, the kind of smile that once made my heart skip.

Arjun watched the people on the screen, his Adam’s apple moving. Then he slid his hand under my night suit top. His palm was hot against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. He traced slow circles on my waist, his touch both familiar and strange.

His palm was warm, gently caressing my waist now and then. I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the sensation, wishing I could forget everything else. My body responded automatically, even as my mind rebelled.

My body softened, my eyes growing hazy as I looked at him. But suddenly, I caught a faint scent of roses on him. The fragrance was delicate, clinging to his shirt—so different from his usual sandalwood. My eyes snapped open, realization dawning like a slap.

Mixed with his usual sandalwood fragrance, it was especially intoxicating. The two scents mingled, confusing my senses. For a moment, I wanted to lose myself in him, but the memory of Priya’s perfume wouldn’t let me.

Arjun whispered in my ear: "Meera is a grown woman with physical needs too." His lips brushed my earlobe, his voice low and teasing. I shivered, but not with pleasure.

"Let me satisfy you tonight, alright?" His hand trailed lower, his breath warm on my neck. I wanted to surrender, to believe his words, but something inside me screamed no.

When my nightdress was torn, instead of the excitement I’d always dreamed of, all I could think of was Priya… My mind filled with images of Priya’s smile, her bare legs, her scent lingering on Arjun’s skin. My stomach twisted in revulsion.

That rose fragrance was the one Priya always wore. It clung to his shirt, his hands, his breath. I gagged, the betrayal choking me.

The torn black stockings, those smooth thighs, and that pale skin… The memories flashed before my eyes, overwhelming me with shame and anger. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I used all my strength to push Arjun away, then ran barefoot to the bathroom to vomit. I stumbled out of bed, my feet cold on the marble, and barely made it to the bathroom before I retched. My stomach heaved, empty and aching. Tears streamed down my face, hot and bitter.

He didn’t follow me, just stood at the door, watching coldly. I could feel his eyes on me—hard, unyielding. No concern, no apology. Just a wall between us, higher than ever.

When I came out, Arjun’s face was dark. His jaw was clenched, eyes narrowed. He looked at me like I was the problem, like my pain was an inconvenience.

"You really find me that disgusting?" His voice was flat, hurt pride bleeding through. I wanted to scream at him, to make him understand.

"Last time, and now again—I don’t understand."

He shook his head, hands shoved in his pockets. His frustration filled the room, pressing down on me.

"If you hate me so much, why did you marry me?"

He spat the words out, each one a fresh wound. I shrank back, unable to meet his gaze.