Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 11

As Mitha saw, Ajay's car stepping in to Éclat mansion; she scorched back to her room. Luckily, Siddharth had kept the door in open. As soon as, she entered the room with a chaotic face, Siddharth got up from the chair and looked up, at her.

"Listen! Jay has come! Jump down and get out of the place soon. Or then, you'll get caught! No, we'll get caught!!",Mitha closed her eyes and shouted. She couldn't imagine something worser than getting caught in Ajay's probing sight.

"What? He's here? Oh-no! Okay! Wait. Let me go.", He said and rushed towards the window and put his leg on the other side of the window and hopped down. Only when he lopped out of the compound, signs of comfort surrounded her. When she was looking down through the window, if Sid had gone; Ajay was standing at the doorstep!

"What're you looking for?",He thundered! She was dismayed by the sudden note that he gave.

"No..nothing!", She lied and hung her face. She felt it betraying, to lie to him and she was unable to look at his eyes while talking.

"Is everything okay?", His eyes narrowed and he stepped forward and came into the room. Mitha felt it hard to lie to him. After all, he trusted her. She felt bad for betraying Ajay, by not telling about Siddharth. She turned towards Ajay, and managed to give a reply,"Ye..Yes..! I am ..Ermm.. okay!!", she coughed and choked.

"You don't sound normal!",He found something cryptic and neared her more. She couldn't stop herself from getting tensed. She panted heavily, as she felt that she had broken his trust and faith.

"Why is the curtain down?", He threw out the next question and looked at her.

She bit her lips and hung her head down. She huffed for air, and sweat drops from her forehead rolled down. Hastily, she swallowed her empty throat being scared. She couldn't handle this. She felt too bad for not letting Ajay, know about Siddharth.

"I don't.. I don't know!", she paused and her hands were busy kneading dough in air.

She cleared her throat and got back her senses and spoke,"I don't know! I was in the kitchen.. loading utensils in the washer. When i came back, and looked for what happened, you appeared behind me suddenly. You scared me!!"

"Oh! " he said but his narrowed gaze remained the same. She couldn't answer his questions instantly. With that, Ajay left the room and Mitha, crashed down at the couch. She felt tears in her eyes, due to this startling confrontation. It was too difficult for her to hide, this from Ajay. He had started trusting Mitha, that made her feel okay. But, after the confrontation that electrified her, she felt bad for herself. The dishonesty that she had shown towards Ajay, wasn't fair.

Ajay, was standing at the porch that's linked to his room once he changed into his trousers and tee. He didn't know, how did his days passed. It was a little difficult, when he couldn't talk to Mitha these two days. He knew that he missed her but he didn't want to let her know that she had an impact on him. He strived hard in not making her realize that he had missed her. While, Mitha was battling inwardly for playing false with Ajay. Though, she was angry on him for not talking during the past two days, but now it was like she felt like she didn't deserve his care.

Ajay, couldn't discern and discover about what was happening to him. He explored that he wasn't the same Ajay! He found it totally different, when he had a heavy heart, while he was out for two days. His days were discontent. That cramped coffee time with Mitha; her ridicule that would make bring up a smile on his face and bloom up his day; the nights during which she would bide her dinner time, until he came! He missed everything. Very honestly, he was getting used to all those things and suddenly, when he couldn't do that; it made him feel discontent with his day. He had a great conflict inwardly. He wanted to put lid on the feeling and shush it off. The sad thing is he couldn't. Even when he came back home that evening, he wanted to talk to her about what happened during those two days. He pined for his time with her. Only when he came in and saw her with panic-stricken face, he realized that she was not normal at that time. The expressions that were dancing on her face, made it so easy for him to size up that she was abnormal. Ajay, was in his porch thinking about what could've happened to Mitha. More than that he started thinking about some other thing. Majority of his brain was thinking if she had missed him during those days, like he missed her. After a great befuddlement, he decided that she would've not. He didn't know, what made him decide that but still he drew a conclusion that helped him  in not loosing his mind and heart at that time. He didn't want to do that. He knew that he had a great diversion when Mitha was around, yet he couldn't perceive. And above everything he didn't want to perceive. There are differences between couldn't and didn't want to! Clearly, he ignored those feelings that were trying to suffuse in.

Even after Ajay had left the place, Mitha didn't resume to normal mode. She was still dismayed by everything that happened that evening. She couldn't think about what would've happened, if he had seen her talking to a stranger inside Divya's room. Though, she was able to convince herself that he didn't find them when he came; it was undeniable when she had to hit the fact that she was betraying him by not saying about Siddharth!

After that day, Whenever she had to see Ajay and talk, the first thing that came to her mind was her dishonesty! She started avoiding the time, that was meant for them. During mornings, she made coffee and went straight into her room again without making a pause or grabbing a chair at the dining table, where Ajay used to sit. And when it was dinner, she started eating alone. Soon after dinner, she went and hid herself in her room. She almost tried all the ways to escape from his probing gaze. The same was what Ajay did, but for different reasons. He wanted to stop adoring her. The attraction that was banging, scared him so much! He didn't want a relationship right now. He was not ready for that. After all, it was just an agreement with her. Often, he had to remind himself about the pact that they had already decided, and subscribed!

One fine day, Ajay had got invites for a grand business get together from one of his business allies! Though, he was not a party hound, he used to attend parties for his business thing. He had to do that to withhold his prestige and prominence. But this time, it sounded a little complicated because of the kind of the invite! The invite was given to both Mr. And Mrs. Rish. Now that they're married and madly in love with each-other ( at least according to everyone else), they started inviting them as a couple!

In a short time, within the invite was given he didn't find any ways of asking Mitha to help him out in this. Finally, when he realized that it was going be an either-or answer, he gathered up some courage to ask her out to help him by coming to the party with him. He hesitated a little, as the closeness that they had initially was broken due to different circumstances, now! They were not the same. Both of them were avoiding each other, due to two different reasons! It didn't convey the impression of weird to both of them as they were doing it together! May be, if Mitha had alone avoided and hesitated to talk to him, he could've found out that she was abnormal.

Finally, on having some guts he decided to tell her that night. When he came back home that night, he found her sitting at the dining table in her pajamas, with her concentration wholly on the plate. When she saw Ajay, entering the place her heart started to resume it's race that was paused due to his absence. She decided to gobble up the food, as quickly as possible and run back to her room within he came. Unfortunately, Ajay came to the table on changing shortly! Mitha couldn't stuff any more food, in her petite mouth; though she was trying to chew hastily. When she had almost finished her meal, Ajay noticed that she was going to move away from the table!

"Ermm.. Hkkm..", he coughed to seek her attention and cleared his throat to start a conversation. Even then, she didn't stop her hustle among the plate, her hand and her mouth! She didn't respond and was busy swallowing her food.

"Mitha.. I need to talk to you!", he opened his mouth and let words come out. She chinned up from her plate, and gazed at him expectantly. She couldn't see his face and eyes, which were interrogating her.

"I've got invites to a party! The person who holds the party had invited both of us, as a couple! I need your help!", he stuttered. This time, it was not her eyes, at which he stared. He simply looked down at his plate, while he asked her out.

"Can you help me in this? By accompanying me to the get together with me?", he looked up at the damsel who was still struggling with her meal, with no lumps descending off her gullet.

She raised her head up to answer to his question, he was already looking at her with a worried face.

"Okay! We shall go!", she said wearily and let out a dry smile. He smiled too and mumbled her a thanks and finished his dinner in silence and walked to his room, whilst Mitha was simply sitting, opposite to him wondering why did she even agreed to hang around with him, at the party.

The next morning, it was Ajay's turn to cook. Mitha, didn't bother to come out of the room until Ajay left to office. He waited until the clock struck 9. But once it did, he had to scramble to nurture his business. So, he decided to leave her a text about the party.

Hey! Morning. Get ready before seven, this evening. I will come and pick you up! Thanks again. -SR

Once, she got the text it was so clear that he had gone out! Mitha, then came out and had her breakfast and replied him.

Okay done-Mitha Ajay Rish.

She then did her routine. After scouting out Divya, Mitha did nothing that day. She wasn't cheerful since that day. She had a strong feeling that she was unfaithful to Ajay.

Soon, time flew! When it was that evening, she decided to take a shower and get ready to go to the party. After a soothing cold shower, she groomed herself in a black Saree, with a narrow golden border that had a matching golden colored, long sleeve blouse which perfectly matched her complexion.

The total guise, that she found at the mirror after draping the saree was the other name of gorgeousness! She further applied kohl to prettify her dark, burnished eyes; brushed her lips with a mild coat of lip gloss; and left her hair cascading down her shoulders that had its own natural, curls at the end. Once, she was done with decking up herself, she came out of the room.

When Ajay came back home to gather her up, she was waiting for him in the living room. She looked flamboyantly beautiful. He couldn't take his laid eyes off her. And it was him who checked her out shamelessly, without even giving a pause to his check out session. Not just beautiful, but ostentatiously attractive. He felt attracted to her. He got back his senses, only when she neared him getting off from the couch.

He wanted to endorse those feelings and let her know that she was beautiful. On struggling hard, he denied those good-for-nothing feel. He, then cleared his throat and let his hands in to his trousers' pocket and spoke,"I will be right back in fifteen minutes!"

Ajay, then walked to his room to change into his black blazer. Once, he brushed his hair he decided to start off. And when he came out to the fore room, it was her turn to scrutinize him deeply. Finally, on getting ready they decided to set off.

Ajay, drove while Mitha occupied the passenger seat in the front. Mitha, didn't let out a word all the way while the ride. So, was Ajay! They made the scene at the party place, hand in hand. They entered the farm house, where one of his business pals had arranged a get together.

Once they entered in, Ajay excused himself towards his group of business mates and Mitha was left all alone. She went to a corner from where Ajay was visible. It was an another check out session. He was really flawlessly sexy and handsome. She folded her hands to her chest, and stood without letting her eyes move aside anywhere from him. Time and again, she felt guilty for not letting him know about Siddharth. Each and every time whenever she had to face him, that was what she felt and that was the reason for reducing their interactions.

While her eyes were sincerely gazing at him; and her heart was proudly adoring him, she was distracted by a witchy voice that sounded really close to her.

"Not getting enough of staring at him! Huh?", the voice was so witchy. When Mitha turned to the other side, she saw a lady standing near by her. Her face had a brimming cunningness. Mitha was confused and bewildered by her sudden appearance.

"Sorry for disturbing you when you were busy savoring your husband's beauty!", She sipped in some wine from her glass.

"Excuse Me!", She got back her senses and narrowed her gaze; twisting her lips.

"How about a drink darling?", she asked showing her empty glass in front of her face, in a cocky tone. Mitha gave a slight weary nod, and followed the lady towards the liquor cabinet.

"First of all, let me tell you who i am! Stop rolling your eyes in confusion and curiosity!!", she let out a hotshot chuckle and handed over a glass of tequila. Mitha got the glass from her hand, took in a sip.

"I am Sana! Ajay's girlfriend!", she said in a real cool demeanor and leaned back. Mitha wasn't shocked, instead she decided to give a shot in talking back.

"I guess, you've missed out a word there! Ex-girlfriend. You're his Ex-girlfriend.", Mitha answered and sipped in some liquor.

"By the way, I am Mitha Ajay Rish!", She replied in a tone that echoed self-pride.

"Mitha Ajay Rish! Eh? Nice to see you here!", Sana said. Her way of gazing was more than enough to make Mitha, mad at her. And her cocky attitude fed the fire.

Whilst Sana, continued talking in the same way, number of shots that Mitha was dropping in were tacking on. As a beginner, she shouldn't have taken that much in a day! Sana was sitting opposite to her, talking about her days with Ajay; how sincere he was in their relationship; and it was just for fun that Sana agreed to be in a relationship with Ajay. Nothing went into Mitha's ears except the fact that Ajay was distressingly affected by Sana.

In some time, she was high and started loosing her consciousness. Mitha, had never thought of boozing up. The whereabouts that she already had; overweening confrontation with Sana all together made her forget everything else. She did nothing but gulped off her tequila shots. All that time when Sana was leaving out a worthless talk, Mitha was on all ears. In some time, a guy neared the desk where the girls were sitting.

"Sweetheart, i was searching for you over there! Where were you ?", the guy asked Sana! Mitha was totally boozed up, that she couldn't even recognize the guy clearly.

"Dheep darling! I was talking to this old friend of mine. I will come in a minute!", Sana whispered seductively and stood up from the couch and came to the other side where Mitha was sitting. She crawled near Mitha, and embraced her with a good-bye hug during which she mumbled something!

"Don't forget that i can snatch Ajay, even now!", she mumbled with her brandish, cocky chuckle in Mitha's ears. Mitha, said nothing but muttered out  and swore her as b***h, when she moved away.

All this time, Ajay failed to notice what did happen to his wife. His eyes caught up with Sana walking away from Mitha, with Dheep. Immediately, he turned aside to check on Mitha, and he found out that she was liquored up. Once he saw her fuddled, he felt it wouldn't be nice to stay there. He sighed and neared her and laid his a*s, opposite to her.

"You're drunk!", Ajay yelled in a low voice, getting his teeth.

"I am not drunk, Jay! I swear to god!", Mitha mumbled being sloshed , in an innocent tone.

"Let's get back to home! Get up!!", Ajay couldn't control his angst when he saw her drunk. How could she do that? How could she do something that would ruin his dignity?

"No! I am not coming home!", she said and gulped off another shot that was readily kept in front of her.

"You're not letting in an another shot! Get up!!", Ajay warned. Mitha furrowed her brows and remained seated.  After struggling with her for another twenty minutes, Ajay managed to take her home. He slowly escorted her to car and made her sit in the front passenger seat;  buckled in the seat belt and made her lean back.

He then came to the other side and ignited the engine, and accelerated the car. Mitha, behaved weird. She was already befuddled due to her dishonesty, and additionally those words uttered by Sana, made it worser! Though, Mitha was just his hired doctor and alleged wife; she couldn't withstand confronting her husband's Ex! It was too much to handle for her. Even when riding back home, Mitha was keeping on blabbing something being stewed. Ajay, couldn't help but face-palm.

"Why did you drink?", Ajay interrogated narrowing his gaze and handling the car.

"I didn't drink, Jay! Sana made me drink!!",Mitha blabbed out. Ajay saw that Sana had talked to Mitha, but he couldn't apprehend what would've exactly happened! He had no idea that Sana would behave so cheaply to Mitha.

"Don't you have brain? Why did you gulp off, if she gives?Don't reason out!", Ajay shouted at her.

"Don't shout at me Jay! I am not wrong.", Mitha mumbled! She was now accused by him.

" You're trying to justifying your mistake!", Ajay uttered wearily. Whilst, Mitha started to play with her seat belt. She was totally intoxicated by alcohol! She couldn't realize what she was doing. While playing with the seat belt she  unbuckled her belt and being less conscious slanted forward when Ajay applied the brake. She went forward and her forehead met the dash board.

"Ouch!", she shouted and her head hurt!

Ajay, paused for a moment and clasped her shoulders and leaned back and re-buckled her seat belt and warned her!

"I lack patience! Better stay calm and lean back!", he threatened her and resumed driving.

"I lack pa...patience! Better stay calm and lean back!", Mitha imitated Ajay and giggled!

"Stop your feckless giggle now! You're making me regret my decision of marrying you.", Ajay said as they entered the Éclat mansion.

"The wheels on the bus go round and round.

round and round.

round and round.

The wheels on the bus go round and round,

all through the town!", Mitha started singing some nursery rhyme, waving her fingers, while Ajay got down from the car and came to her side to pick her up.

"The people on the bus go up and down.

up and down.

up and down.

The people on the bus go up and down,

all through the town!", She started bursting into the song, humming the music and adding la-la-las in between. Ajay, tried to make her walk to her room; But she couldn't or he couldn't make her stride. He carried her in bridal style, and marched towards the bed room.

Mitha was still mumbling the rhyme!

"Round and round , round and round!",She sang blustering! During the time, he carried her to his room. He didn't want to let her sleep alone or with Divya, that night! He dropped her down at his bed, covered her with the blanket! Throughout the time, Mitha was blabbing and rambling about Sana and Ajay! Ajay, felt bad for not accompanying Mitha in the party because of which she had to handle Sana alone.

Ajay, covered her wholly with the blanket while she was rambling about Sana and her demeanor!

"Jay, will you accuse me for telling her a b***h?", she asked with eyes half-closed!

"No! I won't. Just sleep now!", he said, being impatient.

"Hehe! On a condition!", she said and giggled!

"What?",Ajay thundered !

"Tell me if you still love her? I will sleep now!", she demanded. Ajay, couldn't answer that question. He felt that she was unpredictable and actually astonished by the question she had just shot! If it was Mitha, who was heedful, she wouldn't have asked the question, even if Sana had talked to her about snatching back Ajay.

"Close your eyes and sleep!", he gritted his teeth and sighed.

"So, you're not over it still?", she pouted!

He sighed and face-palmed.

"I am over her! Okay?", he yelled and she giggled!

"I have no love for her, now! Happy?", he asked and she giggled again.

"Fine! Sleep now.", he said and went towards his closet to change into pajamas.

Even after he moved away, he heard her uttering something for few more minutes. But when he came back to the bed, he saw her sleeping peacefully. He let out a heavy exhale, and decided to take up the couch being a good boy. It was slightly difficult for him to fix his tall frame within his couch that was pretty small. It was not that easy for Ajay to sleep that night. He had the same reckless thoughts whirling inside his mind. At last, after trying so hard he drifted off to sleep.