Ties Of Marriage

SLEEP

Chapter 6

“A few days back, we registered. It was rushed so, I didn't get to inform you”, I replied after a slight pause.

“Oh, good to see you have finally settled down. You have got a hot husband, not bad, girl! Then I will get going. I need to hurry to the salon.”

“Yeah, bye.” I waved at her.

“Bye sweetheart, I will come to meet you later.” I knew that she could go on for hours with her gossipy nature.

We entered the elevator.

“She is my neighbor. Lives next door.” I shrugged before Charles had the chance to ask.

“Hmm.”

“…”

We walked out, and I looked for the house key. As I was about to insert the key, I noticed something amiss. Oh, the name plate…

‘Mr. and Mrs. hawking.’ I glared at him while he appeared unfazed. How…dare…he!

“This is my home.”

“So, move to mine.”

“No!” I snapped at him.

“Then shut up and open the door,” he spoke indifferently.

“You!!” I was astonished by his attitude.

Enough of the bickering, I quickly opened the door only to find that many of the things were replaced.

Ahh…How could he? I bought all of them with my own money and he just....

“Where the hell are my things?”

“Store room.” Thank God, he didn’t throw it away! Or else I wouldn't mind throwing him away as well!

“Give me your phone.”

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“Do you have my number?” Ahh! I unlocked my phone and gave it to him.

“I will be leaving then.” I just nodded, retrieving my phone. He left just like that. I just stood there for a long time. Maybe we can work out our marriage.

Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Hello."

"Doctor, there's an emergency, come quickly."

I hurriedly got ready before rushing out. No sooner did I reach the hospital, I was shocked beyond words. The face I swore I would never see, stood before me.

*****

FORTUNE EYE CARE CENTER.

I entered the operating theater steadily composing myself. The patient lying there on the brink of death was one of the reasons for my nightmares. Apparently, the doctor operating this man met with an accident, so here I was. With trembling hands, I started my work.

I wrapped my work as soon as I could and headed towards the public park at a minute's walk from the hospital.

As always, it was bustling with people. I walked deep into the innermost part. Very few people came here. I don’t know, but the workers never bothered to take care of this portion. I sat below the branch of a nearby tree.

I was lost deep in thought. That man, Robin Dawson, was none other than the right hand and maternal uncle of the most feared man in the whole country. The leader of the sole Mafia organization, Jacob Dawson.

Even his name sent a chill through my spine. That person at one point meant so much to me that I even went against my parents just to be with him. My grave mistake. He used me for his selfish motives, turned my life upside down and disappeared like a clown, leaving me all alone to deal with the aftermath. Because of him, I lost the ability to love. Only if I knew who he actually was....

I couldn’t help but recall all those bittersweet memories. Unknowingly, tears poured through my eyes.

The ringing of the phone broke me out of my thoughts.

“Where are you?” a cold baritone voice sounded.

“Ahh…”

“Where. Are. You.” I could sense the anger of the speaker.

“Public garden near my hospital.”

It hanged up. I looked at the caller’s name. It read…husband?

Sh*t! It was Charles!?

Then I noticed my surroundings. The sun had settled down. As this part was covered with untrimmed bushes, it appeared pitch dark. I tried to get on the torch only to find that the charge was just 2%. Great!

I decided to sit back and wait for Charles. It was eerily quiet here. Oh god, how could I be so stupid!

Suddenly, I remembered that tonight I had to attend our hospital's charity event. I quickly texted our head director that I wouldn't be attending, making an excuse for being ill. I hope he will understand.

After a few moments, Charles called.

“Where?”

“Inside.”

I thought he would find excuses to taunt me but…

I saw a light coming near me. I looked towards the source and instantly my mood brightened. He really came. I tried to get up, but my legs had turned like jelly as I was sitting for hours in the same position. Noticing my discomfort, he tried to help me, but to no avail.

He suddenly lifted me in his arms in a princess hug.

“Ahh...!” startled, I cried out. He minded my belongings. Oh, I had completely forgotten it.!

While he walked me out, I placed my head on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat felt so peaceful.

Eventually, I fell asleep.

*****

ROSE APARTMENT.

“Heyy.” I woke up to Charles shaking my arms.

“Get changed and come to eat.” He went out. I was in…my bed!?

Oh, goodness I was sleeping that soundly. My face looked so fluffy with a dried stain of tears. I freshened myself and went to the dining room. Thank god he didn’t change my utensils.

“Let’s eat.” He eyed the food served on the table. “Ahh…yes” he seemed pretty good at cooking.

“You cook well…it is delicious.” He just gave an indifferent nod and continued eating. Yeah…that’s our ‘Charles rude hawking’!

Quickly wolfing down the food, I went to bed.

After a long time, Charles came inside and went to sleep on the other side of my bed. Hmm…he had even replaced my original bed with a king-sized bed which appeared too huge for my bedroom.

Suddenly I felt so conscious of myself.

“Are you going to sleep here from now on?” I asked with hesitancy. I could feel the warmness radiating from his body.

“Yeah.” What!? And then I could hear his light snores. Just f*cking great! With so many thoughts running in my mind, I didn't realize it when I fell into deep slumber.

The next day I woke up to the sense of a warm embrace, but wait…it wasn’t my teddy!

I swiftly opened my eyes. Strong arms had caged me and I caught the side of Charles' enlarged face. He looked so gentle, like a baby boy. I couldn’t help but poke his nose. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, startling me. He looked dull and sleepy. My hands just couldn’t stay away and went to caress his hair. So soft!

“Sleep.” He patted my back and wrapped me tightly in his arms. I just leaned on his chest and fell into deep slumber listening to his heartbeats. If I were in the right state of mind, I would probably have pushed him away till now. But I don’t know why his arms made me feel safe and secure.

I lazily rolled on my bed and the morning incident played through my mind. I blushed deep. What the hell was I even doing?

Oh jenny!

All of a sudden my gaze went to the wall clock. Sh*t!

It was already 11 am, and I was obviously too late. I was about to rush into the bathroom when Charles entered. I looked at him stunned.

“I have informed the hospital about your leave.”

“What?!” I flared up. Does my opinion even matter to him?

“We need to go out to meet someone.”

“But you could have told me earlier.” My temper rose.

“Am I not telling you now?” he snapped at me and went out. Jerk!

Anyway, it was good for me. I didn’t want to face those dangerous hell of people again.

Leisurely, I freshened up and went to prepare breakfast.

“Breakfast is on the table.” His indifferent voice sounded from the balcony. Hmm!