Marriage at a Distance

e administration formally and promised her that the stalker will be dealt with in accordance with the college policies.

the far end of the corridor and hadn’t noticed them yet. I still have a chance

ally wanted to hold my hand , you could have told

us idea with a huge frown, but now was not the time. She had

ive reaction I ever saw from you. Frankly, your “thank yous” were kind of getting on my nerves. Now can you please explain to me why you dragged me out as

woman who had stowed away a husband right in Arlington! No way she was going to tell them that. She wanted to finish the rest of the course peacef

n so I thought I will send you off before I go back to my cla

ill pick you up in the even

she decided against it as she didn’t want to bring any mo

d, Priya why didn’t you call me? I could have come and picked you up. Why did you suffer the whole night in that hole of a house. We have spare bedrooms in our hous

a did think it was not the case. He liked her , she could sense that but nothing beyond friendship she was sure, at least from her

to give it sometime before I begin to look for another place. Anita, you did say that your r

ove in after she moves out. Really sorry. Let us put up an ad on the college pinup bo

was not solved but she decided not to give up. She was determi

a drop to her home. She refused vehemently remembering the

nt so she decided not to take any chances. As she entered the library she messaged Raj and switched her phone into silent mode before settling down

e ran across the huge playground to reach the south gate. She heard Raj pick up and literally “Where the hell a

was just five minutes late.!!Who was he to scream at her the way he did? Yes she

By the time she reached the gate, she saw Raj waiting, leaning onto the Tesla’s door. When their eyes met it was very clear that he was mad at her and she was too! She refused to acknowl

moment and walked quickly to the main door with Raj following her. As Raj op

ing else!” His voice had a peculiar gruffiness to it which made Priya turn back and look at him which made him tur

o not worry I will leave as soon as something comes up.I do

his face anew with f

wise you wouldn’t be home today and those five minutes would have been enough for the guy to do anything. What is wr

end and she countered ba

house like a normal couple when we clearly are not? What am I going to tell my friends? This is a

l not let you go and if you are worried that I will impose myself on you physically like some lecherous male then please take it off your min

im. She found it scandalous herself. What would everybody else think? He was still a stranger to her and she knew that she cannot trust him. She never trusted

e was waiting. He was waiting for her answer.She decided that it didn’t make any sense for her to argue with him and she didn’t have any place to move to as w

queried in

e asked him in a still calmer voice but i

es and suddenly turned away

What was going on in his mind? Wish I coul

s as he climbed the stairs . By God’s grace Raj had informed her by evening that

encounter Raj again. But deep in her heart Priya did wonder if he had gone on a date perhaps? Well it was none of your business Ms Priya. If he goes on a date or sleeps with ot

he office.Just wanted to let you know.” Raj spoke

hat he wanted her answer now. The truth of the matter was that she hardly gave it a thought. Oh!Wha

ine . So she kept quiet but made enough noise for Raj to look up . He smiled. This was the first time she had actually seen him smile and he looked so charming.She almost smiled back but ended up giving a cold n

fee?” He asked h

hanks”. S

ourself a cup?”

to this house? Or was he the kind who wants women to be in kitc

t. He brushed past her and got the instant coffee and sugar bottle for her . She suddenly felt as

riends' apartments were already full.They may accommodate for a week or so but after a week it would be too much burden on them. She had just enough savings from her part time job and she couldn’t afford another apartment for sure. What Raj was offering was like heaven on a silver plate. Any woman would jump and

you lost?” Raj aske

he realised that she must hav

Either you do not know how to make one or there is somethi

sarcasm.Why did he always ridic

perfectly make a cup of coffee .So pleas

stening to her

iving room where Raj was .She sat on

oice “ I-I was thinking about the offer

t?” Raj

usekeeper?” She a

Raj asked in an i

you? Who takes care of the

comes in every two days and cleans up the house.And cooking I

ou and I know you wouldn’t accept any rent from me.This is the least I could do.My classes end by four in the evening and I would have the whole of the evening to do all this stuff. Thi

out a sigh. She wondered why i

s back was towards her and she couldn’t c

back ,after an e

hatever you want,take care of the house. Are you ok now?Will

ust n

with things like “you do this ,I give this” etc. . We have been talking

nd he was the one who had gone ahead with the marriage.And it was his own selfish

the one who said yes.I told you from the beginn

have a heart which is warm and yours is as cold as an ice cube. Nobody in this world can melt it. You wish to be independent, w

en she came home with a trophy nor to console her when she had her first fall. When her own father accused her of ruining his life and her mother never found a single good thing to tell about her? Oh.She was going back to it again.She had fought hard to not to be pushed into the quicksand of the past and yet her heart was going back to where it all started. NO WAY. She will not let this break her.L