4

Vikram lets warm water cascade his back, silently enjoying his shower as he hums to himself. He leans over the shower head letting water fall onto his hair,washing it as he contemplated recent events.

He particularly didn't have an opinion on his wife. The thought disturbed him. Was it even normal to be neutral about someone's own wife? Probably not,he thought.

But he was not exactly at fault. His wife had showed multiple moods in the past few days. He had found her too cute, adorable if he may say so,at times. But there were also times when he was just so irritated with her,merely controlling the urge to snap at her. She wouldn't speak her mind, coming to random conclusions.

Vikram found it difficult to cope with her. All his life,he was surrounded by people who were out spoken, just like him,speaking their mind,debating,coming to reasonable conclusions. His wife came under a different category. He felt like she had just expected him to guess whatever ran in her mind,and would be upset if he couldn't.

The thought frustrated him. He knew her for a very short period to have such expectations. Granted,she didn't make it too obvious. But being the observant person he was,he could read her well sometimes. Her face gave away whatever she was thinking.

His thoughts made him uneasy. It was not a good idea to dislike one's own wife.The one he is going to live with for a long,long time. Maybe he was just too quickly judging her. He shook his head. His wife was like a puzzle,the mere thought of solving it gave him a headache.

Granted,they knew each other for just a couple of days. But first impressions were the best or the worst impressions. He secretly hoped he was wrong. He didn't know if he could handle so many mood swings in a single day, especially since he particularly didn't even start liking her yet. It may take some time,he thought.

He sighed,taking his towel from the rack, tying it around his hip as he walked out.

Keerthi was restless, waiting for Vikram to come out of the washroom so she could take a shower. She kept wringing her knuckles,too nervous.

She could continue working, right?

She loved her work. It would break her heart if her husband didn't let her work. Her mind was in overdrive,thinking of ways to explain it to him.

Keerthi hated her overthinking sometimes. Her mind comes up with the worst possibilities,always. She was on the verge of crying,thinking what would happen if he refused,when she heard the bathroom door open.

She quickly turns to the side,wiping her eyes,not wanting Vikram to see her cry, and scold her again. She wanted to talk to him though.

Vikram observed his wife from the mirror, continuously fidgeting with her fingers. She clearly wanted to say something. He sighed, irritated. Why couldn't she just speak out?

"What is it Keerthi?",he asked when he understood she won't open her mouth.

It had been more than five minutes she was fidgeting,and he was getting late for work. He wanted to finish the conversation , in case it was important.

Keerthi jumped at his voice.

"I..I...um..wanted to ask you something",Keerthi said quietly.

"What is it?",Vikram frowns.

"I..um..uh..That..You know..", Keerthi stammers.

Did Vikram look scary,he wondered. Why did his wife look so scared. The thought was unsettling.

He sighed,scratching his forehead as he went towards her. Vikram held both of her hands in one of his, stopping her from fidgeting so much.

Keerthi flinched,her hands automatically trying to withdraw,but Vikram's hold was firm.

"What happened?Is there a problem?",Vikram was patient.

"I.. I can continue working ,right?",Keerthi asked,her voice bordering a whisper,as she stared at their hands,unable to make eye contact.

"What kind of a question is that?",Vikram frowned.

"Do you have any issues if I work?", Keerhi's voice was even smaller, trying her best to control her tears.

Vikram sighs. Why was she asking such questions.

Keerthi looks up, stealing a glance at him.

"Of course you can. Why are you even asking such a question?"

"It's nothing. Thank you", Keerthi gives him a smile.

Vikram didn't like seeing his wife so terrified. Hell,they were partners. Why was she so scared of him and asking his permission for everything.

He wanted to comfort her, ease her worries a bit. He was going to do what he could to maintain a cordial relationship with his wife.

Keerthi was too happy,maybe her husband wasn't as bad,after all.

She was in her thoughts when she felt Vikram cup her face.Keerthi freezes at his touch,having not expected it,as she just stares at him.

Vikram cups his wife's cheeks,placing a kiss on her forehead."I don't know why you look so scared of me all the time. But I want you to be comfortable,Okay? It's as much your home as it is mine. So feel free. If you have a problem,talk to me."

Keerthi blushes,at the gentle gesture, nodding her head.

Vikram grins,he found his wife just so cute at that moment.

"Are you starting today?,"Vikram asks, removing his hands.

"Yeah", Keerthi nods, looking down,

still uncomfortable.

"Okay. Come on, let's go downstairs".

Keerthi goes into the kitchen,helping her mother in law with setting the breakfast.

"My son wasn't enough,now that my daughter in law too is a workaholic",Sakshi says, teasing her son.

Keerthi stiffens. Shit. She had not asked for her mother in law's permission.

"I can take leave for another few days if you want me to ,mom",Keerthi offers quietly,looking down.

"Oh no. I was just teasing you guys, beta. What will you do at home? You are going to be bored",Sakshi smiles at her daughter in law.

Keerthi releases the breath she was holding, silently having her breakfast.

"How are you going?", Vikram asked her when they were at the doorstep.

"I'll just take public transport for this week. I can get my car from home next week".

"Where is your office?"

"Its at E Square."

"Oh. Are you sure you'll travel alone? I could drop you, but my workplace is not in that way."

"It's fine. I can manage",Keerthi answers.

They disperse, going to their respective destinations.

Keerthi sighs as she sat at her desk, feeling comfortable and at home, closing her eyes.

Her husband was a fine man, she thought.

Thought he had his moments,he was nice most of the time. His style of speaking and addressing things was different from her. She felt Okay with him.

She shakes her head, getting her thoughts out of her head as she concentrates on her work.

Her colleagues congratulate her on her marriage. Though she outwardly thanked them, she didn't really know if getting married was a congratulatory event. So far,she didn't particularly like it. But then, she didn't dislike it too. She was uncomfortable though, very much.

She loved her work,it helped her get distracted from all her thoughts that silently ate away her peace of mind