For a moment, there was complete silence.
No one spoke another word.
and the silence- broken by a knock.
Ayesha's eyes flicked up slightly. A flicker of fear, died down in a moment. She sighed and stood up slowly, placing the pillow away from her lap. "Guess it's hubby now." She said in a dry tone with a smile.
The door unlocked.
Kruthi peeked from behind Ayesha's shoulder at the unexpected intruder.
And then her eyes met his...
She looked away for a moment, evidently expressing her avoidance. Ayesha looked between Kruthi and Vivaan and smiled softly.
"She had the breakfast, I made sure." Ayesha said to Vivaan before leaving the room.
Silence.
Again.
He didn't say any word, nor did he greet her. Just closed the door with a gentle click. His hand hovered over his cufflink but suddenly took it back and glanced at the mirror. Taking gentle steps, he stood in front of the glass and started adjusted his cufflinks.
And Kruthi? She was avoiding his eyes in the best possible ways. But didn't know why? her gaze always glanced at him. His past...
The reason he is VIVAAN...
She cleared her throat to get his attention.
He didn't look back.
Didn't even flinch.
Just stared at the mirror.
"Will you adjust the cufflinks throughout the day?" Kruthi asked finally while looking away. She gulped silently as if it took deep efforts for her to even utter those words. Her eyes wandered aimlessly at the window view.
Still, he didn't turn around.
But his hand did stop at his wrist.
"You want to do it?" He asked her sharply.
Her eyes widened.
"N-no." she looked away in embarrassment, not expecting such a response from him.
He continued silently.
Kruthi looked at him in disbelief. Her eyes teared up slightly. She hated how he affected her... and that she didn't have even a single on him.
After a moment she asked "Aapne lunch kiya?" (You had lunch?)
He paused.
His eyes looked up from the wrist and pierced sharply in the mirror, looking at her. For a moment his eyes stayed on her. His iris went from her head to her face and then actions.
"Nahi, I had breakfast."
Breakfast! How can she forget. This isn't the time for lunch but breakfast. She cursed herself mentally.
"Kahan jaa rahe ho?" (Where are you going?). She asked him after a silent pause again.
"Work."
"Which work? I thought you were doing work from home na."
"Week's ending."
"So?"
"I took and offline back from work for a week only."
A pause.
"M-mujhe bhi kaam karna hai." (I also want to work.)
His hand paused finally.
He turned around from the mirror and fixed her under those dangerous hazel orbs of his.
"For?"
"Meaning?" She asked in confusion.
"Work for? I earn enough."
"But I don't."
"What's the need? you can have my credit card."
Kruthi's eyes widened.
Not in shock, but in disbelief.
"And me? What about me? so basically I am being said to not work just because my husband works?"
"Contract husband." he corrected.
"Forced contract husband."
"That's not the point."
"It is a point. Why am I being asked so many questions just for a desire to work, stay active and be independent."
"Because." He stepped closer to her, but took a step back, reminding himself the last argument. "Your independency can cost me."
"W-what?" Kruthi asked getting more confused.
"Rivals, enemies... can target you. It can cost me."
"Cost you what? You won't care enough Vivaan."
He paused.
A moment.
"I won't. But the media and Naina would."
"Y-you won't care? eve-even if someone harms me?"
Kruthi's eyes teared up slightly but she blinked those tears back, adamant to prove herself strong.
"It depends on who's that someone."
"What if that someone is you Vivaan?"
Silence settled.
Not calm one, dangerous.
No one spoke for a long pause.
Vivaan poked his tongue inside his cheek while glaring at the mirror.
"Fine, you can get back to work after this month."
"Why not this week? like you?" She asked back folding her arms on her chest furiously.
"Stop asking questions."
"I won't."
"Then you'll say that I am giving you hope."
"What do you mean?"
He sighed and rubbed his head furiously.
"Gosh this is more irritating than the board meeting. Fine." He mumbled under his breath and looked at her before speaking.
"I need to ensure safety before you start working again. And again NO QUESTION." He said and started walking out of the room.
"Will be back by tonight."
"But it's weekend."
"So?"
"So, where are you going? without informing anyone? don't inform me but atleast inform Naina."
"And why should I?"
"B-because (Hesitates) you are...(A sigh) nevermind, just go."
He looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
No reaction.
"Lunch kar lena." He opened the door but paused.
"And text me after."
Kruthi blinked.
"After what?"
He didn't turn.
"Lunch."
And with that, just walked out of the room.