As Good As It Gets - 17

I drove like a maniac. Thankfully the streets were empty. I reached home and sent out a text message to Ann to let her know I had reached safely.

I made my way up the stairs slowly. What was I going to say to him? I fumbled with my keys at the entrance. There was still time, I could still turn around and go back to Ann’s.

I gritted my teeth and stepped inside. The house was in a disarray. He had come back in and thrown some things around. He had quite a temper at times. I stepped over some things as I looked around for my husband. He was nowhere to be seen. I crept into the bedroom and saw him lying wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

“Hey you..” I said softly. He turned to look at me in surprise. I made my way over to him and placed my hands in his.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized.

“You’re back.” He said simply.

I nodded. “I am sorry behaved like an idiot. I don’t know what came over me.”

He relaxed and pulled me closer.

“I had no idea you felt that way.”  I leaned back into his arms and put my head on his shoulder.

“Forget it. I don’t know what I was saying.” I didn’t think it was a good idea to bring up all that again. Some day, when he was in a good mood I would explain it to him gently.

He caressed my hair for sometime. “Clearly its important for you Anagha. What is it? What is it that you think Anurag can provide you that I can’t?” The question was asked causally, but I felt the underlying barbs.

I turned to face him, “Nothing happened between Anurag and me. Nothing.” I said seriously.

He pushed me away slightly. “How can I be okay with that Anagha? That you got another guy to be your date tonight.  Would you have forgiven me easily if the tables had tunred turned?” He asked.

No, I wouldn’t have. In fact, I would have done something drastic by now if I was in his place.

“Listen to me,” I pleaded. “That was a bad decision. That’s it!”

In the darkness, the light glowing on my phone looked unnatural. Some one had sent me a text.

Awkward silence filled the room.

“So who sends you messages so late?”

“Even if its him, it doesn’t mean anything. Why won’t you believe me?” I was desperate for him believe me.

He got up, flipped my phone open and made a disgusted face. He tossed the phone at me. Anurag.

“I’m going to the guest room tonight.” With that he closed the door behind him leaving me alone with my thoughts.