Chapter 62 — Listen to Me, Ritu

Arnav pulled the car over and stopped.

Ritika looked at him, still wiping her tears.

Ritika: Why did you stop?

Arnav unfastened his seat belt and turned toward her.

Arnav: Come here.

Ritika: No.

Arnav gently reached for her hand.

Arnav: Ritu, please.

She hesitated.

He carefully pulled her closer and made her sit on his lap.

Ritika: Arnav, we're in the car.

Arnav: I know.

He looked directly into her tear-filled eyes.

Arnav: And this time, I'm going to listen.

Ritika became quiet.

Arnav: You were right.

Ritika looked at him in surprise.

Arnav: I assumed everything instead of asking you.

He gently wiped the tear from her cheek.

Arnav: I saw IIT Delhi and thought about your past. I let my insecurity speak instead of trusting my wife.

Ritika lowered her eyes.

Arnav: And I hurt you with my words.

His voice softened.

Arnav: Saying I regretted falling in love with you was wrong.

Ritika's eyes filled again.

Arnav: I don't regret loving you, Ritu.

He held her closer.

Arnav: Not for one second.

Ritika looked at him.

Arnav: I was afraid.

Ritika: Afraid of what?

Arnav: Of losing you to a memory.

He took a breath.

Arnav: But Pavan is your past. I understand that now.

Arnav: I should never have made you feel guilty for having loved someone before me.

Ritika quietly rested her hand against his chest.

Arnav: And about this morning...

He sighed.

Arnav: I saw your suit, ignored your breakfast, pushed the chair and walked away because I was angry.

Ritika: You hurt me.

Arnav: I know.

He kissed her forehead.

Arnav: I'm sorry.

Ritika remained quiet.

Arnav: And the penthouse...

He shook his head.

Arnav: You weren't trying to separate me from my family. Ammi, Phupi and Abbu wanted us to spend some time there so we could understand each other better.

Ritika nodded.

Arnav: I was wrong to accuse you.

He gently lifted her chin.

Arnav: You are my wife, Ritu. You don't have to keep proving that you chose me.

Ritika's tears finally fell.

Arnav wiped them away.

Arnav: From now on, if something bothers me, I'll ask you.

He paused.

Arnav: No more assumptions.

Ritika: Promise?

Arnav: Promise.

She looked at him for a few seconds.

Ritika: I'm still angry.

Arnav smiled faintly.

Arnav: You can be angry.

Ritika: Very angry.

Arnav: I'll manage.

She finally smiled through her tears.

Arnav: Now come. My angry Begum Sahiba has a date to attend.

Ritika shook her head.

Ritika: You're impossible.

Arnav: But I'm yours.

She rested her forehead against his.

For the first time that morning, the heaviness between them began to disappear.