While the morning rays fell on his face, outlining it, Vivan opened his eyes to find an empty bed. He got up, and after checking the bathroom, he walked out of the bedroom in haste. He soon found Ira in the kitchen, cooking. Only after seeing Ira did he felt reassured.
Every time he wakes up with Ira in his arms, he still feels insecure that it was maybe just a dream. That everything will vanish soon.
This was especially because the change that he had seen in her was so great.
Ira was cutting vegetables with grace and firmness. There was a gentle smile hanging on her face.
He stood staring at her.
After two years of marriage, Vivan had an idea of her temperament; cold, strong and domineering, the woman had only her self in her eyes.
Even if she smiled for someone that would be a polite courtesy smile.
Now, he saw the varying range of emotions on her face.
Real emotions!!
A genuine smile, a burst of playful laughter, heartfelt tears, her acting spoiled. At times, she tried to act like a cute little girl, which in itself, was adorable.
The indifference and stubbornness of the past vanished without leaving a trace when she was with him.
At that time when he came to know that she was ready for their marriage, he was ecstatic, but he had no idea that she was forced or rather blackmailed for the marriage.
She built an iron wall around her heart, not letting him enter it.
Her cold demeanor didn't let their relationship progress. Even after their marriage, they didn't interact much.
The image was still fresh in his mind. The night after the marriage, when Ira told him to move out of his room, he could not sleep the whole night thinking about what words should he say to her. He stood outside the bedroom door while staring at it.
Only when they talked the morning after their marriage did he come to know about the amount of disdain did his wife held for him. She said that the wedding was a business transaction and she would provide him funds.
She saw him as an incompetent man!
For a moment he doubted himself.
Was he even worthy of her?
Rejecting her offer, he walked out of the house in determination. One day he will prove himself worthy enough.
He worked hard tirelessly day and night every day for two years so that he can prove himself to her.
Being rejected straight on his male ego did not let him beg for her love.
What is the most important thing in marriage? Love, trust...
But even more important than these was Respect.
A Mutual Respect for your partner!
Only after gaining that respect from her would she accept him wholeheartedly.
Even when his career was moving forward, she remained the same, indifferent and aloof to his life.
Every once in a while, Vivan thought that Ira would ask for a divorce. Hence he was holding hope for a child.
Maybe having a child between them would tie her up with him forever and change her.
And so it did.