Chapter 6: Marital Bargains

Three hours later.

When I returned to my room, sore all over, I found Arjun lying naked on my bed.

We'd been sleeping in separate rooms for two years.

Arjun had a medical issue, needing strong stimulation to function. Ever since that unspeakable incident two years ago, he hadn't touched me.

At this moment,

His chest rose and fell. He looked at me, panting, eyes half-closed.

"Come here."

His voice was low, commanding. I hesitated at the door, the air heavy with his impatience.

I bit my lip and slowly walked over.

"I can't give you acupuncture tonight—my hands are too shaky to hold the needles."

I showed him my trembling hands.

If I had any use in front of him, it was my acupuncture.

Years of dysfunction made it hard for him to control his body, sometimes always aroused, sometimes completely limp. During episodes, only acupuncture could barely bring him back to normal.

As the granddaughter of an ayurveda master, I'd learned by immersion, and my technique was better than any outsider's.

Arjun's face darkened.

Clearly, he was having an episode again.

Lying there, in a miserable state.

It was the former.

He tapped his foot impatiently, the silver payal on his ankle jingling—a habit left from childhood.

"Of all days to have this trouble today."

He cursed irritably, bloodshot eyes fixed on me, voice gruff:

"You do it."

I stood still, hesitating, and said, "The doctor said my brother's bill needs to be renewed."

My words trembled, but I knew this was the only time he would listen.

His voice turned cold instantly.

"You have to bring this up now?"

I spoke softly, "I haven't had time to tell you today, but the doctor said if it's not renewed today, tomorrow's medicine will be cut off. You know my brother can't go without it."

Arjun stared at me for a few seconds, then snorted, picked up his phone, and made a quick call.

"Send 3 lakh to the hospital."

Then he tossed his phone aside and glared at me:

"Take off your clothes and get on yourself."

His words were sharp, and I bit down on the inside of my cheek, steadying my breath. My fingers fumbled at the buttons, the room spinning just a little.

I let out a quiet breath.

With trembling hands, I began to undress.

His gaze grew redder, his chest heaving more violently.

"Ugh—"

I suddenly doubled over, retching violently.

I vomited on the bed, some splashing onto his leg.

Arjun was a clean freak. He cursed and jumped up, rushing into the bathroom.

The sound of running water and angry mutters drifted out. I wiped my mouth, shame prickling under my skin.

When he came out after washing, his face was thunderous.

I apologised quietly, "I must have eaten something bad today. I'll clean it up right away."

He ignored me, picked up his phone, and dialled.

"I'm coming over tonight. Wait for me."

He started putting on the pyjamas he'd tossed aside.

He didn't speak.

I didn't speak either.

The silence in the room was broken only by the distant honk of a rickshaw outside.

In the heavy silence, Arjun finished dressing and walked out. At the door, he suddenly turned, his face grim and sarcastic.

"Riya, I really want to see how long you can keep up this act."

His words lingered in the air long after he left, sharper than any slap.