Own Rules of Meera

Part 17: Own Rules of Meera

Arjun’s phone alarm woke him up early in the morning. After squeezing his eyes open, he picked it up and rolled his eyes at seeing Sagar's name flashing on the screen.

“Yahhhh…”

“Good morning, Arjun.”

“Good morning.”

“You have to be at Intcom by 8 o'clock since you left the conference in the middle of yesterday.”

“Yeah, I will be there.”

He hung up, and his gaze fell on the beautiful sight of his sleeping wife. A smile spread across his lips as he tucked a strand of her hair that was falling onto her face. He folded his hands, recalling their conversation from yesterday. What had happened to her so suddenly? She had spoken in a completely opposite way to her usual self. He felt happy about it, as if she were beginning to realise something important. Arjun closed his eyes as he noticed Meera stirring. She rubbed her palms together and chanted a mantra while gazing at them.

“Hey, Devi Matha, keep everyone happy.”

Arjun felt a wave of delight wash over him. Meera hurried to the washroom. He stretched his arms and sat in bed, realising he needed to leave for Intcom soon. He wondered how Meera would get to college since the driver was also unavailable, as Sanjana and Ganga had gone to a friend's housewarming function. Arjun dialled Rahul, still wrapped up in his quilt, sound asleep.

“Who is this?” Rahul mumbled sleepily.

“Haven’t you woken up yet?”

Rahul opened his eyes wide.

“Thunder, you? What made you think of me instead of Meera Bhabi?” he teased.

“Come to our room… now.”

“What? Now? Why are you calling me in the mid night?”

Arjun rolled his eyes.

“It’s 6 am.”

“My God, I have never seen that time on the clock.”

“Okay, create a record. Come here immediately.” He disconnected the call.

Rahul arrived in the room, washing his face, asking, “Why did you call me, Thunder?”

“You have to take Meera to college today. I need to go to Intcom, and it's urgent.”

They heard Meera’s voice say, “No, I can’t go with him.”

Arjun was taken aback by her boldness.

“Meera Bhabi, Thunder has urgent work at Intcom,” Rahul said.

“Then I will go by bus,” she replied defiantly.

Arjun frowned, “Whaaat? By bus?”

“Or by a cab.”

“But why?”

“No, Arjunji, I can’t go with him.”

“Meera, I have to go to the office; otherwise, I'll drop you off.”

“It’s fine if you can’t drop me. I will manage.”

“He's also studying at the same college. What’s wrong with him dropping you off?” Arjun pressed.

“But he goes by bike,” Meera said, hesitating.

Arjun bit his tongue to keep from expressing his joy while Rahul scratched his head in confusion. Arjun felt exhilarated; his wife was unwilling to go with anyone else. Still, he was curious to hear her reasoning.

“Are you scared to sit on the bike, Meera?” he asked.

Meera shook her head.

“No. I went with my Babuji many times.”

Arjun tried hard not to show his happiness. “Then why won’t you go with him?”

“How can I go with someone other than my husband?” Meera said, looking at Rahul. “I’m sorry, Rahulji; I didn't mean to hurt you.”

“I understand, Bhabi. I have a solution if that’s your problem,” Rahul said.

“What’s that?” Arjun felt a nervous flutter. What if Rahul suggested something silly?

“We can go by cab,” Rahul offered.

Arjun sighed in relief.

“I’ll pick Meera up in the evening,” Rahul added.

“No problem. I can get a lift from my friends,” Rahul said.

“It’s okay, Rahulji. I’ll manage…”

“What’s the use of Rahul if he can’t help his Bhabi? I will get ready,” he insisted, not waiting for her response.

Arjun smiled at her contentedly.

“What if you go with him, Meera? Don’t worry; no one will say anything to your Amma.”

“I’m not a kid for my Amma to teach everything to. I have a sense, too,” Meera replied, pouting in annoyance.

Arjun’s eyes widened.

“I don’t quite understand.”

“Girls shouldn’t be close to any man other than their husband. Understand?”

Arjun felt delighted about her self-imposed rules. Not bad at all.

Meera took a step forward, then halted at his question.

“Will you come with me on my bike?” she asked.

“Do you know how to ride a bike?” Meera replied excitedly.

Wasn’t that a great insult for the great Arjun?

“I can ride a bike with you on my lap,” he blurted out.

Meera was dumbfounded, and so did Arjun.

“I just meant that to clarify my riding skills,” he explained awkwardly.

Meera nodded and left the room. Could Arjun contain the imagined scene of riding the bike with her on his lap?

How could Meera ignore what he had said? Goosebumps covered her skin. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her upper arms nervously. Suddenly, she bumped into Isha, who came from the kitchen with a milkshake.

“Mami, where were you lost?” Isha asked.

“In Arjunji’s lap…”

“Whaaat?”

Meera composed herself and added, “I mean, Arjunji’s laptop charger…”

“Ohhhh,” she replied, sipping her milkshake as she walked away.

Meera felt her heart pounding wildly. “Riding on a bike while sitting in Arjunji’s lap?” She plopped down on the couch to steady herself.

“Thank God Arjunji isn’t dropping me off today,” she huffed in relief.

College

Meera wanted to ask Pooja about Arjun, but would she say anything? What if she mentioned it to Sagar since they were very close siblings?

Meera’s thoughts were interrupted when a girl called Pooja, who rolled her eyes irritably.

“I don’t know what this witch is doing here,” Pooja murmured.

That was Chandni, who was with her friend, Nancy.

“Hi, Pooja! How are you doing?”

“I’m good so far,” Pooja mocked.

“Which course are you studying?”

“BBA.”

“Me, Ph.D.”

“As if I asked…” Pooja mumbled.

“When did you start mingling with low-class girls?” Chandni asked, looking at Meera.

Pooja stood up swiftly, getting frustrated. She reached Chandni in an instant.

“Mind your tongue. She is Mrs. Arjun.”

Chandni’s face registered shock.

“What???? Mrs. Arjun? What the hell? His family must have gone mad or something! Sanjana must have forced Arjun to marry this country girl who always wants her brother under control. Arjun has better taste; he likes only fashion-oriented girls like me. Poor guy—he got trapped by his family.”

“Shut up, Chandni. Mind your own business, or you will face the consequences.”

After throwing an angry glare at Meera, Chandni left. Pooja turned around to see Meera wearing a shocked expression. “Goddamn…!”

“Meera, she’s mad. Don’t take her seriously,” Pooja said.

“Who is she?” Meera asked.

“She is one of the dealers at Incomplete, Mr Rishab’s daughter.”

“Does Arjunji like her very much?”

“Not at all. He talks to her officially. Don’t believe her; she lies a lot.”

“Did Sanjanaji force Arjunji to marry me?” Meera asked miserably.

“No one can force Arjun to do anything. He does what he wants. Chandni gets jealous of everyone; she’s such a haughty woman. Don’t let her get into your head, Meera. Arjun liked you very much; that’s why he married you. Trust me.”

Meera nodded but still felt uneasy. She remembered how the Intcom receptionist had reacted upon seeing her.

Evening

Seeing Chandni in the canteen made Meera nervous. She was waiting for Arjun to arrive. Chandni was sitting at a corner table with her friend, Nancy. Meera moved to the window next to their table. Nancy gestured to Chandni with her eyes. Chandni smirked when she saw Meera hiding.

“I wouldn’t have let Arjun marry that country girl if I were in India. It’s not too late, though. I can make Arjun kick that girl out of his life if I get a single chance to talk to him because he likes me a lot,” Chandni said.

“Really?” Nancy asked.

“Yes, and I will definitely try to talk to him. I can’t tolerate seeing Arjun’s life getting ruined.”

Meera felt a chill run down her spine. Would Arjun kick her out of his life if Chandni were allowed to talk to him? She nervously bit her nail.

Meera panicked when she saw Arjun arriving to pick her up. She ran towards him before Chandni could see. What if she approached him? Meera hurriedly got into the car, and they drove away. Chandni, watching from afar, smiled devilishly as her plan seemed to be unfolding.

Meera was deep in thought about their marriage. Did Arjunji not like her? Did Sanjana force Arjun to marry her? Did Sanjana want to control Arjun? What was Arjun's taste? She had noticed girls in his office who dressed stylishly. Could what Chandni said be true?

Arjun smiled when he saw her lost in thought.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

Meera’s mind raced.

“I met your friend today.”

Arjun raised his eyebrows. “My friend?”

“Yes.”

“Who is that?”

“Chandniji.”

“Did she come to your college?”

“Yes.”

Meera silently thanked Devi Matha that he didn’t ask, “What is she doing in your college?” He might want to meet her if he knew that Chandni had joined.

“Oh.”

“Is she your friend?”

“Mmmm… kind of…”

“Do you like her?”

“She’s brilliant, talented, and fashionable. Yeah, I like her.”

Meera gulped hard. Arjunji liked her? She glanced at the side mirror and saw her reflection. She began comparing herself to Chandni.

"Brilliant… I’m also brilliant! Talented… I’m also talented! But fashionable? No… (She pouted.) Chandni said the same thing."

“What’s wrong, Meera?” Arjun asked, staring at her, clueless.

“Absolutely... I’m alright, Arjunji,” she replied.

“What are you blabbering about?” he smiled.

“I’m practising my spoken English.”

Arjun chuckled. “You can talk to me if you want to improve.”

Meera nodded.

She remembered Arjun’s advice: “Learn from everyone.” Doesn’t Chandni seem confident? If a girl who is just a friend to Arjunji can turn situations in her favour, then why can’t I, Mrs Arjun? I have a brain capable of conquering the world. Can’t I win against Chandni? I should use my skills to protect Arjunji from that woman. After all, I’m also talented and brilliant.

She straightened up, taking deep breaths.

To be continued...