Chapter 40

“What do you mean?” Aman said, confused.

“Tamanna, the woman you…you know, came here.” Priya repeated.

“When?” Aman asked in disbelief.

“While you were in the shower just now.” Priya answered, as she started to rewrap Aman’s bandages.

“What the hell did she say?” Aman asked, irritated that Tamanna had the nerve to come back to his house.

“She told me what you told me.  Youre infidelity wasn’t as severe as I thought and that night…you thought about me.” Priya said, while she applied some medicine to Aman’s wounds.

“Priya,” Aman stopped Priya from tending to his wounds, getting her undivided attention. “Why did you believe her and not me?”

Priya looked down, unsure how to answer without offending Aman.

“Well, she had nothing to gain. You did.” Priya started.

“Meaning?” Asked Aman.

“She doesn’t know me. I don’t know her, but she still came all the way down here and she took your side.  I thought you convinced her to come and see m-”

“No I didn’t!” Aman interrupted.  “I don’t talk to her at all anymore, Priya.  You have to believe me.”

“She said the same thing. You two don’t talk anymore, and you had nothing to do with it.  Aman, I thought you were just telling me what I wanted to hear, so I’d forgive you.  When Tamanna came and told me everything that you told me, I had no reason not to believe her.” Priya explained.

Aman was quiet.  He looked saddened by what Priya had just told him.

“You believed her over me.” He stated quietly.

“Aman.” Priya said.

“She’s a stranger. I’m your husband.” Aman said, a little angrily.

“It’s because a stranger, Aman.  That’s why I believed her.  She could’ve come here and said horrible things about that night you two spent together.  She could’ve told lies that would have made me forget the very notion of ever forgiving you, but she didn’t.” Priya said.

“That doesn’t make her a good person, Priya. She’s a bitch who caused all these problems in the first place.” Aman replied.

“Aman, you’re at fault too.” Priya said quietly.

“Why are you taking her side?” Aman asked, still angry.

“I’m not! I’m just trying to tell you why I believe her.” Priya replied.

“I’ve been apologizing to you ever since I told, and you wouldn’t forgive me.  She comes by one time and talked to you for five minutes, and you suddenly decide you can forgive me.” Aman said, the volume of his voice rising.  “That’s bullshit!”

“Aman, why are you so angry?  I’ve forgiven you.  Isn’t that what you wanted?” Priya replied, surprised by Aman’s anger.

“It’s all I wanted, Priya, but this wasn’t the way I wanted it to happen.” Aman said calmly.

“I’m sorry.” Priya said, feeling like she’d done something wrong.

“Don’t apologize.  You didn’t do anything.  I just...I hate that she came here. I never wanted you two to meet.” Aman admitted.

“Can I finish this?” Priya asked, pointing to Aman’s half wrapped bandages.

“Of course.” Aman said, leaning forward and letting go of Priya’s hands so she could continue bandaging his wounds.

“Are you still angry?” Priya asked once she finished.

“No, I have nothing to be angry at you about.” Aman replied.

Priya started to get up, but Aman stopped her, grabbing her arm.  He pulled her closer to him.  She looked at him unsurely, wondering what he wanted from her.

“We should celebrate.  You’ve finally forgiven me.  Let me take you out tonight.” Aman said.

Priya smiled.  She increased the distance between them, pulling away from him slightly.

“Aman, you can barely walk properly.  We can celebrate once you’ve recovered.” Priya said.

“You’re no fun.” Aman pouted.

Priya stifled a laugh.  Aman was being a child again, and he was so cute!

“I promise, as soon as you’re fully recovered, we’ll celebrate in whatever way you want.” Priya said.

Aman perked up.

“Any way I want?” Aman asked, pulling Priya closer.

“Aman! You have a dirty mind.” Priya said.

“I was thinking a fun night at an amusement park, Priya. I don’t know what you were thinking.” Aman said, jokingly.

“Seriously?” Priya asked in disbelief, not understanding the joke.

“What? Are we children? We’re not going to an amusement park.” Aman laughed.

“Good,” Priya said.

“Priya, are you afraid of roller coasters?” Aman asked.

“No...maybe” Priya said.

“Well, an amusement park isn’t really my idea of a romantic date, but maybe…” Aman said.

“No! I’m not going to an amusement park!” Priya exclaimed.  Aman belted out a loud laugh.  Priya blushed.

“Don’t worry, Priya.  I’m just kidding.  I’ll think of something more romantic with just as much adrenaline.” Aman winked.  Priya blushed even more, knowing exactly what Aman was hinting at.

“Aman,” Priya stood up, eager to leave.

“Wait,” Aman stopped her.

“What’s the matter?” Priya asked.

“Will you just...stay with me? It’s so boring being by myself.” Aman said.

“Sure,” Priya said, taking a seat next to Aman once again.

Aman’s recovery went by more quickly than his doctor had believed it would.  After about two weeks, Aman was told he would need to come back and see the doctor.

“Priya, stop worrying.  I can almost walk normally now.  Everything will be fine.” Aman tried to convince Priya on the way to the hospital.

“Why do they want to see you again then?  Something must be wrong.” Priya said, concerned.

“It’s a routine checkup to make sure my recovery is on track.” Aman explained.

“Aman, I’m worried.” Priya said.

Aman took Priya’s hand.  He smiled at her.

“Priya, you worry a lot.” He stated.  “It’s because you love me too much.” He added with a laugh.

Priya’s heart lurched.  How did Aman find out that she loves him?

“Aman, how did you--” Priya began.

“We’re here.” Aman interrupted.

Priya didn’t bother repeating her question.  If Aman wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it, she wouldn’t either.  Right now, all she wanted to focus on was what the doctor was going to say about Aman’s recovery.

“Shit!” Aman cursed under his breath as the nurse examined his ankle.

“It’s gonna hurt a little, sweetheart.” The middle-aged nurse said as she bent Aman’s ankle forward.

Priya tried not to laugh.  It wasn’t nice to laugh at someone’s pain, but Aman’s facial expressions were priceless.  The discomfort he was feeling was written all over his face.  Suddenly, Aman grabbed Priya’s hand and pulled her towards the hospital bed.

“It hurts so much.” He said, pouting while squeezing her hand.

“It’s not gonna hurt for long, honey. Don’t you worry.” The nurse said, believing that Aman was in a lot more pain than he actually was.  Soon, the nurse left to go get the doctor, so he could come and finish Aman’s checkup.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” Priya asked, worried.

“Yeah it hurts like a bitch!” Aman exclaimed.

Priya gave Aman a disappointed look.

“Sorry, Priya. I’m just telling it like it is.” Aman apologized for his language.

“Can I do something?” Priya asked.

“There is one thing you could do.” Aman said, sheepishly.

“What is it?” Priya replied.

“Nothing would make my ankle feel better like a foot massage.” Aman said.

Priya looked at him unsurely.  Giving Aman a foot massage wasn’t exactly her idea of a desirable thing to do.  She sighed and walked to the foot of the hospital bed.  She began to reach for Aman’s feet.

“Priya, wait.” Aman said.

Priya stopped, looking back at Aman.

“I don’t really want a foot massage from you.  I respect you too much to make you do something like that...but I could use a kiss.” Aman said.

“Aman, the doctor could walk in at any minute.” Priya said.

“So? He won’t care.” Aman replied.

“I care.” Priya said.

Aman started to get up off the hospital bed.

“What are you doing?” Priya asked.

“Getting up.  If you aren’t going to come here and kiss me, I’m just going to have to kiss you.” Aman said.

He grunted at the pain that shot through his ankle.  Priya instantly felt bad.  She stopped him and walked to the other end of the bed.  She gently pulled Aman back onto the bed.  Once he was laying down, she leaned down and kissed him softly.

“There, that should make you feel better.” Priya said, stepping back.

“No, it wasn’t enough.” Aman pouted.

“Aman, don’t be childish.” Priya reprimanded.

“But...I want to kiss you some more.” Aman continued.

Priya blushed.  The doctor came in at that moment.

“Well Aman, how’s the recovery going?” He asked Aman.

“Great! I feel a lot better in just a couple of weeks.” Aman admitted.

The doctor started checking Aman’s ankle.  He had Aman walk across the room to check the progression of his mobility.  He also checked his wounds.

“I have no doubt that you’ll be walking normally by the end of the month.  These wounds look pretty healed. I wouldn’t worry about scarring too much.  Your wife took such good care of you.  Usually, men of your means hire an army of nurses, but I think even an army of nurses wouldn’t have taken care of you as well as your wife did.”  The doctor said, smiling.

“I know.  She’s the best.” Aman said, looking at Priya.

“She must really love you.” The doctor mused.

Priya’s eyes widened in surprise.  Did the entire world notice that Priya had fallen in love with Aman?  Aman said nothing in response, but his eyes were still on Priya.

“See, Priya. There was nothing to worry about.  The doctor said everything is great.” Aman said to Priya after leaving the hospital.  They were on their way back to Aman’s mansion.

“I know. I’m glad.  Sorry for worrying so much.” Priya replied.

“I like that your worry about me.  It shows that you care.” Aman said, smiling.

The fact that she cared was an understatement.  She loved him and would do anything for him.  Priya felt elated that Aman was going to be alright, but she couldn’t help but feel restless.  Did Aman know about Priya’s feelings toward him or did he merely say that she loved him as a joke?  Did he take the doctor’s remarks seriously or not? If Aman did know that Priya loved him, why wasn’t he saying anything about it?

“Priya,” Aman said, trying to get her attention.

“Yes?” Priya answered.

“I was just saying we should plan our celebration at the end of the month.  The doctor said I should be good as new by then.  It’s the perfect opportunity.” Aman said.

“Will you still want to celebrate so many weeks after the fact?” Priya asked doubtfully.

Aman frowned.

“Do you not want to celebrate with me?” He asked sadly.

“No! I’d love to, but is it really worth celebrating?” Priya asked.

“Priya, you were angry with me for so long.  Our relationship was suffering.  Hell, I was suffering.  You finally forgive me, and don’t think that’s worth celebrating?” Aman said seriously.

He turned to Priya, waiting for a response.  Priya looked down, not sure what to say.  She didn’t want to upset Aman, but she didn’t understand why her forgiveness was so important to him.  She wasn’t particularly mean to him while she was angry with him, and they didn’t even live in the same bedroom and could easily go about their lives with limited contact.   She brushed it off, thinking that Aman was just the type of man who did not like being disliked by others.

“We’ll celebrate, Aman.  We’ll do whatever you want.” Priya relented.

“Whatever I want?” Aman raised an eyebrow.

“You know what I mean.” Priya said.

“Priya, can I kiss you?” Aman asked suddenly.

“Aman…” Priya shook her head, glancing at the driver.

“I told you this was going to happen when we were in the hospital.” Aman replied.

“But…” Priya protested.

“It’s okay.  I can wait til we’re alone” Aman winked at her.

Sorry this is a bit of a filler chapter.  The next chapter will be their celebration date, and a LOT is going to happen then! How did you guys like all the bonding that happened between Aman and Priya in this chapter?  Apparently, the whole world knows that Priya is now in love with Aman lol! Poor girl!!

Unfortunately, the story is coming to an end.  Thank you all for embarking on this wonderful journey with Aman, Priya, and of course me.  There might be about 5 or maybe 7 chapters left. I can’t believe I’m going to complete a book! I’ve never written anything this long before hahaha! It’s such an accomplishment!!

COMMENT AND VOTE!!! Nothing would make me happier!!