Chapter 36: chapter 36

SRUTHI“Are you ready to move into your new room?” Madhav asks as he opens the door of the house.“Is it already ready?” I ask. It is going to be two weeks since our wedding and I was getting comfortable with the guest room. “Yes, it is. Actually, it should have been ready a week ago but it took some time.”We enter the house together. He walks into his room and comes out with a key in his hand. He gives me the key and points to a door that is very next to his room. “Why is my room next to yours?” I ask raising my eyebrow. The house is a huge two-story building with more than ten rooms. He could have given me any room but he chose the one that is next to his. Madhav gives an amused smile that says he finds something funny. But, I don't think the situation is funny. I still don’t trust him. Even if our conversations have become civil and polite, the fact that he is a dangerous assassin is always at the back of my mind. I can never trust a killer with my whole heart. I will always question his decisions. “I want to be as close to you as you would permit me,” he answers. “That would allow me to reach you sooner if danger breaks out.”I want to argue with him. Say that danger wouldn't find me or that I can defend myself but we both know those are lies.I walk forward and put the key in the keyhole. I have no idea why it took him nearly two weeks to get this room ready when it could have been finished in a day. He just has to add a cot and a few drawers. Not a big task for someone who owns a jewellery shop.I push open the wooden door and—Holy Heavens!Am I dreaming? I blink a few times. Nope, the room looks the same as my room in my brother's mansion. There is a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room with a medium-sized chestnut drawer on the side. The photo frame of my parents is on it along with the pictures I took with my brother during my college graduation. The walls are decorated with non-violence quotes that I had back in my old room. Hell! Even the bed sheets and pillow covers are the same.He recreated my old room. That is why it took him so long. I remember him eyeing my room keenly. That was the only time he entered it but he noted every single detail and got it correct.“This is insane,” I mutter as I walk into the room. “Don't you like it?” Madhav's voice sounds nervous. I turn back to find him glancing at the room nervously. The confident and cocky Madhav I know is nowhere to be found. He runs a hand through his hair. I have come to recognize that as his nervous tic. What is he nervous about? Is he afraid that I wouldn't like this?“Why did you recreate my old room? What were you thinking really?”He rubs his neck and gives me a nervous smile like he isn't sure if I am happy with this or not, “Honestly, I wanted you to feel at home at this place. I don’t know how to be warm or gentle. Heck! I have no idea how to make you feel at home at this place. That is why I tried to recreate your room in hopes of giving you a homely feeling. Tell me do you like it?”“I do,” I answer. “Thank you for being considerate of my feelings.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“Arghh! I am so confused now,” I whine. I am at my brother's mansion. I came here to pick up some things. “What are you confused about?” asks Nisha watering the plants in my brother's mansion. She is assigned the task of looking after the mansion until my brother returns.  She was here when I arrived and we both have been chatting for quite some time.“About Madhav.”“What about him? Are you perhaps surprised to see a gentle side to him?”“Woah! Are you a mind reader or what?”“Nope! But I know from experience that not all killers are cold and heartless,” her eyes have a faraway look like she is recalling some old memory.“What kind of exp—No, wait!” I gasp as I understand the full meaning of her sentence. “How do you know that Madhav is an assassin?”She grins at me, “Give me some credit for working with your brother. I knew a lot of information.”“Did my brother tell you?” I ask.She shakes her head, “I am good at collecting information. Anyways, what is bothering you?”“I can't seem to pinpoint who is Madhav exactly. He was never gentle with me before our marriage. Our conversations weren't civil and polite. He always seemed like a rough man with hard edges but now he is a different man.”“How different?”“He is gentle with me and respects my opinions. He is trying his best to make sure I am comfortable in his house.”“Aw, that is so sweet of him,” gushes Nisha. “Your brother could learn a few things from Madhav.”I frown at her, “Why? Isn't my brother already perfect?”“Oh, he is a perfect brother but a cold employee with no heart,” she answers.I am not going to argue with her. There is some truth in her words. Vikram treats her badly. I have no idea why he always makes Nisha work hard. “Here we go again, talking about me,” says Nisha turning off the water tap. “If Madhav is gentle and caring then why are you worried? You should be worried only if he tortures you.”“You don't understand, Nisha,” I say. “After Praveen, I don't want to believe any men who is caring and gentle. I want to know the real Madhav. I am afraid that Madhav like Praveen would have some ulterior motives. It is complicated.”Nisha places her hand on my shoulder and gives me a look that conveys a lot of meaning. Sometimes, I keep forgetting the fact that she is older than me, “It is complicated only when you think with your brain. Ask your heart. It will give you an honest answer.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥