Chapter Nine

                                    

                                          
Avani:
"Do you want to go for a movie?" Rudransh asked and I was shocked and frightened. At home, he never allowed me to watch the TV when he's at home as he watches what he likes. He didn't ask me not to watch TV but I know when he's watching, he won't allow me to watch what I love or I think so.
"Hello, I asked you something."
"No, we will go home," I said slowly.
These days I am unable to speak even in a louder tone as Rudransh always instructed me to talk less and in a low voice.
"Do you want to go anywhere else?" 
"No," I said again. Rudransh nodded and played the songs in the car. He gave his mobile to me.
"Change the song if you want." 
"Not interested." 
I gave back his mobile as his different behavior is making me more frightened. Is he angry with me? Does he planning something? 
On the way, he stopped near a panipuri shop.
"Do you want to eat panipuri or chat?"
"I am full already."
"Fine," Rudransh said but the way he started the car made me jump in fear. What did I do now? Why is he frustrated with me?
"If you want to eat anything or want to stop the car anywhere, let me know. Tonight we are not going home. We are going for a long drive tonight," Rudransh said, giving me another shock. 
What is he planning? Is he testing me or waiting for a chance to punish me? I love movies, songs, chat and street food but after marriage, I left everything with fear for him. Because I forgot how I lived before our marriage and what are my favourites.
Rudransh stopped near a flower shop. 
"I will just come," Rudransh said and I nodded. He came back with a bouquet of red roses and kept it in the back seat. He stopped near some mall and asked me to wait in the car. He brought few things and kept it in the backseat again and I didn't bother to notice what are those as I am least interested. 
Throughout the night, he was driving and played few songs which I love. If he knew my likes, doesn't he know what my heart is and what makes me happy? Rudransh, I don't want this outing or anything. If you talk to me lovingly atleast once per day, that gives me happiness. But all you do is taunting and scolding me. Even if I do everything right, you will taunt me saying your punishments worked well. But why don't you understand that I am bearing everything only for you. I don't do anything which you ask me not to do because I love you, not because of your punishments.
"Get down," Rudransh said taking me to a place where there's no one. I was frightened for a minute. What is he planning to do now? I got down before he gets angry. 
"Close your eyes," Rudransh said and I did. I was asked not to open my eyes until he says. Rudransh closed my eyes with his hands making me walk slowly to a distance.
"Open your eyes now," I opened my eyes and was surprised to see that he kept a cake, candles and other things on a table. And it's a lakeside.
"Happy Birthday," Rudransh said, handing over the red rose bouquet to me. 
"Birthday?" I said as I don't know my birthday. My father didn't tell me when I was born and I never tried to know as I lost my mom on the same say. My eyes were filled with tears remembering my mom and my childhood. 
Rudransh wiped my tears.
"Why are you crying now?" 
"I lost my mom on the same day. So I never celebrated my birthday."