Tarnished

10. Deep In The Ocean

Mehul left Avni with the book and her thoughts while he marched to his study room after a refreshing shower and a strong coffee.

He leisurely reclined on his seat and twirled a pencil in his fingers, while he closed his eyes and thought about his mysterious wife.
No one would think Avni as an educated woman at the first glance. Mehul opened his eyes and looked out of the window as her appearance came to his mind. Those dull looking cotton Kurtis and pajamas, crafted out of same piece of cloth were weird and extremely old fashioned. She would wear same thing the entire day and even while sleeping.

Mehul decided to change it soon.

The dinner that night was an easy affair.

Avni did not refuse any servings and ate enough to be called as a proper meal. She drank enough water and did not refuse and glass of milk before sleeping. When Mehul worked for some time after dinner and came to sleep, she was ready with the book on her lap to explain him a page.

He could not help but smile at her determination.

Mehul sat down on the bed and Avni sat in front of him cross-legged. She looked at Mehul and found him waiting with full focus. She started slowly, but soon a lost confidence took over her as she explained the subject. Mehul did not focus on what she was explaining, rather he was lost in the way she was talking so much with confidence.

He instantly knew, his decision was right. He was still intently looking at her when she had finished four pages of explanation that she had read that day.

Mehul realized that she had stopped.

"Wow... " he said slightly embarrassed, that he actually missed on her explanation.

She blinked at him.

"Umm. Actually I am a bit tired today. I could grasp half of what you taught me. Would you mind repeating the same thing tomorrow?" He asked sheepishly.

Avni nodded in understanding.

When Mehul pulled her close to him to put her to sleep, she found a perfect spot to hear his heartbeat more clearly and adjusted her head on his chest. It was not new to Mehul now. She would sleep with her head on his chest and would search for a spot where the heartbeats were clearer.

"I will come early today. We will go out for some fresh air." Next morning Mehul informed her, before leaving for office.

Avni nodded, thinking it was the back garden, which she had grown fond of.

Mehul was questioned by his father about Avni and her condition everyday. He would also meet Dr. Nikhil and discuss about the progress in her behavior and eating habits. The progress was slow but it could definitely be called as a progress.

Mehul was stepping down the office building, and was in hurry to reach home. That day he was determined to take Avni for some shopping.

"Mr. Raichanda?" A female voice resonated and Mehul halted in his tracks.

He turned around to look at a very well groomed young woman dressed in formals. She had a leather laptop bag on her shoulder. She walked ahead and her heels clicked on the paved floor of the parking.

"Yes?" Mehul asked with furrowed brows.

"Hello, I am Jasmine Khan. I am a journalist. I want... "

"I am really sorry. I am a bit busy and in hurry at the moment. You can contact my father." Mehul replied interrupting her.
He instantly lost interest as soon as he heard about her occupation. He was not in the mood to entertain any media person.