Meera's
Monday mornings always feel like punishment.But I have no choice—I need to get ready for work.
I was standing by the mirror, combing my hair, when Akash casually walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. His reflection appeared right behind me in the mirror, and my heart skipped. Quickly, I turned towards the cupboard and pretended to look for something.
Before I could move further away, Akash stood right behind me and said,
"Are you done? Let me take my clothes too. It's my new joining today."
In my head, I muttered—How shameless can he be?
I avoided his eyes and moved toward the door, determined to ignore him. But then he called out again,
"Where are you going? Who's going to help me wear my clothes today?"
Without turning, I snapped, "You're going to wear a shirt, right? Shirts have buttons. You can manage on your own."
He smirked, "Still, you'll have to help me. You said it yourself yesterday."
Annoyed, I turned. "Fine. What help do you want?"
He looked directly at me, his eyes teasing. "Why can't you look at me? Do I affect you that much?"
My voice hardened. "If you ever step out of the bathroom like this again, I'll shift to Shruti's room immediately. We're sharing a room, so at least maintain some dignity and privacy."
Akash chuckled. "Alright, teacher. Got it. But maybe I should keep roaming around in just a towel—then you'll shift faster. That way, I'll finally get to talk to my girlfriend at night without you interfering."
I clenched my fists. "What help do you want, Akash?"
He raised his hands innocently. "Look, I've already worn my clothes. You can turn around."
I sighed and faced him. "Now tell me."
"My documents are on the top shelf of the cupboard. I can't reach them with my arm. Can you get them?"
Rolling my eyes, I went over and stretched to look. Nothing. "Where exactly? I don't see anything."
Akash suddenly appeared right behind me again, his voice warm against my ear. "Left side."
I froze for a second. Is he doing this on purpose?
"Got it?" he asked.
"Yes," I muttered. "But could you at least keep some distance?"
"Oh—sorry. Didn't realize. And don't overthink—it's not like I'm interested in you."
I found the file and shoved it into his hands. "Good. Because if you ever were interested, it would only damage me, not you."
I picked up my bag to leave, but he stopped me.
"It's only 8 a.m. Your school starts at 10, and it's just twenty minutes away. Why are you leaving so early?"
His question irritated me more than I could admit. "Why should I explain myself to you?"
He leaned back, smirking. "I think I already know. You must have a boyfriend, right? Siddharth, wasn't it?"
The anger rose instantly. "You can think whatever you want, Akash. But remember one thing—I don't ask about your life, and you don't ask about mine."
His tone shifted, almost harsh. "If you were in love with someone else, then why destroy my life?"
I turned on him, furious. "Destroyed? Akash, I'm the one who was destroyed! Look at me—I'm the one forced to wear marriage symbols every single day. I'm the one whose husband left the morning after our wedding night!"
"Stop, Meera. Don't come closer. I'm already cornered by the cupboard—"
I stepped back, trembling. His words pierced. "So it did affect you when I left?"
"'Affect'?" I almost laughed bitterly. "Of course it did. Do you know what people said? That the groom ran away before the wedding? Or worse—that the groom abandoned his wife the very next morning. They taunted me every day. You could have stayed—we could have talked, found a way. But you blamed everything on me without even listening."
He swallowed hard. "But I came back, didn't I?"
I glared. "And why did you come back? Because you got a job at City Hospital. Don't fool yourself—you're selfish, Akash. You think only of yourself. And don't you dare ask about Siddharth again. You have a girlfriend. You go on dates, you spend nights with her. Did I ever ask you anything?"
Akash's jaw tightened. "So when I spend the night with my girlfriend, does it make you jealous?"
I laughed at myself bitterly. "I'm a fool for even speaking to you." And I stormed out.
In the kitchen, Mama smiled warmly. "Meera, did you have breakfast?"
"Yes, I'm having it now," I replied quickly, trying to hide the storm inside me.
She placed hot parathas in front of me. I held her hand gently, needing comfort. She sat beside me. "What happened, beta?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Should I bring you something from the market?"
She chuckled. "Not now. But do one thing—on your way back, pick some flowers. Your school is close to the flower market, isn't it? I used to wear a gajra in my hair every day with Geeta. It would look so beautiful on you."
I forced a smile. "Alright, I'll get some."
Just then Akash walked in. Mama asked him, "You can't drive, right? Should I send Rohan to drop you, or will you take a cab?"
Akash shook his head. "No need. My friend will pick me up."
I quickly finished my breakfast. "Bye, Mama."
"You're leaving half an hour early?" she asked.
"Yes, I have some work," I replied curtly, and left.
Akash's POV
Meera isn't weak at all. What happened in the room just now made it clear—she truly hates me. But what can I do? It wasn't my fault.
Mama called out, "Do you want more parathas, Akash?"
"No, thanks," I replied. Then, hesitantly, "Maa… are you still angry with me?"
She paused, then sighed. "Not angry. Just… one request. As long as Meera stays in your room, treat her properly."
Before I could reply, Neha's call came. I told Maa goodbye and left.
In the car, Neha laughed. "I wanted to see your wife, Akash."
"She already left," I muttered.
"Fine, I'll see her tomorrow. I just want to check how ugly she is." Neha giggled, but something twisted inside me. I didn't laugh. Why did it bother me so much? Meera isn't ugly. She's simple, but far from ugly.
At the hospital, I completed all joining formalities. Finally—I was in the cardiology department I'd always dreamed of. The duty hours would be 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.—long, but worth it. This hospital was the best place for my career growth.
After introductions, after lunch, and after attending a few patients, I returned home.
As always, Duggu refused to eat until someone chased him. I caught him, aunty fed him, and then she turned to me. "See, Akash? With this new schedule, you'll finally spend some time with family too."
I nodded. "Yes, Aunty. That's why I wanted to join this hospital—it's the best."
Later, I went upstairs, ready to rest, when Neha called again. She teased, she insisted, she asked when I'd come to her flat. I brushed her off politely.
Finally, I headed for a shower. But the moment I opened the bathroom door—
"Aaaaaaa! You shameless doctor! Go back inside!" Meera's voice pierced the air.
Confused, I quickly shut the door again. Five minutes later, I called out, "Can I come out now?"
No reply. Maybe she had changed.
But when I stepped out, she hurled random things at me—pillows, bottles, whatever she could grab.
"Stop it!" I shouted. "Why are you attacking me?"
"You shameless doctor! What were you doing in the bathroom at this time? And why are you home when you should be on duty?"
I ducked to avoid a flying bottle. "Trust me, I didn't see anything! I don't even know what color your innerwear is!"
That earned me a deo bottle straight to my forehead. "Are you insane, Meera?! What if it hit my eyes?"
"Would have been better!" she snapped.
Furious, I grabbed her wrist. "What is your problem?"
"You are my problem," she spat.
"I don't even want to live with you," I shouted back. "You should've checked—I left my bag on the table! And for the record, my duty ends at 3 a.m. I'll always be home by 3:30. Got it?"
Meera dramatically slapped her forehead. I rolled my eyes. "Oh, so disappointing for you, huh?"
"Stay away from me, Akash!" she shouted, pushing me.
I lost my balance, instinctively caught her hand—and in that moment, she fell right on top of me.