“It's ok.”

She whispered and he sighed.

“Look at me please. I know I've hurt you.”

“It will take time Raghav. Itna aasan nhi hai unn duriyon ko bharna jo ab hai hamare beech mai.”

“I know. I just want you to forgive me.”

He said with a sad look.

Night was the toughtest time to pass. Both of them were aware of the other person being just next door.

Maithili wanted to run into his arms and let all her fears and insecurities be burned with his reassuring touch.

Raghav wanted nothing else than having her in his arms and kissing away the distance she said had formed between them.

But both of them were hesitant and reluctant about what the other would think.

Raghav and Maithili have adjusted well in their new apartment. Their parents visited one day to see all the arrangements and gave both of them a piece of mind separately.

Both their parents explained the importance of being together and advised them to save their marriage. They were aware of the amount of love the two held for each other.

Maithili and Raghav too were trying. He would make sure to reach home on time and atleast have dinner together.

And she too had started to get free with him again. It wasn't very difficult. She had always felt the most free and comfortable with him.

It was one such evening and Maithili was making dinner when she heard the doorbell ring. She knew Raghav was in the living room itself so she didn't bother seeing who it was.

“Hey Raghav!”

She heard a female voice and frowned. She peeked out of the kitchen and saw the woman she disliked the most. Namita was Raghav's colleague and was after him for months.

She remembered the conversation when she fought with him because of this woman.

Maithili was going back home from a local store when she saw Raghav. She smiled and was about to call him when her gaze fell on the woman beside him.

It was his colleague, Namita. They were coming out from a restaurant and laughing about something.

Something in Maithili hurt seeing him laugh with her. It had been months since he laughed with his own wife like that. 

On top of that, the fact that Namita was interested in Raghav and had made that very clear didn't help her a bit.

She reached home in a sour mood and waited for Raghav. He as usual came home late and Maithili got all kinds of thoughts in the meantime.

If the situation wasn't enough, Raghav came home with his hair disheveled, blazer hanging at his arm, tie loosened and shirt coming out of his pants.

“Kaha the tum?”

She asked in a deadly calm tone. Raghav was too tired from back to back meetings and didn't notice her expressions or tone.

“Office. Where else?”

She felt her heart break. Why was he lieing?

“Lie! Maine dekha tha tumhe. I was at the local store and you were coming out of a restaurant. With that Namita.”

She spat her name and Raghav closed his eyes. He was too tired for her inquiries.

“Haan toh? Meeting mai the hum.”

“Why did you say you were in office then?”

“Kyunki office hi gye the meeting ke baad Maithili.”

He said in exasperation.

“Achha? Itna time kaise lag jaata hai tumhe roz roz office mai. Kaam toh mai bhi krti hu, mai toh time se ghar aa jaati hu. Tumhe konsa special kaam hota hai office mai?”

Raghav pinched the bridge of her nose and replied calmly.

“You know I'm working for a big project, Maithili.”

“Project office mai hai ya Namita ke ghar?”

The moment she said those, she realised what she had said and her eyes widened. Raghav too looked at her shocked.

“I-I didn't-”

“Really! That's what you think of me now?”

“I'm sorry Raghav… I didn't mean that…maine pata nhi kyu-”

“I'll tell you why? Kyunki tumhe mujhpr bharosa tha hi nhi shayad. You think I'll cheat you on? Ever? Bas itna hi pyaar dikha tumhe mera? I agree times are tough and I am not able to give you time lekin iska ye matlab nhi hai ki tum aise accuse krogi.”

“I know. I am sorry Raghav. Raghav please listen to me.”

But he was too hurt with her words and left the room leaving her crying behind.

She hadn't trusted him. If Raghav was at fault for their condition today, she too was responsible.

“Namita? What are you doing here? I mean how did you know this place?”

Raghav sounded shocked. He had already fought with Maithili because of a misunderstanding with Namita once. They were working on rebuilding their relationship. He didn't want any misunderstanding again.

“I actually overheard your and Pawan’s conversation. I heard you're going through a tough phase. I just wanted to be there for you, you know, for emotional support.”

Maithili felt anger rush through her body at the bitch’s words. 

“Oh hi Namisha!”

She came out of the kitchen and greeted her with a fake smile. Namita looked surprised to see her there. Of course the bitch imagined Raghav lived here alone.

“Ohh! Umm…hi. I didn't know you were here too. And it's Namita by the way.”

“Why wouldn't I be here? My husband is here. So am I.”

She said linking her hand with Raghav's and he smiled seeing her possessive form.

“Would be ex husband. I know about your divorce proceedings.”

She said smugly and Maithili felt her blood boil.

“Huye nhi hai abhi. He is still my husband. And you're still characterless.”

“Excuse me?”

Even Raghav was surprised at her words but Maithili was too angry.

“Not excused! Kyu aayi ho yaha? Kya socha tumne? Ki ab toh Raghav akela hoga, chance maarti hu. Sharam nhi aati tumhe. Married hai wo. Ek shaadishuda insaan pr dore daal rhi ho. Uske mana krne ke baad bhi. Characterless hi hui na.”

Namita was tongue tied but she obviously wouldn't bear her insult like this.