My Vulnerary Husband- our journey towards love

|Innaya|

"Oh, you're back."

"How's her injury? Is it bad? What the doctor said?" 

Holding onto Eshan's neck, with Eshan hoisting me in his arms when we entered our home, his mother rushed to us. I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep. I did not want to do anything with her right now. As my head was buried in Eshan's chest, it helped me with carrying out my charade.

"Mom, she's sleeping, we'll talk later," Eshan whispered. He played along because he obviously knew I was acting. After those kisses, we had soon left the hospital. Eshan and I did not get to talk much for the infusion were over. Arjun then had brought the nurse and after settling things there, we had no reason to be in the hospital.

The ride back to the home was a silent affair. I was trying to make sense of everything, and Eshan looked lost in thoughts as well. Only Arjun had been in the mood of passing teasing remarks. His teasing was also the reason I had closed my eyes to avoid getting embarrassed.

"Okay," Eshan's mother said, and she lowered her voice. "Take care of her. Oh! Where's Jun?"

Jun? 

Ar-jun?

Oh! Arjun had another nickname. I did not know. It sounded good to ears as well. I might call him that some time. Eshan's mother appeared close to Arjun, and the way Arjun had talked with her early showed that they shared a very good bond. Perhaps Eshan's mother was not bad. She must have had her reasons. The only issue was, I did not want to know them now.

"Coming," Eshan curtly replied before starting to walk away.

"Take care of her then. I'll call you for the dinner," his mother called out.

"Okay." Eshan did not stop and started climbing the stairs by holding me in his arms. I wished I could open my eyes and ask him to take me to the guest room. There was no need to climb so many stairs, but I knew he would not agree. 

"Son." A heavy male voice called out.

Eshan paused. I felt him turning his head. I kept my eyes closed. The voice sounded foreign to me, but the way he addressed Eshan, I knew it was Eshan's father. They had mentioned him before we left for the hospital. 

"I've settled the matter. I want to have a word with you. Find me in your study in an hour," his father informed.

The authoritative tone of his father came as a surprise to me. He sounded like one of my professors from my college. Stern and impassive. The professor whom everyone feared.

***

"Afraid of my mother?" Eshan asked when we were out of the hearing range of the people in the living room. I knew that because he was walking for quite some time now.

Gingerly opening my eyes, I stole a look at him. After confirming that there was no one behind, I shook my head. 

"Mad at her?" He probed further.

"I don't know the whole truth," I answered, narrowly avoiding the topic. Honestly, my mind was blank. Initially, I disliked his mother for trying to destroy our marriage. And, today, her words had cut me deep, wounding me emotionally.

Forgetting her words, while behaving as if things were normal between us? It would be impossible at the moment. Nothing happened within the snap of fingers. I needed time, and it was crystal clear. Eshan also understood it. Perhaps, that was why he acted along when I did not want to face his mother. 

Eshan's arm shifted on my back, bringing a wave of slight discomfort. The abrasion or whatever it was seemed to be hurting me now. The pain reminded me of innocent Fortune. Where was he? I did not hear his barking or whining.

"Hey, where's Fortune? Put me down… I need to look for him." Realizing that I had forgotten about him made me feel like smacking my head. How could I forget about him? I even left him with Eshan's mother. She had tried to hurt him. What would she have done to him behind our back?

"Shh… stop struggling. He must be somewhere," Eshan said, holding me carefully. His steps did not falter. Ahead of us, just a couple of steps was our bedroom. While talking, Eshan had effortlessly carried me to our bedroom.

"But, your mother—" I shook my head. "No, I have to look for him."

"How?" Eshan scoffed. He rolled his eyes as he pushed the wooden door of our bedroom. 

I raised my eyes. Why was the door unlocked?

"By limping all around the house? You want to hurt yourself? I'll help you by breaking your other leg. You can gladly use a wheelchair then," he taunted.

My eyes went wide. "Y-You. You're mean." I glared at him. Why was he being so mean to me? This side of his with dark humor was a little bit frustrating. His unpredictable words were a little alarming. I would not know what he would say or why. 

"You're goddess who only thinks about us mere peasants…" His words knew no end as he continued his mocking.

"Hmph!" I turned my head away from him. What had gotten into him?

Pressing his right knee on the bed, he placed me on the bed. "Lie down here obediently." He stood up after making sure that I was placed in between and then went on to arrange pillows under my feet. That was not needed.

I said, pulling myself in a seating position. "I've to freshen up."

With all the crying I had done and the stay in the hospital I was feeling uncomfortable. I needed a shower. However, given the state of my leg, I knew I would not be able to take a bath. Eshan would kick a fuss once he got wind of it. I was repeatedly told to not put pressure on that foot.

"I'll help you to the bathroom," Eshan replied. He bent down to pick me up again. 

"I can do it by myself. I don't need help from the mean person." I refused to let him carry me. Was he not giving me a hard time with his sarcastic and biting remarks. I would not let him pick me up. He should watch me struggle and realize his mistake.

Eshan shook his head. "Love it or hate it, you're stuck with this mean person for life."

My head snapped in his direction at those direct words.