Chapter 227 - I feel such a fool to think that people would accept me as I’m…

|Innaya|

Eshan dragged out Arjun from the room, holding his collar. The scene felt comical to see two tall, handsome men engaged in silly banter and behaving like teenagers. 

Eshan's intense stare from the door made me want to look up, but I kept my head downcast. Fortune licked my palm, being overly friendly... and happy. 

"Woof, woof… Aaoooo." Fortune kept showing his happiness by making those noises.

I stroked his head, sensing the stress leaving my body slowly. Perhaps this was the contentment pets brought. Those two innocent eyes of his, filled with love, warmed my heart. With him by my side, I needed not to worry about being judged.

"You won't leave me right?" I pucker my lips.

The need for support was gnawing at my heart, I wanted someone's assurance. Fortune rubbed his head against my right knee. He behaved like a small child, acting coquettishly. 

"… "

Hushed whispers outside the door ignited a curiosity in my mind. Eshan and Arjun were talking about something, making sure that it would not reach me. Possibly I was the topic of their discussion. 

Shortly the voices stopped, and I caught the sight of both of them leaving.

Great!

He said he would help me to get to the washroom. Now, he seemed to have forgotten about it. Never mind. I was not crippled. I could get there on my own.

"You stay here. I'll be back soon, okay?" I told Fortune, though I did not know if he would understand. 

Looking at the distance which was no longer than ten or fifteen steps, I sighed. I had to make a detour to the wardrobe. Without taking a set of clean clothes, what was I going to change into? So the small distance had now changed to a complete race track with my injured leg. 

I did not need his help. 

I would do this on my own. 

Taking the help of the headboard, I carefully stood up. The straight short distance was now going to be a long unnecessary tour of the room. I could not take the short path, for there was nothing to support my weight. 

Fortune instead of seating on the floor or jumping on the bed, followed beside me. And, then the small walking race to reach the destination began with a human and a dog.

I stopped after taking two steps. "Only you like me the most. Don't you?" I tilted my head, looking down at Fortune.

Fortune barked in response as he replied to me. I giggled lightly, shaking my head.

"You know, I feel very sad." I took another couple of more steps, and then stopped at the wooden table holding the corner of it. The frames of Eshan and I were placed neatly on the table. 

I picked up one on the frame, closest to me. I caressed the happy faces of the couple. They looked content holding each other's hands. We had taken it on the beach. Eshan had started printing out our photos and then framing them. He had hung many portraits, frames in the whole house. It had puzzled me, but later I got used to it. Who would not enjoy seeing the happy memories before their eyes?

"Aaaooo." Fortune made a low whining sound. He seemed to have not liked the idea of me being sad and silent. Aww! 

Feeling the tear rolling down on my cheek, I wiped it away instantly. Smiling, I asked him, "Will you listen to me? Hmm?" 

Fortune made a sound, staying close to me.

I nodded. Sharing things with someone who would not judge me was always a good idea. "I'll tell you." 

"Arjun said it was my fault. Eshan also feels the same. Both of them clearly expressed their views, and decided that I'm the wrong one." I swallowed the lump in my throat, keeping the frame back in its place.

"This makes me feel sad. Why? Why are they blaming me?" Staring into my reflection in the mirror I tried finding where I went wrong.

The damn tears, what were they gushing out for? Angrily, I wiped them away.

"Eshan's mother started this. She threw me out of this house, locking me outside with those darn divorce papers. Today's drama had nothing to do with me, but I was insulted, humiliated, accused… What wrong did I do? I feel I should not have agreed for this marriage…" I bit my lips. 

From a young age, I detested the idea of marriage. The failed marriage of my parents had left a bitter taste in my mouth. Watching my grandparent's blissful married life had somewhere lessened up that feeling, but it was still there.

Back then, if my mother had not eloped, things would be different now. In the same way, had I not married Eshan, things would have been different too.

"Nothing would have happened then. Eshan would be happy in his life. People around him would be happy in their lives. Every time, I'm the one because of whom he gets involved in unpleasant things. His friends do not like me," I sobbed, recalling the time since I had married him.

"Woof… woof."

Fortune jumped around barking and whining.

"Are you standing up for your owner? Arjun?" I took a step ahead. The damn tears obscured my vision.

"I now feel that he does not like me as well... His affection, his care… everything seemed to be because of Eshan. I think he wants the happiness of his friend, thus he took me as his sister. I feel such a fool to think that people would accept me as I'm…" 

"I'm a fool right?"

I snickered bitterly, sobbing to myself. 

Lost in the emotional turbulence, I failed to notice the big glass vase. My hand accidentally knocked it from the table. 

Crash.

With a loud crash the vase fell on the floor before shattering into pieces. Broken pieces lying on the ground mocked me. My life had shattered into pieces too. My distorted reflection in some of the big pieces showed the reality of my present situation.

"INNAYA…"

"Hey, are you alright?"

Eshan and Arjun rushed in. I was just in time to turn around and look at the approaching figure of them. I raised my hand asking them to stop. "Stay there. You'll get hurt."

Eshan blanched at my distinct tone. I could not be blamed, my emotions directed my behavior. Eshan shook his head but stepped forward nonetheless. He made sure to avoid broken pieces of glass.

Within some moments he reached before me. He cupped my face, and rubbed my cheeks with the pad of his thumbs.

"Are you okay? He asked again.