Rats (Letting Go: Part 3)

Rats
Letting Go 3

By the time Major got in bed, it was very late and he was in a foul mood because of Paro's absence. He would be damned if ever admitted to it of course. So ignoring that voice inside his head that told him to go out and look for Paro, the major drew the covers reluctantly and decided to sleep. He did not need her, "f**k!" he cursed as he tossed and flung the covers, kicking it away as it landed over his feet. At the next instance, he was sprawled diagonally across the bed clutching onto her pillow, but it was no substitute for her. 

About five minutes later, Rudra gave up - this was not working out. He needed her in his room at the least, where his eyes could take her in if not snuggled in bed with him, like the previous night. The scent of lavender was still fresh with him...and of her, something that had felt like home in that warmth. He looked up at the big empty room lit up by the dimmed night lights and it suddenly looked lifeless, "Paro..." her name was out before he could help it.., Rudra knew then only she could fill this void. And at this realization, his anxiety grew a little, where was she? why wasn't she back yet? Had she run away? Nah..he shrugged that thought away, the girl was crazy about him. But where was she? 

At that an all too familiar dread crept back into the confines of his troubled mind, what if something had happened to her? He got up startled at the thought, he could not put it past her, "Bewakoof ladki..." he mumbled, as a very bizarre thought crossed his mind -  what if Paro was stuck in some corner of the house, perched up on  top of some cabinet because all the rats had come after her? This ridiculous idea didn't seem as crazy with her around, she would make him mad soon.

To his relief though, he was distracted by the sound of the creaking hinges as the door flung open, the bright yellow told him in no uncertain terms who it was. Immediately his eyes found hers starring back at him, "You are not asleep yet?"she asked surprised, he noticed her pause briefly at the threshold. Ha, where are you going to run away now! He twirled his mooch in satisfaction as he watched her tentatively enter their room, bolt the door and slowly but surely inch towards their bed, towards him. 

There was something off about her though he noticed, he just knew it but he just couldn't finger on it yet. Lost in those thoughts, he did not realize until Paro was laying her bed on the floor by the foot of their bed what was happening, alarmed, he questioned her straight away, "What are you doing?" 

Her big doe eyes told him what her words refused to voice, oh that stubborn witch! And as if she knew just how to infuriate him further, she went back doing just that turning her back to him.

Angered beyond measure, he got off the bed and covered the distance between them in two big strides. He threw the quilt away, and turned her around holding her by her wrist, "Look at me when I am talking to you!"

"What Major Saab?" she asked, her voice laced with an unusual cool that only burned him more, "What are you doing?" he asked again, pointing towards the mattress on the floor. 

"I'm making my bed" her response was so calm that it unnerved him, he found himself starring back at her, "Is there something wrong Major Saab?" she asked, he shook his head...and mumbled incoherently, he wasn't sure what exactly, damn this woman, why did she have to make it so difficult!

"I would have made your bed but I'm sure you want to do it yourself too, good night Major Saab" and just like that Paro switched off the lights leaving behind a bewildered Major standing beside her in complete darkness, the only light being the slither of moonlight that had filtered through the curtains.

Paro smiled as she saw her grouchy husband walk back to their bed, to his side. She knew he was upset about this but this was better, she couldn't get used to sharing a bed with him, when she would be leaving him soon. Could she?

Ten minutes later, it was his voice that broke the uneasy silence, "Paro..." he said, "ji Major Saab" her response was immediate. 

"I can't find my phone"

"Why do you need a phone now?" she asked genuinely bewildered.

"Why are you answering my question with a question of your own?" Paro knew there was no wining this argument.

"Its on the side table" 

A few minutes later, he spoke up again, "I think you switched our pillows...this is too soft. I can't sleep"

"You are sleeping on my pillow, your pillow is on the other side by your foot"

He did not speak for a long time after that and just when Paro thought he had fallen asleep, she felt some movement by her foot. Startled by the erratic movements, she sat up only to stare into the brown eyes of her husband.

"What!?...umm...what are you doing here?" she asked looking around, "Rats..."he said grimly. 

The fear was palpable in her eyes right away, and Rudra nearly broke into a smile seeing that fear, " rat?" she asked, her voice faltering a little.

"No" he shook his head a little before continuing, "rats...I saw two of them... just now, not one but two Paro" Rudra lied. 

That was it for Paro, there was her deal with Bholenath but there was no way she was sleeping on the floor with two rats on the prowl! She got up and reluctantly walked back to her side of the bed.

Rats, he could use them around here a little while longer he mused as he twirled that mooch yet again, in satisfaction. There was only one place where Mrs. Rudra Pratap Ranawat was sleeping from now on...and that was next to him where she belonged!

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