Chapter 10:
The problem with being a housewife was that I had no idea how to be domestic, or how to be a housewife. For most of my life, my mother took care of me, cleaned after me, made sure all my meals were cooked, so I never felt the need to learn from her ways. When I finally moved out of her house, well, there were quick ways to take care of meals, store-bought stuff. And as for cleaning, many people were eager to make a few easy bucks here and there.
But now that I was married, not only was I taking care of myself, but another person, I wasn't sure if my old vices were going to be condoned in this marriage. Especially since Peeta was not a big fan of the easy, boxed meals and canned soups. He also wasn't very fond of me just shoving all the dirty mess under the bed or inside the large closet.
"Katniss, sweet pea, I am doing laundry. . .do you need clothes?"
In a normal marriage, it usually was the woman that looked after the man. But since Peeta and I were definitely not sharing a normal marriage—he ought to start taking care of me. Just because I had never learned the domestic ways of a good woman that did not mean I was going to begin on the household lessons anytime soon. And really, I had no reason to learn—Peeta knew how to take care of himself and meme. Besides, he wanted me to be his wife; he never specified what kind of wife he wanted me to be.
"Yeah. . .but my clothes are scattered around our bedroom. But I don't feel so well—" I had to say no more because Peeta was leaning down to give me a kiss, and on his way to take care of the household needs of our home. In the meantime, since it was so late outside and I felt so useless watching Peeta do all the work, I stood up from the couch and went inside the kitchen. I was not the greatest cook but I had survived on my own for a while.
But that didn't stop me from running to Peeta for some friendly cooking advice.
He only smiled when I asked him all those ridiculous questions.
"Sweet pea, you don't have to do anything. I can do it for us."
"No," I told him, touching his cheek. Peeta was such a wonderful man. "I want to take care of you. You're always on the lookout for me, and I want to do the same for you."
"Katniss, you're here with me. You saved me from being alone. That is enough."
"'You saved me.' No. Please. No. We're not in love. We can't become one of those romantic couples. That is what I fear most out of this marriage. We're just married. . .and nothing else."
"Katniss, I am sorry I am not the man you dreamed about marrying—"
"I never dreamed about marrying anyone!"
"—but tough luck—you're staying here with me. I've had unexplained feelings towards you for the longest time and now that you're mine, I am not easily going to let you go."
I leaned against the counter of the kitchen. "We're not going to argue. We're starting to annoy people and anger others. I never hear anything coming from our neighbors, can you imagine how it is like to live next to us? Not even the kids next door make as much noise as we do. I won't be surprised if the whole neighborhood is cleared by the end of this year."
What I loved about Peeta—he could never stay mad at me for long.
Peeta came my way, putting both his hands on my waist. "We are so married. Always hating on each other and then loving each other the next second. I think we're in love."
"You have some twisted beliefs there, my loaf of bread," I muttered darkly, pushing away from him, going to wash the dishes. "We're not in love."
"I think differently," he said, coming behind me, wrapping both of his arms around my waist while I continued to wash the dirty dishes.
"You may be, but I am not. Cops don't fall in love with weirdos."
"So, isn't it wonderful that you're not a cop any longer?"
I narrowed my eyes and threw the dishrag away, walking back into the living room.
Peeta settled himself against the long couch we loved to make use of, stretching out his long legs to make himself comfortable. "What do you say if we stop all these negative comments and emotions and focus on us, making this household a happier place?" He grabbed a blanket from somewhere near the couch and spread it on top of him.
Oh, how dare he tease me! He knew cuddling was my weak spot.
With no excuses coming into my mind, I joined him on the couch, right on his lap. I snuggled into him as he tightened his hold and the blanket around me.
"Why do you insist on fighting me?" he muttered, kissing the top of my head. "I am trying, Katniss. But you have to make an effort as well."
"I am sorry," I whispered. "I was so used to being alone. But I like having you around."
"I love having you around." Peeta shut off the TV and the lights with the giant remote he had in his hands. "You're my best friend, you know that, right?"
I nodded, getting my arms around him tighter.
"I love you, you know that, right?"
For that, I didn't have anything to say.