Chapter 22

Preeti jerked up awake as the car came to a halt. She squinted her eyes open as she realised she was resting her head on Gautam’s chest and he had held her close. She looked up as the flood lights from the lawn landed on the car and she saw him looking into her eyes…his browns shining brightly as if they would burn her. Her chest tightened. She moved away from him towards the door of her side. She tried to open it but it had some complex system and she was too drowsy…her senses were scattered all over. He moved close to her and she held her breath. He almost touched her and she could feel his warm breath on her neck. He lingered there for a moment. She almost moaned willing him to kiss her right there in the crook of her neck. But the lock snapped open and he opened the car door. She came back to her senses, mentally berating herself for getting carried away. She had to control herself. She couldn’t give in to the passion….yea yea and wishes were horses….

She stepped out of the car and saw that she was back to the bungalow which she had visited with Rewa didi the day after she had come to Alwar. It was decorated with strings of lights from the outside. She checked her watch it was close to 2AM. Her stomach was growling and she realised she hadn’t eaten anything during the dinner. She was too overwhelmed with emotions at that time. Oh God what would she do now? She couldn’t sleep like that. She could never sleep on hungry stomach. She would cook up something, she thought. At least Gautam shouldn’t have a problem with that. Would Romila Devi be there? She shuddered. She despised the lady.

“Hungry…?” A deep voice spoke and she startled. Gautam had come up to her.

She nodded and said. “Um…can I cook something please?”

Gautam smiled…finally after ages. She longed to see it. It just melted her heart and the traitor tears sprang up in no time. She looked down and blinked. He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “Preeti…” he said softly turning her insides to mush. “…Go upstairs and change. Your bedroom is the one next to mine. Remember from last time? There are clothes in the closet in that room…. I will set up something for you meanwhile…”

Preeti didn’t know what to think about her situation. He had kept another room for her? That means they wouldn’t be sharing a bed? She should have been happy but her heart fell. At the same time she was touched by his gesture of feeding her.

She nodded and walked towards the main entrance of the house.

“Preeti?” he called out behind her and she turned around.

“There are just the two of us. Even the housekeeper isn’t going to come for a couple of days. So feel free to explore around and do what you want.” He said

Preeti stared at him for a moment as if registering every word he said. She gave him a brief nod and walked inside still feeling his eyes on her.

 As she passed the closet downstairs she remembered her ‘welcome home’ rendezvous with Gautam that day. She blushed as she felt her arousal slamming in again. How could she… in such a time? She entered the room she was forced into during her last visit. She wanted to get rid of her Lehenga choli and get into something comfortable. She opened the walk-in closet in the room and was surprised to see so many new clothes hung. They were a mix of formals and festive wear. She opened up the neighbouring cupboard and saw it filled with few bath towels, robes and a mix of camisoles and inner wear. Very similar to what she had at home. Had he arranged this for Rewa didi? She thought with a pang. She shook her head. She was too tired to analyse anything. She pulled out a peach camisole and a matching panty. She took out a peach bath robe. Then taking a towel she went to the attached bathroom. She went into the shower cubicle and worked around the settings till the hot water started to fall on her. As the water cascaded down from her head touching her breasts, knees and the feet, she felt the exhaustion drain away as well…the events of the day came back and with it a sob broke out. It was as if the dam within her burst. She placed her palms on the cubicle wall in front of her and hunched sobbing her heart out. She didn’t care if anyone heard her or not. She had subdued too much inside…for twelve years. She couldn’t hold on any more. She cried till there were no tears left. She then shampooed her hair and used the gel for her body. She then shut the tap and hugged the bath towel as she dried herself.

She walked to the vanity area in the corner of the room which had a dressing table with a mirror with beautifully crafted borders. She changed into the camisole and the panty. Both peach in colour and wore the peach bathrobe. She saw herself in the mirror. The full length sleeved robe was extremely comfortable. She would fall asleep if not hungry. Her stomach reminded her that she had to go downstairs. She was now exhausted from all the crying and dragged herself to the dining area near the kitchen. She halted in her steps seeing Gautam only in his towel. He was plating an omelette for her. Besides that was a glass of hot milk. She was an emotional wreck she thought as fresh tears made their way and she had to breathe in deeply to keep them away. He turned around and smiled at her gesturing to sit on the chair. As she did he placed the trey before her. He brought another trey for himself as he joined her and sat facing her.

She was famished with everything that had taken place and wolfed down the omelette. She drank the hot milk and it acted like a medicine to her injured soul. She felt calm and she rose to pick the trey. He held her hand. “Leave it. Go to bed… You need to take rest.” She looked into his eyes which were soft as they looked back. Before she would do anything that she would regret she turned around and went upstairs to her room. She shut the door but didn’t latch it. She kept her mobile phone which had discharged completely, on the side table.  She left only the bedside lamp on and as soon as her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep.

‘the man in the mask was crouching towards her… she tried to move backwards but her head hit the bed stand behind. Oh no… there was no escape. He came closer and she saw his eyes… blue eyes…Oh God Oh God…was the monster blue eyed? She was silent and shaking with fear. She couldn’t scream, couldn’t move a bit. He pinned her to the bed…’princess’ he called out to her again and chuckled. The sound made her cringe in disgust. She was crying… she was helpless and hated the feeling. She wanted to hold the reins. Just as her Bapu would say to Rohit… But Rohit was no more. She cried louder for her brother… The monster was holding her but suddenly he was gone and someone was calling her… Preeti… someone was shaking her… why? She wanted to sleep… really? Sleep in that hellhole? What was wrong with her… Preeti…Someone called again… she shook her head…’

“…Preeti wake up dear… Preeti…?”

Preeti woke up disoriented. The light in her room was switched on and Gautam was sitting next to her on the bed and looking at her with worry in his eyes. He was in his boxers. She looked at his torso and saw some red welt like marks there. She sat up straight as he kept the pillows behind her. She had taken off her robe before sleeping. She took up the blanket close to her chin and looked away.

“Preeti… did you have the nightmare again?” He asked softly.

She just nodded. She turned to him and asked. “Was I …um…was I too loud? Did I disturb …you?” She couldn’t stop the tears. He palmed her cheeks and she couldn’t control her emotions any more. Modesty being damned she sprang into his arms and buried her head in his neck as she sobbed. He held her to his chest and tightened his grip around her and gently rubbed her back. She didn’t know how long he held her giving her kisses on her head.

She moved away and covered herself with the blanket again.

“Th…Thanks… It felt good.” She tried to smile.

“Want me to be here?” He asked her.

She was tempted to say yes. But she shook her head. “No…thanks. I am fine now… really.”

He nodded and left the room. She went back to sleep with all the lights on this time. She started at the closed door… What were those red marks on his beautiful body? They weren’t there when she had met him for the late snack downstairs. She tossed and turned for a while her brain working overtime. How would she be able to control herself around him? Why did Narmada tell her that he needed her? Would she ever know what was troubling him? Would she ever know about what exactly had happened that day twelve years ago?

 But finally when sleep claimed her she could hear only one song in her mind’s ears… her all-time favourite….

‘ Na hai ye paana, na khona hi hai….. tumse hi din rota hai…surmai sham aati hai…tum se hi…tum se hi….’

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 21

‘…He held her hands… he smelled of acrid smoke… his masked face blurred as it approached her to bite her lips. What was he doing here now twelve years later? He was dead isn’t it? She wanted to call Gautam…where was he? She wanted to scream… she tried but her vocal cords had frozen. Oh that voice again… ‘Princess’ he referred to her as princess…no one called her that except Rewa didi…when she was angry with her… she hated that Preeti had learnt to shoot by bulldozing her father… Rewa didi called her Papa’s Princess…. But how did this man… this monster know that?

Suddenly she was shoved… her mother was calling her…what was her mother doing here in this Godforsaken place?… ‘Preeti… Preeti beta…’

“…Preeti beta… wake up… Preeti…?” someone was calling out to her… he mother… Preeti woke up with a start her head pounding. What was she doing in her Lehenga choli in this room…no… pandal? She then remembered it was Rewa didi’s wedding today evening. Everything rushed back and she held her throbbing temples. Rewa didi was saying something… She looked up to see her mother and tayiji  looking at her with a strange expression.  He mother sat next to her and asked, “Where is Rewa beta?”

What? Wait… Rewa didi was right here… She checked her wrist watch which she always wore irrespective of her attire. It was 9.30 PM… an hour since they had reached there.  How long was she sleeping? She looked at her mother. “Ma… Didi was right here… and she…”

“…where is she gone beta.? We have been searching for last ten minutes now… and… why were you sleeping like that…?” Her tayiji was sounding frantic. “…It’s …it’s almost time now for the muhurat… Oh Mataji….where is this girl?” Her tayiji leaned against one of the bamboos supporting the pandal.  Suddenly she heard footsteps and her father rushed in.

“Priyamvada, bhabhisa… where is Rewa. Vikram is already seated and panditji has commenced the rituals. We have to take the bride…. What…?” he looked at each of them. “…what happened? Priyamvada… what is it..?

Her mother stood and went to her father and said, “…um…Rewa is missing…”

“WHAT…?” Her father bellowed startling all of them. He looked at Preeti . “Where is your sister Preeti…? Have you done something that you were not supposed to do?”

What? What was her father saying?

“Bapu, I was… I don’t know how I slept off… may be just fifteen-twenty minutes…. Rewa didi was right here…”

“…Stop…not a word of nonsense…. You are very good at making up stories… Just tell us where is Rewa…?”

He was shaking in anger.

Her mother intervened. “…she is telling the truth… She was lying here… um… unconscious…”

Unconscious? Oh God… it must be the ginger ale she had… should she tell this to her father? It would make no difference to him. He wouldn’t believe her at all.  

There was some commotion outside and Romila Devi entered the pandal. She looked annoyed. “What the hell is happening? Where is the bride?” She looked around the small area with disdain.

Her father spoke softly, “Bhabhi sa, Our daughter is not to be found… I am sure she must be around… we are looking for her….”

“…WHAT? Are you insane? I always had a doubt about your daughter. She didn’t have any qualities to suit my family. I only agreed because of the….” She glared at her father.

Her father, mother and tayiji all joined their palms. Her father’s head was bowed. It killed Preeti to watch her family getting humiliated. She stood rooted to the ground.

Where are you Rewa didi? Please come before all hell breaks loose…

“…What is the use of standing like this? You couldn’t control your daughter and now she has run away…. What an insult in front of so many guests… Listen…if this wedding doesn’t take place today, Sengar family… the ENTIRE clan will pay for this… I will see to it that you will be doomed. Sengar Enterprises will be finished….” Romila Devi kept screaming her face contorted with anger. Immediately her tayaji rushed in, followed by Gautam.

Preeti stared at Gautam with her jaw handing down. He looked terrific in the traditional groom’s outfit. She blocked out everyone and was only looking at him. That always happened whenever he was around. The world always faded away…

Her head was hurting so badly she was in tears but more so because of Rewa and her confessions… did Rewa actually say all that or was she hallucinating?  She wiped her cheeks and looked at her family. They were trying to convince Romila Devi while Gautam too tried to pacify his mother.

Her father finally declared. “…In that case there is only one option. The wedding has to take place or else… we will be doomed…” He looked at Preeti. “…our other daughter will marry Vikram…” Then looking back at Romila Devi he asked “…is that alright with you…?”

Preeti only stared as Romila Devi walked towards her and looked at her from head to toe. She then looked at her father and said “…Yes… I will settle for her. She is average but will do… Get her out fast…the ceremony has to start at the given time…” She sashayed her way out of the pandal. Gautam stood there with a wide based stance, hands folded.

There was a moment of silence after which her father spoke. “Priyamvada. Get Preeti ready. We just have five minutes….”

“…Wait…No…Bapu…No don’t do this… Please….” Preeti wailed.

 Her father gave her a once over and then looking at his wife walked away from the pandal.

Preeti was breathing heavily with a mix of emotions that she couldn’t fathom. But most of it was anger. “No Ma… JUST NO. I can’t do this. I am going to Mumbai right now. I made a mistake coming here…. And you can’t force me…”

Her mother opened her mouth to speak when Gautam spoke. “Auntyji, let me talk to Preeti. You all wait outside please…”

Her mother paused as if she wasn’t happy with his remark. But her tayiji touched her shoulder and they both left together… Her heart broke to see them like that but her situation was no different. Anger simmering inside she glared at Gautam.

He seemed unfazed as he came near her. “Look Preeti I don’t care if you walk out just like this with me. You don’t have to change clothes if you don’t want to….But hurry up. Time is running out.” He spoke in a cool and composed tone.

Preeti was now breathing heavily with anger. “Who the hell do you think you are? First you cheat me and then my family. I am not going anywhere but Mumbai. I care a damn about all of you…”

“…You are coming with me straight on to the stage for OUR wedding.” He spoke with his hands folded

“…IN YOUR DREAMS MISTER…” she yelled tears streaming down.

He casually came close to her and wiped her tears even as she tried to pull away. He spoke in a threateningly soft tone. “Just a minute Preeti… Let me remind you, your family’s happiness is now in your hands. In fact not just happiness…their survival as well… If you don’t come with me at this very moment and get married to me then I will withdraw the investment with Sengar Enterprises with immediate effect. The loan sharks will capture your Haveli… just think where will you folks then go? What will happen to the ailing Maasa….”

“….No…you won’t do it Gautam… I know you won’t…” she almost whispered.

“…I will my dear…I surely will. So come out with me right now and get married…”

“…Gautam…please don’t do this. I have a life in Mumbai…. Don’t ruin my life like this… I can’t be stuck in a marriage… without love… please Gautam…” she cried.

“Hey…don’t worry…” he said with a smirk. “…I won’t be holding you up all your life. You will stay married to me only for six months. After which you will be free to go… wherever you want to…”

“…what the hell…what are you saying Gautam…?”

“…exactly what you heard… So now put that odhni on your head and come out with me… We are getting late. If my mother loses her cool then even I won’t be able to salvage the situation.”

He held his palm up and she placed her hand in it.  He pulled up the odhni lying on the floor. Rewa must have dropped it there… He put it on her head covering her face and dragged her out behind him.

Preeti went through the motions of the rituals in a daze. Frequently, tears blinded her eyes but she blinked them away. Everything was like a dream…or should she call it a nightmare? She had been through so many nightmares for last twelve years…she should have been used to it by now.. But her heart sank as the panditji pronounced them man and wife. It was then she raised her head as Gautam lifted the covering and put the vermillion on her forehead marking her as his wife. He then put the mangalsutra studded by the Rajputana stones. She blinked seeing their allure…but not able to make out the feelings in her heart. She had waited for this moment… maybe for twelve years. But not like this. She wanted nothing more than to be his wife till she landed in Bhivadi…it’s when the tables had turned. At the moment she didn’t know what to make out of it. She loved him with all her heart she knew that…but this was a marriage of convenience which was not to last more than six months. Their marriage was a one sided love affair. Did Rewa didi run away because of the same reason? Did Gaitam arrange for all this? Where was Rewa didi? Preeti knew for sure Gautam didn’t do anything without a purpose… She knew she would definitely get out of this bond after six months. Oh God she was just married and she was already talking about her divorce…. She had surely lost it. At the end of everything she just hoped her heart would be unscathed…

 The wedding ceremony went late into the night. She didn’t even know when the other rituals had taken place… Did her family perform them? Like the Tilak dastoor, Pithi dastoor , Palla dastoor…. All a couple of days prior to the wedding. Were they done? This marriage was such a quick affair…she doubted they were. She wondered why Romila Devi permitted such a breach of protocol lapse. Probably vested interests were of a greater weightage. Anyways she shouldn’t be bothered now. This marriage for her was a farce… a six month arrangement. Oh yes…she had to tell that to her heart….

The Vidaai was a low key affair. It was as if her folks couldn’t wait to leave the premises. Only Maasa and her mother cried. Others were indifferent. As per the custom, Yash was supposed to accompany her to her marital home. But he was nowhere to be found. She didn’t expect anything from her family anyways…What the hell was happening? Her cousins decided to disappear on the same day… was it why Rewa didi had called her to Alwar? Was this all pre-planned?

A beaming Narmada in tears came upto her and held her hands. “I am so happy bhai made this decision. Thank you for agreeing to this marriage….” She then hugged Preeti and said in her ears. “…take care of him bhabhisa… he needs you…”

Preeti blinked at her in surprise but then there was no time to ponder over her words.

Her family led her to the decorated car of the groom. Romila Devi gave a snide smile and went with her guests in one of their vehicles as if she wasn’t concerned with the rituals. Narmada was escorted by her husband who greeted everyone with folded hands and then they left in their vehicle.

As she sat in the backseat of the decorated Preeti she looked into the rare view mirror to see her minimal makeup spread all over her face. Somehow it reflected her life right now…. A total mess…

Gautam sat next to her and was soon busy with his phone, as if she didn’t exist. She moved close to the door and stared at the passing scenery all a dark picture with few night lights twinkling in a distance.

She was so terribly drained out that she slept within moments listening to the car stereo playing the song, ‘dushman na kare dost ne who kaam kiya hai….’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t3NTXGXyPA

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 20

Preeti pinned the ghoonghat  on Rewa’s lovely hairdo careful not to damage the stylish curls hanging down from the sides of the neatly made bun. She looked at Rewa standing behind her as they both face the mirror. Her sister was a beauty… always had been. She was happy to see her radiant and smiling to herself. But on the other hand Preeti was totally heart broken. She shouldn’t have met Gautam at all. At least she would still be anticipating meeting him… She would have lived with some abstract memories and probably moved on after few years…

The door to the room opened and tayiji walked in smiling. “Common girls let get going. We have to reach the temple onn time. Maasa has already left with others. The three of us along with your Tayaji will be leaving soon. I am waiting downstairs. Preeti, get her down soon…” She left the room.

Rewa stood and turned towards Preeti. “Um…Preeti everything’s going to be fine, isn’t it? I am so nervous…”

Preeti was struggling to control her tears. “Don’t worry didi, everything’s going to work out well….common lets go.” Rewa suddenly hugged her tightly and held her face in her cheeks. “Preeti dear you are the best sister one can have. I wish you for my sister every time I am born as a human after this birth…”

Preeti’s head was reeling with emotional overload… She felt it must be the pressure of the wedding that was to take place in sometime. At times she felt like telling everything to Rewa about Gautam. But then he had never committed anything to her. She was an equal participant in everything so far… Anyway she was leaving tonight after the wedding. She shook her head and helped Rewa out of the room in her wedding ensemble. Rewa had opted for a beautiful lehenga choli with her long odhni. Preeti too wore a lehenga choli combo though she didn’t want to. She dragged herself through the task, helping Rewa sit inside their vehicle. Tayyiji joined them and Tayaji sat in front with the driver of the decorated vehicle. Within fifteen minutes they reached the Devi Mandir which was decorated with floral arrangements for the celebration. There were huge pandals built on the back area of the temple. The string of lights created a beautiful hue. In spite of her emotional state Preeti appreciated the efforts put in by her folks for the wedding. But she wasn’t able to control the onslaught of emotions within…they were threatening to spill out and she had a tough time reining them in.

There were many vehicles parked in a queue. Preeti wondered how many relatives they had. She was barely knew anyone. Tayiji and tayaji got off the car and instructed them to wait in the car itself.

Preeti looked at Rewa. She was brimming with happiness. She didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth about Gautam. Her eyes filled her heart weighing down with guilt of having cheated her sister and her family as well. No… as soon as Rewa entered the Mandap for the rituals, she would book her tickets for Mumbai and soon as the pheras were done with she would leave for her home, pack her stuff and leave for Jaipur airport however late it would be. She no longer feared anyone or anything. But she was sure that she was done with Alwar once and for all. Yes… she sighed with a strange calmness coming over her. She was leaving…

There was a knock at the car’s window bringing her out of her day dreaming. It was Sita. She had come to take them to their pandal specially arranged for the bride. She walked with Rewa to her pandal. It was at the end of the row and close to the stage where the wedding was to be held. Preeti saw the pandit make the arrangements and her parents and uncle and aunt saw over the guests welcoming them. Where was Yash? He must be busy with the arrangements, she thought. She saw Maasa surrounded by close relatives enjoying the attention. It pained her when she realised today was the last time she was seeing her dearest Maasa. On the other side of the stage was the pandal for the groom and his immediate family. How would Gautam look in the traditional sherwani? Her heart fluttered with an image of him as a groom. But she shook her head as if it would drive away her thoughts. She turned towards the bride’s pandal and entered along with Rewa and Sita. It was a compact and a beautiful pandal with a cooler inside. There was two-seater recliner with leather cushions and flower bed on the seat. Preeti felt nauseous at the overboard preparations. She sat along with Rewa as they waited for the call to the mandap.  Sita placed two silver glasses on the table in front of them. The beautiful crocheted table cloth reminded her of the hours her mom would spend with the art. She remembered this particular one. It was finished a little before Rohit’s ninth birthday. She remembered having dropped her tea on a corner by mistake and her mom had reprimanded her for it. It was to be used for his birthday party… which of course never happened. Her mother never made any of such table cloths or anything else for past twelve years. Preeti checked the little corner of the table cloth. The spot caused by the tea she had dropped years ago was still there. Very faint but was there nonetheless. She wondered how different her life would have been if that incident wouldn’t have taken place at all…. At least her mother wouldn’t have been a shadow of her former self.

Rewa was nervous and kept pacing the small area. Preeti sipped the cool ginger ale. This was Budia kaki’s speciality. She must have prepared it. She finished her glass and had some of Rewa’s too. Rewa refused to touch the drink. She was very jittery.

“Preeti… I am so scared… Will …will I be able to adjust in that household? Vikramji’s mother is such a snob…”

Preeti stood and went towards Rewa. She held her by the shoulders and said, “Don’t you worry didi… if there is anyone who can handle her it’s you. You will win her over with your super cooking skills….”

“…No Preeti that’s not it… you don’t understand. That lady is a super bitch and an opportunist… Um Preeti…”

“…Don’t worry didi… everything is going to be just…fine…OK?”

Rewa turned towards Preeti and held her by the shoulders. “Preeti…. I am so sorry dear…”

Preeti was puzzled. “Sorry? But why didi?”

Rewa dropped her hands and walked towards the cloth covering window. “Preeti, to start with I apologize for what happened…. twelve years ago… I … I …”

Preeti was stunned to silence. Why was Rewa didi mentioning the incident… what had she to do with it?

Rewa turned to her. She had tears running down her face. “I… I didn’t know it would result in dear Rohit’s demise, Sukhi uncle’s death… Oh God… I could never forgive myself Preeti… I never could….”

Preeti felt tears of her own. “I… I don’t understand Didi…” she said with a voice barely above a whisper.

Rewa was now looking at her with eyes red because of the makeup and the tears. “Preeti… let it go. Rohit and Sukhi uncle aren’t going to… come back… You…go back to Mumbai and start a new life…. Don’t ever come back here….” Her voice cracked again.

Preeti’s head was starting to reel. This was too much for her to take. How was Rewa didi involved? What was going on here? She had suffered so much for twelve years for no fault of hers…just with survivor’s guilt. If Gautam hadn’t been there that day then she would have been raped or may be even killed… She shuddered holding her head to stop the dizzy spell.

“Preeti… I am sorry. So… sorry for everything you and Yash had to suffer… for everything our family had to suffer… But trust me I never wished for all that… I didn’t know it would turn out like that…. Preeti you have to forgive me…. Before I embark on a new life… Please Preeti….Don’t tell….”

Suddenly Preeti was uneasy…she wasn’t able to hear Rewa didi anymore…Why was the world swaying? Or was she moving? Someone was pushing her…? Why was her vision blurring? She sat on the two-seater with a thud and held the table cloth close to her pulling it from its place. The last she heard as she fell across the two-seater was the clanking of the glasses falling down on the hard cement ground and Gautam’s words echoing in her ears…

“…Everything here is a Charade….”

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 19

Gautam had worn his sherwani. He hated all this but he had no choice…like most of the things in his life.  He adjusted the traditional turban. He saw himself in the mirror in his room. The light from the approaching dusk had cast shadows upon his silhouette in the mirror. As always he saw the beast glaring at him. She had called him a monster… his Preeti… the love of his life. No…he was nothing like the blue eyed monster who had wanted to violate her totally and kill her. How could he convince her otherwise? Would it make any difference to her?

 One thing was for sure she wasn’t leaving for Mumbai anytime today. He had seen to it. Maasa’s doctor just needed the extra income and he was in. Of course the old lady was suffering from the dreaded disease and had firmly refused treatment. Her health was hanging on tender hooks. But she wasn’t dying as such. That was a little lie which got the wedding prepended. It wasn’t difficult to convince Rewa. She couldn’t wait to get out of that hell hole called Sengar household. He himself felt suffocated there. They were opportunists…the entire family especially the men.  

But he worried about Preeti. She tried to show she was strong but he knew she was breaking down from within. There was a knock at his door and Narmada stepped in.  His sister was beautiful dressed in all the finery. His mentor, the now dead bastard had bequeathed her everything and she had a royal wedding to a wonderful man who took her away from the darkness her overambitious parents had built around here. But he loved her. Though she wasn’t related by blood, she understood him. She had known about her monster brother all along. One day when she was barely ten she had come crying to him. The monster…the bastard had tried to lay his hands on her. That day he had punched him so hard that he had broken two of his teeth. He had warned the monster to stay away from the sister. Since then she had been very close to him.

She stood before him folding her hands. She had a frown on her beautiful oval face.

“Why are you doing this bhai?”

“What am I doing Nammu?” he called her with her pet name knowing how much she liked to hear it.

“Bhai do you remember when maa was trying to get me married off to some widower for her ambitious project? And I was in love with Gaurang? You told me something very important.”

Gautam looked away. She held his hands and said, “Bhai you had told me not to dwell in the past and move on. At the same time you had said not to give up on love but fight for it, isn’t it?” He nodded.

“Then why are you doing this Bhai? I can see how much you are in love with Preeti.”

He gave her a shocked look.

“Don’t look at me like that bhai. Your chemistry in the room is hot enough to burn everyone around. You both have eyes only for each other… Bhai don’t do this to both of you… I like Preeti. She is good for you. Whenever you called me last few days before you came here you were so calm…it was because of her isn’t it?”

He walked to the window hand on his hips looking outside. Narmada came besides him and stared outside. “She is the same girl bhai?”

“Who… what?”

“ Is Preeti the same girl from that place, whom you rescued?”

He nodded slightly.

“Does she know this bhai?”

He shrugged. “I… I think she does.”

“Then go tell her bhai…”

“…she deserves someone better…”

“Bhai, I think you deserve some happiness in your life…. For once…” She held his hand and pulled him to face her. “…for once bhai, just think of yourself instead of all of us…Go and tell Preeti… call off this marriage…”

“…NO.” He jerked his hand away. “This marriage shall take place today. Nammu go out and let me get ready.”

Narmada wiped her eyes and shook her head as she left the room.

Gautam was firm in his decision today. Romila Devi was on the seventh heaven. She had started to doubt his agreement to go ahead with the impending nuptials. She had forever shielded the bitterness in her heart. He didn’t blame her for it. He would have been dead somewhere if she hadn’t taken him up into her household. It didn’t matter that she never held him close when he feared the dark at night, it didn’t matter she slapped him around if he didn’t cooperate with the household work, it didn’t matter that she did him a favour sending him to school…it didn’t matter that she had trained him to take up the blame for her monster son on himself every time the mentor came to visit them. It didn’t matter that she derived pleasure watching the bastard mentor use his belt on a young 13 year old foster son.  Nothing mattered then…nothing mattered now. Except she held a very important card in her hand…her trump card to make him bend to her whims. She only wanted Gagorn.  He had to give her this last wish of hers and then he was done. Done… with the baggage of guilt and debt. He would be free… finally to lead his life the way he wanted. To get that card from her… it was very important that he see this to the end. Coming to think of it he realised with a snide smile, he wasn’t any different from a bonded labourer. Except… he was bonded by his morals and guilt.

He adjusted his clothes and took a deep breath. He had to go through with this today. He didn’t believe in God but if there existed an Almighty then he hoped He would finally decide to shower some blessings on him today…

He walked down the stairs into the foyer of his bungalow. It was a masterpiece on the outskirts of Bhivadi. He lived alone here. Romila Devi liked to be closer to her daughter in Jaisalmer. He looked up at the rooms on the right. He smiled remembering the day he had got Preeti and Rewa here. Seemed like ages ago… He fisted his hand and hit his chest as if it would calm down his racing heart.

He saw the time. He still had fifteen minutes to go before their flower studded vehicle arrived. He just knew what he had to do. He looked around and seeing no one he rushed towards the basement of his bungalow. Only he had the biometric access. And since it’s entrance was under the staircase and well concealed no one knew about it. He quickly opened the door and went inside the dark little passage closing the door auto locking himself behind him. He came face to face with the big red door…

He put in the key which was with him all the time and opened the lock. He pushed the door open and stepped into his world.

Gautam looked around the red room very identical to the one in Mumbai. In fact he had commissioned this one much before. He had always visualised Preeti here. In fact even that day when she was here he wanted to bring her down here…to his domain…. where he was on his own away from everything. He had once experienced that in his home in Mumbai. His joy had known no bounds when Preeti herself had shown interest in his way of life. There was so much he wanted to teach her, try out with her… he sighed as he ran his hand over the mattress. He took out the Sherwani and the salwar and hung them on the rack on the hangers. He had already gotten rid of the turban as he had entered. Next his vest was out followed by his boxers. Arranging them neatly he went towards the rexin mattress that was  propped up and dropped it on the bed. He then went to the small refrigerator and removed the ice packs and spread them on the mattress. He went to the closet and opened one of the cupboards. There were three whips all of different sizes and types. He picked the heaviest of them. He opened the drawer and took out the tiny clamps… about six of them. He set the phone alarm for five minutes. He placed the whip on a stand nearby and pinched his skin and put on the clamps. By the time he finished with all six he was breathing heavily and eyes watering with jaw clenched tightly as the clamps dug into his skin. He lifted the whip and started to flog himself. With every hit the clamps kept pressing on his skin and the blue eyed monster’s face sprang before his eyes….The last time he had seen him in his mentor’s house…under the shower. He screamed aloud, “YOU WERE ALWAYS A MONSTER… you know that? Now, you won’t exist at all…In a matter of few months your entire identity will be gone. The world will know about your deeds…. Your mother too will know the entire truth you bastard… rot in hell MONSTER… rot in hell VIKRAM SINGH….” The alarm rang just then. He got out of his trance and silenced it. He brushed his tears away as he removed the clamps and placed them in their place and also the whip. He then lay on his stomach on the ice packs spread on the bed. As the cold seeped through his bruises numbing his pain a strange calm started descending within.

He would make things right. Today was an exam… and he always aced his exams.  He knew it in his gut. And his intuitions were never wrong….

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 18 

Preeti adjusted her new dress looking into the mirror in her room. That day the Sengar household was busy with the events leading up to the birthday celebrations of their beloved maasa. Relatives thronged the house and maasa thrived on crowded households! She had been a little under the weather for last few days but today she felt much better. Preeti’s father and uncle had arranged for a maha puja and it started with all their relatives being present. Gautam and his little family was the guest of honour. She was told his father was dead and he had a younger sister whom she had met the other day. She was married and currently on the family way. She was thinking how little she knew about him. When they were together in Mumbai he barely spoke about his life but once in passing he had mentioned an aunt and a sister…had she heard right? Had he said ‘aunt’?  Anyways there was nothing she was sure about these days. Except for the fact that she was leaving for Mumbai tomorrow. Her ticket lay in her folder in her room.

Gautam and his family arrived at noon as the puja was in progress. Preeti’s anxiety levels had skyrocketed in anticipation of his reaction after their encounter yesterday at the salon. She had worn a peach coloured salwaar kameez gifted by Rewa. The netted dupatta was her favourite. A matching neck piece and jhumkas in her ears completed her look with minimal makeup. She wore mojris in her feet again a gift from Rewa. She had let her hair loose over her shoulders. She wondered about Gautam’s reaction…it was as if she had dressed only for him. 

She was standing in the foyer welcoming guests when they arrived. Gautam  looking handsome in an off white kurta paired with white Chudidaar, gave her a once over and walked away. She had no right to actually after what she had decided, but was disappointed. She clenched her teeth to control her emotions from overflowing. His mom stared and smiled in a way that sent shivers down her spine. His sister smiled as well but she could only sense warmth there. His sister Narmada, was a short lady and she hugged her. She held Preeti’s face in her palms and said, “Preeti, you are so beautiful…” Her husband had come today and he held Narmada protectively. Preeti loved to see love for his wife in his eyes and she hoped someday she would find that…would she? Her eyes filled as she saw them walk away wishing to see such emotions for her in certain pair of brown eyes. If wishes were horses…

Preeti  had instantly liked Narmada. Soon after the puja, lunch was served outside in the lawn where the pandal had been erected. After lunch the guests gathered in the hall where seating arrangements were made. Gautam and his family were involved in informal chatting. Preeti was forced to be there so she went to a corner and made herself inconspicuous. Suddenly one of the women in the group announced loudly. “Priyamvada, now that Rewa is getting settled you have to think about Preeti too isn’t it?”

A sudden silence descended over the hall as everyone’s eyes fell on her. Preeti was now suddenly conscious with the attention on her. Her eyes found Gautam looking at her with an unreadable expression. Seated on his right was Rewa dressed in her finery and grinning ear to ear as she looked at her. Preeti wanted to hate her for that.

Preeti’s father stepped ahead and spoke. “We definitely are thinking about Preeti’s wedding as well. There are a couple of alliances we have shortlisted. Once Rewa is married we will proceed with them. Preeti was stunned hearing her father. When did all this happen? She was in tears and looked towards Gautam. He had clenched his jaw in anger. He thought he could hide it from others but she knew he was writhing in anger inside. The asshole deserved it, she thought. Anyway… she was going to Mumbai tomorrow. She was glad she hadn’t informed anyone at home. She would actually run away…again but this time without informing anyone. Her father and uncle had no more power to force anything on her once she was in Mumbai. She smiled to herself thinking about it. The relatives got busy discussing about potential suitors for Preeti.

A little later maasa was drained out with the excitement so she asked Preeti to wheel her into her room. Preeti in turn wanted an escape from the shenanigans and readily agreed. Maasa’s room was the last one on the ground floor. It had an attached balcony opening up to the wilderness outside. Though it wasn’t maintained these days, maasa love to spend her evenings there. Preeti helped her settle in the bed. Maasa held her hands with her heavily wrinkled fragile ones and said, “Preeti beta, are you alright with what your Bapu has decided for you?”

Preeti never lied to Maasa. She didn’t reply. Just stood looking down at their hands.

“Beta, don’t give in if you don’t want to. If you like someone then fight for it. Not like Rewa. She just gave up on Suyash… she must have loved Vikram’s money more. Can’t blame her though. She has seen tough times here. Anyways you are strong. You will do what is right.  I am sure.” Preeti’s eyes filled and she bent and hugged maasa and gave her the call bell before leaving from her room.

As she walked out closing maasa’s door, she stopped dead in her tracks. Gautam stood right in front of her. If looks could kill then she would collapse dead. His angry gaze was intense on her. He looked around and then holding her arm pulled her into the next closed room and latched the door. The room was her Bua’s room which they used whenever she came over to stay with her family. It was a rare occurrence but still, the room was maintained well. She didn’t switch on the lights as it would call for attention. He pulled her towards the bed and dropped her there. He fell on her his weight on her making a huge dent on the soft mattress. She wanted to scream at him but he covered her mouth with his, giving her no time to react. His insistent mouth parted her trembling lips and she welcomed him as if her life depended on it. He stroked her mouth and fondled her breast through her clothes, her traitorous nipple pebbled with his mere touch and she moaned into his mouth. He suddenly stopped the kiss and raised his head. Supporting himself on his arms he looked into her eyes.

“So… you are happy eh? Eager to get married is it?” he said as he panted.

Her temper rose and she tried to push him away. “You have no right to butt in. None of your goddamn business…”

“…it is my business darling… Do you think whoever those guys are… can they pleasure you like you need to be? Can they make you come just the way you like? Can they make you wet like…”

“…STOP…just STOP….” she pounded at his chest “…this is not fair. You can’t… can’t talk to me like this… I hate you so much Gautam….”

“…no you don’t hate me Preeti…”

Her temper rose… her entire anger at the situation she had been ever since she had come to Bhivadi was now directed towards him.

“…oh yes I do… I HATE you from the bottom of my heart… you are a manipulative cheating bastard… Not much of a difference between you and that monster from twelve years ago…”

That hit the mark and he withdrew away from her. He had a shocked expression on his face. She had never seen it before and she was by now familiar with all his facial nuances.

She sat up on the bed straightening her clothes and hair. She knew that was a low blow but he had not left her any choice. She wanted a clean break-up… Gut wrenching though, that was the only solution for her distress.

She stood and walked toward the door watching him as he stood at the foot of the bed his back hunched with his hand on the cot railing supporting him. He looked defeated and it killed her from inside. But she couldn’t show him her weakness. As she turned to open the latch he said in a soft cracking voice. “Don’t ever… compare me with that… MONSTER… I am nothing like him…”

She turned towards him and said trying to keep her voice steady. “I am going to Mumbai tomorrow. Whether anyone likes it or not, I don’t care. I will never come back here again. And don’t try to contact me in Mumbai.  Everything between us is over…

She didn’t react and just walked out of the room her head held high. Finally it was some kind of a victory for her. Within her heart she felt anything but victorious.

She ran upstairs to her room, changed into comfortable home clothes and lay on the cool floor sobbing her eyes out… She stayed there till she was told the guests were to start leaving. She was an emotional wreck. Sometime later she was summoned by her father.

As she walked down the stairs she saw her extended family and some other relatives had gathered in the drawing room. Gautam sat with his little family in tow. He had a look in his eyes as he saw her…she recognised it. It was a victory look. Oh God what was he planning?

Her uncle stood up and made an announcement. “Now that everyone is here, we have an announcement to make. Maasa’s health has been extremely fragile for the last few days. Yesterday her doctor said that the cancer had spread and… the time would be arriving sooner than expected….”

What? Maasa had cancer…and nobody bothered to inform her? She struggled to hold back tears for her dear Maasa… Her memories with Maasa flashed before her eyes. He uncle continued. “… Considering her wish to see her granddaughter married, we have decided to pre-pone the wedding of Rewa and Vikram Singh…”

Preeti looked at Rewa who was all smiles and then at Gautam who was brazenly staring at her.

“… The wedding will be solemnised tomorrow itself…” her uncle continued. “…It will be a low key affair considering maasa’s health. I thank Vikram and his family to have supported us during this difficult hour…”

Tomorrow? Really TOMORROW? What the hell?

Everyone gathered around the to-be wed couple and started to wish them.

Within the next hour everyone including Gautam had departed. Priyamvada walked upto Preeti and said, “ Preeti I know you were planning to leave tomorrow….”

“…How did you know ma?” She asked shocked.

“…I… I saw your ticket copy. It had flown out of your folder. I had gone to your room to keep the laundry. I tried to collect the flown papers and then I saw your ticket. I.. I wouldn’t have stopped you beta…but stay for a little longer.. At least for the wedding… for maasa’s sake?”

Preeti nodded reluctantly. She had to witness the same ceremony that she was running away from. How would she control her emotions tomorrow? How could she watch Gaurav marry Rewa right before her eyes?

Her heart was breaking into so many pieces and only she could feel the anguish… A pain that would remain with her, all her life…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 17 (Gautam’s POV)

Gautam banged the door shut as he entered his bungalow. He didn’t intend to but he had hurt Preeti… again. She felt like his…whore? His chest had tightened and he had felt someone holding his heart tightly and squeezing it over and over again all through his ride back here from the parlour. But she was right…she deserved answers. But how could he? He was caught badly… he was this fly caught in the intricate web of deceit and betrayal. He feared she would be damaged too if she got wind of his reality. He had warned her in Mumbai itself not to come back here but that stupid Rewa must have insisted. He couldn’t blame her either. She had sounded frantic on phone once when she had called him. She had said something about not wanting to marry him…about having someone else in her life. But that day he had just spent a beautiful night with Preeti and couldn’t focus on anything else. He had only known about Rewa because his mother had informed him about her. That he was supposed to marry her. He had shoved the matter under the carpet. He didn’t know Rewa would send the SOS out for Preeti.

He had reached Alwar and met Rewa in their house during the Shree Ganesh puja for fixing the alliance. He had assured her he too wasn’t interested in the marriage. He wanted to fix things for everyone. He had devised a scheme which could create a win- win situation for everyone and he could return to Preeti as fast as possible. Every single day… even a moment without her was like a piece of his soul was being chipped away…

His loyal security person cum driver Bhim Singh had managed the execution of his plan so far so well. He wanted to send him to Mumbai to keep an eye on Preeti. Somehow even now after over twelve years he wasn’t comfortable not knowing about her, not keeping tabs on her. No… he wasn’t a stalker. Actually Bhim Singh and he had tried a lot to connect the dots about that incident but there were pieces missing.  Bhim Singh was ex-army and was with him for last six years. He had known about the incident since he was a local then. But he too had doubts about the authenticity of the story in the papers. Gautam still had a feeling Preeti was not completely out of danger. He had taken care of the monster but what about the actual perpetrator…he had never found out.

Everything was going as scheduled. The engagement was held as planned and Rewa was only too happy to play along his scheme. His ‘mother’ was satisfied as well and didn’t suspect a thing. He hadn’t revealed anything to his sister Narmada. She was in the first trimester of her pregnancy and he didn’t want her to be stressed. But he wasn’t prepared for his little vixen… the love of his life Preeti to reach Bhivadi. For once he was caught like a deer in headlights. He hadn’t known how to react. Rewa wasn’t aware of things between Preeti and him.

 In fact no one was. He didn’t have anyone in his life with whom he could share anything. The only time he had a feel of normal life was when his mentor had permitted him to actually attend school instead of the homeschooling lessons they received. He wanted him to see the world but not reveal anything about his life. The local government school had taken him in. Directly in the 8^th grade. No questions asked. He had then learnt money could achieve anything. But he had loved going to school. He had loved meeting people though he wouldn’t speak with anyone. The fear of his Mentor and his lashings had been ingrained deeply in his mind. He excelled in studies. His mentor had always said he had a powerful brain. He loved competing in athletic events and most of all he loved being with his only friend…his best pal, Tanveer Raisingh. What initially had begun as the athletic track rivalry had blossomed into a beautiful friendship. Tanveer and he were inseparable. He secretly visited Tanveer’s home without informing his mentor and was surprised to see the bond which the family members shared. He had been envious of his friend. He cherished the time he spent with the Raisinghs.

But his life had always been fucked up from the go. Lady luck had been his permanent nemesis. She couldn’t tolerate anything remotely sane in his life. Three years flew and he finished his 10^th grade. As per the promise to his mentor he had to severe ties with everyone and get back to working with the organisation. He had Tanveer’s contact number when he transferred. He wanted to cling to the one relationship in his life which had shown him what normal meant. So he would often call Tanveer. He would chat simple nothings. Just hearing Tanveer voice would be the flicker of light in his dark life.  But again that was not to be. Tanvee’s father was promoted as the ACP of the area and Tanveer too had the niche towards following his father’s footsteps. He couldn’t let them doubt him. So he had severed all contacts with Tanveer…

He had heard Tanveer was one of the inspectors assigned to investigate the incident twelve years ago. He had always known that there was no perfect crime but he was the best in what he did. He always covered his tracks well. The trail had run cold eventually. His mentor had taught him well. His mentor was a bastard of the top degree but he had given him a few skills for survival. His mentor had said libido interfered in the job at hand and to strictly avoid the fairer sex. If one knew Romila Devi, Gautam understood his mentor’s aversion to women. He had introduced him to the world of BDSM… that had given his restless scattered energy some kind of convergence. He needed his sessions after his Jobs… The mentor’s son was never interested and preferred live warm flesh to the cold feel of the red room. But Gautam took to the lifestyle like fish to water. His mentor had taught him the lesson of ‘punishment’…self-punishment. He had said it was important to self-punish if you make a mistake… In the last twelve years he had made quite a few mistakes and he had self-punished himself. Not surprisingly most of his punishments came up in the last few days that he had known Preeti…

The secret red rooms in his bungalows too were reserved for self-punishments. His mentor had ingrained another important lesson in his mind. This was twelve years ago after everything was done and he was leaving the organisation. His mentor knew everything… about his feelings for the badly injured young girl in the hospital who had caught his fantasy. The mentor was drunk over his son’s death and had said, “if a girl understands your crap and sticks through your mistakes, and trusts you in spite of everything, she is definitely a keeper. But its obvious…YOU DON’T DESERVE HER…”

Even today when Preeti had reiterated that she loved him he remembered his mentor’s lesson from that day. He couldn’t stay away from her once she was in Bhivadi. He should have let her misunderstand and hate him but realised he couldn’t tolerate that either. So he had gotten her here in his house through Rewa indirectly. He had seen her enter the bungalow and he didn’t know what came over him he had dragged her into the closet. Their coupling left him wanting more every single time. He knew she felt the same for him… He arranged a small dinner date for her. He had a perennial hard on for her that day. Their love making that night had broken down his emotional barriers… But the next morning had brought theirown challenges. He knew his housekeeper passed on information to his ‘mother’ so had to get Preeti out of his room. It pained him to see her shocked and hurt. But he had no choice.

In spite of his precautions, his ‘mother’ must have known something was up.  Last night he had met up with her for dinner. Like always, their meeting always filled him with anguish. She held his reins tightly in her hands and her only condition to release him and grant him his wish was the Gagorn fort. Though he had assured her he was on track towards achieving the goal, she wasn’t pleased. She thrived in agonising him… in driving a knife through his heart and twisting it.

When he had left her house, it was well past midnight and he was extremely restless… he had never felt so low in his life and he knew only one person had it in her to keep him sane. He had rushed to her house and it was easy for someone trained like him to escape security, scamper the walls and reach her room. She had been surprised but not scared… as if she was expecting him. He had only wanted to be next to her and feel her presence but one thing had led to the other and he had had the best climax of his life… He had realised with an alarm that he was losing self-restraint with Preeti around. No…he couldn’t lose control. He had survived all his life because of his strong will and domineering spirit…  And then she had said she loved him…

He had abruptly left her.

He wanted to make up for her distress and had arranged another of his fantasies… massage. He had longed to do that for her to relax her. He knew she was under terrible stress… He was well read about the oils used. He even had his way with her, which in turn had further relaxed him but he hadn’t been prepared for her outburst… At that time he only wanted to tell his mother to go to hell and leave Alwar with Preeti. Unfortunately he couldn’t do it at this juncture…He was fucking 44 years old and still couldn’t escape his dark life…

It was true… Preeti didn’t deserve his darkness… His heart splintered….

As he walked towards his red room in his bungalow his mentor’s voice boomed in his head…

‘Self-punishment is important…’

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 16

 Preeti didn’t react and rushed out. Her heart was working overdrive, emotions were scattered. She had to block out the information she just got. No one at home could know this. Her protective streak towards Gautam was strong… strange but strong, she thought.

‘…He is dangerous…’ the words kept ringing in her ears. But surprisingly they didn’t scare her. She was never scared of Gautam. Worried and caught in a moral dilemma but not scared… She was certain Gautam was her saviour then. Whether he had killed those other people or not, she didn’t know… The Gautam she had known couldn’t be a murderer, could he? However, it appeared she barely knew him these days. But was he in danger?

She still had some fleeting memories about the blue eyes. Once in that hellhole and once in the hospital. But her mind may have played games with her. She wasn’t functioning well for a long time even after discharge from hospital. She had colour discrimination issues for a long time.  She had difficulty when the colour shades were closer for at least six months after the incident but gradually she recovered on her own as the doctor has said she would. So was it a mistake that she had seen those stunning blue eyes? To her utmost surprise she realised she had long stopped relating Gutam with the colour of his eyes. She loved his browns. She loved the man for crying out aloud… The feelings for him ran so deep her chest tightened.

Anyway she was returning back to Mumbai in another day. Away from all the madness here. Mostly for good, this time.

 She was home just in time for breakfast. Yash made an announcement about the party next day celebrating Maasa’s birthday. Preeti decided to wait before revealing her plans to return back to Mumbai. The entire day there were people going in and out of the house as the preparations for the celebrations started in full swing. The house was getting decorated. The maids and some more contract workers were busy preparing delicacies under the supervision of her mother and tayiji.

She went back to her room to get some things done at office and to inform everyone that she would be returning in a couple of days. She was totally shaken from what had transpired in the morning and wanted to divert herself. What a mess she was in. As soon as she opened her laptop there was a knock at the door.

“Preeti? Can I have a word with you?” it was Rewa.

Preeti unlatched the door and Rewa walked in sitting on her bed with a bounce.

“Preeti Please come along with me… I have to visit the parlour and Ma won’t let me go alone. If you come as well, she won’t have a problem. Tomorrow is a very important day dear.”

“Rewa didi, I have work to complete and I don’t go to parlours…”

“…Just look at your skin it’s so dry. Your hair needs straightening too. I have kept a nice new dress for you. You will look stunning tomorrow. Please Preeti come with me?” Rewa pleaded.

Preeti nodded reluctantly and within an hour they were in a beauty salon. It was a unisex parlour and was huge with many spa and massage rooms housed beyond closed curtains. Preeti was uncomfortable and wanted to rush back home. But before she could speak, Rewa introduced her to Rohit who owned the place.

“Preeti I have booked massages for both of us. It will help you relax. Don’t refuse dear. God knows you need it.” Saying Rewa went off to her dedicated room. Preeti stood still not knowing how to react. Rohit called another lady wearing the parlour uniform and she directed Preeti to a room at the end of the corridor inside. She asked Preeti to change into the given wrap and wait for her.

Preeti entered the room and gasped to see the elegant massage set up.  There was a double bed in the centre surrounded by adjacent walls of flowing velvet curtains. The lighting gave the entire room a soft golden hue and the scented lamps, they just took her breath away. Lavender…yes these were lavender essential oils. It reminded her of the red room in Gautam’s house in Mumbai. He had a similar fragrance. She clenched her thighs and moaned as she felt her arousal slam into her core.  She suddenly stood upright remembering where she was. She shook her head and quickly changed into a wrap. She sat on the bed waiting for the masseur. She looked around and wondered how much Rewa must have spent for all this. But Rewa didn’t have any money. In fact she always struggled for petty expenses and occasionally she had sent her money. SO how could she afford all this… of course Gautam! How could she forget? He must have arranged everything she thought as anger burned within. She shut her eyes trying to remove the image of Gautam with Rewa. It was extremely painful and unbearable. No she couldn’t accept this. She decided to change back into her clothes and wait in the reception area.

She stood up from the bed and turned towards her clothes she had kept on a stand near the bed. Suddenly the door to the room opened and closed. She turned around to refuse when she stared with mouth wide open. Gautam entered the room and shut the door latching it.

She caught her bearings. She couldn’t let him affect her like this. She wasn’t doing right by her sister as well.

Hands on her hips she asked trying to hide the tremor in her voice. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Gautam chuckled and opened the bath robe he was wearing when he entered the room. He was only in his boxers the erection evident as she saw and looked away.

“Preeti we both need this. There’s lots of stress around.” He said softly as he approached her.

She walked back till her legs hit the edge of the bed. “No… I don’t want any massage. I just… I want to go home. You can have a massage with Rewa didi. She is there somewhere here…” She teared up when she spoke and her heart was heavy. She looked down trying to hide her face from him.

He came close enough she could smell his musky fragrance. That blended with the existing Lavender was driving her insides to mush.

He lifted up her chin and she closed her eyes as a tear escaped the corner of her eye. He cupped her cheeks and wiped the tear with his thumb. “Look at me Preeti…” he spoke so softly it melted her. She looked at him. “…Just enjoy this alright? I want to be with you…no one else…. just you.”

She pushed away his hands and said, “In that case call off the wedding. Why are you two timing us? Rewa didi trusts you blindly just like I did. Why on earth are you doing this? A different name, identity…what is all this?”

He sighed and said, “Preeti, now is not the time for all this. You are so uptight… so am I. We need this…” he said gesturing to the surrounding. She dint know whether it was the earnest lustful look in in his browns or the ambience in the room or the conversation with Tanveer Raisingh and her protective instincts towards him,  or fact that she wanted him with intensity she couldn’t describe… She knew she would repent later but she hugged him. He hugged her back and kissed her head. He releases the shoulder ties of her wrap and it slipped to the floor.

“He took her hand in his and said, “Lie down sweetheart and just enjoy as I make you relax…”

Like she was hypnotised, Preeti lay down on the soft bed. He got a small tray kept on the side containing different bottles. He picked up one, read it and took some in his hand. He rubbed his palms spreading it and started applying the oil on her stomach. The fragrance was awesome. As his hands moved right below her breasts she asked him in a husky voice. “What oil is this?”

He continued the massage and replied his focus not wavering one bit as he spoke. “This is the Bulgarian Rose Otto Essential oil. It helps to sooth the body and helps in the relaxation of tense muscles. And you my dear are so… tense.” He moved his hands above and rubbed her neck and upper chest. He hovered over her as he massaged her arm pits and hands which he had spread on the bed. He stared into her eyes and continued in a very soft voice. “…By removing feelings sadness, anxiety, and depression, this oil uplifts people’s sensual desires and helps them concentrate on pleasurable activities. It increases the feelings of love, gratitude, and passion and helps get rid of sadness, anger, and aggressiveness.”

Wow he knew so much. Hearing his voice raised her arousal levels to an extent that all she needed was a slight trigger and she would explode. As if reading her mind he caught her breasts in his palms and started to knead the globes gently. He knew how she reacted when he played with them. Her back arched pressing them further into his palms. He applied gentle pressure from the base to their tips and he pinched her nipples and released them. He kept repeating the manoeuvre till she could hold on no longer and she exploded. Before she came down the pinnacle of her release he was in between her thighs. He massaged each of her legs t but barely touched her apex. She was going crazy as the flame rose higher and higher slowly warming her insides. He then moved towards her centre. He let the oil drip along her slit and that felt out of this world. She was breathing heavily clutching the sheets on either side. He used his fore finger to spread the oil across her womanhood and gently massaged her outer walls with one hand. He used the index finger of his other hand to push it inside her warmth to touch her inner walls. She was now close… very close. She raised her hips as he inserted his second finger and they started to create havoc in her inside walls. He touched her indent at the same time pinched her clit. She shattered crying out his name as multiple orgasms crashed through her body wave after wave.  She lay spent on the bed and a sense of calm spread through her. He was right the oils had the power but she knew it was not just the oil, it was the masseur himself, it was HIM. He joined her within minutes. His boxers were off. He came on top of her positioning himself. She welcomed him spreading her legs and without wasting any second he slammed into her. He rubbed his chest to her oily one making his movement slippery and causing erotic sensations on her skin. He held her hands above her head intertwining her fingers and claimed her lips as he started to increase his pace. She had clutched his hips with her legs and now raised her hips to match his strokes with her own. The next moment she felt her inner walls spasming around him as she came and soon he followed her grunting loudly as he released into her.

They lay on the bed totally spent and he was spooning her drawing lazy circles on her stomach and her head resting on his other arm. He kissed her head every now and then as if checking if she was here. She took his other hand in hers and liked her fingers with his. He kissed her shoulder.

“Gautam?”

“Hmm” He grunted

“ You know I love you, right?”

He stopped kissing her and sighed. “Preeti…” he called her out in a warning tone.

“Gautam I feel horrible and guilty… for Rewa , for myself. I don’t like this…”  She turned around and looked at him. He was staring at her with the same turmoiled look. Who was he really? “…Gautam, I hate losing control and it happens when you are around…. it pains me to say this but this is our last…um…meet. I… can’t do this anymore…”

She started to get up when he suddenly pinned her under him.

“Preeti…what the fuck… what has gotten into you? You don’t trust me anymore?” he was angry.

“What trust are you talking about? You have only being lying to me…and my family. I love you so much…more than life itself but I don’t know you at all.”

“You know enough there is to know about me and you DON’T love me. You just think you do.”

“No GAutam… I LOVE YOU more than anything in this world. That’s why it hurts so much when you don’t open up to me, talk to me. This impending marriage with Rewa didi… Gautam I am not able to bear it…”

He was looking into her eyes with such an intensity she raised her hand and touched his cheek. “Talk to me Gautam…please. Tell me what is in your mind. I deserve some answers don’t you think?”

 He released her and got out of the bed and stood hand on his hips back towards her in his naked glory. After what seemed like ages he said, “I don’t know what to say. Just that you don’t deserve to be with someone like me. You are too good Preeti…just too pure and innocent…. I am… I am…not someone you should even fraternise with….” He took a deep breath and turned around facing her. He raised his palm to stop her even as she wanted to argue. “…. Enough Preeti. Get dressed. We have to leave.”

“NO..” She screamed.

He looked at her frowning as he pulled up his boxers.

She got off the bed and stood before him holding a nearby bath towel to cover herself. “I said…NO…you heard me? I don’t care what you think of yourself. You just…just waltz into my life the way you want to and then leave whenever you please…THIS IS JUST NOT DONE… You are right…” she was crying now. “…I don’t deserve you…I don’t deserve to be treated like a whore…like a keep… YOUR keep…” He came towards her to hold her but she angrily help up her palm and he stood rooted to the ground. “… you didn’t want me to come to Alwar and now you don’t want me to go back to Mumbai. Why… so that you can continue this clandestine relationship…? No…I am sorry but I can’t do this anymore. It’s very painful…” She was panting. She went close to him and looked up into his eyes. They were stormy. She continued. “…tell me who you are Gautam…or are you Vikram? Why did you save my life twelve years ago? How…how did you even know we were in that godforsaken alley?”

His eyes suddenly turned emotionless. He stiffened and looked away. He quickly put on his bathrobe and before she could say anything he was out of the room banging the door after him. The loud sound was nothing compared to the storm in her heart threatening to destroy her sanity….

As she put on her clothes Tanveer Raisingh’s words kept echoing in her head.

‘….he is dangerous….’

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 15

The next morning she dressed in her track pants and shoes and went out for a jog as told by the police. Her heart was galloping in her chest threatening to spill out of her rib cage. She barely jogged a few steps and she was sweating already. Her panic attack was starting up and she was trying every trick in her book to calm down.  Not just the impending meeting but also what was transpiring in her life. Gautam was unpredictable. She knew he was concealing so much within she worried the bubble would burst someday. But who would be there for him? His mother seemed so distant and he never spoke about her… he never spoke about anything personal. She worried about his and also about her sanity.

She remembered as children Rewa didi and she were made to sit beside maasa as she told them how cultured girls behaved. She often lectured on how cultured girls wore their clothes without revealing too much or how they put forth their views without offending anyone etc. Preeti would always question her about gender bias in their household. Yash and Rohit were allowed to go and do as they pleased but there were so many restrictions for them. Maasa however had justification for everything. She was a little way ahead of her times. She had been widowed at thirty and single handily brought up five children. She believed in education and modesty. She often said modesty was a virtue unique to women. She said, modesty was a crown to be worn by women and only then they would be respected by all. Preeti found it too medieval but Rewa didi adhered to all the rules laid down in the Sengar household. As they grew older, Maasa warned them about wayward boys, to stay away from them. She enforced the arranged marriage system. She said, it was up to them to transform arranged marriage into a love one. Preeti was at that time subdued because of the incident so the thought of being with men repulsed her.

Today, as she neared her destination, she chuckled. Maasa would have a stroke if she knew what her granddaughter had been doing. She shook her head. She was now the epitome of what Maasa called uncultured. People often spoke behind the backs of such people maasa would say. Here, forget others Preeti hated herself. She had let her heart rule her head and everything had gone downhill for her. Gautam and she both had a strong appetite for copulation. They had the power to get combusted the moment they were in the same room. Thank God for her contraceptive shots. She didn’t need any unwanted complications anymore in her life. Gautam probably knew that as well. The extremely prepared man never used a condom after their first time. That reminded her she was due for her shot in a few days….

Finally she reached the destination and looked behind her as if to check if someone was following her. She had been so lost in thought she never got to check. She didn’t feel anything amiss when she looked around. Feeling satisfied she wiped her brow and entered RA tech park premises. It was completely empty but spotlessly clean. She looked for some kind of instructions or someone who could tell her something. It was then she saw the elevator panel and walked towards it. There were four elevators but only one was working at the moment. She checked the time, she still had five minutes. She took the elevator to the fourth floor. As soon as she stepped out she saw a series of office rooms and took the direction for the one she wanted. She walked to the end of the corridor and knocked the door of office number 410.

“Come in Ms. Sengar” called a deep voice from inside.

She turned the door knob and stepped inside. Unlike the other places in these premises there were people in the room. All dressed in formals. There were three men and two women. A huge mahogany desk stood elegantly at the centre and behind that was seated inspector Tanveer Raisingh. He had aged considerably in the last twelve years.

She stood looking at everyone her anxiety rising higher every moment.

“Please take a seat Ms Sengar.”

She nodded and sat on the soft chair in front of him. She wondered since when the police stations were shifted to tech parks. She laughed mentally and gently chided herself for jesting in the situation.

She was offered breakfast which she refused. Who could eat now? She was sure she was developing an ulcer.

“Okay Ms. Sengar, let me get to the point. I am senior inspector Tanveer Raisingh and we are the Crime Branch. We are currently doing our investigations secretly hence the location.” He waved at the room.

Oh…He was in the Crime Branch… He had done well for himself she thought.

“So Ms. Sengar…” He continued. “…coming directly to the point, Is there anything you want to tell us about that day twelve years ago?”

Preeti looked up into his eyes. “Um… Sir…I told you everything that I could remember… you know I was injured terriblely…I was unconscious….”

“…Tell us in addition to all that Ms. Sengar…” He interrupted her. “…. I already know what you had told us. It’s in the records…”

“Then what else do you want to know Sir?”

“How about the truth this time Ms. Sengar?”

“Look Sir, I seriously don’t understand what else is left to say… and anyway twelve years have passed and I have moved on with great difficulty…”

“…the case is not closed Ms. Sengar. Your brother and that man…Sukhi were killed. Their killers were never caught. There were no bodies or blood at the crime scene which of course we could trace because of your car and Sukhi’s mobile phone. There were no witnesses at all. How could that be possible? The way you were hurt, even your blood traces were not found there… It proves there was someone who actually saved you and went the extra mile to cover up everything. So tell us Ms. Sengar, who was it?”

“..I don’t know what you are talking about. I am surprised that you found out what you did but I was unconscious all the time. How would I know?”

Why she didn’t want to talk about Gautam she didn’t know. It was as if she was going the extra mile to save his identity.

“Well let me tell you something Ms. Sengar. That year i.e in 2008. There were ten murders which the local police couldn’t solve but all the men were killed in a similar manner. Fine cut in the wind pipe with a sharp object. They were beaten black and blue before that. About two kilometres from your crime scene we found a body in the jungle. Exactly the same way of killing. He was beaten beyond recognition. We still don’t know who he was….”

Preeti was now scared. She was shivering. She knew this was not good. “..Wait Sir… what is this got to do with me?”

Tanveer Raisingh gave her a snide smile. “Hear me out Ms. Sengar. Patience. So… when we found that body, I went a step ahead. I got his bite marks from the forensics and got them compared with er…the bite mark …. You got there…”

Reflexively she touched the mark through the t shirt cloth and instantly the flood gates opened. She swiped them away and hunched down.

“I am sorry Ms. Sengar. I didn’t intend to upset you. But you have to hear this. When I compared the… marks, it was a perfect match.”

Preeti gasped when she heard it. The entire scene flashed before her eyes and she shivered. One of the women in the room got her a cup of hot tea from the dispenser. She took a few sips and tried to calm her racing heart. She only wanted Gautam right now. To hold her and assure her everything was going to be just fine. But somehow she felt her control slipping away and she was barely hanging there by a fragile thread of hope.

A minute later she composed herself and looked at Tanveer Raisingh.  He spoke with a soft authority. “Ms. Sengar in the last twelve years I have been working my ass off to find the culprit but our theory says he is some kind of a vigilante. I know he worked alone. We have the proof for the same. The people whom he had killed were the worst kind of thugs, rapists and paedophiles out on bail whom we couldn’t touch because we were bound buy the law. He in fact did a service to the society no doubt by getting rid of those low lives. But Preeti no one gave him a right to be some kind of a vigilante. The law doesn’t allow you to kill someone.”

She didn’t know how to react at all.

“Who…who killed my Brother and Sukhi uncle?” she asked her voice cracking

“We will know that only when we find that vigilante and that’s where you come into picture.” He spoke looking straight into her eyes.

Preeti looked away and asked. “How can I help you?”

“Ms. Sengar, I have a feeling you know the guy.”

Preeti hoped she didn’t give Gautam away. She struggled to keep her cool.

“Sir, I still don’t get it. How can I help?”

Tanveer Raisingh looked up at his subordinates and they all left the room.

“Ms. Sengar I want to share a story with you. Do listen carefully.”

She nodded.

“I grew up in Rewari which is pretty close to Alwar. There was this boy in my class who came out of nowhere in the 8^th grade. He was mysterious and kept to himself. He was brilliant in studies and also a super athlete simply a class apart. But his parents never came for the open house or any school function. He would just disappear after school. He never fraternised….”  Tanveer Raisingh stood up and walked to the window looking out. After a moment he came back but didn’t sit on his revolving chair. He was lost in thought.

“…And then Ms. Sengar, one day I broke the ice, I chipped through his exteriors and he started to speak with me. I liked him because we shared the same interests. We both loved adventure sports and constantly competed in athletics. Though he didn’t share anything personal and was well guarded I did catch a few glimpses here and there. He was brought up by a single parent and had a younger sister and brother. But they weren’t in the same school. Ours was a government school so I assumed they must have gone to a private school. We soon became fast friends. He even came home with me sometimes. After 10^th grade I shifted to Rangarh Alwar because of my father’s posting. The last I saw him was on the result day. He had scored well in 10^th boards.  He didn’t share his contacts ever but he had my landline. We didn’t have mobiles those days. He often called at least once a month. He spoke cautiously. But he didn’t reveal anything about himself. He knew I was getting into the force someday since my dad was also a policeman. We spoke of things which didn’t matter at all. It was as if he just wanted to hear someone talk to him. He came across as a loner. Then after a couple of years the frequency of the calls trickled to a bare minimum and finally stopped completely…. To date I don’t really know what he is up to.” Tanveer Raisingh sighed. He looked at Preeti and said. “…do you know what always struck me most about him?”

She shook her head.

“….Ms. Sengar, he couldn’t stand injustice at all. He would lose his temper at the drop of a hat. He stood up for the weak and trust me…I admired him for that. Really did…”

Preeti didn’t understand where this was leading to as he continued after a moment of stoic silence.

“… and another feature which is stuck in my memory was, he had the most expressive brown eyes…”

Preeti stared wide eyed at Tanveer Raisingh.

“I know what you must be thinking Ms. Sengar. I know about Mr. Vikram Singh that he is your future brother-in- law. My classmate’s name was Gautam Rathore…. Ring a bell?”

Preeti didn’t know how much Tanveer Raisingh knew. She had to choose her words carefully.

“Look Sir, I have told you all that I knew about the incident twelve years ago. I have to leave now because my folks will miss me and it will be difficult for me to explain things to them…”

“Okay Okay…Ms. Sengar. You may go now. But the offer stands. In case you ever want to share anything please call me. Here is the card.” 

She took the card and put it in her pockets and turned around.

“Ms .Sengar?” he called out and she turned again. “Ms. Sengar…if I were you…I would be careful around Gautam. He is a dangerous. I hope you know that by now…”

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.