"You haven't replied, Sanskriti. What is up with your wounds?"
"Weren't you in your senses when I replied to the doctor?"
"No one was fooled there, Kriti. Now tell me the truth"
"Do you want me to jump off from the car?"
"You won't listen, will you?"
Reeth sped up and stopped his car in front of the Police Station
"I'm not an idiot, Sanskriti! I figured something out and that something isn't a foolish girl whipping her own self while exercising. Uncle was on the floor drunk. His belt was in his hand that had blood. I thought you had a fight with him. But he is fine. If you don't speak up, I will lodge a complaint in the police station and ask them to interrogate you"
"Huh!" she smirked "This? This is normal."
That physical pain didn't hurt her much. She was so habituated to it. To articulate it right, she grew up with it. Her father, yes, her own father abused her whenever he felt like it. Her mother was never seen at the house. Any servant who sided with her trying to stop the abuse, never survived in the job. But she said nothing. She wanted to, but didn't.
However, Reeth figured it out basing on the pieces of logic in front of him. It only made sense that she was beaten up by her father. The moment he figured it out, he couldn't stay silent
"This is NOT normal, Sanskriti! Do you realize that this is fu*kin abuse? And an ABUSE is ABUSE, whoever did it. We'll have to lodge a complaint"
Sanskriti made a face that looked obviously like her act was caught
"I figured it out. It's clear enough. So, stop thinking of any other lame excuses" Reeth unbuckled his seatbelt
"Tsk! A police complaint you ask? Hahahaha! You know, I remember that one day when I limped to a nearby police station to report against my father. And the police officer just casually called up my grandfather only to be dragged away into that house again. Imagine a ten-year-old child being thrown in a dark room alone with a limping leg for days without food. THAT... is the real abuse. Haha. Take it easy, Reeth. This will go nowhere."
"What? I cannot sit here silently for another moment. If you can't. I will." Reeth was enraged
"Reeth. Listen. Don't get yourself into this. It's not good for both of us"
Reeth didn't listen to Sanskriti not even for the next second and got out of the car. He went into the Police Station, took a complaint form and as he was filling, a police officer saw the name on the sheet and asked
"Sanskriti AROHA? Oh! I know the Arohas. What's up man? What's the complaint?" "Constable, bring my phone" the Inspector ordered
"Sir, I'm Sanskriti's friend, Reeth Verma. I'm here to file a complaint on behalf of her"
"Ahan!" the Inspector dialed to a number and spoke, "Hello, sir! This is 1-town Inspector Pandey speaking. There is a guy named-" "What's your name again?"
"Who is it, sir?" Reeth asked
"It is this Sanskriti's grandfather- Sir Govind Aroha, my brother. YOUR NAME?"
"Reeth"
Reeth stopped filling the form. He could read the room clearly. If he proceeds, what Sanskriti said might happen again. It's not the time to act harshly
"What's the complaint?" the officer asked
"Ah... nothing sir, she lost her purse" Reeth replied carefully
"Okay, okay, sir!" the Inspector replied to the man in the call and turned towards Reeth
"Are you mad, my boy? Don't waste our time. She is a politician's granddaughter; she wouldn't need that bag. And if there is anything else, talk to her grandfather.
"Yes, sir" Reeth replied and exited the station
As soon as he left, the officer tore his half-written complaint and threw it into the dustbin
Reeth came and sat in the car
"Did they take the complaint?" Sanskriti inquired
"No."
She chuckled softly and they returned home.
As soon as the car stopped in front of her house's gate, Reeth stopped the engine and turned towards her
"What is all this, Sanskriti? What is happening?" Reeth asked desperately with a beating heart
"Cool down, Reeth. This is normal."
"How is this normal, Sanskriti? I can't stay like nothing happened. Especially, if it is related to you"
"What are we Reeth? Neighbours, classmates. That's it. Don't overstep our boundaries"
"Be my friend Sanskriti, will you?"
"Reeth, I hate this sympathy"
"Please Sanskriti. I always wanted to be your friend. I know asking this today might change the meaning of its purpose, but I always wanted to be your friend; a friend that you could rely on. I swear I'll take care of you until forever" Reeth teared up
Sanskriti looked into his eyes for a while. There were tears forming up. They were genuine. She couldn't hold herself back anymore and dove from her seat into Reeth's and hugged him tight.
No one has ever seen past her words. No one helped her or even tried to. No one wanted to be her friend. No one wanted to protect her or even stay with her. She felt an unknown warmth from him- that which she never felt before.
That night, in the car... Sanskriti cried. She wailed, she wept... she sniffed and hiccupped. Those words from Reeth were the medicine she was looking for, all her life. She didn't let go of the embrace for a long while and Reeth didn't move too. He cried with her. He wanted to hide her in his arms and never let go
As Sanskriti broke from the hug, Reeth cupped her face and wiped her tears. He took his hand kerchief and carefully wiped her smeared kajal. He patted her head and got out of the car.
Reeth opened Sanskriti's door and lifted her in his arms. In the same way, he took her on the stairs and gently dropped her on the bed. After covering her up with the blanket, he hugged her again
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" He asked as he tried tugging her in the blankets
"No." Sanskriti replied. She didn't want any other bitter feeling to overwhelm her at this moment; this moment when she felt like she was taken care of, like someone protected her, like someone is really there for her in this whole wide world; for the one she waited her whole life.
"Tell me when you want to. Take care, Kritz"
"Kritz?"
"Aren't we friends now?" Reeth asked
Sanskriti smiled brightly, "Take care... Ritz!" she said
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Sanskriti was a lonely tigress indeed. But she has a friend now!
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Dearest stars, being vulnerable sometimes is never, I said, is NEVER bad. It's human. And I hope that you all find someone whom you can be vulnerable with. Happy Weekend!
