"I know Ankita and I'm trying to come but my boss wouldn't approve my leave before the deal is fixed. And I told you how Sneha is."
Inhaling sharply Siddharth stops speaking due to Ankita interrupting him in annoyance. For him not being there for her when she needs him the most for her mother. But knowing about Sneha she felt Worried too.
"I've tried asking her, but she doesn't tell me I wish you were here so you could've known what to."
The phone slipped from his hand as he looked up from his laptop screen listening to Sneha's cry. He ran in her direction, drenched in rain-water and she was weeping profusely.
"Bhai."
"Sneha? Wh.. What happened to you?"
"I saw a fight."
Embracing him tightly as soon he approached her she answered concealing the full truth from him once again. She didn't know how to lie but she knew how to tell convenient half truths.
"It's ok, Relax I'm here hm."
Relieved that she's not hurt, just scared by the fight she witnesses, he tries to calm her. Knowing well how much she's sensitive towards fights or abuse. But seeing her cries did not stop.
"(Tumne to ro kar wazan ghatana shuru kar diya.) You started losing weight by crying."
"Bhai, it was scary."
"(Bas ladai hi thi katl nahi. ) It was only a fight, not a murder."
She nodded in his arms, but didn't reply. On her way home, her anger got replaced by immense regret over her action. That she couldn't help but cry in despair, feeling threatened by the consequences of Slapping and rebuking him. The mere thought of what he'll do next terrified her immensely.
"Sneha?"
"Bhai, I'm tired."
"Okay, go freshen up and have a rest, I'll make dinner for us."
Listening to this she parted from him, then walked upstairs to her room. Siddhart watched her leaving then picked his fallen phone from the ground and went to make dinner.
"Bhai my phone isn't working, can you hand me yours?"
"Alright, just keep it charged."
Siddhart agreed to lend his phone to her. While they had their dinner, he observed every time his phone would vibrate with notifications or calls she'd stop eating.
"Are you waiting for something?"
She shook her head in denial and continued to eat the dinner reluctantly. She was afraid Abhiraj would send the video to her brother or upload it on social platforms.
"(Mujhe nahi pata kya pareshan kar raha, bas itna kahunga chupana ya darna koi hal nahi mushkil ka.) I don't know what's bothering. But I'll say just one thing: hiding Or fearing isn't the solution to troubles."
"I know Bhai."
"(Jaante to sab hai maanta koi nahi.) Everyone's aware, but no one believes it."
After dinner she went to her room, instead of trying to prepare for her exams which she had the next day, she surfed about hacking and law against blackmailing. She even wondered about the evidence she could probably use against him. But realise there's hardly any evidence except their chat conversation or call records. But even that wasn't enough to get him punished. She couldn't even sleep the entire night due to the terror of Abhiraj and her anxiety. Every time her or her brother's phone vibrates she'll feel her life leaving her body. Dread to see the phone, but check notifications desperately in fear it's from him. She had her exam the next day but she couldn't gather strength to do revision. She was certain she'll fail and she can blame no one but herself for her vulnerability.
__________
Watching Abhiraj, at home, With feet soaked in pool water sitting on the floor with Damon and Dali. Lost in thoughts Digvijay inquired out of curiosity.
"Don't you've college to attend? Or won't you join me today at the office?"
"No Dad, I don't feel like doing anything today. Dad don't do this, you'll catch a cold."
"And you won't?"
Ignoring his words, folding his pants up he dipped his feet in the pool and sat beside him. Abhiraj looked at him then ignoring him, looked ahead then spoke.
"(Kal bahut gyaan de diya sabne, ab phir se mat dijiyega.) Everyone gave me a lot of advice yesterday, please don't give it again."
"(Sharab ke Nashe ki tarah gyaan ka asar bhi khatam ho gaya. ) Like the intoxication of alcohol, the effect of advice also ended."
"Dad please, I'm not in the mood."
"And she's not into you."
Irritated by his words, Abhiraj removed his hands from the pets and placed them over his lap in rage. But didn't speak a word to refute his father.
"It's said people don't change, but they don't know time, fate and emotions change people either for good or for worse."
"Now I'm the worst , isn't it, Dad?"
"Learn to get control over your emotions and love will become an elixir , else it's venom which will kill both of you."
"How to do that?"
"Here your mom suggested."
"A consultation with a therapist? I don't need that Dad."
"With how you are behaving, if not therapist then soon, you'll receive Belt treatment by law."
Gazing at the card which contained contact info of the therapist, he felt angry, but listening to his father's words he felt helpless. In their opinion he's on the verge of getting punished legally.
"Dad I."
"Unlike you forcing her, I won't force you. So decide it yourself, but know one thing. You'll bear the pros and cons of your decision yourself."
Saying this he placed the card down, then stood up and walked away. Leaving him alone to wonder about his own decisions and feelings.
__________
"Don't ruin your mood over a few bad exams, as you'll do better next."
Walking ahead, she didn't reply to her friends. It's been more than a week since today was her last exam and like previous ones she didn't do well in it either. Worse this morning her brother left as well, as his leave got approved by his boss.
"Sneha come let's eat Panipuri."
"No, not today."
"(Arey, pani-puri ko mana karna paap hai.) Oh come on, it's a sin to say no to panipuri."
"Just get it packed for me, I'll take it home."
Saying this she moved ahead while Nisha, distracted by pani-puri, didn't notice her leaving. Despite receiving No call, text or video from him she couldn't breath in relief. As she assumes he's planning something worse. Else he would've approached her by now. Even this peace wasn't peaceful for her. (Itna to kanha ji ka bhi dhyan nahi mann mein jitna uss paapi ka darr hai.) I don't even think of Kanha Ji as much as I fear that sinner. She thought with remorse, feeling even her devotion for Kanha ji is questionable in front of her fear of Abhiraj.
"Sneha."
(Shaitan ka dhyan aur Shaitan aa gaya.) Thought of Devil, and devil is here. Her steps froze, she felt waves or tremors on her body, just by hearing his voice. Then reluctantly she tilted her head enough to catch a glimpse of her nightmare Abhiraj, who was coming towards her in all his glory. Yet composing herself she asked firmly.
"Why are you here now?"
"(Baat karne aaya hu.) I have come to talk."
Looking at her after weeks, still more angry than ever, he thought it's truly pointless to give her time to calm down. Her rage will never dispel when it comes to him, henceforth he was certain about his plan now.
"There's nothing left to talk about, so leave now, or I'll yell for help."
"(Daraana ya behas karne ka irada nahi baat karni hai bas.) I don't want to scare or argue, I just want to talk."
"But I don't want to, so just leave."
He gazed at her despite her speaking calmly to him. She couldn't hide her fear from him, which made him feel annoyed. Unlike others he didn't harm her in any way yet. So why does she fear him so much? As if he'll kill her? He thought to himself, then spoke calmly.
"We've been together for a while, can't you stop fearing me?"
"If you stop bothering me I'll."
"You, fine, I'm here just to talk so come with me."
"(Aur mujhe nahi karni.) And I don't want to."
Saying this she turned to leave, but instead of his voice, or him blocking her path , she felt a hand over her nose covering her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock, realising what he's doing, but till then little breath she consumed made her feel dizzy.
"I'm sorry."
She heard his raspy voice, but struggled to get his hand off from her face, however she was never his match. He effortlessly pulled her to his car. Her head begins to ache, and body starts to lose strength. Before she grasped her surroundings or realised her circumstances, she found herself in his car and he was driving towards an unknown destination. She tries to speak but no voice escapes her mouth. Her heartbeat raced up due to fright, she tried to focus on the path, but later she became unconscious.
"Something is better than nothing."
He mused to himself on stopping the car, after he unbuckled the seatbelt and turned to look at her. Opening the car door, he stepped out then took her out of the car, she was in a semi conscious state. Mumbling to herself, feeling a wave of pain yet couldn't react to anything. Sighing he carried her inside the house. Then laying her down on the bed he walked out to smoke. A while later, regaining consciousness, Sneha felt her head would split in two, because of a terrible headache. Feeling thirsty she licked her lips and opened her dizzy eyes, glancing around. Laid on Simple bed, in an unknown room. She made an attempt to sit only to fall back on bed. Realising her hands are bound behind, she gasped in fright, when memories of Abhiraj Drugging her reflash in her mind. Wave of terror crawled in her heart, realising he kidnapped her. Over all the things he did, this wasn't something she expected. But here she's at an unknown place, tied up all at his mercy. She wonder is he really the son of Elite person? How could he take such a low step? Could the power of money really rob one from their rationality? She thought, but then started to struggle to free her wrist only to winch in pain, as instead of loosening the rope tightened, more causing her wrist to bruise.
"Stop, or you'll hurt yourself."
Listening to the voice, she stiffened in horror and stopped her futile attempt to free her tied wrist, then crawled back on bed at sight of him sitting on the couch with a half burning cigarette in between his lips. With his cold gaze fixated on her, his face was sternly void of emotion, making her stomach churn in terror. "What will he do now?" Take revenge for slap and disrespect?" "Should she beg for mercy by making an apology to escape?" She couldn't think for long, when she heard him speak.
"The video was just a trailer. What do you think about shooting the full movie?"
His voice broke her thought process, as soon his words registered in brain. Her heart almost skips a beat, he won't dare he can't, but a glance at him she knows he's capable of executing what he desires. Throwing the cigarette on the floor, then mashing the cigarette under his feet, he approached her.
"Nooo. Don't come near me."
She yelped, feeling afraid of getting violated by him, on listening to him. The fact she almost believed his words, and became terrified made his heart clench in pain. That she really has such a low opinion of him. "Who's to blame?" His conscience mocked him.
"If I want, then you can't stop me, can you?"
"No Don't do this, I'm sorry for slapping you let me go."
"You don't think highly of me, why do you expect me to accept your plea?"
She doesn't dare to expect, she just prayed he'll listen and let her go. But this reply will provoke him, instead of listening to her. Hence she thought about what to reply, but nothing came to mind.
"Sneha, You believe I'll do what I say, then, why don't you believe it, when I say? I love you."
With how he terrified her, threatened her to submit to his whims. Now abducted her, How can she even dare to accept in a sane mind, that he's in love with her? Only a fool will accept it. But she didn't reply, only shivered as soon his hands touched her's, but too afraid, she dared not even release breath, forget moving away from him.
"I know, whatever I did and I'm doing it's all wrong, I really I'm aware of it. But I'm compelled to do all this. Your reluctance to be with me, made me do the forbidden.
Listening to his words, She didn't dare to look at him, untying her hand. He blew air on her wrist, which got bruised by the tightness of Rope. Then pulling an ointment he began to apply on her Bruise wrists. As she whimpered at the burning sensation of ointment applied on her bruise.
"I'm genuinely extremely helpless in front of this blood pumping organ, which seems to be in control of you."
Pointing towards his chest, where his heart is beating. He wrapped his arms around her, but she didn't speak a word to object. His words just remind her of Mahabharat's Shlok of Duryodhan and Shri Krishn's conversation with him.
जानामि धर्मं न च मे प्रवृत्तिः।। जानाम्यअधर्मं न च मे निवृत्तिः।। केनापि देवेन हृदि स्थितेन यथा नियुक्तोऽस्मि तथा करोमि।। When Duryodhan told Shri Krishna, he knew Dharm, but that's not his nature nor he's interested in it. He knows Adharm but he can't abandon it. He felt, he's controlled by some Power within him, to do Adharm hence he can't be responsible for his actions.
Similarly here, Abhiraj knows what he's doing is extremely wrong, but doesn't stop his actions. Blaming the pious feeling like love for his wrong action Instead of himself. She felt disgusted by him, only hoping the way Shri Krishn made Duryodhan pay for his Karma. Abhiraj will do too, she really hoped and prayed for Karma to get him.
"I texted you, called you but you didn't answer, then I learned you blocked me, when I approached to talk you ignored me so I took you now."
So now she's responsible for her own kidnapping? if she won't ignore a lunatic, who stalked her, blackmailed her she deserves to get abducted huh? What kind of bizarre analogy is this? Perhaps yes, because she didn't file a complaint against him. Allowing him to get the feeling, he can do anything as he pleases. She thought in utter dismay, as Ignoring lunatics like him is akin to encouraging their Despicable behaviour. But she couldn't speak hence remained silent, However Staying silent she watched him doing the victim's blame. She felt more repulsive even by his breath on her and due to the effect of Drug she felt nauseous and had a headache.
"I love you, so I took you to a place I thought was best for you to be at. If you've told me once you don't, I Wouldn't have."
She almost sneered at his words, told him? Didn't she tell him what she feels for him? Did that stop him?" What makes him think she'll ever feel safe enough to convey her feelings to him. After what he made her endure? And did today?" She was certain, Abhiraj isn't normal, he's in dire need of Therapist, but she's not the one. Why is fate so cruel to her?" She was on the verge of losing her sanity.
"Sneha, I believe me, I didn't mean to scare, hurt, or take you like this. It's just, I couldn't stop thinking since you slapped me."
"I'm sorry, please let me go."
"Sneha."
"It's my fault for not giving you a genuine chance. Unknowingly compelling you to do all this. I'm sorry, please let me go now."
Fed up with his rambling she spoke up, even apologising for something she doesn't believe she's wrong at. Yes she felt sorry but for not taking action against him, she truly regret letting him have the power to control her and torment her. But she's not sorry for things she said, he deserved the slap and worse than that. He didn't deserve a chance for his Messed up emotion. And How can she be wrong for using her right to decide if she should forgive him or not, accept his feelings or not? But helpless at the circumstances, she decided to compromise a little. But hearing her words, Abhiraj frowned, he thought she's being sarcastic with him. Hence he gazes at her only to watch her looking down. Realising nothing he said reached her heart, he gulped inaudibly with sigh. Then composing himself he spoke firmly. Playing a villain in his own love story like a heartless demon.
"Right, that's why I can't let you go."
Hah what? She almost lost courage to breathe, listening to him. What did he plan to do? by not letting her go? Does he wish to confine her here? She became horrified at the mere thought of it.
"Wh.. what ..why?"
"I love you Sneha, I can't let you go without convincing you, to give me a genuine chance for my love."
Listening to this, even the tiny bit of hope dissipated in her heart. How can she give him a genuine chance? When he abducted her? She looked up at him with glossy eyes, making his gaze darken. Which made her hiccup. She lowered her gaze then pleaded.
"Gi..give me sm..some time."
"Maine diya. lekin tumne iski kadr nahin ki.) I gave. But you didn't value it Sneha."
Listening to this, She reluctantly held his hands, making him freeze. He looked down at her hands which held hers feeling overwhelmed by her touch. He failed to speak anymore, then heard her speak more like pleading with him.
"Please, Just once, give me more time."
Her desperate plea, gaze filled with expectations. He thought it'll be a sin to reject. So subconsciously he nodded at her in agreement.
"Thank you."
She didn't thank him for gifts, never smiled at him before. But now the smile on her lips, through teary eyes made his heartbeat raced. That the hope of watching her genuinely fall in love with him, made him more enthusiastic.
"Let's go, I'll drop you Home."
Listening to this she nodded, she never thought he'd agree, but she was happy that he did. Now she won't make mistakes anymore, hence she immediately tried to get out of bed. But felt weak and stumbled on her foot, before she could fall, he caught her arm making her stand steadily on the floor he asked her.
"Let me help you."
"It's ok, I can walk."
She felt burned on the place he touched, but despite feeling repulsive she held onto her emotion. In order not to jeopardise her plan to escape him. Yet she didn't want to get touched by him, their close proximity made her feel nauseated.
"Alright, but let me support you."
She wanted to object, but assuming her rejection will trigger him she decided to endure his actions. As he helped her walk out the house, led her to his car once she sat inside he began to drive. But feeling her in extreme discomfort, clutching her hand in pain. Hence he stopped the car Near a Pharmacy, where a few vendors of food stalls were present too.
"Are you okay? Wait here, I'll be back soon."
He asked her, but hearing no reply he then instructed her, stepped out of the car then rushed towards the pharmacy. And she took the opportunity to look at herself in the mirror. Except for a headache and feeling of Nauseous she didn't feel any other discomfort. Her clothes weren't dishevelled either, which ruled out the possibility of him violating her. But then she can't predict what he might've done, with her unconscious self or capable of doing if provoked. She was thinking all this, when her gaze fell on Abhiraj's phone.
"Here, have this if you're feeling headache."
She took the medicine, but didn't eat. While Sitting in the car he began to drive again. There were so many things he wanted to say. But looking at her delirious self he didn't. However, sneaking a glance at her, he found her growing more and more anxious.
"Not my love, then at least trust me, I won't hurt you Sneha. I meant it."
She didn't reply, because in her view he already hurts her enough in his capability. But he didn't mind her silence either, the journey passed in silence. Nor he spoke, neither she will's to speak with him. Once reaching home, she stepped out of the car and headed inside.