Aarambh..

                                    

                                          
(A/N: A strict disclaimer, if you really don't like sensitive topics, or feel uncomfortable reading parts containing, sexual, physical and mental harassment. Don't read the following, please don't! Author doesn't intend to trigger anyone's anxiety here! Thank you! I will put a short recap in next one so you won't feel any gap between the story) 
Karishma's acceptance of her plight became a grim reality as she resigned herself to the oppressive demands of her husband. Her every action was dictated by their whims, extinguishing any glimmer of hope for escape or liberation.
She started enduring everything willingly as if she was punishing herself for betraying the person she loved beyond everything, for hurting the person she never in her wildest dreams wanted to hurt. 
As the cycle of abuse persisted, Karishma's anguish deepened, leaving indelible scars upon her soul. Despite her resolve to endure, the cruelty of her circumstances began to manifest in physical form. The revelation of her pregnancy served as a stark reminder of the chains that bound her, a testament to the relentless cycle of suffering she endured.
"Samajh nahi pa rahe hai, iss bat se khush ho ya dukhi... Maliki ji! Iss nanhi si jan ko kaise apna man payenge kuch samajh nahi pa rahe hai! Ek saal ho gaya aapse mile, aap ab toh kuch toh kahiye Malik ji... Ham kya karreee!!!", Karishma uttered looking towards the moon through the window of her room. 
As she was busy, talking to her love. The sudden pain in her lower abdomen, disturbed her conversation. She held her belly, shouting with the unbearable pain. 
Soon her family approached her, and Vikram helped her get inside the car understanding that it was the time of delivery. As instructed by his mother, he drove the lady in upmost pain towards the told place. 
Upon arrival, Karishma looked towards the abandoned old looking hospital in confusion, she asked, "Yai jagahh hame thik nahi lag rahi hai Vikram!! Yai aap kaha leke aaye hai hame..". 
Shockingly, the man who never showed empathy towards the lady, held her hand and replied politely, "Yaha hamare pariwar ke purani doctor kam karti hai! Maa ne kaha ki unse achha iss pure sheher mai koi yai kam nahi kar sakta! Aur ham hamare bachhe ki safety ke bich koi complications nahi chahte.. Isiliye.. I hope aap hamari bat samajh rahi hai..". 
Karishma thought, maybe the man had a change of heart, least for the baby. She agreed as he carried her inside the hospital. 
Karishma's gaze remained fixed on the doctor through her hazy vision, while her husband speaking with them, their eyes occasionally flickering towards her. As her pain intensified, she found herself connected to multiple IV drips. Eventually, the agony overwhelmed her, and she slipped into unconsciousness, a loud cry echoing in her ears before she succumbed to darkness.
After an hour, Karishma stirred, her eyes adjusting to the lights in the ward room. Confusion clouded her senses as she tried to make sense of her surroundings, only to realize she was still in the hospital. Her gaze around finding the tiny soul she had been eagerly awaiting to meet for almost nine months.
"Hamara bachha kaha hai?" she inquired. 
A figure sitting in the corner of the room heard her voice and approached her, uttering with a heavy heart, "Hame maf kar dijiye Karishma! Ham hamari beti ko nahi bacha paye!! Doctors ne kaha ki uski bahar aate hi sanse ruk gayii jiss wajahse wo unhe nahi bacha paye! Hame maf kar dijiye ham hamari beti ko bachane ke liye kuch nahi kar paye!!".
Vikram, overcome with emotion, began to weep, resting his head on Karishma's hand, which was adorned with an IV drip. She withdrew her hand abruptly, her tone turning stern as she demanded, "Hamne pucha hamari beti kaha hai Vikram Singh?!!".