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DHRITI
The feeling of discomfort in my lower abdomen was the first thing I felt while still in sleep. My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to open them. The first thing I was met with, was the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling. I frowned as my mind was still in a daze. This was not my room.
I tried to move my body but couldn't, soon I realised that my body was caged tightly. Confusingly I looked at my other side and found the devil sleeping peacefully caging me in his arms.
The sleep vanished from my eyes and they widened instantly as everything hit my mind like a storm . Our wedding, his madness, his anger, my bruises, every single thing.
Fresh set of tears started sliding down from the corner of my eyes, his breath was hitting my face making me want to puke in disgust. How peacefully he was sleeping! There was no trace of anger or worry on his face. Destroying my peace, he was having the best sleep of his life.
But, how did I end up here?
I remember crying while sitting in the corner when he left me. How did I end up in his bed, beside him?
I tried to move his heavy bulky arms away from my body. He was too heavy. I was feeling suffocated.
I froze as he stirred a bit in his sleep, holding my I stilled my body and stopped breathing. I was afraid. If he if he wakes up, he would again get angry and will blame me for disturbing his sleep but thank god he started snoring lightly.
After trying few more times, I finally succeed getting myself out of his arms. I quickly got off from the bed trying to not make any sound. Turning back, I heaved a sigh of relief because he was still in a deep slumber.
I was still in my bridal attire. My anklets were making noises but not too loud because of the soft carpet under my feet. Roaming my gaze around the room, I finally found my suitcase.
Opening the zip, I took out my clothes as fast as possible and then entered the washroom.
AUTHOR
"Who are you?" she whispered looking at herself in the huge mirror.
Her kajal and lipstick were smudged completely. The fresh bruises on her neck were easily prominent. She touched the deep red bite mark on her nape and hissed in pain.
It was still stinging badly.
She chuckled as tears gathered in her eyes. She never imagined herself to be here, in such condition. No one could ever imagine herself in her shoes. The nupital chain around her neck was suffocating her. It was choking her. The small diamond was shinning brightly but only she knows what value this diamond holds in her life.
She was looking unrecognisable. Just last night, she was looking beautiful like a doll in her bridal attire. And now, in the same attire, she was looking horrible.
Opening the tap, she splashed the cold water on her face rapidly making the liquid mix with her tears. The morning was chilly as hell but the freezing water didn't affect her.
She could feel the unbearable pain on her wrists as she used her hands to wash her face.
She again looked in the mirror. Her red eyes were looking worse and the makeup was more smudged now. Crying like a child, she wiped the redness from her lips.
"Ahhh..."
She looked at her wrists and found the glasses stuck on her skin. Taking deep breaths, she took out the shards slowly making the blood ooze out of her fragile skin.
At this point, it was not even hurting that much.
Her henna clad wrists were now bearing the bruises of his cruelty.
The washroom was posh just like the whole mansion. A huge bathtub with shower space beside it. The wash basin, where she was standing was designed perfectly with expensive marbles.
She didn't admire or even glance properly at the whole washroom. Just stripped out of her clothes and turned on the shower. The hot water ran down her body making her release a moan.
Her whole body was hurting badly and was sore. The hot water felt amazing on it. Her heart was hammering loudly inside her chest thinking about him.
What will he do after waking up? Torture her more?
Dhriti sighed closing her eyes. She just wanted to sleep again. Atleast, she was lost in her dream world..
.
.
She wore a light blue anarkali sleevless suit and freed her hair from the towel as it was wet. Then, she dabbed her hair and looked in the mirror. The makeup was wiped off her face completely. Though, her eyes were still red and sore and so were her lips
Taking a deep shaky breath, she opened the door and came out of the bathroom. Her eyes widened the moment she step out of the washroom. The devil was sitting on the bed looking at her with so much anger in his eyes.
Her breath hitched seeing the way he was clenching and unclenching his jaw as if he was trying to control his rage.
He started walking towards her and she took a step backward. With each step, he was taking towards her, she was fearing for her life. He looked lethal. His upper body was bare and lower was covered in pyjamas. He looked maniac.
He grabbed her arms tightly and pulled her towards him making a gasp left her mouth. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she started shivering in his grip.
"NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT INFORMING ME!"
Abhimanyu barked on her face making her freeze in fear. She couldn't understand what happened in just few seconds. She just kept looking at him in shock and fear.
She was just taking a shower. Why should she inform him prior?
"B-bu-.."
"SHUT UP." She flinched as he shouted pulling her more closer to him. His eyes were red and his jaw clenched tightly. His nails were digging into the bruised spot again.
She closed her eyes and moved her face to the other side. His breath was fanning on her cheek. The room was completely silence. Only his harsh breathing was audible. After few seconds he left her arms. She winced in pain the moment he left them.
Without saying anything he went inside the bathroom closing the door with so much force which made her flinch again.
She didn't move from her position as she was still in shock. She just went to take a shower and he lost his mind, how can he be this cruel? He is punishing her without any fault.
She was now hundred and one percent sure that he is a psychopath. No sane person would react like this.
Then, no sane person forces a girl to marry him...
******
"Hello papa!" she smiled the moment he answered the call.
"Dhriti, meri gudiya" came her father's voice making her forget all her miseries for a second.
"How are you, beta?" He asked and she could hear the shaking of his voice.
"I am good." She answered faking a happy tone. "How are you and Maa?" She asked further.
"We are fine but...w-we a-are missing you." He muttered lowly. "Your mother just went to sleep after crying her eyes out." Dhriti sighed hearing him.
"I am missing you too."
"Umm..everything is..is fine right?" She asked after being quite for few seconds. She just hoped Akshat didn't tell them anything.
"Yes yes everything is fine. How is Abhimanyu?" She sighed in relief and thanked the almighty. It means Akshat didn't tell them anything.
"He is fine too. Accha papa I have to go he is waiting for me at the dining table." She lied as she heard the washroom door getting opened.
"Okay okay, take care."
She quickly entered the room as she was in the balcony. She didn't want to give him any chance to hurt her more.
Her cheeks flushed as soon she saw him. She quickly turned around and closed her eyes.
He was just in a towel which was lowly hanging around his hips.
She started arranging the bed completely ignoring him but suddenly she felt a cold hand grabbing her by her waist making her flinch.
The cold palms on her warm skin sent chills down her spine. The tip of his nose touched her earlobe as he bit it lightly.
"So, you are avoiding me huh?" He asked huskily in her ear and placed her hair on other shoulder.
"N-no." She stuttered and started struggling in his arms.
"Don't move." He whispered biting her earlobe. He started kissing her shoulder lightly but after few seconds his kisses became rough and full of hunger.
His lips were burning her skin making her fist her hands.
He turned her around to face him by her waist and looked at her intensely. She didn't want anything to happen between them. He was literally forcing her.
"ABHI..." Someone shouted his name and he cursed under his breath before leaving her waist. He looked at her for few seconds and then entered inside the closet. Dhriti sighed in relief and started taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
He came outside after few minutes wearing a black shirt paired with grey trousers. He was looking deadly handsome with his hair set perfectly, stubbled cheeks and an aura screaming danger and power.
He glanced at his wife shorty before he went outside the room.
Dhriti sat on the bed and started thinking about what just happened. Last night, he tried to force her and this time it happened again. For how long will she be able to avoid it?
"This time that person saved me but for how long will I be able to save myself...my body from him?" She whispered to herself.
Then she looked at her arms and they were painted in his finger prints. She quickly covered her arms with her dupatta and regretted wearing a sleevless dress. The staff members will feel pity for her if they see her bruises.
She felt ashamed of herself. Tears of humiliation filled her eyes.
"The bruises he gave me last night haven't even faded yet.. and he gave me fresh ones." She chuckled looking at her hands which were covered in bruises from her arms to her wrists.
"He shouted at me because I went to washroom without informing him. What will he do if I try to escape?" This single thought shook her whole body.
"Ma'am."
A soft voice along with a knock broke broke her trance. She quickly wiped her tears and turned towards the door. Ava was standing there with a bright smile on her face which faded the moment she saw Dhriti.
"Sir is calling you downstairs. For breakfast." She said softly with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Dhriti nodded with a fake smile and then the girl left.
********
She was playing with the fork as she didn't want to eat anything. The whole hall was silent, Abhimanyu was eating silently, Ava and Shruti were standing on his back side while Anita and Shanti were inside the kitchen.
Dhriti could feel his dark aura and how badly they were affecting the poor girls including her. Those two girls were visibly shaking behind him. As if they were holding their breaths.
"Why aren't you eating?" She flinched and the fork fell from her hand.
His voice literally echoed in the silence. Dark, deep and demanding.
"I..I a-am not hungry." She answered still looking down at her plate.
She could feel a pair of eyes boring holes into her head.
"Eat." He commanded in a calm voice.
"No." Her heart started pounding pounding loudly when she said this word. For a moment everything became silent again.
Dhriti didn't know from where she got the courage. She was just fed up of him trying to mould according to his likings and dislikings.
The two girls looked at each other with fearful eyes and prayed to the almighty for Dhriti.
All three of them flinched as he slammed his hand on the table.
"I.won't.reapeat.myself" He said each word gritting his teeth.
Dhriti started eating immediately but the food seemed tasteless as her appetite was long gone. She could feel the bile rising in her throat making her want to throw out whatever she was putting in her mouth.
Now she can't even decide if she wants to eat or not because he is controlling her life fully.
"Shh..."
Shruti covered Ava's mouth as a sob almost escaped her lips. The poor girl was scared seeing his anger. It was her fourth day here and this was the first time she was witnessing something like this.
"I'll be late." He stated getting off from his chair and started walking towards the main door making her sigh in relief.
A loud cry left Ava's mouth as soon Shruti removed her hand. Dhirti looked at the girl with sadness pooling in her eyes. He is indeed a monster. Scaring everyone.
Dhirti sighed and got off the chair. She started collecting the plates.
"Ma'am, what are you doing?" Shruti held her hands quickly and took the plates from her hand.
This is Dhirti's habit to place her plates in the sink after eating and habits don't change easily.
Dhirti gave her a smile before she went upstairs not liking anything about this mansion.
.
.
Why didn't Akshat try to contact me?
Does he really hate me now?
What he must be thinking about me?
These thoughts kept roaming in her mind making her more restless. She was relieved that he is away from.her but at the same time, she was sad because probably, he hates her now.
But if Akshat really hates her then, she won't say anything in her defence. Let him think whatever he wants to after all that's what she wanted.
She indeed wanted to keep him away from all these things and she still wants the same. She doesn't want him to mess with Abhimanyu, her family and her friends are happy and safe and this is what matters the most.
"Ma'am, would you like to have some tea?" Geeta asked bowing in front of her
Dhirti was sitting in the balcony and it's been one hour since the devil left for work or whatever he does.
"Please don't bow before me." Dhriti requested and the lady smiled looking at her.
"But you are sir's wife" She said with a light smile on her face.
Dhirti laughed in her mind hearing her words 'wife'. She am not his wife. She is just a trophy he wanted to buy and which he did.
"So what? Does it mean that I am a queen? I am just like you, a normal human being who was living her normal life peacefully." She stopped and inhaled sharply.
The anger was clearly evident in her tone. She was frustrated by all of these things. This fake respect, this fake marriage everything.
"But.. your SIR decided to snatch my peace." She said raising her voice a bit.
Geeta was looking at her with pity.
After few seconds, she realised that it's not the lady's fault. She was just trying to give her respect but that's the point she doesn't want to be known as his wife and she doesn't want people to give her respect because of him.
"I am sorry. I...I shouldn't have talked to you in this way." Dhirti said apologetically holding Anita's hand.
"No no, beta..it's not your fault. I can't even say that I can understand your situation." Geeta sighed sadly.
"I just want to say, please stay strong beta. I...I don't want to scare you but...please try to not make him angry, we have seen his worst sides, beta."
Dhriti closed her eyes after hearing her words.
"I will bring tea for you."
Geeta was about to leave when she stopped her holding her hand.
"Yes, beta?" She asked softly.
"Where am I? I mean is this Shimla?" She asked.
Last time when she came here, then also she didn't know where his driver was taking her as she fell asleep and the ride was really long. Last night, she couldn't see properly where they were heading to amid the fog and darkness.
Her parents too asked where he lives. He just mentioned he has a mansion in Shimla but she is damn sure this is not Shimla. In hurry, her parents didn't give much mind to investigate these things. Afterall, they believed their daughter's choice.
Geeta's expression changed suddenly.
"Sorry, but I can't tell you that. Hope you understand." She answered with a blank face.
Dhriti nodded and then she left leaving her scared more than before. Even maids are very well aware about his anger and the destruction he can do.
*********
The heavy droplets of rain were splattering on the roof making a loud whooshing sound. A man was standing in front of the window with his fisted hands.
His hair was messy and his eyes were red. Every single thing was broken in the dim lighted room.
"I won't let Dhriti suffer because of him." He seethed punching the wall angrily by his already bruised knuckles.
His heart clutched in pain remembering the tear stained face of his best friend, who is his strength since childhood. Yes, he saw her. He saw his only true friend sitting in that car, beside that bastard.
Akshat's eyes filled with tears when her face flashed in front of his eyes.
"Why the fuck did she not tell me? I am sure that bastard forced her into this marriage." He muttered clutching his hair angrily.
The moment Dhriti told him about Abhimanyu and the donations he gave to the hospital he knew something was wrong.
As far as he knows Abhimanyu, that man is not kind enough to do anything until and unless it gives him profit. Akshat is very well aware about his nature and the things he can do to get what he wants.
Akshat was cursing the day he left Shimla and went to Mumbai. He was cursing himself because he left his best friend alone when she needed him the most.
He didn't forget the shocking and painful look on her face when she saw him on the roadside. She was avoiding his eyes. She was looking shocked as well as guilty.
"Don't worry, Dhriti, now that I am back I won't let you suffer anymore." He took an oath in his mind and promised himself that he will free his best friend from Abhimanyu's clutches.....
TEASER
Acts like a pure girl in front of me and checks out another guy behind my back?" He seethed making me yelp in pain. His nails were hurting my cheeks.
Gulping down my sobs, I tried to calm myself.
"No no...trust me..I do-on't even know who i-is he.." I tried to make him understand.
He kept looking at me. The anger slowly vanished off his face. I relaxed a bit and sighed inwardly in relief.
He started rubbing his stubble on my cheek with his hot breath fanning my ear. He held my waist with one hand and made me stand on my feet in a swift moment making my shawl slid down my shoulders.
_______________________________________
So, how was the chapter?
Please ignore any grammatical mistakes as I didn't get time to edit.
Thoughts about Abhimanyu's anger?
Thoughts about Dhriti?
Thoughts about Akshat? What is his connection with Abhimanyu? Any guesses???
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