Chapter 25 :
10:45 p.m.
Anika's POV
Maa had told me that Dhruv wanted to meet me after dinner. So she brought me to the guest room on the ground floor where he sat silently, facing the sliding glass door.
Cutting through the awkward silence, I spoke slowly, "You wanted to see me?"
After a moment of silence he spoke, "Why did you marry him?"
I knew this was coming.
Looking down at my lap, I fiddled with the edge of my pallu, finding words to answer him. I can't tell the truth, for he might doubt something that won't be favourable for the situation I'm already stuck in.
"It was an arranged marriage", I replied hoping to buy him with my blatant lie.
He scoffed, "Bhai had told maa that both of you were in a relationship before marriage for three years. Do you still think that I'd believe your lies?"
My head shot up at his direction, only to be met by his blank face. Those emotionless orbs stared at me, hoping for the answer he wanted to hear. But I couldn't do that.
"It's a long chain of events but I can't tell you right now. I'm sorry", I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Did he force you to get married?", he asked.
I remained silent, staring straight into his eyes before I replied, "It was my decision to marry him."
He nodded while looking away.
"Do you still love me?", his sudden question caught me off-guard.
I knew he was full of questions and I was ready to answer whatever I could but this one was the hardest to answer.
I didn't know what to answer. I still had feelings for him even after all these years but I can't admit it. If I do, things would get messier. I've already sacrificed a lot and sacrificing my feelings won't be a big thing if it saves some lives.
I made the mistake of loving and now I'm paying for it. My heart clenched just by the thought of denying of loving him. I knew he still harboured feelings for me but the web we're tangled in, doesn't have any place for feelings.
"No", I replied, gulping down the aching lump in my throat.
He nodded again.
"Just a few years ago you were going to be my wife and now, all of a sudden, you're my bhabhi. So many things changed, people changed, while I was in a deep slumber", he spoke calmly, yet, pain laced his voice.
I remained silent, staring at his face tilted towards the glass doors. I couldn't bear the sight of him sitting on that wheelchair. The man who used to walk confidently on the runway, was now sitting on the wheelchair helplessly.
Blinking away the tears forming in my eyes, I bit on my lower lip, holding back my sobs. Closing my eyes, I lowered my head, tightly holding onto my saree, preventing myself from crying.
"Take it out", I shot up my head when I heard him speaking.
He was sitting very close to me infront of me, his eyes softly staring at mine. I didn't even know when he came near me.
But his words seemed to break the limit of my silence as I broke down.
Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me closer to his chest as I fisted my hands on his shirt, crying my heart out.
He was and still is the sole reason and person I can rely on.
The ache in my heart increased with each sob growing louder.
"No one will hear, cry as much as you want. I'm here", he spoke caressing my hair as I sobbed louder.
He's here, he always was there for me. Even after what I did to him and whatever he saw today, he's still here for me. Those two words consoled my heart. He understood me even when he didn't know the truth. He, himself was hurt yet, he wants to comfort me.
He's my healer.
Several minutes passed until my sobs slowed down. Detaching myself from him, I wiped away my tears. My gaze fell on his white shirt, now stained with my tears.
"I'm so sorry. I-I stained your shirt", I spoke with my broken voice touching the stains.
"If it's you who stained it, then I'm ready to get stains everywhere", he replied softly, holding my hands in his.
Letting my eyes meet his, I stared at him. He still loved me, still held that soft spot for me that made my heart ache.
"Why do you still love me?", I whispered.
"It's the same answer that I used to give. I love you because it's you. I don't need reasons to love but still I have reasons to prove why I love you. You exist in my life, you make me complete, you make me feel things I never felt and that's why I love you. I have so many reasons to love you that won't end in this birth. Just know that I love you, love", he spoke cupping my cheeks.
Tears welled up in my eyes again as I exhaled a shaky breath.
Everything that existed between us now felt so wrong, yet so right. I didn't want to think about anything or anyone else but us. After all these years, we've met each other. Today I was able to genuinely cry my heart out.
Closing the distance between us, he shifted near to me before capturing my lips in a passionate kiss.
I didn't expect such a sudden move which made my eyes widen.
But as he moved his lips softly against mine, I closed my eyes letting the tears fall.
His lips moulded perfectly with mine, just like they did once. Out eyes were closed, as tears slid down my cheeks, meeting his warm hands cupping my face—a warmth I had longed for so deeply.
The moment unearthed all the memories I had buried deep in my heart, back to the surface. I wasn't sure if I was ready to confront them again, even if they were beautiful and cherished.
His lips kept moving against mine but I couldn't make myself reciprocate. I loved him; I knew that. Yet, the tugging sensation in my heart held me back. It felt so wrong to kiss him, who's now my brother-in-law. The moment I married Arnav, an invisible line was drawn between me and Dhruv, one that forbade everything happening in this moment. With reluctance swelling in my heart, I pushed him away.
Cupping his cheeks in between my palms, I fixed my eyes to his before speaking, "Listen Dhruv. In the past five years, many things have changed. We both have moved very far, away from each other, towards our destinations. We had a beautiful past but now, the present can't be changed. Are you understanding me?", my tone was soft but helpless.
His eyes were simply staring at mine, as if denying to let me go. I didn't want to let him go too but I had to.
Holding my hands over his cheeks, he spoke, "Why are you doing this? After all the years, we've got to meet again. Do you...do you love him?", his tone desperate, as his eyes desperately searched for his answers in mine.
I shook my head, "It's not about loving anyone Dhruv. I'm doing this for your good only. We can't be back together again."
"Then why? How can something good happen to me when you don't even want me back?", he spoke removing my palms from his cheeks before sitting straight, his eyes darkening. I had never seen this Dhruv when we were together. He'd always understand me no matter what. But today, he was behaving very differently.
"Dhruv, now I'm married. Married to your brother who is my husband, and I'm your b-bhabhi", I spoke.
He glared at me before scoffing while looking away, "Husband huh? The one who has his ex-fiancée still with him?", he mocked.
Clenching my teeth, I stood up before speaking, "Dhruv, no matter what or how Arnav and I are living, it's our matter of concern. He's your brother and he loves you a lot so respect him", my tone was stern as I stared down at him.
The confusion in me after looking at his such a behaviour lingered but I remained silent. I wanted to question him but I can't because this might turn into an argument.
"Okay fine. I'll always maintain the distance from you, bhabhi", he spoke glaring at me, emphasizing the last word as if mocking me. He never mocked or pointed out at my vulnerabilities. But right now, he might even laugh at me for being helpless.
Not speaking further, I walked out of the room, anger bubbling inside me but I was hurt too.
Soon after, everyone left as I headed to his room.
Standing infront of the vanity, I started taking off the hair pins from my hair before taking off the safety pins from my saree. Once I had undone the pallu, I turned around only to collide with a hard surface.
Opening my eyes, I looked up to meet his burning gaze on me. When did he come?
Maybe he came when I was taking out the pins from my saree while closing my eyes.
Stepping aside, I tried to walk away but he pulled me back prior to closing the distance between our chests.
I was perplexed at his sudden move as I widened my eyes. My palms rested on his busts, stopping myself from colliding with him.
"Why'd you do that?", I asked.
"Don't you think you're breaking the rules?", he asked properly wrapping his arms around my waist.
I frowned, "What did I do now?"
He chuckled, "Don't you think it's wrong to kiss your brother-in-law?", he asked taking me aback. I didn't know he'd see us. But I wasn't at fault because Dhruv had taken that sudden move. But if I try to tell this to him, he'd blame me at the end somehow.
"It's none of your concern", I replied trying to pull away from his grip.
"Don't.move.", he spoke, warning lacing his tone.
I glared at him before stopping my movements as I spoke, "If you're here for your bullshits, then leave me. I don't have time for that. Go to Arshi", my tone stern.
He smirked, but his eyes darkened.
"It is your concern, doll. You shouldn't involve yourself in infidelity that too with your brother-in-law", he spoke, more of mocking me.
My teeth clenched at his words.
"Don't spit out nonsense without knowing anything. The bond we have is something you can never have with me", I spoke finally pushing him away with enough force to make him stumble back a bit.
"Oh sure doll. I'm spitting nonsense but my eyes saw how you were so desperately kissing him and were so lost in your lust that you had got driven away by. Maybe you forgot but it was you who has cheated on him and all that just because of your lust. Couldn't stop yourself behaving like a slut—", I slapped him. The tight slap across his face stopped him from yelling further.
His words infuriated me, a stinging pain pierced across my heart. The slap was too hard, it's sound echoed in the room.
"Don't you dare to label me without knowing anything. Speak further and I won't hesitate to slap you once more", I spoke, my voice shivering with anger.
My breathings were ragged because of the anger bubbling in my chest, my pulses quickened, my hand itching to slap him more.
He stood there, his head tilted as he breathed heavily. The silence in the room was shattered by the sound of our heavy breaths.
As my gaze kept stuck on him, my heart slightly shook foreseeing his anger showering down on me but I stood my ground, ready to face whatever awaited for me. I can't cower away everytime I give him the return treatment for him crossing his limits. He needs to learn how to behave even if he hates me.
He stood back straight, slowly touching his cheek before cracking his neck. Moving his shoulders, he adjusted his office coat before he started to walk out of the room.
I remained silent, conconfused by his sudden silence after I hurt his ego.
His steps halted suddenly, as he tilted his head towards me, who was standing at his back now.
"Don't.move.", were the only words he spoke before walking out of the room.
I felt relieved that he didn't do anything but I feared his silence. His silence can never ever be a good sign. No matter how much strong I try to stay, he finds my weak spots to punish me.
Sighing, I changed my saree into black silk nightdress set once I had taken a cold bath. Combing my hair, I simply did my short night routine before I sat down infront of the window by the bed. I didn't obey to his order of making me stand like a statue because he can't control me like a doll.
It was large and had a seat at its base. The place was very comfortable to sit while locking oneself away from the outer world.
The open window gave the best view of the night sky from the fifth floor. The lower floors as usual had his office and all the business related things.
As I stared at the starry sky, the moon looking down at me with the clouds, my thoughts roamed around the fact that I was living with my own death.
He's a leading mafia, a heartless killer who wouldn't think twice before boring down holes in a person. His hands would always bathe in the victim's blood. The life written by God, would be erased by him.
Screams of agony would give him peace, while I run away from those painful screams. Those heartfelt cries would echo in my heart, surrounding me with all the haunted memories I've locked inside my heart. Everyone has demons inside them. People like Arnav work with those demons while people like me, because of their fate, end up surrendering to their demons. We are controlled like dolls. I used to fight against them but as time rolled down, I weakened giving rise to those hungry brutes.
He has promised to hurt me as much as he can, till he quenches his thirst of revenge for his brother but I might die before that. He has his enemies all around and they're other monsters form hell too. Their lusty gaze and bloody thoughts are too disgusting for me to think about. I don't fear his enemies, for he'd go any extent to save me from them. He'd never let them put a single scratch on me because he'll be the one to ruin me later on.
He's my protector infront of the world, but behind the doors, he's the only one who's shattering my soul piece by piece.
My thoughts were halted by the sound of door opening as I tilted my head to see who had entered the room.
It was him only. He was dressed in the same office attire as before, in all black, just the coat was missing.
Striding towards me, he held my right wrist before pulling me up as he started dragging me.
I was perplexed at his sudden behaviour once again.
Not coming to any conclusion behind this, I was about to ask when he spoke, "Not a word doll, not a word. You dared to raise your hand on me so I need to give you the return gift right?", his voice deep as a sinister smile curled up on his lips. My eyes widened as my thumping heart betrayed me.
I gulped down predicting the possible consequences he'd make me face but my messed up mind couldn't't even think straight.
I didn't speak or protest, for he'd turn deaf like last time and would punish me anyways.
Silently letting him drag me, I noticed him walking towards the end of the corridor, two matte black metal doors coming into my view.
A small digital screen was fixed to the wall by the metal doors displaying the number 5 on it. They were lift doors.
As he stepped closer, the door opened welcoming him and me, a bodyguard in all black stood inside.
Entering the space, he stood straight making me stand at his back, my right wrist still in his tight grip. He was pressing onto my wound. Feeling the burning sensation intensifying, I hissed as I spoke slowly, "Arnav, please leave my hand. It hurts", I pleaded.
He didn't even move.
I looked down as tears filled my eyes. I felt frustrated by the fact that I'd tear up like a weak person all the time whenever I'm hurt. Tears aren't weakness but they for sure reveal the vulnerabilities. And I hate it.
I hate revealing my vulnerable side which he easily takes out everytime. Despite my numerous opposition to his controlling nature, I've always ended up surrendering to him because he pressed on my weak spots.
The lift stopped with a sound as I glanced at the digital screen at the top of the doors, it displayed the letter B.
We're in the basement?
My heart palpated rapidly as he strode out with me being dragged. The guard in the lift came out too before following us.
The ground beneath me was made of concrete, unevean and broken. As I was barefoot, those small concrete pieces hurt my feet as I tried to slow down. But he was striding away. Being unable to match with his pace, I stumbled before falling on the ground as my right foot accidentally got stuck in a bit deep broken part of the ground.
I felt embarrassed because of the presence of a bunch of bodyguards, who stood still even if without looking at me.
Once I used to walk with pride, my self esteem high as my head, but now, I'm a mere vulnerable woman.
As I crowched down holding onto my bruises feet, I felt myself being pulled up before he threw me on his shoulder, walking away after that.
"I can walk Rai Mehrotra", I yelled punching his back, frustration and anger bubbling in my chest because I got hurt. Whenever I used to hurt myself accidentally, I'd get frustrated because of it. I believed I was clumsy and I needed to be more focused. This is how I've maintained a composed image infront of the world.
He didn't reply but kept walking ahead before his steps halted infront of a wide brown polished door.
I couldn't see anything anymore because I was facing his back side, hanging down from his shoulder.
There was complete silence in the wide place which I knew was the basement, after the sound of Arnav's and his men's footsteps halted.
An electric sound resounded followed by another smooth electric sound before he moved again.
My eyes roamed everywhere examining the place.
It was a very wide place, floor made of black marble and walls were in matte black unlike the hall that we passed by a while ago—white walls and grey concrete unevean floor.
Many recessed lights and tall floor lamps illuminated the wide place, yet, its creepiness crept up my bones.
Everything in the place spoke secrets among themselves, some secrets that would traumatize a normal being. Such bloody secrets which are better if kept hidden.
He let me down on my feet, as a hiss left my lips because of the bruises on the palm of my feet.
Adjusting my dress, I looked around to find guards all around the basement room. It was just me who wore casual clothes, the odd one out.
He walked behind me, before circling his arms around my waist.
"This is the punishment for kissing my brother", he whispered, his hot breaths fanned against my nape.
I gulped.
My gaze fell on a man sitting infront of me, tied to the chair he was seated on. His mouth was taped, hands were fixed on the table with metal cuffs fixed to the table. As my gaze fell on his arms, I shivered.
There were several fresh cuts on his both arms, his eyes had dark circles around them and he was huffing. His half closed eyes told how much pain he was in.
I wanted to look away but the sudden warmness of something wet on my neck caught me off-guard.
My eyes widened when I realised he was kissing my neck. His breaths were a mix of minty fragrance and the bitter smell of alcohol.
His warm lips moved from my neck to my jaw, a trail of wet kisses were left behind.
My hands were over my stomach, his hands over them stopping me form moving.
My mind went blank. The frustration I had, got mixed with the sudden desire growing inside me to give in.
It felt wrong to find an escape in my destroyer's arms and kisses. We both are bound by this baseless marriage purely based on our motives. Yet, our desires made us loose control.
His lips sucked my sweet spot, making it harder for me not to moan. My eyes had closed, head had fallen back on his shoulder, as I breathed heavily, desires burning inside me.
The fact that numerous guards are present here in the basement had slipped away from my mind.
He slowly bit on that spot before sucking softly, easing the pain. That spot stung but his seductive touches seemed to take my pain away.
I hated this man. The man who has sworn my ruination, who has promised his brother to shatter me, I despise him. I'd never want to see him again after the termination of the contract. I hate him.
But his touches burned my skin, a type of desire burned my heart. His warmth was sinfully addictive to let go. The way he protected me in his arms while marking my skin, made me feel weaker each passing second. My held felt dizzy, as my legs wobbled but he held me up straight.
I was getting drowned in his seductively manipulative trap until a thought clicked my mind.
He'll mock me after this.
I snapped back to reality, instantly regretting my submission.
Trying to push him away, I spoke, "Leave me Arnav. You're hurting me", irritation and anger laced my voice.
It hurt me that I was giving in to a person who'd abandon me the second his girlfriend shows up. He's drunk and he won't even remember anything.
"Shhh", he spoke, "Let's play the main game now".
I shivered as he spoke standing straight with me still in his arms.
"Come", he held my hand before taking me towards the bruised man.
I shook my head vigorously, my heart shaking in fear, "Don't take me there. Do-don't do that p-please. I don't want to see that", I pleaded, almost on the verge of weeping.
The thought itself of seeing those fresh cut marks, blood oozing out of them made me feel nauseous and scared. I've hated abuse always but I've dreaded it since that night.
He didn't listen and kept dragging me nearer to that man until both of us were seated on the cushioned chair infront of him.
Arnav was sitting on the chair with me on his lap. His one arm was wrapped around my waist while the other held my hands together on my lap.
I tilted my head to plead, "Please Arnav, take me away from here. Punish me however else you want but not this", my voice quivering.
He chuckled darkly, the only sound resonating in the basement after my pleas.
"Remember doll when I had told you I'd do everything you hate? Oh wait—I didn't. Ok let me tell you that, I'll do each and everything you dread and hate because I've promised to ruin you till you can't be mended anymore", he spoke near my ear, ensuring it's only us hearing everything.
A sob escaped my lips as he spoke, "Now shut up and don't you dare to cry. If you do, I already have my ways to reveal to your dadi about what you did to my brother", his words pierced my heart.
My teary eyes widened.
Dadi is a heart patient and I can't afford to loose her after I had almost lost her once. If she hears this, she'd be very hurt and I don't have anything to prove that I'm not at fault.
I sobbed slowly lowering my head, pain and frustration eating me out.
I didn't say anything but kept sitting like that as he let go of my wrists before motioning one of his guards to bring something.
The guard went somewhere before he came back with two metal tools on a tray.
As he placed the tray on the table infront of us, he stepped aside with a bow.
Arnav pointed at the first tool while speaking, "Do you know what's this?"
He asked.
I didn't answer but kept staring at the tool.
Not getting any response, he pinched my waist making me wince in pain. I silently rubbed the place before answering, "No."
He hummed, "Hm. It's called nail puller. It's a helpful tool because it helps to easily pull out someone's nails", he spoke so casually as if it was a piece of cake. My eyes widened.
"And this is called finger cutter", he pointed at the other tool, "It's job is to cut someone's fingers".
My heart shook.
How can he be so brutal? How much more cruel things does he possess?
My mind clouded with so many questions when I didn't notice that he had picked up the first tool before making me hold it.
I snapped out of my thoughts feeling the cold metal in my hand.
"Now let's start", he spoke.