RAAHIFLASHBACKI felt humiliated when I had to undress in front of him in the video call. That guy was lurking on me like a hungry animal, ogling on my body and there was nothing I could do.I guess I had to accept this humiliation no matter what happened because I was the one who chose this path, I was the one who has to oblige to whatever Arhaan had to say.So as I drank all my humiliation, I quietly undressed and changed my clothes while he kept staring at me. After I was done, I picked up the phone and sat on the chair as I looked at him on the video call."That's like my baby girl," he lustfully looked at me as he said that.I slightly nodded in discomfort."So, now you're all done. I will be telling you what you will be doing from now, and you will be obeying it all," he spoke calmly."O...ok," I nodded.I had no will to follow her words, but I had to do that because I was the one to accept the condition. "So from now, I will pick you up from your hostel, as usual, we will go
RAAHI"Lease agreement is an official document proving that you will be the tenant of this apartment," Mrinal replied to my query with a smile.I was surprised. I looked at Mrinal and then at Saksham. Did this mean that Arhaan wonderful be included in this?"There won't be Arhaan's name?" I asked curiously.Saksham chuckled."No. Arhaan's existence doesn't matter here," he replied with a smile.I couldn't wonder what to say anymore. I just continued to look at him and Mrinal while they stood there.In a few moments, Mrinal came to me and cupped my face."You don't have to worry anymore, Raahi. Arhaan won't be able to harm you anymore. We are strong and powerful enough to stop him," Mrinal spoke in a soft and confident tone.I looked at Saksham, confused."I have told her whatever I knew about your and Arhaan's relationship," he admitted."Oh," I nodded and then I turned towards Mrinal."Raahi. Consider me as your sister. You can share anything with me, and you don't have to worry much
ARHAAN FLASHBACK I drove toward Raahi's hostel thinking about meeting with her and spending some time with her. In these three years, I had grown more fond of her and I loved her too much to let her even go. She was tough at first, but then, when she softened, I knew I could never find a girl like her. She was perfect in every way and I felt so happy that I finally found someone I could say that she is mine. Today she graduated, and now, I would be talking to her about marriage and marrying her at the soonest date possible. She would be then my wife, and I would finally be able to have her in my ways. I dreamt of our perfect happily married life. I would be going to the office when she would serve me breakfast, and then, when I will be returning home, she will be serving me dinner and doing everything to make me feel better after a long tiresome day. She would be doing all the household chores, keeping our home neat and clean and everything. And after feeding me dinner, I would
FLASHBACKRAAHIHome felt good. Even though I wasn't allowed to leave the house, I was able to dodge the bullet named Arhaan. He wasn't anywhere near me.When my parents got to know I lost my phone, which I lied to them because I had thrown it away. They decided they won't be giving me a new phone. They were pretty much pissed at me because when I left my hometown, I boasted a lot about how I will top my class and then get a high paying job, but in return, I just managed to get passing marks.My parents were orthodox and conservative. They believed in the concept of marrying off a girl when she is eighteen. They didn't want to send me away for higher studies as they feared if I did something unacceptable. Falling in love, love marriage or something like that was something that they would never approve of and to be honest, I loved my parents too much to double cross them in this matter.I remained at home and learnt all the household chores. And then, after a couple of months, my paren
RAAHI"Arohi. Get ready fast, we have to go for your school admission." I rushed behind Arohi as she was slouching on the bed."But Mumma, I liked my old school," she complained."But beta, we aren't in our old city anymore. We're in a new city, so new school," I replied."But where is daddy?" She complained.I paused. Every now and then Arohi asked about her father, but I could never give her a clear answer. What would I say? Your daddy won't be here because I ran away with you? I hated to lie to her, but I had no other option as well."Your daddy will be here in a few days, Arohi. Now hurry up," I spoke in a loud voice.She was going a bit beyond my control, and maybe that's why I had to scold her."Don't raise your voice on me, or else I would complain to daddy," she threw a fit.I rolled my eyes. Arhaan had raised a brat, and I couldn't do anything about it, because he gave me no control over my daughter."Okay. Then I am cancelling our plan of having dinner in the restaurant. I w
RAAHIFLASHBACKI gulped as I saw him. No, this can't be true. Arhaan can't be here at any cost. No. This felt like a nightmare. The guy I wanted to run away from was here with me as my prospective groom and I didn't want any of that. I started sweating, shaking in fear but I couldn't find the courage to speak a word."Raahi," my mother's words hit my ears. And that's when, my entire college life flashed in my mind, and at that time, all I knew was I couldn't let my parents know about it. I gulped, swallowed all the pain that I felt at that moment and threw a fake smile at everyone.I then walked towards my mother and sat beside her, pretending to be interested in the conversation when I wasn't. I kept on smiling while my parents talked with Arhaan and his father.ARHAANFinally, the day arrived when I was at Raahi's house, asking for her hand in marriage from her father. I waited for this moment ever since I saw her for the first time. I knew her parents hated the concept of love m
RAAHIFLASHBACK"I can say, he will be perfect for our Raahi," my mother chirped.Even though my heart cried, I had to say something. I couldn't let my parents or Arhaan control my life and fate. "No," I gasped.My parents looked at me, completely surprised."I don't want to marry him," I announced."What? Why?" My mother was shocked."I... I didn't like... Like him," I stammered."But we liked him," my father interfered.I looked at him. He looked like he had made his decision."They will take a day or two to finalize their decision. If they agree to the association, I am not backing out," my father spoke.I was surprised. My father wanted to go to this wedding even though I said I didn't want to marry him. This was a shocker for me."But... But I don't want to marry him," I cried out."But why? Can you tell me that?" My mother asked.I paused. I couldn't tell my parents whatever I went through in college. If they get to know that I was with Arhaan for three years, and no matter how
RAAHI"I have a question, Raahi," Saksham muttered.I looked at him."Yes?" I questioned."Why didn't you tell your parents everything regarding Aarhaan? Why did you suffer so much?" He questioned.I chuckled."Well, perks of having conservative and strict parents. They trust other people much more than their daughter," I joked.Well, my parents were equally the culprit of the pain I had gone through. And maybe that's why I can never forgive them in future. If I can survive without Aarhaan, I can survive without my parents."Are you joking?" Saksham asked, looking at me."Am I at a stage to make jokes?" I retorted, looking at him."Nah. I'm sorry," he moved back.I quickly finished the last few morsels on my plate and stood up."What happened?" He asked."I'm done with my lunch. I should probably get back to work," I passed on a fake smile."Okay," he nodded.I walked inside the kitchen of the restaurant with my food plate. The past few days were a bit tough, but I could say that it w
TWO YEARS LATER RAAHI I was wrapping up my shift when I heard a car honk and I immediately knew who it was. I smiled and looked towards the door of the restaurant, waiting for them. And then, the door finally opened, and Arohi ran towards me with a trophy in her hand. "Mumma!" She jumped in happiness as she hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and kissed her forehead. "Your daughter is a champ," Saksham muttered as he stood beside me. "I know that," I winked. "Mumma! I won first prize at the speech competition," Arohi proudly boasted as she handed over the trophy to me. "Wow! Congratulations baby," I happily spoke. My daughter was rocking in her school and I wanted nothing more. "The topic was about superheroes, and everyone spoke about spiderman, ironman or superman, but my speech was the most different," she muttered. "Oh really? What was it?" I questioned. "I talked about you. Because you're my superhero, Mumma," Arohi replied and hugged me. Arohi's words made me feel
RAAHI "Divorce? Raahi, have you gone nuts? Do you want to divorce your husband when he needs you the most? No good wife divorces her husband," my mother shouted at me. "Well, no one was there with me when I needed people the most. To hear me, to be by my side and to not ask me to tolerate everything I suffer, so why should I be with them in their hard times?" I calmly replied. "Raahi. You're Arhaan's wife. You can't do this," she shouted again. "Why Mumma? Why am I pressurised to be a good wife? Why is it so important? Nobody asked Arhaan to be a good husband, nobody told him anything, then why me?" I questioned. I then turned towards Maa and looked at her. "Maa. Tell me. If I tried to complain about Arhaan, why was I sushed by my parents and my in-laws? Whenever you tried to take my side, why were you punished along with me? We weren't criminals, we didn't murder someone, so why?" I looked at her with teary eyes. "Raahi. You're a woman. We have to live under the shadows of our
RAAHI I went numb when I heard the news. I looked at Saksham and Mrinal, and it felt like they were expecting a reaction out of me. But I just couldn't. I didn't know what to feel. I didn't even feel a glint of sympathy at this news. "Raahi!" Saksham nudged me out of my thoughts. "Yeah?" I looked at him. "Are you okay?" He questioned. "Yeah! I am," I replied with a smile. "The news," Mrinal muttered. "Yeah! What did the officer say?" I questioned. "He told us to reach to the hospital. They have informed Arhaan's parents and your parents as well," Saksham informed. For a second, I panicked. My cover was blown up. What rubbish would I have to hear from my parents and Arhaan's father? How would I even face Maa? "Raahi," Saksham tapped my shoulders. "Yeah. I think we should go," I replied. And then, I looked at Mrinal. "Don't worry, I will take care of Arohi and will handle the party," she responded with a warm smile. "Thank you so much," I thanked her. And then, I left wit
RAAHI I screamed at Arhaan to get out of my house. I had no idea how I got the strength to face him and do this. But all I knew was that I have had enough, and if I fight this time, I could never do this. "Baby. I love you, why are you saying this? Why are you asking me to get out?" Arhaan's tone suddenly changed. He was trying to butter me, but this wasn't going to work this time. "But I don't. I don't love you and I have never loved you," I screamed at the top of my voice. "Raahi," he looked shocked. "Arhaan. Get out, or else... I will make sure whatever I said about Arohi," I threatened him again. Arhaan looked at me. His eyes were full of anger, but I wasn't afraid of him anymore. I could never be afraid of him after this. "You're gonna pay off this Raahi," he growled. "If anything named Karma exists, it will be you who will be paying the price," I replied, looking deep into his eyes. And then, he walked out of my apartment. The moment I could feel Arhaan's absence from
RAAHI "Ah....arhaan," I stuttered. I looked at him. I knew his wicked smile and the way he talked. I knew this wouldn't be good for me. I closed my eyes tightly. No! I can't fall weak now. I can't. I have suffered for seventeen years, and after this, I finally managed to escape and create a little happy place for myself. I can't let Arhaan ruin that for me anymore. I opened my eyes and looked at him. I won't get scared anymore. "What are you doing here?" I questioned him in a confident voice. "Damn! You spoke a complete statement without stuttering. That's something new," he winked as he walked towards me. I gulped as I took my steps backwards. I had no idea what Arhaan had in his mind right now. All I knew, was that after this, he would drag me back to Delhi and I couldn't let that happen. "Where is Arohi?" He questioned. Arohi! How could I even forget her? Mrinal! Thank God Arohi is with Mrinal, and she would keep my baby safe. "Aru!" Arhaan shouted, looking around the ti
RAAHI"Come on, Arohi. Hurry up, or else you will be getting late for school," I muttered as I packed her lunch."Yes, Mumma. I'm coming," she replied from the room.I quickly served both of us breakfast as I was already getting late for work, and I didn't want that. And then, Arohi walked towards the dining table and sat on her seat. She started having breakfast."Mumma, I did my hairs today," she proudly boasted.I looked at her, and even though her hairs were a bit messy, she did it nicely. I smiled."It's good. It will just need a little bit of care from Mumma, and it will be fine," I winked.The initial few days were tough for both of us, with Arohi asking for her Daddy and disrespecting me and other stuff, but slowly, she started learning things, and three months were enough for our bond to improve. She was being a good girl, and I felt proud of her.She used to notice me, that I managed work and home altogether, and with that, she started helping me with little chores. Those we
FLASHBACKRAAHIAnd all the preparations took me a year, but still, I waited patiently because I could make no mistakes.One Day...I served a cup of tea to Arhaan."Raahi. Listen," he muttered."Yeah?" I questioned."The cameras in our house aren't working properly, so I have turned them off. A guy might come to fix it the day after tomorrow," he spoke."Okay," I nodded.Actually, the cameras were working fine, it was I who pulled out a couple of wires so that they malfunction. I had to do that because, in order to escape, I needed the cameras to remain turned off.I was about to turn around and walk away, but then Arhaan held my wrist tightly and pulled me close to him."Ah!" I hissed in pain."Before, you leave, let me make one thing very clear," he husked.He was looking at me dangerously, and I gulped. He looked scary."One mistake and you have no idea what the consequences can be," he howled.I gulped."There won't be any mistake," I weakly mumbled.I can't afford to make mistak
FLASHBACKRAAHI"How could you even scold my daughter? Who gave you the right to do that?" I heard Arhaan's angry words as he pulled my hairs and made me stand up. My forehead was hurting badly due to the hit, but he didn't care."You will have to be taught a lesson," he growled and then, he dragged me towards the room."I'm sorry, please, don't," I cried as I didn't want to bear that.But all my pleas were going to fall on dead ears as Arhaan care about nothing. He just needed reasons to torment me, and when he has got one, he wouldn't let it go at any cost.He dragged me to the room and whipped me with the same belt, and when he was done with that, he asked me to get up and go to prepare for dinner.I somehow tolerated all the pain, and when I walked towards the kitchen, I looked at Arohi. She looked confused by what happened. Maybe, initially, she thought she was happy that Arhaan scolded me, but in my later condition, I could see in her eyes that my daughter was scared of it.But
FLASHBACKRAAHIAnd the journey continued. Day after day, year after year, I was tormented, tortured by Arhaan just because he was my husband and he had a right to do so.He played the part of a perfect husband when outside, proudly showing me off like I'm his trophy, at parties and get-togethers. I had to learn to do make up and hide my scars, I had to learn to put a fake smile on my face and talk with everyone.Even if he introduced me to new people, he never mentioned them my name, he used to address me as Mrs Arhaan Awasthi. No one apart from our family knew my name, not even our neighbours or Arhaan's friends or colleagues. He was successful at wiping off my existence entirely and was proud of it.With all the show off of being a perfect husband and his trophy wife, no one knew what happened behind those closed doors. The ones who knew just told me to accept it as my fate and make amendments.I was abused and raped on a daily basis. He would beat me, humiliate me, hurl abuses at