ARHAAN
FLASHBACK
How could she even think about going to another man? She is mine and I don't want my girl whoring around like the other ones in the college.
She should understand that if I have claimed her as mine, she has no right to talk to other boys, and if she does that, she would be the reason for their death and I am fucking serious.
I was furious at her, how could she even say that to me?
I dug my fingers at her cheeks hardly and I could hear her groan in pain. And to be honest, that's what she deserved after offending me.
"Listen, Raahi. Consider this as a threat or warning, but you won't be talking to any other guy except your father, brother and me. Not even your cousins, is that clear?" I growled.
She needs to be in her place.
I wanted her to nod in affirmation, but she didn't, all I saw was her crying and trying to escape from me. I immediately left her and took a few steps back. I don't care if she didn't respond to my words, I will make sure she follows it.
END OF FLASHBACK
I immediately rushed to the closet and searched for my wife's stuff. As I searched around, I could find nothing. And then, I rushed to Arohi's room and it was empty as well.
She left, leaving me alone.
I was devastated. I couldn't even remain standing. My feet started to wobble and I was sweating badly. I knew she has tried to escape from me multiple times, but after every time I taught her a lesson, I had no idea that she would dare to leave me again.
Mrs Aarhaan Awasthi, you have no other significance in your life other than being my wife and Arohi's daughter. I didn't marry you and fucked you to face this day. I am going to find you, drag you back to this house and I will make sure that you remain in no state to leave this house.
I picked up my phone and dialled a number.
"Hello Police," I muttered as soon as someone picked up the phone.
"Yes?" I got a response.
"My wife has gone missing with my daughter. I would like you to find her and bring them to me," I tried my best to control my rage.
After knowing everything, how powerful I am, how can I do anything to her and she hasn't even the right to cry, she did this to me?
"Has it been twenty-four hours since she went missing?" The officer asked.
What the fuck? It's been two hours, and he is asking me such stupid stuff.
"No. It's been two hours," I responded.
"Then, I would like you to wait for them. They might have gone nearby, such as shopping. They will be back home," the officer responded.
What the fuck?
"But she..."
I was about to say something but then I was reminded by something said by my dad and I went quiet. I can't let out the inner rage in me get out in front of the law.
"Okay," I responded and then hung up the call.
And then, I smashed my phone onto the floor.
"Fine. You dared to play games with me? Now I will show you what can I do," I growled.
And then, I picked up my car keys and walked out of the house. I had to find my wife by myself.
RAAHI
I was looking out from the window of the bus as the bus slowly moved away from the hell I was in. I finally managed to escape the hell but I had no idea how long will I be able to run.
That's when my eyes fell on Arohi who was sleeping on my lap. I slowly caressed her hairs.
"I might have done a lot of mistakes in my life but I would teach you how to not commit those mistakes. I would be with you and transform you into a strong lady. I would make sure that people appreciate you as a woman and respect you. I would not let my fate affect you," I muttered.
Yes. I was ready to bear everything. I was ready to be termed as a selfish woman, a homewrecker and everything worse that a woman would hear. And I wouldn't regret that. Maybe I am going to face a lot of trouble, but it's never too late.
I tried multiple times to provide myself with the strength by saying these words to me. But to be honest, I was terrified. I had no idea which city this bus would take us to and what will I do after getting down there. I have spent seventeen years of my life under the shadow of Aarhaan and that's enough for someone to be used to being dependent on someone. I didn't even know if I would be able to survive in this world alone.
Arhaan made sure to protect me from all the evil in the world and I left him. My mom used to say I should feel lucky that a man like Arhaan loved me and was ready to do anything for me. Her words were a lover who makes sure that her woman is protected from all the evils in the world is the most passionate lover.
FLASHBACK
After Arhaan left me and walked a couple of steps back, I looked at him in horror. I felt like puking due to the horror and uneasiness I felt but I couldn't even do that. My heart was thumping so fast that I had no idea how could I even calm it. I was panting and trying to regain some amount of strength. And when I thought I was capable of that, I ran away from the terrace.
I ran down the stairs as fast as I could. I couldn't bear myself anywhere near a hundred metre radius of that man. I had to get out of college so that I could escape him.
I didn't care whom I bumped into or how I made a chaotic mess of someone's notes or assignments while running. My feet felt tired and I grasped for some air, but all I knew was I couldn't stop.
I managed to rush out of the college main gate within five minutes, but I was so troubled that I couldn't even look for a cab or an auto, I just ran on my feet in order to reach my hostel as soon as possible.
But at a distance of hardly two hundred metres from the college gate, my feet halted as a car abruptly stopped in front of me. I gasped in fear as I immediately recognised that car.
Before I could think of a reaction or another way to run away, he got out of the car and grabbed my wrists tightly.
"Leave," I cried out.
"I just forgot to say the most important fact to you, Raahi," he shouted.
I wasn't even hearing what he was saying. All I was trying to escape from his clutches, but he was too strong for that and I couldn't even move him an inch.
After trying for a while, I felt a sharp pull at my wrist and I immediately bumped into Arhaan. I was about to push him but I lost my balance and he grabbed my waist tightly.
"You can't run away or escape from me, Raahi."
He spoke in a deep intimidating tone that was enough to send shivers down my spine.
I stopped struggling, all I could do was look at him in absolute horror. I wasn't even trembling due to fear, my entire body went numb and my eyes fell into his deep intimidating gaze.
And then, I felt a sharp pull on my wrists again as he pulled me towards his car. I couldn't even fight anymore, I was exhausted. He pushed me to the passenger's seat and buckled up my seat belt. After that, he walked towards the driver's seat and drove the car.
"From now, I will be picking you up for college and I will be dropping you back hostel," he announced.
"And the second thing, if you think you will leave the hostel and run away from this city, I will make sure to find you from wherever you're hiding and forcefully drag you back here. So stop resisting me and accept me as your fate and start loving me," he growled.
Start loving him? How could I even love a man like that? How could I accept this as my fate?
I remained mum throughout the drive and then, he finally pulled the brakes of the car in front of my hostel.
I realised that now I could escape from him, so that's why I hurriedly unbuckled the belt and was about to leave the car when he yanked my hairs.
I hissed in pain and before I could cry, he pulled me towards him and placed his lips on mine.
I was disgusted by his sudden action but it felt like he didn't even care, he just continued to suck and nibble my lips while I silently cried.
As he was satisfied with his disgusting kiss, he immediately left me and dig his fingers at my cheeks. I couldn't even cry anymore, I just looked at him with my teary eyes.
"You will be kissing me daily as proof that you love me," he announced.
I tried to resist him when he pulled me closer, hurting my jaw more.
"YOU'RE BOUND TO LOVE ME, DARLING."
His words wrenched my gut.
RAAHI FLASHBACK The moment I heard those words, I don't know how, something in me felt tainted. I pushed him ajar with all the strength I had and got out of the car. The moment I got out of the car, I ran towards my hostel as fast as I could. I was in no way getting trapped by this man again. I entered my hostel and without wasting any other moment I rushed to my room and locked the door from inside. Mansi wasn't back yet and I knew she wouldn't be returning for at least an hour more. I threw my bag on the bed and rushed to the bathroom. I couldn't even care to undress at that time, the moment I got into the bathroom, I turned on the shower and stood below it. As the water droplets hit my skin, I picked up the soap and started scrubbing my lips, face and my hands. I was constantly crying, but I wanted to scrub it all at once, I didn't want to feel his touch on my body. It haunted me like anything. Gasping heavily, I focused on scrubbing and I didn't know till when I was under
FLASHBACKARHAAN"Arrest me? What do you mean?" I was shocked.A sudden knock at my door, policemen to arrest me? Was this some kind of joke?"Yes. We do have a complaint of harassment and eve-teasing against you," the officer responded."Harassment? Eve-teasing? Who did that?" I went numb."Raahi," the officer responded.What? My Raahi filed a fake case against me? She dragged our personal matter to the police? This isn't done, baby. I will have to talk to you."No officer. I am sure, you're mistaken," I replied with a smile."She just lodged a complaint against you," the officer replied."Oh," I pretended to be shocked.Raahi, baby you don't know me yet. No one can separate me from you, darling, not even the cops. I will for sure make sure about that."Officer. You're mistaken. Actually, she is my girlfriend. We got into a huge fight, and she is so pissed off that she lodged an FIR," I spoke with a nervous smile.I had to make sure that the officer believes what I say, and for that,
RAAHIFLASHBACKI was horrified. Was he just threatening me and pretending to kill Mansi or was he serious?I looked at him, completely scared."Are... Are you joking?"I stuttered. I couldn't even form my words."Trust me, darling, I am not the person who jokes," he responded in a deep husky voice.I gulped. Why was this happening to me? What have I done to experience something like this?"No. Please, don't," I cried out. "Then, don't you fucking dare to go behind my back," he growled, yanking my hairs.END OF FLASHBACKI gasped, waking up from the pale sleep and looked around. I immediately looked at Arohi, she was sleeping peacefully in my lap. I smiled and then looked out of the window. We haven't reached our unknown destination yet. All I knew was I had some money in my bag to feed us for a few days and manage a temporary shelter, but I had to find something permanent.I then looked at Arohi who was sleeping peacefully and I remembered the experience I have had in my life. For t
RAAHII was looking out of the window towards the city the bus just entered. The city looked beautiful and I wondered which city it is because I had no idea.And then, the bus entered the bus stop and the conductor walked towards the seats."We have reached Dehradun. This is the last stop."He made the announcement and walked away.So, we were in Dehradun. I sighed, as I looked around from the bus. I finally managed to escape Arhaan and step into a new city. I can finally restart my life and live fear-free.I nudged Arohi a bit, waking her up."Aru, we have reached," I softly responded."Where is daddy?" She innocently asked.I gulped. What if Arohi wants to go back to her father? How will I make her understand that his father won't be living with us anymore? How will I manage that?"He will be with us, soon," I lied.I didn't know how to console Arohi if I told her the truth because Arhaan didn't let me come close to my daughter. He didn't even let my daughter be my first priority."
RAAHIFLASHBACK"E...everyone?" I stuttered, looking at him in complete horror."Yes. So that everyone should know that you're mine," he calmly responded."I... I mean what's the need?" I questioned."Are you planning to betray me, sweetheart?"His voice sounded calm and questioning but I knew it was a clear threat. "No... No," I immediately looked down. He was extremely intimidating and I couldn't continue to look at him like that."Then?" He asked."I mean... I mean it could create trouble for me. Like, if the teachers would get to know about this or if they inform my parents, what would I do then?" I finally addressed my fear.Yes, I was scared of Arhaan but more than that, I was scared of my parents and I didn't want to go home."So? What if they inform your parents?" He questioned."They would take me back home. I wouldn't be able to complete my studies then," I muttered.Somewhere, I was ready to suffer, I was ready to be tortured but I wasn't ready to give up on my studies. I
RAAHIFLASHBACK"I don't know why, but I don't feel good about this idea," I spoke.I was worried, I wasn't ready to play along or give in to his atrocious advances."Why?" She questioned."Because, what if his obsession doesn't fade away? What if he never lets me go? My entire life will be screwed then," I complained."It won't. Trust me," she seemed excited about this."How?" I questioned."Because we are merely eighteen, nineteen year old kids. Whatever we're obsessed with, it won't last in our late adulthood. We won't be obsessed with the same things when we turn twenty five or twenty six. You will have to play along till then," she made an obvious face."Do you really think six to seven years is a short time to play along? My entire life will be destroyed by then," I shouted at her.How could she even think of something like that?"Do you have any other option?" She gave me a glare.I went quiet. I thought about every other possibility while I could find none and that hurt me ext
RAAHI"Saksham!"I was surprised after getting to know that Saksham is my interviewer."Raahi!"He looked entirely surprised as well."Hey," I smiled.Everything from our past cane flashing in front of me. Whatever we had, maybe we spent moments together, but those moments were always the sweetest ones for me. "Come, sit," he spoke, immediately getting up from his chair and making me sit on the chair opposite to him.I sat down and smiled a bit."How have you been?" He asked."Good," I replied.Saksham then walked towards his chair and settled down."So, you're here for the job interview?" He asked."Yes. I badly need this job," I nodded."Arhaan allowed you to work? That's impressive," he looked surprised at my words.The moment he mentioned Arhaan's name, the unsettling feeling gripped me again, but I somehow maintained my composure and smiled."He didn't," I replied."What?" He looked surprised."Yes. I ran away from Arhaan," I confessed."What?" He got another shock."Hmm," I nod
RAAHII clutched onto my bag tightly and looked at Saksham."I... I don't think it would be a good idea," I muttered.All I could imagine was how Arhaan would react if I brought a male friend home and that scared me. I didn't want to be a hindrance in the relationship between Saksham and his wife."I mean... How would your wife react? I don't want to give rise to a fight between you two," I muttered in an upset done."Oh!" He chuckled.His chuckle made me look at him. I was surprised, why would he even laugh?"I and Mrinal are pretty cool. She wouldn't even mind having friends. I mean, who minds at this time? She knows that I love her and that's enough," he confidently replied.I was surprised. Are relationships like this? His wife wouldn't mind my presence in his life? On the other hand, Arhaan.I gulped as I thought about Arhaan at that time."You know what. It's okay. Take your time to think about our friendship. But, you won't be having time to think about this job. I need immedia
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