Chapter 7 | Her
What the hell was I thinking?
What have you done, Disha?
What have you done?
I walk towards the exit, nearly tripping on my way out; still dizzy from the booze and puffs.
I try to steady my breath, while running away from the crazy eyed psychopath; trembling with fear of not being able to remember the details of what happened after I started dancing with him. What must’ve I done to end up making out with a stranger in the restroom.
I need to place as many miles between me and the fucker before he decides to chase me.Horror fills me trying to picture just how it could’ve turned up if I hadn’t got to my senses when I did.
Also, why is it so airy down there? God! where’s my underwear?
Faint memories of his tongue inside me fills my mind and my heart sinks instantly. What the fuck have I done?
Dazed and confused, I keep my pace towards the club area, nearly crashing with someone.
“Jess?” Thank God!
“Where the hell have you been, we’ve been looking everywhere for almost an hour now. And why do you look shagged?” Her eyes drift to the edge of my dress, “Girl, what the fuck! Are those hickeys?”
A sob escapes my chest involuntarily as I shake my head in admission of my stupidity, “Maybe...”
“Maybe? What do you mean maybe? You disappeared after your discussion with boss. I assumed you two must be together.”
I’m unable to concentrate on what she has to say; my mind keeps drifting back to the place where I was in a compromising position with a complete stranger.
“And you did not pick up, eight times in an interval of fifteen minutes. Eight times, D. You’re never like that. And now when I find you... you look like a mess.” Her eyes drift away from my face again as soon as I start outside. “Wait! Is that a bite mark on your shoulder?”
The moment her fingers run on the wound; I jolt back, fighting the need to scream from the sting. What kind of animal bites that bad!
Her eyes narrow as she holds me, “Who were you with, hmm? Disha, this is not normal.”
“I don’t know... who – I was – with...” That’s all I manage. Because that’s the fucking truth.
“What? You don’t know who you were with?”
“No. The guy – the guy on the dance floor –” My head aches as I try to remember, “– The one I was dancing with when I couldn’t find you.”
“What did he look like? Anything... Try to think D...”
My head aches as I try to remember, “He - He was tattooed. His face – it was painted... And his eyes – his eyes were crazy. It was like –”
She cuts in, “That’s what half the people in this place looked like tonight. Kill that! But did you leave on your own or did he... he did not –”
Faint memories of how he carried me to that place start filling in. “I don’t think he forced me... I – I left with him willingly. But I don’t remember anything after that...”
“Thank God! But where were you? I looked for you everywhere.”
“I was in the ladies’ room; it was locked from inside while I was there.”
“Ladies room? But I looked everywhere – Wait... You came from that side, right?” She points behind me.
“Yeah. The restroom is on the far end.”
She huffs and for a moment I can sense an odd excitement in her, “God! Who were you fucking with, D? The guy must be some serious rich brat.”
My eyes narrow at her overwhelming response, “What do you mean? And does that matter if...”
She tsks before interrupting me, “You don’t understand, D. That area is for exclusive club members... I think you hooked up with some big shot.”
“What?” I swallow hard. “That’s more of a reason to get out of here fast...” Maybe he’ll forget what happened here.
The scene coming back in bits and pieces in my head. His insane laughter when he pulled me by the ankle and the fact that there was nothing amusing about the situation; it’s like someone has slapped me hard across the face. And I let the maniac do those things? This is all my fault. All my fault!
I wait patiently, almost too alarmed when she goes out to call a cab. And then, we leave the damned place.
On our way back she tells me how she panicked when she heard from one of our colleagues that Veer had left an hour ago, and that I must be all alone. Even Aniket was nowhere to be seen; wonder if he made it to Veer before he left.
I keep pulling the edge of my dress in an attempt to hide my shame. She may have lent me her coverup, but I still didn’t want to expose that I had in fact lost my underwear to a stranger.
When the cab pulls over to the society entrance, she makes me promise to let her know if I remember anything from tonight before leaving. Making my way in, I notice that it’s already past three in the morning, which means the guard must be on rounds.
Today I realize the importance of biometrics; they save you from embarrassing situations like these.
Can’t let people discover what I’ve been through; because the way I look right now, it’s quite giving. In fact, I’ll have to slip past the elevator, all the way to my apartment without letting anyone see me like this; especially the grumpy land lord who lives just a floor above mine.
Unlocking the apartment, my thoughts drift to the ghastly eyes that were pinned on me while I struggled to escape from the doors of hell earlier tonight.
His voice, laced with a clear threat... I’ll let you go just this time.
The way those words intensify the burn in between my thighs... It’s bruising. And arousing. Shit!
Something has changed. The air inside the house, or is it the way it feels on my skin. The cool air soothes my burning skin.
Whatever it is, I need to wash this off before I lose my mind.
I OPEN MY EYES TO THEsound of birds chirping; the light from outside seeping from between the curtains. It’s seven in the morning and I still feel the need for centuries worth of sleep.
My head hurts but my stomach is calling for food. As soon as I manage to drag myself to the mirror, the memories resurface; only this time they’re clearer than before.
Bile rises in my throat as guilt travels down my spine as soon as I remember all the lines, I crossed last night. All my bruises are navy; kind of purplish. Except the one my shoulder; that one has red teeth marks too. Bloody vampire!
My lips are sore in places and sting on touch. I remember, not kissing him back; but the fact that I was enjoying every moment of the kiss is gross in itself. I can’t help but bite my already hurting lips.
The entire stretch of my inner thigh is filled with hickeys and bite marks too. And that reminds me of his hot breath fanning my sensitive skin.
I remember his hand around my neck bound in a way I never knew I needed. Controlling and demanding.
I remember his thick low voice filling my ears with an appetizing threat. I remember my lace underwear being ripped by his hungry mouth until he got a taste of me. I remember getting tongue fucked on the washroom counter against the mirror, until I released my juices in his thirsty throat. I remember the bite down there, fulfilling the threat he made earlier. And the sting between my legs now feels like the sweetest agony I could ever experience.
And I remember, being in the heat of the moment; wanting to get fucked the hell up right there, on that damned counter.
And then, I remember opening my eyes to the most frightening sight ever. A creature with no face. A ghost with those...those unusual eyes.
My impulsiveness was about to cost me my virginity.
Realization, is a small word for the weight that I feel over my shoulders the moment my eyes met his. It was like suddenly being teleported on a neutron star, the way I felt instantaneously heavy. Culpability is a feeling that has the potential to crush you immediately.
I wake up from my daydreaming to the feeling of toothpaste drying on my lips.
I need to get ready fast and get something to eat. Can’t cook with so much already cooking in my brain.
After a warm shower, I get ready in the most enshrouded clothes that I could find in my cupboard. A baggy boyfriend jeans and black hoodie. Comfortable enough to stay away from the burns on my skin. Light makeup here and there on the visible part of my neck and face, and a tinted serum gloss for my lips. Looking quite ordinary... Thank God!
On my way out, I spot an odd basket placed by the entrance. Looking closely, I notice the basket to be a hamper with a name card that says- For my Muffin ??
My heart drops instantly. Yes, exactly what I needed to have a nervous breakdown.
Holding my breath, I pick the basket up and head back in. I’ve lost my appetite at this point.
How cryptic can this get?
I tear away the packaging to find out that it contains a box of assorted dark chocolates, expensive looking ones. What a gentleman, to send these exactly when I needed them. But they could be poisoned... Or worse, drugged?
Along with those are something I did not expect... Skin creams and Aloe vera lotions?
I rush to the full-length mirror only to find it still covered.
How does this creep know about my marks? That’s a whole ass triggering!
Controlling my urge to panic, I try to regain my attention towards the basket on my lap. There’s a shiny black box resting in midst of the other stuffs. Looks like discreet packaging to me. What could it contain?
I open it before my mind starts contemplating whether or not I’m ready to see what’s inside. But the contents make my breathing stop instantly.
On a beautiful red piece of satin sits a set of lingerie. Black lace lingerie! Just like the one I lost last night, only way more expensive looking.
I clearly remember who knows about this. Only two of us. Me and the face painted creep. It can’t be him. That has to be the crappiest piece of luck for me.
I’ll settle for this. It can’t be. I need air.
And I’m pacing back in the hallway to make sure every single window is secured. Why does it have to keep spiraling around this creep? What do I do now?
I jerk in surprise when my phone buzzes. Is it him? Oh God No... no no no... This can’t be happening.
Unlocking it with trembling hands, I scroll down the notification icon.
Nakul – Hey
The moment I see that name, my chest instantly eases. Thank you, Lord!
Me – Hi! What’s up?
Nakul – Nothing, just waiting to see your pretty face. Where have you been?
Me - ?? Been busy with work.
I need to act normal around other people.
Nakul – Cool. I’ll cut the small talk. Do you want to grab something to eat? We could do a little catch up. I could use some office gossip.
And I could use some time off from this madness.
Me – Okay. I’ll be downstairs in ten. Meet me at the entrance to the garden.
I mean I’m already dressed to leave, but it shouldn’t look obvious.
Nakul – Done. I’ll be there.
I like this guy. Maybe, just because every time I’m in trouble, he appears like my guiding angel.
Such a contrast to the guy from last night.
Sometimes I wonder, how the good and the evil can exist in the same universe.
Ignoring to look at the gifts sent by the psycho, I leave for downstairs. I need to clear my mind to think straight.