Chapter 22 | Her
Ionce heard a saying; it went like – there are seven people of the same face in the world. Doppelgangers, as they say; but they’re supposed to hate each other. Not work together.
And what about seven faces of the same person... As impossible as it might seem, there still is a chance of error.
You’ve made the fucking error!
My mind has been screaming ever since I saw him smirk back at me. That was not him. It can’t be him.
It can’t be him.
Apeksha’s message has pushed some buttons in my head; like I’m spiraling into a fit of terror.
She could’ve easily confused him with someone else. But the what if is threatening me; promising a heart attack. I am taking my chances. I need to get away from him as fast and unnoticeably as possible.
I glance just a side look to see that he has already vanished from the periphery. Turning around I notice there isn’t a trace of him anywhere in sight.
Is Nakul really what you think he is?
But he is so different, so not a lunatic... So not a stalker. So not Anushka’s brother. You saw his picture; do you still want to go into self-denial?
You know it!
He is exactly what you think he is. And that’s why he could play you all along.
My mind is reciting a monologue on how I avoided the obvious all this time. All due to a little negligence on my part. A little unwary of connecting the dots. I could have found this out sooner... I could have saved myself.
Now when my mind is taunting me, I’m bent on questioning every little thing that I’ve done in the past months.
Would I have dated someone, knowing so little about them? Would I not visit his place even once, for any reason? Would I have kept listening to my heart, without paying attention to logic – instinct – anything at all?
The tattoos – the nickname? What about the constant heaviness around him, like giving off some kind of dark energy? And what about the perfect timing; how did he appear every single time you needed him? Every time when the creep did something bizarre.
He was giving himself away right from the moment you met, and you were too blinded to see it.
My whole life has always been based on what-ifs... For once I start focusing on the positives, and that’s exactly when my world turns over. Topples down into a deep canyon. Into the abyss.
I’ve been running from one man for ten years, to fall straight into his arms. Into his trap!
“What’s wrong, Disha? Disha, look at me. Look at me. Hey –” I am hearing Jess’s faint voice calling my name behind all that fog in my head.
My cheeks feel wet; and cold. Perhaps, fear and betrayal are marking my flesh.
I look up and instantly meet her panicked gaze. My mind is still unable to process what just happened but I’m on the ground; and my hands are trembling, still.
“Hey sweetie. You, okay? What just happened?” She brushes the dust off my knees as I get on my feet.
“Yeah.” I hold my head with one hand, “Yeah, I guess – I am fine.”
“What happened?” Jess is searching for my eyes, when I steady my gaze to hers.
“Jess, it’s is him. He is him,” I whisper with effort, making sure my voice is on the lowest possible decibel; in case he’s still around.
“Who’s who? What are you talking about?” She narrows her eyes, shaking her head and shrugging in confusion.
I turn and start walking towards the exit, “I’ll explain everything. But I need to know something first. Did you see him leave?” Wiping my tears, still trying to think what to do next.
Jess walks alongside me, pacing to catch up with my speed, “Who are you talking about? Who left? I saw nobody.”
I realize how stupid a question I have been asking her.
“Did you see... Oh my God, Jess –” My voice goes from a whisper to a scream in a matter of seconds, “Jess, move!”
Before I could scream, she’s already been hit in the head; and is biting the dust in front of my eyes.
I see her shattering down to the ground, when the giant man looks at me with a crooked grin on his face that says – I’m next. And that’s when I feel a prick on my neck, before darkness envelops my vision.
Ugly chuckles are the last thing I hear, “Our job is done. They’ll be done for in an hour. Poor little sluts.”
What the fuck!?
WHEN I FEEL CONSCIOUSNESSkick back in, my body instantly resumes the fight or flight mode. The adrenaline making me squirm my legs and hands to try and get up. But I am met with resistance, the more I try the sharper it stings.
Slowly blinking my eyes open, I find myself in middle of what seems like a camp of some sort. At least ten of us, bound by the wrist and ankles in a moldy stretch of tent. It looks like we are not in the festival at all. I look around for any sign of Jess only to find none.
As soon as I hear footsteps, I close my eyes enough to catch a glimpse of whatever’s going on.
The dread in my insides transform into full blown panic attack when I see the man. The same crooked baldie from before appears, carrying a woman on his shoulder; before laying her down and tying her up just like the rest of us.
He keeps talking to someone through his earpiece. Looks like he’s waiting for an instruction from someone. Someone on the other end of the line.
I hear more voices approaching, when the man walks over to me and starts undoing me from the wooden post. Writhing beneath his touch, I shout, “Who the fuck are you? And where are you taking me? Don’t you –”
“Shut the fuck up, and you’ll know.” The smirk that follows is insulting.
The only way I can survive this is by running away. Taking advantage of the moment when he gets me to my feet, I go in for a kick, aiming at the balls. Missing it – adding to my list of stupidities for today.
“Thank God that you’re not getting filmed for the regular market; or I would have fucked that attitude right up your ass.”
Time is still – as the words echo in my brain, processing the nefarious meaning behind his words.
What is going on in this place? What film is he talking about?
I have no business being in this filth. I need to get the fuck out immediately. Immediately!
Untying my limbs, this scumbag picks me up with little effort, puts me on his shoulder like a sack and starts carrying me somewhere.
I start kicking my legs violently which I guess does nothing to bother him. I try harder to squirm; trying to fall out of his hold and make a run for it.
In return for my vigorous efforts, I earn a stinging spank on my butt with his giant hand that definitely must have left a bruise.
He makes a turn left and then right again till we reach another tent, smaller than the one we were in; but more lavish, like it is some kind of work area.
“Hello bitch...” A familiar voice catches my attention, as I am being put to my feet.
My eyes widen with horror as I turn to look at Aniket standing behind the desk, greeting me with an evil smile.
“Call me when you need her out,” The man beside me tells him, before leaving us alone.
“What, you know these people?” my eyebrows furrow with confusion, “Where am I, Aniket? And what the hell are you doing here?”
“Wait. Stop. No questions. First, I want you to see something.”
His smile is dripping of fulfillment. Fulfillment of vengeance against me. And honestly, it’s terrifying.
“It’s a piece of art you can say, performance art featuring – Rose,” He gestures with a swing of his hands towards the laptop that sits on the table behind him.
“Who is Rose?” My voice is shaking, as my head is anticipating the dread.
He picks up a rose from the vase on the table, before tucking it behind my ear, “You, my darling, are Rose.”
My jaws drop to the floor in horror, as he walks over to the laptop clicking play on a video that begins promiscuously. The footage is clear.
An unconscious me, lying on a huge bed covered in Rose petals; half-naked – in nothing but lingerie. The obscene angles making my body look way curvier than it is.
Every detail of my form, even the brand my creep left on me shining on my skin in all its glory.
All there on display like a product spread out for potential buyers to see and judge for themselves. The short video ends on an inviting note, like it’s an introduction to the way this man whore is trying to project and market me.
“Don’t worry about your payment. MissVersatility has the agreement ready. She’ll call you soon with our terms of service.” He smiles sinfully at me, “Oh, and yes... your account will be created by tonight. So, you can start entertaining customers from tomorrow.”
“What the fuck is this bullshit – you scoundrel? What have you done?” I below at him.
His gaze darkens as malevolence rises in his eyes, “What is this?” his voice mocking me, “We have some really interesting tapes and you have two options. Either work with us, or go around with that shameless face of yours. Everything that we have on you will anyways be marketed.”
“What? You have what?” my eyes narrow boldly at his disgusted expression.
“Yes. We actually have a few of them now. You and your fuck buddy. That make out session after you kicked Veer out from his own party. You do remember that, don’t you?” Aniket’s diabolical amuse is making my head dizzy.
That explains why he suddenly got quieter after that scene he created in the office. Fuck! What do I do now?
Get as much information as possible, a voice murmurs in my head. Get as much info from him as you can before Nakul kills him. Because he will.
I swallow the spit to get rid of the dryness in my throat; before reestablishing eye contact with the scumbag.
“Okay what do you want? What can I do to keep you from using those against me?”
His only response is dark amusement.
When his laughter subsides, the dog barks again, “Poor you! Trying for a truce with me. Me of all the people... You should have thought of that before you got Veer murdered.”
My eyes narrow, “You’re still favoring him? Even after you know what trick he tried to play me into?”
“Do you know who told him to? Let me tell you – I did.”
The world beneath me shakes with the burden of betrayal he dumps on my shoulders.
And here you were, a fool to believe this guy to be your friend, a well-wisher. Kudos to you Disha. Great sense of judgment.
“Veer and I had been working alongside for MissVersatility ever since we first met at a social event many years ago. And unlike what you guys knew, we already were in an open relationship much before you or Jessica joined. You know, he never took an interest in women before. But then you joined our team... and destroyed everything I had.”
I knew he hated me, but the way his jaws are tensed as he talks; it still hurts to watch.
He grits his teeth as he continues, “So, I convinced him to sleep with you so we could film it, that way he’d be getting what he wanted, and I’d be getting rid of you. But you ditched him, even after he threatened you.”
His eyes are twitching from the pent-up rage he had against me, “Do you know I followed Veer out that night. I couldn’t catch up, because you did him so bad, he was speeding. And before I could catch up, your boyfriend crashed his car.”
“What?” I am genuinely curious to know, but for a change I’m loving the fact that he did kill the bastard.
Your turn now, asshole!
“Yes. Did he not tell you? And here I thought you guys had more than a fucking relationship.”
He pauses for a moment before continuing, “The police had confirmed it as an accident; but I had to stay back and watch as he ripped him apart in front of my eyes. Do you know how that must feel? Your boyfriend must have burned all the evidence but I was a live spectator when he threw Veer’s dead body inside and kept crashing the car until all that was left was a pulp of flesh.”
I close my eyes trying to imagine my knight in pitch black armor in all his gory glory when he must have committed the crime; and oddly enough, all I feel is peace.
“And still, you’re here, making the mistake of crossing him? Maybe you’re not a fan of seeing your limbs intact. Are you?” The lingering threat in my voice has him glare at me in frustration.
“Was that a threat?”
“I don’t know. It will be what you want it to be. Oh, sorry! My bad; your fate is already sealed.”
“And what is that?”
“Death. And a horrible one. Just like your deceased love interest.”
He charges at me, before grabbing my hair roughly, “I wish I could kill you. But you’ll anyways learn a lesson, you bitch!”
A sharp slap and he is climbing on top of me as I struggle my way with him; slapping and clawing back – to no avail.
I scream at the top of my lungs when my dress parts away; making sure that my wails reach the man I have been calling out to. Not that I doubt him to find me. But doing my part so he knows I called for him. I know what effect that has on him; and I bloody want a massacre right now. Tear this degenerate apart.
Another bruising slap on my cheek, and the screams diminish to agonized cries of pain as he twists my hands and pins them at a painful angle.
These scars are going to last inside my psyche; there’s no way I’ll walk out of here undamaged anyways. Why is he taking so much time?
“You bitch! I hated you from the very moment you entered our lives. You made my Veer miserable about railing this depraved little muck of yours. Now I’ll rip you in the same way your boyfriend tore him to pieces.”
“He’ll kill you for this,” I spit at him, and he glares at me in return.
“You know what – it’s not going to matter; because you’re already in this. All that matters is that you’re over, Disha. You’re done for! Now, you are destined to be a bloody whore. My revenge is over.”
The laughter following it is robbing me of hopes; the cameras recording every angle when he positions his filthy manhood. Cursing at me, as I keep fighting for freedom; squirming and shifting beneath his weight.
I freeze and stare with wide eyes, as the cameras behind him go out of power all at once. The moment he realizes whatever’s going on, straightening himself up, something sharply cuts the air and flies by – slicing his filth from his body.
A loud anguished screech escapes Aniket’s throat, as he looks down to see his missing organ.
Just then an explosion goes off in a near distance; and the man of the hour enters the scene, in all his usual lethal demeanor. His beautiful toxic gaze falls on me; laying helpless and indecent, with a now about dead Aniket on top. And it and instantly turns fatal.
Two more men enter behind him, all looking the same crazy with their faces painted, of which I recognize one from the Dandiya night. They are scanning the area for – I practically have no clue what. But the guy from before shouts something to him, before he pounces on Aniket with his metal knuckle and breaks his face before forcing him up and throwing him to the ground.
“What did you say? Say again – motherfucker – let me help make that tongue disappear inside that ugly little hole of yours.”
Aniket spasms beneath him bloodied from the castration. I tremble my way up, quickly wrapping my dress back.
“I am losing patience... Speak! Tell me what you told her –”
The next moment, he’s losing the metal knuckles – throwing them on the ground, “You don’t deserve the knuckles, you deserve my bare hands.”
The hint of unhinged rage makes him look so much scarier. His fists beat the bastard’s face into a bloody mess before he pauses for a short exhale. The way his fists clench, it’s almost like he could break his own bones from the tension.
He hisses from between the gritted teeth, “You don’t deserve last prayers. I’ll escort you to hell!”
His fingers claw at the already senseless man’s chest, boring deep wounds. And I am wishing that he pulls them out now.
His buddy is telling him to stop, but he snarls at him – like a starving predator who just caught a meal. He isn’t going to stop; and I know it’s going to be gory – all over again.
With a loud scream, he rips open the dead man’s chest; clenching the insides to pull them apart when he is satisfied with the outcome.
Just then his friend reaches out to him, “That’s enough,” The guy places a hand on his shoulder, “He’s dead. I’ll clean up soon after we exit.”
My knight in pitch black armor has once again proven his obsession. His love? I don’t know. And neither am I in a position to think about it right now.
I walk over to the other guy, “There are others somewhere close by. I can take you there.”
“They’ve been rescued. Don’t worry. This is actually the last one of the tents.”
So that explains the faded hum of the festival and the faint noises of fireworks.
“You should head back home and get some rest. We can talk to you guys later. Scorpio will take you home.”
“Who’s Scorpio?” My brows crease as dread makes its way inside my mind once again.
Oh no! No new names, again.
“Your boyfriend,” He gestures in the direction of a now risen Lucifer personified. Covered in blood and guts all over. He looks devastating and yet terrifying at the same time. My heart rate picks up as he makes eye contact with me for the first time after so many weeks.
He smirks from beneath the thick lashes, “Hello...muffin!”
My throat dries instantly. The more I’m looking into his ghostly eyes, the more I feel like I have no clue who this man really is.
Is he the one who lives on the floor above? That might explain why he always appeared after the shadow of the man on the window disappeared. Every single time.
Or is it Anushka’s brother? They were talking about him that day, and as far as my memory goes Anushka did say he was coming. That’s when he appeared that night.
Or is it really Nakul?
I don’t know. He was always there when I needed him... whenever this man did something terrible to me. Was that some kind of consolation for him, to be with me in the after hours.
Every one of those is entirely possible. Curses to me – for ignoring all the red flags.
But whoever’s behind the paint – am I even ready to find out?