Chapter 14 | Her
My two-piece dress is an overkill. I am oscillating between whether to celebrate because this dress is so freaking pretty on me or should I cry over the fact that I’ll stand on the stage wearing this pretty as fuck piece to exchange rings with an ass faced human.
But my mind keeps drifting back effortlessly to the sexy giant I left behind to walk into this shit. My mind taunts what I couldn’t put to words that day. I was mesmerized by him, more than I could show but the fright was overpowering and I couldn’t stay.
How bad I wish he was here... He’s made me feel a certain way I can’t quite describe, but it’s way better than what I feel like right now...
Right now, all I wish is perhaps I could run away and escape all this.
Don’t start, Disha. He is not even your boyfriend.
He could have been, had I told him about everything right in the beginning instead of running away into the safety of my family like a scared little child.
But that doesn’t stop me from sending the selfie I took moments ago.
Me: Hey! How am I looking in one word...
Nakul: (typing)
Nakul:
Did he just delete something after typing it...
Nakul: (typing)
Someone calls me out, pulling me out of the conversation I was about to have. Perhaps I’ll get back to him once this ordeal is over. But a part of mind will be stuck on what he has to say... I wish it’s something I want to hear.
WE ARRIVE AT THE VENUEin about forty minutes. The banquet is decorated with carnations; pinks, whites and lavender. Embellished red silk flowers with hints of gold in between covers the backdrop of the stage; the only thing strikingly odd on the scene is the pink sherwani guy.
Ugh what is it about the color that he thinks it suits him... I could barf every time I see him wearing any shade of pink.
I avert my gaze as soon as I realize that he has spotted me from this distance, making it look like I have in fact not noticed him at all.
Most of my school friends are not in town, so I had to invite the only ones who were there which were three of them including Apeksha. And I know that is going to be my favorite corner for the two three hours we are going to stay here. Mahika is busy giggling about something looking at her phone with some of our cousins.
Mom and Dad are busy receiving guests alongside Abhay’s parents. His parents are way better compared to him, who is staring at me like a complete creep from the corner of the hall having a chat with his own group of friends and cousins. There’s a feeling of unease creeping inside me because of the eyes I’m attracting courtesy of his vile leer; it’s nothing close to gentle and I guess I hate that look even if it comes from the man I am supposed to marry.
The ceremony concludes with photography session with all our family and friends from both of our sides as they line up a few at a time to get clicked with us.
Just as a set of photographs are being clicked, I feel a shiver run down my spine as hand brushes against my waist before tugging on it. And it’s not an innocent touch; it’s rather deliberate by the feel of it. When I turn to glare at Abhay, he’s already looking at me; his hand pulling me in an authoritative and a controlling way. In a way that tells me I’m his property now, and to be honest I fucking hate it more now.
Tears flood my eyes, as I shoot back the glare anyways before pushing his hand away and excusing myself as soon as the photography session and the groping session is over. Thankfully nobody notices except Mahika who signals me to come with her to the washroom.
“Di are you fine? Don’t cry, please...” Mahika asks me.
“I’m not crying because I am hurt, but because I was too stunned to slap him across the face. The asshole thinks he owns me just because I’m all set to marry him.”
Mahika rubs my arm and nods in agreement, “I know... I saw and it was disgusting. I mean you guys are not that close or anything...” She tsks, “It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t feel the need to make progress in the relationship part with you to touch you.”
“And I’m wearing this jerk’s ring...” A despaired sob escapes my lips, “It’s all my fault...I am the one to blame in this. I want an escape from this...” I rush outside wiping the tears and she follows behind me.
But the moment I step outside, a bouquet awaits me; a huge ass bouquet of all red... red roses. I get to my knees as I reach the little boy holding the string to it, rolling it towards us.
“Disha? this is for you...” he smiles shyly trying to pull his tiny hands from my hold.
“For me? Who gave it to you?”
My genuine curiosity is peeking from behind my furrowed brows because that hardly looks the work of my jackass fiancé. He has zero talent for being a gentleman.
He says nothing but points in the direction he came from before giggling and running away. The back entrance! Who could it be?
We walk towards it through the passage that leads straight outside. No one...not a soul; the empty parking lot staring back at us.
“Do you have any idea who could have sent the flowers Di?” Mahika exclaims, her brows furrowed in confusion as she looks for a name card on it.
I shake my head in negation; mind is wandering away. I can feel the adrenaline making its way back in my brain cells.
“Di, am I missing something here? Is there a situation that I do not know of?” She shrugs and looks at me curious for any reaction.
Perspiration is dripping rapidly down the sides of my neck at the lie I don’t have the courage to muster, but I will anyway. You should tell her... my mind is screaming.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about... but it can be one of the people I forgot to invite. A friend, maybe...” And I nod to hide my apprehension.
Who are you lying to? This can be him. and you know it.
No, he can’t be here. I am hundreds of kilometers away from him. What’s the point in putting myself through all this drama if the creep can still follow me here?
But that’s the thing with creeps, especially stalkers... they have it in them to potentially follow you anywhere. Don’t you remember?
Mahika’s voice startles me and I jolt back to reality, “It’s strange. Why else would someone send such a huge bouquet? Especially red roses...”
“Mahika we can think about it later; right now, I am more worried about going to the damned Navratri party with this jackass. What if tries something there?” Well played, Disha!
“I know right. The jerk is worth worrying about; I just saw that. But Apeksha Di will be there too. You’ll have to stick with your friends to avoid him.”
I nod while gulping down the terror slowly creeping inside me, “You should go back to the party, I think I left my phone in the washroom. I’ll join you in a minute,” trying to act natural. Naturally anxious. Worried. Frightened. But she need not know what or who is giving me the shivers.
When she leaves, I open my fist to look at the name card which turns out just like I guessed... Fricking paint smudged. On the opposite side of it is a pen drive stuck to it. I have a feeling this is going to be bad.
Life wrecking possibly; because there’s not a doubt in this world this crazy guy does nothing even close to mediocre. And that’s not even a compliment.
THE CEREMONY WRAPPEDup sooner than I expected. Most of the guests were on Navratri fast so they left early. I, unlike every other year, haven’t found time or even the mental energy enough for keeping a nine day fast.
Once everyone goes to sleep, I lock my bedroom door and switch on my laptop with an exaggerated breath. I’ve never been more nervous to switch on my system. Neither have ever been more nervous than today in connecting a pen drive or scanning it, or opening the goddamn removable disk folder.
By this time, I am breathlessly running down a sweaty palm on my drenched face; the fuck could be in the only video file that sits on the left top corner of the folder.
My insane heartbeat comes to a complete halt when the video of a boozed up me sitting on the restroom counter wrapped around the jerk, making out fiercely, plays on the screen before me. A squeal almost escapes before my hands shove it back inside my mouth.
Thank you Lord I am wearing my earphones, because I swear the dirty sounds would have caught the attention of Mahika who is still awake talking to her boyfriend in the balcony of the adjoining room.
My legs are shaking uncontrollably for a number of reasons, as my eyes fill with tears almost instantly. The dread has turned into full blown terror...
So, now he’s he has video tapes; which he can very well now use to blackmail me whenever he pleases.
And what if the flowers would have gotten into the wrong hands. What would have happened? Sweat beads drop down my forehead as my mind drifts to the possibilities I’m too afraid to imagine.
Just when I am trying to muffle my cries with a sweaty palm, an incoming message fills the dark room with a faint light. My hands tremble as I blink at the message.
Unknown: Did you like my gift?
Me: Why are you doing this?
The dread in me is morphing into anger, which is so not good with this guy, especially after last time.
Unknown: I wanted to commemorate our special moments.
Me: What if someone else would have gotten their hands on it before me?
Unknown: Exactly! That would have been such a disaster. (evil smile emoji)
Me: Are you trying to blackmail me with this?
He is. But the fool that I am, I’ll still ask. Like it’s going to fetch me a different answer.
Unknown: You ask too many questions. My turn now.
The pause between his messages is deliberate, so I can have a heart attack just thinking about what this maniac must be planning next.
Unknown: Do you miss me?
Me: Go to hell!
Unknown: Baby, I could go anywhere you’d want me to, but only if you promise to join me.
I am stunned by his overconfidence. The worst part is that I know the bastard must be smiling at his own stupid joke.
Unknown: Are you blushing?
Really! I roll my eyes in awe at his delusional assumption.
Unknown: You will soon. And you’ll roll those eyes to the back of your head when I eat that sweet pussy of yours.
I am disgusted at the mental image he is trying to paint inside my head. But he is wining this one, because I am angry and dripping at the same time. If only someone could explain me why?
Me: You are disgusting.
Unknown: It is a bit rude to call your Master disgusting, don’t you think?
Me: I am not your slave.
Unknown: You will be. Once I brand you.
Me: Are you done?
Unknown: No. I never will be done with you.
Unknown: You know you’ve got quite the nerve to talk to me like that.
Me: Are you disappointed that the blackmailing’s not working.
Except, it is working; I am terrified but I can’t afford to tell him that. I’ll take my chances.
Unknown: No. In fact, you just up-ed the game. Oh! this is going to be so much more fun now.
What the hell did I just do to get him all worked up like that.
Unknown: Be ready, my yummy little muffin.
The cryptic texts and the continuous downpour are enough to keep me from sleeping tonight. Curling in my bed has only helped me muffle my sobs.
My purpose of coming back here, taking such a huge leap in life... all gone to waste. The one man I’ve been trying to out run is easily leaving me behind. This battle is over before it could start.
IT IS ABOUT NINE INthe morning; both my eyes have bags under them cause of the lack of sleep last night. I might have only slept for three or four hours of the usual seven hours that I am accustomed to. I look in the mirror wrapped in nothing but a towel making me look feeble and sleep deprived than I am, looking at the droopy tired shoulders and swollen eyes.
What am I supposed to do now? I can’t just surrender to the sick maniac at this stage.
But I can’t risk exposing myself to everyone. There has to be a way out of this mess.
I pick my phone up and scroll through the messages from yesterday, and realize that Nakul never responded to the picture I sent him. But he was typing something for a good two minutes before I left for the ceremony.
A new message pops in the background.
Abhay: Hi! I was thinking if we could go out somewhere today.
Me: I don’t think it would work out today. I am supposed to go shopping with my friend.
No, I don’t have a plan for today, but my head’s a mess and I’d do anything now more than ever to avoid the creepy fiancé.
Abhay: Okay. I understand.
But I’m sure he might have already started planning to revenge me for popping his huge ego bubble.
Me: Thanks. I’ll meet you Saturday evening. I got to go now.
Blowing him off like that has somewhat satiated my pained soul. I turn to the mirror with a little curve on my lips. One less creep to deal with today.