Chapter 29 | Her
There hasn’t been a single day since the incident at the festival when Nakul has not texted me at the very least. But the last five days have been an exception, and I’m not able to think of any possible reason; which in itself is scaring the living shit out of me.
Is he mad about switching off the surveillance? Or is he just busy... but what could possibly be so occupying that he hasn’t found time to even text back.
I didn’t want to admit until now, but I guess I have to. I had been half expecting to see him outside the office. But it’s like he has vanished from the face of earth. And the earth without him is fucking terrifying me at the moment.
It’s still early for the night... And all the cells in my body are pushing me to go and see him.
I head upstairs contemplating the urge to reach him out. Memories from the last time I visited his place resurface in my mind. And despite the fact that I now know who Nakshatra Arora is, the fear this name incites in me is still fresh.
More from the fact that I have kept a dangerous piece of information from him.
The terror I feel as I press the button on the intercom is unexpectedly delicious, eliciting a wave of heat down to my core.
I press once, twice, thrice... Still no answer. And unlike the last time, I don’t sense anybody on the other side of the door cam. If he’s not home, it must mean he’s still at the cabin.
A sense of disappointment and worry fills my heart as I descend downstairs, checking my phone for any new messages from Miss Versatility. The bitch has been downright mean with me every time I have tried to talk about Jessica’s whereabouts. I am putting in all the hard work only for her release after all.
By now I don’t even care if she’s okay or not, I want her to walk back to her house alive. Alive is all that matters.
I even went on to report about her disappearance only to return with the affirmation of a hope that the authorities may find her. But as soon as I came back, the bitch called to yell at me for filing the report.
There must be a rat among the men to inform about my complaint to the bitch, which only resulted in more of our videos to appear on her fucking website. She even threatened me saying that she can arrange an in-person session with one of the bidders if I repeat something like this in the future.
How I wish Nakul somehow came to know about this woman. She and all her friends would end up in Cookie’s meal bowl very soon.
I huff a sigh of defeat as I get dressed for the night in an all red as instructed. Something about tonight is ringing all the bells inside my head. And unlike other days I feel a need to cover my body just for tonight. A lace overcoat won’t hurt. And it will cover the strange stress that’s lining my instinct for some unknown reason.
I look for the lace shrug that I bought from a lingerie some time ago. I haven’t really felt the need to put it on since this creep – Black Knight has only been on a staring contest with me for the last few days.
Not that I am not thankful to God that he saved me from worse consequences. But the way this man just seems to enjoy making me kneel for him for literally hours while he stares at me, pouring the whiskey and drinking it neat over and over again. Its deliberate and honestly... it is more terrifying than if he told me to do something for him.
“Are you really waiting for this call?” I whisper to myself in the bath mirror more knowing than asking. Sometimes we ask ourselves questions that we already have the answer to. It might be one of those times in my life. The why part is what I still have to figure out.
I open the horrendous home page of the website before logging into my account. The same sick videos playing in the back ground. The same set of unfortunate women in the group, online and waiting. The same douchebags bidding for getting their sweet time with one of them.
I keep checking the wall clock to see how much time is it till midnight. At about quarter to midnight, I go online and the bid starts overwhelming instantly with abusers from all around.
These men have an alias, a cover up for the monsters they seem to hide beneath the well-mannered, socially appreciated hoods. But the better one of these wolves, at least that’s how this man named Black Knight has been, is nowhere to be seen.
He is always on time. Ten minutes past midnight.
Where the fuck is he?
Disappointment clouds my insides as minutes pass by. Other users keep on throwing dimes at my vid playing above the chat box while I wait for this not such a stranger.
I know the dangers of talking to strangers, strange men to be specific, so late at night. But the one that I wait for has been tending to my sanity and I can’t be more grateful.
More minutes... still no trace of him. I am growing impatient as different users are competing to pay for their time with Rose. The fuck am I going to do if this guy doesn’t show up!
The horror that was breaking me on the first night is reestablishing its roots back in my head. Breaking the fragile confidence that I had built in the past four days in the safety of a creepy monotony, the random stranger had offered me.
At about twenty minutes past midnight, I am on the verge of breaking into tears at the thought of facing a new asshole tonight, and the possibility of getting myself hurt is nightmarishly high as the bargain is increasing aggressively by a user by the name Skin-You-Alive. What kind of a sicko creates an alias such as this one. I sure don’t want to know what they mean by that but the way this guy is leading the bet right now, the possibility of learning about the sick fuck’s name seems quite high.
Only a minute left before the bid comes to an end, and I’m shaking like a leaf. I’m sweating like a pig waiting for Black Knight when something catches my attention in the chat.
I stare blankly as a user named King enters the chat, and just like Black Knight, this man within seconds becomes the highest bidder taking the call value to a high that no one even makes an attempt to defend. I wait as the man keeps upping the call value even though no one has even remotely tried to fight for it.
Upon closure of the bid, King is announced as the winner of the bidding contest and my video disappears from the box.
My heart falls down to the pits of uncertainty as a fresh doze of anxiety is being fed straight into my veins and I am getting fucking sick of it.
As soon as the video call connects, the thudding in my chest shoots up seeing the creature I am met with. The man before me is masked as well, only his mask shows the lower half of his face, making the nefarious smirk he is purposely flashing stand out.
The darkness surrounding him is so astounding, that even the absence of proper lighting seems innocent in front of the aura this man is emanating.
He bends towards the screen as if to make me have a good look at him. Or could it be because he wanted intimidate me?
The grey on his hairline and the light wrinkles on the pale white skin of his sharp jawline is playing the tricks on my mind. I could pee myself right now.
He gasps taking off the suit coat, before speaking in a thick Russian accent, “Hello, Rosa. So – We meet – finally.” The evil smirk deepens into a wide grin.
Why was this man waiting to meet me?
“Hello, Sir.” The word slips from my mouth before I could catch a hold of my tongue.
“Unnecessary, sweetheart. It’s unnecessary. You can call me King.” He says leaning back again, crossing his legs and with a relaxed smile on his face. His gaze drifts to the rest of my body, ogling every inch before settling down on my face again.
Tsking, he says, “Alas! They were utterly mistaken when they told me you were pretty...”
My cheeks flushes instantly at the notion, but the blood from my face soon drains away when he utters the next piece of the sentence.
“...You, my dear, are exquisite.” The husky tone in which he says the word is nothing remotely gentle. That wasn’t a compliment; that was purely intimidating.
My breathing which was unsteady up till now is almost absolutely still at this point. I am unable to look directly at him, would that be a giveaway to the trepidatious feelings his words are inciting in me.
“See why this name suits you...” He speaks again, stroking his lips lecherously.
A flash of gold takes my attention away for a second. A ring. MK engraved on it. I notice before he steals my attention again.
“Delicate... radiant. Ravish worthy.”
Did this man just imply what I think he did? The fuck!
Something about this whole situation is screaming panic. I gulp hard on the self-admission, but he seems to ignore it. Just like he’s been ignoring my drenched forehead, and a dripping neck; a clear indication of how nervous he’s making me.
“You look lovely in red... Would make a fine bride.” His grin is insanely frightening as he continues to speak – lighting up a cigar and puffing on it, “The question is – to who?”
I sense a dangerous look flashing behind the half-covered face of this man. Its then that I notice his eyes. His eyes are grey... Very light grey... Almost –
Almost just like... like Nakul’s.
I immediately avert my vision, biting my lip. Breathless.
“Why be shy, sweetheart? Look up – Look me in the eye.” He orders, gently blowing the smoke in my direction, “As is you’re killing in that lace material. Gives the right amount of food for thought. I bet you’d look much better without them...”
My eyes are still struggling to follow his order and look at him; crimson shame filling my body on the blatant confession, which in turn makes him more amused.
Stealing my chance for an answer, I see him lower his face down on the platter beside his black wingback chair, before sniffing something eagerly. The style in which it is done looks like he’s snorting crack, if I am not mistaken.
Lifting himself upright, he shakes his head briskly. Inhaling sharply with a euphoric exclamation of amazement.
“I can see why people fall in love with you at the first sight... You ignite something dark within their mind. With those puppy eyes and an enchanting – enchanting – captivating innocence.” And there it is – He’s definitely high to think I’d like to hear such words from a man over twice my age.
Or he’s just an old asshole you should have expected to meet right when you signed up for this. Don’t be so na?ve Disha. You’ve done this to yourself, now bear the consequence of not letting Nakul interfere. “How bad I’d like to break it...” He pauses gritting his teeth; his voice quickly transforming into a deep malevolent one, “Tell me sweetheart, are you not happy being a cam whore? Because it seems you like being dumb when clearly your client would love for you to answer.”
He’s right. I am dumbfounded at how fast this is escalating. Let alone the fact that this man doesn’t sound like an ordinary rich hag; he sounds authoritative. Too commanding to be just a client.
“Tell me Rosa, wouldn’t you like if I got you bagged and delivered to me, so your silence could be put to right use. You’d make such a good slave.”
Bagged and delivered!? Dude, what the –
“Say something...” He raises his voice; impatience growing with every passing minute. And that’s only making me more panic struck.
Decision made – I need a fucking way out of this mess, before it’s too late. I’m going to walk out and contact Nakul, letting him know the whole shit show I’ve created, even if he kills me after that.
“Fine... silence it is! I’ve put you on the wait list.” I hear typing noises and clicks while an ominous smile spreads across his wickedly thin lips, “In about twelve hours, you’ll be transported to me. Maybe then you’ll be able to speak. Although I’d refuse to believe those lips are good only for speaking. I’m sure they’ll be great for many other interesting activities.”
Dumbfounded and unable to move, I stare at the screen and wonder how much more damage my sanity can take to make me speak up!
And before I could think any more, my response cuts through my end of silence, “No.”
“What?” His brows scrunch at the conviction in my voice. “What did you say?”
“NO... I am not going anywhere. Aren’t you ashamed on commenting so unabashedly to a woman half your age. Probably younger... Is it even appropriate, Sir?” I emphasize on the last word, insultingly.
“Oh!” He seems to calm down instantly making me increasingly uncomfortable.
I was expecting him to be vexed. But the way this man is reacting, is downright frightening.
“So, you do have a tongue. Good thing – you’ll be expected to work your way with that.” His smile is wild, let alone his tone being over the top audacious, “Oh, but who am I to talk to you like that. You’re half my age, right?”
The smile disappears, and in its place the monster lurking below the skin finally starts creeping up on his face. “Let me tell you something sweetheart... I’ve had whores half your age.” The lip licking motion with the sinister pang in every word that he is uttering, is a clear indication how twisted and dark this demon must have been all his life. Bloody pedophile!
“I have absolutely no objection in taming that bratty mouth of yours into submission. And don’t you dare think that disagreement would mean anything to me. You don’t know me. I love taking things away by force. In fact, I savor the taste of brutality.”
The poison in his words is only making my blood rage on to a rolling boil. “You don’t know my boyfriend. He’ll rip you to shreds for talking to me like that.”
“Would it surprise you if I told you that I do know your boyfriend. In fact, I know him a little too well to know that he’d leave you the moment he comes to know who you’re messing around with...” His relaxed tone is killing whatever oxygen supply was present in this room, if at all it was there to begin with. “On the downside, don’t you think he’d be devastated to learn about your lies... about what you’ve been up to. Don’t you realize he might just kill you for this?”
“I have no objection getting killed in the hands of the man who worshipped me for years; especially when all I have given him is rejection, heartbreak and hatred. I choose to be at his mercy. Besides, your threats are nothing compared to what I’ve already survived. So, probably up your game or watch me leave this shit show.” I mock.
Mockery can be deadly, Disha...my mind taunts.
“You have a bad habit of challenging people far stronger than you now, don’t you?” His eyes darken menacingly and ugliness creases on his ill mouth.
“I’ll tell you something about the situation woman,” The direful tongue lashing out on his lower lips again, “One. You can dream about it, no problem with day dreaming but... but you’re not getting away. Especially now.” His brows raise on the suggestion.
“Second, would you rather I send the little love making you did with your lover boy back in the club, which I must take a moment to acknowledge was... quite addictive. I mean that’s what first caught my attention, you were what do I say... stupendous! But would you rather I send a copy of that back home. Correct me if I’m wrong... Is it not Dushyant Ishwar Saxena? I can recite the address if you want me to.”
How the fuck – does this man know my fucking background!?
Color drains from my face as my eyes fill with horror. Insanity tightening its claws around my brain, squeezing tears from my ducts down to my heated cheeks. What if I don’t back down?
You need to play along when you can’t find a good option right away Disha. Divit’s instruction from the day plays in my mind and I find it oddly amusing how my mind seems to offer the solutions to problems really quick.
“Say something... What happened to bravery?” An amused chuckle escapes the monster’s mouth, “You know demons like me age too – but only on the outside. On the inside, I am completely a young man, just like your boyfriend. How nice it would be if you start complying? Maybe I’ll let you leave sooner if you bore me with compliance.”
His sardonic laughter makes me want to shut my ears and run as far as I possibly can. “Don’t be petrified, sweetheart. All I am asking for is a little love. You were so beautifully wrapped around Nakshatra... You’d look better around me. I mean you wouldn’t want your parents to know about this. Right?”
He knows his name. He knows his name. Who is this man? How does he know the name?
“Am I right Rose? Or is it Disha...” His smirk deepens when my eyes jolt to his face without even trying.
Fuck! He knows who you are.
“In case you want to know who you’re talking to... all I can say is I run this thing. All of this.” His hand gestures suggesting that he is the owner of this terrible platform. Of course, he knows you!
“Think about it again. You have twelve hours, and I cannot wait to see you in person.”
He knows you. He knows you. He knows everything!
As soon as the call disconnects, my poor shaking hands instantly throws out the sim possibly this man got me delivered.
I am done with all this. I need to call Nakul. Frantically placing the call to Nakul from my own number at least twenty times...
What the hell is wrong? Pick up the phone! Come on.
Receding, I try calling Divit. No answer. Why are they not picking up? It is so unlikely.
My eyes are on the door like a phantom will barge in and carry me out on his shoulder. Even the thought is giving me deadly spasms right now.
What do I do? What do I do?I bite my lip till a coppery fluid fills my taste buds, panting and running my fingers through my hairs as if it’ll make an idea pop up in my mind.
Suddenly the thought comes to my mind and I start scrolling through the contacts again. I look for Mira’s number that she typed in, in case I couldn’t contact the two of them. A single ring goes before a sultry female voice fills the earpiece, and a sense of relief fills my thudding head.
“Mira – Mira I want to talk to Nakul. Please... could you get him on the call? Fast –” I plead frantically.
“Hey – hey what happened? Calm down please. And yes, I am heading back to the shed. Wait. Okay?” She says as I hear her footsteps descend from the loud thuds on the wooden floor to the crisp scrunch of leaves on the forest floor.
I hear her footsteps as she walks inside the tiled floor, with a man screaming in the background and what sounds like Taksh shouting. A door opens when she says, “Naksh, Disha wants to talk to you...” she whispers, “She’s not okay...”
Not a second passes after that before I hear his voice... His voice. “Disha? Baby –”
And I instantaneously break into tears, “Nakul, I’ve done something terrible. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied to you.”
My heart screams with fear as I cry over the call unrestrained, “Help me, please. Please...”
Please!