The Sinister

20.

Sita is sitting in the balcony from the moment she comes back after meeting her mother. Since then, she does not move from that place.

She just sits there, crying over her fate. Her head rests on her joined knees, her arms wrapped tightly around them as if she is trying to hold herself together.

Her eyes are fixed on the dark sky above. The night is silent. It is already 3 a.m. The world is asleep but she is not. She does not sleep. She does not eat. She only wishes she can go back in time and fix everything… fix her mistakes.

“Kanha, mai kiun yaha aai kiun?” she asks, sobbing silently, her voice trembling as her shoulders shake.

(Kanha, why did I come here? Why?)

Her tears fall one by one, dropping on her clothes and knees. Each tear carries her pain, her sorrow, her helplessness.

“Na mai yaha aati na kuch hota… p…par aap ko meri intention to pata thi na. Maine kisi ke liye galat nahi socha. Mai bas apne baba ko bachana chahti thi par mere is faisale ne hi aaj mere baba ko yaha laa kar khada kar dia” she says, her voice breaking again and again as she cries harder, hiding her burning face in her knees.

(If I had not come here, nothing would have happened… b…but you knew my intention, right? I never thought wrong for anyone. I just wanted to save my baba but this decision of mine has brought my baba to this situation today)

Her fingers clutch her clothes tightly. Her breathing becomes uneven. Her whole body trembles with guilt and regret.

“Ka…kanha, bachpan se aaj tak kisi cheez me shikayat nahi ki aapse par y…ye jo aapne mere sath kia hai na…” she says but her voice chokes. Tears rush down faster and she is unable to complete her sentence.

(Kanha, from childhood till today I have never complained to you about anything but w…what you have done with me…)

Her lips quiver. She presses her forehead harder against her knees, crying helplessly.

“Par tumne to apne baba aur family ko bachaya hai, Sita. Aur is tarha bachaya hai ki ab unke bare me koi bura soch bhi nahi sakta” Kanha says with a gentle smile on his face.

(But you have saved your baba and your family, Sita. And you have saved them in such a way that no one can even think anything bad about them)

Sita slowly lifts her head. Her tear-filled eyes look up at the sky. A weak, sad smile appears on her lips.

“Aur mera kya? Mujhe kon bacahye ga? Maine jis insan se shadi ki, mujhe barbad kar de ga wo” she says, her chin wobbling hard as fresh tears spill down her cheeks.

(And what about me? Who will save me? The man I married will destroy me)

Kanha does not say anything after that. He just smiles softly. He is always there for her. He does not speak with words. He shows his care in silence, watching over his devotee as she cries under the dark sky.

Zayran enters the room after knocking on the door. His body feels extremely tired, more tired than ever.

He is entering his room after a whole long day. As soon as he steps inside, his eyes automatically move towards the bed, expecting to see her there. But she is not on the bed.

Before he can think anything, the soft sound of her sobs reaches his ears. The faint, broken cries fill the silent room.

Without even realizing it, his feet start moving towards the balcony. His steps are slow. When he reaches near the balcony door, his steps slow down even more…and then stop completely.

He sees her sitting in the last corner of the balcony. She is hugging herself tightly, her arms wrapped around her body as if she is trying to protect herself. Her head is slightly bent down and her shoulders are shaking as she cries silently.

The dim moonlight falls on her tear-stained face, making her look even more fragile.

There is a difference between these two souls. One of them can speak to her Kanha. She can share each and every pain, each and every happiness with him without fear. She can cry in front of him. She can complain. She can question.

But the other one… he has no one. There is no one with whom he can share his pain or his loss. He keeps everything locked inside his heart. He does not cry. He does not complain. He carries everything alone.

Feeling someone’s presence, she slowly lifts her head and looks towards the door. Her tear-filled eyes widen slightly when she sees him standing there. She gulps hard. Fear rushes through her body like cold wind.

He starts taking slow steps towards her. His face is serious and unreadable. He stops at a small distance from her, standing straight, looking directly into her eyes.

The air between them feels heavy. Both of them keep staring at each other, unable to understand their own emotions and feelings. There is pain, anger, fear and something else… but neither of them can name it.

“Speak” he says in a low voice, pulling her out of her thoughts.

She takes a shaky breath. Her chest rises and falls quickly. She slowly opens her mouth, her lips trembling.

“W…when will you leave me?” she asks, her voice soft and weak. She looks at him with hope in her eyes, thinking maybe he will free her from this marriage. Maybe he will say that he will let her go.

But his next words shatter her hope completely.

“The marriage happens by your choice and it will end by mine” he says.

His words hit her hard. She quickly gets up from the floor, her legs slightly shaking but anger giving her strength to stand straight. Her eyes are red from crying but now they are also filled with hurt and disbelief.

“You did all these things intentionally so that I can come to you” she says, taking a step towards him. Her finger slightly points at him, her voice trembling with anger and pain.

“I didn’t tell you to come to me. You yourself came because you know that no one can save you and your family except me” he says firmly.

His words make her step back slightly. Her back almost touches the wall behind her as she feels the weight of his words.

“You want to ruin my life!” she says loudly, raising her voice at him. Fresh tears start falling from her eyes again, nonstop. Her chest moves up and down heavily as she struggles to control her emotions.

“I didn’t do anything to you and I will never do anything” he says, taking one slow step towards her. The distance between them becomes very small. “Because marrying me is your biggest punishment and it will ruin your life”

He looks directly into her eyes without blinking.

“Don’t you dare to raise your voice at me again” he says, glaring at her. His jaw tightens and his eyes turn dark with warning.

“I hate you” she says immediately, her voice breaking but filled with anger.

He smirks slightly. “Feelings are mutual” he replies. His calm reply makes her grit her teeth in frustration.

“You will regret marrying me” she says, fire burning in her tearful eyes. Her voice shakes but her words are firm.

“That’s my dialogue, madam” he replies with a calm smile on his face.

Both of them keep looking at each other. She looks at him with a glare full of anger and hurt. He looks at her with emotions that are hard to understand, emotions that barely anyone can recognize.

Suddenly, she turns around and storms inside the room. Her footsteps are loud and fast. She walks straight into the closet and closes the door hard behind her. The loud sound echoes in the silent room.

He slowly closes his eyes for a second and then a small smile appears on his lips, a little wider than before. He walks back inside the room calmly.

After a few moments, he sees her coming out of the closet. She walks towards the bed without looking at him. She picks up a pillow and throws it towards the couch.

He just stands there, staring at her and watching what she is doing without saying anything.

She lies down on the bed and pulls the blanket over herself from head to toe. She covers herself completely, as if she wants to hide from him and from the world. Then she switches off all the lights in the room. Darkness fills the space.

He remains standing there for a few seconds, trying to process what just happens. For the first time in his life, he feels something he cannot understand completely.

After that, he walks inside the closet, changes his clothes and comes back outside holding a duvet. He walks towards the couch and lies down. He closes his eyes.

Neither of them is sleeping. Both are awake but they pretend to sleep, trying their best to ignore the storm inside their hearts.

I am not able to understand what exactly is happening. She is supposed to be scared of him. He is supposed to dominate her. That is how it should be.

But things are different here. He does not touch her. He does not force her. He does not do anything with her... and that is what confuses everything. I do not understand anything ahhhhhh.

I stand in front of the mirror and look at myself quietly. My face looks pale and tired. My eyes are slightly swollen because of crying the whole night.

But the sindur on my forehead…. I stare at it for a few seconds and then look away.

I walk out of the closet slowly. My eyes fall on the dresses hanging neatly inside the cupboard. Not one or two… but many. So many new dresses, all arranged properly as if someone planned everything in advance.

My jaw tightens. I glare at those dresses with anger and then walk back into the room.

Us darinde ne sab pahle se plan kar ke rakha tha huh. Par mai bhi Sita hu, dekhna kaise us ka jina haram karu gi aur us se divorce le kar hamesha hamesha ke liye yaha se chali jau gi. I think this angrily inside my mind. My fingers curl into fists for a second.

(That beast had planned everything in advance, huh. But I am also Sita. Just watch how I will make his life miserable and take divorce from him and leave this place forever)

I grab my phone from the table beside the bed. The screen lights up. There is a message from Anu.

“Baba is fine now and he gained consciousness but he is still too weak. He was asking about you but maa made an excuse. How are you? Please take care of yourself, di. We love you”

I read the message slowly. A small smile appears on my lips. My eyes turn a little moist. At least Baba is fine. That is enough for now.

“Kanha, I love you and please fix all these things” I whisper softly, placing the phone aside on the table. I take one step forward… and suddenly stop in my tracks completely.

“Wait…” My eyes widen slightly as something clicks in my mind. I lift my hand and hit my forehead lightly with my palm, feeling confused and frustrated at the same time.

“Jab us darinde ne bola tha ki hamara koi rishta nahi hai to mujhe use rakhi bandh deni chahiye thi na. Use bhai bana leti mai” I say this out loud to myself and sit down on the bed with a loud thud.

(When that beast said that we have no relationship, I should have tied rakhi around his wrist, right? I should have made him my brother)

“Teri hamesha se us par gandi nazar thi, is liye apna marad banaya tune use. Saaf saaf bol” My subconscious answers back sharply inside my head. I close my eyes tightly and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

(You always had a bad intention towards him, that’s why you made him your husband. Say it clearly)

“Us darinde ke baad sab se pehle tujhe sabak sikhaungi” I say angrily and pull my own hair lightly in frustration. I shake my head.

(After that beast, I will teach you a lesson first)

“Mera dimag us waqt chalna kaise band ho gaya tha? Kanhaaaaaaaaa…Meri shaktiya khatm ho rahi hai. Wait… kahi mai marne wali to nahi hu na? Par meri umar hi kya hai abhi? Wait… log kahte hai acche log duniya se jaldi chale jate hai. But wait… agar aisa hai to mujhe to paida hote hi chale jana chahiye tha because mai kitni acchi hu. Wait… shayad Kanha duniya walo ko dikhana chahte the ki dekho ek aisa insan bhi hai duniya me. Ufff Kanhaaa aap bhi na”

(How did my brain stop working at that time?

Kanhaaaaaaaaa…My powers are finishing. Wait…

am i going to die? but I’m too young to die right now.

Wait… people say good people leave this world early.

But wait… if that is true, then I should have left the moment I was born because I am so good.

Wait… maybe Kanha wants to show the world that look, such a person also exists in this world. Ufff Kanha)

“But Kanha, ab mai kya karu? Kya mai use zaher de du? Ya use us ki hi banduk se mar du? Ya use apna gana suna kar khud khushi karne par majbur kar du? Ya use… Kanha sun rahe hai na aap?” I lift my face and look up at the sky.

(But Kanha, what should I do now? Should I poison him? Or shoot him with his own gun? Or force him to harm himself by singing song? Or… Kanha, you are listening, right?)

“The person you are trying to talk to is out on a mission to steal makhan from others’ houses. Please try again later… or never. Dhanyawad”

(Thank you)

Kanha says this and I gasp loudly, my eyes widening in shock.

“Saaf saaf boliye na, aap bhi mujh se nafrat karte hai. Par koi na, mai khud ko sambhal lungi” I say this dramatically and get up from the bed in one quick move. I wipe my face and straighten my shoulders as if preparing for a battle.

(Say it clearly, you also hate me. But it’s okay, I will handle myself)

“Mujhe karate sikhna hoga us darinde se ladne ke liye”

(I will have to learn karate to fight that beast)

I tie my dupatta tightly around my waist like a belt, determination filling my eyes. I quickly grab my phone and search for a karate video. I play it and place the phone in front of me.

“Okay, I have to raise my hand like this” I say seriously, lifting both my hands together in front of me, copying the instructor.

“And this” I say, pushing my hand forward with force, almost losing my balance but managing to stand straight again.

“It’s easy. Let’s do it, Sita” I encourage myself and start practicing with full focus.

“Haaa… haaa… aaaa… haaa… aaaaa…” I make loud sounds while punching the air, trying to look strong and dangerous.

But the moment my head turns back, I freeze in my spot.

My body becomes stiff. My eyes grow wide. I gulp hard and slowly pull my hands down. My confidence disappears in one second.

I quietly sit down on the bed, looking down at the floor, pretending nothing happened.

“Ab aapko apna leg aise uthana hai” the lady in the video says.

(Now you have to lift your leg like this)

I quickly lock the phone instantly, my fingers moving fast in panic.

“Hamne socha aapko hamari zarurat hogi but I think hame aapki zarurat hai” Yuv says, standing at the doorstep along with the other three.

(We thought you might need us but I think we need you)

All four of them are standing there, grinning widely while looking at me. Their expressions are teasing and amused. I keep my head down, feeling embarrassed.

“Karwa li bezzati, mil gai kaleje ko thandak” my subconscious shouts inside my head.

“Bhabhi, welcome in your house!” Ishi says excitedly and walks towards me with a bright smile on her face.

I slowly lift my head and give a small smile not knowing what to do or how to react.

“Ummm… we don’t know how and in what condition you got married to bhai but we all are happy because he married you” Om says softly. I look at them with a small, forced smile on my face. Tum log to happy ho, mera kya? Meri khushiyon ne to samose ki chutney kha kar jaan de di na.

(You all are happy but what about me? My happiness has already died after eating samosa chutney)

“Let’s not talk about all this. Let’s go downstairs for breakfast, bhabhi” Shaurya says in a cheerful tone.

I quickly shake my head.

I do not have the courage to look at his family or face them. What if they insult me? What if they question me? And I know… I know he will enjoy it. And I will not even be able to say anything.

“Bhabhi, please… for us. And you have to come out of this room one day, so why not today?” Ishi says gently, holding my hand.

Her hand feels warm and soft. I look at her face. She is smiling genuinely. I slowly nod my head, thinking about it but hesitation is still there inside me.

“Yayyy! Bhabhi agreed! Let’s gooooo!” they shout excitedly.

Before I can say anything, Ishi starts dragging me outside the room. My eyes widen in shock. I try to say something but in front of their so much energy, my voice fades away.

I walk downstairs with them. Fear and nervousness take control over me. My hands feel slightly cold. My heart starts beating faster with every step.

His entire family is already sitting at the dining table. I immediately lower my gaze. I do not want to look at anyone. I keep staring at the floor tiles.

They all must be thinking that I married him because of money and power. Huh… bullshit.

“Bhabhi, sit beside bhai!” Yuv says excitedly.

My head quickly shoots up towards him. But before I can react, I see his smile slowly fade away. I follow his gaze. It falls on him.

He is just looking at Yuv. He is not saying anything. He is not reacting. His face is calm but his eyes are serious. He is simply staring at Yuv. And Yuv… Yuv suddenly looks scared.

“Darti to tu bhi hai, bas sab ke samne khud ko tesmarkhan samajhne lagti hai” My subconscious says.

(You are also scared, you just act like a hero in front of everyone)

I swallow slowly, standing there, feeling small under everyone’s presence.

I sit down on the last seat beside Ishi. I can feel everyone’s gaze on me. It feels heavy, like their eyes are judging me silently. My fingers twist together in my lap.

“Why did you all bring her here?” his Dadu shouts angrily.

His voice is loud and cold. I flinch slightly. My hands hold each other tightly because of fear. My heart starts beating faster.

“Ab is jaise ladki ke sath baith kar khana ho hoga hame” Shaurya’s mother says with disgust in her voice.

(Now we have to sit and eat with a girl like her)

“Yahi din dekhna baki tha” his father says in disappointment.

(Only this day was left to see)

I keep looking down at the table, trying to control my emotions. My throat feels tight. My eyes burn but I do not let the tears fall. I am about to get up from the chair quietly but...

“Tum baitho, tum khao. Hum jate hai” his Dadi taunts me.

(You sit and eat. We will leave)

I slowly look at her. Then, without realizing it, my eyes move towards him. He is calmly serving food onto his plate. His face shows no reaction. He looks completely unbothered by everything happening around him.

“Your family didn’t teach you....” his Dadi starts speaking again.

My eyes do not leave his face. Suddenly, he stops eating. His movements become still. Then, slowly, he takes out a gun from behind his back and throws it on the table in front of him.

The sound of the gun hitting the table is loud. The entire dining table goes silent in one second. His Dadi immediately shuts her mouth. No one says anything.

I stare at him in shock. My eyes widen. Fear mixes with surprise inside me.

I silently get up from my seat and walk towards the stairs. I have self-respect. I will not sit there and listen to more insults.

I can hear his voice from behind me but I do not know what exactly he is saying. Maybe he is praising his family for taunting me like that. Maybe he is agreeing with them. I do not turn back to check.

I keep walking up the stairs, holding the railing tightly. My chest feels heavy but I do not let myself cry.

I will find a way to leave him and this mansion soon. I cannot stay here even for one day… let alone my whole life.

I sit in my office room, tapping my fingers on the table impatiently while waiting for the data to load on my laptop screen. My eyes stay focused on the system.

I have been trying to hack this system for one month. The loading bar moves slowly.

Then suddenly… it completes. A small smile appears on my face. I did it. I lean my head back on the chair and take a deep breath, feeling satisfied.

“My wife is my lucky charm” I mumble under my breath with a slight smirk on my lips.

Then I lean forward again and start doing my work, my fingers moving quickly over the keyboard.

The door of my office room suddenly bursts open loudly. The sharp sound echoes in the room. I close my eyes for a second in frustration and press my lips together.

“Tune shadi kar li, kamine!” Laksh’s loud voice fills the room.

(You got married, you idiot!)

Behind him, I hear the fast footsteps of the other three entering as well.

“Idhar dekh! Ab kyun dar kya raha hai mujhse?” he shouts again.

(Look here! Why are you scared of me now?)

I slowly turn my chair towards them. Laksh is standing in front, breathing heavily in anger. Behind him, the other three are standing, looking at me as if I have committed a big sin.

“Tu meri bhabhi se pyar karta hai par tune ye baat chupai kyun?” Laksh shouts.

(You love my sister-in-law, then why did you hide this?)

I lower my gaze to the floor for a moment, thinking about something.

“Batao kyun!” the three of them ask together loudly.

(Tell us why!)

“I want to take revenge on her” I say in a flat tone.

I get up from my chair and walk towards the cupboard. I open the almirah and start taking out some of my files calmly.

“Revenge? Are you serious? kya hamare mathe par pagal likha hai, ha?” Laksh shouts. “Revenge ke liye shaadi kaun karta hai? Waise to bahut saare dushman hai tere. Kya sab se shaadi kar lega tu revenge ke liye? Bata!”

(Revenge? Are you serious? Is ‘dumb’ written on our foreheads? Who gets married for revenge? You have many enemies. Will you marry all of them for revenge? Tell me!)

The other three laugh at his words. I slowly turn my head towards them.

The moment my eyes meet Laksh’s, he gulps slowly.

“Zayran, main mAzAk ke mood mein nahi hoon. Tune use force kiya na shaadi ke liye?” he asks again, this time more seriously.

(Zayran, I am not in the mood for jokes. You forced her to marry you, right?)

I take a deep breath. “Jaa, jaakar us se puch le” I say calmly and sit back down in my chair.

(Go and ask her)

“Tu pehle mere se baat kar” Laksh says angrily and suddenly closes my file with force.

(You talk to me first)

I lean down slowly, open the drawer and take out a cigarette. I light it without saying anything and take a long puff. Smoke fills my mouth and then I blow it out slowly.

“Akhiri baar puch raha hoon. Sach sach bata. Tu usse pyar karta hai na?” Laksh asks again, his voice serious and demanding.

(I am asking for the last time. Tell the truth. You love her, right?)

I do not reply. My silence makes him more irritated. His jaw tightens.

“Are karte ho kya?! ye karte hai!” Om suddenly says loudly. “Laksh bhai, maine khud apne kano se suna inhe baat karte hue. Ye Grover se keh rahe the ki inke sasur ka sabse accha treatment kiya jaye taki wo jaldi acche ho jaye” Om continues.

(Of course he does, he loves her! Laksh bhai, I heard it with my own ears. He was telling Grover to make sure his father-in-law gets the best treatment so that he recovers quickly)

I take another puff of my cigarette, still not reacting to their words.

“Ye na apna ghar basane ke chakkar me the bahut time se aur ham sab ko bewakoof bana rahe the” Shaurya says with a dramatic tone.

(He was planning to settle down for a long time and was fooling all of us)

“Yaha se chalo, Laksh bhai. Yaha aapki koi izzat nahi hai. Aap bhabhi se milne chalo” Yuv says and starts dragging Laksh towards the door.

(Let’s go from here, Laksh bhai. You have no respect here. Let’s go meet bhabhi)

Before leaving, all of them look at me with judging expressions. Then they walk out of the room.

“Bewakuf log” I mumble under my breath.

(Foolish people)

I open my file again and try to focus on my work. But once again, the door bursts open loudly.

“Boss…” Grover’s voice comes from the door. I look up at him. He is breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling fast. His face looks tense.

Something has definitely happened.

“Boss, someone killed Ethan last night” he says. I stare at him without blinking. My expression does not change.

He gulps hard and nods his head quickly. “Yes, boss. I am hundred percent sure” he says again.

I slowly throw the cigarette away on the floor and crush it under my shoe.

“Who?” I ask as I get up from my chair and walk towards the window. My hands go into my pockets as I look outside at the sky.

“Someone named Raze. Everyone is talking about him only. The entire underworld is talking about him, boss” Grover says.

I keep staring at the sky. Killing Ethan is not something people can even imagine. Ethan was not weak. He was powerful. Feared.

“No one knows who he is or how he looks. But the way he killed Ethan… it is something no one has ever done till now. And he is the lord of the underworld now and…” Grover stops speaking.

I slowly turn towards him. “And?” I ask in a low voice. Grover looks down, unable to look into my eyes.

“His next target is you” he says finally. For a second, the room becomes silent.

Then a slow smirk appears on my face. “I’m excited to meet Raze now” I say calmly. A slow, dangerous smile spreads across my face as I look ahead, already waiting for the game to begin.

Vote aur comment karne ka kya lo ge aap log???? mai nahi bolti hu to meri mAsUmIyAt ka fayda uthao ge haaa???? mat karo yar aysa takleef hoti hai mujhe such me.

How was the chapter??????

Fav part?????

Ab sab cheezon me khulase ho ge dhere dhere. Zayran ka past aur sab cheezen dhere dhere samne aaye gi.

Aapna khayal rakho time par khana kaho, rest karo aur jin ke exams chal rahe hai acche se padhai Karo

Bye bye love you?? puchiiiiiii????????