My eyes stared into the pitch black darkness that surrounded me as I shivered and pulled my duptaa around me as I moved my head around trying to find some light, but none. Only a small slice of moonlight made its way through a small window at the end of the room.
My feet stood cold like stone against the bedsheet that covered the small little bed that stood against the wall. I turned back and looked at the lamp as I tried to turn it on again, but it didn't.
I always had a fear of the dark and clearly today was no exception. Pitch darkness has always created an unknown fear in me and until this day I don't even remember initially caused this fear, but I do know that the fear exists and it always emerges in pitch black darkness...especially when I am all alone.
I don't know why this is happening to me...Never in my right mind would I have thought that I would be taken against my will by some strange man and then be locked in a small dark room. Never had I thought that my own brother would elope with someone's daughter. There were plenty of nevers' that all happened today.
That beast like face still flashed into my eyes as those eyes full of anger, rage, revenge flashed back. I shivered at the thought of him as I remembered the storm he had cooked back at home...How he pushed my father and then went on to destroy the peace of my house. How can someone be like this? Filled with so much anger and hatred.
I have to figure a way of getting out of here. Yes, I have to be brave and think of a way of getting out. For once be brave Guddan and gather courage to fight for yourself. I took a deep breath as I looked at the small window and iron bars that covered it. No...there is no way of escaping from there. First its' barred and second I won't be able it fit through.
My eyes wandered as I looked around and then my eyes fell on the door. I looked at the small door knob that was held against it. I knelt down as I peaked through the small key hole. A pair of guards walked back and forth across the lawn. My eyes slowly analyzing their pattern of movement as I noticed them walk all the way to the end of the estate and back towards the small room I was in. Maybe, I could escape when they are going towards the end of the estate. I mean I should run fast to avoid them.
But, how do I open this door. I looked around the room to try to find something that I could use to open the door. I looked around as I touched my duptaa and felt a small bobby pin held on to the sleeve of my anarkali. It was meant to hold the duptaa, but clearly the fabric had slipped out of it. I smiled as I quickly took off the bobby pin and fumbled as I bended the pin and began working my way through the keyhole.
It was indeed a struggle considering I was no expert at opening doors, but I tried my best. I don't know how long I sat there struggling with the door knob as I turned and twisted the pin. Until finally I heard a click. A small smile of hope appeared on my face as I turned the door knob and felt it unlock.
Quickly peering out the small gap I noticed the guard turn back and walk towards the estate. My eyes wandered to a female guard who clearly was sleeping as she sat next to my door. Fate is indeed on my side right now.
Run Guddan. Just run. I repeated the thought in mind and opened the door and made a run for it.
My feet moving cold against the green grass as I began running straight towards the front end of the bungalow. The grass cold and filled with dew as I felt small bits of ice latch on to my feet as I began running as fast as I could. Clearly, I was never a runner. In fact, I was the worst runner, but somehow something happened. Blood rushing into my face as I felt my muscles pumping. My breath rusting against the cold air as I ran across the lawn.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Guards began yelling as I looked around and saw guards emerging from all over...from different parts of the large lawn as I noticed guns? What? Are those guns? My eyes widened as I looked around and noticed a large pair of bushes heading towards the bungalow as I ran towards them.
Oh crap...Guddan you don't know how to jump bushes. You never dared to climb the small mango tree in front of your school then how can you climb a bush? My common sense spoke. But, somehow my emotions were getting the best of me.
I ran up to the pair of bushes and pressed my hands hard on them as I threw my feet up in the air and jumped across the bush. I felt a tinge of pain on my hands as I felt my hands scrape against the small wooden stems that collected together and produced the large bushes.
Turning my head around swiftly my eyes latched on to the unique scenery behind the bungalow. A large dark blue swimming pool snaked throughout the large green lawn as rose bushes and trees attempted to surround it and keep it hidden. My eyes wandered to a large marble porch that branched off from the lawn and led up to a series of stairs to a large brown French door that welcomed the backway to the house.
I noticed flashlights moving swiftly at me as I quickly began running as I heard footsteps follow me.
Lost was the word to describe my situation. Certainly, I had lost my path to escape as an attempt to avoid getting caught by the guards. Now all I could see was a dead end as hills appeared closely behind the background of the mansion. I took a deep breath as I tried to look for a place to hide.
What is happening? Why is this happening to me? I felt tears slowly running down my cheeks as I looked at a pair of trees that stood in the background of the mansion. Quickly making my way through I ran to the pair of trees and hid myself behind the large tree trunk.
My breath slowly moving up and down as I placed my hand on my mouth trying to stop myself from making any noise as I heard loud footsteps on the porch behind me.
"She's not here!" A guard yelled as others followed him.
"We have to find her! Sir is going to kill us if he finds out that she escaped because of our carelessness!" Another one yelled.
"She must not have gone far enough! Let's look on the north side of the estate ok?!" Another one ordered as I heard the footsteps scramble.
I peered out of the tree trunk as I peaked my head out and looked around. Breathing a sigh of relief I tip toed out as I walked on the cold, dewy grass looking around and trying to think of a way to escape.
A force suddenly clasped my mouth shut as I felt fingers digging deeply on it as I began screaming. Another hand wrapping tightly around my waist as it twisted me around. Coming face to face with the beast himself.
His hand laying tightly around my back as his other hand pressed tightly on my lips. I felt the scream in my throat dying down as it began to knot and tie up. The pulse of his hand pounding against my lips as I lifted up my eyelids. His eyes narrowed as his eyebrows lowered in anger. His hair lightly picking up as the cool breeze of the night ran over it. I stood still trying to not say a word as I prepared myself to face his anger.
"No one has ever dared to disobey me...No one. How dare you not obey my orders?" His teeth clenched tightly as his hand stood still against my mouth. My breath lightly heating up his hand as I lowered my eyes in defeat.
I felt something cool against my wrist as something sharp touched it lightly. I lowered my eyes as they bulged in fear. Is that a blade? Oh my God.
No, no, no. I closed my eyes shaking my head as I felt the knife close to my wrist...barely touching it. My breath standing still as I felt my heart beat fluttering up and down as my waist touched against his stomach lightly as I felt his stomach moving up and down against my waist.
"Please...I am sorry..." I whispered against his hand as a tears slowly rolled down my cheek as I shook my head.
"Then you shouldn't have challenged me...When someone dares to challenge me...They have to face consequences" His voice low and husky as he laid his lips lightly against my ear. My ear heating up as lips lightly went against it...teasing it and inducing fear as his voice rumbled through it into my mind.
"Please...forgive me now...I will obey you...I promise," I whispered as his head leaned lightly against my right cheek as I felt the blade lightly twist and turn against my wrist.
"How dare you challenge my authority? Maybe I should end this problem right now..". He muttered as he played with the blade against my wrist as I shook my head.
"I'm sorry...please," I whispered as I closed my eyes shut.
He lifted his head and turned his face towards me as I looked back up at him. The blade slowly lifting from my wrist as he took a step forward as I took another one back. His hand slowly releasing from my mouth as his hand stood still against my back. I turned my head around as I noticed the pool water almost an inch away from me. My eyes widening as I suddenly grasped on to his arm tightly shaking my head.
"Please no! I don't know how to swim!" I yelled as his land lightly pushed me back as I wrapped my hand tightly on his arm trying to push myself forward.
"I am sorry! I said it multiple times...forgive me...I promise I will not try to escape," I urged him as I digged my fingers into his arm trying to hold ground.
He stopped as he turned me around back towards the lawn and pushed me back. I drew myself further away from him as I shivered against the cool breeze of the night.
Akshat stood still as his eyes trailed towards me as I gripped on to my duptaa tightly trying to avoid any eye contact that could possible trigger him again.
"Where the hell is everyone?! Huh! Where is everyone?!" Akshat began yelling as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out towards the lawn.
A sound of footsteps occurred as a group of guards ran up towards us.
"Sir...I..."
A loud smack echoed through the lawn as Akshat slapped a guard across his face as he went on to punch his stomach.
I stepped back as I placed my hands on my ears as he went to shout and scream violently as he began punching another guard. It was an outright horror and violent sight as he turned himself into the devil as he proceeded to create chaos.
"Is this what I pay for?! Huh?! You all are weak! You couldn't keep an eye on a girl and then you act all tough! Huh!" Akshat yelled as he grabbed another guard's collar.
"Tell me! You all slimes...low lives...walk around on MY property like you yourselves own it! Huh! Well...let me tell you that Akshat Jindal is the boss of this place and if you all do not get your act together...You all will see the worst of me! Do you hear me?!" He screamed as the guards went into silence and shook their heads in silence as Akshat went on his rant.
I stood behind him attempting not to make any sound to divert his attention towards me. Indeed I felt bad for the guards who were suffering because of me, but all I wanted to do was escape from this place.
"Now go and do your jobs! Do you hear me?!" He roared as the group of guards made a dash for it and returned to their held positions on the lawn.
Akshat turned around swiftly as he grabbed my hand and dragged me back to the small room on the estate. I walked in silence with no resistance. Somewhere my soul was feeling defeated. After what I had seen him do to the guards...I realized that indeed it was futile to attempt to escape. It's not possible to escape at all.
I walked into the room in silence as I followed him. He grabbed my hand and walked me to the bed and pushed me down as he stood in front of me.
"Get one thing in mind that escaping from Akshat Jindal is not a child's play. What I did outside tot eh guards and treated them was a demonstration to you...The way I placed that blade against your wrist was also a demonstration of what I can do...So, next time you think of escaping without my permission remember these two moments ok?" He repeated as I nodded and fixed my duptaa.
He walked slowly to the small sofa chair across from me and sat down on it as he placed his leg over the other. A small smirk appeared on his face as he placed his hand on his mouth.
"Uff...waise...quite daring the way you escaped. Quite smart," He spoke in a husky voice as he looked up at me. I bit my lip as I looked up at him.
What is he saying? Is he playing a mind game with me? Is this a trick? Stay quiet Guddan. Do not speak or reply.
"I never saw a girl like you..." He hissed as I lifted my eyes and looked up at him in curiousity.
His eyes trailing all over my body as I placed my dupatta on both of my shoulder and my hair in front of my shoulders trying to protect myself from his impure gaze free of any innocence. He placed his thumb lightly on the corner of his lip as his smirk grew at he looked at me.
"That innocence mixed with that hint of smartness...Deadly...Never saw a girl like you," He whispered. I felt my cheeks heat up as his gaze stood still. I played with my dupatta nervously as I wrapped it around my finger.
"Waise...your fiance didn't show up yet," Akshat muttered at I raised my eyebrow.
"I mean...you are getting married in two days. If I was your fiance I would have gone crazy looking for you, but khair...only some men can do that not all," Akshat spoke as he smirked.
We sat in awkward silence for fifteen minutes. Not moving an inch he sat on the sofa staring at me without looking anywhere else.
"Nice talking. Anyways, don't try to leave again alright?"Akshat announced sarcastically he slammed the door shut.
There is no hope. No hope at all. Indeed everything has broken has apart. There is no hope in sight...clearly...the only way I can get out of this place is if Adi bhai returns with Lakshmi.
God, I miss my family so much. There is not a day I stayed away from them...I wonder how they are. What if Akshat hurt them? Oh no...No Guddan think positive everything will be fine. Nothing will go wrong. Everything is fine.
****
False hope is something I thrive on. In fact I always thrived on it as a way to survive college. College was brutal and intense and the only to survive was always placing a fake hope in my mind that somehow I would miraciously ace my organic chemistry exam despite not understanding chemical reactions, or ace in biology lab or finally pass final exams with flying color. Unfortunately, my false hope never seemed to realize and I always fell flat upon it.
My eyes wandered out the small window as I noticed the sun high up in the sky indicating midday. I rubbed my eyes as I looked out at the sun and sat back down on my bed.
I twisted my hair back in a loose bun as I felt my stomach grumble in hunger. I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch and clearly the hunger was getting to me. No matter what the problem, hunger is not something that is inhibited in any type of situation for me. It's just something that I cannot tolerate. I rubbed my stomach as I walked around in the room.
Oh God. I cannot tolerate this hunger at all. I looked at the empty water jug and rolled my eyes as I rubbed my tired, aching eyes that burned. Lack of sleep clearly was getting to me, but yesterday's scenes kept playing back in my mind whenever I closed my eyes hence not letting me sleep all night.
For the last eight hours I had been staring at the wall, out the window or at the bed sheet. Waiting patiently for news that Adi bhai was found. Clearly, he wasn't found or a commotion would have been created by now by Akshat Jindal.
I felt myself dizzy from hunger as my mouth went dry. Great another problem at hand. Why does this always happen to me? I placed my head down on the pillow in frustration as I felt my bun loosen as my hair fell apart again.
I heard the door knob click as I lifted by head up and saw Akshat walk in with a guard. I quickly got up from my bed as he walked up to me.
"Waise...your bhai may be smart, but he's nothing in front of me," Akshat announced as I raised my eyebrow. Wait, did he find Adi bhai? Hopefully he did.
"Did you find Adi bhai?"
"We will soon. If I reveal everything to the enemy then wouldn't that be my loss?" Akshat replied as a small piece of hope appeared inside of me. His words slightly hinted that he likely has gotten more information on Adi bhai. Perhaps, he might be found soon.
I felt my stomach grumble loudly as Akshat turned his head swiftly towards me as I felt my cheeks redden in embarrassment. I sat down on my head as I felt lightheaded again.
"Did she eat today?" Akshat questioned his guard.
"Um...no sir. I don't think so,"
"What?! What is wrong with you! Huh! Is this what I pay you for? Do I have to tell you everything?!"Akshat yelled as I felt myself trembe at the sound of his voice.
"Well, um...sorry. We'll get her something," The guard replied.
"Now Sumeet. When I say something it has to be fulfilled immediately. Now go!"Akshat ordered as the guard quickly scrambled out of the room.
"And you...why are you crying?" Akshat questioned me as I quickly wiped away my tears. I myself don't know why I am crying. It's likely everything that is making me cry...me being taken away by a stranger, my brother is missing and then staying away from my family and living all alone. It's all too much to bear.
"Speak! I am ordering you!"
I quickly gathered all my courage as I looked up at him.
"Um...I have never been away from my family. I miss them," My voice barely making through the entire sentence. A small tear rolled down my cheek as I looked up at him.
In the corner of my eye I noticed him walking up to me and taking a seat next to me. He took a deep breath as he turned around and looked at me. His hands clasped into each other as he played with them.
"Well...don't think I will be caught in this sympathy trap. I don't trust women easily, He replied as I dabbed my dupatta on my cheeks lightly as I felt my eyeliner running down my cheeks. I looked away from him.
"I am not crying for sympathy..." I replied as I placed my hand under my dupatta.
"Here," I looked below as a hand holding a handkerchief appeared in front of me. I looked up at Akshat as he held a handkerchief. I grabbed the handkerchief as I wiped my tears away.
At that moment something felt different. He was different. His eyes signaling some emotion was hidden behind that dark cloud of anger and frustration that was built inside of him. Perhaps, I was reading him wrong or perhaps I was right.
"What is happening here?" My eyes shot up as I looked an elderly woman standing in the doorway as she looked at us in curiousity.
"Dadi..."Akshat muttered as he looked up at her shocked.
********
-Ok I wrote a lot and used a lot of energy writing both of these parts in the last few days. So, please comment! 😆 Your comments motivate me to continue writing and feedback motivates me, so please provide feedback 😃 Thank you so much for reading and commenting 😃 Also, sorry for any typos.
-Jasmine ⭐️
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