Part 23
As the days to go on trip came near Mini tried each and every method to convince Neil to let her go but he didn’t budge. Mini warned him that she will go to Patiala leaving him, she tried to seduce him, she threw tantrums like kids but she could not change Neil’s mind about it. As a last resort she decided to forge his sign on consent form and submit it in the college. She packed her bags and hide it in her closet. She planned to go to her friend Sonal’s place a night before on a pretext of a slumber party and then leave with them in the morning. Mini knew Neil would be upset and very angry with her but the trip is worth all that trouble and once she will return she will say sorry to him. She smiled at her perfect plan.
As per her plan she already submitted consent form in the college. Next day Mini was supposed to go at Sonal’s place in night but as the time came near she started feeling nervous about the whole plan. She was feeling guilty of cheating Neil and she was now also scared of his anger once he will come to know about it. She also had a half doubt that he will come behind her to Manali and will bring her back here. But the excitement for the trip was also no less so mustering up the courage she decided to follow her plan. She lied to Neil that she was going to slumber party at her friend’s place but Neil was sitting in the bedroom he was not going out and Mini was thinking how will she take her suitcase with her in front of Neil.
“What happen? You have to go the party right?” asked Neil looking at her confused expressions. “Yes….yes I am going.” Said Mini nervously as she couldn’t think of any idea on how to fetch her suitcase from the closet. When Neil again gave her questioning look she started to go out of the room looking back every now and then trying to think of some trick. “Wait. You forgot your bags.” Said Neil. “Bags…what bags?” Mini asked nervously. “You are going on a week long trip. You will need many things for that. Answered Neil. Mini stopped at her place hearing his words. She was shocked how come Neil knows about her plan. She looked back at him to lie about it. Neil was looking at her directly challenging her to deny this fact. Mini couldnt say anything as she looked down embarrassed at being caught red handed.
“Neil, I am sorry…I…” Mini tried to explain herself. “Come here” said Neil as he crooked his finger gesturing her to come near. Mini gulped hard. She felt as if she is a naughty student who is caught by her teacher and now she was called for receiving punishment. Mini walked towards him looking down in guilt. She closed her eyes as she thought now any moment he is going to shout at her. But Neil extended his arm towards her and held her hand. He pulled her towards him and made her sit on his lap. “Its ok, its not your fault entirely. I pushed you too much.” Said Neil as he put back some lose strands of her hair behind her ear. “How did you know?” asked Mini now feeling even more guilty as he was not angry with her even after knowing what she was going to do. “Since you were insisting so much to go on that trip I called your principal for taking details about it and share my safety concerns. He assured me about it and said he already got consent form signed by me. That’s how I realized what you must have done.” Replied Neil.
“And you are not angry on me?” asked Mini. “I was angry…in fact very angry at that moment but then I thought what made you take such a drastic step and I realized that what you must be going through. You always said that your parents were overprotective for you to the extent that you felt suffocated sometimes and whatever happened that day…I was behaving in the same manner. This tour is important for your course and also I know how much you love to travel different places.... I am sorry.” Neil answered. Mini was touched by his words. “Its ok. I can understand you were worried about my safety.” Mini said as she cupped his face. “Yes, that day when Naeem bi told me about it and when I saw that bandage on your forehead….I don’t know what happened to me….I felt like keeping you safe in my arms forever from the whole world. But I forgot that you want to fly high and I was being selfish here keeping you caged chopping off your wings.” Replied Neil. “You are not selfish. Even I would prefer to be in your arms always. Whenever you hug me I feel like I am home. I would not exchange its warmth and comfort even for the greatest treasure of the world.” Said Mini as she kissed him on forehead. “But yes, I have my dreams and I want to chase them and for that I have to stay away from you sometimes.” She added further.“I know and as I promised you before our marriage I would never stop you from pursuing your career.” Said Neil as he smiled at her. “So, Neil I was wondering…if you have no problem now….can I go there without Rony?” Mini asked seeing that Neil is not angry so may be he would agree on this point also. “Now you are trying to take advantage of my goodness.” Replied Neil as he raised his eyebrow at her. Mini laughed at his words but pleaded again making innocent cute face. “Please please…pretty please hubby…maan jao na…please..for me.” “Ok fine! Drama queen.” Neil agreed as he laughed at her antics.
Now that I have agreed to let you go. No need to go to that party. You will be gone for whole week so spend some time with me.” Neil suggested. “There is no party.That was just an excuse.” Replied Mini as she giggled. “No one can match your talent in making excuses.” Neil chided her. “There is something more in which I have become talented under your guidance….wanna try?” said Mini as she ran her hand along his abs and chest suggestively. “Stop it you nymphomaniac. God! I think I have created a frankestein monster.” Said Neil as he laughed at her. “Yes, now you have to bear the consequences.” Mini also laughed with him. “Its you who will have to bear the consequences of all the scheming and planning you made and all the lies you told me. You are becoming naughty day by day and I am gonna punish you hard for that.” Neil said while sliding his one hand inside her top and squeezing her waist a little giving goose bumps to Mini. “But I’ll do it sometime later. For now I have a plan. Lets go for a long drive.” Neil suggested. Though Mini was more interested in the punishment but she liked the idea of long drive also. so she agreed. Both of them came in the parking. Neil asked the driver to bring out the old car. Mini looked at the car in amazement. It was a classic looking Mercedes car. Neil took the keys from driver and asked him to stay back. Neil opened the gate for Mini and himself took the driver’s seat. “This is my dad’s first car. He used to take me on long drives whenever he had time.” said Neil. Mini could see how attached he is with his dad and his memory. “I never allowed anyone in this car with me but I was thinking to take you for a drive in this car for sometime now.” Neil said further. Mini smiled at him and hugged him. “That’s because you never loved anyone in your life before me. If only you realize this soon….” Mini thought. They enjoyed their long drive and ate ice cream on their way back then spend rest of the night in each others arms cuddled up in the bed.
Next day Mini left for Manali. She enjoyed a lot there. They visited Solang village and captured its beautiful snow clad landscapes as they learned about the technicalities of nature photography. They visited Rohtang pass and played there in snow to their heart’s content. Mini participated in all adventure activities like paragliding, zorbing, river rafting but her favourite was flying in hot air balloon in which she felt like she is literally flying in the sky….floating without any shackles or restrains. She missed Neil dearly but all the activities and beauty of Manali kept her busy. They also visited the famous Hidimba temple and Manikaran town to capture its scenic beauty then they made trekking trips to Beas kund and Chandratal. Mini felt this trip was soul touching.Towards the end of the trip everyone decided to just relax and enjoy bonfire arranged on a hill top located at some distance from their hotel. Mini didn’t feel like going so she stayed back. She was sharing room with Sonal. Sonal insisted her to come as everyone was going Mini would be left alone but Mini refused saying she is tired. By now Mini was missing Neil so much that she was not liking anything. She just wanted to fly and reach out to him. She knew only one day left for the trip but she couldn’t wait to see him so she decided she will make a video call to Neil tonight. She was about to call him when she heard a knock on her door.
Mini wondered who was there at the door as everyone was at the bonfire. She had changed in her night wear. Her top was sleeveless and its neck was also low than normal so she quickly took her shawl and wrapped it then opened the door. “Bobby, what are you doing here?” Mini asked. “Mini I didn’t see you at bonfire then I came to know that you were not feeling well so I thought to pay you a visit.” Replied Bobby. “I am alright Bobby. I was just tired.” Said Mini and waited for him to leave. “I am also tired…I was thinking we should spend sometime together….can I come in?” asked Bobby. “Bobby, I am alone here. I cant allow you to come in.” replied Mini. “I…I…brought something for you. Atleast look at it.” Said Bobby as he handed over her one packet. Mini took it and opened it. She saw many pictures of herself right from the day one on this trip to this morning. She gasped looking at it. No doubt they were beautiful but she felt uneasy. Bobby was her friend and it was not normal to click pictures of 'just friend' obsessively. She didn’t realize that lost in her thoughts she had moved away from the door. Bobby stepped in as he got the opportunity and closed the door.
Mini looked up at the sound of door. “Bobby, I said I cant allow you in my room and why did you closed the door. Open it now.” Mini said sternly. “Mini, relax. Please listen to me then I will go.” Bobby requested. “I don’t want to listen anything Bobby. Open the damn door.” Mini said again a little loudly now. When she saw Bobby is not moving she herself went to open the door but Bobby held her hand. “Please Mini. I request you. Please ek bar meri baat sun le. Main pakka chala jaunga phir. Who baat ye hai ki…I…I am in love with you.” Said Bobby. “What? Are you out of your mind? You know I am married.” Replied Mini shocked from this revelation. “I know Mini….but I also know that you are not happy with this marriage. Your husband is abusive and dominating and doubts on your character. I know you are trapped in this marriage. But don’t worry I will bring you out of this mess.” Said Bobby. “Bobby tumhara dimaag puri tarah se kharab ho chuka hai. Kya bakwaas kiye ja rahe ho ye?” Mini asked angrily. “Mini, you only said that your parents married you off too early without your consent and then that day when I dropped you home you were so scared to face your husband and that body guard whom your husband send to spy on you.”Explained Bobby. “Baap re Bobby. I used to call you stupid only jokingly but you are seriously a gone case. All those things …..i didn’t mean any of it. All was said either in frustration or it just had different connotation to it. ”Mini clarified as she put her hand on her head thinking how this stupid boy can take everything literally.
“I know you are lying. You are scared of your husband. But you don’t have to be. I am with you.” Said Bobby. “Stop it Bobby. Apni bakwaas band karo. I love my husband. ”Replied Mini as she was losing her patience with him now. “Does he loves you back?” asked Bobby. Mini suddenly went silent on this question as she herself didn’t know the answer. Bobby smiled creepily at her silence. “I knew it. You are not happy with him.” Said Bobby as he came close to her and held her hand, “I love you so much Mini. I am ready to accept you even if you are married. ”Said Bobby. Mini lost her cool after that. She pulled her hand away and slapped hard on Bobby’s face. “Get this thing very clear in your little head. I love Neil and I am very happy in my marriage. If you don’t want me to complain against you to the college management for coming into my room like this then just get out from here right now.” Mini said warning him. Bobby touched his cheek where she slapped and closed his eyes to control his anger. When Mini saw that he is not moving she held his arm and pulled him towards the door to throw him out. She was about to open the door when Bobby didn’t let her and jerked away her hand to free himself. Mini staggered back with the push and fell down. Her shawl came off revealing too much of her fair skin. She stood up immediately and looked at Bobby who was staring at her in lecherous way. She felt disgusted and realized her shawl lying at the floor. She moved her hand quickly to pick it up but Bobby stopped her as he caught her hand.
“How dare you to touch me?” Mini asked angrily. Bobby who was already angry on being slapped didn’t like the challenging tone in which she was talking to him. He angrily pushed her towards the nearby wall. When he came near her Mini could smell alcohol from him. “Leave me Bobby. You are drunk. You don’t know what you are doing. You will regret it later.” Mini said as she tried to push him. “Regret to tum karogi Mini, mere pyar ko thukrana.” Bobby threatened her. Mini screamed at top of her voice for help. “Nobody is here. Everyone is gone for bonfire.” Bobby reminded her with evil smirk on his face. Mini wanted to wipe out that smirk from his face. Her mind went blank for few seconds when she felt he was touching her. Bobby ran his finger from her elbow to upper arm then to her shoulder and neck. He then traced her lips with his thumbs. Mini closed her eyes feeling nauseated. Bobby's eyes then fell to her cleavage. Mini could see lust in his eyes and that scared her. She tried to push him again but he pressed her more with his body weight and Mini desperately tried to free herself as she was getting repulsed by the very feeling of his bodyweight over her. His hand then started moving towards her chest and he was about to grope her. Mini convulsed in disgust and rage. Angry tears made her eyes wet and taking strength from that she kicked him in the groin with all her might before he could touch her any more. Bobby screamed in agony. Mini got the opportunity and ran towards the door. She tried to open the door as quickly as possible but her hands were shaking. Before she could open it Bobby caught her hand again. Mini again screamed for help. “How dare you hit me? I’ll teach you a lesson this time.” said Bobby and raised his hand and slapped her. Before he could do anything further suddenly door was kicked open. They both turned to look who was there. Relief washed over Mini as she saw Rony was standing at the door while Bobby looked scared. Mini pulled her hand and ran to Rony. “Thank God you are here Rony. This man…he tried to…tried to…..” Mini couldn’t complete as she started crying. Ma’am you wait outside.” Said Rony in his robotic voice and handed over her shawl to her. Mini quickly got out of room. Bobby tried to run away but Rony held him by collar and punched him in the face knocking him down.
to be continued....
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