Part 24
Mini was inside her room. She was not crying but she was in shock. It seemed like myriads of emotions were going through her but she could not express it. Last night’s incident was playing again and again in her mind. Try as much as she could but she could not bring herself to forget all of it. Though her bodyguard Rony arrived at just right time and nothing happened to her but Bobby’s lecherous eyes were following her everywhere. She still shivered in disgust whenever she remembered the feel of his hands on her. She had taken shower three times and washed her arms, shoulders, neck, lips numerous times since last night but the feeling was not going. After knocking out Bobby Rony had informed trip in charge from college management and all the faculty members. The have informed college principal about it and he was on his way to Manali. The news that Bobby tried to molest Mini had spread among all the students. Mini’s friends Sonal, Shruti, Aditi, Pooja all have been sitting surrounding her since then and were trying to console her and make her react atleast but she was not speaking to anyone. Rony had also informed Neil. Neil was also on his way. Neil had instructed Rony to inform police. Local police had taken Bobby in the police station however college management had requested them not to file FIR till they talk to Neil. Bobby’s parents have also been informed.
It was early morning when Neil arrived at the hotel. Rony was waiting for him in the lobby. “Where is she?....How is she?” Neil asked impatiently as soon as he saw Rony. “Ma’am is in her room. She is fine…shocked but fine and safe.” Replied Rony as he led the way and showed him Mini’s room. Neil opened the door and saw Mini was sitting among all her friends. She looked like a statue; lifeless. His heart broke seeing her like that. “Mini….” he called her name. Mini immediately looked up as the voice she was dying to hear reached her ears. All her friends also saw Neil. They left the room giving them privacy. “Mini…” Neil called again. Mini who was till now holding up her emotions let them flow through her eyes in the form of tears. She stood up and ran to him. Neil extended his arms for her and she threw herself in his protective embrace. She felt like finally she was in the safe space. Neil held her protectively rubbing her back to console her. She was hugging him so tight as if she wanted to vanish into his embrace forever. It was her safe heaven. Mini was crying continuously, “Neil, you were right….that Bobby…that dog….he is so bad….so bad….he tried to….he made me feel so dirty…..I was scared…..I was so….please take me away from here…I want to go home.” Mini said stopping in between as she had hiccups while crying. Neil on the other hand felt rage like never before rising inside him. He wanted to murder that Bobby in cold blood. But then he looked at Mini. Right now she needed him. He pushed her a little and wiped her tears. He asked her to sit on the bed and made her drink water. “I’ll take you home kitten. Please don’t cry.” Said Neil as he kissed both her eyes and hugged her once again. After sometime when he felt that Mini has stopped crying he stood up, “Where are you going?” Mini held his hand. “I need to teach a lesson to that Bobby.” Neil said as he clenched his fist to control his fury. “Please don’t leave me” Mini pleaded. “I promise I’ll be back soon.” Replied Neil and went out of the room.
He asked Rony about Bobby and went to the local police station where college principal and Bobby’s parents were also present. Bobby was sitting on a chair in front of Inspector's table. Neil entered there. His eyes scanned the whole room and spotted Bobby. He directly went towards him and kicked the leg of his chair. Bobby fell down of the chair. "How dare you? How dare you touch my wife?” Neil screamed. Neil picked him up by his collar and punched him on his face. Everybody present there including Inspector didn’t understand for few seconds what is happening and just stood there like a statue. Bobby’s screams brought them out from their shock and they tried to stop Neil. Inspector grabbed Neil from behind while two other officers held his both hands but Neil was so enraged that he pushed them with all his might breaking free from their hold. Neil again grabbed Bobby’s collar, “You laid your dirty hands on her….I’ll break it and chop it off your body.” Said Neil as he punched Bobby in the stomach. Bobby fell down on ground as he experienced excruciating pain. Neil held his right hand started kicking on it continuously while Bobby shouted for help. Inspector asked Rony to help and together all of them held Neil. “Mr.Oberoi, calm down.” said Rony. “Chhod bhi do mere bachhe ko. jaan le loge kya uski?” Pleaded Bobby’s mom. “Please, kanoon ko apne haath mein mat lijiye. Hume apna kaam karna aata hai.” Said Inspector. All of them somehow managed to stop Neil. “Agar itni hi achhi tarah se apna kaam karna aata hai toh ab tak FIR kyu nahi likhi?” asked Neil as he finally stopped beating Bobby. “College management had requested us not to file FIR as they wanted to talk to you.” Replied inspector. “Yes, Mr. Oberoi. We wanted to talk to you first.” Said college principal. “Itna sab hone ke baad bhi kuch bacha hai jo aap kehna chahte hain. Aap se hi baat ki thi na maine principal sir regarding safety issues of this trip and what did say…..didnt you assure me that everything is fine….this is how you take care of your students?” asked Neil almost shouting on him.
“I know Mr. Oberoi what happened is just unfortunate nobody had ever thought that any such thing will happen. And I will take action against this boy I assure you but please don’t push for FIR as college’s reputation is at stake.” Principal requested. “This leech here has tried to molest my wife and you are just bothered about your college’s reputation…wow…just wow…I want to clap for you. Rony is Mini’s personal bodyguard. If he weren’t there God knows what would have happened….Your college didn’t do anything to protect her….now you are expecting that I should let go of this matter. Shame on you.” Replied Neil. “Please beta….hum maante hain hamare bête se galti ho gayi…par uski puri life ka sawaal hai…please maaf kar do usko aur please koi complain mat karo.” Pleaded Bobby’s parents. “Galti aapke bête se nahi, aapse se hui hai ise paida karke phir use achhe sanskar na dekar….aur ab phir se galti kar rahe hain ise bacha kar…agar abhi isko iske kiye ki sazaa nahi mili to aage jakar phir se ye wahi galti karega….phir kisi ladki ko uski marji ke bina chhuega….ho sakta hai agli bar ise rokne wala bhi koi na ho….isse pehle ki ye aur ladkiyo ke sath koi harkat kare ise sazaa milni chahiye.” Replied Neil and asked the inspector to file FIR against Bobby. Inspector filed formal complaint and arrested Bobby.
Neil returned from the police station to Mini’s hotel where she was already waiting for him with her bags packed. Neil took her back to Delhi. Mini was upset during the whole journey. She kept looking outside the window all the time. Neil knew lots of things were going on in her mind. Though she didn’t talk loud but her expressions convey it all, that’s how he always knew that she was talking to herself and right now he could tell that nothing short of an inner battle is going on in her mind. “Stop thinking about it kitten. Forget it like a bad dream. The more you think the more it will hurt.” Said Neil as he pulled her towards him. “Lie down and sleep” Neil said as he made her lie down on his lap and started caressing her hair. Mini wanted to sleep as she was awake since last night. She felt tired but whenever she tried to close her eyes Bobby’s face would come in her mind and she opened her eyes startled from it. Though her friends were with her but she couldn’t shake off the eerie feeling that Bobby was watching her. But as now Neil was here she finally felt at peace. She closed her eyes and soon sleep took over her senses.
Neil and Mini came back. Neil already told Naeem about the incident and Mini’s state so Naeem bi welcomed her lovingly and made all her favourite dishes for lunch to cheer her up. Mini just gave a small smile to acknowledge her efforts nothing more than it. Neil shared worried looks with Naeem bi. “Give her sometime. Such incident can deeply affect a girl. I am sure she will be fine soon.” Naeem bi gave him assurance. Neil also informed Mini’s parents also but instructed them not to talk about it and make her remember it again. Neil thought of Mini spent some time with her parents then may be she will forget about the incident. Though he will miss her but Mini will be happy with her parents. Hanuman and Babita talked to Mini and tried to convince her to come Patiala to spend some time with them but Mini refused. Neil was surprised why she didn't wanna go. He sighed, he couldn’t think of any other way right now to make her normal again. On the other hand, Mini wanted to just stay with Neil, near him, all the time. She was too shocked and afraid to leave him right now.
At night Mini was walking in the garden when Neil came with her coffee. Mini looked at the cup it contained extra froth just like she loves it. “I know what all of you are trying to do. But its not needed. I am fine….just a little bit shocked but fine.” Mini said as she sipped her coffee. “Then why don’t you behave normal. Why upset over it?” asked Neil. “I am not upset….I am just trying to understand what went wrong? I considered him my good friend. He seemed fun loving guy to me….really I couldn’t even have guessed was going on in his mind all this while. I mean why he did that? He loved me, I can understand he didn’t know that I was married but when his misunderstanding cleared then why he….and he claimed that he loved me then after next few minutes he tried to molest me….thats what he called love…I wanted to ask him but couldn’t….while we were friends many times I gave gave him friendly hugs, hand shakes.....but I didnt knew he was a pervert....now I regret all of it...I..fought with him with all my might but I was so scared at that time….I didn’t know how will I get out of this and in what state…will I ever be able to see you again….” Mini trailed off as she couldn’t talk more. Her voice choked and she started breathing fast as the panic set in while reliving those moments. Neil immediately came near her, “Relax, relax. Take deep breaths. Calm down. Nothing happened to you. You are safe with me in our home…okay?” Neil said as he consoled her. Mini calmed down after few minutes. “How come Rony was there? You agreed to let me go without him.” Asked Mini. “I agreed that time but when you finally left in the morning I couldn’t stop myself from worrying about you so I asked Rony to go behind you. I knew you will be upset seeing him there so I asked him not to come in front of you and just keep a watch from distance.” Replied Neil. “Thank God he was there. I was so relieved when I saw him. I know its his job but still I will thank him personally tomorrow.” Replied Mini.
Mini was sleeping when somewhere around midnight she started blabbering something in her sleep. Neil woke up immediately put on the lights. “I don’t love you…you jerk..no…leave me…don’t touch me…NO” Mini screamed and came wide awake sitting straight on bed. “It was just a nightmare. Relax.” Said Neil as he offered her water. Mini looked at him and then at surrounding to confirm if he was saying the truth. She closed her eyes to shake of all the disgust and feeling of repugnance that came alive once again with the nightmare. She rubbed her arms and neck a few times. She felt nauseated suddenly and ran to the bathroom to puke. She again washed her arms, shoulders, face and neck as if to clean them. Neil went behind her to see if she is ok. Mini came out. He looked at her, she looked pale and her top was soaking wet in water. “What are you doing?” asked Neil as he brought fresh night dress for her. “washing myself…to get rid of that feel….but it doesn’t go….I don’t remember how many times I have washed it but it doesn’t go….I feel dirty….he made me feel dirty.” Screamed Mini as again angry tears made their way through her eyes. Neil lifted her in her arms when she didn’t move and made her sit on the bed. He helped her in change and put her to the bed again all the while wondering whether it was right to sent that leech to jail or he should have murdered him there only. Neil was disturbed by Mini’s state. That incident had affected her more than he had thought. And her state was breaking his heart every moment. He was confused for the first time about his such strong emotions about her. He felt he needed a cigarette. He was about to go outside when Mini held his hand. “Don’t leave me.” Mini pleaded.
Neil came on bed, “Ok, I am here with you now you sleep.” He said as he started to caress her forehead. “No, I need you….that disgusting feeling doesn’t go away…love me so that I can feel pure again.” Said Mini as she pulled him towards her. “It was that leech who was dirty in his intentions. You was and are pure. You don’t need my validation for it.” replied Neil as he cupped her face. Somewhere he understood her feelings. She wanted to wipe out that feeling of disgust. “Please….I want to feel loved….make me forget everything else.” Mini requested as for the first time she didn’t want to talk about it but only wanted an escape route just like Neil always wanted from her. For the first time she understood that Neil was not wrong entirely because some things are just better left without discussion. Right now it was one such situation for her. Her mind was so f**ked up right now because of all the thinking that she just wanted Neil to take her away from all this. And also some part of her was worried whether everything between her and Neil will be same as before or not. She was insecure and wanted nothing more than Neil in all ways right now. Neil saw the pain and yearning in her eyes and he couldn’t hold himself anymore as he leaned and kissed her lovingly. He placed soft feather like kisses everywhere on her body specially on her arms, neck and shoulders which had become red due to her continuous rubbing herself clean. He saw Mini had her eyes closed and tears were flowing from her eyes. He wiped her tears and whispered in her ears, “Give me all your pain and fears kitten.” Mini opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with so much love in his eyes. All her insecurities were vanished as she realised Neil will be by her side no matter what. She kissed him back giving all her anguish and agitation while taking assurance and equanimity in return. Neil knew Mini was needy right now so he took his sweet time to make her feel loved as he worshipped her body with his assuaging touches. Mini closed her eyes in content as she felt he claimed her making her feel loved and wanted again. She realized there was nothing wrong with her and there was not any change in his love for her. She wished she had the power to stop time so that she could freeze this moment forever where he lies deeply buried in her making her feel complete. Mini wondered how a mere touch against her will from any other person can fill her with self abhorrence and how intimacy with the person she loves with all her heart can reinstate her trust in herself.
After have taken some days off from college Mini decided she can't stay at home forever. She needed to get back to her life. She got ready for the college in the morning. “You look beautiful in Indian attire.” Neil complimented her as he checked out her Patiala salwar suit. Neil kept looking at her as she looked different but he couldn’t put his finger on that change. It was only when she tied her hair in a bun Neil could see her wedding chain. He turned her towards him and noticed not only magalsutra she had also applied sindoor today. Neil would have brushed off the ropic as she just wanted a change in her looks but somewhere he knew it was not about that. “What was the need of all this? mangal sutra, sindoor, Indian dress? What are you trying to prove and to whom?” Neil asked as he couldn’t hold it anymore. “I am not trying to prove anything to anyone I am just dressing in a way I am supposed to be.” Replied Mini as she continued setting her hair. “And why are you supposed to dress like this?” asked Neil though he knew her answer. “Because I am a married woman I should appear and behave like one.” Replied Mini as she averted her eyes from Neil. “Who has fed this nonsense into your head?” asked Neil as now he really wanted to know the name of the person because he or she would be next in his hitlist after that leech Bobby.
“No one in particular, when everyone came to know about that incident I heard some fellow students and also some teachers were talking that even they didn’t know I was married. What Bobby did was wrong but may be I have given him wrong signals by hiding my marital status.” Mini explained. “I cant believe in this era also people tend to be so judgmental about a girl’s character even if she is a victim.” Said Neil. “But you also wanted me to change my maiden name.” Mini said as she looked at him questioningly. “That was altogether a different matter. I wanted you to use my surname because you are my family now I didn’t mean to label you as married.” Neil explained. “But even I think if Bobby knew I was married since the beginning he would have never nurture any feelings towards me. And probably many people also thinks like that.” Mini argued. “F**k those people. You didn’t do anything wrong and you are not going to change your ways.They are wrong in thinking like that. Don’t prove them right.” Neil said as he took her to the wardrobe and selected a white top and pair of rugged jeans for her which was her favourite dress for college. “Change now.” He ordered. Mini came changing her dress. Neil removed the mangalsutra from her neck and moved his hand to wipe out sindoor from her forehead when she caught his hand. “Let it be for today. I’ll not put it from tomorrow. Its inauspicious to wipe out sindoor like that.” Replied Mini. “Since when you started believing in shagun apshagun?” asked Neil laughing at her. “I don’t believe in it but….its concerned with you…I don’t want to take any chances.”Mini replied honestly. Neil just laughed at her in reply and let her wear sindoor.
"Listen, Please remember this ok. whatever happened was because some people like that jerk and those who are blaming you can not control their perverted thoughts around women. Doesnt matter what they wear how they look how they behave those people will always judge them. But when you know you are right you dont have to bow down in front of anyone. You wanted to keep your individuality intact right? These are the times when you should stand up for it." Neil motivated her. Mini just hugged him in reply. "How could I have ever stop myself from falling in love with you? and How can I believe that you dont feel the same for me? I cant hold myself anymore. I want to shout out loud to the whole world that I love you and want to hear the same from you. I am just waiting for the right moment. Hope I'll get it soon." Mini thought and smiled.
to be continued.....
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