“Arun you aren’t a kid anymore. Whenever, whatever you will do anything wrong, we can’t ignore that anymore. Look at this girl. What have you done to her? She doesn’t even know who you are and you just marry her in a whisk. You have made her life hell without any reason.”
At the door step of RM, Avni, Arun’s mother was spitting fire at Arun. The answer he gave to her, just simply added fuel into their rage.
“I wanted to marry her & I did. I never give any explanation for my deeds. You are wasting your time, Ma.”
“Arun!” Avni, Arun’s mother slapped him hard. During the whole drama, Sweata was standing behind Arun like a stone statue. She was shivering like a timid rabbit which was caught into a trap. Last few hours have been passed like a devastating storm. Suddenly getting someone who was caring to her, her all restrain broke; stooping on the ground, she started weeping bitterly. She was still in her light green, classy, cotton made anarkali churidar which she generally wore for her dance classes. Her hair partition, upper part of her forehead, nose was fully covered with vermillion which Arun had placed roughly with extreme hatred. Avni rushed towards her & gathered her into a tight embrace.
“No, beta. Don’t cry. Everything will be fine. It’s my fault. I am not a good mother. I failed as a mother. Both my children …”
“Ma!” Arun admonished. But Avni bashed him back,
“You have made your mother ashamed. You have ruined everything; a mother’s dream, pride and above all, a girl’s dignity. Why did you marry her? Both of you don’t even know each other. Why?”
“I can’t tell you. But I can assure you, she’s not a innocent one. She’s the one who trap rich guys. She’s the reason of….”
Immediately he stopped. After few second pauses, he added,
“I can’t tell you. But whatever the reason, we are married now. So she’s going to stay with us.” Then without giving any time, he strode towards his room. Hugging back Avni, Sweata once again began to bawl like a baby.
———————–
Avni, took Sweata to the home-temple, where Arun’s grandmother was waiting for them. Reaching there, she gifted an ancestral kangan, made of gold and iron. She also made her wear that. As Sweata was crying continuously, so wiping her tears, hugging her like a doting mother, Avni told,
“Sweata, I don’t know the reason why he forced you. Believe me, I had no idea. If I had, I could have stopped this marriage. But, now I am with you. I am assuring you, today onwards he can’t even think of harming you anymore. If he does, promise me, you will inform me then & there. I am woman after all. I can’t let you to be tortured by a man. ”
Sweata didn’t reply but nodded her head in affirmation. Suddenly she felt bit relaxed. At least, then she found someone to deal with that monster. Then she took, blessing of the elders. Holding her chin, Avni said smilingly,
“I always wanted a beautiful daughter in law. But Ma, must have pleased with me. She gave me the most beautiful girl. Stay blessed with wealth & children. ”
She kissed her forehead affectionately.
————-
That night, after comforting Sweata, Avni called Malin. At first she asked forgiveness on behalf of her son then she also requested him to come on next day with his whole family for a family lunch.
“Malin babu, I am extremely ashamed of my son’s behavior. I don’t know why he did this. But I know my son is guilty and I can’t erase that fact. It’s time for us; especially we elders, to think bit rationally. They are married now. We need to think of their future. I mean Sweata’s reputation. After all she’s a girl. I….I am assuring you, Sweata will be safe with me. Give me some times. I won’t let my son to harm her anymore, at any cost.”
Although Malin and Soham were planning to lodge a complaint but Avni’s plea made him to withhold his complain and redeemed his anger. Although Soham was adamant to inform police but Sweata’s mother, Garima stopped him harshly. Malin Gupta was a simple middle class man and was in extreme shock with these sudden turns of events. Sweata was his diseased sister’s child. He adopted her when she was just 8yrs old, after her parent’s death in a car accident. He adored her but he had his own daughter, Soma. She was also in age of marriage. So, later both Malin & Garima, accepted this sudden but most coveted opportunity to build up a relationship with more rich and reputed Roy family.
—————
Only God knows, how much Sweata was scared to share a room with that demon. She also denied when Arti & Devyani began to organize their so-called ‘Full-Sajja (wedding night).’ But, that devil himself declared that he had no intention to share his room with her. Even after Devyani and Arti’s uncountable pleas, scolding, threats, he remained stuck to his words.
—————-
“Sweata, promise me, don’t you ever try to contact with Soham. Please avoid him if he tries…”
“But Ma…..Though Avni Ma & dadi are extremely caring, but I can’t live with him…I can’t…”
Tightly hugging her ma, Sweata was crying like a child. On the very next day her parents came early in the morning, not only to console their daughter but also to cherish the sudden onset of their relationship with Roy family. Her mother spoke in almost an inaudible voice,
“Please beta, don’t cry. We can’t fight against them. They are rich and extremely powerful. And beta, please, just think of your father’s reputation, Soma’s future. We can’t afford to fight against Arun.”
Hearing her mother’s plea, Sweata continued sobbing and silently asked for her death, not only because of she had to live with this nameless marriage but also she was being tortured without any of her fault.
—————-
Post her so called wedding, with the help of both Avni & Devyani, Sweata was perfectly adapting all signature cultures and rules of Roy family. Apart from them, She also got a new friend within ‘Lali’, their pet dog. She played with Lali whenever she got leisure time. After Avni forced her, she even planned to resume her dance classes from next week. Above all these, because of her good luck, devil left the house on very next day of their marriage, without giving any excuse. She never saw him after that night. Now Sengupta & Roy families have become quite friendly as they also found their long lost East-Bengal connection
But there was another person whom Sweata yet not met, Arun’s sister, Aruna. She went out of station just one day before her marriage. She heard that Arun was extremely protective and possessive about Aruna who was highly ill tempered and moody. He never denies anything to her. After staying there, she also got to know few surprising information about that devil, like he studied MBA from IIM-Kolkata; immediately after his father’s death and at the age of only 26, he had to become the MD of Roy Industries, he is type I diabetic patient, a complete perfectionist and good hearted man; most shockingly, Soham was his best friend. Despite of all these major changes in her life, she remained unaware of the reason behind her shocking marriage.
——————
“Lali …where are you?…Lali …”
Sweata was looking for Lali for last half an hour. As Dadi and Avni went to attend a function, so she was alone with Lali. Lali slipped out from her room, when She fell asleep sometimes back. At first she confirmed that nobody among servants had any idea about Lali’s whereabouts. Then in search of her, she unknowingly entered into that part of the house, which she had been avoiding for last one week. After reaching inside the devil’s den, instantly she realized her mistake. When she about to leave, she heard a sound like Lali and forwarding towards the source she found a beautiful pool with a beautiful flower garden around it. Sweata was truly mesmerized by the beauty hidden behind the door. She felt that this pool side was the best part of that big palace like house. She never imagined that a private pool could be made just at the adjacent of a room, under a roof. She was looking every corner like in awe. But her trance broke with a thud of broken pots. While playing, Lali broke those. Now she was standing at the corner; behind the plants; looking extremely scared. Immediately Sweata ran towards her and gathered her into her arms.
“OMG!! Lali. Are you okay?” She started talking with Lali as if she was a human being and could understand her language.
“You know, you are very naughty. Dadi is making you naughtier day by day.”
Sweata was brushing her fingers affectionately over Lali’s pristine white furry body. She continued,
“I know this place is awesome. But Lali, this belongs to that ‘raksaash (demon)’. Thank God! He isn’t here. Or else he would have killed you or eaten you alive.”
In voluntarily, placing Lali on her lap, Sweata sat on the marble boundary of the pool. Kissing Lali’s temple, soothing her back, she added,
“ I can’t bear any torture on you. You are such a sweet soul, my friend.You must have known very well, he is a heartless, ruthless man. If he gets to know that you have broken these pots, he will definitely suck your blood before leaves you to drown into this water.”
“Ohh! Really? Then you know me well than anyone else in this world.”
Sweata heard the voice, coming from her back. She gasped loudly, instantly her eyes almost popped out from the sockets and her breath breath got hitched at once.
Within a second, realizing her current position Sweata almost jumped to escape from that place. But she remained unsuccessful and in that process, she almost landed just few inches away from her nemesis. Sweata’s mind became panicked so much that her hold got possessively tight over Lali who in turn began to scream in pain and squirm using all her might in a hope to save her dear life. As both the poor creatures were under firm scrutiny of mighty Arun, unknowingly a ghost smile appeared on his face. Forgetting their current equation, again being old himself, Arun began to tease her.
“Planning to kill her? Huh….”
He admonished huskily while Sweata loosen her grip around Lali who in turn, treacherously leaving her alone with Arun, ran out from the room. As much as her trembling senses were allowing her at that moment, she apologized before trying to leave pass Arun’s side,
“I…I am sorr…sorry. I shouldn’t be here. It won’t happen again.”
For her dismay, Arun instantly caught her wrist and pulled her roughly, so that she had to fall on his chest. Then he moved his face very close to her, so much close that she could feel the heat of his breaths on her face. With this sudden violation and out of horror, tears automatically began to flow from her eyes. She stuttered,
“I…I ..am…sor…sorry. It…”.
Surprisingly, seeing her pearl like tears on her porcelain like skin, for the first time, Arun felt bad for her. Actually he was in teasing mood and absence for last few days, had changed few emotions within his heart. He stopped hating her like he used to. Actually after collecting all background information about her, via a detective agency, he was quite impressed with her achievements. With these thoughts, he loosened his grip around her. Before he could tell anything to her or Sweata could escape from that place, a hysterical angry voice came from his back.
“Dada! … What are you doing?… I can’t believe this… How could you? … Even you also fell prey under spell of her magic…This witch… she is snatching everything from me.” Within a whisk of a second, both Arun & Sweata moved apart as far as they can. They stared back worriedly at Aruna. Arun immediately rushed towards her and tried to calm her down.
“Choti! You are getting me wrong. Let me explain…I…I didn’t even talk to her. She meant nothing to me…”
Aruna was crying hysterically; throwing her hands here & there; banging her head on the door. Arun tried hard to calm her but remained miserably unsuccessful. For the first time, Arun stared at Sweata with pleading eyes and insinuated her to leave that room. Watching all these, she also began to feel panic. Sudden turn of events made her shocked from the core. Covering her mouth to stop her erupting sobs, she sprinted out of the room.
—————–
1 hour later
Sweata’s door went banged opened and Arun entered into the room with blood shot eyes. Sweata almost screamed and retreated back in fear seeing his condition. Rather consoling her, authoritatively pointing his finger on her, Arun admonished scathingly,
“Don’t you dare to come near to me in front of her. I swear…. I will…”
Before he could finish Avni came from outside & stood in between them. “Arun, I hope this would be the last time I have to remind you. Now she is your wife. She belongs to Raizada family & Raizada never encourage in torturing their daughter in laws.”
“Whatever…But I don’t consider her worthy of any….”
“But you can’t change the truth. Whether you admit or not! She is your wife. If you have given a thought before forcefully marrying her, then all these things could have been avoided easily. Now you need to consider her as you wife as soon as possible.”
“Ma! Are you really Aruna’s mother? After knowing everything you are still supporting her. She is the reason, Soham abandoned our chhoti, that too only for her. How could you?”
“Arun! You have become blind in love. Why can’t you see, Soham never loved Aruna.”
“I can’t believe this. How could you support this girl? Before she trapped him, he used to love Aruna. That’s why Aruna became…”
Arun halted abruptly & next second hurriedly left the room. After his exit, Sweata fell on her knees and wept her heart out. Again Avni appeared to be her mental support like a real mother. Sweata couldn’t able to fathom the real reason behind her marriage. For the first time, she became angry with Soham for coming into her peaceful life and accused him for betraying Aruna.
“No, Sweata beta. Please don’t cry. Don’t curse him. It’s not his fault at all that my daughter is madly in love with him. She began to love him from the time she realized the meaning of love. But it can’t be his fault that he never reciprocated her love. Though Aruna told me long before but I am the one who kept it secret. Arun too had no idea about her feelings. Actually I was waiting for the perfect time to put forward this proposal to his family. Then all in sudden Soham declared about you and Aruna started behaving like insane. I don’t know what did she told to Arun but believe me, Soham never played with her emotions. I got to know the reason behind your marriage when I enquired Jeet. But it was already too late. I am the main culprit here for ruining everyone’s life. I should have talked to Soham long back or stop my child from loving him.”
Avni also began to cry. Immediately cuddling more into her arms, Sweata tried to reduce the pains of her remorse.
“Ma, please don’t cry. I am sorry. I had no idea about Aruna. Because of me she is suffering. I am the sole reason of her pain. I would have called off the wedding if I had any hint before.”
Avni negatively nodded her head. Ignoring her, Sweata added,
“I should have agreed with his order. These pains could have been avoided then. Before taking this drastic decision, at first he asked me to refuse Soham’s proposal but I didn’t believe him then. I think you need to talk with Soham and tell him about Aruna.”
Although it hurt her immensely, yet after a pregnant pause she included,
“I am married now. I think he can easily marry Aruna.”
Both them continued to console each other, share each others’ grief. But unknown to them, standing behind the door, one person heard their whole conversation; he was none other than Arun.
—————-
From next day Sweata tried every possible way to avoid Aruna who in turn never left no chance to rudely taunt her back, about her character, status, upbringing etc. Surprisingly, suddenly Arun’s behavior had taken almost 180° turn; strangely he was behaving bit friendly; still they stayed in different rooms, as much as possible to away from each other. Avni tried hard to mellow him down but he didn’t show any inclination to change his decision. Above all, he always remained silent whenever Aruna threw those jeering words at her. As Sweata was genuinely feeling bad for Aruna’s pain of losing her first love, she stopped minding her nasty words.
————–
Sweata had already resumed her dance classes after few weeks of her marriage. Avni also bought a brand new car for her and appointed a driver. Sometimes Avni also visited her in school and already built up bonding with Sweata’s favorite dance teacher Madhumanti Sen.
———-
It was Dhrupad’s (dance school) foundation day. Every year on that day all alumni, existing students, many media persons gathered there and organized a classical program at the school premises. Being the most promising dancer, Madhumati’s favorite student, Sweata had to take the charge of closing dance on that function. Because of the unavoidable late start, that program went on till 10:30 pm. As she was feeling little embarrassed for being so late, still she informed Avni and asked her to send the car after 10:30.
————–
On his way back to home, Arun received a call from Avni and the subject of that call was enough for raising his temper. At first he clearly denied but he had to say yes when a stubborn Avni declared that she herself was going to pick up Sweata from her dance school. After reaching there, Arun asked the security about Sweata. As they informed the venue, he incuriously approached towards the auditorium. With his first step inside the auditorium, all in sudden the lights went off and the host announced that following dance would be the last performance in the evening. As his surrounding went pitch dark, Arun had to stay rooted at the spot, just near the entrance, straight away from the main stage. Suddenly few blue/red/green neon lights lit up on the stage creating a celestial atmosphere and behind those smoky blue/green/red lights, Sweata emerged like a nymph in sea blue saree. It was the most enchanting vision in Arun’s life. Then she began to move her exquisite, curvaceous body rhythmically with a melodious, semi classical song, ‘Piya tose naina lage re’.
Forthwith, Arun apparently forgot to breathe. He saw her before and always found her beautiful. But today he found her in a different stature. He used to consider her as a mere dancer, but for the first time he realized the reason, why Soham fell head over heels in her love. End of the dance, when light came out and he involuntarily approached towards the stage where his talented beautiful wife was shyly yet elegantly gathering all applauds. Before he could reach there, someone stopped him from the back and after providing his identity that person, he asked him to join him to another room
———–
Sweata saw the massage from Avni that she had already sent a car. Before leaving, she went to Madhumati’s room to bid her a quick good bye. There she got one of the biggest surprise of her life. Mighty Arun was sitting and reluctantly chatting with her favorite teacher, Madhumati aunty. That time Sweata went glued at her spot. She almost forgot to blink her doe like beautiful eyes and gawked at him as if she was watching an alien.
Suddenly seeing her at the door, Madhumati addressed her merrily,
“Sweata! You were reluctant to show him. Look, I myself found your Arun.”
Both Sweata & Arun snapped at each other nervously.
“Why are you standing there looking at him like this? Is there any doubt, whether he’s your husband or not?”
Madhumati teased her mercilessly. Nodding negatively, Sweata began to blush like crimson. She was extremely tensed about his sudden appearance, mood and behavior. Suddenly getting up from the chair, seeing at Madhumati, Arun declared,
“ Mam it’s too late now. We need to leave?”
Madhumati nodded her head in affirmation. Somehow composing herself, Sweat bowed down her head to her teacher’s feet. She went almost paralyzed at that condition when Arun merrily joined her to take blessing from Madhumati. Resting her palms on their heads, Madhumati blessed them & affectionately told,
“God grace this wonderful pair with beautiful children and lots of love.”
Sweata thought she would be broken into tears immediately as Madhumati had no idea about how & why they got married, current status of her relationship with Arun. But after they stood up, in an instance she felt an assuring, friendly side hug from Arun who once again declared,
“We should leave now.”
—————
After they emerged from the room, they saw few students and few media people were still gathered there. Looking at them, Arun slowly slid his arms from Sweata’s shoulder to her saree clad petite bare waist. He had no idea, how his simple actions had already begun tormenting Sweata’s senses. People might not find anything special, but only God knows how she was feeling at that moment. She was overwhelmed with this sudden turn of event. She tried hard to ignore her nervousness, all running butterflies within her lower abdomen and goose bumps all over her body. She specifically began to focus on the praises coming from the people around them while unknowingly her devil handsome husband was busy in showcasing the world, his priceless possession, his beautiful talented wife by grazing his fingers at the side of her bare waist. Rest of the journey to their home was merely uneventful as both of them trying hard to douse the sudden eruption of undercurrent sexual tension within their heart.
In between, both of them remained unaware of the presence of Soham who witnessed the whole scenario outside the room. He went heartbroken beyond repair. That day, he once again came to watch Sweata’s first dance performances, post her marriage. He also came with the rose bouquet that he used to give his Sweata.
——————
Climbing on a tool, Sweata was completely engrossed in arranging the bottles on the upper most racks in the kitchen. Although maid was helping but she had to leave to attain Aruna’s sudden order. Suddenly she heard him to say,
“What the! Are you mad? Get down from the tool. NOW!!!!”
That voice itself was a taboo. It had always a negative effect on her; more precisely it always shook her whole existence. As a result she stumbled & made herself to fall on the marble floor. But before she could dangerously hurt herself, two strong protective arms grabbed her in the air. Even though her eyes were closed but she took only fraction of second to identify her rescuer. Now a day, she was quite habituated with that hypnotizing smell of cologne of him, as bumping with each other had become more frequent from that night. In reflex of saving her dear life, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face on his nape.
Arun went stilled at once. Her flowery smell, her soft warm body started playing havoc with his senses. He gaped at her beautiful face. Few tendrils of hair escaping to her face were making her look like a charming doll. True say the truth, that feeling was with him for last few weeks. He couldn’t deny that he was completely bewitched by the beauty and talent of his namesake wife. Her single glance was enough to increase his heart beats at a dangerous rate. He still remembered the day when he first saw her dancing in a semi-classical number ‘Piya tose naina lage re.’ He was completely mesmerized by not only her pure innocent beauty but also her talent. Involuntarily he thanked his luck for having this beautiful creature in his life.
His reverie broke when Sweata began to wriggle within his arms. So he loosened his grip and made her slender shivering form to stand properly.
“I…I am sorry. I…” She stuttered, looking everywhere except at him.
Composing himself, he spoke firmly, “Next time, no need to climb up like that. Next time onwards, you will ask maid to that. Do you understand? What if you got hurt?”
Sweata snapped her doe like big eyes. She went shocked hearing his concerned tone. Earlier, she had only negligible experiences of physical closeness with Soham. But she always felt little uncomfortable with those physical proximity before her marriage. Whereas with Arun, even by his simple gaze, she started feeling something different within her body that eventually led to uneven breathing, tingling around her midriff and a sudden blow of soothing breeze around the most sensitive spot of her nape. All these things had started from the day she saw the purest admiration for her dance, in his hypnotizing pair of chocolate brown eyes. In spite of the obvious undercurrent sexual tension, a pretty smile automatically dawned on her face. Down casting her eyes, after a pregnant pause she nodded her head in positive.
“What the! Say something.”
Staring back at him, this time being bit relaxed; she spoke before running out from the kitchen. “As you wish”.
————-
It’s been two months after Sweata’s marriage; Soham was trying hard to meet her. But his every attempt was failed due to presence of either Sweata’s family or his appointed body guards or sometimes Arun himself. Though he regularly received news of her whereabouts through one of their servants, still he wanted to talk to her. He was quite relieved after knowing that both Arun & Sweata were staying separately. They didn’t even talk much. But it bothered him that quite often she had been regularly being insulted by Aruna. In between Arun also forced or threatened him many times to agree with marrying Aruna. Yesterday he went over boarded and threatened him to hurt Sweata if he wasn’t agree with him. So, Soham decided to talk to her asap.
Few days later Sweata went alone to the temple. Grabbing the chance, Soham reached there immediately. After locating Sweata alone at a non crowded corner of the temple he automatically reached there. He called out her name softly,
“Sweata!”
Instantly she got scared and gasped loudly. Yes, it was surprising to both of them that Sweata became scared of Soham for the first time. But Soham took that in a wrong way. He though that because of Arun’s torture she was scared of him.
“Sweata, Please. It’s me. Are you okay?”
God knows why, ignoring his question, Sweata uncomfortably began to look here & there. Pearl like tears were flowing from her beautiful eyes. Instantly reaching near to her, Soham grabbed her shivering body and tried to wipe her tears.
“Sweata, please, jaan. Don’t cry. Please tell me once you are okay. I…I… never cheated on you. It was always you for me. I… I had no idea that Aruna loves me. You are…”
“Soham please…It…It’s over.” Sweata tried to stop him and leave the place.
Holding her shoulders firmly, Soham spoke again,
“Please Sweata. Don’t try to ignore me. Tell me once, are you okay? Did Arun ever harm you? Please tell me. I know that you are suffering only because of me. But…believe me …I had no idea about Aruna’s….”
Sweata silently protested and tried to wriggle out from his hold. Then pulling and pasting her to his chest, he held her chin up and asked her softly,
“How are you without me, Sweata?”
Before she could tell anything, they heard Arun’s angry voice. Instantly Sweata tried to get away from Soham but he forcibly stopped her & tightly caged her within his strong arms. She tried to pushed him with all her might but failed. Being helpless, she began to cry like a baby, especially after realizing Arun’s heated hateful gaze on her. Soham pleaded,
“Arun, please don’t hurt her. She is innocent. She always loves me. She never had any idea about Aruna’s feelings.”
Ignoring his begging, with few long strides Arun reached in front of them and punched hard at his face. He roared ruthlessly,
“You should have thought that before making my sister pregnant.”
Soham fell on the ground with that sudden blow while Sweata began to scream with his name. “Soham, Are you okay? Hey Maaa..!… Blood! You are bleeding Soham.” She tried to wipe out his blood in between his nose & lips. But before she could do anything, Arun roughly caught her arm and started to drag her out from that place. For next half and hour until they reached home, only few helpless prayers & angry growls continued to ring all over their surroundings.
“Arun..Please. Soham is bleeding… Please let me see him.”
“Arun please don’t hurt her. She is innocent….”
“Soham You have to pay for this. I can’t let you live happily after ruining my sister’s life.”
—————
“Arun please listen to me. Ahhh….. You are hurting me…. I… I am innocent. I had no idea. Soham himself contacted me. You have to believe me this time…I….”
“I have seen that how you were comfortable into your Soham’s arms. I have my own informers. So, next time, don’t you dare to play games with me.”
Arun dragged her mercilessly from car to the entrance of their home. That was first time he saw Sweata & Soham together. Only God knows that Arun could even murder him for touching his wife. How dared he to touch his Sweata; that too after playing with his sister’s life?
Reaching there when Sweata saw Avni, freeing herself from this, she rushed into Avni’s arms and sobbed bitterly.
“Arun, have you gone mad? What are you doing to her? She’s you wife…”
“Yeah! My wife. My so called wife who was within her boyfriend’s arms, just few minutes back.” Arun was trembling in murderous rage.
“What? I can’t believe this. I guess Soham was the one who came to meet her. She can’t do this without informing me.” Aruna admonished.
“Ma, please believe me… I..I had no idea. He came to meet me.” Sweata implored after falling on Avni’s feet.
“Shut up. Shut your dirty mouth. Do you have any shame left? You went to meet that man who made my sister pregnant. You…”
“What! Who? Aruna? Soham?” Avni cried out in shock. At first Arun went silent. After few seconds he began to tell the truth behind his sudden rivalry with Soham.
“Yes, Ma. Only because of this girl, Choti had to abort her child. This is the woman who seduced Soham and made him agree with the marriage. This girl is….”
Before he could any words against Sweata, Aruna screeched from behind.
“Bhai! I told you before. She’s a whore. She did it again. I told you before. She is a witch. She snatched my Soham. She is a whore. She…”
“Chhoti!” Arun rushed towards her as she had already began to behave like a hysteria patient. In the mean time, Avni fell on her knees while Sweata hugged her to redeem her pain.
“Chhoti. Please baby. Don’t cry. I promise…. I will talk to Soham. He has to marry you. He has no right to play with your emotions.”
“No he won’t marry me as long as this girl is alive. She should die. She…”
For the first time, Arun admonished her firmly. A sudden mere thought of Sweata’s death made him do that.
“Aruna! Behave yourself. You can’t tell this to Sweata. I have already promised you. Soham will be yours. No need to worry about her.”
Aruna stopped her acts instantly. She was shocked the way suddenly Arun scolded her. He never did this before. Hugging her shivering body; keeping his eyes on his wife’s hazel ones, Arun spoke affectionately,
“He will marry you. …I…I will make him agree with this proposal. I promise.”
————————-
Although Sweata tried yet Avni left the house with her car along with a driver. So, no one went behind her. In the mean time, Arun managed to calm down highly agitated Aruna but he also left immediately after Aruna fell asleep.
——————
Staring at nothing, a completely distressed Sweata was sitting in front of devi maiya’s idol. Suddenly their maid came & told, “Boudi (sister-in-law), Aruna didi asked you to meet her at the store room.”
—————-
When Sweata reached there, that room was pitched dark. She was a nyctophobic. She couldn’t even move or utter a single word in the darkness. Standing at the door step, she asked,
“Aruna. Are you here?”
Next moment the room lights lit up and Aruna spoke in a dangerously cold voice,
“I heard that you are scared of darkness.”
Sweata looked at her startled; quite suspicious about her tone. Her heart was thudding mercilessly. She wasn’t feeling good. Then Aruna added more,
“Come inside.”
Sweata stepped inside the room and following Aruna’s instructions went to sit in a chair at the furthest corner of that clumsy room. Meanwhile, Aruna began to approach to the door. Halting there for briefly, she looked back at Sweata & spoke again like a maniac,
“I heard that you can’t stay in the darkness. You need lights all around your surroundings. But you don’t deserve a life after pushing me into this lifelong darkness. You have to suffer like me. You need to feel the suffocation of living into darkness, complete helplessness. Above all, now you tried to snatch my Bhai. You don’t deserve any light.”
Then without any preamble she moved out from the room and shut the door with a thud. Sweata rushed toward the door. But before she could reach, that door was closed. She began to hit the door, screamed her heart out. But all her attempts went vain. Then suddenly the room turned into pitched dark.
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