The Marriage
Episode 2
#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction. Any relation to any person or organism living or dead is purely coincidental. This story cannot be published, copied or reproduced elsewhere without the consent of the author Rhituparna Chakraborty. This is a work of imagination with no intention to hurt anyone.
A shiver went down Saanchi’s spine. Time seemed to freeze there. Kushal was unaware that Saanchi was there. Saanchi shivered. Her eyes stared at the sight. Her entire world turned upside down. She had no clue what was happening and what should she do now. Trembling, she walked back softly, ensuring Kushal did not see her. Tip toeing, she went back to the bedroom. She softly closed the door. She was shivering and sweating at the same time. She quickly changed her dress and wore a pair of cotton baggy trousers and a dark colored loose t shirt ensuring every part of her body is covered. Still trembling, she looked for her phone. It was in her purse. She knew she had kept it there. She ransacked her purse looking for her phone. The phone was no where to be found. She gasped. This was all well planned. Her phone was confiscated. She could not call home. She could not seek any help. She quickly packed her bags and looked outside. It was pitch dark.
She knew she had to get out of here. She had no clue what Kushal was. Yes, not ‘Who?’. It was ‘What?’. She tiptoed to the living room and tried to open the front door. It was locked. She twisted and turned the knob, but the lock wouldn’t budge. She was trapped. She tightly shut her mouth with both her hands to stop herself from screaming.
Suddenly, she heard some noise. It was Kushal. She had to rush to the bedroom. Kushal should not know that she had seen him in that look. She walked fast, yet softly, to the bedroom, closed the door and sat in front of the dressing table pretending she had seen nothing and she knew nothing. Looking at her petrified face in the mirror, she quickly washed her face and started applying moisturizer. Kushal came in. Saanchi saw him from the mirror. He was not draped in that Saree any more. He was wearing a pair of track pants and a collared T-Shirt. He snorted once or twice as if he was inhaling something. Saanchi started trembling. Her heart started throbbing. Kushal was coming closer to her. Kushal came closer. With shivering hands Saanchi pretended to comb her hair. Saanchi was seated on the stool in front of the dressing table. Kushal bent slowly, touched Saanchi’s shoulder tenderly, brushed her long silky strands of hair aside. Saanchi shut her eyes tight. Kushal was about to kiss the soft skin on the back of her neck, when she quickly turned around and pushed him.
Kushal looked at her surprised. His eyes were red and drowsy. His body was slightly wobbly. Saanchi realized, she did a mistake by pushing him. She shouldn’t have done that. What if he comes to know that she had seen him, what will he do! She tried to smile and said, ‘ Uh huh, I…I… I am sorry Kushal. I was so absorbed, I got scared when you suddenly touched. I am sorry.’ Kushal smiled. His eyes still intoxicated. He gently pulled her closer to him. He held her waist with one hand and caressed her cheek with the other. Saanchi’s heart throbbed. She wanted to scream and cry. But, she knew she couldn’t do that. Kushal came closer and closer to her lips. Saanchi suddenly said, ‘ Wait.’ Kushal was taken aback. Trying hard to smile, Saanchi said, ‘ Kushal. I know, it’s little weird.. b..b..but, I got my periods today.’ Kushal stood there staring at Saanchi. He replied amazed, ‘ What?’. Trying to sound calm, Saanchi said with trembling voice, ‘ I..I am sorry for ruining our evening.’ Kushal smiled. His smile was spine chilling. He said with a drowsy voice, ‘ Wow! And I have you all to myself only till tomorrow!’ Saying that he smiled wickedly and walked away. Saanchi stood aghast. ‘Till Tomorrow? What did he mean by till tomorrow? What after tomorrow?’
Saanchi sat on the bed covering her face. She had to get out of here. But How? There was no human being around other than Kushal. She did not have her phone. How will she get out of here? Thinking that, she started crying. She missed her parents. She missed her friends. Who will help her now? She sobbed like a baby.
Just then she heard a thud outside. She rushed to the window. She saw the driver who had drove them here. He was here. Can she ask him for help? No, not directly. Maybe, on the pretext of getting something, maybe he could take her to some market place from where she could call her parents. But, it’s late night now. She couldn’t do this now. Tomorrow morning, she would ask the driver to take her to the closest market place here. Reason? Yes, she will tell Kushal that she needs sanitary napkins.
She was about to close the curtains when she saw something. She became numb. Kushal had come close to the driver and they started kissing each other passionately. She heard Kushal saying something to the driver Neeraj. Saanchi’s blood curdled when she heard Kushal saying, ‘ She is just a project to be picked up by our clients. I love you…only you….no one else….’
To be continued………
