Present
"Robert?" Daniel called him out. Robert put on the traditional turban and motioned Daniel to start recording. He sent a short text to his wife, Samantha, of his delay in arriving back at home - New York.
He sighed as guilt ate him again. They were strongly advised from their company to just record the event for the documentary, no heroism or voicing out their opinions was allowed.
With the camera rolling, focusing on two contrasting faces, Robert and Daniel captured the wedding rituals.
"Dulhan ka naam..." (Bride's name) the pandit spoke, his heavy voice sending a small shiver down the girl's spine.
"Sakshi... Sakshi Dhoundiyal." A soft tuned, one that of a lillet's chirped out under the red stole.
"Dulhe ka naam..." (Groom's name)
"Arjun Maurya."
"Ghani Khamma Sarpanch sa! "
"Arrey Madhav! Thare ko kitne din baad dekh raha hoon... baat ke hai? Thare pooch main aag lage hai?" (Madav! Long time since we last met... what's the matter? Has your tail caught on fire?) Sarpanch laughed as a hassled forty year old man ran inside the haveli, his turban seemed heavier than the entire weight of the man.
Madhav paused to take a breath and spoke "Sarpanch sa, Raja ji aur Kunwar sa waapis aa rahe hai Amreeka se!" (Sir! The king and prince have returned from America.)
"Thare zubaan sachhi hai?" (Are you saying the truth?)
Madhav pinched his throat "Masa ki kasam Sarpanch sa! Kisi bhi waqt milne aa sakte hai!" (On my mother's name! They can come to visit [you] any moment!)
"Raja se kaise na mile? Theek hai... aur ruk... yeh chandi ka sikka. Ek baat ki mare Arjun ki shadi hai aur dusri ke tune itne acche khabar jo mare ko sunaiya. Ab ja!" (How can we not meet him? Fine, wait... take this silver coin as a reward. Firstly because it's the wonderful wedding of my son, Arjun, and secondly for this fantastic new. Now off!)
"Raja ji aur kunwar sa waapis aa rahe hai?" (The king and prince are back?) Aasha expressed her joy. As a young child she remembered how loving and just their king was. Even though he was just the nominal head of the state.
"Thare gharge main chiti lag gaye ke? Ek baar se thare kaan main nahi jaata ke woh log aa rahe hai. Waapis aa rahe!" (Why are there ants crawling up your skirt? Haven't you already heard it that they're coming... [mocking her] they're coming!) Baldev snapped at Aasha who blinked at her insult and quietly walked away.
Lost that she was, she didn't realise her veil had slipped from her head and her lustrous mane was exposed to all. A few men darted to the real jewel the Maurya's had.
A few cursed their luck, the Maurya's always had the most beautiful of women in their luck.
"Iss ki..." (This...) Baldev swore at his wife and strode towards her.
Aasha was lost in her thoughts as she settled on the edge of the verandah and stared at the men, even though it was years since she came to this house and was exposed to her husband's ways... she never seemed to get used to it.
Her thoughts came crashing down as her arm was twisted "Mare se thare dil ki aag thanda nahi hoti jo tu sabko thare shareer dikha ke chal rahi hai." (Aren't I enough to satisfy you that you intend on exposing yourself for strangers?)
Aasha pushed his hand aside and turned in anger "Aap kya keh rahe hai!" (What are you saying?)
She yelped slightly as her yanked a fistful of her dark hair "Yeh, baal khula... thari ghungat bhi jaga pe nahi hai. Sakshi hoti toh samaj jaate, tu kaunsi kacchi kali hai?" (This, the way your hair's left open and the veil cast aside. Had it been Sakshi I would have understood, but you aren't a little virgin out here.) He snarled and gripped her throat.
"Mare ko chor de!" (Leave me alone) "Mm... maafi, maafi mangte hai thare se. Mare ko maaf kar dijiye. Aaah... bohot lag raha hai..." (I am ss.. .sorry. Please forgive me... Aah! It's hurting!) Tears rolled down her cheeks as Baldev tightened his grip.
"Baldev!" His father called for him and Baldev loosened his grip. He swiped his thumb over her lips and growled "Aise cheez kyu karti hai jisse maare ko gussa aaye? Achi lugai ban... shaam ko aajana jaldi." (Why do you do things which anger me? Be a good wife and remember to come early [to our room]." Disgust coursed through Aasha's veins as her so called husband left.
"Ghungat! Nahi oodhne waali!" (I won't put this veil up!) She cried silently and hurried to the quiet terrace of the haveli. She breathed in the fresh air opened her arms to embrace the freedom she never had.
She wanted to be selfish now. To not think about anyone. Just herself.
Barely did she understand that she had reached the edge of the parapet.
"Excuse me..." she shrieked at the foreign accent and slipped before when the person held her arm. "Christ! Please be..."He swore and held her silky arm... but a look at her face and forgot what he was to say next.
His throat dried as he looked at the woman he was holding on to, her hair floated like a halo in the wind. Her sweet raw jasmine fragrance assaulted his senses. She had curves right at the place, damn he could almost span the girth of her waist with his palms which grew to a lovely flare of the hips but what fascinated him was her eyes.
Large, mysterious and chocolate. "Aa...aa... are you ff...fine?" He asked and then realised that she had tugged off her hand from his and hastily put the veil above her head.
She was about to run away when he held her hand "Aah!" She shrieked cause that's where Baldev had twisted her arm brutally. "Oh shit! Sorry..." The foreign man before her cursed and found the lady to be staring at him in shock.
"Aapne maafi kyu mangi? Aur aap maare haath kyu pakad rahe the?" (What are you sorry for? And why were you holding my hand?) Her soft husky voice tickled his ears... tickled? He got a grip of himself and crossed his arms across his chest.
"So mujhe aapke haath nahi pakadna chahiye. I should... aapko girte hue dekhna tha!" (So I shouldn't have held you hand? I should have watched you falling down!?) Aasha almost giggled at the way he spoke Hindi but checked herself in time. She should have left, immediately... but something made her want to talk . Over that he had apologised.
No one ever did that to her.
"Main kisiki lugai hoon. Agar kisine dekh liya toh bawal ho jayega!" (I am someone's wife. If someone saw us then it would spell trouble.) A pang seeped into the man's heart and he shook his head.
Never mind! This was the fifth first love he lost.
"Matlab, mujhe aapke pati ke liye intezzar karna tha. Great, so aap kareeb 50 feet neeche girti aur main khade khade hue dekhta! You just said ki aap kisike ke biwi hai... so why would anyone say anything? Matlab shak kyu hoga?"
(I see, I should have waited for your husband . Great, so you would fall down fifty feet and I wait stand and watch that. And didn't you say you're someone's wife? Why would anyone suspect us then?)
"Pardesi sahib... yaha pe aurat ko kisine agar izzat di, tab bhi aurat ki hi ghalti. Kisine izzat li, tab bhi aurat ke hi ghalti hai." (Mr. Foreginer, over here if you respect a woman, then the woman's character is tainted for there might a personal reason as to why you helped her. If you grope her, then also it's the character assassination for the woman.)
A heavy sigh settled over her heart as she saw her life flash before her.
"I see, patriarch society. Shouldn't have even come here." He uttered to himself and Aasha peeked through her veil to see him. He had a sharp jawline and gelled back hair. He definitely had a figure to boast as muscles rippled through his shirt.
Strange.
Strong yet gentle... hadn't she wished for a man...
Aasha's eyes rounded at what she thought and she was about to flee when he called her. Oh dear, proprietary seemed to crash into her dream. If anyone saw them then Baldev wouldn't spare her today! And she was definitely a loyal wife, she shouldn't be seen with someone else.
Loyal to a dog.
"Your naam (name)?" "Thare se ke matlab?" (Why does it matter to you?) The man flinched at her sharp tone when his eyes fell to the deep purple gash on her wrists.
"Aapko chot pohch..." (You have injured...) Aasha turned towards the man and held her palms together "Aapke fikr ke liye dhanyavaad, par aap jaiye. Yeh chot mujhe aise hi laga." (Thank you for your concern but please leave. I injured myself somehow.)
She chewed into her stole as the man narrowed his brown eyes on her. Perhaps she was being too rude "Dekhiye, maare ko aapse koi dikkat nahi hai. Aapne maari jaan bachaiye hai... woh aap neeche aiye, khana lag gaya hai. Maare woh ji ka bhai ke shadi hai." (See, I don't have any issues with you. After all you saved my life... why don't you come downstairs? The food's been served, it's my [husband]'s brother's wedding.)
Her fear escalated as she heard footsteps. "Dhanyavaad?" (Thank you?) She fervently prayed for him to leave, mistaking his presence to be the reason to get her gratitude.
"Aap itni dari hui..." (You seem to be so scared...) He was interrupted as Aasha folded her palms. "Kya chahiye aapko? Theek hai maara naam Asha hai. Iss vaqt aap iss haveli ka mehmaan hai toh aap neeche jaake kha lijiyega." (What do you want? Fine my name is Aasha. See please entertain yourself as a guest of this house, do attend the buffet.) Aasha breathed a sigh of relief as the footsteps faded away.
He scratched his clean shaved jaw and stared at the woman before him. First she was quiet, then hyper and now she just couldn't stop speaking.
Strange.
"Ayesha?" "Na! Aaasha... hey Ram maare ko ke ho gaya hai... muh band hi nahi ho raha hai!" (No! Aasha... oh dear Lord what has happened to me? Why aren't I shutting up?) Aasha cursed herself. It had been years since there has been a quiet person on the other end, just listening to her rambles.
She almost felt like the days before her wedding.
Wedding... Arjun and Sakshi's first night.
Sakshi would need her.
Oh dear.
Aasha cursed herself again, for being so insensitive. "Maare ko jaana hai, maaf kijiyega." (Excuse me, but I need to leave).
He nodded as he saw concern as worry etched in her expressive eyes. "Koi madat..." (Any help...) A soft wistful smile tugged on his lips as he felt scandalous feelings arise in his heart for a married woman. But she wasn't happy... was she?
"Ji nahi, dhanyavaad. (No thank you.) She picked the edge of her skirt and was about to run when he uttered "Sameer."
"Hein?" Aasha turned behind as a small smile crept on his face.
"Sameer Damsingh Rathore."
"Hey Ram! Kunwar sa!"
(Oh Lord! Prince?)
A/N : So yep, this would bring an interesting turn of events and it wouldn't fit into the next chapter hence broke it off. So I really hope you like this. Many might be concerned why only the men are being highlighted - irrespective if they are positive or negative... well sabr karo... sabr ka phal meetha hota hai. 
Scroll down for the next chapter
Scroll down for the next chapter
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*Viewer discretion advised. This chapter is suitable for :
- Adults or teens above the age of 18.
- Women/Men who haven't faced marital/forced consummation or aren't affected by reading about it.
Please note that what you'll read below is your choice and you are responsible for what you feel. If you can take it up then continue reading. I'll highlight the part with red so as to you know when to skip.
Please note that I don't intend to hurt anyone's sentiments.
"Ghabraane ki baat nahi hai... Arjun toh thare se pyaar karta hai na." (There's no need to worry... after all Arjun does love you)
Aasha jiji's words floated in the air but Sakshi couldn't help but clench her skirt tighter in fear of what would happen.
Her heart hammered against her chest as she saw the petals strewn across the bed and candles flickering around. Her room did look beautiful but... things seemed strange.
She remembered her mother kissing her forehead softly, asking her gently to not question her husband... no matter what she does. Sakshi frowned on seeing guilt in her mother's eyes but she remained mum.
A few friends of hers giggled and she didn't understand what the hush was all about.
Even the soothing fragrance of the incense sticks did nothing to calm her nerves.
Why the hell was the whole world waiting for her and Arjun to be in a room and do... something she couldn't understand!
She recalled her older friends teasing her rose bath as their jijaji would be pleased by her fragrance. Why would Arjun even want to smell her?
Her head throbbed with questions as she felt her life splinter apart. She just didn't know what's happening.
Brushing away all the thoughts she took her own sweet time to assess the beautiful room. The canopy of jasmine flowers above her bed made her smile. They were fresh and their fragrance was her favourite. The heavy ghagra choli and piles of jewellery did tire her, but then it made her family happy so Sakshi didn't complain too much about it.
Her eyes sparkled as her favourite gudda guddi lay on the couch. She took hold of the gudda and conspiratorially whispered in his ears "Tu bhi mard hai, maare ko bata ye ke ho rahe hai!" (Even you're a man... so tell me... what's happening?)
She pouted at his lack of reply and turned to her guddi "Thari shadi toh kabki hui thi... ab yeh suhaagraat pe kya hota hai. Bol rahe the chuega, baho main lega. Arjun ne toh kitne baar mujhe chua hai, yaad hai jab mara per kat gaya tha, tab toh Arjun ne hi davai lagai thi! Par baho main kyu lega? Ek toh maare ko uski yeh aaj kal waali behke behke baatein toh acchi nahi lagti aur upar se hume darr kaha lagti hai? Yaad hai jab woh kutte bhok rahe the toh Arjun ne mujhe baho main liya tha!"
(You've been married long! Tell me what happens in the first night? They say that he will touch me and take me in his arms. Arjun has already touched me, remember when I injured my foot and he tended to it? And why should he take me up in his arms? Anyways I don't like the way he's speaking nowadays about me and over that I'm not frightened that I should hug him. Like the time I did when I heard those horrendous barks of dogs!)
For half an hour Sakshi spoke to her gudda and guddi alternatively. Suddenly the door opened and Aasha jiji walked in, looking slightly flustered. "Ke hua jiji? Kaha the aap?" (What happened sister [in-law]? Where were you?)
"Kuch nahi, dekh... yeh dood hai, Arjun ke liye. Tu darr mat agar Arjun ne tujhe idhar udhar chua. Woh... kaise kahe... woh aaj tum dono ek hoge." (Nothing... see... here's a glass of milk for Arjun. Don't get frightened if Arjun touches some places. Uh... how do I say... tonight you both are going to be one.) Aasha gave an awkward smile and hugged Sakshi before she left.
Sakshi stared at the bronze tumbler of milk and shrugged her shoulders.
She sat on the bed, as instructed by her mother and hugged her knees.
Pulling the veil over her face she waited for Arjun to come. Perhaps he could shed light on what's to happen. He's always told her everything... right?
~*~
Arjun's heart thudded as he locked the door. The scene of Sakshi on his bed, her hennaed hands clutching tightly, roses strewn across his bed and the dimmed light with candles flickering enough to give a warm glow aroused him brought in a rush of emotions he never had.
He gently put his turban aside along with his sword. Running a hand through his hair to prep himself up, he gently sat next to Sakshi.
"Dood!" (Milk!) Sakshi pulled her hands back nervously and passed him the bronze tumbler, her hands shaking tremendously.
Arjun chuckled at her trembling hands, of course she was bound to be shy! He wrapped his palms around hers and gently sipped the milk, alternating her gaze between her veiled face and the tumbler.
He wiped his mouth and got up to drink some water. He loosened his sherwani and took her hands, pressing a kiss on each wrist. "Tt...tu" (Y... you...) Sakshi couldn't continue to speak as he shot her a slightly annoyed look and she remembered what her mother told her.
Her gut clenched his fear as he removed his sherwani and vest. It just didn't seem right. Her throat dried at his much larger and muscular form. Suddenly she was remembered how fragile she was. An primal animalistic glint flashed through Arjun's hooded eyes and Sakshi clutched her fingers tightly.
The gentleness with which he removed her veil flagged like the calm before a storm. He chinned her up and Sakshi almost screamed as he plastered his lips across hers.
Forgetting all that her mother and jiji said, she pushed him off her and ran to the end of the room.
Sweat broke on her forehead as he realised what he wanted to do.
"Sharm ke ke baat hai? Thare pati toh hoon..." (What's the matter to be shy about? Afterall, I am your husband...) Arjun chuckled and followed her with a predatory look in his eyes. Tears swam in her eyes, this wasn't the Arjun she knew. That Arjun would put her wishes and demands over everything else.
Holding her hammering heart, she cornered herself to the end of a wall and closed her eyes.
Just a nightmare Sakshi, Arjun would not chase you and he would go back to sleep... like few days ago. Don't worry.
Sakshi took in a sharp intake of breath as she felt cool air nip the skin of her back. Her eyes widened as she saw Arjun standing with a small smile on his face, herdupatta in his hands.
She crossed her arms across her covered small bosoms when she realised where his eyes were. Oh dear, he obviously didn't want to see her without...
Her arms fought to cover her, a hand went across her exposed waist and the other went in opening her hair from the tight bun.
The snickers and teases were all making sense now.
No... she didn't want experience to be her teacher.
"Raat... raat ho chuki hai, so jaate..." (It's late, we should probably sleep...) Her words died as Arjun swiftly carried her tiny frame like she weighed nothing. "Sahi kaha..." (Exactly.)
She turned her head aside as he tried to kiss her when he placed her on the bed. "Tu... kk... kya kar..." (What aa... are you dd... do...) She was interrupted as he nuzzled her hair "Pyaar..." (Love). Her small fists and pushes made no effect on a much larger Arjun. Sakshi didn't stand a chance against his muscular strength.
"Humain accha nahi lag raha hai..." (I am not liking this.) Sakshi sobbed softly and tried to budge the hand across her bare waist. "Theek ho jayega..." (It'll be fine) His ragged voice shook Sakshi. Her eyes rounded in horror as he tugged on her blouse.
"Nahi..." (No) Sakshi pleaded and pried his fingers off her loosening blouse. Arjun growled in disapproval and lay his body on hers to stop all these irritable movements.
Sakshi wasn't ready for is sudden weight. Oh... she couldn't breath. "Arjun... please..." She cried out as he ripped the shoulder of her blouse, his actions turning faster with her pleads.
"Nahi! Mat dekh maare ko... nahi... please... main thare per parti hoon maare ko mat dekh! Mat chu!" (No! Please... don't see me [my chest] please... I'll fall on your feet. Don't touch) "ARJUN!" She yelled and sobbed uncontrollably, turning aside and covering her bare small breasts as he ripped the entire material.
"Iss taraf aa Sakshi..." (Come this side Sakshi...) Arjun said softly, his fingers tracing her spine. He didn't seem bothered as her entire body quaked in sobs. He stopped for a second, worry filling him.
His brother told him that women do cry but it's because they are overwhelmed... then why did Sakshi's cry hurt him? "Sakshi... thare ko dard nahi hoga... shant ho ja..." (Sakshi, this won't hurt you... calm down) He panicked and hugged her from the back.
Sakshi shrieked as she felt his muscular chest and toned abdomen touch her back. "Please..." She begged, she didn't want any of this. Arjun's consciousness faded as his fingers touched her stomach.
So soft. So warm.
Lust became his primary emotion. He held her shoulders "Mud..." (Turn) Sakshi nodded her head negatively and tried to kick him with her legs. Her payals chimed in the air, in helpless agony.
Arjun grew angry. He removed all the necklaces, not bothering if they broke or pierced Sakshi in the way. Placing desperate kisses on her spine, he decided to give into his demands.
Well she wasn't listening hence he used force. With one swift pull, Sakshi's petite frame came into his view. She was a beauty... her hair fanned on the pillow and her creamy skin played a contrast to the white bed. Her arms still stood firm across her chest, her cries muted by his sudden pull.
He nibbled the hollows of her collarbones and began to pull her arms away. "NAHI!" (NO!) Sakshi screamed and folded her palms for mercy.
He yanked her hair painfully at her refusal, taking her pain to be a distraction he swiftly pulled her hands aside and tugged them above her head. His breath fell short as she came into his view.
Sakshi cried relentlessly and shut her eyes, feeling miserable on being exposed... her arms fought against the iron grip of his wrist.
"Khubsoorat..." (Beautiful) He gasped and moved a hand to touch her. "Kyu Sakshi... bharosa nahi hai? Pyaar nahi karti hai? Tu mari saans hai, mari zindagi... thare bina toh main marr javunga." (Why Sakshi? Don't you trust me? Don't you love me? You're the breath I take, you're my life... without you I might just die.) Arjun whispered softly and bent to touch her, kiss her.
A moan of despair left her mouth as he suckled her.
None too gently.
He left her hands which lay immobile as he proceeded to remove her skirt. Tears trailed and she forced herself to forget what was happening to her. She gasped for air as he aligned himself, her palm weakly cupped his cheek... hoping for her Arjun to be somewhere inside this man.
She hoped against hope that her gesture will force him to stop and bring out the Arjun who always shielded her from others.
Her eyes popped out and her throat choked the minute she felt him pierce through tender flesh, whose existence she never knew about!
Arjun's groan of ecstasy and smile faded the minute he heard a stifled scream. "Theek ho jayega..." (It'll be fine) He whispered and held her like a fragile doll, he peppered soft kisses to ease her pain.
Sakshi stilled and caught on to his shoulders in reflex. Her face turned pale and her eyes lost their shine.
She didn't feel Arjun pressing loving kisses to her neck.
She didn't feel the joy when he reached his climax.
She didn't feel the soothing caresses.
She didn't feel anything.
Just pain... extreme pain which led to numbness. She didn't know if her heart cracked on being betrayed by the man she trusted the most or by being taken without her consent.
It all ended, he moved aside and she could breath.
Stained
Used
Betrayed
Ripped
Sakshi cried in agony and curled into a foetal position. "Sakshi?" Arjun cupped her face, his face still glowing from the bliss he experienced.
Sakshi's cries grew louder as Arjun tried to coax her. Too exhausted to even lift a finger. She could just cry. The intensity of pain was too much.
She felt herself being embraced in his arms as he soothingly rocked her back and forth.
Crying herself to a state of unconsciousness, the last thought which flew through her mind was when Arjun put her to sleep, in his safety.
"Sakshi... akeli kyu bola... main hoon na, humesha rahunga... tera rajkumar." (Sakshi! Why did you say you're alone? I am there, always, your prince) A ten year old Arjun placed Sakshi's head on his lap as Sakshi cried.
She was scared of the sudden darkness.
"Batti chal gayi hai aur yaha koi bhoot pret nahi! Aur jab tak thara Arjun hai, tab tak majal ho kisiki jo tujhe chue." (Electricity's off and there's no ghost out here! And as long as your Arjun's here... let me see who can dare to hurt you!) Arjun patted her head as Sakshi clung on to him.
"Shush... ab ek kahani sunau?" (Shush... shall I tell a story?) "Hmm..." Sakshi nodded into his chest as Arjun held his arm around her waist "Ek raja tha... bohot himmat vala. Bilkul Rana sa ke tarha! Woh ek Rani se bohot mohabbat karta tha. Pata hai woh Rani kitni khubsoorat thi?" (There was this very brave King, just like our King! He used to love the Queen a lot. Do you know how beautiful the Queen was?)Arjun wiped her tears aside and pinched her fluffy cheeks slowly.
"Kitni?" (How much?) "Thare jaise!" (Just like you!) Arjun smiled as a shy smile came on Sakshi's face "Sacchi! Toh Raja bilkul thare jaise tha?" (Really! That means the King must have been just like you!)
"Bilkul! Dono jungle main kho gaye the, tab Raja ne Rani ko bachaya, ghode pe beithaya aur uski haveli pe le gaya!" (Exactly! Both had lost their path in the jungle, that's when the King saved the Queen, made her sit on the horse and then took her to his fort!)Arjun smiled while Sakshi was engrossed in his storytelling.
"Waise hi, jab bhi thare ko darr lagega... ek seeti maarna. Thare ko ghore pe beithake le javunga! Ab toh so ja..." (So, if you're ever scared... just whistle for me. I'll also take you to the fort with the horse. Now go to sleep)Arjun yawned as Sakshi still stared at him.
"Main tujhse bohot pyaar karta hoon Sakshi... meri gudiya hai tu!" (I love you a lot Sakshi, my little doll you are.)He patted a drowsy Sakshi to sleep and watched as she slept quickly, with her mouth slightly open.
He brushed aside the tears and promised that these shall never reappear on his best friend's eyes.
"I love you Sakshi." Arjun smiled and pressed a kiss to a sleeping Sakshi's head.
He wrapped her tightly around his frame, little realizing that she had fainted in his arms.
Arjun whispered sweet soft nothings into her ears... he never realised his love for his wife was so potent. With their union Arjun made an oath that he would do anything for her.
He would die for her, he would kill to her.
But he wouldn't let anyone make her cry.
Blind to the fact that the only person to hurt her, was none but himself.
A/N: so yeah... i myself am speechless here
Present is bit sad for sakshi...aww samesha meeting was 😏
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