Mars V/S Venus - 28

CHAPTER 28

A touch. Soft… warm… comforting.

Sakshi fluttered her eyelashes to find Ayesha crooning to her gently, ruffling her hair with affection. “Mm… mumma… mujhe mumm… mumma chahiye…” Sakshi rasped and curled into foetal position.

“Calm down Sakshi, I am right here. Shush… be a sweet girl.” Ayesha spoke and patted Sakshi back to sleep. Ayesha walked out of the cabin, this was the next visit she had with Sakshi and situations seemed to be worse than before.

The minute she stepped out she found her brother staring at the window, his eyes holding unfathomable emotions. Anger bubbled in Ayesha as she gripped his collars and yanked at him “How dare you Bhai? What did you do with her?”

“I d… did nn.. nothing.” Arjun’s voice cracked as he noticed hatred in Ayesha’s eyes. “I didn’t know… I ss… swea…” “Shut up!” Ayesha barked.

“Ayesha.” Sameer held her shoulder gently to get elbowed by her. “Let me say Sam.”

“For years bhai I never said anything about your anger or the way you deal things…” “Ashu…” Arjun groaned while Ayesha put her hand up “I haven’t finished, let me complete.”

“Sorry…” He muttered and clasped his hands nervously.

“Good, so you are telling me that you didn’t know. You didn’t know when a woman who can bark at you to fix a deal is crouching in fear when you are at a breath’s distance. You didn’t realise why a woman, initially mortified by your teasings, would look like as if she would faint even though she loves you.” Ayesha poked his chest.

“You didn’t realise why a woman like Sakshi would refuse your advances each and every time. Wait… did you even ask her why? Or did your fu****g personality let you jump on her the minute she showed some response? Give this shit to someone else that you didn’t know.” Ayesha glared while Sameer tugged at her elbow.

The paling of Arjun’s face was an answer enough for Sameer. He knew that if he didn’t pull out Ayesha today then  she might say things which might ruin the relationship between the brother and sister forever.

“Ayesha chalo!” He pulled her aside while Ayesha shoved him back and pushed Arjun’s chest. “You know I used to be so proud of you that you aren’t like Papa. You know the reason why I was destroyed? It was because Sam refused me after a kiss. Just that one tiny incident left me like this. I knew that you, knowing that you have slept with girls more frequently than you change your underwear, wouldn’t hurt a woman you truly loved. But behold Arjun Singhania!” Ayesha gave out a sardonic laugh while Arjun clenched the edge of the metal chair in pain, unable to take his sister’s accusations.

“It’s all my fault. I knew Sakshi was vulnerable but I kept that knowledge to myself… ki nahi! Bhai usse mohabbat karta hai aur woh khud jaan lega ki baat kya hai! I shouldn’t interfere. I didn’t know that he would be the reason why she’s in the hospital! You know I was so disgusted with the way Dad was by a man… but you have truly put me at a fix. Whom should I hate more? That woman in the cabin is no less than God for me. I’ll always rever her more than anything in this world. If she wasn’t there your sister would have been a used shit in this world!” Ayesha cried out and covered her face.

“It’s my fault… I asked her to trust you and to an extent I even set you two up! I hoped… hoped that… ah forget it! You fu***g showed up your colors. You know I never believed what Dad said about you but then today you proved it to me, you’re worth nothing but being an illegitimate son! It’s great your mother died or else she would have died by your actions today!” Ayesha barked out when Sameer turned her around and grabbed her shoulders;

“AYESHA!” He yelled and Ayesha stopped, her fingers flew over her lips as she just realised what she said.

Sameer watched in utter helplessness as Arjun closed his eyes, unable to take his sister’s words and then his eyes flew open as she uttered the final sentences. Raw agony set in those eyes and his mouth parted to say something… but nothing came out.

“Arjun…” Sameer whispered as Arjun sagged against the chair and cradled his head.

A trembling hand on Sameer’s shoulder made him look at Ayesha who suddenly looked so weak “I want to go home…” She whispered. “Hmm…” He said and took her away.

you’re worth nothing but being an illegitimate son

Arjun covered his ears as those words hit home. “No…” He cried silently and walked into the chamber, he tried to tell Sakshi something but her limp body on the bed hurt him more.

“I didn’t know…” Arjun cried as he tried to find someone, someone who would believe him.

“Arjun?” Dr. Neel looked at a helpless man looking at him.

“I didn’t know.” Arjun said while Neel furrowed his eyebrows as he studied Arjun. “Come to my cabin.” He smiled softly as Arjun followed him.

“Tell me.” Neel prodded Arjun. Wiping his tears by the back of his hand, Arjun looked at Neel and asked “You will believe me?”

“Of course, son.”

Arjun cried out loud “I didn’t know anything! I would have protected her! Cherished her! I didn’t know anything… she means my life for me. I love her so much. I just wanted her to be next to me and hold on to me. I..” his words broke as he tried to control his sobs.

“Arjun, I wouldn’t say you are faultless. I wouldn’t say that you are completely innocent. Collect yourself… for I am about to tell you what happened to Sakshi.” Dr. Neel took a deep breath and waited for Arjun’s attention.

“Good.” Neel said.

Your Sakshi has come from a lower middle class background. She didn’t have any great family and was raised by a distant uncle.

Sakshi was just fourteen years old, walking across the street when a man in a car stopped by her. It was the same man who used to follow her daily, from home to school and school to back home. Sakshi immediately begin to walk faster but he followed her with his car and asked her if he could drop her.

She immediately refused but then she was forced into his car, before he could do anything… Sakshi screamed her lungs out. Her fate was by her side that a few men and women were nearby who helped her out at the nick of time and saved her.

Shattered, a scared Sakshi returned home and forgot those memories. She never complained, never took a step to fight against the man. That was her mistake. She never learnt how to fight against such things, she was too scared.

Two years later she got a scholarship from the local MLA but suddenly the scholarship was withdrawn, and that was heartbreaking for Sakshi.  She had asked the MLA if there was any way she could revert his decision.

He asked her to meet him. Sakshi didn’t speak to any elder about this and headed to meet the MLA alone but she found herself greeted with him along his older son and another friend. For a sixteen year old girl, the sight of three men looking at her with lust and drinks around the table sent enough signals.

She tried to leave as quickly as possible, getting a hint of what they wanted to do with her… but she was too slow for them. During such moments I am ashamed to even belong to their gender!  Anyways….

Just as any person would fear… she was molested.  Not a scrap of cloth was on her…

She was touched everywhere.

Kissed everywhere.

Groped everywhere.

Everywhere.

However she managed to break free before anyone thrust into her.

A man’s shirt was the only thing which covered her till she ran to her house.

The bruises were healed in a few weeks, but her heart bled forever.

Neel looked in front to face an Arjun who looked like as if he had seen a ghost.

“But you see Arjun… in some cases women are strong enough to forget and fight these issues to grow as independent individuals. Sakshi has steeled herself over the years, no doubt… but the issue is that… she has developed Genophobia.”

“Genophobia? Is it…”

Neel interrupted him “Yes, it’s the fear of sex. In most cases, men and women with a history of sexual abuse end up developing this phobia. In extreme cases even the thought of having sex can send a person to a frenzy.”

“But they were moments when she responded.” Arjun thought aloud his confusion “Those were few moments where she could alleviate her fears. However, a hot passionate romance with a bit of angst and fury might be the ideal dream for any normal woman. For it sets the adrenaline high and pushes the body to an excited state but for someone with this fear… that person might think that she’s being raped. The feeling of being raped by a loved or known person hurts the psychological mind more.”

Arjun gulped down a glass of water and stared in helplessness… “I would have never kiss….”

Neel stopped him “Wait, you think the kiss is what made her faint?”

Arjun frowned “Yes… why? What else?”

“Arjun, she was scared because it was you who kissed her. A man she trusted, a man who mishandled her.” Neel stared as Arjun’s face widened to utter shock and disbelief.

Neel’s suspicions were confirmed… that means it was true, Arjun was definitely drunk that night.

“WHAT! I would nev…” “The night in Vegas. Apparently Sakshi opened up to Ayesha and told her everything about it.” Neel felt a tad bit pity as Arjun stared at him, cluelessly.

“That night you… you forced her.”

“WHAT THE F***! I would never do that…” Arjun barked “You were drunk. Arjun tell me what all do you remember from that night.”

I could see every inch of her, she needn't have to hide from me!

I threw the pillow and pinned her under me, she squirmed in resistance as I placed hot kisses on her neck and upper skin of her soft swells. She was sweeter and softer than I had imagined. She protested and that fuelled my anger -Raina was wrong, Sakshi loved me!!!

She only loved me! She doesn't find anything wrong with me!

"Arjun!" she yelled and I closed her mouth "What is wrong with me Sakshi! Do you hate me,. do I disgust you so much that you can't even love me!" Tears dripped from my eyes and she closed her eyes "No no Arjun, you mean a lot to me but we can't do this..." she cupped my face but anger got the better of me, she screamed in shock as I ripped away her saree and tore my shirt apart.

"Why the bloo*y f*****g hell we can't do this! I love you, you frigging love me! What else do we need? You don't want me right!" I nipped at the tender skin between her neck and collarbone and she yelled my name,

I liked that. She is mine, I am hers.

I placed myself between her and locked my palms with her while she tried to move in protest "Arjun! We just can't do it now! And see, we love each other but not now! LEAVE ME!" she cried but I didn't stop from kissing her pliant soft skin. I tugged on her blouse as she cried me to leave her.

"YOU ARE DRUNK!" Sakshi tried to push me aside, didn't she know she was puny against me!

I tried to kiss her delectable pouty lips but she thrashed her head left and right on the bed"Intoxicated by you Sakshi!" I groaned as I felt her bare stomach touch my bare torso.

"Stop this Arjun! I am not liking it at all! Even that Sikandar is better than you!" Sakshi yelled at me and I glared at her.

W*F

I pinned her harder on the bed and jammed my clothed hips against hers, I watched in sheer amusement as her face looked up in shock as she felt my member poking her.

Arjun’s face paled and his hands shook as bits and pieces of memory came floating by. Neel’s coaxing of memories from Arjun and an administration of a medical drug which brought back Arjun brought forth a disaster.

Tears, pain… his Sakshi….

He cried his heart out and covered his face with his palms, what had he done!

“Arjun…” Neel looked on, helplessly as Arjun howled at himself. “No… I must do something…”Arjun stood up and Neel was taken aback by the wildness in his eyes. The sudden need for self mutilation filled Arjun.

No way would he stand flawless when his love would remain wounded inside… he had to die. Didn’t he cause her all the grief? If he dies then she will be fine… she will be safe.

“ARJUN!” Neel shook Arjun out of his reverie and immediately administered a relaxant. “You can’t and will not harm yourself in any way.”

Arjun blinked back his tears and shook his head “I…” “Shush… you wouldn’t do that to your Sakshi will you? She loves and even you do.” Neel patted Arjun’s head with the affection of a father while Arjun stared at the ceiling, lost.

“I wouldn’t have ever touched her.” Arjun whispered while Neel nodded “Exactly… you wouldn’t hurt her. Even though you’re a very active man… you wouldn’t end up forcing her in your bed. That’s not you.”

Banging his hand on the chair beside him, Arjun stood up “Arrey if she didn’t provoke me then… then I would have never done it! I don’t know why I thought the physical claim on Sakshi would mean that she is mine! I shouldn’t have listened to her damn it! That too when I was drink…”

“Who?” Neel interrupted Arjun.

“Who?” Asked Arjun.

“You said she said it…”

“F***... Raina. That bi*ch.” Arjun swore and his hand on his hair. He should have realised, the smirks… the glances.  The sudden truce between them.

It all made sense.

“But how could she know that Sakshi…”

“She doesn’t. But a woman has a very good level of understanding others. She knew you and Sakshi. Raina probably sensed that Sakshi is uncomfortable with you and that you were very eager towards Sakshi, she just had to dial the key and voila!” Neel’s lips tightened at the level of being cheap!

Blood pounded in Arjun’s head as he processed the information.

“I am sorry to what I did to Sakshi. Nothing can ever justify or serve as an excuse for my actions. It’s good maa died. I’ve just become like the man I hated the most.” Arjun sighed and slumped on the chair.

“Want to talk more about it?” Neel asked softly while Arjun shook his head “Even if I was drunk… how could I let that bi*ch control my life. Isn’t love most important? Or maybe I was the man I tried to warn Sakshi about! Sikandar is much better than me. Any day.” Arjun’s voice cracked and he cleared his throat.

Putting his aviators he began to walk out when Neel stopped him “Where are you going?”

“Oh nothing… making sure she never comes back in either of our lives.” Arjun put on his aviators and then turned behind,

“Neither can she get back to hers.” Neel looked at Arjun who smirked and walked out.

Neel immediately dialed up Sameer, hoping to stop Arjun from doing anything that is disastrous.

~*~

“You got Arjun and Sakshi’s kiss. I mean Raina what are you exactly doing? Setting up a wonderful king weds the peasant love story? I thought you could instigate Arjun… whatever. What?” Sikandar snapped as Raina traced his jaw seductively and smiled.

“Nah nah, I got a conversation before that where it clearly showed that there was trouble in paradise. Also I got a news from my source that Sakshi’s in the hospital.” Raina shrugged her shoulders at his lack of response and tightened the knot of her silk robe.

“So what? There’s the kiss and makeup…” “Suicide.”

“WHAT?” Sikandar looked flabbergasted as Raina puffed out smoke from a cigarette “Yeah, just my luck that my friend… arrey Dr. Natasha, cosmetic surgeon, was there and she told me that Sakshi had been hospitalised for slit wrists. Now when the matters are of a reputed family, your secrets are always out.” Raina said and went back to smoking, completely unperturbed by the fact that someone wanted to kill herself.

“Wow… so what are you waiting for? Publish it.” “No, waiting it to spread further, then I’ll send this news bit to the Publisher so as to no direct suspicion falls.” Raina laughed and Sikandar rolled his eyes.

His pride was his soft spot, if anyone hurts him there then Sikandar can go to any extent to ruin that man.

Any extent.

He was a sadist and he enjoyed seeing Sakshi and Arjun in pain.

Wonderful , right, to control someone’s life?

“Fu**” Raina screamed as she scrolled through her emails on her iPhone. “What?” Sikandar asked when Raina shot up her seat and swore furiously “All my contracts have been cancelled! All of them! How?” Raina screeched and Sikandar rolled his eyes.

“You’re unaffected? My job’s at stake! I won’t… my entire career. Oh Lord…” Raina moaned in unhappiness and cried in anger.

Sikandar turned to his phone as a beep alerted him of incoming message “Only because you’re my partner…” He stared at the incomplete message from Arjun and then his blood chilled as he filled in the missing words.

Only because you’re my partner that you’ve escaped from being punished.

Sikandar called Arjun immediately “How…” “I am fine, thank you. What about you?” Arjun’s calm voice put Sikandar in confusion.

“Ff… fine.” Sikandar stammered a bit, trying to analyse Arjun’s mind “Nothing, care to join for lunch tomorrow?” Sikandar almost choked on his Dom Perignon* and stared at his phone. What was wrong with Arjun?

“Sure?” Sikandar smiled  uneasily as Arjun agreed and spoke to him as if nothing happened.

Sweat trickled down his forehead as he thought about the situation.

How did the tables get flipped?


*Dom Perignon is an expensive Champagne.

So guys here's the update and I really hope you all loved it! So as you can imagine right now what the situation is. Stay tuned for the next chapter which is going to be full of Arakshi! 


CHAPTER 29