"I didn't come here to be loved. But somewhere between your silence and my defiance, I forgot how not to feel."
- Drishti Maheta
In the bustling lively boutique, every one was choosing their dream dress for their special day of life. The day that comes with Happiness and love. The responsibility that every one wants to take and a stage that every one wants to reach.
But is it really for everyone?
No!
A girl, maybe around 26, who is young and beautiful with sorrow and rage in her eyes, looking back at her reflection through the mirror of the boutique.
Her eyes telling everything and still hiding the true depths. Her light brown eyes make her look so fragile and innocent that even strangers can come to comfort her right now without a second thought. The broken stat she is in right now makes her look more vulnerable.
She reached out slowly touching her face on the mirror and whispered
Is this your life Drishti? Is this you did everything? Is this the only reason of my being?
Her words cutting deeper into her own heart. Her voice laced with regret and pain. Regret for letting this happen to her. Regret for being this vulnerable and helpless for her own self.
Are you planning to live in the washroom drishti?
A voice firm and angry came through doors echoing in the washroom tiles. Minakshi maheta. Her mother knocked on the door.
Drishti flinched slightly at the sound of her own mother. She quickly, roughly wiped the tears away from her eyes that fallen without her acknowledgement. Even tears don't care to take her consent to fall then why would others? The question ran through her mind before she quickly looked away trying to not break down here only.
"Dristiiiii?..."
Minakshi shouted in a low voice only for drishti to hear. Drishti immediately went to the door and opened it. Her mother welcomed her with a Sharp angry look and said,
who the hell takes 15 minutes to wash her face?
Drishti lowered her eyes and said, "s... Sorry mom ...." Her voice is slightly trembling. Even a monster will refuse to do anything wrong with her at this time. She was looking so fragile and innocent. Her Hands clutching her dress tightly from side as she bared herself for another unnecessary outbrust from her mother.
Minakshi looked at her for a while with those same cold eyes and said,
I will definitely give you lesson for this, but right now I don't want to waste my time and energy on something like you. So come now choose your wedding attire and be quick.
Without even caring to hear her reply she went through the crowd vanishing herself as quickly as possible like she wants to keep the longest distance from some garbage not her own flesh of skin.
Drishti stood there trying to calm down the urge to cry out her pain right here. She knows better to keep her emotions in check as said. She took a deep breath and followed the path her mother disappeared.
She approached the counter where everyone else were seated to select dress. Her mother smiled sweetly at her and said,
Come sweetie, we have to choose the beautiful attire for your grand wedding. You have to look like a queen for the king.
Drishti smiled softly at her. She is now getting used to it. The way Minakshi can change herself from cruel, harsh mother to sweet, soft mom into seconds.
The lady attending them came with so many beautiful dresses and lehengas for the wedding. Minakshi's some close friends were there to help them to choose dresses but they were all as confused as Minakshi and drishti.
Vansh, their eldest son came to from outside as they took so much time.
"What are you all doing?... Can't you select a little faster.... It's not that much of a big deal. "
His voice carrying irritation and frustration as he doesn't like to wait much for anyone.
"Sorry bhai.... But it's too confusing..." Drishti's voice carrying the edge of coldness but still sounding so sweet to get noticed by anyone.
"No, Baccha... I am not talking about you.... It's your day and it's your biggest day's preparation... You have every right to be late... I am talking about these aunties.... "
Vansh spoke softly to drishti as he put his arm around her shoulder.
Drishti's eyes soften immediately at his words. She knows he loves her so much but still the pain she is carrying in her fragile heart doesn't let her see the true depths of vansh's love for her.
"Are beta, dekh na.... These all are so beautiful... We can't select one right ledies... " Minakshi spoke and everyone around her nodded in agreement.
Vansh rolled his eyes. He groaned slightly in frustration and said," okay mom... I know who will help you all to select a dress for drishu... "
Saying that he removed his hand from drishti's shoulder and started to merge through his phone.
As he video called someone a cheerful and noticeable sweet voice came through the speaker," hii big broooooo... "
Vansh chuckled softly at Siya's dramatic voice. Minakshi's face lighten up at her FAVOURITE daughter's voice.
Meanwhile Drishti's face falls immediately. The sweetness of Siya's voice affecting drishti so much even though she wants to be happy after hearing her voice.
"Siya, we need your help to choose dresses for drishu everyone here only helping to confuse drishu more...." Vansh spoke to siya as sweetly as he spoke to drishti.
Siya nodded excitedly and said," ofcourse bro... I was literally dying to be there to help dii... But I couldn't due to the work load... You made it easy for me to be included in wedding preparations..."
Minakshi immediately stood up from sit and took the phone from vansh and said," siya beta... Don't worry about here okay... Focus on your work okay... We are hear naa... We will handle everything but you have to help us in this dress selection .... Drishti couldn't seems to find a dress for herself.... "
Drishti looked at the intersection of mother and daughter with hate in her eyes and smile on her lips. She hated how siya got everything from her mother and father.
The love drishti always craved but never got.
The warmth she always wished but never got.
The comfort she always needed but never got.
Her own thoughts cutting her heart into million pieces but she somehow managed that sweet smile. For someone who is there to be hers. For someone who is there to give her everything she never got.
On the other hand siya Started to look for dresses. She rejected so many dresses that wouldn't suit drishti. Drishti wasn't surprised as she knows how much siya knows her and her taste.
Siya's eyes fell on a beautiful white lahenga with gorgeous embroidery.
"Dii... Look! That white one will look best on you."
Everyone's gaze fell on the lahenga. Drishti eyes lighten up slightly at the image of herself in this.
"No..." Minakshi spoke up immediately. Everyone looked at her in confusion.
"Siyu... Bachha Drishti's in laws are Little orthodox About all these. They have clearly said that in marriage no one is allowed to wear black or white as they took this as apshagun ( bad omen)."
Drishti's face fall almost immediately but she remained calm and soft featured. However, Siya was in shock and disbelief but seeing Drishti has no problem she didn't streched the matter more.
They again started to go with other lahengas. After what felt like one and half hour they finally selected some beautiful lahengas for every function. Minakshi was talking with her friends while vansh was paying Bills at reception.
Siya and Drishti finally got some private time to talk. Siya's voice is filled with love and affection,"dii.... You liked outfits naa..."
"Ofcourse siya, these all are amazing." Drishti replied softly but it's lacking its usual love and gentleness.
" dii, You know that family is bit orthodox. Actually no, a little more orthodox. Black and white are your favourite colours after all."
"Yaa siya, but it's not like they never let me wear those colours. It's ok." Drishti's voice was slightly annoyed as she doesn't want to talk about this.
Siya looked at her for a while then asked," dii.... Are you happy with this marriage?"
Drishti's eyes immediately Harden at her words. She thought ' why is she acting like she actually cares about me but I know the truth. She never cared. Never. '
"Enough siya, stop being so dramatic and overreacting. Not everyone wants your help to get something in their life. I know what is right and wrong for me." Her voice carrying so much frustration and hatred.
Siya can feel her heart got a crack. She never thought her own dii the girl she loves the most in this world will misunderstand her concern to overreacting. But she quickly recovered herself and said in soft and comforting Voice," sorry di .... I didn't mean that. I am sorry if my words hurt you."
Drishti felt another pang on guilt in her heart as she saw the love and trust in siya's eyes which she immediately ignored and said in forced calm voice," it's okay siya. And when you are coming? You didn't even came on engagement."
Siya looked a bit relieved as she couldn't understand the forceful voice of Drishti. She quickly smiled and said in her usual soft and energetic voice," sorry di... But I promise I will be there by tomorrow morning."
Drishti nodded slightly and said," don't be late okay. Afterall.... This marriage is not going to happen without you." Her voice was hint of seriousness and something deeper which siya misunderstood with her love.
But she will never know the truth. The truth of her need in this marriage. Her presence in this marriage. Her... Apperance in this marriage.
"Ofcourse di... I will be there as soon as possible. Achha di, i need to go and check how the kitchen work is going. So I will meet you tomorrow okay " siya said softly before hanging up.
Drishti stood there staring at the phone screen for a long moment. A small almost devilish smirk played on her lips as she thought about the wedding.
She saw vansh coming towards her with soft loving eyes. She wanted to roll her eyes so badly at the false love siya and vansh always showed her. But she knows better.
Vansh cupped her cheek softly and said," you liked your clothes naa? You want anything else? We can have more clothes if you want."
"No bhai, it's alright. After all, how can I deny siya's choice." She said with a hint of disdain but vansh was too lost in her false happy eyes to notice.
Vansh smiled softly and kissed her forehead gently and said," now let's go. We need to do so many things yet."
Drishti nodded slightly. As vansh stepped ahead of her to Walk out of butique she immediately rubbed her forehead roughly and whispered," noone else has right to touch me"
Vansh went to get his car and minakshi and her friends were talking about something a little far. Drishti was standing near the door of botique.
Suddenly a long sleek black Mercedes parked a little far from botique. Drishti's eyes fell on car. Her eyes immediately brighten up and even Started to glistening with unshed tears.
A man almost around 33 stepped out of car. His face hidden behind his mask and black glasses. He looked at Drishti. Drishti instinctively stepped a little in order to run to him, hold him, hug him tightly and hide herself in his arms. But, he raised his hand in mid-air showing his palm to her. Drishti immediately stopped understanding his unspoken words.
Her tears started to fell. She clenched her fists tightly preventing them from trembling as the sudden urge to hold him overwhelming her. His expression soften unrecognisably behind those mask and glasses. He again raised his hand, brought it to his face and mimicking the motion of wiping away tears and nodded slightly for her to follow him.
Drishti followed his hand reflecting his motion and wiped away her tears. She knows it's not the time to break down. After she has suffered evrything for these much years. She can't break now. For herself. For him. For them.
He again nodded slightly as if understanding her mind before sitting back in his car. His car remained there hiding him behind those black tinted windows. But Drishti knows he is there. He has always been for her. Only for her.
As Drishti was looking at the window and that man looking at her from Inside the car both unknown to the fact that someone has seen everything. Minakshi. Her hands clenched to her side yet she plastered a smile infront of her friends.
'I thought not to give you lesson at least today Drishti. But you... You are desperately trying to get the lesson from me. And don't you worry bitch. Your mom won't let you go away so easily.' Minakshi thought. Her eyes fixed on Drishti filled with hatred and disgust.
By the time, vansh came with his car. Everyone sat in car and drove off to house. But that man stayed there looking at the car vanishing through roads. The image of Drishti's tear filled eyes and looking at him with such love and trust haunting his mind.
He murmured under his breath," get a grip on your heart Ekant. You can't fall. You are not allowed to fall."
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Back in maheta house,
Drishti was placing all clothes on their places. Vansh was helping her talking to her Softly about her wedding.
Minakshi was laughing and chatting with her friends. After some time her friends started to leave.
As everyone left, she stood up and went to vansh and said," Vansh beta, can you please go and get my saree from the tailor."
Drishti stopped. She immediately understood what is going to be happen.
Vansh looked at Minakshi in confusion and said," but mom.... You said it will be done tomorrow right then what now."
Minakshi felt the sudden urge to forget everything and took her anger out on vansh but she knows she can't do better go with Drishti instead. She smiled softly and said," I know beta, but I got the tailor's call and said that my saree is ready. If you don't have time it's okay."
" No mom.... It's ok I will go and get it." Vansh said softly unknown to fact that what he is leaving behind for Drishti.
Drishti who was silent till now suddenly spoke up," b... Bhai..... I.... I think I should also come. You know... I can help you in something." Her voice was calm hiding the panick and fear in her body. She clenched her clothes from sides stopping them from trembling desperately.
Minakshi's anger flared up more. She immediately intervene and said," no Drishti, I have some work for you too. You should be home with me right. Helping me in some decoration."
Vansh spoke up to Minakshi," let her come mom... She must be wanting some fresh air from outside."
"No, vansh beta it's not right for a bride to roam around." Minakshi argued. Vansh was about to say more but suddenly got a call from the wedding planner.
He sighed slightly and turned to Drishti and said," sorry bachha, but I promise I will let you out in night okay. We will go eat something you like but right now I have to go." Saying that he caressed her cheek and went outside attending the call.
Drishti instinctively reached her hand out to grab vansh's hand but it was too late. As soon as the sound of his car faded Drishti felt a sharp sting on her cheek. Her hand immediately went to her swollen cheek trembling violently.
"You bloody bitch." Minakshi shouted at her with pure anger and disdain. She grabbed her hair yanking her head back with painful pull and said in dangerously low voice," you think trying to cling to your brother will save you"
Drishti eyes welled up in tears. Her hair being pulled painful. Her neck was hurting so much by being yanked. Her hands trembling with fear and pain.
"S... Sorry.... Maa.... " She whispered in low voice trying desperately to not anger her.
"I hate when you call me maa, didn't i tell you this before?" Minakshi sneered at the word maa from her lips. She pushed her away throwing her on floor and said," who was he?"
She shouted. Drishti fell on floor. Her hands immediately went to her hair where Minakshi gripped them tightly. She looked up at her with tear filled red puffy eyes and whimperly said," kon?" (Who)
Minakshi inhaled sharply and asked," who was the one outside the botique? Your lover?.... Your life saviour?" Her voice dripping with sarcasm and malice.
Drishti's eyes widened slightly she thought noone saw them but she was wrong. She replied in trembling voice," i.... I don't know '
Minakshi's anger boiling up at her words. She slapped her again hard leaving red handprint on her soft cheek.
" Liar"
Minakshi grabbed her arm gripping her painfully tightly. She dragged her in kitchen and left her hand. She grabbed the extractor from cabinate and turned on the stove. She started to hear up the extractor from fire.
Drishti watched in fear as she knows it's going to give so much pain but she can't do anything. She has to bear it. She doesn't has Choice. It's her life. Her hell. Her..... Destiny.
Minakshi grabbed Drishti's hand again and pulled her closer. She turned her around and lifted her dress pressing the heating extractor firmly on her spinal back.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh....." Drishti's voice echoing in kitchen. A painful scream. But Minakshi covered her mouth with her palm silencing her scream and said," shut up... This is your punishment for being such a useless thing in this world. You can hide anything you want. But remember, you are going to marry in few days and you don't have any choice. And your that lover. He can't do anything. Understood?"
Minakshi left her jerkily. She removed the heating extractor from her skin. Drishti's white soft skin is now red swollen and bruised. Minakshi looked at her for a while. Her eyes not showing any kind of regret or guilt just disgust. Like she didn't just burnt her own flesh of blood.
"Bitch " she muttered before storming out of kitchen leaving Drishti in tears and pain.
Drishti stood up tears soaking her cheeks. The pain was so much to bear but it's her habit now. She took deep breath and whispered," the worst thing is.... I am getting used to it now"
At her words a single fresh tear rolled down from her one eye.
She made her way to her bedroom. Her feet still trembling with each step. Her burned mark skin on her back clinging painfully to her clothes but as always. She can't do anything.
She locked herself in her room. Tears still didn't stopped despite the blankness in her eyes.
' only if, only if bhai wouldn't have left me. Only if he didn't have made a false excuse to leave me alone. It was my fault. I deserved this to let my fucking heart take over my mind. I again fall for his false love of his eyes. Again. ' she thought to herself. Her mouth became bittery at the thought of her trust break again.
She laid down on her bed on her stomach as she couldn't even twitch her back muscle even a little. A choked cry left from her lips at the sudden pain of burn rushed through her body. Her toes curled slightly from pain. She buried her face into a pillow muffling her painful cries and whimpers.
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No
Meanwhile in the living room Minakshi got a call from Her husband. Manish Maheta.
"What were you doing? I was calling you for long time" his voice came Sharp and serious from other side of phone.
"Putting her in her place!" She replied proudly as if she has done the most holistic and rightful work in the world.
Manish expression immediately Harden.
"I told you to keep your hands to yourself for Fucking few days. Is it that hard for you? "His voice came out as ugly growl as he was concerned about the marks Minakshi must have left on Drishti's skin.
Minakshi rolled her eyes and said," come on Honey.... I know exactly what to do. I didn't did anything on her hands or face. I just burned her back with extractor."
"I know you very well Minakshi. You must have left your fingerprints on her cheeks. I am telling you if anyone from Vikrant's family or Her brother and sister will doubt us or get even small glimpse of our deeds! You know well what I can do. Is that clear."
Minakshi felt a shiver down her spine at his words and found herself reply without thinking," sure. Don't worry."
Hearing her slight tremble in her voice Manish felt a satisfaction rush through his blood. Without saying anything he hung up.
Minakshi took a deep breath and whispered in malice," bitch. Because of you I had to hear this and what else. I can't even lash my Anger out now."
With a deep scowl on her face she went to her bedroom.
------------------------------------------
As the night wears on,
Drishti found herself stirring slightly as she felt pa5ir of hands draping around her waist. She didn't need to open her eyes as she can understand her touch and a strange yet comforting cologne Ekant has in himself.
"What is time?" Drishti murmured softly while nuzzling slightly closer to him.
Ekant couldn't help but let his lips curve upwards in s6oft loving smile which is reserved for her before replying," it's almost midnight"
She hmmed softly and pressed her face Deeper into his chest getting comfortable on top of him.
Ekant also wrapped his arms around her but as his hand get into a slight contact with her back inorder to pull her close his hand froze in air immediately.
A deep frown made it's way on his forehead at her painful whimper. "What happened, Sugar?"
His voice laced with concern and confusion.
She looked up from his chest. Her beautiful brown eyes shining brightly under moonlight because of tears as she whispered," she saw us outside the boutique"
His eyes immediately darkened. The sight of her tears and pain making his heart twitch painfully.
He carefully lifted the fabric to inspect the scar by himself. He sucked a sharp long breath as his eyes landed on her purple burned mark.
The softness of her skin a stark contrast to the brutal memories of her past and the pain she has endured was clearly visible on her every inch.
There was not just one scar.
His jaw clenched visibly. His heart throbbing violently under her ear as she held him tighter.
Feeling her clinging to him in this painful moment he couldn't help but wrapping his arms around her more tightly but carefully because of injury.
"They will pay."
He is not asking.
He is not comforting
He is not consoling.
It's a statement. A declaration. A commitment. A promise.
Everything she has been through. He will make every single person pay.
At his words she looked up from his chest and said," You are the only person whom I can trust right now, Ekant."
There was a pause in her stetment before she continued in low whisper voice.
" I am tired. I am tired of everything now. I want to be with YOU. Only YOU. "
He stared in her eyes for a while then leaned closer to place his lips on her. A soft sensual movment sparked the unspoken love they have.
After leaning back leaving her lips with a soft bite on her lower lip he whispered softly," we will Sugar. Just two days. On your wedding day. You will be mine in every way possible."
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Words: 4069
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