Second Wife, Second Love.

34. Bad-Memories-II.

***Ruha's POV.***

"Adhrit..." I say as I shake.

Ramya whimpers beside me. As he gets up, I push her behind me. I want to run; I want to scream; I want to do anything but stand still, but I know what will happen. He is bigger than me, stronger than me, and has more leverage over me.

"Ramya, did your mother take you to the park?" He asks calmly, but Ramya whimpers more and clings to me, "Answer me." He roars and pounces for her, but I push her away and hold his leg.

"Let her be, please. I beg you. It wasn't her fault. It was me. Please." I say.

He grabs me by my hair to make me look at him and says, "I thought to go tomorrow and spend some quality time with my wife and daughter, but guess what? When I come home, they both are out somewhere and having fun without me. Where were you, Ruha? And don't lie"

"I went to... Agh! I went to work." The first slap didn't shock me.

It always starts with that. He never hurts my face until he is furious and today I feel like this will end badly, but that is the least of my worries. I look at Ramya, who is standing there with a balloon still in her hands, but her hands are on her face. She peeks at me from between her fingers and I do one thing which I trained her for.

"Hide." I say and she doesn't think twice and runs to our room.

"Do you really think this time I would spare her from watching it? She will see what is the consequence of going against my wishes." He says.

"No. Please no. She is just a child. Hurt me all you like, but not her." I say.

"Who said I will hurt her? I will make her hear your cries." He says menacingly and holds me by the hair again.

He drags me inside the room where Ramya is and I curse myself for ever hoping to be free of this monster. Being in this cage is better than watching my child suffer because of me. Is there no god left who could help my child at least?

"Ramya, come out and look at your Mum. This is what happens when you disobey me. Do you know how she disobeyed me?" He says as he takes out his belt and starts his torture.

Adhrit continues his assault with words and belt, but I concentrate on not crying out. I don't want my baby to hear it and be any more scared than she already is. But whimpers coming from behind the bed's headboard make my heart break.

But I can't stop my cries anymore and when I groan out in pain, she comes out. I look at her in horror as she throws herself at me and I hear a crash rather than a slash and a cry. Then everything goes silent. For a second, everything in me freezes as I look up at my tormentor.

His eyes are wide with shock, and there are little pieces of glasses near his feet. I feel Ramya's weight on my back, but I don't hear her whimpers anymore. I get up somehow and take a look at her, only to gasp in shock. The screams stop when he puts his hand on his mouth.

"Keep your silence. She isn't hurt." He says, and I look at him in shock.

I push his hand away and say, "She is bleeding. We have to take her to the hospital.

"Why? So, you can report me." He asks.

"I won't, but please she needs treatment, otherwise she will..." I didn't finish my sentence.

"Well, this ought to teach you a lesson. I can't stay in this filth. I am leaving." He says.

"No, please don't." I say and go after him, but he just leaves after pushing me away and locks the door on my face.