Broken By Love [COMPLETED]

Chapter 15

Sensitive content ahead. Reader's discretion is advised.

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Dhruv

I hit the accelerator hard, speeding my car on the highway, not caring where I was going as long as it took me to the place which could lessen my guilt.

Sikha's tears, the anguish I saw on her face, her pain, the things she told me, everything was etched into my chest, making it harder even to breathe.

"You don't snatch the honor of the person you love."

Her words echo in my mind, conjuring the scenes where I did precisely that, no matter how much she cried and screamed.

Stopping the car, I open the door and climb down, my knees buckling as the extent of my mistakes hit me.

I slump on the floor, my knees hitting the ground as I cover my face with my hands.

"Why did I do it? How could I do it?"

Repeating those words, I cry, unable to believe how much of a monster I became because of one misunderstanding.

"You don't rape the person you love."

"ARRGGHHHHHH!!!!!!" I scream as those words hit me.

I cannot digest those words. Shaking my head, I stand up, my legs still wobbly, as I start pacing around.

"Not... rape... no.... no.... I am not...." I am unable to say that word aloud.

Say it, Dhruv. Say the word. Say what you are—a rapist.

"No. I am not. I did everything because I thought she was at fault. It was a mistake. I am not that. I AM NOT," I continue to shout, wanting to justify my mistakes, hoping that the justification will lessen my culpability.

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Sikha

"Don't you dare say anything to any Rathore or Agarwal, Sikha. You have no idea what I am capable of," Niranjan glared at me, and I glared back, showing him that I was not afraid of him.

"I know exactly what you are capable of, Niranjan. You are a cunning, selfish man who can go to any extent to protect himself. But don't you dare think that I would ever be afraid of you or your empty threats. Because that is what they are. Empty threats."

"Sikha, you are playing with fire here. You don't--" Niranjan stopped speaking because Anjali entered the room then.

"Niranjan, Sikha, what are you two doing in Priya's room? Everyone is looking for you downstairs," Anjali said to us, and the way she was smiling made me think she did not hear anything.

"I came here to get Aashish's engagement ring which Priya had kept in the drawer," I replied to Anjali, not giving any explanation about what Niranjan was doing there. I wanted to see what excuse the slimeball would give to his wife because he sure as hell was not going to speak the truth.

Anjali looked at Niranjan and raised her eyebrows, waiting for his explanation.

"Umm, I got lost, Anjali. I was looking for the bathroom, but I stumbled inside this room instead. I was about to leave here to come down, but you entered the room before I could do that."

I rolled my eyes at his flimsy excuse, but Anjali smiled and nodded, apparently buying it.

I felt terrible for Anjali because she was so innocent and gullible, believing in all her husband's lies and even loving him when he does not deserve that love.