Apricity

Part 28

With a deep breath, Suhani mustered the courage to open up about her past, knowing that she can no longer bear the weight of her secrets alone. "It started when I was ten," she began, closing her eyes as the memories flooded back, each one a sharp dagger piercing her heart. "Not even a year from when Maa had passed."

The pain in her voice was palpable, and Ranveer couldn't help but wince at the rawness of her confession.

"I remember feeling so lost, so helpless," Suhani continued, tears streaming down her face as she recalled the agony she endured all those years ago. "I-I didn't understand what was happening, but it... it felt wrong. But Papa trusted him, Maa trusted him, and the ten-year-old me couldn't question their trust."

Ranveer listened in silence, his heart breaking at the anguish in Suhani's voice. The weight of her past seemed to press against them, threatening to suffocate them both.

Suhani took a shaky breath, gathering herself before continuing. "He was my father's brother - my uncle," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and anger. "He used to come over to our house often and stay over for weeks altogether, and I remember feeling a sense of unease and fear whenever he announced his return."

Tears spilled down Suhani's cheeks as she fought to find the strength to continue. Ranveer's presence beside her was a lifeline, grounding her amidst the storm of memories.

"He...he took advantage of my helplessness, my loneliness, and my father's gried," Suhani finally confessed, her voice barely a whisper. "For years, he... he would touch me against my wishes and... and as I grew older, it became worse."

Ranveer sat there, his heart wrenching at the pain etched deep in her eyes. The knots in his stomach tightened with the realization of the horrors she had endured.

Suhani's voice quivered as she spoke, her smile fading, tears streaming down her face. "I was too afraid to say anything. My family trusted him – would they even believe me? Would they... would they blame for whatever had happened? And so, I carried this burden, this secret with me, year after year."

But as she spoke she knew that time had not been the balm she had hoped for. Instead, the wounds had festered, and the scars still ached with a pain that was as fresh as it was all those years ago.

"Until one day when I... I couldn't take it anymore. My silence had only empowered him and his confidence knew no bounds. Neither... neither my body, nor could my mind take it anymore. So, at fifteen, I-I threatened to kill myself if he ever touched me again."

Suhani rubbed her palms together, letting tears flow down her cheeks with abandon. Ranveer's heart ached for Suhani as she shared the horrific ordeal she had endured. Bile rose through his throat and his heart hammered against his ribcage while the whooshing of the blood in his ears almost deafened him.

Her voice was weak and trembling, but it gained strength with each word spoken. "I'd carry a-a knife, sleeping pills, or just anything to show him I wouldn't hesitate to turn my threat into reality. But the damage had been done. I felt dirty, violated, and alone."

Suhani drew a sharp breath, biting down her chapped lips. "One day, my class teacher discovered the sleeping pills in my bag and she demanded answers. I-I don't know how or why, but I told her everything. But nothing changed. He... He'd still visit home. Watch me with those vile eyes."

Ranveer was stunned, his world shattering into a million pieces as he listened to the horrific tale that Suhani had been carrying within her. He couldn't imagine the strength it must have taken for her to share this with him, and he didn't know what to say.

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading for some kind of understanding or support.

"I'm so sorry, Suhani. You've been through so much, and I wish I could take it all away for you. I want you to know that you're not alone, and I'm here to support you in any way I can."