Beyond Sex

Raha Gowtham

Raha Gowtham

Shubman Sharma

It was 10 p.m., and as I shut the door behind me, I leaned my back against it, seeking solace in the temporary sanctuary of my room. My eyes automatically gravitated towards my bed, a sight that triggered an instant flood of memories from the morning. The bitter taste lingered in my throat as I recalled Shubman's ruthless manipulation, treating me as though I were his possession. This realization made my breathing heavier, and I could see my nipples popping out against my shirt. Seeking some form of relief, I turned to the wooden drawer on my right, knowing that within it lay the soothing balm that could alleviate the physical pain. As I retrieved the ointment, my gaze then fell upon the mirror standing beside the drawer. With a sense of trepidation, I slowly removed my T-shirt. The reflection that stared back at me was a painful reminder of the invasion of my most private and intimate self. The marks left by his teeth, imprinted upon my skin, stood as cruel evidence of his abuse. The pain emanating from that area intensified, as if to taunt me with the memories of the violation I had endured. Tears streamed down my face.

My mind started racing with various thoughts, tracing back to where it all began. If someone had told me a couple of months ago that I would be getting married in the next two months and that my life would be turned upside down, I would have laughed at them. But here I am, living a reality I never expected. My name is Raha Gowtham, and I am a Tamilian from Chennai. I was the only daughter of my loving parents, and we lived a happy life together. I was studying artificial intelligence engineering in my first year, with dreams of a bright future. Everything seemed perfect until one fateful night. It was a beautiful weekend night, and my parents and I were returning home in our car after a delightful movie outing. Laughter filled the air as we shared happy moments. Little did we know that this laughter would soon fade and the beauty of the night would be tainted.

Out of nowhere, a massive truck from the opposite lane lost control and crashed into our car, shattering our lives in mere seconds. My parents tragically lost their lives in the accident, while fate cruelly spared me, leaving me with multiple fractures and a broken heart. I spent several days in the hospital, not only battling physical pain but also the overwhelming grief of losing my beloved parents. With no place to go and no family to turn to, I was feeling desolate and lost. However, fate had a twisted plan in store for me. It was during this vulnerable time that my uncle and aunt came into the picture. Though they never had a good relationship with my parents, they extended an invitation for me to stay with them in Mohali, where my uncle worked and his family was settled. Desperate and without an alternative, I accepted their offer, unaware of the sinister motives lurking beneath.

After a month of residing with my uncle and aunt, I mustered the courage to ask if I could continue my college studies. To my shock and dismay, their response crushed my hopes and dreams. "We are already struggling financially, and we have no intention of spending money on your education," my uncle heartlessly declared. "Instead, I will find a groom who will pay a hefty dowry for you to marry as soon as possible," he added callously. The words struck me like a thunderbolt, sending a chilling shock down my spine.

Just yesterday, my aunt informed me that they had found a potential groom who was willing to pay a substantial sum as dowry. His name was Shubman, and he was the city's youngest CEO. I felt trapped and utterly helpless. Not only was I threatened not to ruin this marriage, but I also learned that Shubman was aware of the circumstances surrounding our union, making escape seem impossible.

As the wedding day drew closer, preparations were in full swing. The excitement in the air was palpable—except for me, as my heart weighed heavy with concerns. It seemed as though my uncle and aunt were blinded by their desire for dowry from Shubman, and they dismissed my feelings entirely. Every day, several designers, hair stylists, and makeup artists arrived at our house to transform me into a bride fit for a fairytale. I was primped and prepared, but inside, I still felt empty. No amount of external beauty could mask the unease within. I longed for a partner who would understand and cherish me—a marriage built on love and respect. But it seemed as though everyone around me was solely focused on the material aspects of this union.

5 days passed.

Shubman's family had a long-standing tradition of visiting their family temple the day before the marriage. My uncle, aunt, and I dressed up for the occasion and waited at the entrance of our home. As we stood there, a pair of sleek, black cars approached us. The front passenger seat window of the first car rolled down, revealing Shubman sitting inside. With a commanding tone, he swiftly instructed, "The car behind is free, and it's for you to occupy," before closing the window. Following his instructions, we settled ourselves into the car behind him. The journey to the family temple took a couple of hours. Upon arriving at the temple, we embarked on a series of pre-marriage rituals as a family. As the time came to return from the temple, Shubman made an unexpected request. He turned to my uncle and asked, "Uncle, can Raha and I come in a separate car? The rest of you can take the other one." My heart skipped a beat, and a rush of anxiety coursed through my veins. I didn't want to be alone with Shubman, but my uncle readily agreed to his request without a second thought. In a last-ditch effort, I turned to my aunt, desperately expressing my reservations about being alone with Shubman. However, my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Shubman got into the driver seat without even acknowledging me. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, before finally deciding to get into the front passenger seat. As we drove back home, Shubman remained silent, his face wearing a deadly expression. My heart raced, creating a sensation of impending doom. Finally, we reached our destination, and I prepared to exit the car. Just as I was about to step out, Shubman called out my name. I turned to face him. "Good! It seems your boobs have returned to their original size. What about the marks?" he asked, his tone intense. Fear gripped me, rendering me speechless. "Would you answer me, or should I check for myself?" he pressed on, his eyes fixed on mine. In a shaky voice, I managed to reply, "No, they're gone." His deadly expression softened a bit. "That's good. So, how did it feel when my finger touched your pussy walls?" he asked, showing his finger. Embarrassment washed over me, and I couldn't bring myself to respond. "Well, get ready to experience the real monster," he added, patting my head gently with the other hand.

Without wasting another second, I swiftly jumped out of the car, desperate to escape the overwhelming humiliation. I darted away from his sight, determined to avoid any further embarrassment.