𝓬𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓭(under editing )

chapter 3.pain

I felt some semblance of peace here, at least no one could bark orders at me or lecture me.

After searching the entire house, I finally made my way to the bathroom. It was spacious and bright, unlike the rest of the house. I took a quick shower, trying to relax, knowing he wouldn't be showing up anytime soon.

As I removed the pins from my hair, it felt like an eternity. My fingers ached from the strain. "Poor my hair," I muttered, thinking about how much effort I had put into growing it this long.

After struggling for what seemed like an hour, I finally got all the pins out. My scalp was sore, but I quickly braided my hair and made my way to the balcony window. I started making my bed, just in case he came by. I didn't know if he would, but I had learned to always be prepared.

I still didn't know his name.

He was handsome, wealthy, and every woman would probably want him. His presence was commanding, like a Greek god, effortlessly drawing attention wherever he went. He seemed to have everything, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath the surface. He was volatile, with a temper so sharp that it could cut through anyone who stood in his way. I saw it in his eyes when he looked at me that first time, and I knew I had to be careful.

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard the sound of the door opening. I snapped back to reality and looked over. There he was, standing in the doorway. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and filled with a fury that sent a chill down my spine. I stood up instinctively, bracing myself for whatever would come next.

He entered, closing the door behind him with force. Without a word, he grabbed a large vase from a nearby table and hurled it in front of me. The crash made me flinch, but I didn't dare look at him.

I could feel his presence looming over me as he stepped closer. I stared at his shoes, unwilling to meet his gaze. His grip on my arms tightened painfully, and I let out an involuntary "Ahh" from the sudden pain.

"Where is Arya? Tell me," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"I don't know where she is," I replied, keeping my eyes lowered. But he wasn't satisfied. He twisted my arms, forcing me to look at him.

"Don't overreact," he growled. "I know women like you. Always greedy, always chasing after men. You just use them to get what you want. I don't care how many men you've slept with."

His words stung, each one like a slap to my heart. I had already been called a jinx, a bitch, uneducated, and worthless—but now he added "greedy" and "whore" to the list.

I didn't say anything, as usual. Speaking up never helped me before. Whenever I tried to stand up for myself in front of anyone, especially in this house, it only ever led to more punishment.

As I stood there, in his grip, he leaned in close and hissed, "Here's my warning. Stay away from my family. I'll grant you a divorce in six months. But if I find out you're helping her, I'll kill you too. Don't ever try to overstep your boundaries. You're nothing to us."

I nodded, not daring to speak. He pushed me away with such force that I stumbled back. A shard of the broken vase pierced my palm, the sting sharp and immediate. I cried out in pain but quickly pressed my lips together, trying to keep the sound of my pain to myself.

He didn't look back as he stormed out of the room, leaving the vase shattered on the floor. It was nothing new for me. Thank God he left.

If my mother had been in his place, I knew she would have hurt me just the same. She would have cleaned the entire house with the same hand that had caused me pain.

I slowly got up, wincing from the sharp pain in my palm. I looked down at the fresh wound and suddenly remembered how I had gotten another injury like this.

Flashback

I had been making tea, the house filled with the hum of activity as it was Arya's mehndi. Everyone was busy, and I had been working alone since early morning. I was pouring hot water into a glass when my hand slipped, and the glass shattered on the floor.

Panic set in. I knew what was coming.

My mami was the first to arrive, fury blazing in her eyes. She slapped me hard, shouting, "Your father bought all this, and you, like a queen, break it. Even street dogs are better than useless people like you. At least they don't destroy things."

Her words stung, but I didn't dare speak up.

"Pick up the pieces," she ordered, her voice filled with disgust.

As I bent down to clean up the mess, she placed her foot on the spot where my hand rested, and I cried out as the pressure made blood flow from my palm. Seeing me in pain, she didn't flinch. If anything, she seemed satisfied.

Flashback Ends

I didn't realize when the tears started to flow. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and went to the bathroom. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a broken version of myself. A Tara who could never live up to anyone's expectations, who couldn't make anyone proud.

But I loved the name my parents had given me. In this whole world, they were the only ones who had ever shown me love. And my younger aunt, who lived a happy life in the US, was the only other person who ever truly cared for me.

"You're strong, Tara. You are Tara Ashok Mehra, daughter of Tripti Mehra. You can't be weak," I whispered to myself in the mirror. I was trying to encourage myself, but deep inside, I knew the truth—I was completely broken. I had no hope left in me.

I washed my hands, cleaning the blood, but as he had warned, I couldn't touch his things. I made my way to my bag, tearing a piece of cotton cloth from it, and tied it around my injury.

Then I lay down, staring up at the sky, imagining my mom and dad watching over me. I whispered to them, "Mom, this hurts so much. I'm brave, but I'm broken. I feel so useless. I can't even stand up for myself. Everyone disrespects me, and I let them. But Mom and Dad, I want you here. I wish I had died that day, but because of your love, I'm still here in this world—this world without any love. God, take everything from me. Take my home, my family, my happiness."

I finally managed to fall asleep, though the pain in my heart felt unbearable.

Thankyou

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Author
Anu 💞