Call It What You Want

Guardian Angel- 10

Shariq drags me through the front door. My ankle protests in agony because of what he did earlier. I see his men outside waiting near a car. Despite the threat hanging over my head I try to remove my hand from his grip but he puts a bruising pressure through it and whispers.

"Do you think we can go back inside again and consummate our marriage without marrying?" he snorts. I tremble in fear, when I don't reply he says, "That's what I thought." He makes a slow menacing laugh and pushes me inside.

His men drive while he engages in call with someone. I press myself against the door and try to gain some semblance of control. But no matter how I try what awaits in future tortures me throughout the journey.

I silently weep. I so badly want to meet my family. I am sure they must be worried.

"Did I forget to mention that if you try to seek help after marriage I'll kill your family? If you try anything funny I'll end them, so please save your energy." He says trampling over any hopes I had for my future escapades.

We arrive in what looks like a warehouse. His men open the door and I am greeted by the sight of a priest and Shariq's cronies, Kabir & Vishal whom he calls his friends since school.

"Do not embarass me infront of my friends by starting your sob story. They know everything about us & I assure you they won't help you." He says before I think of asking.

The priest starts to chant the mantra & tells us to continue the wedding ritual.

"Finally." Shariq sighs with a contended expression. I offer him nothing but my silence.

"Do you feel the spark Shiv? Between us?" He mutters beside me as he continues what the priest tell him to do.

That is the problem. I don't.

I wanted to shout at his face for the thousandth time. But I remain silent.

"We have travelled a long way together. I can't wait to finally make you mine today. This might scare you a bit, but this is the only way to make you agree to this wedding." He says like any of his reasons justifies what he's doing to me.

"Let's start this fresh. We are 24, we have a long journey ahead why don't we stop fighting, keep our differences aside and start our life as husband and wife?" My stomach churns at the thought if being his wife.

That's when I break my silence.

"I don't want to marry you Shariq."
I whisper. A hitch catches in my breath.

Silence.

"What did you just say?" He growls like a cornered animal.

The priest stops chanting & his friends Kabir & Vishal stares at me like I am dumb.

Then Shariq speaks again and I tremble. "I need a moment with my future wife."

He looks at me with a fixed gaze that promises me with violence.

I am almost scared that he would strike me like he did before, to get me ready for the occasion.

Then the priest walks out without a backward glance. Probably the bribe Shariq has paid keeps his mouth shut & his opinions to himself without questioning any of this.

His friends both gives me pitying looks as if it would save me from this monster and leaves.

I am alone with the one who swears on his life that he loves me. But he doesn't care that I don't share his feelings, that I want to live independently as a woman for a while before thinking about marriage.

He says that women belong to kitchen like he shares the view of his grandfather who lived in 1950s.

What a narrow-minded prick.

He is so blinded by narcissism that he couldn't accept the fact that I don't want to be with him. How can I fall in love with someone who doesn't share my basic views on life?

Who's basically a walking contradiction of what I feel a man should be.

But Shariq Raichand doesn't care what I want. He want to consume me. His definition of love is what I believe the opposite of the very word. He cages me in, when I want to just fly and to be loved freely.

"You never listen." He states and takes his belt out. I shake my head repeatedly.

"What did I tell you before?" He takes a step forward "DO. NOT. EMBARASS. ME. INFRONT. OF. OTHERS." He grinds each words through his teeth.

This time he truly looks like he's going to kill me or worse.

"I didn't-" I start but stop with a whimper when he hits my arm with the leather belt.

I try to move away but he grabs my arm, twists it around and pins my front to the wall. I hear his zipper open. And start to sob hysterically. 

"Please Shariq! No! I am scared!" I cry out but he tries to lift my lehenga skirt but I struggle against him. He forces me to turn and strikes me across my face.

I fall face first to the floor my arms and kneecaps burn with the force. I couldn't breath. Then again he pins me to the floor and rips my shawl away.

That's when the reality registers to me. Nobody is going to save me this time. I am going to be raped and kidnapped to another country & live alone fearing my husband all my life.

All my dreams of finding true love shatters in that minute. I am never going to be the same Shivanya again.

Shariq is halfway removing his trousers. I close my eyes at the sight & force myself to feel numb.

Suddenly his weight lifts off of my body. I smell cinnamon and an earthy smell of cologne that feels like a warm blanket on a rainy day.

When I open my eyes I am greeted with the sight of an angel. Maybe I am in heaven now.

My guardian angel faces Shariq with a gun. Standing before him proud and tall with a confidence that matches a King's.

Wait a minute.

If it's heaven then it's no place to a monster like Shariq.

No. My gaurdian angel is not really an angel.

He's my boss.

Vihaan Rajputh

To be continued...
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