Captivated by Innocence - (Book 1 of Captivated Series)

Chapter 2

T/W : Physical abuse

तुम मिले तो लम्हे थम गये,

 तुम मिले तो सारे गम गये, 

तुम मिले तो मुस्कुराना आ गया...

तुम मिले तो जादू छा गया, 

तुम मिले तो जीना आ गया, 

तुम मिले तो मैने पाया है खुदा...

Author POV :

Anushka's heart had swelled with a rare happiness earlier that day when she met Riya. They had bonded over shared interests in books and a mutual appreciation for the quiet corners of their college library. Riya's easy smile and genuine interest in her thoughts had made Anushka feel understood in a way she rarely did among her peers. For once, she looked forward to coming home, eager to carry the warmth of their budding friendship with her.

But reality at home was starkly different from the comfort she had found with Riya. As she stepped through the front door after a long day of classes, the welcoming atmosphere of her home evaporated instantly. Her aunt, with her perpetual disapproval etched into every line of her face, greeted Anushka with sharp words and pointed reminders of her duties.

"There you are, Anushka," her aunt's voice pierced the quiet of the house. "Always wasting time with your friends instead of helping around here. Do you think chores do themselves?"

Anushka swallowed her disappointment and nodded silently. She knew better than to argue. Without another word, she obediently began to tackle the chores her aunt had laid out for her, trying to block out the negativity that threatened to overshadow the joy of her earlier encounter with Riya.

The evening took a distressing turn when her uncle returned home. His mood was foul, evident in the heavy thud of his footsteps and the terse way he greeted everyone. Anushka sensed trouble brewing as her aunt wasted no time in accusing her of breaking a delicate vase that had adorned the living room for years.

"It wasn't me," Anushka protested, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration. But her words were drowned out by her aunt's insistence and her uncle's escalating anger.

Before Anushka could comprehend what was happening, her uncle's hands were on her, dragging her roughly into the hall. The sudden violence and accusation stunned her. She tried to explain, to reason with him, but his fury was relentless. Blow after blow rained down on her, each one accompanied by accusations and harsh words.

"You're careless," her uncle growled between clenched teeth. "You've always been trouble."Anushka crumpled under the weight of his wrath, pain blossoming across her body where his fists had landed. Her cries for mercy fell on deaf ears as he continued to punish her for a crime she had not committed.