Hateship

8

As Aarohi was dragged into Vidyut's bedroom, she was met with a sight that made her heart skip a beat. Vidyut lay in bed, his head swathed in bandages, his face pale and drawn. The dim light of the room cast eerie shadows on his face, making him look like a wounded warrior. For a moment, Aarohi felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, a thrill of triumph at seeing her captor brought low. She had dreamed of this moment, of seeing Vidyut vulnerable and weak.

But she knew she couldn't indulge in that feeling for long. Vidyut's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity, even in his weakened state. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if he could see every thought, every emotion that was racing through her mind.

Aarohi's heart raced with fear, but she knew she had to be careful. She couldn't let her guard down, not even for a moment. She had to remember that Vidyut was still a dangerous man, a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was her.

As she approached the bed, Vidyut's eyes never left hers. His gaze was like a vice, holding her in place, making her feel trapped and helpless. Aarohi felt like a bird caught in a snake's gaze, unable to move, unable to escape.

But she refused to give in. She refused to show Vidyut that she was afraid.

The next day

The next morning, Aarohi's determination to attend college was met with a formidable obstacle - Vidyut's father, standing tall and menacing in the doorway, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. His presence seemed to fill the entire room, making the air thick with tension.

"You're not going anywhere," he growled, his voice like a rusty gate, scraping against her nerves. The malice in his tone sent shivers down her spine.

Aarohi's eyes flashed with outrage, her mind racing with defiance. "But I'm in my final year of law school!" she protested, her voice trembling with desperation, like a leaf caught in a storm. She had worked tirelessly to reach this milestone, pouring her heart and soul into her studies. The thought of abandoning her dreams now was unbearable, a weight crushing her spirit.

Vidyut's father sneered, his lips curling in contempt, like a master dismissing a servant. "Law?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "Ha! You'll never be a lawyer, Aarohi. That's a man's world. You'll be a dutiful wife and mother, nothing more. That's your duty, and you'll fulfill it."

Aarohi felt her dreams slipping away from her, like sand between her fingers, lost forever. The suffocating web of oppression seemed to tighten its grip, threatening to consume her. She knew she had to escape, to break free from this prison of expectations. But for now, she was trapped, a prisoner in her own life.

The weight of her situation crushed her, like a boulder crushing a delicate flower. She felt her spirit begin to break, like a bird with clipped wings, unable to soar. But deep within, a spark of defiance still flickered, refusing to be extinguished.

As the day wore on, Aarohi was dragged from one marital ritual to another, each ceremony a painful reminder of her trap. She was forced to participate in ancient customs, her actions scripted and her smile fake, like a puppet on strings. But her heart was not in it. She was counting down the minutes, willing the clock to tick faster, until she could find a way to shatter the chains of this marriage and reclaim her life.

With every passing moment, Aarohi's resentment grew, like a slow-burning fire consuming her from within. She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't want to play, a game where the rules were rigged against her. The weight of Vidyut's family's expectations crushed her, suffocating her under the guise of tradition.

She longed to break free from the suffocating grip of Vidyut's family and forge her own path, to shatter the glass cage that held her captive. But for now, she was trapped, forced to play the role of the dutiful wife, a role that was suffocating her.

Aarohi's mind raced with thoughts of escape, her brain working overtime to devise a plan. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to take back control of her life. She would not be held captive by Vidyut's twisted desires and his family's oppressive traditions. She would rise above it, like a phoenix from the ashes.

Next day

The next day, Vidyut walked into the dining room, his head no longer bandaged, revealing a hint of a scar above his left eyebrow. His eyes locked onto Aarohi, his gaze calculating and intense, like a predator sizing up its prey. Then, he turned to his father, his voice firm and authoritative, commanding attention.

"Let her go to college," Vidyut said, his words dropping like a bombshell in the silent room, sending shockwaves through the air. His father's eyes widened in surprise, his face pale with shock, like a man who'd just been punched in the gut.

"But Vidyut, we just discussed this," his father protested, his voice laced with disapproval, like a parent scolding a child. "She's a married woman now, she doesn't need to study. Her place is in the home, taking care of her family."

Vidyut's expression was unreadable, his face a mask of calm determination, like a poker player hiding his hand. "I want her to go," he repeated, his tone brooking no argument, his voice firm as steel.

The room fell silent, the tension palpable, like a thick fog that refused to lift. Aarohi struggled to understand Vidyut's sudden change of heart, her mind racing with questions. Was this a trap, a clever ploy to gain her trust? Or was it a genuine attempt to give her freedom, to unlock the chains that bound her?

She couldn't be sure, but she knew she had to be cautious, like a wild animal sensing danger. She watched Vidyut, searching for any sign of deception. But his face revealed nothing, his eyes giving away no secrets.

Aarohi's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with suspicion. Why was Vidyut suddenly being so accommodating? What was he hiding behind that calm, collected exterior? She didn't have time to ponder the question, as Vidyut was already standing up, his eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.

"I'll drop you off," he said, his voice firm, his eyes glinting with a hidden motive. The words sent a shiver down her spine, like a whisper of warning.

Aarohi hesitated, unsure if she should accept his offer. But something in his gaze made her feel trapped, like a bird caught in a snare. She couldn't refuse, not without arousing suspicion.

"Fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aarohi slid into the passenger seat beside Vidyut, her eyes fixed on his profile as he drove, his features chiseled in the morning light. The silence between them was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the gentle rustle of the wind outside, like a held breath.

Vidyut's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his jaw set in a determined line, leaving Aarohi to ponder the enigma that was her husband. She searched for clues in his expression, but his face was a mask, revealing nothing. The air was thick with tension, like a coiled spring waiting to snap.

As they drove, Aarohi's mind raced with questions, each one tumbling over the other like a waterfall. What did Vidyut want from her? Was this a genuine attempt at kindness, or a clever ploy to manipulate her? She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking on thin ice, unsure of when it would crack beneath her feet.

Upon arriving at the college, Vidyut turned to her, his voice low and firm, like a command. "I'll pick you up at 5," he said, his eyes locking onto hers with an unnerving intensity, like a predator claiming its prey. Aarohi nodded, a shiver coursing down her spine as she felt the weight of his gaze, like a physical touch.

She couldn't help but wonder what lay behind his words - a genuine desire to support her, or a cleverly crafted trap to ensnare her further. Was he trying to keep her close, to monitor her every move, or was this a genuine attempt at kindness?

As she stepped out of the car, Aarohi felt a sense of unease settle over her, like a shroud.
With a deep breath, she steeled herself and headed towards her class, her mind racing with questions.