Solace of love

19✨

“Slowly.." Vihaan whispered as he was making Shidya drink some water.

She is having little discomfort gulping down the liquid due to soreness in her throat.

She blinked her eyes as she was done. Vihaan places the half filled glass on the side table and then gently wipes her chin and lips with his thumb.

“Shidya…" he softly called her, making her look at him.

"Police is here to talk with you. They wanted to ask you some questions,” she looked at him in alert and her breath stopped in panic.

“I didn't do anything, Vihaan. Why?" She asks him fearfully and gulps.

"Hey, relax, they just wanted to ask you a few things, nothing else. Don't worry, I will be here with you. You just have to answer them,” he assured her and held her hand which unconsciously fist the blanket.

He opened her fist and intertwined their fingers together.

“It’s necessary, Jaan," she looked at him and then slowly nodded, making him smile at her.

“That’s like my girl,.." he said lovingly and kissed her hand before looking out the window and giving a nod to his father.

The next minute, two police officers entered the room along with her doctor.

“Hello Ms. Shidya…" the senior officer politely said.

She nodded slightly and tightened her grip on Vihaan’s hand.

Feeling her getting tense, Vihaan started stroking his thumb on the back of her palm. She takes a deep breath to calm herself.

“Sorry to disturb you like this but there are few things I wanted to ask you. I hope you are comfortable and answer them honestly," she again nodded.

"What force you to take such a steps, Ms. Shidya?” as he asks this, her breath increases.

She gulped hard before glancing at Vihaan who blinked at her giving her silent assurance.

“Tell them, Shidya…" he whispered softly.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the officer.

"I..I don't want to marry R..Rohit. I just wanted to escape the marriage so I took this step, not having any option. I was feeling emotionally vulnerable that time…" she said all the while controlling her voice from breaking. It was hard for her to recall at that moment as she was at her lowest at that moment.

Vihaan’s heart clenches as he notices her shaky breathing and glossy eyes.

“Are you fine?" The officer asks as she blinks her eyes repeatedly.

She nodded at him.

“So that means you were forced," he states.

She nodded again.

"Can you tell me about your supposed fiance, Rohit,” She is still hearing this.

Vihaan notices how her hand trembles slightly. He stares at her to see her face turn pale. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered Rohit and how he humiliated her with his touch and words.

“H..he is a monster. He used to t..ouch me inappropriately. Thre..eatened me when I tried to protest him and his touc..h…" her throat tightened feeling a painful lump forming in her throat. She turns to Vihaan who has teary eyes with unknown rage in them.

Her lips tremble slightly as the Physical and emotional she went through in the past few days, is too much for her innocent heart. It's going to stay with her forever.