Second Chance Love

Knowing Her Past

Hello dear readers,

Sorry for the delay, but this was a difficult chapter to write. Hope it is realistic. But before you read it, you should know there is mention of abuse and can be triggering. So please read only if you are comfortable. Also, the next update will be after 2 weeks. Please bear with me.

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"I am sorry for whatever happened," said Akshara.

"Will you stop saying that?" said Abhimanyu, annoyed now.

Akshara remained silent. "It's just that I know that you are feeling guilty and I dont want you to.."

Abhimanyu was about to say something but Akshara interrupted him. "Please, Abhimanyu let me say it." She felt him nod his head. Akshara took a deep breath. 'The thing is my experience with....sex has not been very pleasant." Immediately, Akshara felt Abhimanyu's hold tightening around her. There was silence although Akshara could feel that Abhimanyu's heart beat was fast and he did not loosen his hold on her. In a tone bordering between anger and fear he asked, "Did-did he force upon you?"

Akshara was silent again. "If you are asking if he asked me for my consent, toh he didn't," she replied her own voice oddly calm. Abhimanyu loosened her hold, as if wanting to look at her. But Akshara refused to move away from his chest. "Please, let me remain here," she requested. Abhimanyu didn't say anything. He tightened his hold around her again and kissed the top of her head.

"Rudra was quite charming and romantic before our wedding. Our engagement period was very short, just over a month. During that period, he would call me regularly, ask about my future plans, send me gifts. He even flew to Mumbai for a day to celebrate my birthday. I, who had absolutely no experience with men, was falling for him."

Akshara went silent again and Abhimanyu made no efforts to rush her. He knew that he had to let her speak at her own pace.

"But everything changed right after our wedding." She chuckled sadly. "Actually just after my bidaai."

"We were traveling to the airport directly from the wedding venue. I had literally bawled my eyes out before leaving and was still sobbing in the car. I was so into my own feelings that I didn't realize that he had not said anything to me. No words or touch of assurance, nothing. Somewhere between crying, I dozed off. Next thing I know my mother-in-law was asking me to wake up as we had reached the airport."

"Did I tell you he was rich?" Akshara asked.

"No."

"Ya, filthy rich. We flew to Udaipur on a chartered plane. I was in awe," Akshara chuckled again and continued, "so much in awe that I didn't realize that my new husband was not sitting next to me. Instead his mother took the seat next to me."

"Once the flight took off, I started looking for him, only to be told that he was very tired and was sleeping at the back. I found it odd. I mean he could have slept while sitting next to me too. But I didn't say anything. My ex-mother-in-law was a strict looking woman and always talked in a clipped tone. So, I let it go."

"When we reached his house, I was in awe again. Because it was not a house but literally a palace. From a two-bedroom cramped up house in Mumbai to a palace. It was overwhelming to say the least. We had reached in the morning, so the rest of the day went in the post-wedding rituals and we didn't get time to interact much. Then it was time - for our first night."

"I was decked up by his female relatives and everyone had only one piece of advice for me and that was to submit to my husband's demands. It was the magic formula to a happy married life, it seemed. I scoffed internally. I mean which age were they living in?"