Anindita :HIS Ardhangini

chapter 4

Hours passed in darkness before Anindita stirred, her mind slowly surfacing from the fog of pain and exhaustion. Her hand throbbed with a searing ache, the burn tender and raw. She tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy, each effort reminding her of the injuries inflicted by Divya and Maya. She was alone in the small, dimly lit storeroom, with only silence and shadows for company.

As her senses returned, so did the memories of her punishment. Her chest tightened with fear and sorrow. Is this my fate? Is there no escape? she wondered, tears filling her eyes once again. She took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself, determined to gather enough strength to stand.

After what felt like an eternity, she rose slowly, clutching her injured hand close to her chest. Her stomach twisted with hunger, but she knew no one would come to check on her, much less offer food or water. She was on her own.

She gently pressed her hand against the storeroom wall to steady herself, leaning her weight against it. Every step sent a jolt of pain through her hand, but she moved forward, hoping to distract herself from her suffering.

Suddenly, the sound of muffled voices drifted from the hallway. Anindita held her breath, listening closely, recognizing the familiar tones of Divya and Maya.

Maya: "I still can’t believe she fainted so quickly. What a weakling," she scoffed, amusement in her voice.

Divya: "She’s lucky I didn’t punish her more severely. She needs to learn her place, once and for all."

Their words stung, each one a reminder of how merciless they were. Anindita clenched her fists, feeling a wave of helpless anger rise within her. But she forced herself to let it go. Anger wouldn’t save her—it would only make things worse.

Footsteps approached the storeroom door. Anindita quickly straightened, steeling herself. The door swung open, and Divya appeared, her expression as cold as ever.

Divya: "Get up," she commanded, a look of disdain crossing her face as she looked Anindita up and down. "It’s time for you to make yourself useful. Go clean the house, and make sure everything’s spotless."

Anindita nodded wordlessly, her eyes cast down to avoid further conflict. She didn’t want to risk another outburst from Divya. With a quick glance, Divya turned and left, her heels clicking as she disappeared down the hallway.

As soon as Divya was gone, Anindita forced herself to move, each step a painful reminder of her injuries. She headed to the living room, retrieving a dust cloth and bucket, and began to clean, her movements slow but precise. The burn on her hand throbbed with each motion, but she gritted her teeth and kept going, ignoring the pain as best she could.

---

Hours slipped by in silence as Anindita continued her chores, her body moving on autopilot. She knew that if she stopped or slowed down, she would face even worse consequences. By the time evening arrived, she was barely holding herself up, exhaustion pulling her down like a heavy weight. But there was no rest, no reprieve.

As she was wiping down the last table, she heard a knock on the front door, followed by a familiar voice.

Abhay Singhania, her father's business partner and a family friend, had arrived. He often visited the Aggarwal mansion to discuss business with Mr. Aggarwal, but tonight, his presence felt like a lifeline.

Anindita’s heart skipped a beat. She knew Abhay as a kind, empathetic man, unlike most people she had met. He had often spoken to her with respect, though her family had tried to keep her away from guests whenever possible. She listened from the hallway, the hope of some kindness or relief sparking in her.

As Abhay entered, he greeted Maya and Divya warmly, but soon his eyes drifted, catching sight of Anindita in the background. A faint frown crossed his face as he noticed her pale complexion and the weariness in her eyes.

Abhay: "Anindita? Are you alright?" he asked, his tone gentle but concerned.

Divya shot her a warning look, and Anindita hesitated, unsure if she should speak. Her gaze dropped, but before she could answer, Maya stepped in.

Maya: "Oh, she’s fine! Just a little tired from some extra chores. You know how clumsy she can be," she said dismissively, brushing off his concern with a laugh.

Abhay didn’t seem convinced, but he let it go, turning his attention back to Divya. They discussed business matters while Anindita continued cleaning, her heart heavy. She desperately wanted to speak up, to tell him the truth, but fear held her back.

As the night wore on, Abhay eventually left, though he gave Anindita one last, lingering look as he departed, as if sensing that something was wrong.

Once he was gone, Divya turned on Anindita with a sharp glare.

Divya: "Did you really think you could seek pity from him? Don’t even think about it. If I see you trying to gain sympathy again, you’ll regret it," she hissed, her eyes flashing with menace.

Anindita said nothing, swallowing her pride and hurt as she nodded obediently.

---

Later that night, after finishing her chores, she finally retreated to her small, cramped room. She carefully examined her burn, wincing as she touched it. The pain was sharper now, intensified by the day’s work, and it had begun to swell. With no access to proper medication, she gently wrapped a cloth around it, hoping it would ease the ache.

In the silence of her room, Anindita allowed herself a moment to cry, the day's events pressing down on her like a heavy weight. She thought of her mother, the only person who had ever truly loved her, and whispered a quiet prayer, wishing for strength.

Anindita’s POV:

Ma, please help me find a way out of this nightmare. I don’t know how much longer I can take this. Every day, I feel like I’m losing myself, like I’m trapped in a place I’ll never escape.

As she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts lingered on the brief glimmer of kindness she’d felt in Abhay’s concern. Perhaps, she thought, there might still be hope somewhere. Perhaps someone might notice her suffering.

If I hold on just a little longer… maybe my life could change.

With that faint spark of hope, she finally closed her eyes, drifting into a restless sleep as the shadows of the night settled around her.

---