To love or die trying

Chapter 12. the hidden story

Manimegle was a teenager when she met Radhika's father. The two were considered soulmates back then. They started dating throughout college. To Manimegle everything felt right in the world when she was with him. One day she decided her father should meet the boy she wanted to one day marry. She tried to convinced Radhika's father to meet her father. However Radhika's father was very persistent that Manimegle had to think of alternative ways to make them meet each other. Manimegle decided to ask her father. For Suresh, Manimegle was his world. Whatever she wanted he will do it for her. Manimegle did not even have to beg him, she just had to ask and he will agree.

One day Manimegle convinced Radhika's father to meet her at a certain location and to dress nicely. He obliged and waited in the location. Manimegle and her father walked towards the location. Radhika's father could already tell Manimegle set it up. So he just went along with it. He shook Suresh's hand and nodded towards Manimegle. The trio decided to go to a nearby cafe. They talked while eating then Suresh payed the bill. Radhika's father did not even offer to pay. after Suresh payed they all said their goodbyes and Radhika's father left for his place.

Suresh told Manimegle that he had his suspicions on Radhika's father since the handshake. But she wouldn't take it. she convinced her father that Radhika's father was a nice guy. Suresh decided to give him another chance. A couple hours later Manimegle got a text from Radhika's father telling her to meet him in a couple hours. She was not allowed to go anywhere at night due to her curfew. However Radhika's father persisted. So Manimegle decided to sneak out. She met Radhika's father in a dim lighted alley way nearby just as his instructions. Radhika's father came out of nowhere and pushed Manimegle towards the wall. She was a little shocked that saw. Radhika's father holding a half empty whiskey bottle. She tried to take the bottle out of Radhika's father but he slapped her hands away.

"i told you I did not want to meet your father" Radhika's father slurred

Manimegle pleaded for forgiveness while putting her hands on his chest trying to push him away. But he got closer and closer. He cupped her face making her lips puff out

"next time you go against my orders you will suffer more." Radhika's father said giving her a hard slap on her right cheek. Before leaving the scene. Manimegle fell to the ground and cried before getting back her dignity. She stood up and took a deep breath in before entering the building.

She slowly sneaked in her place. However Suresh already knew she sneaked out and caught her right as she entered the front door. He was about to blow the roof until he saw how fragile she looked. Manimegle's cheek were red. Blood was flowing out of the side of her mouth, bruises and scars are seen all through her body. all in all she looked as if she was lucky to still be alive after the severe abuse.

Suresh lost his fury and took care of Manimegle throughout the night. Suresh never made Manimegle feel bad of what had happened. All he cared about was her health. Ever since her mom left them for no reason he made it is life's objective to give Manimegle a life full of happiness more than pain. Once Manimegle was in her bedroom fast asleep, Suresh went to his room and shut the door. Manimegle never saw how her father cried when he sees her hurt. he always made sure that Manimegle would see him as a strong person. Thats why almost every night he would lock himself in his room and let his emotions out.

After Manimegle and Radhika's father graduated High school, Radhika's father convinced her to take a gap year with him. Manimegle was not convinced. She had always wanted to finish her studies before she took a year to travel around. Radhika's father was very persistent in asking though. He would not take no for an answer. Manimegle got accepted with full scholarship to a few ivy league universities. While Radhika's father was only accepted to the mediocre ones no scholarship.

Manimegle told her father what Radhika's father was trying to make her do. Suresh could not take it anymore. he finally lost his sanity.

"you are not loosing your life for that...that... piece of trash that could not even get accepted to a decent university." Suresh continued "he only sees you as an item instead of a treasure why cant you see that."

Manimegle was so furious she went in her room and locked the door. She took her phone and texted Radhika's father to pick her up around midnight. Manimegle started to pack her bags and around midnight she sneaked out and left with Radhika's father. Since then Suresh never heard from Manimegle. He searched years and years but never found her. Or so Suresh told Radhika

"and that dear granddaughter is how i lost you mother" Suresh said looking at the frames of photos on a shelf next to a portrait on Manimegle.

by the end of the story, Suresh said goodnight to Radhika before leaving to his room. Radhika went to the other room and got ready for bed, contemplating on what tomorrow has in store for her before falling to slumber.