Forsaken - Chapter 23

Chapter 23
Nisha was sitting upright on the bed, wrapped in the bed sheets. She just sat there, thinking of what had happened just moments before. At first she thought she would die. The most valuable thing a girl had was spoiled. Her body had been violated. It made no difference that the perpetrator was the man she loved. Before marriage, it was never supposed to happen. It was a sin.

She knew she had only herself to blame. She was allowing him to get close physically. She gave him the freedom. She should have gone to her mother when she came back from school. And while it was happening, why did not she scream? That would have made him come back to his senses. She has to admit that she did enjoy it. Her resistance was feeble. It was like a shadow-fight where both of them knew of the outcome. Now another thought frightened her. What if something happened? What if she got pregnant? On this thought she broke down and started crying.

Ajit was sitting on the couch in the living room, his head cradled in his hands. He knew he has committed a grave crime. He could not look at Nisha. May be this was the last time he would ever see her. She was going to tell her mom and the consequences frightened him. What would happen now? What should he do?

“Why, oh why did I do it?” he cursed himself for spoiling everything; he cursed Vinod for provoking him with dirty thoughts. He cursed his life.

He did not have the courage to face Nisha. He knew he had taken advantage of her situation. The pure, angelic love had been spoiled. It has become dirty and earthly. Had I not gone into her room, had I not massaged her, had I not listened to Vinod, this would not have happened.

He was taken aback when he heard loud sobs from her room. Now a new fear enveloped him. What if Nisha commit suicide? He has heard about such incidence. He jumped up from the seat and ran towards the room. He saw her in sitting position, head resting on her knees and her body shaking. He slowly walked towards her and touched her on the shoulder.

Nisha recoiled. She raised her head. Her eyes were bloodshot. Streams of tears ran down her cheeks. Her beautiful hair was in total disarray. She looked pathetic.

“Nisha I am sorry.” Ajit blurted out.

Her body shook vigorously as another wave of grief hit her. Ajit stood there not knowing what to do.

The sobbing subdued a little.

“Nisha, I don’t know what to say except I am sorry” Ajit once again tried. He was gripped by the fear that Susan would turn up any moment.

“It was my fault.” Nisha finally spoke. When she did, there was certain calmness in her voice.

“No. It was entirely my fault. I took advantage of the situation. Please forgive me” Ajit was on the verge of crying.

“Anyway whatever happened happened. I lost something that is irreversible.” She was calm now.

Ajit stood there, his hand still resting on her shoulder.

“if Amma or Acha come to know what happened, everything is finished. But I tell you one thing.
If something goes wrong, I’ll end my life.” There was an eerie calmness that troubled him.

“Please don’t say that. I will die with you.” He was solemn.

“Aji, I loved you with my heart. Please don’t ever leave me,” she pleaded.

“Leaving you? I would give my life for you. Please forgive me” Ajit was relieved a bit.

That instant the phone rang. Ajit looked at her expectantly. Since she wasn’t moving, he went out to attend the call.

It was Susan and she had bad news.

He came back to break the news to her. Contrary to his expectation, she did not start another round of crying. She stood up, the bed sheet still wrapped around her and walked into the bathroom.

Within five minutes they were on their way to hospital. They rode silently. Remarkably for Nisha, she recovered well from the shock. She was thinking fast.

“Aji, If Amma or Acha asks why I look like this, tell them I had a bad headache and came back from school early. Okay?” She asked him from behind.

He just nodded.

“One more thing, now I can not think of a man except you. If you ever try to leave me, I will end my life. This is not just a threat. I will do it” From her tone, he knew she was determined.
“Nisha, I am promising you. I will never, ever even think about leaving you.” He promised.
Once in the hospital, Susan asked the question Nisha was expecting. She gave the exact version she told Ajit. The matter was settled there since Susan was more concerned about Raju’s health. They agreed that Ajit should go back since he had a match next day. But he was adamant, that he would not go back. Raju and Susan took it for his love towards Raju, but Ajit was scared about Nisha revealing the facts to her mother. Susan tried her best to persuade Ajit, but he stood his ground. So it was decided that they all stay in the hospital room. Nisha has the presence of mind to bring some bed sheets and a change of dress for her mother with her so they spread the sheets on the floor and slept there.

Ajit got up early, went to the house. Susan gave him elaborate descriptions about the directions with landmarks. He reached home, showered and went to the ground.

The match was a tight one. The opponents gave a tough fight. It all came down to the last ball of the match and with a little luck Ajit’s team won the match. There were delirious celebrations on the ground and off it too. Ajit took part in the post-match meeting and left.

As he approached the house, he saw a frightening sight. His father’s Maruti 800 parked near the gate. A foreboding feeling descended upon him. Nisha had informed her parents and Ammachi must have come to take him. With trembling hands he rode into the gate and to the impending disaster that is waiting for him at the house.