Trapped
“Where are you going?” She asked.
“None of your business.” He replied rudely.
“I am your wife. I have the right to know.”
“That you are. So, don’t act like I am a criminal and you are my parole officer.”
“But…”
Before she could even complete her sentence, he looked at her with those deep black angry eyes and raised his index finger in front of his lips. He then stormed out of the front door. She was stunned by the way he behaved. She kept staring at the door hoping he would come back any time, say sorry and hug her with all the love he claimed he had for her. But this never happened. She wasn't ready to believe that the loving man she had married could be so rude. She assumed he must be troubled with something. She decided she would talk; she would try to become his best friend. And when he came back it was past midnight and he was drunk.
“Is something troubling you?” She asked him. She was concerned about him after what she saw last night.
“What’s it with you haan? Why do you always have to ask questions? Can’t you just let me be?” He snapped at her and this time more furiously than the last time.
Before she could say anything, he banged the bathroom door, took his shower, got ready and went out again. Tripti was unable to understand this change in his behaviour. She was a common girl from a small town but with huge beauty and big dreams. All she ever aspired was to be a princess of a handsome, loving, rich prince. When she came to Mumbai, the city of dreams for her further studies, she was sure this city of dreams will make her dream turn to reality as well. Little did she know what destiny had in store for her. Her beautiful looks and stunning features gave her many rich admirers whom she never denied. But her life went for a spin when one of her rich connoisseurs took her to Poison.
Mayank was a Casanova. He was undeniably handsome and a charmer. He was one rich spoiled brat who could charm any woman and have his way with them. So, when he saw Tripti in Poison he knew he has to have her. He played his cards well but Tripti knew better than giving in so easily. She didn’t succumb to his sweet games. She wasn't acting coy but made a point that she wasn't available, at least not so easily. Her playing hard to get made him more determined about acquiring her.
Mayank did put in all his effort and Tripti finally fell in love with him and all his money but decided against surrendering to him before marriage. By know she was well aware of his visage. She knew if she gave in before marriage, she will be dumped like the street side garbage. But once married she was sure she could have a hold on him with all her sensuality and beauty. Every one she knew was against their marriage but she went against the world and married him for love, for money, for her dreams of becoming a princess.
She was taken aback and hurt with his constant changing behaviour. She, by now, knew that he was not the kind of man to be held on. Under his cool, charming demeanour lies a cruel demon and she have had few glimpses of that demon. She was not really ready about what was to come.
His behaviour went on from being rude to harsh and harsher. He never gave her even a glance; he never asked her anything and never replied to her questions. But whenever they made public appearance which wasn't often, he behaved like a perfect husband. She made herself used to his rude remarks and would never have bothered about talking to him until that one night when they went to one of his friend’s party. It has been ages since the last public appearance, so long that she had almost forgotten how it feels to be out in public and have the attention of her husband. He was perfect that night. He feigned his love in public, touched her like a husband would touch his wife, gave her several pecks on her cheeks, danced with her and dined with her. But as soon as they got in their BMW he was back being the stranger to her. That night she decided it was the time they talk and sort things out.
“Mayank, I need to talk to you.” She said as soon as they reached home.
“Not now.” He said irritably.
“When then? Listen we need to talk and talk now.” Her tone became demanding and stern.
“How dare you use that tone with me?”
“How dare you treat me like I am no one, Mayank?” She raised her voice.
“You bitch, dare you shout at me.”
“I will and I have all the rights to do that.”
That was enough to unleash the beast inside him. He pushed her hard. She fell hitting her head to the corner of the wall. He walked past her in cold blood, never looking back at her even once, let alone worrying about her pain. She felt drained. It took her all her might to get up and walk to her bedroom. From that day on it hardly took any reason for him to be violent with her. He would slap her for being in front of him and then would slap her for not being around him. He needed no reason for punishing her. She knew she must leave him or must make complain. But she knew no one will believe her. Their façade of being a perfect couple wouldn't let anyone believe that he could even raise his voice on her, let alone raising his hand. She had no option but to stay in the marriage and with him. . And she had nowhere else to go. Moreover she wasn't yet ready to leave all the luxuries she was now used to. So, she beared with him.
It wasn't easy, at least not as much as she thought. Mayank was getting more rude and violent day by day. And when she decided she could not bear it any more, she decided to give up. She needed to talk to him and she was hell scared of him. But she couldn't see any other way out. She slowly walked to him, her hands stiff on her side, her fist closed. She was ready for any assault.
“Mayank, I want a divorce.”
He stopped whatever he was doing and looked at her like she was a little girl who has made some unnecessary silly demand.
“Are you even listening Mayank? I said I want a divorce.” Annoyed at his behavior she raised her voice.
He walked closer to her and said in slow menacing voice, “Shouting won’t make me give in to your whims.”
“What does that mean?”
“That means I am not divorcing you.” He said nonchalantly.
“What? But why? Not that you love me.”
“Well, you don’t love me either, then why did you marry me?”
She was shell shocked. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
“Don’t think I didn't know.” He said smiling as if he has caught her stealing.
“Then why did you marry me.”
He came closer to her, put his both palms on the wall on her each side and whispered in her ears, “Because sweetheart you wouldn't let me have you any other way.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and her heart raced because she feared his closeness. Every time he had been close to her, she had been bruised, either by his beatings or by his wild painful love making.
“Now that you have had me, why not divorce me?” She asked him in a challenging tone.
Her tone flared the anger inside him, he held her by her throat and said, “Divorce you and let you have half of my property? This is what you have always wanted, right? Listen it good, I am not going to let you have it.”
His grip tightened on her throat. Her hands automatically went over his hands in effort of loosening his grip.
“Instead, I will kill you. That’s a better way of getting rid of you.” He said.
“You think you can get away with it?”
“Of course, my love. Everyone knows how much I love you. How could I ever kill you?” He laughed like a real villain.
She gathered all her courage and pushed him hard. He wasn't ready for her such powerful reaction. He tumbled and she ran. But she couldn't run far. He caught her again on her way to main door, near the dining table. He gripped her by her throat again.
“You think you can escape pretty bitch..”
He kept on mumbling something but she wasn't listening. Her senses were giving away. She could see a dark spot in front of her eyes. She knew she would die soon and her hands searched fanatically for something, anything she could hit him with. Suddenly her fingers touched something long, sleek and hard. She instantly held it tightly, pulled it and hit him with it. He screamed in pain. He wailed like an animal as the knife made its way through his flesh. A lot of blood spurted.
She stood there watching in amazement. It took her some time to realize what just happened. She was relieved and panicked at the same time. She didn't know what to do, so she watched him die. When he stopped writhing, she sighed, walked in to her room, got dressed, wore her blue silk scarf, took her bag, took the knife, wrapped it carefully in her scarf and walked out of her house just like that.
An hour later,
She sat in the Starbucks cafe, sipping her coffee and staring out of the window. The blood stained knife lay next to her handbag, covered with her blue silk scarf.
