Chapter 2

Riya

@akyabiggestfan

Hey guys! 

Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it....

PS. Ananya is quite out of charecter as compared to the original show in this chapter, but that's because she's wary of everything & had been brainwashed with certain old fashioned beliefs....

I assure you guys, her bold side will surface more & more with each chapter. 

Chapter 2: 

KKN Head Office, New Delhi :

An elite, classy conference room had three people seated inside it....

Out of them, an older looking man, probably in his early 50's looked extra haggard.....

KL: Khalid, aise toh humaara channel band hojaayega....iss baar continously 4 hafto tak hum 28th position par hai....our highest has been 11 that's it! 

We have to do something nahi toh humaari saalon ki mehnat mitti mein miljaayegi.....

A man, the three of them were conversing with, via video conference spoke worriedly.....

M: exactly sir, but jabtak Bhaskarji hai...yahi chalega...as far I know.....mujhe lagta hai KKN ko ab ek naya Editor - in-cheif hi bacha sakta hai...

A younger man, clad in a checkered shirt & leather jacket with his lips twisted into a triumphant crooked smirk, told his colleagues & boss....

M: aap toh jaante hai, bechaari Malvika kitni tension leti hai aajkal iss vajah se...

He spoke innocently, flashing the concerned woman, a flirtatious smile....

The woman Malvika, clad in a crisp business skirt & blouse paired with 6 inch stilettos, returned his look with an equally flirty one before turning to speak to the others.....

Kh: Bang on Manav! What an idea! Bravo! 

Khalid beamed at Manav who eagerly are up the the praise....

KL: brilliant! Sounds like a plan Manav! Khalid, Malvika beta, tumdono ke dimaag mein koi hai? You know, jo Bhaskar ki jagah le sake...aur KKN ko nayi unchaayion tak le jaaye?

KL implored....obviously worried for the future of his channel which was his dream...

Manav exchanged a meaningful look with Malvika, looking smug as if he already knew the answer to the question that had Khalid & KL so anxious....

Kh: Kabir Sharma...

Khalid declared confidently....

Manav's head snapped up in outrage hearing this....he had just only opened his mouth to protest when Malvika, grabbed his hand....

Shaking her head at him....

Manav huffed angrily but luckily said nothing..... 

Kh: Kabir Sharma hi hai jo KKN ko iss gehraayi se nikaalne ki taqat rakhta hai KL....he's the one...I'm sure!

Khalid was positively beaming in delight much to Manav's annoyance...

KL: I think Khalid is absolutely right...what do you say, beta? 

KL referred to his daughter....who nodded in agreement...

Mal: absolutely dad, whatever you think is best....

Malvika answered, always eager to remain in her rich father's good graces....conveniently forgetting her & Manav's silent exchange from earlier.....

Meanwhile, a certain Manav Gupta was watching all this rather irritatedly....

It was him who was supposed to take over as the new Editor - in-cheif, but no! 

Kabir Sharma had to ruin it all....

A part of him hoped that Kabir would deny the position, since KKN was doing poorly & he was a powerful & influencial journalist who had much more better opportunities....

However, this thought was not enough to calm his rage.....

Mal: papa, I'm sure ye decision KKN ki kismat badal dega....just think of the ratings Kabir can bring us...uska sirf naam hi KKN aur hum sab ki fan following milaakar bhi bohot bada hai...I have a good feeling about this....

Malvika spoke, ignoring Manav's glare, smiling sweetly at her father...

Kh: Perfect! KL main aaj hi Kabir ko contact karta hoon...I'll fix a meeting at the earliest & let you know, sounds good? 

KL voiced his agreement & Khalid & him spoke for a bit before they disconnected the call.....

********

Kabir Sharma, world acclaimed journalist sat on the sofa in his spacious living room in deep thought.....

It was a life changing day for him after all, he couldn't be blamed for being lost in thoughts.....

Just that morning, he'd been out to bring forth what could prove to be the biggest breaking news of his already skyrocketing career....

His sting operation was smooth & flawless as usual, & he walked out with his breaking news, but this time the mini camera was not his only companion....his new wife was there to fill that place.....

Kabir had never imagined getting married, not after what he'd been through....

All these years his focus remained undeterred from his career....

There were women who'd thrown themselves at him for his looks, his money, status & power & sure he'd flirted right back every now & then, but there was never more....

Now, however here he was, a married man....regardless of the nature of their improntu marriage.....

Married to an unknown yet extremely beautiful woman.....

He had it all planned....

He would fight with everything in him for justice for Ananya....reunite her with her loved ones & then divorce her.....

Divorce. 

The mere word left a sour taste in his mouth for unknown reasons & he shook his head to clear his thoughts.... 

Realising he was still dressed in his bridegroom finery, clad in the lightly gold embroidered off white kurta with red chudidaar, he got up to change.... 

Just as he was about to head to his bedroom, the shrill ringing of his smartphone....

His handsome features twisted into his signature triumphant smirk seeing the caller I-D....

He clicked the receive button before settling back into the comfort of his couch....

*********

Kabir shut the last file that needed his attention...at least for the day....

He reclined back on the plush leather chair in his study.....

He got up, heading towards the guest bedroom that Ananya was resting in.....

Due to the morphine dosage, the doctor had administered for the pain from her deep wounds, Ananya kept drifting in & out of consciousness for the last few hours.....

Hesitantly peeking inside, he saw her slender, bandaged form laying in bed.....

The slight fluttering of her exquisite long eyelashes told him that she was somewhat conscious......

Kabir seated himself at a little distance from her, not wanting to alarm her.....

Ananya's beautiful doe eyes fluttered open when Kabir cleared his throat awkwardly.....

She glanced at him weakly....eyeing her like a lost animal that was trying to identify he was a potential threat to her..... 

But when he smiled that charming smile of his, Ananya realised that her thundering heart had slowed down.....but was beginning to increase, not out of fear though.....

Kabir glanced up at her before finally deciding to speak up....

It was peculiar really, he wasn't the one to think so much before speaking....why was he suddenly so conscious? 

K: uh...actually...tumse kuch kehna tha....

He began & Ananya turned to him....wincing as she tried to prop herself up on pillows.....

Kabir reacted to his reflex by reaching out to help but pulled back, seeing her shrink back into the bed nervously......

A: ji kahiye....kuch chahiye tha aapko? 

Ananya asked softly & Kabir hated how meek it sounded.....

K: nahi....actually mujhe bahar jaana tha....meri..dost Taarini yahi hai...you know if you need something....is it okay? Lekin...agar tum kaho toh main...nahi jaunga.....

Ananya looked at Kabir and saw sheer honesty in his eyes...beautiful dark molten chocolate coloured orbs....he would really stay back just so she was comfortable? 

Ananya wasn't used to such care....

She knew he was genuine when he asked her....she could feel it in his voice.....

Ananya had a feeling what this was about...she hadn't meant to eavesdrop but, over the years it turned into a necessity for survival...

It was better if she knew how much pain to escape, it didn't hurt any less but at least she could prepare herself....

The cruel men in that sorry excuse of a home had broken several of her bones but never her spirit.....

From what she had heard during Kabir's phone call, the meeting he had to head to was important to him....

She didn't know much about Kabir, but what she knew was that her husband was very passionate about his career....it was his life, his happiness....

His stoic expression had morphed into a bright smile when she had praised his article earlier, even if it was just barely for a fraction of a second....

This particular meeting was a big opportunity for him, most certainly the turning point of his career & the least she could do for him for all that he'd done for her to save her from the hell she had been in was to not hold him back.....

She owed that much to him....& much more.....

A: ji....aap jaisa theek samjhe kijiye....mera koi hak nahi hai aapko kahi jaane se rokne ka....meri kya aukaat aapke saamne....

She lowered her eyes, suddenly very interested in her fidgeting fingers.....

Kabir was sure he had developed serious anger issues in a single day, at least the rather violent thoughts playing out in his mind indicated this.... 

What had those inhuman cruel demons done to this innocent woman? 

Pushing his thoughts to a side, Kabir turned back to Ananya....

K: mera vo matlab nahi tha Ananya.....I just wanted your opinion....main jaanna chahta tha ki tumhe cheez ki zaroorat hai kya? That's all...

He spoke earnestly & Ananya believed him.....

A: ji...ma...main jaanti hoon ki aapka aaj bahar jaana..z..zaroori h..hai....vo...vo...m...m..maine...phone..par aapki...b..baat..ein..suni...mujhe maaf kardijiye please! Please...m..aisi galati dobaara nahi hogi...

She babbled almost incoherently....still crying....

Kabir felt as if someone struck him physically when he saw Ananya on the verge of tears, her petite frame trembling.....

Ananya fearfully peeked up to see her husband's eyes soften, if they could grow anymore softer than they already were.....

K: Ananya its alright....relax....

He began gently, making sure to maintain his distance....

K: main samajh sakta hoon....agar tumhaari jagah main bhi hota, ek anjaan jagah mein kisi anjaan ke saath toh itna hi alert hota....tumne kuch galat nahi kiya hai....I promise its fine....

He assured her & to his relief, Ananya slowly began to relax....

She looked up & saw the sincerity reflected in his eyes....

She couldn't help but think for a moment now that he had removed his disguise, he looked so much more handsome & younger....

His chiselled features, beautiful expressive eyes & that sharp jawline....

They all made her feel things she hadn't felt in....eternity... 

She felt like a woman not a toy or plaything....

Shaking out of her thoughts & mentally berating her mind for fawning over Kabir no matter how attractive a man he was....MEN had ALWAYS hurt her....this couldn't happen! 

She once again asked his permission & spoke....

A: aap meri chinta mat kijiyega...main theek hoon...jis shiddat se aap articles likhte hai, its clear that you are really passionate about your job...please don't let me hold you back.....

Deep molten chocolate eyes bore in equally deep hazel ones briefly before both were lowered....

K: are you sure? 

Kabir inquired once again & smiled when he finally saw a sweet smile grace his wife's beautiful face....

A: ji...

That was all she said but their was conviction in her voice..... 

Kabir stood up and nodded in reply, leaving the room after biding her a quiet bye....

********

Kh: fashionably late, I like it! 

Khalid grinned at Kabir, when he took a seat in front of him.....

They were seated in one of the most elite clubs of Delhi.....

K: fashionably late kaha? Hum jaise aam patrakaaro ko toh poora din ghumna padta hai news ki talaash mein....

Kabir faced the man in front of his confidently, even though his words were modest, he was quite sure about himself....

Kh: oh c'mon Kabir, you're too modest....tum desh ke sabse influential journalist toh ho hi, dunia ke sabse powerful journalists mein bhi sabse upar ki geenti mein ho....

I really don't think ki tum door door tak bhi koi aam se patrakaar ho.....

Kal shyaam ko jo tumne uss corrupt minister par article likha tha, uska dab daba kitna bada hai...he's been arrested & denied bail....

Sirf ek article se aise response kaabil-e-taareef hai....

Kabir quirked a perfectly shaped, sharp eyebrow at Khalid's praise....

Kh: no I'm serious...ab yahi dekhlo....

Khalid fished out his phone & typed something before showing it to Kabir....

" Sheher ke Ameero ka Recreation: Drugs?" 

The bold headline gave the gest of the flawless article written by Kabir, with a perfect snap of two well dressed people exchanging packets of some white coloured substance....

Kh: aate hi seedhe mere hi club mein breaking news dhoondhli! Maan gaye tumhe! 

Vaise if you don't mind me asking tumne humaari lunch meeting ko dinner meeting kyu bana diya? Any special reasons???

Khalid enquired generally....

Shaadi thi meri....subah tak toh pata bhi nahi tha...

Kabir thought to himself....however he cleared his head of such thoughts & spoke....

K: like I said Khalid, ek aam journalist hoon...news ke liye bhatakna tha.....

He answered with a smirk & Khalid laughed...

Kh: oh sure sure.....

K: chodiye na, aap bataiyye aap mujhse milna kyu chahte the? 

Kabir asked with a meaningful smirk....

Khalid merely scoffed....glancing at Kabir who was smiling......however it was because Taarini bad just messaged him that Ananya was fine & sleeping.....

Kh: as if you don't have an idea....tumhaari shakal se pata chalta hai ki tum samajh gaye ho....

So how about it, my proposal you know...the iconic journalist Kabir Sharma mere channel KKN ka naya Editor-in-cheif? How's that? 

Khalid's reply was yet another triumphant smirk......

*******

Kabir's house:

Taa: CHUP! 

Kabir stopped speaking instantly & looked anywhere but at his glowering best friend...

Taa: kya hai Kabir? Tum Ananya ke pati ho ki maa? Kitne sawaal kar rahe ho yaar!!! Mele babu ne theek se khaana toh khaaya na, mele babu ne theek se susu toh kiya na, mela babu theek se soya na....seriously?? 

Taarini mimicked in a sickly sweet baby voice....

Kabir's features twisted in disgust at her words...

K: Yuck Taarini! You're disgusting! Main toh bas Ananya ka haal jaanna chahta tha! That's it! Vo bohot Dard mein hai....kahi use aur takleef na horahi ho...

He trailed off worriedly.....& Taarini smiled secretly to herself....

Taa: Aaye haaye! Ek din mein kitni care karne lage ho apni dulhan ki Mr Kabir Sharma!

She rolled her eyes at his annoyed expression, swearing that she saw a slight blush masked behind it & Kabir glared at her before he softened...thinking about his new wife who was in such a delicate state....

Taarini smiled gently seeing his worry....

Taa: Ananya theek hai Kabir, vo Dr Sinha ke diye sedatives bohot strong hai, she's still asleep....khaana bhi nahi khaaya bechari ne.... 

Taarini told him worriedly.....

Taa: by the way, tumhaari meeting kaisi rahi? Milgayi ultimate power? Hmm? 

She wiggled her eyebrows at her teasingly.....

K: kuch aisa hi samjho....

Kabir said confidently & Taarini raised an eyebrow....

Taa: oho! That's nice! Kya kaha tumne? Kab join kar rahe ho? 

She asked eagerly...

K: maine unse kaha hai ki kal officially unke office mein aage ki baat hogi...aur main kal hi sochkar apna decision bataunga.....

Kabir informed her & Taarini took a good look at her smug best friend.....

Taa: seriously Kabir! Tumhe iska kabse intezaar tha aur ab jab ye opportunity tumhaare saamne hai toh tum....

She trailed off confused totally......

K: jaanta hoon Taarini....par unhe bhi toh pata chale ki yaha boss kon hai....afterall unhe ani channel ki ratings badhaane ke liye meri zaroorat hai.....

Kabir stated smugly & Taarini shook her head.... 

Taa: tumhe na Kabir koi nahi sanajh sakta! Anyway, filhaal main chalti hoon....Anuraag ko kal school ke liye jaldi uthaana hai....okay bye! See you! Kuch zaroorat pade toh please phone karna! 

K: main chod doon tumhe? 

Kabir asked as Taarini wore her sandals....

Taa: nahi nahi....tum bhi thak gaye ho...you just take care of Ananya! I'll see you tomorrow! 

She waved at him.....and he did too.....

K: sure? Okay then....bye..babumoshaai ko meri taraf se ek kiss dena....I'll see you tomorrow too....

Kabir spoke with a smile before hugging her a final time....

Taa: bye! 

Taarini laughingly exclaimed before shutting the door softly behind her.....

*******

Pain....

Ananya had an old relationship with it.....it made made her strong yet destroyed her from within at the same time....

Right then, Ananya felt numb, thanks to the morphine...& for once she wasn't in pain....

This feeling was alien as she was so used to being in pain all the time, by now.....

She felt like she was in heaven...wearing soft cotton clothes, laying on a very comfortable surface & curled up in a soft, luxuriant comforter...obviously made of rich fabric.....

If this was a dream, she hoped she never woke up....

Its funny how some people tend to take things like clean clothes, a soft bed & bandages for granted....

However, Ananya relished it....she believed deep down that some day or the other her husband will show his true colours...like every other male she had seen....

This would mean endless pain for her & till then all she could do was enjoy this feeling of being pain free.....

She couldn't remember feeling this comfortable & clean before....

So she'd just have to enjoy this feeling to the fullest until she could.....

All her wounds had been cleaned & bandaged by the sweet motherly lady doctor her new husband had called....husband! 

She could barely process it yet that she was married......

As happy as she was to escape the hell, she was still weary & fearful of the man she had been married off to....

He seemed polite & had been a thorough gentleman with her till now, but she couldn't bring herself to trust him...at least not yet.....

She stiffened, her thought process haulting abruptly, when a couple of knocks sounded on the door.......

Kabir entered the room slowly as if making sure it was okay....his eyes scanned her worriedly, trying asess the extent of her injuries....

Now that she had bathed, her skin was a beautiful porcelain...unblemished & flawless inspite of little bruises here & there & all those bandages.....

Kabir fisted his palms....that animal had hurt her so much...no one deserved such pain....

However, he couldn't deny inspite of all this, to him she looked pretty clad in his smallest & thus oldest pair of T-shirt & track pants...

Her fidgeting hands decked in those tasteful red & white nuptial bangles & the mangalsutra he had tied around her neck...& the smudged traces of sindoor in her hair parting....

Inspite of bearing all elements of a new bride, Ananya had an extra unwanted element that Kabir absolutely despised & possibly she did to : fear! 

He sighed when he saw her stiffen in panic on his arrival....

He looked on sadly as she pulled up the comforter to her chin....trying to cover herself as much as possible......she looked positively terrified of him....

Ananya was trying her best to control her sobs, her old master hit her harder when she cried...taking sadistic pleasure in it...

She knew she was lucky enough to escape the inevitable so far in the woman's home.... 

Sudden realisation dawned upon her, now they were alone in the house & so it was time... 

She knew it! 

She was sure he had come to get what every male she'd seen so far wanted from her....

She'd hoped so desperately she would get some more time, but she wasn't so fortunate.... 

There was nothing she could do now, trapped in this house with a man who owned her, who could do anything to her, except pray that this man wasn't a savage beast & didn't hurt her....much that is....

At least he appeared to be gentler than those monsters....

She knew this was the easiest she could have it but that didn't make her any more willing....

Kabir frowned when he heard a sob before it was quickly muffled...he had never heard more pain in one before....

To his horror, Ananya pushed the sheet covering her away...exposing her body with the ridiculously loose T-shirt hanging off it...

Her bangle clad hand trembled as she worked on the few buttons on the top of his T-shirt which she was wearing.....

Her face was devoid of emotion with tears aimlessly trickling down her cheeks...

K: y...ye..kya kar rahi ho? 

Kabir asked bewildered, instantly looking away from her......

A: aaj humaari shaadi ki pehli raat hai na....aur iswaqt aap yahi karne aaye hai na? 

She questioned....her voice slow & emotionless as if she had finally accepted her fate, no matter how horrifying it was.....

A: l..lekin...pl...please....m..maine pehle kabhi...toh....aap...zara...dh..dhere....m..main...main bhaagne ki...k..koshish bhi na...nahi karungi! Main...main chupchaap leti rahungi....aur aapko jo kahe karne dungi! S...sach...!!!

She had barely gotten out these words before she slapped her hand over mouth, breaking into heart wrenching sobs.....

Kabir's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets in shock, when he realised what she meant....

K: WHAT???!!! NO! 

Kabir exclaimed realising why she was suddenly so terrified....

She thought he had come to her for.....

He mentally berated himself for not considering this before....he could've gotten the file later! 

Disgust filled him before he could even complete the sentence...

Never before had he been this sick to his stomach....sick enough to put his dinner from earlier in danger.....

He looked at Ananya....her eyes were downcast as silent tears trickled down her face....

He felt torn seeing her look so broken...so resigned as if she had given up fighting.....

Ananya's breathing heightened & eyes scrunched close when Kabir stepped closer to her.....

Her hand gripped what Kabir realised was a pocket knife...where did she get that? 

However her beautiful hazel eyes snapped open & her grip on her weapon loosened when Kabir did something she'd least expected....

He pulled the comforter around her shoulders & covered her properly, shaking his head....

He smiled a reassuring, soft smile at her....

K: Relax Ananya....jaisa tum soch rahi ho na, vaisa kuch nahi hone waala...I promise.....

Kabir spoke sincerely, hoping that she believed him.....

Ananya looked up at Kabir & he could see shock clear in her eyes....

For the millionth time, disgust & rage filled him on realising the extent of the rubbish that crude man had brainwashed Ananya with....

A: ji..?

Ananya frowned in astonishment....this wasn't what she'd expected! He was her husband, wasn't he? 

K: Haan Ananya, ye sach hai....I won't hurt you....never....

Kabir promised & the determination in his eyes told Ananya that he was a man of his words...

However she was in a state where she just couldn't find it in her to trust him completely....

Kabir smiled as he seated himself at the foot of the bed....

K: dekho...main nahi jaanta ki uss darinde ne tumse kya kaha hai inn saalon mein...but I assure you main yaha sirf tumhe ye davaai dene aaya tha....Doctor ne di thi....that's all....mera aur koi iraada nahi hai.....

As Ananya registered his words, Kabir hoped that she would calm down but she frowned instead....

A: p...par aap toh....ab...mere pati hai na? Ph...phir...aapne mujhse shaadi isiliye ki na? 

She asked timidly.....hoping he wouldn't be too offended by her questions....

Really now his furniture & entire house was in danger....danger of his rage....

Kabir was so sure that soon he would require high blood pressure medication....

Breathing deeply to calm himself & closing his eyes for a moment, Kabir spoke up....

K: Ananya....pati ban jaane se kisi mard ko ek aurat ko violate karne ka hak nahi miljaata....ye sab bakwaas hai.....ek aurat kab kya kitna kaise aur kyu karegi iska faisla sirf vahi karsakti hai....koi so called pati nahi.....

The confusion & surprise on Ananya's face indicated just how much those evil people had brainwashed her...beaten rubbish beliefs into her over the years....

He sighed....realising the journey if winning her trust & instilling some confidence into her was a long journey.... 

K: I know tumhe abtak mujhpar bharosa nahi hai....I understand its natural after what you've faced....

Mera kuch aur kehna bekaar hoga, isliye ab agle kuch dino mein main ye saabit kardunga ki mera tumhaari taraf koi galat iraada nahi hai....maine tumse shaadi sirf tumhe bachaane ke liye ki hai aur kuch karne ke liye nahi.....alright? 

Tum jabtak chaho yaha aaraam se bina dare reh sakti ho...

Finally, he saw some traces of calmness seep into Ananya's stiffened self due to his assurance....& a small smile graced his lips.....

However it dissappeared as soon as it came & he was frowning, thinking about how Ananya was pleading & trying to move away from him in the morning, just before they were wed & now she had just given up & ready to accept her fate, no matter what it was?

K: Tum itni asaani haar nahi maan sakti...you have to fight jaise abtak karti aayi ho...varna hum tumhe insaaf dilaane ki ladaai kaise jeetenge? 

Kabir urged her gently....

Ananya lowered her lashes as if ashamed as she fidgeted with the soft comforter.....

A: ji..vo...do saal se k..kaid thi vahapar....roz..roz..alag alag mard meri keemat laagaakar mujhe paane ki koshish karte the....vo...vo....har..jagah choone ki...koshish karte the.....

I...I just feel so dirty...do saal tak...shareer mein jaan naa hone ke bavajood khoob ladi main sabse....pehle pehle toh haath jodkar request kiya karti thi ki mujhe chod dein....par nahi kisi ko apne hawas ke saamne aur kuch nahi dikhta tha....

Uss home ki sabse khubsoorat ladki maante the vo log mujhe...sabhi mujhe hi chahte the...par paise nahi depaate the utne isliye main bach gayi.....

Par aap soch bhi nahi sakte ki vo zindagi kaisi hoti hogi jismein sote jaagte uthte baithte dil mein sirf ek khauf ho....apni izzat gawaane ka....

Jab mujhe andaaza hua ki vo mere khaane mein drugs mila rahe the....maine kahaana almost chod diya....thoda khaana pafta tha....zinda rehne ke liye....unhone mere saath zabardasti ki, tab tak berehmi se maarte the jabtak main behosh na hojau....par aaj tak maine unhe apne mooh se haan sunne nahi diya....kabhi nahi! 

The anguish in her eyes stirred something deep within Kabir.....

If he was already determined to get those monsters punished then hearing of their inhuman atrocities increased his determination tenfold....

K: tumhaare saath aur unn baaki aurto aur bachcho ke saath jo unhone kiya hai, usski koi maafi nahi hai...

I promise you ki main unhe saza dilvaunga....

Tab tak...tum yaha comfortably reh sakti ho....ekbaar tumhaari family miljaaye phir humaara ye....rishta bhi khatm...tum unke saath laut jaana....

Ananya looked at him...a little weary yet with just a little more hope shinning in her beautiful eyes....

A: aap m..mere...humaare liye...itna sab karenge? 

Kabir almost smiled again at her innocene & nodded...

K: of course, ye mera farz hai....ek patrakaar hoon, humaara yahi toh kaam hota hai....sach ko dunia ke saamne laana, aise bhediyo ko pakadwaana.....

Bas mujhe tumhaare saath aur himmat ki zaroorat hai...kya tum dogi? 

He asked earnestly & was relieved to see a smile on her face.....

A: j....j..ji....bilkul....

Ananya said softly yet firmly this time....

In that moment, Kabir realised that she was weakened, hurt but not broken.....no!

In their talk, no one realised when both their hands intertwined together.....

When realisation dawned upon them, both awkwardly withdrew their hands....reeling from the effects of the sudden electricity that surged through them due to the touch.....

 Realisings that they were now sitting quite close now, Ananya almost looked ready to bolt any second but was more relaxed than before....

Kabir took her hand & placed the pocket knife in her open palm....assuringly smiling at her....

Ananya looked on shocked, scared & confused....

K: relax...main chalta hoon..tumhe aaraam ki zaroorat hai...goodnight....kuch chahiye ho toh main side waale kamre mein hoon....please don't hesitate....

He whispered gently, placing the tablets on the bedside table alone with a glass of water....making sure not to open it so that she could read on the packaging itself that it was indeed a painkiller......

Ananya nodded lightly & to his delight taking the medicine he'd left her....

Kabir's Bedroom: 

With Ananya finally settled & last he checked with as much secrecy he could, she was rfast asleep...Kabir himself slid into his covers in his bedroom.....

As he pulled the sheets closer, the whole day went past him like a dramatic flashback....though his day wasn't without drama anyway.....

Sleep was far from his eyes as he twisted & turned in bed, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position....

He was haunted by Ananya's pain, her suffering....

Her every sob, whimper, tear broke his heart each time.....

His head was reeling with so many unknown & new emotions he'd never felt before....

This was supposed to be just another story for him, just another notch in his belt....

But no, it was more....he was getting way too involved in this, more what he would have preferred anyway.....

Finally after his patience wore several hours later, he pushed aside the covers & promptly walked out of his bedroom.....

******

Next morning :

Ananya winced as she tiptoed out of the bedroom she had slept in last night....

She was grateful for the comfort & could say that she slept well & without nightmares for a change....courtesy of the pills Kabir had given her & the most comfortable bed she'd slept in...

The effect of the sedatice had worn off & she got up, determined now that she was in much less pain than she had ever been in, she would get to work around the house, like she knew she was expected to.....

This man, her new husband was the best of men she had seen till date, but she didn't want to risk it....

As she slowly found her way into the large drawing room of her husband's house, she spotted his large frame sprawled over the couch, making it look so small....

His head was buried into one of the comfy cushions & an empty mug sat on the coffee table in front of the couch....

Glancing at the wall clock in the room, Ananya realised that it was still quite early.....

Ignoring the pangs of pain shooting up her legs, she stalked back to the room...returning moments later with a comforter, which she used to carefully cover the sleeping Kabir with.....

A small clank echoed throughout the room when Ananya placed a cup of steaming hot coffee on the glass table...

Glancing at the clock again, she turned to her still slumbering husband....

A: suniye....

She called gently, placing a hesitant hand on his shoulder....withdrawing it instantly.....

Kabir groaned something in his sleep....his tousled curls shaking with the impact when he pushed his face deeper into the comfort of the cushion....

K: aaj school nahi jaana....

He mumbled skeepily.....

Ananya's eyes widened for a moment before she pressed her lips together to avoid laughing.....

A: ji...uthiye na....

She urged again...gulping nervously.....

K: hmmm? 

Sleepy brown eyes peered up at her innocently before they widened & Kabir instantly sat up....

K: uh...Ananya? Tumhaara dard kaisa hai? Time kya hua hai? 

He looked around, still hazy from sleep....

Ananya noticed the skight dark circles around his eyes & said....

A: ji...main ab pehle behtar hoon....thabk you...uss davaai ke liye....aur haan 7:30 baje hai....aap kal kehrahe the na ki aapko aaj subah 9 baje kahi pohonchna hai....aur der horahi thi, isliye socha aapko utha doon....agar aapko mera ye karna pasand nahi aaya ho toh main maafi.....

K: shhh....

Kabir cut her off gently.....smiling tenderly at her....

K: maine kaha na Ananya....tumhe ab fikra karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai...you're free now, tum jo chaho karsakti ho....& you certainly don't need my permission....main ya koi aur kon hote hai tumhe kisi bhi cheez ki permission dene waale? Aajse sabkuch sirf tumhaare mutaabik hoga...

Kabir told her firmly but his voice was nothing but sweet & soft....

Ananya simply nodded....

A: ji samajh gayi....aap ye lijiye....

She handed a surprised Kabir his piping hot morning coffee....

Black coffee. 

The other mug on the table had traces of black coffee in it.....

He had seen that she was brave & determined in spite of being terrorised out of her mind by the thought of a male taking advantage of her, but now he knew she was very observant too.....

Kabir had to say he was impressed....

K: thank you Ananya....thank you so much...iski kya zaroorat thi? 

Kabir thanked her, genuinely touched by her gesture while slightly embarrassed that she had made him something when he should be the one to do so....

Ananya watched her husband scratch his head & noticed the negligible pink hue on his cheeks & shook her head....

A: ji nahi, ye toh farz hai...aapki patni hoon....aapka dhyaan rakhna hi mera kaam hai.....aap bata dijiye na ki nashte mein kya khaayenge....main bana deti hoon.....aur ghar ke aur bhi kuch kaam......

She trailed off nervously.....

K: bilkul nahi.....

Kabir began & a frown marred Ananya's beautiful but bruised face....

K: I mean...tum ruko...breakfast main banata hoon....

Kabir folded the comforter covering him neatky, not failing to notice that Ananya had been the one to cover him with it.....

A: ji....aap banaayenge?

Ananya asked, perplexed....

For heavens sake! Which era did those idiots think they were living in? 

Kabir sighed.....

K: of course, zyaada toh nahi....par haan main thodi bohot cooking karleta hoon....

He exclaimed with a friendly smile seeing Ananya's cute awed face....

K: Tumhe ye sab karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai Ananya, I have house help for that...vaise bhi tumhe bohot chotein aayi hai....tum bas apni recovery par dhyaan do....hmm?

Ananya nodded obidiently.....

A: ji....

Kabir was really confusing so far for her...so different from others but nice nevertheless.....

She smiled to herself at the thought..... 

*****

Ananya jumped up worriedly when she heard a low growl & a garbled curse from the kitchen....

A: ji aap theek toh hai? 

Kabir smiled at the sweet voice, noticing the genuine care behind it & answered....

K: haan....thank you....I'm fine Ananya....don't worry......

He called out frantically blowing air on his burnt skin....

A lovely aroma of food wafted through Kabir's drawing room few minutes later...

Ananya had long since quit paying attention to her ever growling stomach which never got sufficient food.....

Kabir worked away skillfully in his kitchen....even though nursing his burnt reddened fingers.....

He wrinkled his nose at the weird shape of the first paratha....

An idea suddenly struck him & she used a large bowl kept nearby to obtain a perfectly rounded paratha before carefully transferring it onto the hot pain...

He waited for it to show tiny brown spots, slipping it skillfully & applying some ghee....

Meanwhile, Ananya waited at the dining table, exactly where Kabir had seated her....

She was significantly surprised to see him come bounding out of the kitchen & towards her, swiftly placing, actually nearly flinging the burning hot paratha onto her plate.....

A: aaraam se...aap theek hai? 

Ananya asked worriedly noticing his burnt fingers....

K: uh...haan...kuch nahi vo main toh kuch bhi khaaleta hoon, par aaj tum ho na isliye socha kuch filling banau...doctor ne kaha tha ki tumhe davaai lene ke liye pet bharkar khaana hai....toh recipe book se dekhkar ye paneer ke parathe banaye the...I hope they turn out edible.....

A sheepish look graced Kabir's handsome chiselled face.....

Ananya was really touched by his gesture....

It was alien & new to her to be cared for like this.....

Maybe, just maybe....she'd begin to hope that this was a new beginning for her.....finally could she be free now of all pain & all suffering?

                                   TBC

akyabiggestfan2020-03-22 05:18:31