"Ghabraane ki baat nahi hai... Arjun toh thare se pyaar karta hai na."
Aasha jiji's words floated in the air but Sakshi couldn't help but clench her skirt tighter in fear of what would happen.
Her heart hammered against her chest as she saw the petals strewn across the bed and candles flickering around. Her room did look beautiful but... things seemed strange.
She remembered her mother kissing her forehead softly, asking her gently to not question her husband... no matter what she does. Sakshi frowned on seeing guilt in her mother's eyes but she remained mum.
A few friends of hers giggled and she didn't understand what the hush was all about.
Even the soothing fragrance of the incense sticks did nothing to calm her nerves.
Why the hell was the whole world waiting for her and Arjun to be in a room and do... something she couldn't understand!
She recalled her older friends teasing her rose bath as their jijaji would be pleased by her fragrance. Why would Arjun even want to smell her?
Her head throbbed with questions as she felt her life splinter apart. She just didn't know what's happening.
Brushing away all the thoughts she took her own sweet time to assess the beautiful room. The canopy of jasmine flowers above her bed made her smile. They were fresh and their fragrance was her favourite. The heavy ghagra choli and piles of jewellery did tire her, but then it made her family happy so Sakshi didn't complain too much about it.
Her eyes sparkled as her favourite gudda guddi lay on the couch. She took hold of the gudda and conspiratorially whispered in his ears "Tu bhi mard hai, maare ko bata ye ke ho rahe hai!" (Even you're a man... so tell me... what's happening?)
She pouted at his lack of reply and turned to her guddi "Thari shadi toh kabki hui thi... ab yeh suhaagraat pe kya hota hai. Bol rahe the chuega, baho main lega. Arjun ne toh kitne baar mujhe chua hai, yaad hai jab mara per kat gaya tha, tab toh Arjun ne hi davai lagai thi! Par baho main kyu lega? Ek toh maare ko uski yeh aaj kal waali behke behke baatein toh acchi nahi lagti aur upar se hume darr kaha lagti hai? Yaad hai jab woh kutte bhok rahe the toh Arjun ne mujhe baho main liya tha!"
(You've been married long! Tell me what happens in the first night? They say that he will touch me and take me in his arms. Arjun has already touched me, remember when I injured my foot and he tended to it? And why should he take me up in his arms? Anyways I don't like the way he's speaking nowadays about me and over that I'm not frightened that I should hug him. Like the time I did when I heard those horrendous barks of dogs!)
For half an hour Sakshi spoke to her gudda and guddi alternatively. Suddenly the door opened and Aasha jiji walked in, looking slightly flustered. "Ke hua jiji? Kaha the aap?" (What happened sister [in-law]? Where were you?)
"Kuch nahi, dekh... yeh dood hai, Arjun ke liye. Tu darr mat agar Arjun ne tujhe idhar udhar chua. Woh... kaise kahe... woh aaj tum dono ek hoge." (Nothing... see... here's a glass of milk for Arjun. Don't get frightened if Arjun touches some places. Uh... how do I say... tonight you both are going to be one.) Aasha gave an awkward smile and hugged Sakshi before she left.
Sakshi stared at the bronze tumbler of milk and shrugged her shoulders.
She sat on the bed, as instructed by her mother and hugged her knees.
Pulling the veil over her face she waited for Arjun to come. Perhaps he could shed light on what's to happen. He's always told her everything... right?
~*~
Arjun's heart thudded as he locked the door. The scene of Sakshi on his bed, her hennaed hands clutching tightly, roses strewn across his bed and the dimmed light with candles flickering enough to give a warm glow aroused him brought in a rush of emotions he never had.
He gently put his turban aside along with his sword. Running a hand through his hair to prep himself up, he gently sat next to Sakshi.
"Dood!" (Milk!) Sakshi pulled her hands back nervously and passed him the bronze tumbler, her hands shaking tremendously.
Arjun chuckled at her trembling hands, of course she was bound to be shy! He wrapped his palms around hers and gently sipped the milk, alternating her gaze between her veiled face and the tumbler.
He wiped his mouth and got up to drink some water. He loosened his sherwani and took her hands, pressing a kiss on each wrist. "Tt...tu" (Y... you...) Sakshi couldn't continue to speak as he shot her a slightly annoyed look and she remembered what her mother told her.
Her gut clenched his fear as he removed his sherwani and vest. It just didn't seem right. Her throat dried at his much larger and muscular form. Suddenly she was remembered how fragile she was. An primal animalistic glint flashed through Arjun's hooded eyes and Sakshi clutched her fingers tightly.
The gentleness with which he removed her veil flagged like the calm before a storm. He chinned her up and Sakshi almost screamed as he plastered his lips across hers.
Forgetting all that her mother and jiji said, she pushed him off her and ran to the end of the room. Sweat broke on her forehead as he realised what he wanted to do.
"Sharm ke ke baat hai? Thare pati toh hoon..." (What's the matter to be shy about? Afterall, I am your husband...) Arjun chuckled and followed her with a predatory look in his eyes. Tears swam in her eyes, this wasn't the Arjun she knew. That Arjun would put her wishes and demands over everything else.
Holding her hammering heart, she cornered herself to the end of a wall and closed her eyes.
Just a nightmare Sakshi, Arjun would not chase you and he would go back to sleep... like few days ago. Don't worry.
Sakshi took in a sharp intake of breath as she felt cool air nip the skin of her back. Her eyes widened as she saw Arjun standing with a small smile on his face, her dupatta in his hands.
She crossed her arms across her covered small bosoms when she realised where his eyes were. Oh dear, he obviously didn't want to see her without...
Her arms fought to cover her, a hand went across her exposed waist and the other went in opening her hair from the tight bun.
The snickers and teases were all making sense now.
No... she didn't want experience to be her teacher.
"Raat... raat ho chuki hai, so jaate..." (It's late, we should probably sleep...) Her words died as Arjun swiftly carried her tiny frame like she weighed nothing. "Sahi kaha..." (Exactly.)
She turned her head aside as he tried to kiss her when he placed her on the bed. "Tu... kk... kya kar..." (What aa... are you dd... do...) She was interrupted as he nuzzled her hair "Pyaar..." (Love). Her small fists and pushes made no effect on a much larger Arjun. Sakshi didn't stand a chance against his muscular strength.
"Humain accha nahi lag raha hai..." (I am not liking this.) Sakshi sobbed softly and tried to budge the hand across her bare waist. "Theek ho jayega..." (It'll be fine) His ragged voice shook Sakshi. Her eyes rounded in horror as he tugged on her blouse.
"Nahi..." (No) Sakshi pleaded and pried his fingers off her loosening blouse. Arjun growled in disapproval and lay his body on hers to stop all these irritable movements.
Sakshi wasn't ready for is sudden weight. Oh... she couldn't breath. "Arjun... please..." She cried out as he ripped the shoulder of her blouse, his actions turning faster with her pleads.
"Nahi! Mat dekh maare ko... nahi... please... main thare per parti hoon maare ko mat dekh! Mat chu!" (No! Please... don't see me [my chest] please... I'll fall on your feet. Don't touch) "ARJUN!" She yelled and sobbed uncontrollably, turning aside and covering her bare small breasts as he ripped the entire material.
"Iss taraf aa Sakshi..." (Come this side Sakshi...) Arjun said softly, his fingers tracing her spine. He didn't seem bothered as her entire body quaked in sobs. He stopped for a second, worry filling him.
His brother told him that women do cry but it's because they are overwhelmed... then why did Sakshi's cry hurt him? "Sakshi... thare ko dard nahi hoga... shant ho ja..." (Sakshi, this won't hurt you... calm down) He panicked and hugged her from the back.
Sakshi shrieked as she felt his muscular chest and toned abdomen touch her back. "Please..." She begged, she didn't want any of this. Arjun's consciousness faded as his fingers touched her stomach.
So soft. So warm.
Lust became his primary emotion. He held her shoulders "Mud..." (Turn) Sakshi nodded her head negatively and tried to kick him with her legs. Her payals chimed in the air, in helpless agony.
Arjun grew angry. He removed all the necklaces, not bothering if they broke or pierced Sakshi in the way. Placing desperate kisses on her spine, he decided to give into his demands.
Well she wasn't listening hence he used force. With one swift pull, Sakshi's petite frame came into his view. She was a beauty... her hair fanned on the pillow and her creamy skin played a contrast to the white bed. Her arms still stood firm across her chest, her cries muted by his sudden pull.
He nibbled the hollows of her collarbones and began to pull her arms away. "NAHI!" (NO!) Sakshi screamed and folded her palms for mercy.
He yanked her hair painfully at her refusal, taking her pain to be a distraction he swiftly pulled her hands aside and tugged them above her head. His breath fell short as she came into his view.
Sakshi cried relentlessly and shut her eyes, feeling miserable on being exposed... her arms fought against the iron grip of his wrist.
"Khubsoorat..." (Beautiful) He gasped and moved a hand to touch her. "Kyu Sakshi... bharosa nahi hai? Pyaar nahi karti hai? Tu mari saans hai, mari zindagi... thare bina toh main marr javunga." (Why Sakshi? Don't you trust me? Don't you love me? You're the breath I take, you're my life... without you I might just die.) Arjun whispered softly and bent to touch her, kiss her.
A moan of despair left her mouth as he suckled her.
None too gently.
He left her hands which lay immobile as he proceeded to remove her skirt. Tears trailed and she forced herself to forget what was happening to her. She gasped for air as he aligned himself, her palm weakly cupped his cheek... hoping for her Arjun to be somewhere inside this man.
She hoped against hope that her gesture will force him to stop and bring out the Arjun who always shielded her from others.
Her eyes popped out and her throat choked the minute she felt him pierce through tender flesh, whose existence she never knew about!
Arjun's groan of ecstasy and smile faded the minute he heard a stifled scream. "Theek ho jayega..." (It'll be fine) He whispered and held her like a fragile doll, he peppered soft kisses to ease her pain.
Sakshi stilled and caught on to his shoulders in reflex. Her face turned pale and her eyes lost their shine.
She didn't feel Arjun pressing loving kisses to her neck.
She didn't feel the joy when he reached his climax.
She didn't feel the soothing caresses.
She didn't feel anything.
Just pain... extreme pain which led to numbness. She didn't know if her heart cracked on being betrayed by the man she trusted the most or by being taken without her consent.
It all ended, he moved aside and she could breath.
Stained
Used
Betrayed
Ripped
Sakshi cried in agony and curled into a foetal position. "Sakshi?" Arjun cupped her face, his face still glowing from the bliss he experienced.
Sakshi's cries grew louder as Arjun tried to coax her. Too exhausted to even lift a finger. She could just cry. The intensity of pain was too much.
She felt herself being embraced in his arms as he soothingly rocked her back and forth.
Crying herself to a state of unconsciousness, the last thought which flew through her mind was when Arjun put her to sleep, in his safety.
"Sakshi... akeli kyu bola... main hoon na, humesha rahunga... tera rajkumar." (Sakshi! Why did you say you're alone? I am there, always, your prince) A ten year old Arjun placed Sakshi's head on his lap as Sakshi cried.
She was scared of the sudden darkness.
"Batti chal gayi hai aur yaha koi bhoot pret nahi! Aur jab tak thara Arjun hai, tab tak majal ho kisiki jo tujhe chue." (Electricity's off and there's no ghost out here! And as long as your Arjun's here... let me see who can dare to hurt you!) Arjun patted her head as Sakshi clung on to him.
"Shush... ab ek kahani sunau?" (Shush... shall I tell a story?) "Hmm..." Sakshi nodded into his chest as Arjun held his arm around her waist "Ek raja tha... bohot himmat vala. Bilkul Rana sa ke tarha! Woh ek Rani se bohot mohabbat karta tha. Pata hai woh Rani kitni khubsoorat thi?" (There was this very brave King, just like our King! He used to love the Queen a lot. Do you know how beautiful the Queen was?)Arjun wiped her tears aside and pinched her fluffy cheeks slowly.
"Kitni?" (How much?) "Thare jaise!" (Just like you!) Arjun smiled as a shy smile came on Sakshi's face "Sacchi! Toh Raja bilkul thare jaise tha?" (Really! That means the King must have been just like you!)
"Bilkul! Dono jungle main kho gaye the, tab Raja ne Rani ko bachaya, ghode pe beithaya aur uski haveli pe le gaya!" (Exactly! Both had lost their path in the jungle, that's when the King saved the Queen, made her sit on the horse and then took her to his fort!)Arjun smiled while Sakshi was engrossed in his storytelling.
"Waise hi, jab bhi thare ko darr lagega... ek seeti maarna. Thare ko ghore pe beithake le javunga! Ab toh so ja..." (So, if you're ever scared... just whistle for me. I'll also take you to the fort with the horse. Now go to sleep)Arjun yawned as Sakshi still stared at him.
"Main tujhse bohot pyaar karta hoon Sakshi... meri gudiya hai tu!" (I love you a lot Sakshi, my little doll you are.)He patted a drowsy Sakshi to sleep and watched as she slept quickly, with her mouth slightly open.
He brushed aside the tears and promised that these shall never reappear on his best friend's eyes.
"I love you Sakshi." Arjun smiled and pressed a kiss to a sleeping Sakshi's head.
He wrapped her tightly around his frame, little realizing that she had fainted in his arms.
Arjun whispered sweet soft nothings into her ears... he never realised his love for his wife was so potent. With their union Arjun made an oath that he would do anything for her.
He would die for her, he would kill to her.
But he wouldn't let anyone make her cry.
Blind to the fact that the only person to hurt her, was none but himself.
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