Swept Away - Page 2

Glady 😆

(Update 3)

Simran drove precariously through the Mumbai traffic. She had to admit that she had overestimated her ability to adapt to this kind of driving. This was madness! Cars swerved in from left, right, and center without any warning. She was clutching the steering wheel and gasping every few minutes thinking that an accident was on its way. To make the situation worse, she saw that the traffic grew denser where she was headed.

Simran (softly): Oh great...

But then again, wasnt that expected? If she was going to a mela, she should've been anticipating such a crowd. But cars she could handle; it was the bikes, rikshaws, and buses, and trucks, and people she was having issues with.
Simran: Oh i give up, i cant handle this!

Turning left on teh slightest chance she had, Simran parked the car next a bend on the road. Now she just had to call Sunil to come and pick her up...call him and admit defeat. She wanted to reach for her phone, but her rebelious nature and ego wouldnt allow her ot make the call. She was just about to throw her phone out in frusteration when she caught sight of a commotion outside. The crowd was parting and bustling in such a fury that she knew instantly something was wrong. Thats when she heard the sirens. Police! Someone was on the run!
Simran (to herself): WHat the hell's going on?

She should have threw the car in reverse and gotten out. Reason told her to drive for her life coz something was very wrong. But damn curiousity! For she sat rooted in her car, wanting to know what was going on outside.

Simran: OK fine! Just a peek

She got out of the car and walked a few feet to see that cops had surrounded the entire marketplace with their guns out, forcing people aside. With her curiosity satisfied, her instinct finally kicked into gear and she ran for the car. She threw the door open and jumped in, closing it tightly behind her. She buckled her seat belt...and froze. It was like an instant feeling that crept up on her. She felt a presence...someone was in the car. Hoping to God that she was wrong, she slowly looked to the passenger seat, and opened her mouth to let out a scream.

Happy to see one more ff from U

gripping update....continue soon.

(Fourth update)

Before she had a chance, a hand covered her mouth roughly, trapping her scream in her throat. She was then confronted with two tense eyes glaring at her sternly. Later on, she'd remember them to be the most gorgeous eyes she had witnessed, a unique shade of hazel with specks of different colors in between. At the moment though, they signalled danger, and Simran instantly shut up. The man had rough hair that strew all over his forehead, some locks falling over his eyes. He had a rugged look to him. Like someone who had forgotten to shave in the morning, she thought. Why the helll was she thinking that? A sharp greek profile nose, sharp lips, and even a cleft chin, she noticed. Wow, what fear does to you. Here she was, probably in a life threatening situation, and she was analyzing her opponent's looks!

Man: Shhhh! Just dont say a word!

He kept one hand on her mouth and looked around, panicked for something...or rather someone. His eyes caught a hold of something, and with his free hand, he motioned wildly for someone to come. Simran was beyond fear at this point, and all she felt was a jolt of curiosity to what was happening. She heard the backdoor of the car opening, a shift backwards as someone sat, and then closing.

Voice in back: Arun! We have to get out! THe police have surrounded the entire place! We'll get caught!

THe man next to her, Arun now that she obviously knew, caught a look of worry in his eyes as he looked around to look for a way out. Suddenly, his eyes set on the girl in front of him...the girl looking at him curiously wiht her mouth covered. He hated to do this, but if they were to live, she was their only hope.

Arun: Listen, I'm gonna let go of ur mouth, but only if u promise not to scream, ok?

His voice was unexpectedly gently, calming her down somewhat. She didnt have another choice, and nodded her head vigorously. Arun loosened his hand on her mouth, and she pulled herself back against the door.

Simran: Who the hell are you!?! Get out of my car!

Voice in the back (chuckles): Cant do that miss.

SHe whipped around to stare at the invader in teh back, and saw he seemed to be aroudn the same age as the guy in teh front.

Simran (panicked): Who are you people?

Arun (calmly): Listen, we need for u to drive us out of here, u understand?

Simran: Psshht! Understand! O that's great! I have two criminals in my car commanding me to give em a ride!

Voice in back (slightly threatening): She's not gonna listen that easily...

Arun (sharply): Cool it Shaam! We need her cooperation.

Simran (angry): Listen you! I'm telling you, get out of my car, or i'm gonna tell the cops

Just as she reached for the door to get out, she felt a cool metalic thing probing her head in the back. Her heart instantly leaped to her throat and she grew pale.
Arun: Shaam! Stop this! Put that gun down!

Shaam: You tried this your way Arun, now lemme try mine. You! Drive...now!

All her anger quickly disolved to be replaced by pure and sole fear. She held the steering wheel and nodded, showing her cooperation.

Shaam: That's better, now i'm gonna tell u where to go, u just keep driving.

And then they were off, Simran a slave to their will, going wherever they were telling her to go. Her hope fell when she saw the route they were heading to. It was plain now. They were headed out of the city.

(Update 5)

Simran followed their directions as best as she could. Her heart continued to plummet out of control, yet her mind remained blank. SHe was at a point beyond fear. The gun aimed at her head was a constant reminder of the need to survive. It didnt matter how she got into the situation, or how she was going to get out. Her sole purpose at the moment, was to survive. For some reason, she found it consoling to gaze at the man sitting besides her for support. Maybe it was the fact that he wasnt the one aiming a gun at her; maybe it was those eyes that momentarily connected with hers, giving her some reassurance of her safety. Finally, Shaam tapped her shoulder and pointed to the left.
She stopped the car at the side of a desolate road, devoid of any form of life around. "Nobody's around..." she thought grimly. Her chances of escaping just got slimmer.

Shaam (getting out of his seat): Stay right there!

Simran: Why? I got you where you wanted. Now let me go.

Arun stared at her grimly, giving her sympathetic looks. He knew what was going to happen; it was the basic code for survival. This is how they had been surviving for years, but this would be the first time he would witness it happening in front of his eyes. He had completely forgotten about this routine, otherwise he would never had asked this woman to give them a ride. He caught her looking at him, her eyes full of questions. SHe was demanding to be set free, but he knew better. He knew what always happened to those they used. Shaam appraoched Simran slowly, drawing his gun out and pointing it at her, his hand shaking slightly.

Simran (fearfully): Wh..at...? Wait...what are u doing? Put that gun down...wait..stop...dont...You said u wouldnt hurt me! (Voice growing shriller) You said you wouldnt!

Shaam (grim): I'm sorry...

She looked around wildly, attempting to find something...anything to save her life. Her eyes finally settled on Arun, who was looking at her with eyes filled with sorrow. She decided to appeal to his sympathy, his humane side.

Simran (crying): You promised me my safety! You promised me!

Arun looked away. This was too much for him to bear. Even with his eyes cast away, he could feel her gaze lingering on him, pleading him to save her. The silence escalated, until all he could hear were her soft sobs. Any minute now, he would hear the gunshot, and then those sobs would die away. And then what? He would never be able to live wiht himself. Before he had a chance to reconsider, he turned around and dove at Shaam's gun.

Shaam (stunned): What the...Arun! Give me back the gun! You know the code!

Arun (furious): I know the damn code! But that doesnt mean i'm gonna abide by it. We're not killing her.

Shaam: But...

Arun bore his eyes into his friend's, and repeated slowly.

Arun (fiercely): We're not going to kill her.

Shaam sighed and looked from Simran to Arun. Finally, he walked towards the steering wheel and snatched the car keys. Simran didnt show any resistance. She was whimpering softly to herself, scared out of her mind. He motioned for Arun to follow him, then walked a few steps away from teh car. When he was sure Simran could'tn hear them, he shook Arun's shoulders.

Shaam: What is wrong with you!? Why did you do that?

Arun: WHy did I do that? Why did i save an innocent life? What was i supposed to do? Just stand there and let you kill her? She helped us escape Shaam!

Shaam: But what about the code!

ARun: I dont care about the code! You tell me Shaam...

Shaam (cutting in): Shhhh, she'll hear.

Arun looked towards the car and regained his posture

Arun: You tell me, would you have just shot her like that? I know you're not a killer shaam. A total jerk, but not a killer. Dont lie to me, i saw ur hand shaking. You've never killed anyone before, and u never will.

Shaam looked down in defeat and finally met his friend's eyes.

Shaam: Then what are we supposed to do? If we let her go, the police will hunt her down and ask her for our information Arun. They saw her face, as well as the car right when we escaped. They'll have her posters up all over the city by now. When the find her, they'll find US! If we let her live, we'll die.

Arun: I dont care! There's gotta be another way Shaam.

Shaam: What else? If we dont kill her, what are we supposed to do? Take her along?

He scoffed at the thought and laughed. His laughter died the minute he saw Arun's face.

Shaam: Oh noo..ur not thinking...Arun...no! NO! NO! Arun, no!

Arun: Yes.

Shaam: Are you crazy!! You're gonna take her with us!? Till when?

Arun: I dont know. As long as necesarry.

Shaam: This is rediculous! And she's gonna agree to come with us with a smile, huh!? What are we gonna say to her? "I'm sorry, but i dont suppose you want to abandon the life you know and just move in with the underworld, now do you?" Arun u've gone mad!

Arun (calmly): Its either that...or death. We gotta take her against her will if necesarry. (looks back) I got an idea, follow me.

Simran sat rocking to and fro in the car. SHe could see the two men conversing in teh distance. For a moment, the idea of running off had passed her mind, but then she remembered that they had taken her keys. Without a car, she wouldnt get far. She gasped when she saw that coming back. She scurried to the other door, and opened it to get out of the car. Arun ran after her, and she screamed in terror. She dodged his grasp, and ran to the opposte direction, but stopped when she saw Shaam on the other side. She was trapped! Right hten, Arun grabbed ehr from behind and she lost control. Kicking and screaming, she punched the air and pumped her body up and down to loosen his grip.

Arun (strained): Shaam! Hurry, get it! I'm losing my grip!

Shaam ran to his bag and pulled out a spray can. Taking a cloth in his hand, he sprayed an amount on it and then closed up on Simran. Puting the cloth up to her nose, he plugged up her mouth and held the clothe there. Soon enough, Simran eased her struggling and her eyes began to close. She was losing consciencness. She knew they had drugged her with anaesthesia. A second before she fainted, Simran saw a fleeting vision of her parents standing at the airport upon her departure to India, waving at her reluctantly.

(Update 6)

After bringing Simran to their hideout, the greatest challenge that confronted Shaam and Arun was explaining the uninvited guest to their leader. Darkness had fallen by the time they made it back. Their boss looked down upon them, disapproval sweeping his face.

Leader: You realize the consequences of ur actions?

Shaam stood besides Arun, looking at him for answers. The other men were located at random locations all around the dark chambers of their hideout. Some munched on leftover lunch while others listened to their tale with half tuned interest as they lazed about.

Arun: We understand boss, but there was nothing else we could've done.

Leader: Really? It looks to me like you actually took the alternative. What you should've done was to finish her off.

The leader noticed Arun take a deep breath at his words. His weakness was apparent to the eyes. There was still too much emotions running Arun's decisions. Ever since he had taken Arun in as a child, he had noticed his tendency to become a prey of morality.

Arun (confused): I..I couldnt...

Leader: You always were one to do the right thing Arun. But you know that's not how it goes in our business. We are not guided by ethics or morals...we are guided by the persuit of power. Now we are faced with a huge problem. I dont want this girl coming in our way.

Shaam (cutting in): We wont, boss. Dont worry about that.

Leader: Hmmm...we need someone to be responsible for her at all times. To keep an eye out for her. Keeping someone captive is quite a task, i must say.

He looked towards the back where Simran was lying unconscience. Most of the men already had their eyes glued on her since her arrival, feasting on her sight from a distance. Arun could feel their beady eyes taking in her essence, roving over her body. It sickened him.

Leader (continuing): And dont forget, she may well become our weakness as well. Our enemies need such vulnerable points to get their way. So, I advise each and every one of you to keep yourself distant from this woman from teh start. (eyes settling on Arun) I know that sometimes the heart can...(pausing to find the right words) become are greatest weakness, making us a slave to its desires. Keep your head in our missions, and your loyalties towards ur brotherhood. That is all.

With that made clear, he was gone. Everyone began to relax and the murmur of voices rose up again. Arun turned to Shaam, and they began to make their way towards Simran in the back. Right when his eyes settled in the back, he noticed one of the men seated besides her body. His hand was playing with her hair and moving lower, feeling the full lips with the tip of his finger. Arun walked faster when he saw this, now jogging to close the distance. The hand moved lower now, tracing Simran's jawline, then splaying over her neck as it rested on her collar bone. ARun felt an unexpected anger rise up inside of him, and he grabbed the guy from behind, pulling him away roughly.

Arun (threatening): Get your hands off her!

THe guy scowled in response and leered at Arun, breaking free of his grasp.

The Man: Or what? What u gonna do? I can do waht i want to her, and there's nothing u can do about it. Who is she, huh? Your sister? (scowles)

Shaam placed his hand on Arun's shoulder, calming him down before he did something reckless. It worked. Arun took a deep breath before continuing.

Arun: I dont care who she is, but she aint urs. So keep ur hands to urself, and act respectful. I know how impossible it is for you to be civil, but try atleast. (rolls eyes)

He felt everyone's hostile eyes on him, jeering at him from behind, but he didnt care. With Shaam by his side, he scooped Simran up in his arms and turned back to address them one last time.

Arun: From now on, she's my responsibility. I brought her in, and I'll take care of her. Anyone messing with her will have to deal with me.

He turned, and walked away from teh rest of the group towards the room in the back. He was pretty sure he heard someone shout "a*sho*e" right as he left.

(Update 7)

The door closed behind him as he entered the room with Shaam by his side. A tattered cloth was placed on the ground with a flimsy cushion on teh top. Shaam noticed the disappointment on Arun's face and tried to cheer him up.

Shaam: Dont worry. With time, they'll get her a proper bed.

He didnt understand why Arun felt so possessive towards this woman, but he respected his friend's feelings above everyone else's. They both gently lowered Simran on the cloth, then moved back to observe her. Judging from her clothing, they could infer that she came from quite a well off family.

Shaam (softly): It will be hard for her to adjust...

Arun (chuckling): It'll be hard for US to convince her to adjust.

Shaam shook her head slowly, a small smile splayed on his rugged face. Taking one last look at Simran, he left the room, leaving Arun alone with their captive. For a few moments, he just studied her from a distance. They had already analyzed her status, now he tried to explore the woman herself. With jet black hair that framed a fair complexion, her greatest asset were definately the eyes, he noticed. Even when closed, he could make out their distint exotic shape. His eyes paused at her lips, parted slightly as she breathed softly. He moved forward, and pulled a strand of hair away from her glistening face. "Who are you?" he couldnt help, but wonder. Unable to stop himself, his finger moved to those luscious lips, gently tracing their shape. He snatched his hand back when he felt her stirring. Her eyes opened up slowly, as if in a daze. They narrowed in concentration when she focused on him, and suddenly grew wide in fear. Gasping, she sat up and shuffled away from him till she hit a wall.

Arun (puting his hands up): Its ok! I'm not gonna hurt you.

Simran looked around in disbelief, taking in the little room and its lone window located on the far top side. Her breathing grew shallow and she drew her knees to her chest in defense.

Simran: Where am I?

Arun: You're...safe.

Simran (shaking head): No...where am I?

Arun continued to stare at her without any response. The truth was, he didnt HAVE a response to her questions. What was he going to say? That he kidnapped her? Sighing, he cleared his head and tried to sound as calm as possible.

Arun: I cant tell you exactly where you are coz...this place doesnt have a location. I can tell you that its where I live. I can tell you that its where my group stays. I can tell you its outisde the city, but I cant tell you more than.
that

Simran (growing fearful): Why have you brought me here? Why dont you just let me go?!?

Arun: Because...I cant.

Simran: What do you mean you cant!?!

Arun: I dont have a choice.

Simran: OFcourse u have a choice! You brought me here, didnt you? I dont know why, but you did. You...you KIDNAPPED me, and now you tell me you didnt have a choice?

Arun: I know its hard to believe, but i'm telling the truth.

Simran (incredulous): Oh that's just great! Now i'm suppose to trust that a criminal is telling the truth? I'm telling you one last time, LET ME GO (shouting)

Arun jumped forward and covered her mouth with his hands. All the gentleness was gone from him the minute she raised her voice. Now it was a matter of his reputation wiht everyone. He had to show his control over her, or their leader would put her under someone else's charge.

Simran began to struggle again with her muffled shouts.

Arun: Shhhh! Just shut up! Damn! Cant u give a guy a chance to explain himself?

Simran pulled his hand away and looked at him with sparkling fury. Even in hushed tones, her voice shook with anger.

Simran (whispering): Explain waht!?! That you're holding me against my will! That you refuse to let me go!?!

Arun (whispering back): I had to do it, otherwise we would have to have killed you.

She swatted his hand away, repuled with the closeness of his manner. She didnt think she had ever felt such strong hatred towards anyone as much as she did towards him. He was the one who was stealing her life from her, forcing her to stay in the hell hole with a bunch of...of...bandits!

Simran: Just stay away from me! You dont know what a huge mistake you've made by bringing me here. I'll have you know, my relatives will not stand for this. The minute they realize i'm gone, they WILL come and look for me. And when the find me, ohh boy, u'll be sorry you stepped into this world!

The anger in her voice resonated around the room even after she had threatned him. Instead of yelling back, she was surprised to see that he actually looked hurt. Had her words actually...hurt him? She felt guilt pelting at her from all sides. "So what if that hurt him, serves him right. Why should I be feeling sorry?". But no matter how hard she tried, she couldnt erase the image of that pain in his eyes. He stood up and moved away from her, those eyes boring into hers.

Arun (softly): I dont expect you to understand me right now. You are angry, and that's expected. You have full right to be. But I hope that with time u realize that what i did was for the best. I had no other choice but to bring you along. And when you do, I hope you can forgive me.

She didnt have any response after that. There was nothing she could say. That was the exact opposite of what she had expected a kidnapper to say. His words left such an impact on her, that she could only stare at him as he gave her one last desperate look, and left.

(Update 8 )

For the entire day, Simran remained locked up in that chamber. In a strange way, she was glad of it. She did not want to run across any of the other freaks running this place. "One is enough..." she thought. But no matter how strange he may have seen, she just couldnt hate him. He was ruining her life, yet there was this sincerity about him that drew her respect.
Arun kept on passing by to check up on her. Every few minutes he would knock and ask her if she needed anything. Her reply was the same every single time. Silence.
Somewhere around late night, she heard a knock on the door and looked up to see Arun entering with a tray in his hand. He closed the door behind him and lowered the tray so she could see the plates full of food.

Arun: I thought you might be hungry.

Simran took one more look at the tray, then pursed her lips and shook her head. Her motive was to avoid any conversation whatsoever just to irk him.

Arun: You're not hungry? That's not possible, you've only had breakfast, its time for dinner now.

Simran continued to ignore him, staring at the tiny window situated in teh corner. After a while, Arun sighed and set the tray down. He figured that she would eat on her own whenever she felt like it. Just as he was about to leave, she talked.

Simran (quietly): I dont want your food. It repulses me.

Arun (turning back): What?

Simran (bitterly): YOu heard me, i dont want anything of yours. I just want to go home.

Arun (tired): Are we back there again? You know i cant do that, why do you keep asking me to take you back?

Simran (quietly): Take me home.

Arun (voice rising): I CANT do that!

Simran (lifelessly): Take me home...

Arun threw his hands up in exasperation and cursed. He had lost his equanimity, and was having trouble controling his anger. Puting all of his self control to the test, he forced himself to calm down then turned back.

Arun: If you want to eat, the food's right there. There's nothing more i can do for you.

He felt her eyes staring at him as he opened the door to leave. Turnign back, he saw one glimpse of her defiant eyes, then left. Simran sat motionless for a few seconds after he left, then stirred. The more she realized she couldnt go back, the angrier she became. She let out an angry cry, and kicked food loaded tray to the far side.

hey desigal grt update u no ur writer of the week congrats

Thank you! I just saw! I'm so grateful to all of you, thank you once again!

(Update 9)

2 days passed by, but Simran kept reacting the same way every time food was brought to her. After a while, Arun stopped going himself and sent Shaam with the food instead. He was playing chess with one of the men when Shaam tapped him on the shoulder. Turning around, he saw the disappointed look on Shaam's face relaying the situation.

Arun (softly): She's not eating...is she?

Shaam: I find the food untouched everytime i go back.

Placing his hand on the back of his neck, Arun took a few minutes to absorb this news then decided check up on her himself. He walked to the door, knocked, and waited patienctly. He wasnt waiting for a reply, since he never got one, but just giving her a warning that he was about to enter. When a few seconds had passed by, he opened the door and walked in. The sight that confronted him was frusterating. The food remained intact and untouched in the corner while Simran sprawled on her side, just gazing at the window. What was with that window? Did she somehow see that as a hope of escaping?
Looking at Simran, he noticed the change in her health instantly. She had definately grown weaker. Her hair had lost its luster, and lay in strands around her face. She didnt even bother looking at him upon his entrance. He closed the door behind him, and cleared his throat. When she still didnt respond, he continued talking anyway.

Arun: Shaam tells me you havent eaten at all?

No response.

Arun: If you think that acting this way will convince me to let you go, ur wrong you know.

Again, no response.

Arun: Cant you hear me!? I'm talking to you!

Simran (still staring at window): No need to shout. I can hear you.

Arun felt anger bubbling up from the pits of latent headache. He had a threshold of remaining calm, but this woman was definately treading on his limits. He took a plate in his hand, stormed towards her, and roughly pulled in a sitting position. Her mouth fell open in surprise at this sudden movement.

Simran: Hey! Let me go!

Arun: No! No i wont let you go! I've had enough of your bullshit, you know that?

Simran (taken aback): Well...I...its my choice...

Arun (angry): What's ur choice? Starving urself?

Simran (tearing up): Yes! Yes thats my choice. You took me against my will, you hold me hostage, I'm helpless to defend myself. But I still have control over eating, and i'll never give you teh satisfaction of taking that control. If i want to starve, I'll starve damn it! And there's nothing you can do about it.

Arun gaped at her, opening and closing his mouth as if saying something, then shuting it. She was right. He had no control over her decisions, and if she chose to starve herself, there was nothing he could do about it. He had never felt this helplesslness before, and he hated it. He grabbed Simran by the shoulders, surprising her yet again, and shook her wildly.

Arun: No! I wont let you get this upper hand! I wont let you starve like this...I wont!

Simran was beyond thought at this point as well. The lack of food had clouded her judgement as well as senses. She didnt fully interpret the possessiveness in his threat, but only sensed his opposition.

Simran (sneering): Oh yeah? Well...what are you going to do about it?

Arun removed his hands from her shoulders and sat back, defeated. The rebellion he saw in her eyes and her defiant tone proved to him just how adament she was, and how helpless he. For a few moments, neither spoke, but continued to engage in a silent battle of wits with their eyes. Finally, the fury evaporated from his face, and the same look of worry was back.

Arun: I dont know...i dont know what i'll do, but i'll do something. I didnt save you then, just to have you die like this anyway. I didnt go through all this, just to have the same result as killing you that first day. You want to starve...go ahead. Starve. Then what was teh point of me saving you that time? I should've just let you die.

Simran: Then why didnt you?

This question caught him offguard, partly becuase he didnt know the reason himself.

Arun: Coz I...I...couldnt.

Simran: Why? Why couldnt you?

Arun: I...dont know.

Simran (growing curious): Knowing you, i wouldnt say that this is the first time you would've seen someone get killed. Then why spare me?

Arun: Its not important why i did it. The point is, i did. ANd in doing so, I took on the responsibility to take care of you while ur here. Ur not a hostage, but until u accept ur situation, we have to keep u like one.You can never go back, so you can think that by sparing ur life, we killed ur existance as u knew it.

Simran let his words sink in, truly sink in. For the first time, she noticed the sensitivity in his eyes, the gentleness in his manner.

Arun: Its my duty to make sure ur safe, but ur not letting me accomplish that duty by starving urself. I'm begging you, plz dont do this.

Hearing no response, Arun decided to try his luck. He reached for teh glass of water, and held it out to her. After a few moments, she reached out and took it, only for her hand to shake and drop it. That was the first time that the extent of her weakness truly struck out to him. Her body drooped to the side against the wall, her breathing shallow. It was almost as if dropping her stuborn shell had exposed her to her real state for the first time. Feeling tense, he poured another glass of water, then gently pulled Simran into himself. He propped her against his chest, one arm wrapped around her shoulders to support her balance. Then he held the glass up to her lips to drink from his hand. Her mouth opened, and she took in grateful gulps of the elixir of life. The more she drunk, the more Arun relaxed. It was going to be ok. She was going to be ok. After finishing the first glass, he poured her another, sensing her overpowering thirst. After drowning the second one, she sat against him, her head resting against his shoulder as she stabalized her breathing. Finally, she looked up, and...smiled. It wasnt a grin, or a flashy smile, but a tugging of the corner of her lips in a genuine expression.

Simran: Arun...right?

Arun (surprised): Yeah

Simran: Simran...my name is Simran.

And having said that, her eyes closed as her head fell against his shoulder, falling in a deep slumber from exhaustion.

Arun continued to hold her against himself for a few more seconds, shocked with teh sudden turn of events. Then he gently lowered her onto her blankets and stood back up.

Arun (murmuring): Simran...

He let the name roll off his tongue, savoring its smoothness, while thrilling in the chill that shot up his spine at its sound.

Arun (repeating): Simran...

Smiling to himself, he looked back one last time, then walked out of the room.

(Update 10)

Simran became stronger as the days went by, and the integral reason of her recovery was Arun. Every day, he would feed her by himself till he was sure she was able to manage on her own. Even then, he would drop by to accompany her while she ate. During these times, Simran found herself being drawn into this strange man who had become such a central part of her new life. There were times when she would recollect a painful memory of her cherished past, but she would always force it out. "Strange circumstances call for change," she reminded herself. It wasn't that she had completely forgotten about her past. The truth was, she nursed a hope that one day she would actually escape and be reunited with her family again. Using this hope as an anchor, she hoisted herself back to health, realizing that she needed to gain everyone's trust as well as her own confidence if she was ever to get back.
After a while, she also began to leave her room to explore this new place. It was awkward and somewhat frightening the first time, but with Arun by her side, she felt a strange sense of security. She also got to know some of the other men a little better. Contrary to her presumption, the men were not the stereotypical criminals she was expecting. They actually seemed…human. Some, she had to admit, were just plain creeps. She would find them ogling at her whenever she wasn't looking, and winking in a perverted fashion when she caught them staring. They had no sense of manners at all; so unlike Arun. Arun. Arun was everything. He was her guide; he was her mentor; he was her guardian; and most of all, he was a friend. Was friend really the right word to capture this relationship? It seemed so…simple. She found that she could talk to him about anything. Whenever she felt a yearning for home, he was always able to tell. And then he would sit by her, talking to her in soothing tones about hope and the future. Often, he would look at her straight in the eyes and make promises that sent her reeling on the edge of her sanity because they went against everything she had thought of him before.
Arun (softly): I promise to always be by ur side.
And sometimes.
Arun: No matter what happens, its my duty to protect you, and I'll do whatever I can to come through.
Simran: Oh Arun…(speechless)
And then he would smile and squeeze her hand in reassurance. Was this just friendship? Before long, Simran began to fight a battle within herself. Her thoughts of escape became obscured with more crucial possibilities. She found herself getting more and more attached to Arun with every passing day…every passing minute…passing second. Her thirst led to her wanting to know Arun better, yet she didn't know why. Before she could change her mind, she decided to consult a new found companion. She decided to talk to Shaam.