Chapter-8
Dushyant was standing in a corner nursing a drink.He was furious.Once again he had to face humiliation at the hands of Kesar.His carefully thought out plan was falling apart even before he could implement it and as always Kesar was the reason behind it.Kesar had been a thorn on his side since the day he had stepped foot into the college as a cocky,disrespectful fresher.Kesar had dared to question his presence in the college,his authority was undermined which had made him hate the youngster's guts.Kesar did not know that this was the only place where he felt in complete control of his life.This was his sanctuary,his home...
Everyone assumed him to be a rich,spoilt brat but they did not know anything about him.They did not know that this was just a facade.His life was anything but perfect.No one knew how cruel his indulgent,loving father could be.His body bore the marks of his cruelty.The belt marks,the ciarette burns...each and every scar was a painful reminder of the tortures he had to go through since chilhood at the hands of his alcoholic father.He had no real friends.There were some who hung on to his every word but he knew very well that they were just after the advantages his money and power could get them.The less said about his life the better.There was not a single day that he did not face humiliation or abuse at the hands of his sadistic father.Drugs was just a way to forget the pain but it hardly helped and then there was Talli.He liked her...genuinely liked her but even she chose Kesar over him.That just made him mad and his hatred reached it's peak when he was thrown in jail and Kesar was let off with just a warning.His father refused to bail him out and he had to spend a week with hardened criminals.That had left him scarred for life.Right then and there he had vowed to destroy Kesar,take away something precious to him...humiliate him...hurt him in the worst way possible.He had waited patiently and had planned out this party but seeing Talli again had made him weak and for a moment he had forgotten all about revenge.He just wanted to enjoy a dance with her but the stupid girl refused yet again and on cue her protector landed up at the exact moment.Dushyant wanted to punch him out but then he controlled himself.What he had planned for Kesar was much worse than any physical injury.He looked on in envy as the crowd applauded the beautiful couple.Some people got everything even though they did not deserve it at all but he was going to change it.This time he was going to have his revenge.
He gritted his teeth as he saw Kesar walk away to the bar.A sly smile spread across his face as he finished his drink looking at Gulaal.He looked at her from head to toe.He had to admit that she was a gorgeous woman.He was going to enjoy this a lot...
Gulaal moved away from the crowd .She walked towards the corridor outside.She did not think she could talk to anyone right now.She could still feel the spark in her body.She was trembling.Her heart was pounding.She blushed as she thought about what had just happened.She had never experienced anything like this before.This kind of freedom,passion,madness...wanting someone so badly that she could almost taste it.She had forgotten everything.Being in his arms,dancing so closely with him,feeling him intimately had made her oblivious to the people around her and the surroundings.When the dance finished with a dip she could swear she saw him look at her with an intense desire and she was sure that he would be able to see something very similar in her eyes.She didn't care.She was giddy with excitement.She touched her cheeks.They were still very warm.She held onto the pillar nearby trying to calm her nerves.She wanted to regain her compusure before he appeared.She was in no condition to face him right now.She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Suddenly another song started and that broke her concentration.She looked around for Kesar.He was supposed to bring her something to drink.Where was he?She smiled when her gaze fell on him. but then it faded as she saw a girl in a tight mini skirt throw her arms around his neck and hug him tightly.Her face lost its colour as she felt a sharp shoot of pain in her chest.Anger coursed through her body.How could some random girl just hug him,her husband so intimately?Why did he allow it?Who was she?How could he?...
"wahaan dekho Kesar apni patni ko chodkar kisi aur ke saath maze kar raha hai",She heard a female voice in front of her.Her eyes followed the direction of the voice.She could see two young girls who were unaware of her presence talk in hushed tones but she could hear every single word of the conversation.The second girl beside her started to snicker as she replied,"bechara ab kya kare...shaadi toh kar li lekin ladki uski choice ki nahi thi na...ab pachta raha hoga ki usne itni jaldbaazi kyun kiii..."."haan yaar...jab mujhe patha chala ki Kesar ne shaadi kar li hai toh mera dil hi toot gaya phir jab patha chala ki kin halaathon mein hui hai toh mujhe uske liye bahut bura laga...abhi uski umr ki kya hai aur suna hai woh usse umr mein kaafi badi hai..." "hmmm...dekha nahi kaise chipak ke dance kar rahi thi...aise hi phasaya hoga shaayad...bechara Kesar ab zindagi bhar ke liye phas gaya..."Then both the girls started to laugh maliciously.
Gulaal was stunned to hear the conversation.She knew that the girls were probably jealous or just being plain mean but it hurt her to hear them talk this way.She wanted to confront them and shout at them.She wanted to tell them that they were wrong.Kesar was very happy...they were very happy but then somehwere deep inside, a part of her wondered whether what they said was true?Did Kesal feel trapped with her?Was he making the best of the situation?It did not seem so.By now she knew that he was a very honest person.He could not lie.If he had been pretending she would have known.Though the marriage had not taken place under the most favourable conditions she was confident that the bond that had gradually developed between them was becoming stronger with each passing day.She knew that she should ignore these sily talks but still it bothered her.
"lagta hai koi bahut akela feel kar raha hai?",a leery voice broke off her thoughts.She hastily looked to her side to find Dushyant standing with two glasses of juice.He offfered her one with a smile and though she did not want to take it, she did because she did not want to be rude."Tum bahut acha dance karti ho ...that was hot...Kesar bhi ek number ka idiot hai...use patha hi nahi ki apni beautiful patni ko yoon party mein akele nahi rehne dena chahiye...lekin ab dosh uska bhi nahi hai...bacha hai...".
Gulaal was angered by his comments as she strongly replied ,"Excuse me...Dushyant yeh math bhoolo ki tum mere pati ke baare mein baat kar rahe ho so mind your words..."
Dushyant continued,"oh...come on main kya galat keh raha hoon...",he moved towards her as he gave her a sleazy smile,"tum jaisi intelligent aur khubsoorat aurat ko woh kabhi samajh nahi paayega...woh tumhari zarooraton ko kya poora karega?...you need a Man not a boy".
Gulaal was disgusted but controlled herself because she did not want to cause any scene.So she replied coldly,"tum apni hadh paar kar rahe ho Dushyant...ab agar ek shabd bhi aur bola toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga" .She kept the untouched glass of juice nearby on a table and started to leave.Dushyant was inflamed by her words and he tried to stop her from leaving by grabbing her shoulder but instead he got hold of her blouse and his rough gesture tore the fragile material on her shoulder.Gulaal was mortified when she heard the fabric tear.She could not control herself anymore.She was furious.This guy had crossed all his limits.She turned around and gave him a tight slap as she repllied,"khabardaar agar mujhe haath lagaane ki koshish ki toh samjhe...agar dobara aisa kuch kiya toh tumhare liye acha nahi hoga".She tried to leave but Dushyant dragged her a few steps away to a secluded place and pushed her back against the pillar as he muttered threateningly,"pyaar se samjhane ki koshish ki thi maine lekin tumhari itni himmat ki tum mujh par haath uthao...ab iski sazaa toh tumhe milni hi chahiye...".Gulaal struggled but he was too strong.She kicked and hit him but it did not seem to make any difference on him and finally she was left with no choice but to scream.She knew it was going to be futile because of the loud music.She just prayed that Kesar would see her missing and come find her.She screamed her lungs out but soon her mouth was shut by Dushyant's hands.She tried to bite his palm and that loosened his grip.She escaped his hold and tried to make her escape but he did not seem to give up as he got hold of her saree.She turned around and she could see that he was not only drunk but was high on drugs too.He looked lethargic even though he had the strength.She decided to catch him unawares when he got close to her and kick him where it mattered the most.That would most definitely help her escape him.
She stood like a statue allowing him to think that she had given up her struggle."lagta hai tumhari akal tikhane aa gayi.Sorry Gulaal isme tumhari koi galti nahi hai...main bas tumhare pati ko ek sabak sikhana chahtha hoon... kehte hain na ki pyaar aur jung mein sab jaayaz hai...ab Kesar ko samajh mein aayega ki dard kise kehte hain...aaj ke baad woh kabhi chain se saans nahin le payega...use sukoon kabhi naseeb nahi hoga..."
She almost wanted to puke when she felt his stale breath on her face and just as she was getting ready to kick she felt Dushyant being torn away from her and she almost cried in relief when she heard Kesar's thundering voice,"How dare you?...how dare you touch my wife with your filthy hands?"
The dance had left Kesar breathless.When he had asked Gulaal for the dance she had looked so hesitant but once the music started and she followed his advice it was as if she forgot everything.It was fascinating to watch her move with the rhythm.He learnt one more new thing about her today.She was an excellent dancer.He was amazed...with each passing day he was discovering something new about her and it never failed to take him by surprise.He still could feel his heart thudding violently against his chest as he thought of her body moving along with his in a sensous manner.He had never seen her this way before.She was totally spontaneous,completely lost in the music...completely lost in...him,he thought with a smile.That eyelock they shared at the end of the dance still made him shiver.He could clearly see the desire in her eyes...but then the spell was broken and he saw the blush appear on her cheeks as she averted her eyes from him.He could feel her getting embarrassed and withdraw.Somehow he did not like that but he himself had been so confused that he did not say anything and had escaped with a flimsy but believable excuse.
He gulped down a glass of the bitter liquid.He needed it.Water wasn't going to cut it for him now.What was happening to him?Ever since he had got married to her,he could not seem to tear his eyes away from her.He was a little shocked with the extreme reactions she seemed to be able to arouse in him.Nowadays it seemed she was the only thing he thought about.She was present in every one of his thoughts...she had invaded his mind.He could not understand it at all.What was it about Gulaal that made him forget everything?
He looked back at Gulaal who was now walking away to a secluded corner.He turned around with a sigh as he finished another glass and asked the bartender to make one more.Maybe he should stop with this one.He was not used to drinking so much at one go.He emptied the contents of his glass and took a soft drink with him for Gulaal.As he reached the middle of the room,a girl collided into him.The drink spilled over him as the glass crashed on the floor.The girl looked slightly drunk but he realized who it was.She was one of the girls from his past.He had dated her briefly a long time ago.He was ashamed because he couldn't even remember her name.She almost tripped so he supported her."Kesar...kitne dino ke baad mile ho?Kaise ho?...aur yeh kya tumne shaadi kar li aur mujhe bulaaya bhi nahi...ab main itni anjaan ho gayi hoon tumhare liye...".She held onto his shoulders as she hugged him and he could hear her whisper in his ears,"yaad hai Kesar...ek waqt tha jab tum mere bahut kareeb the... bahut hi zyaada kareeb..."
He was embarrassed.He hoped Gulaal would not see this.He quickly managed to extract himself from her embrace and walked away.He looked to the corner where Gulaal had been standing.He did not find her.So he walked towards the empty corridor.He looked around but he could not see her.He was about to go back when he heard the sounds of a struggle behind him.He walked faster and he could hear Dushyant's words,"...main bas tumhare pati ko ek sabak sikhana chahtha hoon...aur kehte hain na ki pyaar aur jung mein sab jaayaz hai...".He came to a stop and was shocked to see Gulaal getting ready to defend herself against a drunk Dushyant who was holding her captive.She was trembling with fear but he could see the determined look on her face.The torn sleeve of her blouse and the scratch marks on her shoulder immediately caught his attention.He could feel something snap inside of him.Rage swept through his body,pure...white and almost blinding.He pulled Dushyant by his collar as he shouted,"How dare you touch my wife?Tumhari himmat kaise hui use chune ki?use chot pahunchane ki..."
He punched Dushyant in the face and knocked him down.Dushyant got up with great difficulty as he bellowed,"Kesar...bas bahut ho chuka...tu mere hi ghar aakar mujhe maarkar yeh soch raha hai ki tu bach jaayega...toh yeh teri galatfehmi hai...aaj tu nahi bachne waala Kesar...bahut seh liya maine...".He took out a knife from his pocket and rushed forward to attack Kesar.The sudden attack with the knife caught Kesar unawares and it's sharp blade sliced his forearm."Kesar...",he heard Gulaal's terrified gasp in the distance.He grunted down the pain as he caught hold of Dushyant's arm and managed to knock the knife away from him."mujhe patha hona chahiye tha ki tujh jaisa insaan kabhi badalta nahi...meri hi galti thi jo maine tum par yakeen kar liya...lekin aaj tumne jo ghatiya harkat ki na uske liye main tumhe nahi chodunga.tumhara aisa haal karunga ki aage kabhi kisi bhi ladki ke saath aisa karna toh door kisi ladki se aankh milaake baat karne se pehle sau baar sochoge...".
He struck Dushyant in the face with his fist.Dushyant did try to defend himself by throwing some punches but his strength was no match to Kesar's rage.Kesar could hear Gulaal's anxious voice try to stop him in the background,"Kesar,bas karo...bas karo please" but he ignored her.How could he let go of the person who had tried to hurt Gulaal?He could not...
Gulaal was now terrified.She had been trying to stop Kesar but he was totally out of control.Blood was oozing from his arm,forehead and cheekbones but he didn't seem to care.She panicked...she needed to stop him somehow.She ran towards the room where the party was going on in full swing.People were completely unaware of what was happening a few feet away from them.She looked around for someone familiar...anyone who could help her stop Kesar.Fortunately she saw Talli coming over to her,"Di main kab se aapko aur jeeju ko doondh rahi hoon...Di kya hua... yeh sab kyaa...".Gulaal grabbed her arm and took her outside saying,"tu chal mere saath...humein Kesar ko rokna hai...chal warna woh Dushyant ko maar daalega..."
Talli had been shocked to see her Di in such a condition.Her clothes were crumpled,her blouse was torn and there was a look of panic in her eyes that she had never seen before.Her hands were shaking,cold and clammy.She had never seen her Di behave like this before.As they rushed through the corridor Talli tried to understand what was causing Di to act in this manner.Why would Kesar be hitting Dushyant?
She came to a stop when she heard Kesar's voice ring out,"Tumne Gulaal ko chot pahunchayi hai...main tumhe nahi chodunga...".Kesar was pummelling an almost unconscious Dushyant but it looked as if he wasn't going to stop anytime soon.Talli was scared.She had never seen Kesar so brutal and violent.She could see the blood lust in his wild eyes and his body seemed to be shaking with uncontrollable fury.Yes... she had seen him get into fights when he was in college but this was different.She did not know this person was...he was definitely not her happy-go-lucky friend Kesar.For a second she didn't know what to do when her Di screamed,"Talli meri madad kar...Kesar ko rok...please Talli...kuch kar".She sounded so desperate but Talli couldn't make herself move.
Gulaal looked at Talli who was rooted to the spot.She could see the fear in her eyes.She understood that it was futile to expect her little sister to help.So she decided to stop Kesar on her own.She got a grip on Kesar's arm and tried to get him to listen to her but he seemed to be in no mood to let go of Dushyant.He pushed her hand away.The push was so strong that she fell to the ground and she could not help crying out in pain as she felt something sharp hit her forehead.
"Di"
"Gulaal"
Kesar was no longer thinking.He was just reacting.He felt Gulaal hold his arm and pull him back as she cried out,"Kesar...please meri baat suno...chod do use...chod do please...".He tried to free his arm and unconsciously pushed her away which caused her to lose her balance and fall on the ground.Her cry of pain immediately brought him back to his senses.His anger vanished in an instant as concern took over.He looked at Gulaal who was now lying on the ground.He could see that she was in pain.The blood on her forehead startled him.He let go of Dushyant who fell to the ground groaning in pain and rushed over to her.
"Gulaal",he cried out as he held her by the shoulders and helped her sit.He looked at the cut on her forehead.What had he done?The blood dripping from her wound pained him and he was about to apologize to her when he felt her cup his face as she said in an agitated voice,"Kesar...tum theek ho na...kitna khoon beh raha hai Kesar...tumhe kya ho gaya tha...patha hai main kitni darr gayi thi...tumhe agar kuch ho jaata toh...uske haath mein chaaku tha Kesar...tum itne laaparwaah kaise ho sakte ho?...ek baar bhi nahi socha..."and then she just stopped speaking as her emotions took over.
Kesar engulfed her in his arms and she did not resist.She burrowed into his chest as if trying to convince herself that he was alright.Kesar was amazed and overwhelmed.Her concern for his well being had taken precedence to her own pain.He wanted to say that he was sorry,that he was fine...everything was alright but words seemed to be stuck in his throat.He could only tighten his hold on her as he kept patting her back and pressed comforting kisses on her forehead.
Talli had come out of her shock when she saw her Di fall and cry out in pain.She had almost reached her Di to help her up when she saw Kesar rush over.He looked disraught.The cut on her forehead seemed to shatter him to pieces.She retraced her steps slowly.She could see him gulp down the pain and try to speak when her Di's outburst surprised her.The way she was holding on to him,her concern for him yet at the same time chiding him for his carelessness brought a smile to her face.Suddenly she felt like an encroacher...a third wheel who was spying on a private,intimate moment between a husband and a wife...a couple deeply and madly in love,she realized with a start.
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
