"Arey Bhaiya jaldi kariye...Aakhir Meri shaadi Hai.Perfect honi chaaiye..!" She completed the sentence looking at him straight in the eye. He smiled at the surface but boiled on the inside. Things had gone too far. He had thought she would back off at just level one. But she had played all along till the final stage. Damn . What the hell was happening. The way things were going...she would..."NO. She Won't " his heart said firmly. He knew that she couldn't see any man apart from him as her husband. Husband!? Was he ever? Wasn't he? The waves of uncertainty rose again in his heart. Perhaps,because he knew, he can't live without her. The thought of seeing her with another man stabbed his heart. Forget about seeing the thought materializing.
She gulped and left to get ready. Did he think she was that stupid? She knew he wanted her to surrender and confess her feelings for him. But she...She just wanted him to accept her whole heartedly. But what had he done? Played this stupid marriage trick. Fine. She wasn't going to be easy this time, like she was every damn time. But somewhere down in her heart she just wanted to call off the entire fiasco and scream to the world that she belonged to just one man , who was her World, Shivaay. But NO. He had to know that he can't play with her every single time. He had to understand that this Farak Game was more hurtful than anything. He had to know that not every time he gets to decide for THEM. NO.
She wiped her tears as she looked at herself in the mirror. The memories of her own wedding day ran before her.
"Tum jaanti Ho Naa Main Kya Kya Kar Sakta Hoon" his voice echoed.
The Beast. She had seen the Beast in him roar that day. The Beast that had taken her captive. The Beast that had crushed her "Khudaari" and her "Taakat". The Beast That had Destroyed Her.
But when the Beast had been transformed into her Prince and won not only her brother's heart but also hers. She din't know. The Man who took a bullet for her. The Man who fought the world for her respect. The man who protected her from all evil. The Man who cared for her. The Man who loved her. The Man who gave her a new life.
" I Have Nothing To Do With This Woman" his words brought back the memories of the other fateful day. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Was it so easy for him?
It took him months to say, "She Is My Wife'
And a day to say, " I have nothing to do with you. She was my mistake. " She sobbed.
This Man wanted everything his way. This man... But she Loved him. Still did. Will always do.
Even when he was the Beast, Even when he was Her Prince, Even when he was her Husband, Even when he was a Nobody.
She Loved Him. As he was. Every part of him. But she was afraid. Afraid that her protective Knight would transform to Beast again. Not fearful for herself. But for him. For them. She knew he would break after that. She knew he broke every minute he saw her happy with the happenings around. No she wasn't happy rather tired putting it all up.
How could he think she has moved on? No. she Hasn't. She can't move on alone. Without him. She hated herself for loving him so much at times. Every pain he gave her, she took it. Every hurt he gave her she took it. She wanted to. Be it care, love, hurt or pain she was ready to take everything he gave. Because she loved the man a little too much.
But now she wanted to stand for THEM. Rather than HIM. She had long forgotten to stand for HERSELF. She wiped the tears. She gave the final touches to her face wiping away the tracks the tears had left. She was taking one of the bravest and most painful step ever. No security, no pretense. Because she knew, yes she knew well that he wouldn't let her.
"Tumhe Sirf Main Jhel Sakta Hoon"
She smiled. Its his turn to prove himself and put up with her. If he din't stop her today, he would loose her forever. But she was confident that he would stop her. But how? there was fear. She wanted her Husband back, but was scared. Scared of the Rise Of The Beast. Anyway she had decided that she would face whatever, whatever it took to Win and Protect Their LOVE.
She dragged her feet slowly to exit the room. Before she knew he walked in like a storm and shut the door behind securely, and looked at her with eyes glistening and jaw muscles clenched. He fisted his palm, walking towards her.
She panicked, "Ye Kya kar rahe hain aap?" This was her fear.
"All ready huh?" He said glancing up and down.
She looked at him composing herself, "Farak Pad Raha Hai Aapko".
He chuckled mockingly.
Then looking serious he galred at her, " Tum shaadi kar rahi ho?"
"Can't you see it, You wanted this right!?"
He approached her menacingly. "Have you really cared for what I wanted.?" He said scanning her eyes.
"If I hadn't I would have walked out of your life long ago."
"Really!? " he mocked her. "Let's see if you are dressed perfectly. He caressed her cheeks, his hand moved down to her waist. She stared at him.
" kya Hua Farak Pada?" He asked faking surprise.
"Nahi. " she said her voice matching the confidence in her eyes. No backing off today. Either they rip themselves apart or embrace the love they had.
He clenched his jaw his eyes boring into her. He moved his hands to capture hers in his hold.
"Shivaay!" She grasped, as he twisted her hand behind her back, letting her body smash against his.
"Dard Hua?" He asked his voice cold yet burning with anger.
"Don't do this...Again!" She looked up at him.
"You Are My Wife." His gaze burned her.
"Was..."
He tightened his hold making her squirm.
"You Belong To Me, Anika" he said in a deadly possessive voice.
"I belong to no one" she spat her blood boiling now. Things weren't going the way she wanted or thought they would. She had to be strong for them.
His rage grew, "Stop this...I know tumhe farak padta thaa...Farak padta hai...aur..
" Ab nahi padta." She looked at him through squeezing eyes, trying to get free of his hold.
His rage grew he pulled her closer, "Your eyes tell a different story" he whispered in her ears.
"You can't force me to admit." Tears of disgust formed in her eyes.
He twisted her hands, "Stop making this difficult Anika, Tumpe Sirf Mera Haq Hai Sirf Mera."
She lost all the patience and mental preparation she had made to face the Beast in him.
"Kaunsa Haq...yeh Haq jisse aap mujhe dard pahunchaate hain? Yeh Haq Jisse Aap har baar mujhe tadpa the hain...Yeh Haq Jisse Aap Mujhe Todte Hain. Kaunsa Haq Shivaay. Yeh Haq Mere Saath Badtameezi Karne Ka Haq...!"
Her every word was a slap across his face. Each word broke his heart a million times.
"Itna chota sochti ho mere baare mein.?" He said his voice shaking with hurt and his eyes moist, as he let her free of his hold.
"Aapke Majboor Kiya Hai Shivaay. Dil Jeeta Jaata Hai, Khareeda yaan Haasil Nahi Kiya Jaata." Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Hum jab bhi...jab bhi...ek naye mukaam pe apne Rishtey ko le jaa rahe vote hain, aap kuch aisa kardete hain ki San barbaad ho jaat hai. " she sobbed, looking at him accusingly.
"Wo toh tumne Kiya Thaa...Apni har galti ko theek karne jaa raha thaa...Apni ..."
"Galtiyon ko theek nahi kiya jaa sakta Shivaay, ek baar nishaan pad jaate hai toh MIT te nahi hai." She argued.
He stood rooted at the spot, "Iska MATLAB tumne mujhe ...kabi maaf hi nahi kiya thaa?" His voice trailed off.
"Apne maafi maangi thii kya?" She spoke her heart hurt because she knew she was hurting his already hurt heart, but she had to do it. They would never stabilize otherwise.
"I thought... You knew...Me.." He said in a lost voice.
She closed her eyes shut as she saw him stare away at the blank space. Yes she knew him. She understood him she knew that he would never verbalize his guilt, but
she had seen his regret and guilt over it.
"Maaf kiya thaa...Shivaay. Thodi Naarazgi thii, usse aapne dhoor kardiya that Shivaay.. Lekin...aap har baar...har baar mujhe ...aap har baar humaare Rishtey ko..." She collapsed on the bed crying bitterly, she couldn't even day what she felt. She couldn't handle it all single handedly.
"Aur Kitne Shikwein Hain Mujh Se ..?" He saw her , his tears dried , voice lifeless and heart struggling to beat strong.
P.S