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Part 51
Prachi Inder Shah the name immediately conjured up the vision of a beauteous maiden simple and pure she was the first child hotelier Inder Shah had been blessed with. He had been elated when she had been born his first offspring, he had slaved hard all his life and had wished to present the world to her. Prachi was a means of fulfilling Inder's desires and wishes he provided her with everything he himself had lacked in his growing years. He had taken great care to get her educated at the leading institutions endowing her with the best of literary and social knowledge available. He had groomed her well and had showered her with unconditional love, in short she was the apple of his eye. Prachi was succeeded by Alaap Bobby and Soumya all of her siblings though special in their own way were never able to add up to the position Prachi held in Inder's life. To Inder life started and ended with Prachi at times Premlata his wife would fear such an affluence of love and care might spoil the young child. But contrary to her fears Prachi had turned out to be the most sensible, sensitive and naiive of her four children and she was happy it had been that way. As Prachi grew older her delicate nature was moulded into a traditional sculpture of the dutiful daughter who upheld traditions and values lived them and treasured them. She was the sort young lads pined for yet she never lifted an eye towards them moreso her innocence had enhaced her beauty and her kind and gentle nature had added to it blessing her with an extraordinary charm. Amongst the people who hoped to attain her was Shashank Saxenna a spoilt, rich and arrogant youngster. He was an epicure yet had been ruined by excessive luxuries and unmonitored access to abundance of wealth. His parents had died in a car crash leaving him in the care of his uncle Sandiip Sickand who himself was the devil incarnated and had left no stone unturned in making his nephew an exact replica of him. Life had been generous to Prachi she had everything she had ever desired at her disposal in a blink of an eye but all that was to change unknown to her because such is the manner in which fate operates blessing one yet depriving the other for no rhyme or reason. Prachi had been attending college for four long years and as the exams drew nearer so had the desire to clear them all with flying colours the job was tough but Prachi was a consistent and hardworking girl. Soon that difficult phase was done with and now the results were awaited, before college was bid farewell for life the administration had arranged a party for the final year students as is accustomed. Prachi had never been keen on attending parties neither did she intend to attend this one but her friends had stressed upon her presence there citing it as the last time they could be all together on their college grounds.
A sense of nostalgia has washed over Prachi as she walked through the dark corridors of her alma mater some of the best years of her life had been spent there. As she strolled listlessly through the passageway she was surprised to see a group of lads huddled together in the far corner of the hall she decided to move on when she heard her name spring up in the loud whispers. She was concealed well in the shadows of a sandstone pillar and decided to investigate further as far as she knew she had not been aquainted with any of the people assembled there. On straining her ears she realized that a plot was being hatched to trap her into getting laid by a certain Shashank Saxenna, her anger knew no bounds. She remembered Shashank from the various occassions on which he had tried to act friendly with her, the way he looked at her had her despise him it felt as if he were always trying to size her up. His deep green eyes depicted lust and Prachi had known it best to maintain her distance from him since day one but here right now she could not stop herself. What did he think she was another one of the college lasses who wasted no time in being all over him. Just because he had the power and looks did not mean he could play God to her too. Her hands shook with rage as she quietly made her way back to the college auditorium where the party was in full swing, she had not wished to remain there a minute longer but was forced to as her father had still not arrived to pick her up. Meandering through the crowd she took her seat on an empty table toying with her drink when she felt someone pull up a chair opposite her. As expected it was Shashank cold fury engulfed Prachi as she met his gaze with courage hoping he would not drive her to act in a regrettable way. Shashank had tried to make conversation but when Prachi did not respond he had been irritated his friends had laughed at him when he had vowed to make Prachi his that night and he was hell bent to prove them that he indeed held the authority to have the last word. Prachi bore his advances in silence but when she saw him cross limits she could no longer play ignorant pushing back her chair she had stood up to leave when Shashank had held her by her wrist and that was the last straw. In a split second Prachi had slapped him hard across his face the party had stopped midway everyone stood struck with wonder as they saw an entirely different Prachi emerge from her cocoon. "Chaar saal main tumhain bardasht kerti rehi yeh soch ker keh waqt key saath tum sudhar jaogey or larkiyon ko apney faidey key liye istimaal kerna chor dogey. Lekin sudhaar wahaan aata hai jahan chah ho per tumney to kabhi sahi or ghalat key farq ko hii nahin samjha phir kisi ki izzat key saath khelna tumharey liye kiya maainey rakheyga. Mujhey umeed hai yeh thappar tumhain zindagi bhar yaad raheyga" saying so Prachi had pulled her hand from his grasp walking off amidst a thunderous applause. Shashank was not only a cheap flirt he was also a bully and snob which had caused students and teachers to loathe him alike. The slap had left a lasting impression on Shashank's heart and cheek one that he would not forget for a very long time to come.
Time had passed quickly it had been two years to the incident and no mention of Shashank had ever risen in her life after that night Prachi was busy with her work then. She assisted Inder in his business aspiring to learn a thing or two who was only too glad to have her with him having lost all hope in Alaap. Inder had desired to train Alaap under his watchful eye and make him turn into the next budding entrepreneur in Mumbaii but sadly some dreams never are fulfilled neither was Inder's. Alaap was of a different breed since an early age he had started showing his true colours as he advanced in years his bend of mind was more towards detrimental activities. His social gathering was not a respectable one too all his friends hailed from the elite class but were steeped in filth and one such friend that headed the gang was Shashank. The idea was not new the night Shashank had borne humiliation and shame at Prachi's hands with an entire college body as witness he had vowed to make her his if only for a night. He intended to make her grovel, beg him for mercy and then he would find peace at last. The raging fire that burnt his heart and soul alike would be put out but before that he would not rest. Shashank had long sought for a weak link that would eventually tie him to Prachi and Alaap had turned out to be just that. Unknown to his family Alaap spent many comfortable days with Shashank who had educated him in all the wrong lessons, Alaap drank and gambled at Sandiip's house till late hours. Inder had come to know of it at a very late stage by then Alaap had become so engrossed in his new lifestyle that Inder's threats did not matter much to him. Alaap was not a good player and often lost money at the game which Shashank would conveniently pay on his behalf waiting for the right moment to strike Alaap and finally his patience had paid off. Now they did not play at the confines of Shashank's house with his guards and servants as playmates they did it big in bars and casinos, it was a cold stormy night when Alaap and Shashank had gotten in a friendly game of cards. As the evening advanced so had the game and before long Alaap had lost everything right down to his shoes. Laughing dryly Shashank had reminded him of the loans he had generously lent to him in his time of need asking for it all that night. "Tum pagal ho gaye ho Shashank main itna saara paisa kahaan sey launga?" Alaap had felt his blood freezing Inder had not yet known of his current finacial status because unperceived by Inder, Alaap had bet his house Shah mansion and various assets of the company from time to time to quench his thirst for the game. All of that had been paid off by Shashank who now threatened to expose him infront of Inder if he did not comply to his bidding. "Aakhir tum chahtey kiya ho mujh sey?" Alaap had asked flustered he could not see any way out of the mess he had single handedly created. "Prachi" Shashank had breathed to Alaap who stood stunned "Ussey merey paas bhej do... woh meri ho jayegi or yeh sab tumhara." Shashank had placed the papers of the mansion on the glass table at his farmhouse coolly. "Tumhara dimagh kharab ho gaya hai Shashank Prachi meri behen hai" Alaap had screamed in rage. "Per meri to nahin" Shashank had drawled gulping the rich blood red wine from the tumbler he held. "Soch lo Alaap sirf eik raat kii hii to baat hai kisi ko pata bhi nahin chaleyga, tumharey Papa ko bhi nahin or tumhara ghar bhi tumhain waapas mil jayega. Sauda bura nahin... " Shashank had tempted him. "Main nahin ker sakta aisa" Alaap had declared defiantly when Shashank saw this was not working he had asked Alaap to play another hand. If Alaap won he could get all that he had forfeited back but if he lost to Shashank he would lose his sister too and this time Shashank wouldn't ask for his permission. Alaap was caught if he denied to gamble Shashank would march up to his father and throw his family out of the house if he did indeed play another hand he might win it all back and in that unfortunate moment he had bet Prachi along with the other assets. The game was set the deed done Alaap had lost again and this time it was a fatal blow he had received, he stood paralysed when Shashank had set off to claim Prachi as his.
The way back home was one Alaap would never forget till he breathed somehow he had to stop him was the sole thought that swirled in his mind. As Shashank had stepped inside the threshold to his abode Alaap had howled in misery hurling curses at him. He fought and kicked Shashank who soon had him rounded up by his goons walking briskly inside the peaceful haven named Shah mansion. Prachi sat chatting to her father at the dinner table Premlata had left for a dental appointment with her mother in law, Soumya was at a friend's place while Bobby was taking a shower. Inder had not been feeling well lately he had come to know of his wealth being depleted at Alaap's hands and had been astounded on his own negligence why had he let it come to this. Why had he not stopped Alaap when he should have why had been so caught in his own race to the top that he had forgotten about his responsibility towards his children. Shashank had walked in at that moment followed closely by Alaap held roughly by his guards who had thrown him down relieving their hands off him. Inder had looked up in surprise at this rather bizzarre entrant dressed in black from head to foot Shashank had smiled casually at Prachi. "Hello Prachi nice to see you again, do saal main bhuuli to nahin hogi mujhey" he had laughed making himself comfortable on the chair beside her pulling her hand he forced her to sit by him. "Apna haath hatao Shashank" Prachi had told him solemnly before shrugging it off herself and had scooted towards Inder who had held her close. "Tum kon ho or yahaan kiya ker rahey ho?" Inder had asked Shashank sternly. "Behter hoga yeh sawaal aap apney betey sey karein or raha sawal merey yahaan aaney ka to mujhey Prachi dey dijiye main chala jaunga." Shashank had tried to act polite smirking at the oblivious father who hardly knew what his son had been up to."Kiya bak rahey ho tum? Prachi ko ley jaaney waaley tum kon hotey ho?" Inder had questioned in a cutting tone it was evident by the way in which he held Prachi to him that he was not going to let Shashank place a finger on her. "Ley jaaney ka haq hai mujhey jeeta hai mainey issey juey kii baazi main aapkey betey se" Shashank had elaborated on the details placing an authoritative hand over Prachi as she watched him with repugnance. It couldn't be true he was lying she just couldn't believe him how could her own brother put her up for a bet surely he could not think so low of her they shared a bond, a blood relation. "Alaap yeh kiya bol raha hai tum sun rahey ho bolo na yeh jhoot bol raha hai .... tum ney mujhey daav per nahin lagaya na.. bolo na Alaap" she had pleaded to her brother who sat grief stricken his head bent low and in that catastrophic moment she had known of it being the stark reality. Her face had lost colour while Inder stared at his son in astonishment how could he put his sister at stake for a mere game. "Chalo merey saath" Shashank had declared swinging her on his shoulder he had led a screaming Prachi out of the safety of her home. "Choro mujhey choro!!!!" Prachi had had shrieked in panic a chilling rush of fear had coursed her veins then. Her head hanging down she lay propped on Shashank's broad shoulder raining his back with a volley of punches. "Choro mujhey main kahin nahin jaungi... choro" she had screeched writhing in agony as dread had replaced horror somehow she had an inkling on what was going to follow next. Inder had tried to wrench Prachi from Shashank but had been brutally rebuffed by his goons who had dealt him with a fussilade of kicks and punches. "Prachi" Inder had whispered bruised and beaten dragging himself on the icy marble his hand outstretched as he froze in a cold mass on the floor. His life his daughter Prachi had been taken away from him in such a monstrous way how could he breathe any longer he had suffered a massive heart stroke and had died on the spot. "Papa... Papa!!!" Alaap had shaken Inder's lifeless form thoroughly but it was of no use the soul had departed from it's restrictive confines of the body leaving behind a heap of flesh and bones.
Once at his farmhouse Shashank had taken a howling Prachi to his bedroom closing it behind him he had flung her on the master bed. Laughing demonically he had advanced towards her "Shashank agar tum ney mujhey haath bhi lagaya to" Prachi had warned him in a shaking voice inching away from him. "Haath to kiya Prachi ajj to tuu saari meri hai sirf meri" he had snarled. Closing in the distance between them ripping off her dupatta he threw it away abusing her fragile body with his cold and beastly hands clawing on her gentle form. Prachi had felt as if this was a very bad dream she could still not believe this was actually happening Shashank was trying to rape her but her senses were quickly enlivined when she felt his hands on her torso. "Choro mujhey CHORO!!" she had screamed her voice hoarse with the shrill shrieks that emitted from her throat in retataliation muffled in the thunderous claps of the stormy night. Raindrops sluiced against the closed window panes of the room the thunder bolts wreaking havoc on the skies lashing water in fury as if angered by all that happened below. She cried for help desperately attempting to get him off her but alas he was stronger than she had anticipated. Pinning her down to the bed Shashank had managed to strip her bare leaving deep scars on her chest as he dug in her soft skin with his nails and teeth during the struggle making her cry in torment. "Please mujhey chor do" she sobbed "main haath jorti huun tumharey please" Prachi had implored crying hot tears abhorring his wretched and criminal act trying her level best to push his lean form off her. In an attempt to be freed she had bit him then hard on his hand fuelling his anger making him torture her all the more but he had moved then, off her as a vicious plan formed in his evil mind the game was yet to begin how could he finish it so soon. Prachi had stared at him destitutely pulling the blanket to cover her naked form shivering so hard she feared her teeth would start chattering. "Abhi to tarpana baaqi hai tumhain Prachi..." Shashank had winked at her watching her with pleased eyes she was exactly where he had wanted her in his clutches helpless and doomed. "Yaad hai woh thappar main to nahin bhuula per tumhain bhi saari umer yaad rakhwaunga.... aajkey baad" he had clutched a fistful of her hair jerking her head brutally towards his own. Prachi could smell alcohol as he breathed on her "Aaj key baad tumhain yaad raheyga to sirf mera chehra Prachi" he had sneered close to her as she shut her eyes to block his hideous face from view. "Sotey jaagtey uthtey bethtey.... sirf main hii main nazar aaunga" he had cackled throwing his head back laughing insanely.
In that instant Prachi had desperately tried to find something to defend herself with, her furtive eyes had gleaned a lamp placed close on a table not far. Now if only she could reach it she had thought wiping away her tears for better vision but Shashank had other plans. He had switched the lights on bathing the room in a brilliant world of hues producing a digital camera from a side drawer he had set the timer. "Ab aayega maza!" he had grinned sadistically and before Prachi could know what was happening he had pulled the blanket in one swift motion away from her. Revealing her to the camera's naked eye and in a flash the picture had been stored safe in the appliance. Prachi had quickly curled herself up horror stricken at the level to which he had stooped but by then it was too late Shashank had clicked a few more pictures of her making her wish she would die in that instant. She groped about for the blanket while he kept taking the pictures laughing hysterically all the time. Prachi sat numbed she realized from that moment on her life was finished and if there was nothing left to secure she might as well end it. Not being able to bear it anymore Prachi had jumped off the bed and pushed him hard, he was not expecting this from her and was caught off guard. Running to the table Prachi had picked up the heavy porcelain lamp and had smashed it on Shashank's head rendering him dysfunctional for a few moments and that was the time Prachi had to avail. Sprinting to the bedside she had dressed herself of what remained of her clothes when she saw him coming around for a moment. She was tempted to take the camera but it was still held tightly by Shashank in his left hand. Prachi could see the blow though hard was not enough to make him lose consciousness she could hear him moaning muttering curses to her. Unlocking the door she had run down the stairs trying to avoid detection she feared if she remained there any longer Shashank would finally complete the task he had wished to undertake that night and deprive her off her honour. She could hear his goons sitting in the hallway drinking and gambling if she went that way they would certainly catch her again. Her body trembled and she hoped she wouldn't pass out with the shock she had gone through but her mind urged her convincing her to flee. It was one of those horrible moments when one realizes death awaits at the next bend but still one tries to dodge it in a mad desperate desire to live and Prachi had done the same. She crouched low then making her way to the back door tugging it open to hear it creak slowly "Arey tuuney awaaz suni chotey" one of the goons had pricked his ears. "Haan ustaad woh billi hogi Raghu kii har waqt saali ider'j ghumreyli hoti hai" Chotu had spoken up as Prachi awaited them to come there with bated breath. But it seemed they were least concerned busy in their leisurely activities pulling the door wide open not waiting to see whether anyone followed her or not Prachi had leapt out in the back yard immediately drenched as the rain pelted down on her. She ran as hard as she could and as fast as her legs would allow, breathless and worn she had slipped in the wet mud many a times but always managed to coax herself to get up and run.... run away from Shashank.
