Repentance & Forgiveness.Action & Consequences ch. 14 pg 7 - Page 3

Chapter 7

Chulbuli breathe a sigh of relief as she watched Divakar finally drove away , after she assured him she could get back by herself. He was clearly flustered by that phone call and in a hurry to get to where ever his wife called him to. Thank God for possessive spouses she thought. As she smiled.

Feeling a little adventurous she decided she would take a stroll to see what the town had as this was the first time she could think of where she was alone without Amma or some of the girls or someone acting like a chaperone.

Since she did not get lunch maybe she could get something to eat then look for a way back to Amma's. She wondered what Amma would say when she learned Divakar all but abandoned her in the city. She was about to start walking when her eye caught a familiar figure standing across the street looking around.

So ...she was not imagining things he was indeed here. Crossing the street he walked up behind him tapping him on the shoulder. "Are you following me?" She asked jokingly.

"Sugni! Thank God are you alright?" he asked

"Umm...why would'nt I be?" She asked deciding to forget correcting the name.

"Well I saw you with that man in the car and... And then I lost you at the traffic light"

"Wait a minute...you are following me!!." She said incredulously. "Why?"

"I saw in the car..."

"Yeah I had a lunch date..." She said. He gave her a look of disbelief. She sighed. Exasperated. She was in too good a mood for him to come spoil it. "I don't need this!' She said turning and walking off. She could feel him following her.

Spotting an ice cream shop she went in looking at the different flavors...They all looked good. "Can I have two of those coconut vanilla swirly please." She asked.

"What are you doing with two ice creams?" he asked behind her. She smiled as she paid for them. This stranger was becoming predictable.

"One's for you!' she said turning to him and holding one out. He looked at her in shock. Automatically he took it. "Well if you insist on following me around in the sun the least you can do is enjoy something cool...and I don't like to eat alone!" She said as she sat down on one of the tables. "Are you going to stand there and waist the ice cream or sit down and enjoy it?" She asked.

He sat down in a daze as he kept staring at her.

"Hello ... you have to eat it befor it melts..." She said in a loud whisper. He blinked as she laughed.

"What?" She asked after a few minutes as he finally began eating the cold treat , but did not stop staring at her . Almost as though she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out.

"This morning you were mad at me... And now you are buying me ice cream?" He asked

She looked at him and sighed. "Well this morning you gave me a headache, and I got mad ...but I am not mad any more. I just want to celebrate before I go back." She said smiling to herself.

He frowned. He looked at her, the flowers he just noticed she laid on the table. He got a funny feeling in his stomach. Oh God no!...that could not be...stop it Vickram! He chastised himself. She may not be herself at the moment obviously, but he knew that Sugni would never go against her principles it was ingrained deep in her soul. She was willing to give up her life for it.No this "celebration " had to do with something else, and he knew what it was. Maybe he could use that to get her out of here.

"Besides, I don't know I find you a little weird, but not in a bad way!" She said quickly when he looked at her. That comment made him smile slightly. He looked at her as she continued to eat her ice cream looking out the window. She still had that innocents about her. He still could not believe she was alive in front of him. But here she was.

"Why are you here, Sugni?" He asked her seriously.

"I told you...I had a lunch date... And for the last time I am not Sugni I am Chulbuli!"

"I am not talking about you lunch date." He said exasperated. " I mean here doing this...this ... this is not you. You don't want this" He said.

"Ohh God...not again" She said rolling her eyes. " What are you the moral police?" She said frowning at him.

"Su..

"Chulbuli...and listen I am not going to sit here for you to pass some judgment on me!" She said getting defensive. "This is who I am and I don't know what is wrong with you...but maybe you should go back to the hospital and let them check your head again!" She said

"Oh come one... this is not you and we both know it..." she raised her eyebrows at him. Obviously this was not getting through to her. "Ohh so you really believe this is who you are???" He asked "Fine tell me , how many clients have you had...since as you say its who you are?" He asked looking at her intently.

She blinked taken aback by the rude question he was sure. However since she seemed so abrasive about it maybe this was how to get through to her. He sat back folded his arms and waited for an answer.

She lifted her head and looked at him defiantly. Leaning on the table "10" she answered.

Copying her he looked straight into her face. "You are lying!" he said

"How do you know ??" she asked.

He reached over to hold her hand , she immediately moved it from the table.. "Don't touch me..." She said

He smiled. He made his point.

"That proves nothing" She said.

"It dose...it's your eyes." He said looking at her. She frowned. "Your eyes give you away...you don't want to be here but maybe it's because you think you have no choice." He said quietly. "But you do...Sugni...you are here celebrating not because you had a great lunch ...but because some how you managed to get out of it."

She looked at him surprised . "How did you...?"

"Because I know you. I know the girl you are inside. Who wanted nothing more than to live her life with dignity. That girl who would fight for that...not just give up because some people told her to. That girl who wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in no matter what. You are that girl. And today just proves it, you will find a way to try and fight for that...you know this..." He said softly looking at her intently.

Chulbuli closed her eyes at his stare. That funny feeling she had when she first saw him was back... She felt anxious. Her head was starting to pound. She had to get out of here. She had to get back. She stood up shaky...

"I need to go back...I - I am going..." She said shaking her head to clear it. Without waiting for him to answer, she ran out the shop.

"Oh damn it!" he mumbled as he got up and followed her out. He looked both sides trying to figure out where she went, and breathe a sigh of relief when he saw her standing in the middle of the side walk. He made the few steps towards her , she still had not moved. She was standing there as though frozen.

"Sugni?" he asked coming up next to her. She looked pale. He eyes looked glassy and unfocused and she was wincing. A marked difference for the girl who was cracking jokes over ice cream a few minutes ago/

"Please.."she whispered shaking her head. She winced. She could not handle any more of this.

"Chulbuli...are you alright?" he asked concerned...

"I need to go home...I want to go back..." She whispered.

"ok... But you are going the wrong direction... He said.

She looked at him confused. "I am...I ..." She moaned softly.

"Hey ...maybe we should go to a doctor..." he said looking around.

"N- no-o...I'll be ok...I need to sit..." She said quietly , almost like talking to loud hurt.

"Ok come..." He took her elbow gently, as he led her back into the shop. Where she took a seat. "Water please..." She said

"Ok" He went to the counter and purchased the drink... returning and handing it to her. She imeadiately opened it and swallowed two pills she took from the bottle. He frowned . those pills again. He said nothing though but he did not like it.

" I can take you to the doctor..." he offered again.

"no...I'll be fine...I just need to rest..." She said.

"What's wrong?"

"My head...sometimes it gets all fuzzy and confused and hurts..." She said softly . resting her head back and closing her eyes. He stayed quite for a few minutes just watching her. Sensing that speaking was probably increasing her pain.

After a few minutes she looked like she was going to doze off and he saw the counter clerk giving them concerned looks. Maybe he should get her out of here.

"Sug...Chulbuli...Chulbuli..." he said quietly.

"Hmmm?"

"Maybe we should go now...you can rest..come on.." He said getting up to move to her side. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He held out his hand to her. She took it as she stood up gingerly. She wobbled a little. "Easy easy..." he placed his hand on her back to steady her.

"You ok?
"Yeah."

"Can you make it?"

"Yeah"

He walked out with her still holding his hand. As she meekly followed him. He was acutely aware of her fingers pressing down on his hand, as she clung to him.

Soon he got a taxi as he put her inside sitting next to her , he gave the driver the address to Amma's. As she leaned, back and closed her eyes. He looked at her concerned.

"Thank you ..." She mumbled a few minutes later as she opened her eyes. She looked a little better

"Feeling better?"

"Hmm"

"Dose this happen often?"' He asked

"Only if I feel tense or stressed," She said.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to cause you pain." He said regretfully. That was never his intention , but it seems that was all that he could give her. But more than now he was determined to get her out of this place. "And I am not judging you. I just want you to have a life out of this place, a free life happy where you can live and be who want without any restrictions or fear." He said to her.

She turned her head to look at him. As she envisioned her self-running surrounded by greenery...free and happy. She wanted that to. But that was impossible. She scoffed. that is nice ...but impossible!" she told him

It's not...it can happen. I can make it happen. I can get you out of here..."

"Yeah and what do you want in return...a few nights with me?" She asked, knowing his angle . She heard it before. And was a bit disappointed that was the one he choose.

"No!..Nothing." He closed his eyes, the expression on his face was one of pure hurt that she regretted saying those words to him. Again she wondered why did his feelings seem to matter to her, but it did.

"I promise I just want you to be safe that's all . Believe me." he said, sincerely. He looked at her as they stared at each other for what seemed like hours. She did. She did not know why but on some level she could not understand she felt as though she could follow him anywhere.

"This is no place for you. Trust me...all I want is you out of here."

"Why? Why would you do this. You just met me" She asked

"Because I care about you...because I can't see you here in this hell and do nothing...you are more precious than that ...you are worth more than that?"

Listening to his words, her eyes began to tear up, since she came here all she herd was that she was only good for one thing...that no matter how much she ran it was who she was. There were nights where she would lie in bed feeling suffocated and dishearten with all the pressure.

He was the only person in all the months to tell her other wise. And every part of her wanted to believe his words.

"You don't have to go back there..." He said softly stretching out his hand towards her. "Just trust me..." She looked at his face, and his hand. Her heart began beating nervously. Should she? The last person she trusted walked her straight into this place with no way out.

The car stopped. " We are here sir,." The driver said.

She looked out the window to the place that had been her home for the last five plus months and back to this stranger she met was it yesterday yet for some reason felt nothing like a stranger. Her head began spinning again as everything became fuzzy ...

"Sugni!!!'

"Chulbuli!!!!'

CHAPTER 8

She woke up to a familiar bedroom, as she looked around. She could not remember how she got here. She could not remember much after she she arrived at the brothel.

"Good morning sweetie!" Said Amma as she came into her room with a tray laden with breakfast. Chulbuli sat up. As Amma smiled at her. "How are you feeling? Had a restful night?" She asked.

"Yes..." She answered.

"I thought you would be hungry. You slept through dinner." She was starving now that she thought about it.

"Thank you!!!"

As she dug into the food. "Hmm this is good." She said. Amma smiled.

"So what happened yesterday Chubuli. " Amma asked looking at her. Chulbuli closed her eyes hoping that she could tell this story without sounding like she had anything to do with it. She knew if Amma found out she was behind Divakar's wife she would be in big trouble. Praying she had some acting skills ..She pasted what she hoped was a bewildered look on her face.

"It was strange!" She said "See we got there to the hotel right... and we went to this room...and we ordered lunch and everything...then all of a sudden his phone starts going off and he had to leave." She said looking at Amma. "I think it was his wife..." She laughed "only a man would get scared of his wife like that!!"

"So he just left you there?" She asked frowning. Chulbuli nodded. "He was in a major hurry!" She said as she finished her food. "Did you talk to him?" She asked. She breathe a sigh of relief when Amma shook her head negative.

"So how did you meet Vickram babu?' She asked.

"He was there...I don't know doing what." She did not think Amma needed to know all the details. "And well I was trying to make my way back and got all fuzzy and confused...you know how I get...He helped me to get back...he is very nice." She said smiling wistfully. "But how did I get here...last I remember I was in the car in front."

"Yes...Sheila saw you and told me you were back ... when we got you out the car you passed out." She said

"Ohh..." She said. Amma she saw was staring at her intently.

"You seem very ...comfortable with this stranger, Chubuli. The girls were telling my you were having tea with him, when you went to the temple?" She looked down guilty.

"No...I saw him and was just asking about how he was feeling..." She said. Amma sighed.

" I know you feel sorry for him because you think he is a bit like you with the accident and all...But Chulbuli that is not the case. I know you can't see it yet, but listen it is best you learn something here quickly. All these men want from us... is one thing. And they will do anything to get...offer us the moon and the stars...tell us what they think we want to hear...but honey it's not because they care about us. It's because they just want to use us. He is after you because you remind him of this ...what was that name he said, maybe an ex-lover or something. So he is trying to live some weird fantasy through you." She reached over and took her hand.

"You understand what I am saying?" She asked. "The heart has no place in this business my girl...and you better learn that fast."

"But Amma...he is not like the others, " She said feeling the need to defend Vickram. "He never looked at me like the others ..and ..and he helped me even after I argued with him I know he is different..." She said

"Chulbuli...It is all part of his game...Of course he will act like he cares...he probably can't afford you so ... he figures if he sweet talks you you'll give in for free..." Chulbuli shook her head. No that was not true.

"Ok Fine...I can prove you wrong...I can prove to you that underneath it all he is no better than any of the other guys who come here...and when I do I hope you will learn not to fall for the first sweet talking man around." Amma said patting her face gently.

"You still look a bit pale...why don't you go have a nice warm bath...and rest huh..." She said. Chulbuli nodded.

After she freshened up she lay on the bed, remembering yesterday in the ice cream shop. And her conversation with Vickram in the taxi. The sincerity in his voice. No ...No Amma was wrong. He was different. She knew that. Sure she only knew him a couple of days...but she knew he was different!!! She closed her eyes as his face floated into her her brain. As she began to wonder what he would look like if he smiled.

*****\\\\\\\//////******

"So gentlemen..."Amma said the next day as she looked across the room to the two men seated on the couches.

"What was so urgent that you had to send a message to my office ?" Divakar asked ..."And who is he?" He asked looking at the disheveled man sitting quietly ...he looked quite the opposite from Divakar who was wearing an expensive suite and well-polished shoes.

"This is Vickram Babu and thanks to him, Chulbuli returned to us safely...after you abandoned her day before!" She said looking at him.

"I did not abandon her... I offered her taxi fare back!" he said. Vickram scoffed rudely. Causing them to look at him.

"You are quite the man aren't you ?... offered her taxi fare? Could not even get her a taxi..."

"Excuse me? Why are you in my business. What happens between Chulbuli and me is no business of yours..." Divakar said annoyed. He did not like this guy.

"It is my business!" Vickram said. " I know guys like you, big shot money bags who think the world falls on their feet because they can buy anything that catches there whims. But once it is not useful for you again you discard it!.." He shook his head. "People like you make me sick!" he said.

"listen Mr..." Divakar said standing to look down at him him..."

"Guys Guys Guys!...please...can you stop your male bonding so we can talk about why I called the both of you here?" Amma said interrupting them .

They both turned to look at her. She looked at the both of them as she thought how to say this.

"Chulbuli it seems has become a bone of contention between you two. Since both of you have some interest in her..."

"Wait!...this bozo is interested in MY Chulbuli..." Divakar said as he laughed. "Oh come on Amma , you really can't be taking him seriously. Chulbuli is mine only I have first preference you said so!" He reminded her.

Vickram had to restrain himself form getting off the couch and punching this guy in the face for talking about Sugni like this. How dear he. But he also wondered what was Amma playing at.?

To say he was surprised when Bunty tracked him down today and told him that Amma wanted to see him for some reason he was curious...Then this Guy showed up and Vickram wondered what was happening.

"I know what I said Divakar babu...no need to remind me." She said looking at him stonely. She may seem like a meek woman but she was not one who liked being crossed.! "That was before you left her..." She said

Anyways..." she sighed as though bored. "Since both of you have an interest in the same girl...I thought it would be appropriate and fair to give both of you a fair chance to get what you want. So I have a proposal for the both of you.! The one who makes me the best offer for her will get to spend a night with her first..." She said .

Vickram stood up as he realized this woman was in effect auctioning off Sugni to the highest bidder. Again he felt sick, she was surrounded by these wolves and he was the one who sent her here !

Divakar said "Amma that is not right...you had told me..."

"Divakar babu...Vickram here has earned the right to get a chance...and you well...I am not pleased with you right now. I always try to give my girls the best, and Chulbuli has a soft spot for Mr. Vickram here I decided to let him in on this...now if you have a problem with that you can leave!" She said .

Divakar shot Vickram daggers with his stare.

"Ok Fine ...Amma $5000. For the night...and I get to take her where I want for the night!" Divakar said Amma's eyes shot up...five thousand for one night, he could get ten girls for that price! And he knew it. Her palms started itching with the thought of all that money...

"Hmm $5000. Ok...Divakar Babu we have a dea...

"$7000..." Vickram said... interuping them... obviously Amma forgot about him hearing that price.

She looked at him.

"Seven Thousand... Dollars...are you serious?" She asked him looking at him in surprise He nodded. Divakar laughed. Amma looked him up and down...his disheveled state , that beard... this guy looked as though he hardly had $7. in his pocket much less $7000. But he did walk into her trap wholly and solely and it was now time to close it!

"There are some rules to this ...that I hope you can comply to..."

"what rules.?" He asked

"You have 24 hours to come up with the money... If you don't I don't want to see you hanging around here or anywhere near Chulbuli. EVER. Do you understand that?" She asked.

Ahh so this was it!... she was trying to get rid of him... Vickram caught on to her. Ok He'll play her game, cause he knew come what may he was getting Sugni out of here.

"Ok I agree...You will have your money by tomorrow evening...and I get the same privileges he gets." He said.

"Of course!" She said..."Well Good luck...Divakar I guess he won.."

"But Amma..." He stopped when she lifted her hand giving him a look.

"THAT...will be all gentle man...Vickram Babu your 24 hours starts now... If you will excuse me I have somethings to do..." She said standing and dismissing them.

**********

Chulbuli slowly waked to her room after she herd the conversation between Amma , Divakar and Vickram. Amma had told her she would prove to her that Vickram was no different form the others and she did. All he wanted was what they all wanted. And he was willing to pay $7000 to get it.

She sat on her bed, feeling as though she just lost something precious. Amma was right she was naive to believe him. Why did she? Why did she feel he was different. He was nothing! Nothing but a stranger... A stranger who wanted what all these others wanted, her body. All his words , all his false concern she thought she felt ...boy was she a fool. He was just waiting for a chance to bid on her!!! At least Divakar was better, she knew what to expect from him. But Vickram he was just a smooth talking snake come here to play with her feelings!!!

And now it was worse. Come what may tomorrow she was going to have to do what she was running from all these months. She could not see a way out of this.

"Chulbuli.." Amma said as she came into the room

"Hmm?" She answered.

"Are you alright?" She asked. She shook her head . No she was not alright.

"I know it is hard when we find out all that glitters is not gold. But now you know what his true intention is."

"But Amma why did you do that...the bid and all...I ..."

"It had to be done, otherwise he would have just hung around here, making a nuisance of himself. I needed him to see your worth. In front of Divakar I did not expect him to bid higher... and I am still not sure he can make that...but I hope he dose..." She said looking at her...

"You do...why?" she asked. For weeks all she had been hearing was how Divakar was the best, so to hear Amma changing her mind now was strange.

"Because I have seen you with Divakar and I have seen you with Vickram, and you seem more comfortable with him. If this is going to make it easier for you, then I don't have a problem once he comes with the money...I just want you to know and understand that this is just business. And after he gets what he pays for , chances are you won't see him again. You want to enjoy your time with him...by all means go ahead...just remember keep the heart out of it...hmm" She said as she patted her cheeks. Chulbuli looked at her . Her eyes welling up .

"But Amma I don't think of him like that...I am not ready.. for..."

Amma rolled her eyes.

"Don't start this again!... You did the same with Divakar ...and I have given in to you...now you are doing it again, with this guy. NO. I am not having it. It is high time now. Ok. The other girls will start to think I am being partial with you...and I can't have that. One way or the other ...Divakar or Vickram...Tommorw..." She said as she got up and left her alone.

Chulbuli lay on her bed as she buried her face in her pillow and cried. She hated them . Both of them Vickram and Divakar...She hated this place and her life...OHH God why did she have to wake up to this... She cried bitter tears of helplessness...