Beyond Desire-Arshi FF- PART-15 NOW (Mar 23rd) PAGE 46 - Page 15

Dear Readers,

Like I said before, this FF was started with the intent of being a thriller. This chapter may not be upto your expectations, but this is an essential link between past and present. Once you read this, most of you will understand the reasons for Khushi's behavior.

The story, as a whole, is still a mild thriller, but if you want me to make it more intense or wild, let me know!

Do you want me to dial it up or dial it down???

PART-10:

Way Back to the PAST (4 years before the original timeline) at MJP University, Bareilly:

Khushi was very excited about the start of her third year in BA, Economics. Staying at the university hostel gave her freedom and good exposure to the ways of the world. She wished to be independent, earn her living and support her family. Khushi was brought out of her dreams by her friend Smriti.

Smriti (waving a hand infront of her): Khushi, where are you lost?

Khushi: Nothing Smriti, just thinking of my family, future and job

Smriti (chuckling): Hold your horses lady. We still have the whole of 3rd year left before we are done with this

Khushi: I know. Can't I plan or may be at least daydream?

Smriti: You sure can; if you don't mind staying here for another year, that is...

Khushi: Chup, I won't fail just because I fantasize about things occasionally

Smriti: By the way, did you figure out who was that guy? Did he meet you again?

The very thought of that stranger sent shivers down Khushi's spine.

Khushi: He is scary Smriti. I haven't seen his face though. I have seen his outline a couple of times. It feels like he is constantly staring at me. He has been leaving roses, at my desk, in the library where we sit normally, also in the class sometimes. He even sent me 'good luck' messages before our volleyball matches.

Smriti: I think it's time to complain

Khushi: But why? I agree he is creepy, but he has never tried to harm me

Smriti: You never know, but I have a bad feeling about this. Remember once you forgot your scarf in the library, you missed your anklet in the playground and when we went back to get them, both the times we lost those

Smriti (continued): Also I saw a creepy guy at both the places. He may be the stalker Khushi. I am just worried about you. I caught the same guy staring at our room window from the road a couple of times, but as soon as I saw him, he slipped off. I have a strong feeling, it's him

Khushi (worriedly): Slightly taller guy, heavily built, with wavy hair? Is that him you saw?

Smriti: Exactly

Khushi: Oh, Devi Maiyya, then it is him. Like I said, I did not get to see his face, but saw his silhouette. I will go complain to Menakaji, our warden today

Smriti: You should Khushi, and remember never ever go by yourself alone. I saw his face, he has a sinister expression on his face all the time

A month later, at MJP University, Bareilly (later at night around 9PM):

Khushi and Smriti being roommates, were chatting together about a recently released hindi movie. Khushi was enjoying the animated expressions of Smriti's analysis of her favorite hero. An an eldritch screech brought them running out of their room into the main lobby in the first floor.

The sight that met their eyes unnerved them.

Menaka, the warden was screaming her lungs out in pain due to her sari having caught fire. A few other hostel residents covered her with blankets, after pulling her sari off, to extinguish the fire. An ambulance was called and Menaka was taken to the hospital. Just as the vehicle left, Khushi caught a man standing a few feet away smirking and looking towards her.

She was stumped. It was him.. definitely him.. Only this time, his face was clear.

He stared at her and pointed with his eyes at the main lobby desk. His smirk then disappeared into a malicious thinning of his lips and narrowing of his eyes. He turned his back and left silently through the side alley.

Khushi kept her hand on her chest near her heart. She understood something was wrong... big time.

She went to the desk that he had pointed at and found a red rose over a plain envelop addressed to 'KHUSHI'

Khushi opened it with shivering fingers, sweating heavily even in the chill breeze of the night. There was a note inside.

"She came in between us. Who does she think she is, to warn me from seeing you? And she paid for it. This is just a trailer to show you what I am capable of. Nobody messes with me, not even you. You are beautiful darling. I love you"

Khushi collapsed. That was just the beginning...

Khushi lived in constant fear; She was constantly aware of being watched. She was not the same cheerful person anymore. One of her friends always accompanied her. The sparkling bubbly girl was losing herself in panic day by day.

Smriti decided it was time. She convinced Khushi to talk to their college principal. He suggested going to the police station. The note that was written on the day of Menaka's fire accident was shown to SI in the station. He promised to look into the matter.

A couple of months went by, uneventfully.

Nainital:

Khushi and her friends were cautious not to mention it infront of her. Soon there were winter holidays and Khushi was too happy to go back to her family in Nainital.

Payal and Khushi had lot of fun in the Raizada orchards. They then went to meet Bankim ji. He assured Khushi that he would employ her once she graduated. Khushi was over the moon.

It was a full moon night.

Khushi and Payal were returning back from the orchards when they heard a weird screech. They both looked at each other and started running wildly to get out of the plantations as soon as possible. Just as Khushi was about to step out of the grove, she was pulled back roughly by a strong grip around her waist.

Before she could shout, the other hand closed around her mouth. She felt bodily lifted into air. Even as she vigorously tried to move her hands and legs to hit the person holding her tight, she was unable to match his brute strength. Khushi couldn't stop her tears anymore. She was scared to death.

The man pushed her against a tree bark roughly with his hands still on her mouth and waist. He slowly released his left hand from her waist, and used his body weight to pin her on the tree. Even though it was slightly dark, the moonlight shone on his face and Khushi finally saw him clearly up close... unfortunately too up close...

"My beautiful darling, I love you", he said.

Khushi instantly knew who this was. Her eyes dilated to the biggest size possible and she began hyperventilating. He used his left hand to touch her hair, her forehead, running a finger on her nose and felt the softness of her cheeks.

Khushi froze.

He used the thumb of other hand that closed her mouth, to gently rub on her lips. While he looked at her face intently, his eyes gleamed with a manic thrill. Khushi could not take her eyes off his green slimy ones. She was terrorized to the core.

He showed a kind of sadistic pleasure watching her fear and pain. His mouth lifted up in a disturbing smile.

"It has been a while since I saw you. When are you coming back to Bareilly?", he spoke as if they were having a casual conversation.

"No problem", he continued, "I can follow you wherever you are... "

His fiendish talk was broken by the sound of someone calling Khushi's name. His eerie smile turned into a frown and Khushi was even more scared, if possible. There were foot steps all around, people were walking with flash lights. He gave her another serious stare and slyly walked away into the plantation.

Even after he released her, Khushi couldn't breathe for a long time. She slumped down against the tree and could not call out for the people searching for her.

Khushi had tears streaming down her cheeks at the encounter. As soon as Bankim ji saw Khushi and called out to Payal and others, she fainted.

Khushi took a whole month to recoup from the shock. Her first panic attack...

Smriti and Khushi were asked to help in making a sketch of the intruder. Complaints were lodged at the stations in Bareilly and Nainital. Khushi was allowed by her college principal to study from home without having to attend the last semester. She was accompanied by her Buaji and Payal for her university exams at Bareilly.

Finally Bankim ji reached the Gupta house with the news that the stalker was identified. He was a law student at the same university where Khushi had studied. His acquaintances talked about some psychotic issues he had. He was known to be aloof and never mingled with anyone.

Police found Khushi's pictures in his room.

Buaji and her parents were livid that her niece had to go through hell because of this psycho. They got a restriction order against him. Once the complaints were lodged, he went missing. Nobody knew where he was. He did not contact Khushi afterwards.

Khushi's family and friends tried convincing her that he was gone... he would not approach her anymore...They wanted her to forget the dreadful episode and move on...

Slowly months later, Khushi started coming back to her exuberant chirpy self. She started laughing more without having to constantly watch her back.

Bankim ji offered her a job as a junior accountant at Raizada orchards. Work kept her busy and safety of family and friends took her mind off the horror of the psycho.

Everybody thought it was done... far from it...

No one had a clue that the beast was just waiting for a chance to unleash his barbarity...

Shyam Manohar Jha...

...PART-11...

Originally posted by: MoonBow.

Been completely confused.. This back and forth is 😕

Either I have to reread or something. Completely forgot khushi is married in the present? And in terms of wild, which pair are you referring to? SMJ and khushi or ArHi? Cos whatever I have read, it's pretty intense. And he hasn't even unleashed his true nature? 🤢