This story was inspired by NRI Harry's typically Eve teasing gadha behaviour . The story is fragmented and is a little all over the place . I wrote this mostly because I was so angry and hurt over all the #metoo posts on social media , and Indian tv serials attitude to harassment 😡😡
Also , I really like Poonam as a character . For me , I imagine that as a girl whose survived years in the chakravyuh that is Lal Mahal , she knows how to take care of herself ,thank you very much. Also , I like to think there's no way Anami hasn't taught her dost a few defensive moves .
Tables Turned :
"Hello, Poonam"
She heard the slick, cool voice , recognised it, even as she straightened up from the pool table. Harry .
The door slammed shut, the sound of the bolts sliding in, echoing in the empty room . Dhiraj and Akash had left , of course. Cowards . To think she has wasted a Rakhi on them .
She swallowed past the fear coating her throat , forced herself to push past the panic , look the monster in the eye .
Poonam willed her voice to sound calm, unperturbed. "There's a Pooja in the house ,Harry . They'll be looking for me . Open the doors. " She doubted reason would work , but then one never knew what worked with a beast , and she'd met plenty.
He advanced , wordlessly ,the twisted grin on his face spreading . Icy fear threatened to swallow her whole . This library was at the far end of the house , nobody could hear over the sounds of the conch and the drums .She twisted away, pushing herself , buying precious minutes . His eyes gleamed. She shifted ,felt the cool metal against her waist . Of course ! She'd nearly forgotten .
A distraction, she needed to distract him, divert attention.
Behind her back, her hand closed around pool balls. Poonam forced her voice to turn pleading , mask the rage . Her fingers tightened around the coloured balls. "Please Harry, I'm sorry , Anami shouldn't have spoken to you like that. Let me go , and I'll ask her to apologise to you ". He leered , " oh she's going to be sorry all right" , his hands stretched , grabbed her waist . Her arms swung out .
He never expected the pool ball.
His hands cradled his head . Stars danced in front of his eyes , she slid free . Even as he tottered , struggling to find balance . He bellowed " Poonam , you bitch , I'm going to kill you .
Harry heard her laughter , before he felt the sharp sting of metal against his neck.
" That would be tough Harry , considering I'm the one with the knife." Sweat trickled down his back.
She grinned " That's the beauty of a foldable knife , you can take it anywhere , even tuck it into the waist of your saree . The handle really goes with my blouse , don't you think ? I've been waiting to try it out "
She was lying. It was probably It was probably fake , wasn't it? Ya , that's what it was . He swallowed ," Ok Poonam, I was just joking, trying to scare you a little , but let's say you win ok ?" Harry chuckled nervously , trying to slide away.
The long blade didn't move an inch . Her voice turned cold " You try to wiggle away again , you bas***d , and I will cut you." He opened his mouth meaning to scream, when the blade broke skin . Her hollow laughter echoed , do you really think the two outside will care for screams ? You probably told them to ignore it , even if they can hear anything." Scared are you ?" She whispered in his ears .
Shit , he'd picked a psycho . She was actually going to cut him .
" Look I'm sorry , he began .. " The blade dug deeper , a thin trickle of blood stained his white jacket . "Tch .. Tch .. Should have thought of that earlier , white boy . I could leave you here. Bleeding . Nobody would even know.But there's a Pooja I have to get to. Now , ask the cowards outside to open the doors outside , before I change my mind."
She was letting him go after all. Thank god . The relief was immense , as he watched her walk out of the door. He'd get the bitch later .
She whirled , knife in hand " oh !and Harry , if you even think of catching me later , you'll be talking to my friend - Inspector Adiraj in the CBI , he's right here in the Pooja . "
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