A Maaneet Tale
Chased
09 August 2004
So for the next few days, my routine was normal. Wake up early, make breakfast, clean, make lunch, clean, make dinner, clean, eat, and then go to sleep.
Maan ignored me as much as possible, only saying simple words like "Coffee" and then walking away before I could reply. He seemed to pay Sophia much more attention and pampered her a lot more, buying her clothes and makeup.
I wanted to tell Maan that pampering her isn't going to change the truth, but he never gave me a chance to speak to him. I even tried knocking on his door, him asking me who I was and when I said my name, he said nothing.
At about 5:00pm as I was mopping the floor, the Queen and King came up to me and told me that they were going out to visit some relative's house. They would be back by dinner.
I said my bye's and headed off to the kitchen, and realized there was no lentil left for dinner. I knew the Queen's favourite dish was lentil, and I really wanted to please her. So I decided to go and get some.
Exiting the mansion, I hailed for a rickshaw and jumped inside; only to be stuck in traffic for almost half an hour. It was also getting dark.
When I realized this traffic was never going to move, I paid the rickshaw driver and started to walk. Walking would take me another 15 minutes, so I decided to take the alleyway which was a shortcut to the city centre.
I walked past some guys who looked drunk and I could hear them making comments behind me. Gulping, I looked down and quickened my pace. I realized that taking the alleyway was my biggest mistake ever.
"Hey, girl! Lets have some fun" some guy said as I walked. I wrinkled my nose as I smelt reeking alcohol. I felt like throwing up.
He caught my dubatta, and pulled it off.
I started to jog, putting a hand on my bare neck. No, I didn't want this to happen to me. Not now, not never!
"Why are you running away, hunny? I'll give you the best ride ever"
I started to run, not knowing where I was running. I forgot my way to the city centre and started running to absolute no destination. As I ran, I looked behind me and saw two of the guys had knives on them.
Oh my God.
I started to chant my silent prayer in my head, wishing for some miracle to happen, wishing for a guy to pass by and be my hero, wishing for somebody; anybody to rescue me.
I could feel sweat trickling down my neck and temple and I knew I couldn't run for longer. I wanted to stop and give up, but even then I pushed my arms and legs harder.
As I ran, I realized I had found my way to the jungle.
Great.
But I ran, even though I knew I would get lost and probably be lost for God knows how many hours or even days. But I ran. I ran, and ran, and ran; looking behind me every 5 seconds or so.
I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore so I quickly took cover behind a tree, sliding down the tree and putting a hand over my mouth to cover my heavy breathings.
I wish Maan was here.
But he wasn't. In fact, he couldn't give a rats-ass about where I was, or how I was. He didn't care, he simply didn't like me. He hated me.
After a while, I heard branches snap and I knew they were close. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm.
"Leave me!" I yelled and realized it was only one of them. The other guys were further behind.
"Your the most beautiful thing i've ever seen" he said and breathed heavily, pulling me up and pinning me against the tree. He had his hands wrapped around my wrists tightly. I felt trapped.
Suddenly, an idea came to my head and I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe I could escape this alcohol-drenched guy's hands.
"I know I am" I said, and put on the best seductive face I had. The guy smiled and pressed his body onto mines.
Ew, ew, chi, chi. Hai Baabaji. Ugh.
Trying to put on a straight face, I said:
"L-Let's kiss" I said, my breathing uneven and when he leaned in closer to kiss me, I kicked him in the place where it hurt the most.
The guy screamed and I took this as my advantage and ran off, not knowing where I was going; but knowing I was somewhere in the jungle.
"Get the girl!" the guy screamed and I ran harder and faster. Until I felt a sharp pain on my back. I tried to run, but it was hard. It hurt. Everything hurt.
I fell to the ground, and realized that one of the guys had threw a knife, and it hit my back. Suddenly, I felt like giving up.
"Leave... Me. Please" I begged and lay on the ground, completely vulnerable. I clenched my teeth. The pain was unbearable.
"Sorry we had to hurt you girl, but you chose not to play nice" he said and bent down next to me, trailing his fingers up my arms.
I waved my arms around, trying to get him to stop touching me but one of the guys held my wrists. I sighed in defeat, and knew the only thing I could do now was give up.
And I had until I heard a familiar voice. A voice too familar. But before I could see who it was or even make out what he said, I blacked out.
***
"Geet" somebody said and whoever the person was, knew my name.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and let my eyes adjust to my surroundings. As soon as I was awake, I felt a sharp pain on the middle of my back.
I groaned slightly in pain and realized I was sitting, or rather lying on somebody's lap. I looked up at the person who held me and realized it was...
Maan.
I was SO glad to see him.
He looked at me, his gaze ever so soft. He was bare chested, but there were scars everywhere on his chest. There was dry blood on his head.
This was all my fault.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen" I managed to say
Maan: "This wasn't anyones fault. Your just lucky, that I saw you running towards the jungle and I came after you" he said, without any anger in his voice. His hand was on the wound on my back and I realized he used his t-shirt to stop the blood from flowing.
"That guy... He t-tried to --"
Maan: "People like that don't deserve to live" he said, his eyes angry again but gone just as quick as it came.
I looked around myself and realized that we were in an empty cottage. Maan was sitting in the middle of the room, holding me. Everything was quiet and for a while, it almost seemed peaceful.
In his warm arms.
Maan: "I would have took you to the hospital if only we weren't lost" he sighed after a while
"The Queen said you loved camping though" I said and frowned
Maan: "I've never been this deep in the jungle" he said truthfully
Silence again.
I wrapped my arms around Maans waist and snuggled loser to him. He was just, so warm and inviting.
He said nothing but rested his head on top of mine.
"She's cheating on you" I said, listening to his heartbeat. Slow, and even.
Maan still said nothing.
"I wish you'd believe me" I said, when he didn't say anything.
He still said nothing.
Maan: "I was in a relationship with this beautiful girl before Sophia. She cheated on me too. It seems every girl just wants me for my money" he said and I looked up at him. He suddenly appeared very vulnerable and weak.
"Not every girl" I said and sighed
Maan: "I should stop dating and just stay single forever"
"Which means you do believe me" I teased, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.
Maan: "A little, I don't know" he said and shrugged
We stayed silent for the rest of the 20 minutes, just sitting there peacefully; listening to the chirping birds and crickets.
Maan: "Let's sleep. You'll feel better tomorrow, and then we'll try and find our way home" he said
"Okay, i'm used to sleeping on the floor anyway" I sighed, remembering the days where I used to wake up with back pains.
Maan: "No, I have an idea. I think" he said and lifted me up from the ground, carrying me to a corner of the empty room. He sat down in the corner and propped me on his lap. My head was rested comfortably against his shoulder.
Comfy bed I thought in my head and closed my eyes, falling asleep instantly.
Precap: Journey in Jungle
****
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Edited by Sameeha786 - 13 years ago
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