Part Twelve
A month after getting back home, Yash had some good news for everyone, apparently he had found a house for them and with all their savings and a bank loan they could very well afford to buy the place.
As soon as the house was ready, their moving in was in full swing. Everyone was elated as their life-long dream was coming true, Aarti had other worries as she found that the area they were moving into was the same area where she and Prashant used to live, he was most likely still living at the same place. She couldn't tell anyone her fears but they were real to her, what would happen if she bumped into him accidently.
Despite her fear of her past catching up with her, they did however finally moved into their new house. When the day arrived, Radhama singled out Aarti and said,
"Aarti...since the day you came, all the good things start happening to our family. I want you to take the first step, it will auspicious."
Aarti was overwhelmed by the honour bestowed on her, never in her life she thought she will be given this much of love by Yash's family, indeed she felt like the luckiest person. Everyone settled in nicely and Aarti almost forgot about Prashant existence, he was fast becoming a distant memory. Aarti was also occupied with another matter though the matter was of a sweet nature and something which she was waiting anxiously.
Her health was lousy, she was down with fatigue constantly, at first she second-guessed it but when she missed her menstrual two months in a row, she became sure of her condition. Still she didn't want to give any false news she decided to go for a check-up and to make sure her pregnancy is healthy.
"Yashji...I need to go to clinic, can you drop me?"
"Why? You are not well," he asked while touching her forehead for any sign.
"Yeah...I'm feeling weak and tired, I will go for a small medical examination and get medications," she replied. Yash had his reservations yet he didn't probe further, he would press for details after the check-up.
And suddenly he remembered something and dug into his pockets.
"Aarti...I almost forgot I got this for you," he said and went closer to her with his hand held out. He gave it to Aarti.
"Yashji...this neck chain is so beautiful, thank you so much but what is the occasion," she asked him.
"Simply, celebration of love...does it matter, open it and see," he indicated to her.
Aarti curiosity doubled, she opened the heart-shaped locket and saw both their pictures inside.
Aarti was elated with this gesture, "Yashji...you know how to do all this things, since when you became so romantic."
"Who says I'm unromantic?" Yash grimaced showing his discontent.
"Okay, you are not. Can you help me to put it on?"
Yash was more than happy to do it, once he was done he rested his head on her shoulders and slipped his arms around her encircling her. He took in her scent and he felt invigorated, she had such power over him. Their bliss was cut short when they were called for breakfast.
They went out together and Yash dropped her at the clinic,
"Aarti...I think I will come with you," he said to her before she got down. "I feel...I want to spend the whole day with you, I don't want to let you out of my sight."
Aarti returned his outpouring of love with an inviting smile. Moments later he received a call from his colleague.
"Aarti...I have to go to the office, there is an important client meeting," his voice had some regret. She nodded and went inside, he waited till she was out of sight and drove on.
In the clinic, Aarti was waiting anxiously for her pregnancy results. When her doctor announced that her test came out positive and her pregnancy was normal, she was beyond herself. She quickly took out her phone to call Yash but suddenly she recalled that he probably would be busy. She texted him, "I have good news, call me when you are free."
She was a few metres from home when she asked the auto driver to make a detour to some shops as she wanted to buy sweetmeat for people at home. After that she made the rest of the journey by foot. All she could think was the look on Yash's face when she tells him this good news, she smiled to herself.
Suddenly the smile faded as she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She picked up her pace walking as fast as could from the voice yet it grew louder and louder, she panicked, this cannot be happening and of all days today.
"Aartii...," the voice was barely inches away yet she refused to stop, shrugging it off and walked on obvious only to the sound of her heart beating. The person halted her by grabbing her hand still she struggled out of his grip.
"Let me go, I want to go back home," she said almost screaming. There were stares but no one did anything.
"Aarti...you are coming with me otherwise...," he threatened her pointing to his pocket.
"Oh God...What should I do? If I try to escape and he attacks, what will happen to my child," she weighed the risk involved and gave in.
He practically dragged her back to the house and once inside the house, he locked the door. He held her hand with one hand and utilized the other one to search for something.
"What are you planning to do with me?" she questioned him bravely masking her fears.
He didn't reply and only after he found what he was looking for, "'I'm going to make sure you don't ran away again," he said and tied her hands with a rope. Aarti's nightmare was fast becoming a reality.
"Prashant...please don't do this, I promise I won't go anywhere."
"Shhh...stay quiet, if you don't then I will have to shut you up," he said in a menacing tone, Aarti had seen the look before and she knew it was best not to provoke him.
He took her to one room and locked her in, morning turned to afternoon and then evening. Tears rolled down as she thought of everyone, how they will be worried sick about her and every time she heard the phone ring her heart sank further. To push all out of her mind she lay on the floor and dozed off only to be woken up by the sound of door opening. She opened her eyes lazily and saw Prashant standing in front of her, this nightmare is not going away, she sighed.
"Aart...I brought you food, eat this," he said and put down the plate.
Food, that was the last thing on her mind but she had to eat for her child sake, she argued with herself. Her phone rang again, Prashant looked at the direction of her handbag.
"Prashant... let me answer the phone, the family I'm staying with will be worried and if they don't find me they will go to the police," she reasoned with him.
He grabbed the handbag, took out the phone and looked at the id caller, he said loudly, "Yashji...". He answered the phone with a hello.
"Aarti...is with me," he said after an interlude he said, "I'm Prashant, Aarti's husband."
Then after a few exchanged of words he put the phone near to Aarti's mouth, Aarti thought she will get her chance but she couldn't go beyond, Yashji... when he grabbed the phone back and threw it on the floor. Aarti jerked from the sound the fall created after her phone hit the hard floor.
"There is no more hope now, he probably told Yashji that I have gone back to him," she said to herself. "Would he believe that I have walked away from everything, from everyone?"
note : A shorter update because I wanted to leave it in suspense mode.
Cricket
Anupamaa
