SS: You Can Do It!

You Can Do It!

Part 1

In the dark, silent corridor, she was running mercilessly to save herself.

One step back and she knew the worst will happen.

She saw a room and entered it because she couldn't think of another way.

She was about to slam the door close when he stopped it in the middle with his palm. She tried her hardest to close the door, using all of her strength to push it shut, but her efforts were in vain.

He jerked the door open and she landed on the floor with great force.

Her heart was thudding as she waited to see what would happen next. Everything was now in her hands, she realized.

She would definitely do something with the last of her courage.

"Aage mat badhana !...", she screamed as she stood up with trembling legs.

"M... main keh rhi hoon... ek kadam bhi aage mat badhna..."

He smirked as he closed the door behind him, "Varna ?..."

His venomous grin sparked a volcano of rage within her.

But fear gripped her as she realized she had no one to turn to for aid. The whole college was deserted and she was alone, according to her.

"Kisliye aaye ho yaha ?..."

"Kya chaahte ho mujhse ?...", she exclaimed, her eyes blazing.

"Tumhe...", he replied simply, with a savage smile.

He took a step forward, while Anokhi took a step back.

"Kya hua ?..."

"Darr gayi...", he grinned viciously which made Anokhi feel outraged.

She squished the lump in her throat with difficulty, as she had become thirsty as a result of her fear and frantic running.

"Maine kaha mujhse door rho !..."

"Mere paas bhi mat aana..."

He paid no attention to her warnings and simply moved closer to her. He took one step forward after another, while she took one step backward.

Now that her back had hit the wall and she was shivering, he grinned ferociously.

"Ab kaha jaaogi ?..."

"Ha... Ha... Ha... Ha...", he laughed off evilly.

Anokhi was about to walk past him after seeing him laugh and taking it as a chance, but he grabbed her hand midway and twisted her around, caging her between him and the wall, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Kaha bhaag rhi hain tu... Haan ?..."

"Tujhe aaj koi nhi bacha sakta...", he clenched his teeth.

"Main apna badla lene aaya hoon..."

"Tune mere saath aur mere parivaar ke saath jo kiya na... uska badla to main aaj leke rahunga..."

"Kahi bhi mooh dikhaane laayak nhi rahegi tu..."

"Yeh jo tere pankh haina... inko main aaj hi kaat ke yaha... tere iss sapno ke college mein dafna doonga... aur tu dekhti reh jaayegi..."

Anokhi was filled with rage. She was wincing in pain as a result of his strong grip, but that was nothing compared to the pain caused by his ludicrous words.

The way he was forcing himself on her made her feel extremely vulnerable at the time. His loathsome body was touching her, and all she could do was wriggle in his firm grip.

She was sobbing uncontrollably on the inside, but she maintained a tough demeanor on the outside.

"Tujhe main chodhungi nhi Monty !!..."

"Tujhe iss ghinaune harkat ki saza main dilvaake rahungi...", she said, her eyes fiery yet misty.

This enraged him to the point where he pressed her chin between his right hand's thumb and fingers to silence her.

"Chup reh samjhi !..."

"Apna mooh band rakh..."

He sensually moved his left hand thumb from her cheek to his neck and got hold of her dupatta.

She glared him with bloodshot eyes at his dare.

"NO !!!!...", she yelled.

"Kya no ??..."

"Tujhe yaha koi nhi bachaane aane vaala..."

"No yaa yes to main decide karunga..."

"Tu apne iss shareer ke liye bheekh maangegi tab main thoda soch sakta hoon ki aage kya kiya jaaye...", he said as he began to slowly pull the dupatta.

She had teary eyes, but she didn't cry!

She won't cry in front of him.

Her body was not something she had to beg for.

Anokhi had one hand free on the other side and punched hard on his chest, causing him to jerk back slightly.

He hissed and gritted his teeth.

"Tu pyaar se maanegi nhi na..."

He took a step forward and, by tightly clasping both of her arms in his hands, pinned her against the wall.

"Ahhhhh...", she shrieked in pain.

"Aur chilla !..."

"Jitna chillaana hain utna chilla !..."

"Ab toh main tujhe chodhne vaala nhi hoon..."

He yanked the dupatta from around her neck and tossed it into the air.

"I SAID NO !!!!..."

"Door... door rho mujh... se !...", she exclaimed, her voice nearly breaking.

He pushed her up against the wall, ignoring her warnings, and what happened next shattered Anokhi to the core.

Her heart had been completely broken and she had been disgusted by his "inappropriate touch".

Due to his strong grip, she was no longer able to resist him. She tried to move her hands and raise her hands to push him away, but her efforts were futile in the face of his physique.

She was feeling so infuriated, and disgusted at the time but she couldn't do anything because of his strong grip, but she was also a lady with a strong willpower.

With whatever power she had left after what he had done, she pressed her boot against his foot so hard that he jolted back.

"Aaahhh !...", he winced in pain.

Taking advantage of the small distance between them, Anokhi slammed her small fists into him, knocking him to the ground.

Wrath was surging through her veins as a result of the heinous crime he had just committed.

She was heaving violently.

She wanted to sit on the floor and cry, but it wasn't the right time.

"Teri itni himmat !!...", he was about to get up, but seeing an opportunity, Anokhi walked up to him and pressed her boot against his hand, which was on the floor.

"Aaaaaaaaa !!...", he again cried out and fell back.

"Tune..."

"Tune apne inhi haatho se kuch der pehle vo ghinauna kaam kiya na...", she was gasping for air.

"Ab tub hi le...", she rubbed ferociously keeping her boot there for a while to vent her rage.

He was groaning in pain so loudly that he couldn't even stand up, despite his constant efforts.

"Jab in haatho ka sahi istemaal nhi pta toh inka koi kaam nhi tere liye...", she lingered her boot there for sometime.

Monty was attempting to free his hand from her grip, but she had pressed it so hard that he couldn't.

The tables had turned.

Monty shifted his gaze to his left hand, which was throbbing with pain. His knuckles were bleeding and the upper side of his palm was badly bruised.

"Ahhh..."

"Tune... Tune bilkul sahi nhi kiya...", he tried to stand up again.

Anokhi realised he had lost some of his strength due to the extreme pain, so she approached him and SMASHHHHHHHHHH !!!

A tight slap landed on his face and he collapsed on the floor as an impact.

She couldn't do anything a few moments ago, but after what he did, she wasn't going to stay silent. He had overstepped his bounds, and she will not let him go without giving him what he deserves.

She was fighting hard not to let her tears fall, which were threatening to do so at any moment.

Her whole body shuddered as she pressed her hands against her chest, recalling that moment.

The most important thing now was to get away from there so she could punish the vulgar person right in front of her.

She was about to run away with tears dripping from her eyes when he immediately stretched his hand to get hold of one of her legs and pulled it right away.

"Uhhh !...", she landed with a thud and sustained injuries to her elbow, chin, and knee.

She was enraged that he still had the guts to stop her.

With pain in her elbow, she turned and was about to stand up to give him his response when he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.

She slammed into his chest, and more tears streamed down her cheeks.

He was holding her hand with the one that wasn't hurt.

"Chodh !!!!...", she exclaimed, attempting to jerk his hand away from her and push him away.

He, on the other hand, wrapped his hand around her waist and drew her in closer.

This was taking a toll on Anokhi. 

Every time his ridiculous body touched her, she felt extremely disgusted and vulnerable. She didn't want to even touch him to push him away, but it was necessary.

"Tch... Tch... Tch..."

"Ab kaha jaayegi...", he said, clutching her chin.

Monty was about to move his face closer to her, despite Anokhi's best efforts to push him away, just when the door slammed open.

"Anokhiiiiiii !!!!!..."

The person looks on shocked...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

You Can Do It!

Part 2

He stared silently at the frail woman in front of him.

The woman whose frame was wrapped around with his blazer.

Never ever he had seen in her in such a vulnerable state.

He was burning with anger and trying to keep his tears at bay because of her condition.

He had no idea what happened to her or what that "monster" did to her.

He'd just witnessed the monster attempting to impose himself on her right in front of his eyes.

He just knew this woman in front of him wasn't the fiery Miss Bhalla he remembered.

He could tell this woman was broken on the inside, but wasn't showing it on the outside.

This woman wanted to cry, but instead of letting her tears flow, she allowed them to collect in the corners of her eyes.

It had been half an hour since he had rescued her from Monty, "The beast".

He remembers how he discovered her.

◀ Flashback starts ▶

"Aaj to college ke kaam mein late ho gaya bohot..."

"Achcha hain Badi Maa ko pehle hi inform kar diya tha..."

He was just passing through the office area when his gaze fell on the watchman. He watched him from afar and sensed that his actions were suspicious. The watchman appeared to be keeping an eye on someone.

He approached him and placed his hand over his shoulder, and he jumped at the spot on his touch.

"Mahesh ?..."

"Good night sir ji..."

"Ummm... ohh... good evening sir ji ! ...", he fumbled with words.

Shaurya sensed that something was definitely wrong.

"Kya hua Mahesh ?..."

"K... k... kuch nhi sir ji...", sweat beads were visible on his forehead.

"Tum aise hakla kyu rhe ho ?..."

"Kya hua hai ?... ''

"Nhi sir ji !... Maine kuch nhi kiya...", he slipped his tongue in fear.

"Maine toh tumhe kuch bola hi nhi... tum khud hi keh rhe ho..."

"Mahesh!... Baat kya hain ?... Sach-sach btao...", he asked in a serious tone.

The watchman swallowed the lump in his throat; he wasn't a person who could manage a lie.

"V... v... v... vo...", he almost sobbed as he realized he had been caught and would be fired from his job.

He was feeling guilty that he fell into a trap and risked an innocent girl's life. He immediately knelt and grasped Shaurya's leg.

"Yeh kya kar rhe ho tum ?!..." Shaurya was perplexed.

"Mujhe maaf kar deejiye sir ji..."

"Mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi..."

"Maine jaanboojh kar nhi kiya..."

"Mujhe... muj-..."

Shaurya pulled him up and made him stand.

"Kya kar rhe ho Mahesh ?!..."

"Pair kyu pakad rhe ho ?... Aur ro kyu rhe ho ?..."

"Mujhe saaf-saaf btao aakhir baat kya hai ??!...", he was becoming agitated.

"Vo sir ji..."

"Andar... andar... vo ladki..."

"Kya andar ?... Kaun ladki ?..."

"Vo... vo... Anokhi naam hain uska... Anokhi Bhalla..."

Shaurya was completely taken aback. He was getting a bad vibe from Mahesh's tone of voice.

He held Mahesh's shoulder.

"Kya hua hain ?... Kaha hain Anokhi ?... Bolo Mahesh baat kya hain ?!..."

"Ek aadmi uski talaash mein aaya hain yaha... koi badle ki baat kar rha tha...", he blurted out the truth.

Shaurya looked on shocked.

"Vo... vo aadmi us ladki Anokhi ke saath... uske saath kuch bura kar dega... Please aap... please sir ji aap use bacha leejiye... Mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi... Maine laalach mein aake us aadmi ki madad kar di... Aap us ladki ko bacha leejiye..."

"Yeh tum kya keh rhe ho Mahesh ?!..."

"Kaun aadmi ?... Kiski madad ki tumne ?... Aur... aur Anokhi hain kaha ???...", his heart pounding at the thought of what if something bad happened to her.

"Mujhe nhi pta sir ji... vo toh canteen ka kaam kar ke vaapas jaati haina... aaj bhi shaam tak vhi thi... aur fir vo aadmi aaya... usne mujhe paise diye aur main... main..."

"Mahesh tumhe andaaza bhi hain tumne kya kiya ???... Tum aisa kaise kar sakte ho ??... Laalach mein aake tumne ek insaan ki life khatre mein daal di... "

"Mujhe maaf kar deejiye sir ji..."

"Abhi please aap us ladki ko dhoondiye..."

"Agar use main bacha paaya toh mere paap ko bojh thoda kam ho jaayega..."

"Hume jaldi karna hoga sir ji usse pehle ki voh aadmi..."

"Nhi !..."

"Kuch nhi kar paayega voh..."

"Main kuch nhi hone doonga..."

"Main iss taraf jaata hoon... tum uss taraf jaao... koi khabar mile toh mujhe turant inform karna..."

"Jaao jaldi jaao !...", Shaurya yelled.

"Ji sir ji...", Mahesh left.

Shaurya's heart was racing.

"Anokhi ko kuch nhi hona chaahiye..."

He dashed out of there in search of her.

He searched every room in his path, the office area, the library, and anything else that came to his mind in a hurry, but he couldn't find her.

He called Mahesh, who was also unable to locate her.

Shaurya then called someone to inform of the situation.

"Kaha ho tum Anokhi..."

"Please himmat mat haarna..."

"Tum bohot strong ho... Vo jo bhi aadmi hain use kuch galat mat karne dena...", he was in tears because a long time had passed in her search and there was still no sign of her.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

He was dripping with sweat from running from classroom to classroom, just to get her back safe.

"Ab main kaha dhoondu tumhe ?..."

"Koi toh raasta hoga jisse main tumhare paas pohonch jaau..."

At the time, he felt like a failure. He stomped his feet angrily, and something suddenly occurred to him.

"Staff room ?..."

"Vo new vaala staff room toh maine check hi nhi kiya !...", he vented his rage on himself by punching on the nearby wall.

"Kahi vaha vo..."

He didn't waste any more time and dashed over to the location.

He ran to the staff room in haste, and the scene that greeted him as soon as he opened the door shook him to his core.

"Anokhiiiiiii !!!!!..."

His intense voice made the man who was about to place his lips on hers shiver. He at once left Anokhi seeing the man at the door.

Monty could see the flames in his eyes.

Anokhi turned to face him, and a lone tear escaped her eyes.

"Shaurya Sir...", a gasp left her lips.

Shaurya stormed inside and yanked Monty out of his collar.

"How dare you ???!!!!..."

A powerful punch landed on Monty's face.

On getting herself out of Monty's hold, she felt as if she had been granted a huge freedom. 

She crawled backwards and her back hit the wall. She clung to it as a support, sobbing and shivering.

"Kaun hain tu ? ... Haan ?... Aur himmat kaise hui aisi harkat karne ki ?...", Shaurya's bloodshot eyes stared into his.

Monty became enraged when Shaurya intervened in the matter.

"Tu kaun hai be ?!..."

"Hum dono ke beech kyu aaya ?... Haan ?..."

"Main darta nhi hoon tujhse...", Monty retorted.

"Just shut up !!!...", Shaurya howled.

"Teri himmat kaise hui ek ladki ke saath aisa karne ki..."

"Sharam nhi hain tujhe... Ghar pe maa, behen koi nhi hain ?? ... Aisa karne se pehle unke baare mein nhi socha ek baar bhi...", he gritted his teeth.

"Unke baare mein sochkar hi toh badla lene aaya hu iss ladki se...", he said angrily as he looked at Anokhi.

She clenched her fists and closed her eyes in agony.

"Zabaan sambhaal ke baat kar !...", Shaurya said with burning eyes.

"Nhi karunga... bol kya karega ?!...", he shot back.

Another punch landed in Monty's face.

"Tereko problem kya hain haan ?... Kyu beech mein aaya humaare ?..."

"Yaha college mein kaha se tapak pada ?...", Monty said, wincing in pain.

"Tujhe jail mein bhijvaata hoon aur fir mera introduction lena... Samjha !..."

Monty licked his lips to clean the blood and smiled viciously and said, "Mujhe jo karna tha uska thoda sa hi sahi... maine kar diya hain..."

Anokhi couldn't take it any longer and tightly clasped her knees to her chest.

"Aur tere paas koi proof thodina hain jo mujhe jail bhijvaayega...", he poked fun.

"Himmat hain toh bhejke dikha...", he shrugged.

"Mere paas proof bhi hain... power bhi hain... aur himmat bhi hain...", Shaurya's jaw clenched.

"Tune Mahe-...", he was cut in middle by someone.

"Sir ji !!...", Mahesh exclaimed as he burst through the door.

Monty looked at him shocked.

"Oye tu !... Tu to vhi na chaukidaar..."

"Sir ji... vo ladki mil gayi...", Mahesh didn't pay heed to Monty.

Hearing him, Shaurya got reminded of Anokhi and he immediately turned around only to see the most heartbreaking scene.

There she was, sitting in the corner with support of the wall in the most vulnerable state.

He at once left Monty with a jerk and ran towards her.

"Anokhi !..."

"Anokhi...", he was about to put his hand on her shoulder.

"Please..."

"Please...", she pushed him away.

"Mujhe..."

"Mujhe jaane deejiye..."

"Mujhe chod deejiye..."

"Mumma..."

"Mumma ke paas jaana hain mujhe...", she cried out.

Shaurya was shocked to see her react in such a way. She wasn't going to let him near her.

"Anokhi main-..."

"Mujhe kuch nhi pta... Mujhe ghar jaana hain... Mujhe chod deejiye please...", she sobbed hard.

Shaurya was moved to tears seeing her.

"Huhhh !... Ab roke kya faayda..."

"Tere saath jo hua bohot achcha hua..."

"Tu isi ke laayak hain..."

"Ab main chain se so sakta hoon..."

Shaurya clenched his fists in rage, and the next moment Monty was in floor.

"Abbe !!!...", Monty screamed.

Shaurya clutched him again by the collar.

"Chain se nhi bechain se soyega tu... vo bhi jail mein..."

"Agar ek shabd aur nikla na tere mooh se... to aaj hi tera aakhri din hoga..."

"Aur kya keh rha tha tu ?... Proof ?..."

"Toh yeh dekh proof...", Shaurya pointed at Mahesh to which he bowed down his head.

"Rishvat di thi na tune usko..."

Monty's eyes widened in response to his words.

"R... rishvat... Kya bol rha hain tu ? ..."

"Tu kuch bhi bolega aur mujhe maanna padhega... Tu hain kaun pehle ye bta... Beech mein taang ada rha hain jo...", Monty scowled.

"Main kaun hoon ?...", smirked Shaurya, enraged.

"Mere hi college mein aakar mere hi student ke saath aise ghinauni harkat karta hain... aur poochta hain main kaun hoon...", a hard slap landed on his face, knocking him to the ground.

Monty interpreted his words and realized he was now entrapped. The owner of Sabharwal college was standing in front of him and he himself had witnessed the crime he about to commit with her back then.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and was reduced to a mouse.

"Kya hua ? ..."

"Darr gaya ?...", Shaurya knelt in front of him, gritting his teeth.

"D... dekhiye...", Monty sounded gentle to melt him, but he didn't realize he'd accepted a challenge from the wrong person.

"Dekhiye ??..."

"Itni respect ???...", Shaurya grew more enraged.

He pulled him with his collar and yelped, "Pehle asli respect karna seekh... fir yeh shabd use karna... Samjha !..."

"Ek ladki ki izzat nhi ki tune... aur yaha mere saamne ab naatak kar rha hain..."

And another punch landed on his face.

"Professor !!!..."

Shaurya's hand came to a halt in mid-air.

Except for the "vulnerable soul", everyone's gaze was drawn to the door.

Monty's eyes popped out when he saw that person's uniform.

"P... p... police ???..."

"Haan police...", Shaurya pulled him through the collar and made him stand.

"Le jaao ise Officer... jha yeh rehna deserve karta hain..."

ACP Ahir entered the room and he too like Shaurya was shocked to see Anokhi in that fragile state.

"Professor... Anokhi ji..."

Shaurya's eyes softened and became moist as he turned to face her.

"Main use sambhaal loonga officer..."

"Lekin yeh aadmi bachna nhi chaahiye... Ise uske kartoot ki saza milni chaahiye... nhi toh main ise chodunga nhi...", he screamed.

Ahir himself drew him through the collar to seize him.

Anokhi had always been someone he admired. He knew how kind a soul she was. And, based on what Shaurya had told him during the call, he suspected something had happened with her, but it wasn't the right time to ask her. He had faith in "his professor" to handle Anokhi ji in some way. 

Now his primary goal was to apprehend that monster and punish him for his crime.

"Batti !...", Ahir called someone.

Monty's eyes widened as two constables entered the room.

"Le jaao ise thaane...", he said as he shoved him toward Batti and another constable.

They grabbed him, but Monty fought hard to break free.

"Oyye !..."

"Chod do mujhe..."

He winced in pain as Batti and the other constable twisted his hand. He had had enough of the constant pain and was unable to protest any longer. 

Batti and the other constable were eventually able to grab him and handcuff him, and they went out to take him to his destination.

"M... maine bhi galti ki thi inspector ji...", Mahesh spoke up.

"Main... mujhe apni galti ka pachhtaava hain... Mujhe bhi jail le jaaiye apne saath... jo bhi likha hain mere bhagya mein... main use maan loonga..."

"Tumhe ye baat pehle sochni chaahiye thi..."

"Tum samajh bhi rhe ho agar Anokhi ji ko kuch ho jaata toh..."

"Tumhaare ghar mein kisi aurat ke saath aisa hone dete tum ??...", Ahir said angrily.

Mahesh remained silent and bowed his head in shame. He didn't move an inch.

Ahir turned to face Saurya, who was enraged.

"Please, professor..." he said as he placed his hand over his shoulder.

"Khudko sambhaalo..."

"Anokhi ji ko sambhaalna hain tumhe...", he said, looking at her and comforting Shaurya.

Sahurya nodded, a single tear falling from his eyes.

"Main apni taraf se poori koshish karunga professor..."

"Mahesh as a witness hain..."

"Aur baaki ka kaam tumhe karna hain..."

"Exactly kya hua tha Anokhi ji ke saath... vo  umhe pta lgana hoga... taaki hum proceed kar paaye investigation..."

Ahir patted his shoulder and left after giving a last glance at her.

Ahir, too, was sorry and enraged, but his foremost duty at the time was his profession. He had to punish the criminal. He went off to do his job. He handcuffed Mahesh who didn't protest a bit, and they walked away.

The room was deafeningly quiet and now, her silent whimpers could be heard.

With wobbly steps, Shaurya proceeded towards her and knelt down.

Her elbow had bruises. 

Her chin had a little blood clot.

Her whole body was squirmed.

Her clothes were disoriented.

Shaurya was feeling so weak and helpless looking at her state. 

Each of her wounds stabbed him in the heart.

He looked around the room and found her dupatta lying over there at a distance.

Fear gripped him sensing the possibility of the worse. He wasn't ready to believe it. He didn't want to believe it. He wished his suspicion turned out to be false.

He swallowed the lump of his throat and took off his blazer and held in his hand.

Her shivering was visible to him.

He felt completely powerless. He felt like engulfing her in his embrace to comfort her, but he knew that would backfire because of her previous reaction.

Shaurya wrapped his blazer around her frame very carefully, concealing her modesty.

This time, she raised her head slightly, and the view pierced his heart.

The eyes that had always been filled with zeal and fire were now filled with water.

The lips which he loved to see shaped in a smile, were quivering with weeps escaping it.

The face, which had always been radiant, had turned pale.

He couldn't take it any longer when she finally said something that broke him further to the core.

"Ab... mera... kya... hoga ?..."

◀ Flashback ends ▶

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

Hi

I want a help from you in writing an emotional story for my college competition.

If yes I will share the topic with you.

You Can Do It!

Part 3

"Ab... Mera... Kya... Hoga ?..."

Until now, these were the only words that had been ringing in Shaurya's ears. He was heartbroken to see the strong woman in such a vulnerable state, something he had never seen nor even desired to see.

Gulping down the lump in his throat, he attempted to talk with her in order for her to release everything she had been holding inside her up to this point.

He reached for her shoulder with his hand, gently placing his palm there. He was quick to reverse his action after she shuddered under his touch.

She looked up at him after feeling his touch, and the sight of those swollen red eyes with the water veil pierced his heart once more.

He gathered his courage and attempted to form words.

"An..."

"Ano... khi...", his voice trembling as he struggled to find the right words to console her.

"Anokhi..."

"Mujh..."

"Mujhe btaao..."

"Ek baar btaao usne kya kiya..."

"Main tumhaare saaath hoon..."

"Believe me...", he said, trying to calm her down with his soothing words.

But to his dismay, she didn't say a single word and continued crying.

He knew it wasn't the right time to ask her this question because it would bring up a memory she'd rather forget, but he couldn't help himself and asked because she was continuously crying. He needed to know the whole incident so that he could deliver it to ACP Ahir and help her get justice.

But how could he help when the woman in front of him who was so distraught ?

"Anokhi... Pleas-..."

"Main kaha jaaungi ab ?...", she finally asked, interrupting him.

"Main... Main ab kaha jaaungi ?..."

"Usne mere saath jo bhi kiya... V... Voh... Main... Kaise ?...", her words choked in her throat.

Shaurya stood up after taking a deep breath. The small room was becoming suffocating for him, and he knew it was the same for her, as she might have gone through some terrible predicaments there. So he made the decision to get himself and her out of the room first.

"Aap bhi jaa rhe ho ?...", she lifted her neck to look up at him, and his heart ached as he listened.

Didn't she have faith in him that he wouldn't jettison her in this state ?

"Nhi Anokhi...", he knelt down again and said calmly.

"Main kahi nhi jaa rha..."

"Maine abhi kaha na... Main... Main tumhaare saath hi hoon... "

"Kahi nhi jaaunga main..."

"Mujhpar bharosa rakho..."

"Lekin mujhpar kaun bharosa karega Sir ?...", her voice quivered.

He closed his eyes to stop his tears and decided that unless they got out of that smothering place, he wouldn't be able to handle her. So he began to say in a gentle tone, "Anokhi..."

"Mere saath aao...", he said solemnly, extending his hand.

She looked at him first, then at his palm, and then back at his face.

His eyes were filled with concern, she saw.

"K... Kaha ?...", she asked, as if she were a small child.

"Baahar...", he replied.

"Is jagah se door..."

"Mere saath chalogi ?..."

"Please...", he pleaded.

Anokhi remained silent, and seeing this, he asked again, this time in a very convincing tone, "Please trust me Anokhi..."

"Mujhpar itna bharosa karogi bas...", he added, knowing that whatever had happened to her wasn't allowing her to act like she used to with him.

This time, she nodded with tears in her eyes, feeling his words. She needed to get out of that room, away from the place where she had been subjected to a horrendous crime. She needed to get away from the boundaries that was holding her life's most horrific experience.

She stood up at once with a jerk startling Shaurya.

"Anokhi..." he tried to hold her but immediately stopped when he remembered her previous reaction.

"Anokhi..."

"Anokhi... Shaant..."

"Dekho... Main hoon yaha..."

"Aur koi nhi hai... Koi kuch nhi karega... Dekho..."

She shivered and looked around before panicking out, "Mujhe jaana hai..."

"Baahar jaana hai..."

"Yaha se door jaana hai...", she managed to say as she wiped her tears away with the back of her palm.

"Haan Anokhi..."

"Hum jaa rhe hai baahar..."

"Mere saath chalogi...", he asked politely again.

She returned her gaze to his orbs, which were filled with concern and care.

Her head unknowingly nodded yes, and he relaxed as he saw it.

"Chalo Anokhi..."

"Main... Main tumhaar peeche aa rha hoon...", he said, keeping his distance from her to refrain from making her feel uncomfortable.

She nodded and began to walk forward, wrapping her hands around her frame, tightening the grip around under his blazer, while Shaurya followed behind.

She had just stepped out of the room when the change in atmosphere made her feel something indecipherable. She couldn't understand those emotions because she had just stepped out of a place that felt like a "cage" to her, and she felt as if she had been freed from a lifelong war.

She had lost her balance and was about to fall when a gentle pair of palms held her shoulders, gently enough that she didn't flinch at the sudden touch.

He was quick to remove his palms from her shoulders as soon as she was back in her position, and she looked at him at the same time.

He was standing next to her, she realized. She somewhere knew, he won't hurt her.

He would never hurt her, she believed.

"Chale ?...", his calm voice came.

She nodded, and the two of them walked outside together.

He had noticed her body shivering under his blazer the entire way. He was aware that she was still struggling to recover from the monster's misdeeds.

Once they reached outside the building, Shaurya was quick to interrupt her who was walking aimlessly like a lifeless soul.

"Anokhi... Is taraf..."

She came to a halt in her steps and turned to face him, her puffy eyes and tear-streaked face stabbing his heart once more.

"Us taraf ?...", she inquired innocently.

He felt vulnerable and deeply saddened seeing her react in such a clueless manner, but he kept his composure and tried to sound normal.

"Haan Anokhi..."

"Us taraf..."

"Vha... Meri car parked hai... Hum vha chale ?..."

"Uske baad ?...", she inquired again, innocently interrupting him.

"Uske baad ?... M... Matlab ?...", he looked confused.

"Uske baad kya hoga ?... Main kaha jaaungi ?...", her voice cracked.

"Uske baad tum kaha jaaogi vo baad mein decide karenge..."

"Filhaal please mere saath aao...", he said in a persuasive tone.

He started walking in that direction when he realized she was silently following him. They both walked up to the spot and then came to a halt near the car.

Shaurya got into the car and took a bottle from near the passenger seat.

He approached her and softly said, "Yeh lo..." as he extended his hand.

"Paani peeyogi ?..."

She didn't object this time and obeyed him like a child. She'd been through a lot of pain and struggle to get away from that monster, and it had taken its toll on her.

With trembling fingers, she took the bottle in her hands and drank from it with quivering lips.

Meanwhile, Shaurya was pondering what to do next, how to console her, and how to start a conversation with her because he knew she wasn't in a position to reveal the details of whatever had occurred.

He noticed her returning his botte with trembling hands after some time.

After putting the botte inside the car, Shaurya was back to his original position in no time, and now it was time to help convince her in any way possible so that she wouldn't give up or accept defeat.

"Anokhi..."

"Yaha baithogi ?... Mere saath...", he said calmly as he pointed to a nearby bench.

"B... Baithu ?... Kyu ?..."

"Mujse baat karogi ?... Main tumhaari baat sunoonga... Tum kuch bhi bta sakti ho mujhe..."

"Believe me... Main tumpar bharosa karunga..."

"Please...", he said, his voice convulsing but assuring.

She kept staring at him for a long time.

She wanted to let out everything she had been subjected to inside those four walls.

She felt the need to tell him everything the creature had said to her.

She wanted, or rather needed, to let them go from within her because they were strangling her in some ways.

And his eyes were filled with the concern and faith that she needed to share with someone.

She had the impression that he would listen to her, believe her, and not pass judgement on her.

"A... Aap meri baat sunoge ?...", she inquired.

Shaurya felt relieved as he watched her be persuaded.

"H... Haan Anokhi..."

"Main sunoonga..."

"Mujhse share karogi ?...", he inquired, his tone hopeful.

"Aap sunenge ?...", she inquired, her eyes filled with both hope and grief.

His heart ached seeing her like that, but he was quick to respond that he will patiently listen to her.

"Zaroor sunoonga Anokhi..."

"Yah aao...", he said as he walked over to the bench.

"Baithogi mere saath ?...", he was dealing with her patiently and delicately in order to gain her trust and avoid making her uncomfortable.

She took small steps towards the bench where Shaurya had already taken his seat, and after keeping her distance, she sat down, her body still wrapped under his blazer.

He looked her in the eyes as she turned to face him.

Her tears had finally stopped, but that wasn't the end. It was just transitory because the real emotional outburst was yet to come.

"Bolo Anokhi...", he began to speak politely.

"Kya kehna chaahti ho... Bolo...", he said, looking her in the eyes.

"Main..."

"Voh...", she couldn't think of anything to say. Her throat had started to choke again, and a tear layer had formed in her eyes.

"Voh Monty...", she felt disgusted at the mere mention of the name.

"H... Haan... Bolo...", he diligently encouraged her to continue speaking.

"Usn... Usne mere saath...", she sighed, closing her eyes to allow more tears to flow.

Shaurya had reached the limit of carrying the burden of his suppressed emotions. He couldn't take that vulnerable woman any longer. It was breaking him down on the inside, but he wasn't showing it to her.

He had finally made up his mind to console her in the way he wanted.

"Anokhi...", he said soothingly, and she looked up at him with teary eyes.

"Come...", he said as he spread his arms out in front of her, wanting to encase her in his warmth and give her the comfort she needed to relax.

Though he was well aware that she was sensitive to any touch at the time, he couldn't stop himself from doing it because her broken state was breaking him as well, and thus he did it to relax her. Even if she declined, he wouldn't mind, but the next thing he knew, he was taken aback.

The space that was between them only a split second before was ultimately filled as she surrendered to his embrace.

She needed someone to snuggle, to feel the warmth of a trustworthy person, and she believed and felt that he was one of them. That's why, when she saw him inviting her into his embrace, she couldn't help but hug him, simply because of the way he had been dealing her, she knew he would never hurt her.

Shaurya had quickly surrounded the frame in his arms, protecting and securing it.

He raised his hand to caress her head, hoping to bring some comfort to the woman crying in his arms.

"Ano... khi...", his voice broke as he saw her in that state.

She was constantly sobbing in his embrace, which provided her with the warmth she required to let go of everything that was strangling her.

Every tear oozing from her eye was accompanied by every ounce of the bad memory.

"Shaurya Sir..."

"Voh... Us Monty ne... M... mere saath..."

"Mere saath za... zabar... dasti karne ki... k... koshish ki...", she closed her eyes, recalling the bad touch, and her grip on him tightened. She was still in his hold, enveloped in his tender arms.

Shaurya's palms curled into rage fists as soon as the words reached his ears. He was enraged, and he was fuming.

Though he had suspected something like this might have happened from the start, but hearing it from her mouth and seeing the frail woman loaded him with uncontrollable wrath.

"Usne mujhse zabardsti ki Shaurya Sir..."

"M... Maine kuch nhi kiya..."

"Anokhi...", he spoke up, his voice shaking.

"Anokhi tumhe khud ko justify karne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai..."

"Main jaanta hoon tumne kuch nhi kiya..."

"Main... Mujhe bharosa hai tum par..."

"Please tum aise mat bolo...", he begged.

"Main toh bas c... canteen ka kaam khatam karke... Vaapas jaane hi vaali thi... A... Aur tabhi..."

"Tabhi voh yaha...", she sobbed, hugging him even more tightly.

She was releasing all of her riled emotions in his embrace, which was providing her with much-needed comfort. She remained in his arms while recounting the incident to him.

"H... Haan bolo Anokhi..."

"Tab... Voh yaha... Aage ? ...", he continued as he gently stroked her head with his palm. He was heartbroken to see her in such a state.

"Tab vo yaha aaya tha us vakt..."

"A... Aur mere..."

"Mere peechhe pad gaya..."

"Main usse peechha chuudaane ke liye andar chali gayi... L... Lekin vo mera peechha karta rha..."

"Aur... jab mujhe aur koi raasta nhi dikha... T... Toh main..."

"Main staff room ke andar chali gayi... Lekin jaise hi main... D... Darvaaza band karne vaali thi... V... Vo vha pahunch gaya...", her voice shivered.

"Aur vo room ke andar aakar... M... Mujhe dham... dhamki dene lga..."

"Maine usse poochha ki use mujhse kya chaahiye... Vo mere peechhe kyu pada hai... Aur tab usne kaha...", she broke down in tears again.

"Kya kaha ?...", Shaurya stroked her back, incentivizing her to continue.

"Us... usne bola ki use mujhse badla lena hai..."

When Shaurya heard this, he was reminded that the watchman was also talking about some revenge. He wanted to know who Monty was and what kind of vengeance she was talking about.

"K... Kaisa badla Anokhi ?..."

"Aur yeh Monty hai kaun ?..."

She slowly drew herself away from his embrace and looked him in the eyes.

"Voh..."

"Mere..."

"Mere yaha Chandigarh aane se pehle... Papaji ne meri sh... shaadi tay kar di thi..."

"Mere P... Papaji nhi chaahte the ki main apni padhai... c... continue karu... Isliye unhone meri zabardasti shaadi karvaani chaahi..."

"Aur Monty vhi insaan hai jiske saath meri shaadi hone vaali thi..."

Listening to it, Shaurya was shocked. He had no idea how difficult it had been for her to get here, how she had to flee a forcible marriage in order to pursue her dreams.

"Lekin main..."

"Main yeh shaadi ke khilaaf thi aur mere shaadi vale din hi main Kapurthala se bhaag ke... Ya... Yaha Chandigarh aa gayi thi..."

"Aur Vo Monty aaj yaha... isiliye... mujh... se badla lene ke liye aaya tha Shaurya Sir..."

"Mere shaadi ke mandap se bhaag jaane ke vajah se uski family ko jo kuch sunna pada... Vo mujhse un sab ka badla lene aaya tha yaha...", she cried out.

Shaurya was taken aback by the situation. It was finally clear to him who Monty was and why he had come here. He was contemplating all of this when her sobs reached his ears, causing his heart to sink even more.

"U... Usne mere saath..."

"Usne mere saath zabardasti karne ki koshish ki Sh... Shaurya Sir..."

Shaurya's heart was pounding with fear. He knew he wouldn't be able to control himself no matter what she would say next.

"He t... touch..."

"Touched my..."

"He touched my...", her voice had almost cracked by this point, and Shaurya had already realized what she was trying to say when he saw her tightening her grip on his blazer to cover it up to her chest, and then breaking down in tears.

Shaurya was enraged to infinity when he saw it.

He was stunned at first by the revelation of who Monty was, and now the fact that the monster stooped so low was driving him insane. He was desperate to get to the police station and beat that monster blue and black.

But the most important task now was to console the frail woman in front of him, who had started crying profusely again as she remembered the terrible incident.

"Main apna sab kuch chodkar yaha aayi thi..."

"Meri Mummyji ko kitne bharosa hai mujhpar... Main unhe bhi vha chod yaha chali aayi..."

"L... Lekin aaj jo hua..."

"U... Uske baad main... kaha... kaise...", she sobbed.

Seeing her in such a state made his heart break. He couldn't seem to come up with a way to lift her up. He just wanted the "fierce woman" back, the one who never backed away from confronting injustice.

"Anokhi...", he said softly as he placed his gentle palm on her shoulder, and she flinched again, fluttering her eyes open, which had been closed to keep the tears at bay until now.

Shaurya quickly reversed his action, and Anokhi turned to face him.

She realized she had let go of everything she had kept inside her since that deplorable act was committed against her. She realized she had revealed everything that had happened to her inside that room.

But she had no idea what she was going to do next, which caused her to cry even more.

Shaurya did not pause when he saw it this time. He reached inside his pocket for something, then hesitantly reached for her cheek. She was just crying with her eyes closed, tears streaming down her cheek.

He softly placed the handkerchief there, and she opened her eyes to feel the soft fabric.

He had been wiping away her tears with it, she realized later. She kept staring at him while he brushed away the water beads.

"Anokhi...", he finally spoke up sensing the silence.

"Dekho... Tum ANOKHI ho naa ? ...", he inquired, his gaze fixed on her.

She nodded innocently; her eyes locked on him.

"Aur abhi tumne mujhe btaaya ki tum apne Papaji ke khilaaf thi... Aur Kapurthala chodkar yaha aa gayi thi... Haina ?...", he inquired calmly.

She nodded again, but no words came out of her mouth. She was simply listening to him silently and responding to him by quietly nodding her head.

"Toh ab mujhe yeh btaao Anokhi... "

"Jab tum apna sab kuch chodkar yaha aayi thi... Tab kya sochkar aayi thi ? ...", he asked quietly, hoping to make her realize her own zenith.

Listening to him, she began remembering what she had thought of at the time when she was leaving Kapurthala.

She recalled how ambitious, self-assured, and determined she had been at the time. She had promised herself that no matter how difficult life became, she would not withdraw or bow before the hurdles.

"Main..."

"Main jab... yaha aayi thi... tab..."

"Tab main ya... hi soch kar aayi thi ke... Chaahe jo ho jaaye... Main haar nhi maanungi..."

"Kitni bhi mushkile aaye... Main unka datkar saamna karungi... A... Aur haalato ke aage jhukungi nhi..."

Shaurya gave a faint smile as he listened to her words. He felt relieved that she was getting closer to her target, her realization of her aims.

"Toh ab mujhe yeh btaao Anokhi..."

"Tumne tab yeh socha tha naa ki tum haar nhi maanogi... Toh fir aaj kya hua ?...", he asked calmly, hoping she would understand.

"A... Aaj ?...", she wondered aloud, her eyes dazed.

"Haan aaj Anokhi...", he said, his voice intense.

"Tumne khudse vaada kiya tha ki tum life ke situations ke aage nhi jhukogi... Tumhaare life ke raaste mein jo bhi obstacles aayenge... tum unka saamna karogi... Bina lade haar nhi maanogi... Haina ?..."

"Yaad karo Anokhi...", he stressed.

"Jab maine tumhaari Aastha Mam ke khilaaf kuch galat bola tha... Tab tum chup thi ?..."

"Jab vo ragging incident hua tha... Tab tumne un logo ko itni aasani se maaf kar diya tha ?...", he continued to emphasize.

"Tumhaare is college mein admission se lekar aaj tak... Jitna kuch bhi hota aaya hai... Tumne kabhi haar maani thi ?..."

"The answer is NO... Haina ?..."

"Toh fir aaj kya hua us Anokhi ko ?..."

"Vo Anokhi kaha gayi jo har galat cheez ke liye doosro se lad jaati thi..."

"Jo sahi ko sahi... Aur galat ko galat kehne se darti nhi thi... Vo MISS BHALLA kaha kho gayi aaj ? ..."

"Vo MISS BHALLA aaj bina lade hi itni kamzor kaise pad gayi ?... Bolo...", his eyes had become moist, his gaze penetrating at her.

Anokhi kept staring at his gleaming eyes, which radiated hope and trust, and she became convinced that everything he said was completely right.

Every word he said was completely true, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.

 Realization eventually dawned upon her.

How did she let go of that monster who had outraged her modesty so easily?

How come she become so fragile without even fighting back ?

How could she have let such a low person break her spirit ?

How did she forget the promises she made to herself in order to get here?

How did she let go of her ferocious inner self ?

All of the above questions made her realize, and she looked up, shocked, at the person sitting next to her, who was staring at her with hopeful eyes, expecting a positive response from her.

She was dumbfounded that the man in front of her had looked into her and knew her better than she knew herself. She was astounded that she was going to accept defeat so easily for such a cheap person, but the person in front of her was quick to show her what the true spirit inside her was.

She had completely forgotten who she was after that terrific incident. She had become so immersed in her grief that she was letting her determination and will – power to bow for that monster.

She looked at him with crystalline eyes, grateful that he had brought her inner self to her attention at the right time.

"Anokhi...", he finally spoke up after experiencing a long silence from her.

"Tumne javaab nhi diya Anokhi..."

"Tumne btaaya nhi..."

"Jo Anokhi humesha injustice ke khilaaf bolne se hichkichaati nhi thi... Vo Anokhi aaj kaise chup baith sakti hai ?... Bolo...", he said, his voice resolute.

Swallowing the large lump in her throat, she quickly nodded her head yes.

She had finally realized what a huge mistake she was about to make back then.

"Aapne..."

"Aapne sahi kaha Shaurya Sir..."

"Main..."

"Main chup nhi baith sakti..."

"Main aise haat pe haat dhare nhi baithe reh sakti..."

"Aapne sahi kaha... Mujhe ladna hoga..."

"Main haar nhi maan sakti...", she exhaled deeply, frantically wiping her tears away with the back of her palm.

Shaurya's eyes twinkled with delight as he saw the real Anokhi make a triumphant return. This was the moment he'd been looking forward to for a long time.

This was the Anokhi, the woman with an unbreakable spirit, he had longed to see, and it has finally happened now.

"Toh tum ladogi naa Anokhi ?..."

"Us Monty ko saza dilvaaogi naa ?... Bolo...", his voice upbeat.

Rage erupted within her the next moment, as she got reminded of the crime, and realized that now was not the time to sit and cry. It was time to make that monster pay for his deeds. It was time to punish that scumbag who had offended her modesty.

Slowly, the ferocious Anokhi was resurfacing in her.

"J... Jee Sir..."

"Us insaan ko main nhi chodungi..."

"Use uske kiye ki saza bhugatni hi padegi...", she took a deep breath and said determinately.

Shaurya was relieved to see her at last. He knew she could go for it now that her spirit had been lifted. It was only her grief that was engulfing her, and she was allowing it to do so. But she was back now.

"Anokhi...", he called her out.

She turned to face him and saw that he was already staring at her.

"Anokhi... Yahi baat main tumhe samjhaana chaahta tha..."

"Ab tumhe is baat ka ehsaas ho gaya hai... Ab us ghatiya insaan ko chodna mat...", he encouraged.

With teary eyes, she nodded. She had a strong sense of self-confidence now.

But a moment later, the reality was beginning to smack her. She looked here and there and realized that how much time she had spent there in the college.

Her Babli Di would be tense, she felt.

She panicked and her eyes landed on him.

Seeing her, he too grew anxious as to what happened all of a sudden.

"Kya hua Anokhi ?..."

"V... Voh... Aap mere saath kitne samay se yaha college mein hai..."

"Meri vajah se aapko bhi takleef-..."

"Nhi Anokhi...", he interrupted.

"Tumhe is baare mein sochne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai..."

"Tum... tum abhi yeh btaao... "

"Tum theek ho ?...", he asked politely.

She nodded her head yes, but only with great difficulty. Despite the fact that she had been extremely broken some time ago, his words had motivated her. That's why it had aided her in overcoming her grief to some extent.

"Toh Anokhi..."

"Ek request karunga... Please naa mat kehna...", he said courteously.

"K... Kaisi request ? ..."

"Main tumhe tumhaare ghar drop karunga... Okay ? ...", he raised his brows.

She smiled faintly, knowing that in spite of the situation being so messed up, he wasn't backing down from lending a helping hand to her, and that's why her heart knew he was a trustworthy person.

"Okay Sir...", she replied.

Shaurya felt relieved that, following the and breakdown, she had returned to a more normal state.

He slowly stood up and said softly, "Chale?..."

She, too, gave him a look before standing up and agreeing with a nod.

They walked up to the car in silence, and he opened the passenger door for her.

She took one last look around the building before getting in.

The building, where a room contained one of her most dreadful memories.

Recalling them made her weak again, but she didn't want to breakdown again. So, without wasting any more time, she slid into the seat, and he sighed as he shut the door behind her.

He, too, got inside and then started the engine, sending the car on its way.

Only the sound of grasshoppers in the road could be heard during the ride.

From the rear-view mirror, he noticed she was too quiet, and her eyes seemed to be lost somewhere. He knew what she was thinking. He was well aware that she was still dealing with the aftermath of the incident. But he also knew she wouldn't break down again this time and let the criminal go free.

Soon, they arrived at her house, or more precisely, her Babli Di's in-laws' house, and they both got out of the car.

He wanted to say something to her before leaving.

She, too, wished to speak with him one last time for today.

Both approached each other and their eyes met.

"Shukriya Shaurya Sir...", this was the only word she had for him.

He looked at her and sensed that she was still somewhere scared of what had happened with her, but she was trying to gain her strength to start the fight against Monty from tomorrow .

"Anokhi...", he spoke up.

"Main hoon tumhaare saath...", he assured.

"And...", he paused for a moment before finally speaking it out.

"YOU CAN DO IT !...", he said with intense voice, his tone straightforward and full of faith in her.

She realized what he was referring to, and hearing those four words lifted her spirit once more.

He had faith in her that she could do it, and she was undoubtedly going to do it.

She knew her next step was to go to the police station tomorrow to file a complaint against Monty and have him punished.

With a small smile on her face, she sighed and then blinked her eyes, assuring him that she would definitely do it.

He was relieved to learn that she was, at the very least, fine.

"Good night Anokhi..."

"Good night Sir..." she replied.

He gave a small smile before opening the car door and getting inside. He slid the glass pane open and looked at her, who was already looking at him.

"Kal milte hai..." he said, his voice firm.

From tomorrow, a new fight awaited her, and he knew she would put her all into it, and he would unquestionably support her in it.

"Jee...", she was content that he would also be there for her.

Giving here a last glance, he drove the car away, while she stood there dazedly staring at it.

Shaurya was heartbroken on one hand because of the injustice she had suffered, but he was also overwhelmed on the other, knowing that she was a strong-willed girl.

He had a faded smile on his face as he knew she was going to fight all the odds with tenacity.

AFTER ALL, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT SHE COULD DEFINITELY DO IT...

THE END...

Thank you for reading

⁓ Thank you rits_m for suggesting the plot of the story ⁓