Khushi:

I sat on the bed thinking about what to do. How can I convince Rakshak? Can he ever understand me and Abhi? I remembered the past and my eyes got moist. I am not angry with Rakshak but I pity him. How could he kill a person and blackmail me for this marriage? It's not about me but how could he behave this way with a girl? Just in case, if what he is thinking is true, even then he has no right to blame a girl and develop hatred just because she rejected him. A girl may have several reasons to say no.

In the evening, someone knocked on the door. I opened the door.

"What?" I said.

"Madam, sir asked us to decorate the room for...." the maid said.

I understood the reason.

"Ok, come in," I said, cutting off their words.

The maids decorated the bed with the red rose petals in the heart shape. They tied the garlands to the bed. The candles were lighted bringing the new glow to the room. The fragrance of the flowers soothed my mind to some extent. Usually first night is a great memory for every girl. But I don't know what would he do to me today. What if he shows his hatred and anger while making love to me? Is Rakshak really that bad? Of course, if he can kill a person just to seek revenge against me, he would even use this first night too to hurt me.

"Madam, sir told me to help you to get ready."

I nodded. They brought a sari sent by Rakshak. It's a red and golden-colored sari which is so heavy. The jewelry would cost some lakhs. I don't understand why did he send all these when he wants to treat me as a maid. The beautician too came and helped me to wear the sari stylishly. She kept minimal makeup as Rakshak hates makeup.

Now, Rakshak has all rights over me and he doesn’t need my consent for anything. What kind of a person he is! How can I bear this? Though he married me, we don't love each other. Or at least that's what he assumes. Without love how can he make love to me? However, I have no option. I can’t say no because my no cost the lives of people I love.

Rakshak returned home and the maid left from there. He looked at me and then, went to get fresh up. He got ready and came to me. I was frightened and my heartbeat raised and is audible to him. Rakshak tried to touch me and I closed my eyes with unknown fear. However, for some reason, I didn't go away from him.

"Open your eyes, Khushi," Rakshak said and I opened my eyes.

"Khushi, I married you to satisfy my ego. Now you are my wife and I am happy. I never touched any woman without her consent. Though you are my wife, I would never touch you until you agree to lovemaking. However, remember that it doesn’t mean you are free from my clutches."

Wow! Great! Even in taking revenge, this Rakshak is following principles. Very strange! Whatever I am thankful to God for saving me today. Because I want this first night to be a lifelong memory to me and not a nightmare. And I don't want Rakshak to degrade more in my opinion by forcing his wife.

"No one can save you from me unless I show mercy to you," Rakshak said.

Rakshak caught my lips tightly inflicting pain on me.

"Now, I will tell you the rules you need to follow as my wife.

1. You should wear designer sarees and jewelry representing my status. Leave your stupid simple attire. Of course, your family and you can't afford this lifestyle and that's why got adjusted to that poor simple lifestyle but to the world, you said that you love simplicity. I care the least whether you love it or not but do as I said.

2. You should never go out of this room unless I ask you to do otherwise. This room is your prison. And the rules I said will be followed by you. If not, you will be punished to set your attitude.

3. You shouldn't call, talk or meet anyone including your family without my permission.

4. Don't cry in front of me. I hate tears, however, I accept the truth that seeing you in tears because of me is giving new happiness to me.

5. Give up on all your likes and dislikes. Act according to my wish. Because you are just my prisoner who has absolutely no freedom of choice.

5. Don't question me. You should never utter a word before me. Because you have no right to talk in front of me. You have only one option i.e. to accept my every word. So, no need to talk about anything.

Do you understand, my wife?" Rakshak said, smiling mischievously at me.

I nodded keeping myself calm without reacting to his behavior. He left the hold over my lips.

"If you didn't follow my rules, you will face a punishment which you can never imagine. Anyhow, seeing Khushi who stands for justice and is courageous, frightening for me, and remaining silent in front of me makes me happy and satisfied.

This is the perfect punishment for rejecting my love in the past. One more thing, to this world you are my so-called wife but to me only a maid. Behave like a maid and never dare to be a wife to me," Rakshak said.

After that, Rakshak took the wine bottles and started drinking. He took three bottles and didn't stop yet. Does he drink this way every day?

"Rakshak, drinking too much is not good for the health. Please stop it," I said, trying to take the wine bottle from his hand.

Rakshak gave a sarcastic smile and took the wine bottle from my hand.

"Do you have concern for me?" Rakshak said.

"Do you trust me if I say yes?" I said, looking at his eyes.

"Trusting you? Never. I hate you. If you really have concern for me, would you talk like that in the past? Your words pierced my heart. For many nights, I took this wine to forget the pain in my heart given by you. Every single night, I thought of crushing your happiness and killing your pride," Rakshak said.

I looked at him with tears. How could I tell him that I too faced the same pain? Even if I say, he would never trust me or my words.

"Now your wish is fulfilled. So stop drinking much," I said again to stop him from drinking.

"Shut up. Stop ordering me. You are just my maid."

“Ok,” I said.

"Even now I am not happy, Khushi. Today, I can do anything to you and make you beg for mercy. But still, my heart stopped me from forcing you. I don't know whether I stopped the wedding for revenge or because of my love for you. I want to make you cry, but when you are in tears, it's hurting me more than your rejection," Rakshak said.

"But don't think I will leave you easily. I will show you the hell because that's what you deserve," Rakshak said and held my hair. He pulled the hair making me scream.

"I hate you for loving Abhi. From now, I should never see you talking to Abhi. Even your heart shouldn't think about Abhi. You are mine and only mine forever," Rakshak said and threw me on the bed and he too fell on the bed unconscious due to alcohol.

I didn't reply to him because he is in anger and the wine made him crazier. Whatever I say will increase his temper but nothing makes him realize the truth. I made him sleep properly and covered him with a blanket.

I wish I could change the past a bit to make Rakshak understand the truth. Misunderstanding can kill any relationship and make the person hate anyone. Assuming things and thinking that they have the power to read and understand one's mind and intentions is a disease that has no cure and destroys their peace and others too. Unfortunately, many people we meet in life are suffering from this disease and they don't even know that. For them, they are right and too intelligent to guess what's up in others' minds.

I felt tired thinking about all this mess and slept on the bed, leaving the issue for a while. I can't be a girl who curses fate and cries forever. I know what should I do to gain my happiness.