Chapter 1 : Possessions & Promises

She appeared like a distant star; bright and fierce, but dead inside. Nothing could revive her yet she would not capitulate. The staggering force in her eyes compelled her to stand straight as if doing so would resurrect her. If a shooting star could garner enough force to reckon with an entire universe before losing its way than she would do the same.

There would be no more sacrificing anymore. Not for anyone.

Bejeweled in heavy finery, she dragged along her embroidered skirt careful not to step on the silky fabric. Carefully, she made her way inside the adjoined washroom of the master suite. Once inside she shut door leaning against it for a moment.

Recuperating her breaths.

She was drowning and there was no water in hindsight.

Tugging away at her earrings, she pulled the beaded necklace hanging around her neck, watching the black beads scatter onto the marble floor. Each bead a constant reminder of what she was.

She was not a bride, instead a commodity.

Her entry into the Sheesh Mahal was as a prisoner not as a new bride. A hefty price had been exchanged for her hand, and to her misfortune  she was to be trapped in the barren echoes of this deserted place until she repaid the entire sum with her life.

A mere bargain, her own sister had solidified the deal by bringing the said vendor to their doorsteps.

Sliding down against the wooden door, she drew her knees together and cried. Loudly and then in small whimpers. Tears flowed finding no comfort, for there could only be humiliation for her current state. She cried until her heart no longer felt heavy. She cried until her lips stopped trembling. She cried until her heart stopped thumping. She cried until there was nothing more to cry about.

At that time she began plotting her escape.

———

She saw him standing in the dark with his back to her. Streaked by the moonlight filtering through the large french windows. His shadow partially imbued with malevolence. The rest with specks of silver.

Somehow he seemed less demoniac. More forlorn.

Shrugging away the unwanted thought, she reminded herself any man who could pay a price for a human being could not be considered in the category of morose. There could be no redeeming qualities about him. To her the world was split into black and white, and this man fell under the irredeemable side.

She headed for the large doors still dressed in her wedding attire. Tonight she was going to walk right out of his haunting place with her head held high. It was the only way she could escape his clutches for pleading would get her nowhere.

“If you step out of that door. There will be no return, Khushi. Your family will end up on the streets. Your sister in prison.”

The sobriety in his voice hinted at the consequences she could be inviting upon herself if she did not stop.

“I do not care about them. Do as you wish. If they did not think before making a deal concerning my future with you. Why should I think about their well-being?”

“I would like to think your parents had better expectations from you.”

Khushi growled. “It’s a two-way street, Mr. Raizada. If one does not hold up their end I am not liable for what I may do next.”

“Anger is not good for the heart. It causes one’s blood to become coarse which makes it harder to flow through the veins. Eventually causing lightheadedness. At the rate you are going you might end up fainting. I can guarantee you I will not save you from hitting the cold floor. ”

How could he save her? She was talking about the devil here. He was as heartless as his home, where bitterness filled the air and nothing but despair roamed the empty halls.

“You are one to talk about anger. The air of this palace reeks of acrimony. I can only wonder how you’ve managed to survive in here.”

His back tightened.

A raw nerve, maybe?

“Remember anger is not good for the heart, Mr. Raizada.” She smiled bitterly, repeating his words to him.

In a flash he turned around.

Taken aback, she instinctively stepped back. He moved with an easy grace, like a predator stalking in his prey. Steadily with each step the shadow cast upon him withered away, revealing his face. The opulence of his eyes narrowed to slits marking her. His lips were unsmiling and set into a hard-line. There was also a repulsive scar running down his sharp cheekbone stopping somewhere beneath the overgrown beard.

There was some justice after all. Fate had marred him for his sinful ways.

She turned away. “If you are done. I would like to leave.”

“You would put your sister in prison?” He asked.

Khushi nodded.

“Say it.”

There was a terse distinctness about the way he framed his words.

“I would put my sister behind bars.” The words heavy and laden with a copper taste.

His snarl was rancorous feeding on her guilt.

“Can I leave now?”

Holding up his hand, he looked at her.

“I have a better proposition for you.”

Even though she was indifferent to anything he had to offer, Khushi still allowed him to speak. Afterwards, she was going to walk out of this palace and never return. He would have to chain her to make her stay even then she would prefer to die than to stay in this empty house.

“Forget you married me. Attend university. Then when you are done I will grant you one wish.”

“You would give me divorce?” She questioned with incredulity.

“If that is what you want.” His tone was bland, neither affirming nor denying her query.

Khushi knew there had to be some loophole. Some trap. He was only trying to lure her into their relationship out of her free will.

“Why?”

“That does not concern you.” Pausing, he withdrew to his previous position. Once again his back faced her. “I am a man of my words, Khushi. I will give you whatever it is you want. In return for the next four years you remain attached to my name. That is all. I will never interrupt your life. But…”

“But?” Intrigued, she held onto her fretting nerves.

“You will write me a letter each week. Nothing grand just few words to ensure my prized possession is keeping well.”

Possession? Khushi wanted to leap at him and scratch his face until he took the word back. It was evident he was stating a known fact but hearing it out loud made it sound more crude. Her existence had been reduced to a mere object.

“I want it on paper.” She demanded.

“No. You will just have to trust my words. What are you afraid of? You are being given the chance to live your life and yet you falter. Why?”

Well, he had only hours ago purchased her like a rag doll off a toy store shelf. Now, he wanted her to live?

A unease settled within her. She felt as if something was amiss. Either way to choose between the two evils was not an easy choice. She could leave right now and put everything behind her but her heart would never be at peace. On the other hand she could she place her trust in the man whose existence she abhorred.

How about a dive off a cliff instead?

He seemed set on his words. She could not negotiate with him because standing before him empty-handed, it was she who was weak not him. The proposition appeared innocent enough, yet there could be no denying he was planning to lead her down the rabbit hole.

“Fine!” Khushi gritted through her teeth.

“Which university were you accepted to?”

“Queen Mary, University of London.”

“Rest for tonight. Your flight will be booked within this week itself.”

Bewildered, she held in her breath trying to understand his ambiguous nature. What was the deal with this man? She wanted to hurl something at his back to get him to show some emotion. Could he at least show some repentance for her current state?

“I will do whatever it is you want from me. But be assured I don’t see you as my husband and I never will. You bought me. I am not your wife. Not your friend. Not even a stranger to you. As you said I am a materialized possession. Your name being attached to mines means nothing.”

He did not bother with a reply.

She sensed his silence was quieter way of dismissing her.

She walked away, quick on her foot eager to create distance between them.

Carelessly, she hurried up the steps, tripping twice on the hem of her skirt.

Entering the room she closed the door, pulling the lock into place.

Betrayal. His presence spoke of the betrayal of her loved ones. She could no longer trust anyone. She was alone now. No relations to fall back on. Even memories were becoming bleak stung with a fierce need to take back what was stolen from her. For now there was little she could do, but one day she would tread back on the fine threads of their deception unmasking everyone’s true faces.

She lay down, closing her eyes.

Sleep was nowhere to be found in the entire night. Tossing and turning, she threw a pillow over her eyes. It took some time but sleep came to envelop her in a warm embrace after the long day she had.

——–

Arnav Singh Raizada was a man of principles many would say. He had certain standards; a morale which always accompanied him. Never one to be known for his kindness, he was always appreciated for his fairness.

Embroiled in guilt, he lit a cigar.

Falling back against the chair, he tried to suppress her face from his memory.

Downstairs, he had understood the reckoning in her voice when she had bravely confronted him. If he had not stopped her she would have left. She would have forsaken everything as a price for freedom.

Shaking his head, he picked up his cell phone from the table. A quick dial connected him with his secretary.

“Meera, I want you to book a direct flight out of New Dehli to London as soon as possible. I will fax you her information. Also look up accommodations in Holborn near Queen Mary University. Mail me the list.” Taking a puff of his cigar, he blew it out sparsely.

Switching off his phone, he once again closed his eyes. His head swimming with images of Khushi’s pale face. Her dazed eyes void of fear shone brilliantly, and her valiant words, a reminder of how strong she was internally.

——–

Despite my extremely slow updates, writing is an addiction. I crave it as the one escape I get to have to myself between family and work.

So with that I present you another story. It may end up being the worst or the  most mediocre story you’ve read, but one never lost anything by trying. Hence, this is my attempt to put into words what’s been clouding my mind for weeks now.

Also the poem shared in the About section is one of the many favorites from Faiz Ahmed’s collections which I absolutely love. As you can tell the title is taken from the poem itself.

As always would love to know your thoughts 🙂

Take care

PS: TSBY&M is on hold. I do plan to finish it later on.