CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Jwala:

I was about to leave, but he held my hand again and pulled me towards him. I stood close to him where our eyes met. Tears were visible in my eyes.

"Don't leave before making it clear to me why you left me."

"I can't stay with a husband who sells me for his benefits and makes me a prostitute for his company development," I said.

"JWALA" he shouted at me raising his hand.

I gazed at him.

"I... Am... Sorry... I didn't mean to do that" he said dropping his hand.

"Jwala, I already told you that those people wouldn't touch you and I did it only to scare you and leave the orphanage. I am so sorry for that as I know how much it hurts you."

"Enough of your action. I am not talking about the past. I am speaking about that b*st*rd to whom you sent me by messaging me asking me to come to Vinara hotel as you were waiting there for me."

"Wait a minute. Vinara hotel? When did I message you?"

"Don't act too smart. I got a message from your mobile, and you called to that idiot too. I heard your voice too."

"Jwala, You are confusing me. I didn't message you nor called anyone. I had a disease related to the heart. On that day pain increased, and I went to the hospital instead of your village. I was unconscious till evening. I called you from the hospital in the evening, but your mobile was not reachable. After three days, I returned to our home but didn't find you. Maids informed me that you went three days back from our home and didn't return. I was scared and searched for you everywhere in the city. Your hostel, college, park and every place you visit regularly. As a last hope, I visited your village and finally found you. From yesterday I was waiting for you to come out. Please tell me clearly what happened to you on that day and what message you got from my mobile?"

"Did you finish saying your bullshit?"

"Bullshit?"

"Leave me Agni. Just leave me. Now I am not going to trust you anymore."

"I will prove my innocence to you."

"Yes, you will because you can influence everyone and anything with your money."

"Jwala, please understand, really I didn't know anything. I am not such an idiot who do business with my wife. Not only with my wife but also with any girl. Another thing is I didn't have affairs too with anyone except you. I had the physical relationship only with you, and that's the reason I married you. I am not what you were thinking and what you saw."

"Great, now you are lying about your affairs too. It's me who saw you sleeping naked beside many girls several times. Even if I say you are a male prostitute, nothing will be wrong in it. If your character is that good, how can you sleep with me?"

"Anger took over me on that day. After that, I regretted a lot. I already told that only to marry you; I made you pregnant."

"If it's not me in this place, any person would have trusted you surely for your awesome action and hearing great words. But, I don't because I know the worst side of you. You are not a human; you are a beast who should be killed" I yelled wiping my tears.

Just then I saw Aadarsh and his parents coming in that way. I got out of his hold and distanced myself. Aadarsh parents are close friends of my parents. If they see me with Agni, dad will know about this. Aadarsh looked at Agni and me. Aunty approached me.

"Hey Jwala, how are you my dear would be daughter in law?" Aunty asked kissing me on forehead praising my beauty.

"My daughter in law is gorgeous, isn't it Aadarsh?"

"She is always beautiful, mom."

I got shocked by hearing them. Did they call me as the daughter in law? Is Aadarsh the one chose by dad? But Aadarsh know about Agni and me? How could he agree to this marriage?

I observed Agni glaring at us. He punched on the pole nearby hardly making his hand bled. Tears formed in my eyes which I wiped myself immediately. Why am I still feeling for such an idiot? He didn't deserve love. He deserves punishment, the cruellest punishment ever.

"By the way, what are you doing here, Jwala" Uncle asked.

"I am... I mean I came... To temple with mom... But came outside.. .uncle for..... " I said stammering with tension.

"Come on Jwala; you are going to become our daughter in law soon. Call us as mom and dad, instead of these words," said uncle.

"Sure dad," I said

"Come let's go inside" aunt held my hand to take me to the temple with them.

I went into Temple with them. Agni followed us into the temple. Mom smiled looking at us. The priest completed prayer and started the prayer for Aadarsh's family. Mom and aunt were discussing prayers and rituals. The priest concluded the prayer and gave vermilion to us. I was about to keep, but aunt stopped me.

"Aadarsh, keep vermilion to Jwala in front of the Goddess. Then we can start pre-wedding rituals" aunty said, and mom agreed.

What's happening to my life? Why is everyone taking charge of my life? No one asked me whether I am ok with this marriage or not. I am pregnant with Agni's child. How can I marry Aadarsh? Maybe I would have agreed if Agni is not in my life as I always go with my parents' decision. But now I can't. I won't go to Agni, but I want to raise my kid by myself. Aadarsh knew about my relationship with Agni. Maybe he agreed to marry me as he doesn't know I have a physical relationship with Agni.

Aadarsh took vermilion to keep to me on my forehead, but suddenly my head started spinning. I was about to fall but caught by Aadarsh.

I opened my eyes in my room. I found Aadarsh in the chair beside my bed. As we are family friends, we used to move freely in one another's home. But now I felt awkward.

"Don't worry Jwala. I know everything including your pregnancy. I am ready to accept you with your child. No need to tell this to our families. Let's keep it between us. I am sure Agni didn't deserve you" Aadarsh said holding my hand.

I didn't understand what to do. My eyes filled with tears and my mind is unable to decide anything.

"Take your time Jwala. Whatever it is, I am with you because I love you" Aadarsh said softly.