CHAPTER FORTY

Jwala:

I came back home. I spent most of my time in the room, ignoring Agni. My heart is not ready to trust him. He used to say he can do anything. Then why is he unable to prove the truth? He gave me privacy for two days without entering into my room. But, on the third day, he came into the room.

"Jwala, how long are you going to punish me without my mistake? Why are you this rude to me?" He asked

"Am I ruder than you Agni?"

"Damn it. I apologised to you many times."

"So, do you mean a small apology can fade all your mistakes?"

"Jwala, I didn't mean it. I love you, and for my mistakes, I will be treating you with utmost love throughout my life. Please sona, trust me once."

"Did you ever forgive me if I make a small mistake without punishment?"

I asked him remembering how he used to hit me with a belt till I bled and starved me. He didn't even allow me to sleep. He smiled looking at me.

"I may not be able to prove the truth to you, but I am ready to take any punishment," he said

"Really?"

"Yes, my dear sweet wife."

"Now I want you to hit yourself with a belt till I ask you to stop."

"Sure but last time it's you who stopped me."

"Now I am not going to stop you until you get what you deserve," I said.

He smiled again.

"If my pain gives you happiness, I am ready to endure it to see the smile on your face," he said.

He took his belt and started hitting himself. I didn't stop him this time. I remembered him tying me to a chair and beating me in my periods just for taking water. When a girl is in periods, her body aches and becomes so sore. Hitting her at that time shows his cruelty. As I am in periods, I felt too thirsty and took water to keep myself hydrated which was assumed as a crime by him.

He continued hitting himself, and after 15 minutes, blood started coming out. I looked at him clutching the bed sheet as I sat on the bed. His eyes had water, but he didn't stop hitting himself.

Vedika came to the room to give me juice and shocked seeing Agni. She kept juice on the table and snatched the belt from his hands.

"What happened Agni? What is this? Blood? God, I will call the doctor immediately" she said

"No need Vedika; you go from here. I am just trying to make my wife smile" he said looking at me.

“How can you be this rude, Jwala? He is bleeding, and you are watching it happily."

"It's none of your business. Agni is taking what he deserves."

"Shut up Jwala; you are crossing your limits."

"Really? I am his wife, and we had our issues. Who are you to interfere? By any chance are you his second wife? You are so concerned than me for him" I said irritated with her interference.

"Jwala" she raised her hand.

Agni stopped her.

"Vedika, I am sorry on behalf of my wife. Please leave the room. I didn't like anyone hurting my wife or insulting her" he said

"But Agni"

"Please Vedika"

"You are an idiot Jwala. You don't know what he sacrificed for you. You know only his torture but not the reason behind it."

"Vedika, enough leave" he shouted at her.

Vedika left the room for his shouting.

"Are you happy now seeing my blood?" he asked.

I didn't speak. I want to shout and cry hard. I know Agni is the one who sent those photos to my parents and me to that hotel. He deserves more than this. But why am I not happy to see him in pain.

I didn't mean to do this to you Agni, but when I tried to find out the truth, I found you are behind those things. The one who tried to molest me is your friend, but you lied to me that you didn't know him. I am harsh to you to change you, not to hurt you. I am sorry.

"Have your dinner now?" he said and fed me dinner.

"Take tablets and sleep sweetheart," he said giving me tablets.

"Good night," he said and kissed my forehead.

He left the room. After some time, I went searching for him. I saw him in another room drinking. On the table, there are two bottles which were empty already. He is taking the third one. He is shirtless, and injuries are visible now. The bruises were still bleeding, but he is in full rage and not caring at all. I thought to go but seeing Vedika; I didn’t go.

"Agni, please let me aid the bruises. It's not good to leave them like that" she said holding him.

Vedika is almost hugging him. He pushed her away.

"If it's going to make her happy, I didn't want them to fade," he repeated drinking.

"Agni, at least take the tablets."

"No, I don't want."

"Vedika, this is the first time I am feeling so helpless and weak. I never felt so even when I had nothing and everyday seemed so hard. Today I had everything, but I feel I had nothing. Can't she ever forgive me?"

"Agni, I think you must try again for proofs but this time in your way. Until you prove it, she won't forgive you because she thinks that you ravaged her self-respect. A girl can endure anything but not this. Especially those photos and hotel incident broke her heart."

"I am not going to try Vedika again. Because it's waste, we won't get any proofs as someone trapped me so wisely. One thing is sure; someone wants me to break my relationship with her. But, I won't let it happen. I will bear everything for her and her love. If she wants to see me in pain, I will allow it. Rather than throwing her into problems, it's better for me to fall into trouble and get hurt in her hands to prove my love" he said

He is cheating Vedika too. He is lying. I won't forgive you unless you accept the truth and ask for forgiveness. I will make you confess the truth Agni.