CHAPTER SIXTY SIX

Agni:

Her love and trust are the two things for which I carved till now. But now I am scared of losing them. I sent her to those idiots to save myself. To keep my reputation in the world, I tried to kill her self-respect. I decided to open up before her.

"I did it for my selfishness Jwala. To save my reputation in society, I tried to degrade your self-respect."

"Tell it clearly," she asked looking at me.

I averted my gaze as I am unable to look into her eyes. I felt to cry. I hate the one who said men shouldn't cry. This is the moment where I want to cry my heart out. She is the only one whom I never to want to lose in my life. What if she leaves me hearing the truth. I held her hands.

"Jwala, whatever happened was my mistake. I never let it happen again in my life. Please don't leave me."

"I don't leave you Agni. But I want to know the truth which made my husband unable to save me. Share it with me. Even if it's your mistake, I never leave you" she said sitting beside me and making me lean on her shoulder.

I closed my eyes to control my tears. I was so selfish at that time.

"They both are brothers. They knew about our relationship based on a contract. They blackmailed me by saying that they will let everyone know about our deal.

I am a businessman; my fame is important to me. If I lose the trust and image in public, my business will collapse. Every businessman strives for reputation in society because without which they can never be successful."

"So, you agreed to send me to save your reputation, right?" She said

I can understand the pain in her eyes. Jwala broke down realising the true nature of her husband.

"Why did the first person leave without doing anything to me?"

"I sent you but imagining him touching you killed me. I browsed the internet to know about that person. I already appointed a detective to find out about him. On the web, there's news that he had an affair with someone. I called the detective to find it immediately. He confirmed it. Taking shreds of evidence, I went to his wife, and his wife called him to inform that I was at his home. I messaged him saying that I will show proofs of his affair to his wife if he does anything to you. So, he left you.

I thought I ended the issue there. But, Rona's elder brother came to take revenge on me for blackmailing that idiot."

"Oh, if you didn't find the evidence against Rona, then you would have given me away," she said

I clutched my fist. No Jwala. I would have saved you at any cost because that's when I realised that you are my life.

"He abducted my sister and brother. If I didn't send you, he would kill them. I tried to find information about them, but I failed. I sent you there only to make them believe that I was trapped. On that day, I planned for police to come for a raid on the hotel. I thought the police would save you and bring him to me because they would arrest him only for me. That's the plan. Even on the phone, I said the same to him. I asked him to leave if he didn't want to get arrested."

"Then why are you angry with me on that day?"

"My brother and sister were injected slow poison by that time as I asked him to leave you. Because of your tension, I changed my plan. If you could have waited for some time, I would have saved you and my siblings too. I can't plan anything when you cry and becomes panic. Knowing their situation, I took that anger on you" I said.

"I want to be alone for some time," she said crying.

"Jwala, I didn't do it heart fully. Please trust me."

"It's ok, leave me for some time. I will be ok. I want to be alone" Jwala said again.

"I can't leave you alone because I can understand what you are going through."

"Jwala, your husband is not the one who does business with girls. That's unfortunate incident in my life. I am sorry" I said holding her eyes.

"Is your reputation and success than the self-respect of a girl? Many people are like you. They value everything except the self-esteem of a woman. Few will get their daughters married for a business deal; few marry for a contract, few ask wife or lover to satisfy someone for his benefit. The girl is nothing but a possession who can use it as they want" she said looking into my eyes with tears.

I bent my head.

"Agni, what is the difference between you and your dad? You sent me to a hotel room for your reputation. Your dad too sent your mom for ruining his reputation. Do you have a right to hate or punish him?"

I don't deserve to do that Jwala. Even if my mom were alive, she too would have hated me. I can't change the past. But I need to apologise to her. I sat on my knees before Jwala. She avoided looking at me. I kissed her feet, and she looked at me.

"I am sorry Jwala. I am not apologising to you as you are my wife or I love you. I am apologising to you for being a man who overlooked the self-respect of a woman. I may be a good husband but not a horrible person. I should have shot those idiots the day they talked to me about sending you to them.

But, I promise you Jwala, from now I will be a real man who respects women. I learned that everyone is not the same just because of you. My mom sacrificed herself for me, and you sacrificed for those orphans. Only women can do this. I was wrong in thinking every woman's character is wrong. They are kind in heart and do anything for the one they love.

Don't leave me, Jwala. I really can't live without you. I become mad when you are not with me. Please forgive me." I said holding her hands still sitting on knees.