Chapter Eight

Jwala:

He held my hand and kept another hand in his pocket to take something. I was sure that he would award me the worst punishment. I didn't understand the reason behind his anger at me whenever I talk to my best friend Aadarsh or any other guy.

Is Agni possessive towards me? Then why did he send me to clients? No, he is not possessive. He wanted to hurt me, and now he had a reason to do that. I blocked the vision of my Baby blue to prepare myself for the upcoming torture.

Instead of pain, I felt something slid over my finger. I opened my eyes. He smiled looking at me. It was the first time I saw his smile.

"He is very handsome when he smiles," said my heart.

No, I shouldn't fall for his charm. Inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. He might look great, but he is a demon. I should never forget it.

I looked at my hand to check what he did. He kept a ring with name "Agni" engraved on it. I didn't understand his intention.

"Don't be afraid of me. I won't let even a single scratch appear on your body until my Baby is in your womb. After your delivery, it depends on your behaviour" he said kissing my hand.

"This ring means that you are mine and only mine. Anyways remember from next time I shouldn't see you talking to any man except me. Be careful about that or I will forget that you are carrying my child" he warned me.

"Now let's talk about the punishment. If my kid is not in your womb, I would have made you starve for three days and would decorate your body beautifully with the strokes of my belt. Now I can't do that. Nonetheless, I will punish you. The punishment should be only to you but not to my Baby," he said and thought for a few minutes.

"Let's play a game."

"What?"

"From tomorrow let's act as husband and wife. You must take care of me, and arrange everything for me. Let me see what kind of a life partner you will be. Remember sweetheart; if you commit a mistake in acting like my wife, orphanage won't be your's as still our contract is on. This acting gives you a good experience to be a good wife after our marriage," he smirked.

"No, I can't do that," I said.

"Already you have done everything that a wife does. You gave pleasure to me. You are carrying my child. So I don't think it's that tough. However, I am not bothered by your opinion. From tomorrow you are going to lead a life of my wife. I will have more fun now," he said, and a haze of fear surrounded me.

"Go and take rest. I have no mood to go to the office now. So for today, there is no work for you" Agni said.

I slept in my room. I remembered Agni's behaviour after conceiving and before that.

I can't marry him or abort my child. How can I give a dignified life to my kid without marrying him? What if this child becomes as Agni who disrespects women and views them as a pleasure giving machines?

I can't trust Agni's sudden transmutation. He always insults and lacerates me. For him, I am not a human. I am just a machine which bears every torture. What can I do if he tortures me again after delivery? He loves his child but not me. I am not even expecting his love, but at least he should respect me and treat me as a human.

I don't think marriage works for us. It destroys my life more. What about my child? Agni is right; this is my Baby and sharing my blood too. I placed my hand on my womb thinking about my kid. I can't kill this child. At the same time, I can't marry a beast.

I cried till my eyes were swollen and drifted into sleep thinking about my helpless life. I opened my eyes feeling someone's touch. I found Agni kissing my forehead. He smiled at me. He sat on the bed beside me, and I moved away. Why did he come into my room after fifteen days? Is he going to take me harshly for talking to that colleague? No, I can't bear. My eyes filled with water drops.

"Hey, why are you crying? Are you suffering from a stomach ache or something? Are you fine? Why are you looking dull?" He said with genuine concern.

I was in intense shock. Does Agni worry about me? No no maybe for his child.

"I am fine," I said.

"Then?" Agni inquired.

"Why did you come into my room?" I asked.

"What? Come again. Which is your room? This is my house, Baby. I can come here anytime I wish. So, shut your mouth to save your body from bearing pain. Already you escaped punishment today as you are carrying my child," he said looking at me.

"I.. Amm.. Sorry."

"Ok fine, if you are scared of me imagining that I came to fulfil my need, you are wrong. I came to give you food," Agni said and gave food to me.

I looked at my mobile. It's dinner time. I slept for a long time.

"Have it. If you want anything to eat, you can inform maids or me."

I had my food. Agni took the plate.

"Now sleep calmly without straining your brain or heart. I promise you, Jwala; I won't hurt you. I won't touch you without your consent from now. Please at least for our child, marry me. Today, your parents called me saying next week I can come to see you. I think they will ask you to return home soon."

No, I should talk to my parents. But what can I say if they ask the reason for refusing Agni? In society, Agni had a good reputation. Only very few know his original character. Everyone thinks Agni is admirable and loves him. But I am the one who saw his cruelty. I hate him. I am sure after delivery; he will start his torture again.

"Jwala, I may not be a good person but not a bad guy too. I had my reasons to become like this. I have no respect towards women because my life got spoiled because of a woman."

"I am not interested to know your past. A woman might have spoiled your life, but you have no right to ruin my life. As you destroyed my life, do you mean I should hate every man?"

"Don't worry you will never get a chance to love or hate any man. Because either it's your hate or love, it belongs only to me," He said smirking.

My phone rang.

"I think it's your dad," he said.

He is right.

"Hello, Dad."

"How are you, Jwala?"

"I am fine, dad."

"Jwala, you got a good alliance. He is rich in heart and status. We know we are not suitable for him. But, he said he loved you seeing you in a college program. His name is Agni. We talked to him. We felt he is right for you.

We asked him to come to see you. You need to reach our village in the next week," my dad said.

"Dad, I want to study more. I didn't want to marry," I said, and Agni passed an angry look towards me.

"Jwala, you see him and talk to him. If you like him, only then we will settle the marriage. Otherwise, we won't force you. Don't worry; we respect your opinion," dad said.

"Ok dad, I will come," I said and disconnected the call.

"Jwala, you can study even after our marriage but after delivery. I won't stop you."

Why is he so stubborn to marry me? How can I break this marriage?

"I love someone else" I lied to make him cancel the wedding.