#9

MEDDIE'S POV

It's the day I was born. 25 September. I was woken up today with a big and beautiful bouquet of flowers from my parents, and food that I love to accompany it.

My parents asked me what I wanted to do. Asking me where I wanted to have the celebratory dinner. I thought 'what celebratory dinner? Celebrating what? My ruined life?'

I told them I didn't want to do anything.

I told Pragya I wanted to have a video call with all the friends. We don't get much free time as it is. Everyone's always busy with their college stuff.

I just wanted to chill for one day. Knowing that I was gonna have a long chat with Stuti and Pragya after the video call. Stuffing my face with pizza and crying.

••••••••••

"Hi everyone! How are all of you? How's college?" I kept my cheery persona up. I couldn't falter right now. I needed to make Megha, Sanjana and Yashika believe that I was all fine and good. I couldn't involve them. I had already involved Stuti and was going to do the same with Pragya. I didn't want to. But I needed to get this off my chest.

I needed my best friend right now.

••••••••••

"Bye Sanjana!!"

"Thank you! Love you!" Sanjana left after wishing me happy birthday once again.

"Okay so what did you wanna talk about Meddie?" Pragya asks.

I glance at Stuti. "I don't know how to start the conversation."

"Tu mujhe kuch bhi bata sakti hai Meddie. Bol na kya hua. Tu upset hai kisi baat se. Stuti kya hua ise? " Pragya asked again. (You can tell me anything Meddie. Tell me what happened. You are upset about something. What happened to her Stuti?)

Drop.

The first tear went down my cheek. Then the next one. Another one. Yet another one. And then the rain of tears that was at bay for the previous two and a half years.

And then sob after sob after sob. There was no stopping to this storm. It had been brewing for such a long time that there were no breaks. Just continuous pouring. Straight from my heart and soul.

Meanwhile Stuti was re-playing every scene from two and a half years ago to Pragya who listened attentively.

I was full on crying and no one in my home bothered asking me why I was doing so on a day which was supposed to be a happy one for me.

Well I couldn't really blame my parents. They always had kind of bad hearing. Plus mom was watching a serial and dad was on his phone working over something. And these noises that my parents created were enough to keep them distracted. They wouldn't hear anything from my room.

By the end of Stuti's rant, Pragya was crying too.

I got up from my bed, went to my cupboard and pulled out the two pieces of jewellery that changed my life. For better or worse… I don't know.

I pulled the rings in front of the camera for Pragya to see. She gasped.

"Meddie tujhe apne mummy papa ko turant batana padega. Kab tak chhupa kar rakhegi ye baat? Tere parents teri help kar paayenge. Please Meddie apne parents ko bata de." (Meddie you need to tell your mom and dad as soon as possible. Until when are you going to keep this a secret? Your parents will be able to help you. Please Meddie tell your parents.)

"How?" That's the only question I could form. How. How in the hell do you fucking approach a situation like this?

"Do you want me to be there when you tell them?" Pragya asked slowly.

"Haan." I replied. (Yes.)

I looked at Stuti. I knew she was holding back on her question. She wanted to know.

"The reason, Stuti, that he let us leave was the contract I signed. You remember the day he took us? And I shouted at him. And then after some hours he came back. You were taken out of the room. He told me that I could come back to India if I signed a marriage contract. He also threatened me with your life. I didn't have a choice. I couldn't deny him even when I wanted to. So much! I wanted to deny him so strongly. But I couldn't. I couldn't risk your life. So I signed it. And he let us leave after the marriage ceremony for me to complete college. He'd said he'll be back after three years. That he'll take me back with him." And I start crying again. Snot running down my nose. Eyes puffy, I can feel them. And non stop tears.

"Did you atleast read the contract Meddie?" Stuti asked.

"I d-didn't." And another sob. "He didn't give me enough time. He kept threatening me with your life Stuti."

"Shit!"

"Fuck!"

Pragya and Stuti exclaimed respectively. Pragya never was one to curse much.

I was just reeling in sad emotions when I received a message.

'Happy Birthday babygirl. I'm watching you. I'm waiting for you.'

'P.S. put your rings on.'

-DDY

And a fresh batch of hot water flowed down my face. I let out a big sob.

"Kya hua Meddie?" (What happened Meddie?)

"Medhavi kya hua?" (Medhavi what happened?)

Both of my friends said at the same time.

I took a screenshot and sent them on the group chat that had only the three of us in it.

"Oh my god! Who is this?" Pragya whispered.

"FUCK!!" Stuti shouted.

"Ye hai Damiano Pragya." (This is Damiano Pragya.)

"SHIT!" Pragya shouted this time.

"What does he mean by he's watching? Is he here? What the fuck? How does he know you're not wearing those?" Pragya voiced the question.

"I don't know. I don't want to find out how!"

"We need to tell your parents asap. Kisi din ghar par tapak gaya ye to kya hoga?" Stuti said. (What if he dropped by your house one day?)

"Haan Meddie, hume uncle aunty ko batana hoga." Pragya uttered. Supporting Stuti. "Kal. I'll be there. And we'll tell uncle and aunty together. Don't worry. I'll be with you." (Yes Meddie, we need to tell uncle and aunty. Tomorrow.)

"Ok." I gave a wavering smile to them and cut the call. I guess I'll be dead tomorrow. I don't think my parents would understand that I had to do what I had to.

I didn't want to do this.

I had to!

••••••••••

26th September, the day I will tell my parents that I had to marry in Vegas against my will.

Ring ring ring ring. The doorbell rang. I knew it was Pragya at the door. My parents didn't know anything about how, what or why she was going to be here today in the afternoon.

I opened the door, invited her in, gave her a glass of water, and asked both my parents to take a seat on the sofa. Pragya and I sitting on the opposite sofa.

"Aunty uncle we need to talk about something very important. And after knowing that I know both of you would be angry but I need you to keep your calm. It is hard for Medhavi. She opened up about this to me yesterday. I was shocked. But she needs to tell you this. And you need to remain calm and support her mentally." Pragya started the conversation on my behalf.

My parents looked at me with their faces full of different emotions. Curiosity. Shock. Sadness. A hint of anger. And fear, for my safety. Ironic isn't it? They don't know they should be afraid and yet they are.

Because this is the first time that I have kept something secret from them. Our family was always very open about everything. Talking to my parents about sex was never awkward. They were my friends, in a way. I could always talk freely with them.

I was scared too. Scared of their reactions. I had no inkling of how they would take this situation.

"Jab Stuti aur main Las Vegas gaye the, to pehle ke do teen din to sab normal tha. Hum khoob ghume, khoob khaya, ek club me bhi gaye the. Mujhe sankat ki ghanti ka andaaza vahin ho jaana chahiye tha. Us club ke manager ne khud bahar aakar mujhe aur Stuti ko andar invite kiya. Agle din fir se sab normal ho gaya tha. Hum ek aur club me gaye the. Vahan mere side me ek ladka aake baitha, hoga 23 se 25 saal ke beech ka. Maine dhyaan nahi diya. Par vo mere peeche pad gaya ki mujhe apna naam bata vagerah vagerah. Gusse me maine usse chaanta maar diya. Aur vahan se chali gayi. Bina kisi cheez par dhyaan diye. Agli subah mujhe ek call aayi, Stuti ke phone se. Tab mujhe yaad aaya ki Stuti mere saath vaapas hotel aayi hi nahi. Usse us ladke ne kidnap kar liya tha. Aur mujhe usi club me vaapas bulaya. Usne Stuti ki jaan ko threaten kiya tha, to main gayi vahan, usse sorry bola. Aur usse pehle police ko call karke bata diya ki kya hua hai mere aur Stuti ke saath. Club me jaake bohot ladayi hui meri aur us ladke ki. Jab maine usse police ke baare me bataya, to usne mujhe bhi kidnap kar liya…aur hum dono ko apne ghar pe leke gaya." I paused.

(When Stuti and I went to Las Vegas, the first two-three days were normal. We went to different places, ate a lot, went to a club. I should've seen the warning signs there itself. The manager of that club came outside to invite us both in. The next day was normal though. We went to another club. There a guy came to sit beside me, he was around 23-25 years old. I didn't pay attention to him. But he wouldn't leave me alone, he continuously asked for personal information. In my anger, I slapped him. And I left from there. I didn't pay attention to anything else. The next morning I got a call, from Stuti's phone. Then I remembered, Stuti never came back to the hotel with me. That guy kidnapped her. He called me back to that club. He threatened Stuti's life, so I went there, apologized to him. Before going to the club, I called the police telling them everything. In the club I had another fight with that guy. When I told him about the police, he kidnapped me too...and he took us both to his house.)

My parents gasped out loud.

"Vahan pohonch kar meri usse fir ladayi hui. Usne Stuti ke sir pe gun point kar di thi." I say. (At his house I had another fight with him. He pointed a gun at Stuti's head.)

"Khushi aur kya hua vahan?" My mom asked me exasperated. (Khushi what else happened there?)

"End me usne mujhse shaadi karne ke liye bola. Aur mujhse ek marriage contract sign karvaya. Usne Stuti ki jaan ko baar baar threaten kiya. 'Shaadi' me bhi Stuti ke sir pe gun rakhi thi. Mujhe us ladke ki baatein manni padi. Main nahi chahti thi. Mummy papa meri haalat samajhne ki koshish karo. Main sachchi nahi chahti thi. Main usse baat bhi nahi karna chahti thi, shaadi to bohot dur ki baat hai." I finished with a sob.

(In the end he asked me to marry him. And he also made me sign a marriage contract. He threatened Stuti again and again. A gun was pointed at Stuti's head through the entirety of the 'wedding'. I had no choice but to listen to him. I didn't want to. Mom dad you have to try and understand my situation. I really did not want to. I did not even want to talk to him, marriage was not even an option in my opinion.)

My parents were silent. But I was so immersed in the retelling of the tale that I didn't notice my brother standing behind me. He heard everything. He came in front of me. And slapped me. I cried harder.

He wouldn't understand what I was going through when I was in the States. No one could. I had the responsibility of saving my friend's life.

"Vasu!" My father shouted at him. I knew they would try to understand. They would be angry at first for sure but they would understand. Understand that I wasn't in any position to deny anything when my own life and my friend's life was on the line.

"Mummy papa aur bhi hai. Usne mujhe teen saal diye the, college complete karne ke liye. Kal raat uska message aaya tha mujhe. Vo India me hi hai." I was leaning on Pragya's shoulder to cry and for support. (Mom dad there's more. He gave me three years, to complete college. Yesterday, at night he messaged me. He's in India.)

My mother came by my side and kissed my forehead. I lean onto her. I felt so safe at the moment. In her arms. I cried my heart out. Yet again.

That day was spent crying. My brother had left the house after slapping me in anger. I knew it was only momentary anger. He was only angry because he couldn't protect me. He will fight with me to no end. But whenever it came to strangers, he was always a shield of protection for me.

I just wish I never went to the USA. Never took that two week trip. All of this could've been avoided. But who can change fate right…

••••••••••

It was the next day now, September 27. I couldn't sleep properly last night. It was the worst birthday I've ever had. And I've experienced pretty bad ones before.

But today, after getting out of bed I made a promise to myself. That I wouldn't cry again. Not when my crying is resultant of that chutiya's actions. This is a very big step for me as I can't stop my tears from leaking my eyes. I cry easily. And 95% of the time my crying results from anger towards someone. I'm not amazing at hiding my emotions and feelings, and I don't excel at expressing myself when angered. So I let the steam out in the only way that I can at that point. And that, is via crying. (Asshole's actions.)

It is a Sunday. So my plan for the day is to relax as much as possible right now, with a criminal 'husband' on my back.

I go to the kitchen to ask mom to make me something to eat. "Mummy kuch khaane ke liye bana do?" (Mom can you please make me something to eat?)

"Khushi kaisi hai ab tu? Koi aur message aaya us haraamkhor ka? Ullu ka pattha! Jis din mujhe dikh gaya, meri chappal khaayega sir par. Uski maa ne chappal maari hoti bachpan me to aisi naubat hi nahi aati aaj." My mom raged. (Khushi how are you now? Did that bastard message you again? That son of a bitch! I will slap him with my slipper, the day I see him. If his mom would've beat him with the slipper then this situation wouldn't have arisen.)

"Maa shaant ho jao. Us gaandu ki baatein mat karo subah subah. Main sambhal lungi. Tum pareshaan mat ho." I tried to calm her down. (Mom calm down. Don't talk about that asshole in the morning. I'll handle him. You don't worry.)

"Tu baith ja. Main banake laati hun tere liye kuch. Ja mere kamre me baith jaake. TV dekh le." She replied. (You go sit down. I'll make some breakfast for you. Go sit in my room. Watch some TV.)

"Poha bana do maa. Please." (Please make poha mom. Poha is flattened rice flakes cooked with potatoes, onion, tomatoes and any other vegetable you want, mixed with spices, peanuts and cilantro.)

"Thik hai thik hai. Main le aaungi. Tu ja andar." (Ok, ok. I'll bring it. You go inside.)

I was sitting in mom and dad's room, watching a random serial on the tv when the doorbell rang.

I got up to check who was at the door at 9 in the morning but mom had already opened the door. She looked oddly at whoever was standing at the door.

I moved forward, confused as well.

I'll let in on a little secret now… I should've just stayed inside. My mom would've closed the door on her own as the man standing at my doorstep was a stranger to her.

But not to me.

No, I knew this man very well by now. He's the one who ruined my life. Fucked me over.

The man standing on my doorstep at 9 am in the morning was, you guessed it right, none other than Dami-fucking-ano!

The only good thing is that we had two doors. The wooden door and outside of that, a metal door with mesh windows for security purposes. And I couldn't be happier for this than I am now.

I was about to close the door when he spoke from his wretched mouth. "Babygirl, open the door. It's rude to keep the guests standing." And the egg on top of this statement was his idiotic fucking smirk.

"I'd like to keep my door closed. To save my home from pests like you." Once again I was about to close the door and yet I was stopped by his barf-worthy voice and a saccharin sweet smile.

He snapped his fingers together and lo and behold, there was yet again one of my dearest friends in his goon's disgusting claws.

"Megha… fuck!! Maa andar jao. Main baad me sab kuch samjhaungi. Mujhe is ullu ke patthe se baat karni hai." I told my mom. (Mom go inside. I'll explain later. I have to talk to this son of a bitch.)

The same green-eyed guy who held a gun at Stuti was now doing the same with Megha. Megha had tears streaming down her face.

I'm starting to believe this is the only thing I'm good at. Bringing trouble to the lives of the people who are dearest and closest to my heart.

"Why are you here? You fucking asshole. Leave her. Let her go." I shouted at the motherfucker.

"Open the door."

"Let her go first."

"Open. The. Door. Meddie. Before I shoot her myself."

"You fucking asshole!" I shouted and opened the door for him and his fucking pet to enter.

I moved back to let them come in. I looked back at mom to see her 'analysing the situation' face. I'm sure she understood who he is now. I closed the door and once again told mom to go inside and rest. Once I was sure she was inside her room, I moved towards beavis and butthead to deal with them. Megha was sitting in between the both of them. This angered me even further. And the next thing I did, is also the thing that led me to the situation I'm in right now.

I slapped him.

Not Damiano. That would be plain stupid.

I slapped his pet. I had it with his shit. Pointing guns at my friends right, left and center. Then I pulled Megha up, to stand beside me. And I backhanded the pet again. This was not even 5% of the anger I felt towards Damiano and his pet.

I could feel Megha's hands on my back. She was scared. I can understand. I've brought unnecessary trouble to her life.

Suddenly, Damiano stood up too and yanked me back towards himself. His grip, vice-like on my forearm. Before he could do anything, I saw a flash of a flying chappal. And it landed straight at Damiano's shoulder.

The chappal fell to the floor and I gazed at my mother. She had the other chappal still in her hand. Seeing this I couldn't stop the little snorted chuckle that escaped past my lips.

My mom charged forward, raising her arm with the chappal and slapped Damiano with it.

I burst out in full blown laughter at this. This had to be the funniest incident that has ever happened in my life. Can you imagine, a mafia boss, getting slapped with a slipper by a short, raging mother.

I was clutching my stomach at this point. Fuck! This was funny as fuck!! I wish I'd recorded this.

But my laughter ceased, seeing the murderous glare on his face. "You get the FUCK out of my house Damiano."

His glare shifted to me. Honestly, this look had no effect on me now. I'd seen it way too often in the states.

"Tienili qui. Mi prenderò cura di lei. Non lasciarli lasciare questa stanza o chiamare nessuno. Capisce?" He said to his pet. His pet nodded. (Keep them here. I'll take care of her. Don't let them leave this room or call anyone. Understand?)

And then he dragged me further in. He. Dragged. Me. In my own fucking house!