CHAPTER 9: THE ROOM WITH NO EXIT
CHAPTER 9: THE ROOM WITH NO EXIT
Pia's Point of View
The first thing I felt was the dull ache in my head.
Not sharp, not unbearable—just a persistent throbbing that pulsed behind my eyes, like something inside me was trying to claw its way to clarity. I blinked slowly, taking in the soft, muted light. The room was familiar but wrong. It was our room—same walls, same curtains, same bed—but everything felt… off.
I sat up abruptly and immediately regretted it.
The room spun slightly, and my limbs felt heavy. I placed a hand on my stomach—still flat, still mine—and drew in a slow breath, trying to shake the fog in my mind. And then it all came rushing back.
The ultrasound.
The confrontation.
The syringe.
The betrayal.
"Arjun…" I whispered under my breath, then swung my legs off the bed.
My feet touched the cold floor, grounding me. I staggered toward the door, fueled by panic, fury, and disbelief. I gripped the doorknob and twisted.
It didn't budge.
Locked.
My heart lurched. I turned it again, harder. Still nothing.
"ARJUN!" I screamed, slamming my fist against the wood. "OPEN THE DOOR!"
I pounded harder, the sound echoing through the room. "LET ME OUT!"
Silence.
"Arjun, please!" My voice cracked as I screamed again. "What are you doing? LET ME OUT!"
And then, a voice.
"I'm here," he said softly from the other side. Calm. Too calm.
"What the hell is going on?!" I shouted. "Open the door! You can't keep me here!"
A pause.
"I'll come in soon. Just… just rest for now."
"Arjun, don't do this!" I yelled again. "You can't lock me in like a prisoner!"
But no footsteps followed. No click of the lock.
Only silence.
I collapsed onto the floor beside the door, my back against the wood, fists clenched in my lap. My body still felt weak, but my mind was racing.
He drugged me.
He brought me home.
And now… he had locked me in.
The realization was like ice down my spine—he hadn't just lied to me. He had taken my freedom.
---
I didn't know how long I sat there before I heard the soft click of the lock.
My body tensed as the door creaked open. Arjun stood in the doorway. His hair was tousled, dark circles under his eyes, shirt untucked. He looked tired—but not remorseful.
He stepped in quietly, closing the door behind him. I pushed myself up with shaking legs.
"What do you want from me?" I asked coldly.
He glanced at me, then walked over to the nightstand and picked up a glass of water.
"You should drink this," he said. "You were dehydrated earlier."
I didn't move. "Why did you bring me back here?"
He sighed. "Because you fainted. You were overwhelmed. I couldn't let you leave like that."
"You didn't just stop me," I snapped. "You injected me. Like some animal."
"I had no choice—"
"There's always a choice!" I screamed. "You kidnapped me, Arjun!"
He flinched slightly at the word.
I stepped closer, trembling. "Why won't you answer me? Why did you lie about the pregnancy? Why did you—" My throat closed, the word choking me. "—rape me?"
His eyes closed for a second. "Don't—don't say it like that."
"HOW SHOULD I SAY IT THEN?" I shrieked.
He stepped forward and tried to touch my arm. I jerked away.
"You are getting everything wrong, love. We are a happy couple who love each other."
"Happy?" I echoed, laughing bitterly. "You think locking me in a room and drugging me is happiness?"
"You need rest," he said gently. "That's all I want for you. You're pregnant, Pia. I need to make sure you're safe."
"Safe from you," I spat.
I turned toward the door again—determined this time. I didn't care if I had to break the window, scream until someone outside heard—I'd escape this nightmare.
I didn't even hear him behind me.
All I felt was the prick.
Again.
"No…" I whispered as my legs crumpled. My body collapsed into his arms like dead weight.
I looked up at him as the fog rolled in—slower this time. My vision swam. I could barely keep my eyes open.
His face blurred above me. He looked at me—heartbroken and helpless—but I didn't believe it anymore.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn't try to wipe them away.
"You said you loved me…" I whispered.
"I do," he replied. "More than anything."
And then, once again, darkness took me.
---
I don't know how long I was unconscious. When I opened my eyes again, the light outside the window had shifted. Late afternoon, maybe.
I didn't move right away.
My limbs were still heavy, but I wasn't dizzy. Just… numb. Tired in a way that sleep couldn't fix.
I turned my head slowly.
Arjun was sitting on the chair next to the bed.
He looked at me the moment I opened my eyes.
For a second, I wondered if he'd drugged me again—but no. I was aware. Too aware.
"Hey," he said quietly.
I didn't answer.
He reached out and brushed a few strands of hair from my face. I didn't pull away. I didn't have the energy to.
"You're okay," he whispered. "Everything is fine."
His hand was warm, gentle. But it didn't comfort me. Not anymore.
I stared past him at the ceiling, silent.
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
It was soft.
Tender.
Almost loving.
But I felt nothing.
Not anger. Not comfort. Just… a dull ache inside me that wouldn't go away.
"I'll take care of you," he murmured, his lips still against my skin. "I promise."
Still, I didn't respond.
Not because I believed him.
But because fighting him felt useless now.
I closed my eyes again, silently enduring his touch, my heart breaking piece by piece.
---