my fear

Train of thoughts ran in Neha's mind as she sat in Mrs. Oberoi's bedroom in silence.

It came to a halt when Mrs. Oberoi came inside the room.

"Neha, I actually wanted to talk to about you about Armaan…" Mrs. Oberoi said with a sly smile.

Neha hesitated a bit and nodded.

"You know Armaan for too long and I'm sure you know about his aggressive episodes right? But, his aggression is a lot worse than what you have seen." Mrs. Oberoi said shifting her gaze from Neha to the door.

"Irony is; I've seen it more than you all have ever seen…" Neha thought.

Mrs. Oberoi walked to the door and closed it behind her "He might not show it when you both are with us. But, now you are going to be alone with him and I can't feel anything else but scared for you. But…" she came near Neha and caressed her head "I know you are going to be alright, you will take care of him and make him better" Mrs. Oberoi said, her voice overflowing with trust and confidence.

"Take care of him? I don't even know if I will ever return. HE IS GOING TO KILL ME FOR GOD'S SAKE"

Holding Neha near to her chest, Mrs. Oberoi said "and don't be scared, if you need anything, we are just one call away."

"Should I tell her about last night?"

"Ma…actually I've something to tell you…" Neha said nervously, her heart beating faster with every word.

Reading the nervousness in her face Mrs. Oberoi held her chin up "What's the matter?" She asked worriedly.

"Ma actually...last night…" she trembled.

"Last night Ar— "she was interrupted by a loud bang on the door.

"Wait a second" Mrs. Oberoi opened the door and the person standing outside was none other than Armaan.

"Shit…was he listening?" Neha was terrified.

"Mom, dad is calling Neha downstairs," he said, looking at Neha.

"What's the matter? Can't it wait?" Mrs. Oberoi asked.

"I don't know mom. He said it's urgent…" He said, clearly irritated.

"Alright! Neha, save the talk for later. You come back to me right after dad, okay?" Mrs. Oberoi said with a sympathetic smile.

Neha could do nothing, but nod. "I'm doomed," she thought.

She walked out of the room behind Mrs. Oberoi.

As Mrs. Oberoi walked down the stairs and almost disappeared, Armaan grabbed Neha by her arms and caught her by her waist.

"Listen you little bitch, next time you think that talking about me will help you escape then, remember that, nothing, I said NOTHING is going to make me get away from you" he whispered gripping on her waist tighter and tighter.

Neha was expecting this, she knew he was going to lurk around.

"You are just adding up your punishments" Armaan smirked and forcefully kissed her on her lips.

He bit her lower lips as she groaned in pain.

"This pain is nothing darling…" He whispered whilst biting her.

Finally, he let her go and she ran downstairs.

Armaan let out an evil laugh and followed her down.

Unlike Armaan, his dad was a person full of love and sympathy.

He was a person of knowledge which he had (thankfully) passed on to Armaan; which was the only good thing about him other than his good looks.

Neha entered his father's study; a big bright through the cozy room, with hundreds of books on the book shelf and walls decorated with paintings.

She always has loved the room and has spent a lot of time reading the books; an escape from daily shit that Armaan tortured her with.

It was after a long time she was going inside the room.

She looked around to find Mr. Oberoi sitting in his work area, his eyes on the laptop.

He was so busy that he barely noticed Neha walking towards him.

"Papa…" She faintly called him.

He looked over, adjusting his broad glasses "Oh Neha! Come sit down. I've to talk to you about your college"

Neha sat down clueless "I don't even know if I'll be able to study…"

"So Neha, how are you feeling? I know you are shaken up a bit since everything was too soon for you. But, it's going to settle down, alright?"

Neha nodded smiling "sure…"

"You wanted to do your MD right? Well, I have found the best college for you, it's near where you guys are going to live." Mr. Oberoi said turning his laptop towards Neha.

"MCI exam result" the title read.

"They have, as you can see, all these facilities. They accept an IELTS score of 7.5 and your little genius has scored above it." Mr. Roy said proudly.

Suddenly, distracted by someone at the door he looked up "Armaan! Come sit." He invited him.

Armaan sat down next to Neha, "You are one lucky guy to be married to Neha. Isn't she an absolute genius?" Mr. Oberoi said smiling.

"For sure she is," Armaan said, looking down at Neha.

"Okay so, I applied there on your behalf and did all the formalities. So, they mailed me today and you have a personal interview with them as soon as you reach. So make sure you take all your certificates and ID proofs and everything that's necessary, with you. You both are going to start a new life, so just, enjoy and be happy." Mr. Oberoi said, his eyes gleaming with happiness.

"Sure…The word enjoy has been removed from my life after him coming into my life…" Neha cried inside.

"Dad, I think Neha isn't done with packing. So, she must do it now" Armaan said in a demanding voice.

"Yes of course Neha, you can get going. Armaan you stay here we need to talk about our business there"

Neha got up and went near Mr. Oberoi and touched his feet.

"What are you doing Neha" Mr. Oberoi got up with a sympathetic smile.

"Thank you, papa, for everything…" She said with tears filled in her eyes.

"It's okay dear, you deserve all the happiness in the world," He said

Neha smiled and walked out of the door, ignoring Armaan.

"I don't know what happiness is anymore papa…Going to uni is going to be my only escape from him…Thank you for that" Tears flowed down Neha's cheeks, finding a way towards her lips.