CUFFLINKED FOREVER

Disclaimer: This chapter contains scenes of physical abuse and violence.

Diksha:

I looked back and saw Savi's face alarmed with the same realization that had struck me seconds before. The woman continued moving, making us enter a room with a single bed; a glass of water on the floor.

"Ruko. Bulaati hun." and she left.

Savi gripped my hands tight and whispered, "Dikshu, yahan par bohot saari ladkiyan hai. Humein unhe saath mein leke bhaagna hoga."

"Par kaise? Woh log toh nashe mein hai!"

"Kuchh toh karna padega Dikshu, itni saari ladkiyan hai yahan par!"

"Tune notice kiya, majorly Nepali hain saare!"
"Haan! Iska matlab ye SS Enterprises ek fraud company hai. Expired and fake drugs ke saath saath ye ladkiyon ka smuggling bhi karta hai."

"Par proof kaise nikale?"

And our conversation stopped as a man entered the scene.

An old man with a nauseous air around him.. We knew exactly why he was looking at us like that, and his gaze made us squirm..

"Bataiye mem saab, kya seva karun main aapki? Yaa fir...aap humari seva karna chahenge." and his voice struck me like lightning.

The voice that I heard over the phone call.

"Humein...humein yahan par bulaya gaya tha.." I said, not wanting to get exposed under his sneering eyes.

"Bulaya gaya tha toh kaam ki baat kar lete hain.... 1000 rupaay per grahak."

I gulped and felt Savi fisting her palms beside me.

Calling somebody, he said, " Aee!! Inke kapde badalwao re!!"

As soon as a group of thugs entered the room, I heard Savi's pistol click as she held it, pointing at the thugs, "Hands up. Humein haat lagane ki jurrat bhi matt karna."

They were thrown off guard for a moment and I brought out my gun too, holding it at an arm's length.

"Peeche hat jao! Hum police hain." I said.

The old man confidently stood up, and despite my effort to keep him away, came very close, and whispered, "Commissioner saab andar hai..uss kamre mein..apni rani ke saath."

My pulse suddenly quickened with anxiety; they weren't afraid of the authorities.

And soon, strong hands grabbed our arms and led me and Savi to separate rooms, as both of us kicked and pushed against them in vain..

Savi:

Blood oozed out of my knuckles as I hit the floor. A pair of hands yanked me by my hair, letting out a scream from my lips and stuffed something in my mouth, which, before I could spit out, had dissolved in my mouth..

My racing mind was forcefully shutting down, as the grip on my dress felt lighter, the pain subsiding
gradually.. my frantic hands reached the pocket; I had to contact Rajat.

The vision before my eyes was blurring and my fingers were losing control.. but I pushed myself, and pressed the green button..

They snatched the phone away from me and my naked skin was violently wrapped with a piece of cloth, my shoulders and thighs exposed.

My body started slacking, and the helplessness of the entire situation spilled tears out of my cheeks.. someone carried me over to another room and tossed me on the bed..