CUFFLINKED FOREVER

21. A Grave Failure

I rubbed my eyes, but my vision didn't clear; and I let out another scream, bursting out my lungs.

The next moment, I felt a sharp slap on my face as a woman, perhaps spoke, "Saara gala abhi se barbaad karegi kalmuhi!! Grahak ko aane de!"

And another woman grabbed me by my hair, "Muh tab kholna, jab zaroorat ho, samjhi! Aur agar achhe se kholi na, toh extra paise milenge!"

Everything around me was a blur and stark horror choked me when I saw a man, approaching me slowly.

"Naya maal hai saab, lut lo" the woman said, and he lifted me off my feet, his icy fingers cutting through my skin like daggers.

My head felt heavier each moment and I kicked against him but he merely chuckled, something oddly familiar with the sound..

He dropped me down on the bed and the next moment, I heard the door getting locked. The fear inside my heart was exploding, and I scrambled out of the bed, when I was pinned back against the wall, my wrists hurting under his strong grip.

I felt rage surging through me and with all the energy that was left, punched his stomach.

He shifted slightly but didnot recoil and his fingers pressed on my cheek.

Bringing his face closer to me, the man snarled, "Ready S?"

My vision focused for a moment and I saw: PALASH.

I threw my legs in an attempt to kick and he successfully ducked, pressing his lips against mine as I threw my arms, pushing against his chest with all my force.

Futile tears rolled down my cheeks as I was dropped once again on the bed, my wrists and legs tied up. By then, most of my energy had drained, the drug overpowering my senses..

I felt something cold being splashed at me, and immediately I recognised; alcohol it was..

I felt him hovering above me as I twisted and turned, and his voice was next to my ear, "Uss din bade shauq se kiss kar rhi thi naa usey..aaj mujhe karna.."

Every touch that followed seeped through my skin, into my soul, ripping it off..piece by piece..

His nails dug into my skin, sending a sharp pain across my skin..but it fell bleak in front of the damage that had already been made when his filthy hands touched my body...

This...this was worse than death...

I wished I could be killed right at that moment..to escape into the endless slumber where I would not feel this terrible feeling of being torn apart..

.........

Rajat:

The police van had stopped in front of the A-Lane.

My insides were exploding with this feeling -- this terrible feeling that something horrible was happening with her..

I usually do not believe in intuitions, but today my gut feeling was so strong that it had knocked my senses over..

She had called; it was a 12 second call..but why did it feel like that she was screaming out in pain?

"Saare ghar check karo, jaldi!" and the officers spread out..

Kahan ho tum Savi...

Diksha:

The room was suffocating me and the noises from the adjoining room made my intestine churn in disgust..

God knows if Savi is alright..

The sudden sound of our police van sent relief through me..

And moments later, I found myself trapped in a bedlam-- and the door burst open: Rajat.

His eyes immediately averted as I covered my hands in front of me.

He stepped forward and wrapped me in the bedsheet, a storm brewing in his eyes..

Panting furiously, he said, "S-Savi.. savi kahan hai?"

"Nahi pata..n-nahi----"

"Chhodo mujhe!" a man shrieked and Rajat ran towards the voice.

Rajat:

I stopped dead on my tracks fear freezing my legs: Palash was being dragged out of a room, and inside...

A woman lay on the bed, tied up.

My steps faltered as my insides went hollow..

Savi....

"Tu yahan bhi aa gaya!" Palash sneered.

But he was none of my concern. I dashed into the room and there...

On the bed, her figure lay, her eyes open, fixed at the ceiling, as if someone had sucked out her life.

"Savi..." my voice choked with the sob that was arising through me..

She turned her eyes at me; lifeless and gray..
A tear trickled down her eye, travelling down her ear lobe which was reddened with teeth marks..her hands, arms, chest...endless, endless nail scratches and teeth marks... Blood droplets had formed on her lower lip..her hands and legs tied up...

I broke down, clutching my hair: I failed Savi..

I failed to protect you..

For the first time in my life, I had failed miserably.

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