The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 2

Aparna clutched Madhu, her best friend’s hand as a familiar face appeared near the baggage belt.

“It’s him!” she said with a gasp, trying her best to not run.

“I know. Don’t worry, he cannot do anything here. There is a lot of police in this entire area. If he does something then, he will be caught. So, stop panicking,” Madhu replied, squeezing Aparna’s arm reassuringly.

Aparna clutched her child to herself and tried to look in the other direction but, her mind kept registering every movement of his body. All she wanted to do right now was to run and hide somewhere. Briskly she walked alongside Madhu, her feet shaking with fear.

Cold sweat broke out on her brows as she saw his car speed away. Sighing, she smoothened the hair on her daughter’s face and tried to smile.

“Why are you still so afraid of him?” Madhu asked frowning.

“Don’t you know what he can do?” Aparna replied trying to block the images, which flashed in her mind.

Born and brought in the small town of Unnao, she and her sister were always the sheltered ones in the family. Even though, her parents were never against her getting a college education still they had discouraged her vehemently to study further, when she had wanted to get a degree in architecture. Taking this as a work of fate, she also accepted this. But, somehow her destiny was planning something else.

Her school mate and long-time friend, Priyanka was getting married in Lucknow. She was excited to finally venture out of the confines of the small city like Unnao. But, her parents and brother were completely against her attending the wedding all alone. After a lot of struggle and reassuring promises from Priyanka’s parents, she was allowed to go but under the supervision of her aunt.

She had met Madhu the first day she had landed at the wedding. There was something common and yet different in both of them. While Aparna was this soft spoken and obedient girl, Madhu was like a firebird, always rebelling against anything that she felt was not right. Madhu’s exuberance and courage sometimes inspired Aparna but, sometimes it also scared her. But, against all odds, they had become good friends and Aparna as happy to find someone who listened and understood her problems.

Apart from Madhu, there was one more person who had caught her attention, Kavin Malik. He was the best friend of the groom. Handsome and attractive, he had charmed most of the girls in the wedding. But, she had stayed away from him following her aunt’s warnings.

However, it had only taken one night for him to come close to her. It was the night before the marriage. He had talked with her the entire night, confessed his love for her and somehow had convinced her to get married to him. They had talked about their future till the wee hours of the morning. It had been the most magical night of her life.

The next day she had told Kavin about her life and her family situation. Not willing to let her go, Kavin had told her that they will get married secretly and then tell her parents. He had convinced her that they will agree eventually.

Blindly believing him and hopelessly in love, she had run away with Kavin the night before she was supposed to leave for Unnao. The moment they had landed in Mumbai, she had contacted Madhu and told her everything. It was Madhu who had convinced her to get a court marriage done rather than a simple marriage at a temple. Even though, Kavin had protested initially but then he had given in.

The first 6 months of their marriage had been the happiest times of her life. But then, gradually she had felt a change in Kavin.

He would come drunk at home with couple of his friends who would stay overnight. Then, some days he would not come home at all. But the day, which triggered the whole thing, was her first birthday after marriage.

He had again come home drunk while she had been waiting to celebrate the special day. The moment she had opened the door, one of his friends had tried hugging her, to which she had protested loudly. Kavin had become so angry with her that he had hit her hard. When she had protested again, he had grabbed her and shoved her inside the bedroom. Then, he had taken off his belt and hit her till he had lost his energy.

In the morning, she had called her parents, but the moment her father had heard her voice, he had hurled abuses at her. He had told her she was dead for them. That day, Aparna had accepted her fate. She had accepted everything from then on.

Kavin had tried to sell her off to many of his clients time and again but she had opposed it, which had angered him more, increasing his beatings. When he would lose his interest in beating her then he would push her forcibly on the bed and shove himself inside her.

At first, she had always protested but as time passed, she had given in to the fact that this was her destiny.

Days turned into months and months into years as her mind had become accustomed to the excruciating pain Kavin had inflicted on her. But, suddenly a ray of hope had appeared after 3 years when she had come to know that she was pregnant.

When she had told Kavin the news, he had denied having fathered the child. It had given him one more reason to hit her time and again. He even had tried convincing her to get the baby aborted, but she had been hell bent to give birth to the child. It was Madhu who had been with her when her daughter was born and it was she who had named her Prakriti.

Kavin’s behaviour did not change even after he had seen the child. His violence and forced sex sessions had increased. Madhu and her fiancé, Harish had tried hard to convince Aparna to get a divorce but she had never given in. By then she had been so scared of Kavin that even thinking about leaving him had terrified her.

But, Madhu had been able to convince her to take up a 2 year corresponding course in architecture after Prakriti had become 1. During the day all her time was either spent in taking care of her daughter or studying.  

Being a good student during her school, it had not taken her long to get top grades. With the help of Madhu, she had also submitted a project in one of the leading construction companies, who had applauded her for the excellent work.

But, one day Kavin had caught her sketching something on paper. The violence and anger she had seen in his eyes had scared her to death that day. The moment she had seen him pick the paper weight from the table, she had closed her eyes in fright but, instead of her, he had purposely aimed the weight at Prakriti.

Aparna still remembered her shrieks and sight of blood oozing out of her daughter’s forehead. Finally that day Kavin had crossed his limits. Clutching her daughter that night, Aparna had convinced herself that it was time to leave.

Sitting beside her, Madhu looked on as tears rolled down Aparna’s cheeks. It is better if she cries now: it will make her stronger. Madhu grabbed Prakriti and made her sit on her lap showing her the passing sights outside.

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