"May I ask why you delayed filing the complaint for eight years?" asked the inspector, fixing his scrutinizing gaze on Asmita, who shuffled in his seat with clear discomfort.

"He could finish my career, and I had too much at stake to make that visit to the police station. I did not know if they would ever take an action against him either," she said, training her distant eyes on the wall behind the officer.

The khaki-clad officer scribbled into his notepad and acknowledged her statement with a curt nod. "And what changed now?"

Asmita puffed, and a sardonic smile stretched on her lips. "I lost my career despite my silence. I had to start again from the scratch because he tarnished my employment record with his interference."

She nibbled on her lower lip, reminiscing the string of rejections she had faced because of the gaps and change of jobs in a short notice on her resume. "Years later, when I saw him fight with such vehemence for the wrong cause, I decided I could fight for my justice as well, without worrying about the stakes."

The inspector hummed, scratching the back of his head. He had heard the rumors of the billionaire's dalliances and his many escapades, but he needed further evidence. "Anyone who can attest to your statements?"

Asmita sniffled her sobs and nodded in affirmation. "Priyanka Ahuja. She was the Head of Human Resources in DM Designs when I worked there.

The fan whirred in distance and the pen scratched against the notepad. "We'll speak to her. We'll keep you updated about what happens to your complaint. And you wondered if we would ever take action against him. If there is truth to your allegations, he will get his punishment to the fullest extent of law."

"I hope you find the evidence you need," she said, picking her handbag and giving a weak smile to the inspector before she walked through the wooden doors of the police station.

She would have to relive every part of those horrifying nights, which continued to ravage her through nightmares. She could only hope she could muster enough strength to give what it takes to clinch the triumph.

___________________________________________________

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Daksh barged inside despite Vikas's protests and attempts to stop the man intruding into his home like a raging bull. Asmita jumped to her feet from the sofa when her eyes caught the sight of a furious Daksh Malhotra.

The blinding rage in his eyes made her heart jump with fright and her breath hitched in her throat. Sweat poured out of her temples and she hid her trembling hands behind her back.

"Why did you complain to me? Assault? Molestation? Seriously?" he asked, glaring down at her and the trivializing tone of his incited the fury buried beneath fear.

She let out a wry chuckle and a derisive glint gleamed in his eyes. "You don't realize the gravity of your actions, and yet you claim to be guilty. Makes sense for a narcissist like you!"

The condescension in her voice hit him with a whip. He stepped closer, to intimidate her by towering over her, and she compelled herself to stay rooted in her place. She gestured Vikas to not intervene by a shake of her head and call the police. Vikas took his cue and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"I did not complete what I started that night. It is not assault if I did not do it! I could if I wanted to, but I stopped myself. You couldn't see that, could you?" he asked.

Her eyebrows arched for a moment before she burst out laughing. Daksh stepped away from her, with his lips parted in shock, and stood astounded by her actions.

"Wow!" she said, clapping her hands together in an applause. "I suppose you believe you should receive an accolade for not raping me despite having the chance to rape! The only reason you thought your actions were in poor taste is because you think it ruined your chance."

Daksh gritted his teeth and his nails dug into his palms as his palms clenched into fists. "But, you know what? You never had a chance with me. You don't even remember that night in rain when you took advantage of me, because you think it is normal. You disgusted me, Daksh Malhotra, and nothing could ever change that!"

Daksh's eyes softened, and he took a tentative step towards her. "I forced no woman to sleep with me. That night was different..."

Asmita crossed her arms against her chest and another wry chuckle escaped her bloodied lips. "So is the case with every rapist, Mr. Malhotra. They are not a rapist till one day they rape someone and become one. And you became a molester that night!"

Daksh let out a defeated sigh and rubbed his forehead, struggling to find the words. "You provoked me that night.."

"Of course, you would resort to blame me! Would you ever take responsibility for anything you did without blaming someone for those actions?" she asked.

"I loved you, I still do..."

Asmita raised her outstretched palm towards him and huffed in exasperation. "Don't sully love for me anymore, Mr. Malhotra. If you knew what love is, you wouldn't try to break me to possess me. You would respect me and my choice."

Tears rolled down her cheeks and caught her breath. "You wouldn't make me doubt myself and ruin my career, mental health, and confidence. It was never love. And if it is love, in some twisted world, I don't want that!"

She swallowed the lump in her throat and gazed at the ceiling to stop further tears from spilling out of her eyes. Daksh grabbed her by her shoulders, digging his fingers and nails into her skin, and ignored the way she winced in pain.

"I should have finished what I started that day. I married you once, and no one could stop me. Just wait and watch, Asmita, I'll do it again! You will realize my love when you see my obsession, and then you will want my love!"

Asmita's eyes widened and her head spun. Her heart galloped and her throat went dry. She was on the edge, and it would not be long before a full-blown panic attack took over her. She pushed him away and tried to catch her breath. Vikas locked Daksh's arms behind his back despite the older man's vehement struggle to free himself.

"I will never want your love, Daksh Malhotra. Never!" she said, praying for the police to arrive, and to her luck, she heard the blazing sirens.

"Let go off me! I will claim you, Asmita! You will be mine! I will make you mine!" said Daksh, ignoring the sirens and the approaching footsteps of the police.

The constables took over from Vikas and cuffed his wrists behind his back. Daksh's nostrils flared, and he writhed in the constable's grip, but to no avail. "You will regret this!"

"We can say the same for you, Mr. Malhotra. You just dug yourself a hole, and you will regret this soon," said the inspector, before turning to a shaking Asmita. "You are safe now, ma'am. We will take care of your safety. I would like the CCTV footage in the living room."

Asmita nodded, panting. Vikas wrapped his arms around her as she looked at the police officers, dragging Daksh away. "This is the beginning of the end of your worst nightmare, Asmita. I promise, there is a better future waiting for you."

Vikas's words offered an inkling of hope to Asmita, who was on the verge of drowning in the abyss of darkness that lied ahead of her. She could only hope his words turned into her reality and earning her justice acts like a catharsis to relieve her from the agony that trapped her within its depths.

__________________________________________________________

There will be an epilogue next, and hopefully soon.

This story was special to me in many ways. I see stories glorifying abuse and normalizing stalking and obsession every day, and I also see how many young minds we mold because of those stories. I think writers have a responsibility to avoid portraying social evils as something that a hero/heroine does.

The stories we read should empower us to make the right decision and help us draw strength, and not make young minds stray from their paths. I remember how stories I read as a teenager made me think obsession and stalking are romantic. It was not till I experienced it myself that I realized it was not romantic. It was a horror which caused a dramatic shift in my perception of romance and love.

Daksh is an amalgamation of monsters we see at our workplaces, educational institutions, and other places we frequent. Narcissists are classic abusers, who love bomb, gaslight, and make their victims vulnerable. If we look closely enough, I'm sure each one of us knows a Daksh Malhotra, and this story was an attempt to show it is not right to be treated the way that Daksh Malhotra treats you or the people around you.

If it changes at least one person's perception or makes you think about this, I will feel I achieved my goal. I hope you enjoyed reading the story. Thank you so much for traveling in this journey with me.

Stay safe and take care.

Love,
Yagya