Chapter 48

My life was left on the shores of the beach, what came along was my body with my heart beating but another life nestled in my womb….

A lot to smile for..

“Dexter..” I tried to talk.

But he cupped my faced hard in his palms. He held it tight. It was a small boat and was occupied by only three people, me Dexter and the rider. The boat was moving in full speed cutting the waves so I was wobbling and suddenly he tightened his grip on my hair, one hand still cupped on my face. Since my hair was shorter so his grip hurt me more. Also he was digging his nails on my neck so the pain worsened. But I kept my composure.

“You better follow me quietly. Don’t yell or shout. Behave. We are going back to Florida. Now! Got it.” His hazels angrily staring into my gray greens.

I dare did not protest or answer or ask. I simply nodded in agreement; I was so scared of his fierce behavior.

I quietly went to the airport and flew to Florida. I did not even bid my farewell goodbyes to my parents. I wanted to call them. But I was scared that Dexter might outburst in front of everybody leading to humiliation. I also wanted him to sober down before I disclose the good news to him. His sudden arrival was so shocking. I was wandering how he came to know that I was there. It was such a secluded place and he located me is so astonishing. But with the kind of contacts he has, being a criminal lawyer I think tracing through my mobile phone is very easy. Still he knew I was returning day after. Why? All the whys are left unanswered in my life? All I can do is wait for fate till it turns into my favor.

I fold my hands covering myself protecting from god knows what. I was feeling giddy and nausea tic too but did not have the courage to throw up. I wanted to wait till Dexter is in a good mood. Till now he didn’t look back at me. In the flight too he was busy with his official phone calls. There has been some emergency with one of his clients which has to be sorted out quickly.

He dropped me home and had to leave immediately so he did not get off the car.

‘To say or not to say’ I was wondering in my mind. Then I had the courage once I was at a comfortable distance from him for the first time in the day that he cannot touch me. I was outside the passenger seat of the car and he was sitting on the driver’s seat.

“Dexter we need to talk and it’s important.” I mumbled.

He removed his dark sunglasses that he was wearing, looked into my eyes with no expression wore them again and drove out of the house in full speed. The client was surely in a big shit as he had his most professional face on as he left. He was very peculiar about his work. I hope he makes it through so he’ll be in a good mood once he is back and I can convey the news to him. I keep my fingers crossed till then.

 Joshan’s  pov.

 Like the sand in the fist, Pearly too slipped away from me in seconds. All I could do was stand and stare. That b##tard pulled her harshly and even slapped her brutally right in front of me and all I could do was stare and see her move away from me. He hit her and I did nothing where in I should have ripped his head off from his body. He is broad built as compared to me but I have toned myself enough that I can easily teach him a lesson of how to treat your wife if I go hand to hand with him.

Oh shit where is the Cross I had brought for Pearly, for the safety of my god child. I had it in my hand. I wanted to put it to her and then Dexter came like a lightening and took her away. I was looking here and there to find it. It being lost was giving me an ill feeling. I was scared of the baby and its health. I dug the sand of the beach also but could not locate it.

I have to do something. I cannot let her suffer like this. She is in a myth that he would change once he gets to know about the baby. What if he doesn’t? He hit her that slap as if she was nothing but a piece of thrash. He looks as if his emotions and humanity are all dead by now. I will have to do something.

So I head towards my car and drive in full speed hitting the roads ignoring the lights. Only thing that was running in my mind was Pearly was unsafe and I have to do something before its too late. Both hers and her baby’s life are at stake. She should avoid exertions and stress and both of them are in abundance when she is at Dexter’s. All the negative thoughts were reigning my brain as I put my feet on the brakes in front of Pearly’s house.

“Pearly Pearly” I shouted as I moved around the house looking for Pearly and Dexter but there was no sign of them. Instead her parents were sitting in their room casually sipping coffee probably as they had big mugs in their hands.

“Joshan” her dad yelled.

“Where is Pearly?” I asked moving hands on my hair in frustration.

“She was with you since morning. We thought you knew that she left to Florida with Dexter.” Her mom said having another sip from her cup.

“Left for Florida?” I asked shocked.

“Yeah Dexter called up that he’s got some urgent work where he needs Pearly’s presence and signature, also he’s missing her so he’d be picking Pearly wherever she is and leave for Florida.” Her mom said cheerfully feeling happy about her son in law.

“Martha are you guys actually ignorant or you want to put a blind eye?” I said sighing disbelievingly.

“Son what’s wrong?” His father turned towards me in a manly gesture.

“Gaven Pearl.. she is..” I stammered wondering how to disclose to a father and mother about the suffering of their only daughter.

“Joshan are you okay. You don’t seem to be?” her mother now asked in a caring tone.

I moved my hands on my hair trying to put them on place. May be if I sober up I will be able to explain them better.

“Martha listen Dexter is no good for Pearly. Pearly isn’t happy there at all.” I said trying to compose the entire thing in minimal words so they understand without knowing much of the brutal truth.

“Joshan you love Pearly no?” her mom asked very seriously.

“Yes Martha I love her. I love her very much.” I honestly, fearlessly agreed.

“But you should understand she is married. Dexter is a nice and successful guy.” She gave her point of view completely ignoring the actual serenity of the situation.

“Martha you are not trying to understand. It’s nothing about my love for Pearly. I mean I love her. I do and I know she is married but Pearly is hiding truth from you. She hid her bruises and scars from you that had been given by Dexter.” I said restlessly.

 I needed their support. Pearly has to be rescued from where she is. She is expecting the unexpected. The way Dexter hit her, I wonder how she’s been taking it all these months and is still not ready to leave him. To even see the bruises was so painful and her body was full of it and the baby now.

“Son I think you should not interfere in Pearly’s life now. I understand you like her but she is married and you are late” Pearly’s dad said now.

“Late damn you are making it late.” I couldn’t take them any longer. “Listen Dexter is been physically assaulting Pearly all these months and Pearly did not tell you because she was worried about Martha’s health and your bad business conditions. She wanted to stay with Dexter and expects him to change one day but the way he hit Pearly right in front of my eyes I don’t think I can trust him. For heavens sake, for the sake of Pearly please tell me where does Pearly live in Florida or Dexter’s residential address in Florida. If you can come along and see it for yourself, it would be better. She doesn’t listen to me. May be as parents you’d be able to convince her better.” I said trying to control my sob. Being a guy I know I am not supposed to cry. But this is love and I felt like crying for my love.

“Dexter villa, 24th street, baker’s colony. Florida” her mom muttered and I rushed out of the house for the next flight to Florida.

 Pearly’s pov

I could hear Dexter’s car arriving at the parking area and I was preparing myself to tell him about the baby. He is always in bad temper that I am scared to talk to him but now he needs to know about the baby. I need to appoint a gynaec too.

He seems to have hit the bulls eyes as he landed in the kitchen once he entered the house otherwise he’d just order one of the maids to get drinks for him.

He returned with his bottle of beer and sat on the small table across the room, not giving one look to me.

“Dexter I need to talk.” I said politely

He didn’t answer simply continued with his mug of beer

I went close to him standing at a distance so that he could hear me audibly and if he feels like hitting I’ll get an alarm. It doesn’t help though because he hits till he is drained of his anger. But I am used to communicating with him like this. I can never guess which of my words ignites anger in him. Today though I expect him to hug me and kiss me with the kind of news I am giving to him.

“De..xter  I... I..   am pregnant.” I said.

And he blew off the sip of beer in his mouth spraying it all over me.

I flinched.

He got up and held me with my elbows looking intently at my face. “What did you just say?”

“I said I.. I … am pregn…ant and you gonna be father and me mother.” I replied scared to death.

He started laughing hysterically to this then he held me tight with my hair, “You stay away from me for 20 days. I catch you in the arms of a guy you had kissed a day before your wedding and you are telling me I am gonna be a father.” And he threw me to the floor.

“Kissed a day before the wedding?” I asked shocked about how did he ever come to know about it.

“Bitch you told me on the first night at Vegas. You were drunk and then you broke the truth.” And he kicked me again with his shoe, “Filthy bitch, giving my name to the bas…”

Oh shit oh no so this is why he doesn’t trust me any more. He knew about me and Joshan but Joshan was my past and we are married now. I had taken vows with Dexter and I have lived with those vows. How the hell can he think that I cheated on him? I have always taken him the way he treated me, never even complained one single time. Now he is attacking my sanity. He doubts me. He believes this baby isn’t his, isn’t ours. No, not any more.

“Dexter its YOUR baby.” I said standing on my feet strong as ever. I was true to my wedding and this child was pure. It was mine and my husband’s baby not a …

I retaliated for the first time after my marriage. This was my first protest against Dexter. All this while all he did was to me and now he had attacked my baby.

 The child inside me who had done nothing wrong. I could not take it.

 This was the first time I was loud in front of him, first time I looked at him fiercely, first time I disagreed to his statement. He could see a rebel in me. His ego was far from being hurt. I saw his eyes getting red with anger. I did not flinch. I was ready to answer back. I was a mother now and had to be strong. I kept my face steady at him and I could see his anger worsen with that very strength of mine. He unbuckled his belt and there he went with blows again and again. Initially I tried to stop him but it hit me so bad and so painfully that all I my inner strength vanished.

“No Dexter. It’s my baby, your baby. Dexter it’s your baby” I kept on mumbling, saying, requesting, pleading but he had the beast inside him awakened as his blows went harsher every time his snake skin leather waist belt flew in the air and turned back to me. I kept on saying that it was his baby but it did not reach his conscientious ears. He kept on whacking till he could no more and walked out of the room which I realized only moments later when I did not feel the blow for a long time. I was cuddled into a ball weeping silently. All my faith and hope being murdered with every blow of his belt. I was feeling pained and giddy and even like throwing up but did not have the strength to go to the rest room.

Crying bitterly I threw up in the room itself but nothing came out. It was then I realized I was starving. I hadn’t had anything since morning but the pain was so excruciating and I was feeling so week that I couldn’t even move to go get a glass of water. I stayed at the same place crying and sobbing.

“Pearly   Pearly” I heard someone yelling my name and I felt I was dreaming and kept my eyes closed to see the same face of the voice in my dreams. I subconsciously kept on rubbing my skin to ease the pain but in vain,

 ‘Pearly Pearly” the voice went louder and clearer as if from next room,

“Leave me I’ll find her.” the shouting voice which I clearly recognize but do not want to believe said.

“Sorry sir both you and us will be in trouble if our boss finds out.” One of my house staff’s voice I could recognize.

“As if I care.” The shouting voice said.

“Here you are.” He moved his hands behind his neck taking a breath of relief.

“You here. Are you crazy? Why have you come here Joshan? Please go,” I said or mumbled or whatever minimal strength I had I used it to utter those words.

He lifted me up from the ground hugging, “Everything will be fine. I am here.” He said.

I might have fainted for a while because next I remember is Joshan was feeding me with water.

“Joshan” I called.

“You alright Pearly?” he asked.

‘He hit you again Pearly?” he asked angrily now.

“Please go Joshan. Don’t make it further difficult for me. He knows.” I said.

“He knows about the baby still he hit you. That f##king..”  Joshan even angrier.

“Now Joshan he knows about you and   me and… the kiss… he believes I cheated on him and the baby isn’t………… his” I said sobbing now.

 “Sshhh Pearly please be quite. It’s not good for you and the baby remember what doctor said.” He said now cooing me, “If not for anyone, even if your parents aren’t supporting you, I’ll always be on your side.” He said with his painful voice. He was badly hurt emotionally seeing me like this,

“Joshan what are you saying? I am not giving up that easily with Dexter. I have married him. You gotta go. Let me handle it in my way.” I said trying to convince him.

 “Aah here goes my bitch wife again in her BEST FRIEND’S arms” Dexter said teasingly and most angrily as he suddenly entered the room.

I immediately left Joshan’s side and went to Dexter.

“Listen Dexter I can explain. Please give me one chance. I have nothing to do with him. We are just friends and this is your baby.” I said touching my stomach looking at the baby and the next moment I was on the floor as I hit myself on the corner of the bed on my abdomen hurting me bad.

“You dare hurt her again” Joshan warned Dexter infuriating him to the worst and next was the replica of what had happened earlier.

Dexter moved towards the window and grabbed the curtain rod throwing the cloth of curtain as the rings slide down the rods, my heart beating wildly at the very thought of Joshan being hurt by Dexter.

As the rod was emptied he rushed towards Joshan who was simply staring between me and Dexter trying to read what was happening when Dexter swung the rod and hit him on his right hand upper arm. Before Joshan could react, he fell on the floor. Then Dexter went for another blow as he swung the rod again but Joshan obstructed it with both his hands like a pro fighter but it still hurt him I could see from his face.

Dexter didn’t stop. He never would and went to hit another one to Joshan. I couldn’t see this. I cannot ever see Joshan being hurt so I got on my feet, hurting badly and reached Dexter trying to hold him, “No Dexter please leave him. He’ll leave now immediately I promise.” but Dexter paid no heed to my words and threw me away again and went for another blow. I stood in between the blow and it hit me hard, very hard. I fell on the ground.

I was holding myself tight as if it would help with the pain and eyes wide open scared of the worst.

“You F##k##g, b###ard, son of …” and Joshan moved to another window, grabbing another rod  from different window attacking even more violently, throwing the cloth in single swish and turned to Dexter ready for a fight.

I was so scared I puked. The only intake of water was also out of my body now.

Joshan’s attention shifted on me as he was worried about me and the baby wherein Dexter stretched for another blow right on Joshan’s head.

Joshan’s reflex was fortunately quicker and he saved himself keeping his rod in between and the rods banged each other with a loud noise. Soon it turned into a fight. Both were hitting each other and trying to protect with their rods too.

Bang Bang bang their rods met each other, my heart tearing into pieces as my love of life and my commitment of life- my husband were fighting each other. My health was deteriorating every passing minute and the pain was exaggerated in my stomach and I passed on a shreik. Joshan turned to me and came to sit besides me.

“Pearly are you okay. I am so sorry?” Joshan said worried.

And Dexter stood right in front of us with a gun in his hand pointed towards Joshan.

“No Dexter  no please don’t” I begged.

“Pearly Pearly where are you?” My parents called.

Joshan stood and was about to snatch gun from Dexter and he shot it.

“Thudddddddddddddddddd”

Next I could see Joshan bleeding from the ribs.

“Pearly” my mom shouted and my dad joined but all I could see or feel was my love Joshan falling on the floor and the pool of blood around him.

“Oh my god Joshan. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this is not possible. Shit Dexter you shot him. You tried to kill him only because of me. What a shit thing I am” I cried and cried. “Joshan I am so sorry sorry Joshan please hang on Joshan you’ll be alright. Somebody call the ambulance” I shouted and cried.

My mom hugged me and tried to cuddle me,

“Joshan I should die I shouldn’t live. It’s all because of me. I am sorry. Damn I am taking you to the doctor.” I tried to lift Joshan.

I tried to lift him, I couldn’t but I tried, “Somebody help” I yelled and my father came for the rescue. Dexter had already left after my parents arrived.

 We drove to the nearest hospital. I hold my stomach tight as it was paining badly but it was nothing as compared to the fear of losing Joshan.

“Dad please drive fast. I cannot loose him. He doesn’t deserve to die because of me. Sorry Joshan sorry. Mom he’ll be alright? Joshan please don’t sleep. Joshan I love you please I am sorry. I wish I would have died instead. Why did you come here Joshan? I was living happily in hell. I could take ten times the pain that Dexter gave only if you were happy and fine. Joshan Joshan ….” I cried bitterly.

  It was utterly difficult to get Joshan admitted in the hospital, being a legal case as he was shot. My heart was sinking with every passage of time. There was blood every where around his body. I felt like I am loosing him. But I can’t; fate cannot be that cruel to me. I need his presence in my life. I prayed to god to save him.

Finally my dad called Joshan’s parents who were very influential or something and sorted out and Joshan was taken under intensive care. They took him to the theatre and my feet were shivering now. The pain had risen to such an extent that I was numb. I could feel the pain but couldn’t react to it. I felt like puking too but I knew I had nothing in my body that needs to be thrown out.

Joshan’s mom and dad were flying the next flight to Florida and I just prayed that the angel in white court steps out of the theatre before that and conveys that my love, my best friend, my Joshan is out of danger. With the amount of blood loss he had, his survival was at stake but I knew inside I was visualizing the most of the positives. If I am alive, he should also live. He has to survive. He is a fighter. He has enough resistance power with the amount of steady work out he has done all these years. He deserves to live. He has to live. I need him. My baby needs him. I hope my baby is fine with two big blows on my stomach and this fierce pain; I am worried about the baby too.

 “He is out of danger. He’ll get consciousness in an hour as we have given him local anesthesia. The bullet just passed through. There weren’t any major injuries though. He is a lucky guy. One of you can go and sit with him.

I did not ask anybody I simply ran to the room. My legs had frozen of the pain. I couldn’t run normally but I still managed to limp and run to sit on a plastic chair besides his bed.

My hands were shivering very badly, I don’t know why but I still held his hand in my hand. I wanted to feel that he is alive; he is fine as if every single beat of my heart was dependant on him. I cleared his face of his golden locks and stared at him apologizing mentally for everything, for not admitting my love, for marrying Dexter and worst of it letting him know that my married life was not working well. Had I not returned back to Texas, he would have happily married Sandra. But now when we are together and he is safe. I am full of gratitude towards the almighty that he saved my love:)