Once they reached home. It was as if she had been wandering for so long. This house and the atmosphere, no matter what the surrounding she felt. But the peace here was something she would never feel anywhere. She past the big rusty iron gate, few steps away from the main door. Her hands reached to the door bell. She breathed the mild holy basil fragrant in the air, her mother, saanchi likes to plant flowers on her door steps. As the believer of positive energy and Vastu Shastra, she often brags about the importance of direction for any particular thing.

TARA remembered once she had kept her mothers favorite jasmine plants at the wrong place in the main leaving room, when her mother was hospitalized. After the two weeks of hospitalization, when she returned home with the sulken cheeks and dark bags under her eyes. she had lost half of her weight. Hairs screaming their story of not being in a good care. Tara felt helpless for her mother for not being able to help her much. When Saanchi notices the plants were kept in wrong direction, she blamed it for everything that happens to her. She told TARA that if they don't comply with the principles of Vastu Shastra and placed in the wrong direction then they can bring forth inauspicious luck for the inhabitants of the house.

The black wooden door cracked open and she greeted by pair of hands embracing her.

"Di you came at last. I missed you." She heard the voice was familiar, and she realized who it was. It was her cousin. She tried to remember when was the last time she met her and that the girl has said these words.

"We can talk once you leave me. I can't breath." Struggled TARA.

She looked at her behind. Her mother, Saanchi had came out of the kitchen to greet her. No matter how many years had it been since her marriage. They still treat her like a guest. She always felt like she had not been habitual of their behavior. As if they were hinting something to her. Perhaps, they were saying that she became stranger to them. She wondered.

She smiled and touched Saanchi's feet, as a respect to the elders. Her mother leads them to the leaving room and they all sat on the old fabric sofa, which occupied by two person. Niharika, left to the kitchen to arrange some snacks and tea for them and let the two talk in private. TARA and her mother, they both talked about the random things carefully leaving the detailed out.

Tara had taken a note from her previous action to not to let them know, what she was going through. The reason she knew that they would hardly believe on her. Especially, her father. He will not believe, what she was going through every time. Even if should die screaming her pain and suffering, they will still accuse her. And this reason was enough for her to zip her lips as far as she could.

"How Rishi is doing?" Asked Saanchi approaching to cup.

"She is doing good. Just her knees pain has increasing day by day." Tara replied handling her the cup of tea.

"And Vivaan? Is he good to you?" Her eyes searched Tara's.

Tara looked down at her palm, the tea on her hands was getting colored dark as she focused more intently. "He is very patient with me. Always takes care of his wife and son." Tara's eyes escaped her mothers carefully and her lies were seems to appear a confident truth to her mother. which she believed. Saanchi did not bother much to know whether what her daughter was saying even true or not. She sighed and a satisfactory smile curled on her lips.

They were talking when Niharika interrupted and drag Tara out of her mother's sight saying "I'm taking her with me, you two save your conversion for later."

  Once they were settled Tara  asked,"did you bought what I asked you for? you know, I can't come here every time." 

 "Why can't you just keep all the products at your place. You know I'm saying this for your betterment." Niharika took out a big khaki colored travel bag from under her bed and kept on the edge of the bed next to Tara. 

 "As if it is easy. You know, I have a drunkard husband who is habitual to break the things when he is drunk in the middle of the night." chuckled Tara.

 "You know di, I still can't believe that you are married to a person like Vivaan. He don't deserve you," the bed deepen as she sat in front of Tara and added, "why can't you just divorce him. He is such a jerk." Tara clasped her hand, harshly. 

 "Keep your voice down. If papa will hear this, we both won't be alive." She reminded her and Niharika nodded in understatement. 

 They both knew the fact that things like divorce and abusive marriages are taboo, of which they can never discuss nor they can tell anyone about it. It is being said to Tara, when she was getting married that she can't tell anything about her married life to anyone, it brings misfortune. And if she is suffering in her marriage then she should be patient enough, she should bare everything whatever the circumstances is and will be. She should never takes the name of suppuration and divorce, as if it a curse or bring out misfortune.

  Tara lied down on the bed, her feet dangling at the corner of the bed gazing at the stars and the moon stickers, which her sister sticks at the middle of the roof just from where she can have a perfect look of her entire universe. She remembered they used to shine at the dark. 

 "Maybe they don't shine anymore." She mumbled to herself.

  "Huh, you said something?" Niharika asked, her fingers speeding on keyboard of her phone, her lips broke in a wide smile. Tara's eyebrow  grew together as she tried to remember when she saw her sister this happy. 

 "I'm guessing you are hiding stuffs from me now." Tara blurted out and added,"that's great." As she closed her eyes in disappointment. 

 "Nothing di." Niharika replied quickly. 

  "Do you think I will buy you lies?" Tara looked at her sternly, her eyebrow raised. 

 "You will not believe di! I have got a friend. Now I too have a friend." Niharika beamed in happiness.

 Tara jolted from her place as she asked astonished, "are you serious?" 

 "We met at the college fest. I was searching books, which fortunately was on his stall. And fortunately we share the same likes. So we became friends and he liked the books I recommend him." Niharika winked. 

Tara ruffled her sister's hair lovingly. She was happy for her. She knew having a parents like her's. It was hard to make a friend and if  by any chance they have one. The friendship will not last long. She remembered there was no friend for her. She spent her school life being the introverted child though she was not. There had  been rumours about her being an abusive child of an abusive father. She would spend her whole day in school not talking to anyone and kids bullying her. She didn't get the courage to fight back then and now too and maybe she will never.

 But God gifted her a sister, who was her best friend. Her sister was everything for her. But now she wanted Niharika to live a life the way she wanted to live. Tara didn't want her sister to live a miserable life like her. 

 "Make sure to keep it low." Tara warned her and Niharika nodded. 

 She flip on the other side of the bed resting her head on the pillow, "and please don't use this DAMN MOBILE of yours in front of them. if you don't want to see the pieces of it." 

 "I'm more careful then you think." Niharika mocked keeping the mobile in the drawer of the side table. 

 "Yeah I know, do me a favor close the door while you leave the room. I want to sleep."

 Niharika walked out of the room leaving the door wide open as she smiled widely and Tara groaned loudly in response.

   It was evening  when Tara sat upright on the bed, the duvet falling on her lap. She kept the back of her hand on her mouth to prevent yawning. Her laziness vanished as soon as she heard a familiar voice. It was Vvaan. She dragged herself out of the room, stumbling on her feet, folding her hair into a quick bun. Straightening her scarf securely. 

 "Oh there she came." Vivaan smiled as if he was happy to see her. Tara forced a smile knowing well that it was all his act just to be a perfect son in law in front of her parents. 

"At least wash your face before coming here like this."Her father mocked and she quickly turned to leave them alone. 

"Such a mess!" She heard her father say when she made her way to the washroom. 

She splashed water on her face, shrugging at the thought of her father. She learned not too long ago that giving attention to her fathers words will lead nowhere but to uninvited stress. She made her way to the kitchen, she didn't wanted to involve herself in conversation with her father. Not in front of Vivaan specially. 

"Oh, you are awake." She heard her mother, "yeah, I will help you." Tara replied softly. 

"Tara go and seat with Vivaan. I will handle it." Her mother stopped chopping onion. 

 "I will help you mamma. Vivaan is not going anywhere. We can talk afterwards at home." Tara exclaimed, her voice was stern. She looked at her mother and knew that she did not liked the reply. Instead, her mother took her hand and looked into her eyes. Tara averted her gaze doubting that  her emotions will show up. 

"Why are you like this, Tara? You should appreciate your husband. You should work to make things good in between you two." Saanchi squeezed her palm gently, as if she wanted Tara to believe whatever she was saying. 

 Tara looked at the women in front of her. Her mother, her worrier, her hero. She was ageing fast. Tara thought. She jerked her hand and added, "like you settled everything between you and papa." Her mother's sparkled eyes met Tara's and she slowly left her hand. Disappointment filled in her eyes. 

Her mother stepped back and turned to take out the tomatoes from the fridge. She did not said any words after that. Neither Tara heard her making conversation between them and she regretted the words that came out of her mouth. 

 "You should go and seat with your son in law. He is been asking for you since he came. Go and talk to  him." Tara tried to be gentle, but when it comes to Vivaan she did not know how to be one. Her mother nodded and left without a word.

"I must have hurt her. I should have been careful with my words."She thought out loud, sighed. 

"It's okay. Mamma is just like that, she will forgive you even before you leave the house." She heard Niharika. 

"I hope so too. Help me out instead of eating snacks." Tara glared at her. 

Tara looked at her phone and it was almost time for their dinner. The dinning table was set with numerous dishes, which Tara did not remembered they had it since long. But it was their in front of her, on the table, present with a fancy garnishing. It was all for Vivaan, their son in law. She quickly served herself the rice and rajma gravy which she liked. Their was no way she was willing to join the chatter on the dining table. 

"You should eat more. I don't know why young people like you eat less these days. When I was at your age, I used to eat everything on my plate." Her father exclaimed, giving the big portion of an apple pie, which Tara had made. It was her favourite and she had asked Saanchi secretly to hide some of it for her. So, she can enjoy with Armaan later. 

Tara's eyes widened as she looked at the leftover pie, it was not as she expected. The tray was almost empty. Her eyes welled up as she played with her food. She was not hungry at all. Instead her mind went to the thoughts "now I have to share every half of my things with this man. Who does not care about my emotions." She pushed back the chair and rushed to the washroom.

Her eyes were moist with a salty water, which she tried to get rid off. The thought that her family chose him over her was hurtful but she was crying because the happiness she thought Armaan will have is nowhere to be found.

She wiped her face and unlocked the door. She was soon greeted by her mother. Who was waiting for her outside. Tara gave her a questioning look and her mother dragged her in the kitchen. She slowly slid a small tin box to her side. Tara looked at her confused.

"What's this?" She asked.

"When I know it was my Tara's favorite pie, how can I not keep it for her?" Her mother's words made her overwhelmed. And soon she was in her arms, sobbing like a little kid. 

It was late when Tara lost the hope of waiting for Vivaan and deciding to go back to bed again. He left her alone saying he will be back in an hour but it was past midnight and he was not home. Rishi had informed them in the morning that they will be back in a day or two, after doing their medication and now Tara was alone at home.

The fact that she was alone was peaceful but somewhere she wanted someone to talk. Her eyes went to the time, it was past three of the dawn. She shook her head and dragged herself in the bedroom. Her heavy eyelids started to close slowly and soon she heard loud noise. He was home.

Tara got up and went to Vivaan, who was a mess. He was reeking of alcohol. The big, wet stains on his shirt was hard to stand on. They were reaking of vomit. Frightened , Tara stepped back before he would see her and went to their room pretending to be asleep.

Suddenly she felt his shadow on her and other second the duvet was off from her. She didn't understand what was coming untill she found Vivaan hovering over her. She tried to free herself but he was still strong enough to hold her.

"You little b**ch, today I'll teach you how to f*ck!" Vivaan spat as he unzipped his pants and reached for her pants.

"Vivaan please stop this. I'm not ready yet. You can't do this to me!" She plead but it was unnoticed to him.

Vivaan pulled out his belt and tied her both hands on the hardest of the bed. He then moved to unbuttoned his shirt and slowly pulled out her pants with his dirty hands.

Tara growled in disguise, she cried out loud. Soon she felt the cold air on her skin and she found herself naked lying on the bed with her husband hovering and sulking her like a hungry animal. She screamed but he was busy kissing the inner thigh of her. She was debating if she would screamed more to call for help or she should let him do whatever he wanted too. Even if she would call for help, no one will listen to her. The most important he would not even remember it in the morning. His way of doing things are wrong but he has the right to do it. She thought.

Soon, Tara found her voice getting lowered and she let Vivaan have his way. There was no stopping and there was no pleasure in doing it. She felt, it is as if he was taking his frustration out on her. As if she was being used as an object.

"You are being too noisy little kitty. Let Daddy takes you to the heaven. Come to me." He whispered as she felt something was going in between her thigh and soon it was all dark. 

 The dim morning sunlight hits Tara's eyes as she squinted before opening them again. As she tried to turn on the other side of her's, she realized that her hands were free and she was covered in duvet. The phone alarm rang and she immediately snoozed it off. Her body was soar and aching from every part. She wanted to sleep more. 

 Tara looked at Vivaan who was sleeping next to her,  unaware of the fact that what he did the other night. "Or was he just pretending that he don't remembered things he do in his drunk state." She wondered.

She gave a quick look to Armaan and he was sleeping peacefully. She shut her eyes to sleep knowing and counting that she have one hour before Armaan will get up. Fresh tears trickled down her eyes and unto the pillow before she fell back asleep again.

The alarm ring made her jolted frok sleep. She catches her breath, inhaling and exhaling. She counted three and took a deep breath one after another before opening her eyes. She prayed silently, "let Vivaan not be there beside her."  She did not wanted to see him and her prayer was listened. Vivaan was nowhere to be seen.  

She slowly got up and folded her mattress aside, keeping the bed sheet aside for laundry. She noticed that it was late and she did not heard Armaan till now. Panicked, she walked to see where he was. 

 "Daddy will make tasty breakfast and nice orange juice for us." Vivaan said flipping the omelette to the other side but it broken in half.  

She halted in her steps as soon as she heard Vivaan's voice. Tara's eyes went on Armaan who was seating on his baby chair in the kitchen. He was busy playing with Orange to listen to any of his fathers words. 

Tara hurried to Armaan and took an orange from him, in return he started crying loudly. bewildered, Vivaan turn to look what happen, he found his wife standing in front of him. Their eyes met and she quickly looked away, feeling naked under his gaze. 

"He is allergic to orange, he started to breath heavily whenever he smells orange." Tara explained and picked Armaan up ready to leave from his sight.

"Where you are going?  Let's do breakfast together. I already made it, just seat with me." Vivaan exclaimed setting the breakfast table.

"Actually it's time to feed Armaan. You should start eating, I'll have something later." Tara forced smile making any excuse to get away from his presence. She did not understand his moods. How can he be so normal after what happened yesterday? She wondered.

While when she was laying on bed in early morning, she made her mind to avoid him. She did not wanted to see him. But there was no point to avoid him in this small apartment. Tara felt a hand on her shoulder making her to come out of her reverie.

"Please!" Vivaan pleaded. His voice was soft and calm as he squeezed her palm lightly. Tara did not say anything but nodded her head lightly.  She made Armaan seat on his chair and started feeding him the cereal which Vivaan made. She was surprised to see the efforts he put in everything, she hardly saw him doing any of this work in her two years of marriage. "Maybe because his mother is not here today that's why."  She wondered 

  "Aren't you going to eat anything? I made your favorite pancake, try some." Vivaan stuffed her plate with pancakes and some chocolate sauce. He took a spoonful bite and tried to feed her but Tara stopped him in middle. confused by his behavior.  

"Stop it Vivaan! Why are you doing all this?" Squealed Tara.

"I..I'm sorry for what I had done to you yesterday."  Vivaan pleaded. There was an airy silence. The tickled of the clock and the cracked noise of the ceiling fan they can hear clearly.  Tara did not said anything. She did not know how to reply. The only thing that was running in her mind was "he remembered everything.

"I don't know how I behaved yesterday. I..I can't remember anything. But when I woke up early this morning, you were laying unconscious by my side.  I did not wanted to do any of that thing believe me. I don't know what happened to me last night. I should not have done that. I'm really ashamed of myself, Tara." and he took her name. It was not like before, she did not felt it harsh and disguise. But it was calm and soft. It was the first time that she saw him like this, helpless and apologetic. 

 "I have forgiven you Vivaan and accepted this whatever we have as my fate." She said her voice was stern and added, "I want to forget about yesterday and all of those time where I felt as if my trust and pride means nothing to you. I don't wanna talk about this anymore." She stutter, her voice broken. The tears welled up in her eyes ready to fall but she blinked to keep it still. 

Vivaan pushed the chair back as he get down on his knees. He slowly took Tara's hands on his stroking it gently and added, "you know, I'm the luckiest person in this whole world that I have a wife and a life partner like you. You are my weakness Tara. And you deserve better, I will make it happen. I will become a man whom you can be proud of. I will try it. The yesterday's  incident will never happen again and I will always ask your consent. Please forgive me Tara." He squeezed her hand lovingly.

 Guilt and remorse on his face, the tears in his eyes were telling the tale of his mistake. For a second Tara thought to forgive and start a new with him but she remembered that he will never going to change. He will never make efforts to change and that these words were empty shell like always. She debated whether to trust him or not. 

  Giving chances to someone is always in our hands but respect those chances and standing on them will always be their choice. Which Tara knew that Vivaan failed to choose every time.  She will not let her trust break this time,  she will not going to believe in his words this time. 

  "I need time Vivaan. Please." She pleaded and he left her hand. Tara picked her son and walked to their room with hesitated steps. It was always confused Tara how he always do whatever he wants. He takes the decision in their relationship and in her life. The irony she felt even she try herself to free, he always ends up controlling her life. 

 An hour later there was a soft knock on the door, "I'm going to office. Papa will gonna come today and mamma will gonna stay two more days at her brothers house. Don't make dinner tonight, I will bring something for us. If possible you can rest today."  And he was gone. She envied him that he can escape from the house. How she wished she could go far away from everything. A lone tear escaped from her left eyes as she lay in her bed. 

...........

Dhruv walked up to his cabin, his bag hung carelessly on his shoulder. He stood by the chair glancing over his cabin, a slight glint of sorrow crinkled in his eyes. It had not been long since he started his business partnering with his best friend Adhiraj. And in a less time they achieved so much. Their company was now on Top 10 fast growing business list. They have recently received an award for their best performance. His eyes went on the photo, he kept on his desk. His lips curled up in a soft smiled as he clutched the hard board of the chair tightly.

"Mama papa, I did it. I achieved my dream." He mumbled.

  There was a knock on his door before a women in her mid twenties entered. She stood in front of him holding a tab in her hand.

"Sir, would you like to have a coffee first or should I tell you today's schedule?"

"What about you tell me today's schedule while I sip my coffee?" Dhruv suggested and she smiled before walking to the table where coffee machine was placed.

A moment later she placed the coffee mug in front of him and gave a detailed about his day. "You know you're the best secretary I could have tia, right?"

"Yes sir, you've told me this before and I'm grateful." She smiled appreciating the fact and he nodded.

  "Oh yes, there's someone who is waiting outside for you. I checked but he doesn't have appointment."

"Give him tomorrows appointment and tell him to come then." Chuckled Dhruv as he noticed the share price risen since his last visit.

"I told him sir but he said it's urgent. He tried to call you but you were not reachable."

Dhruv checked his phone and sure his phone was dead. He put his phone on changing and gave her a look.

"Send him in. I'll meet him first then we will proceed for the day." His secretary nodded and moments later a man in his thirties walked in. Without even Dhruv telling him, he took seat and gave a long stare.

  "What are you doing here?" Dhruv asked surprised. The man seating in front of him was his uncle, his only family he have.

"What am I doing here? What are you planning to do with your life?" His uncle Veer, asked giving a death stare.

  "What happened this time?"  Dhruv asked clearly annoyed.

"What happened? I want to ask, what you did at the grand hotel room?"

Dhruv's eyes widened as the fact of the other day came to his mind. And he told Tia to handle the matter without Uncle veer knowing.

  He knew that uncle Veer always check everything what he did his whole day. How his meeting went? Did he have food? Or When did he left the office? From Tia. And she couldn't hide anything from his uncle. She was permitted to do that.

"God! I forgot to tell her that she has to keep it a secret." Dhruv mumbled silently.

"What are you mumbling. Answer my damn question!!" Uncle Veer ordered fumbling in anger.

"It..it was a mistake. I didn't do anything to her. I tried to free my hand and she ended up being unconscious." He tried to reasoned.

"Unconscious? She was bleeding, when I got there to know the matter. By the grace of God, Tia was there, she didn't let anyone enter In the room until I was there and I had to settled that women out with her hospital charge and the money she demanded." Uncle Veer explained the lines on his forehead drew deeper as he continued, "be thankful that the matter didn't leaked to any news reporter otherwise you would have been in a today's headline on every news channels. You're a clueless like your father." He finished sipping the last sip of his coffee.

Dhruv looked at his uncle, he did not know how to respond to all of the thing his uncle was saying. He was thankful but he debated whether only thank you would be enough or he should add something more. Should he say, "thank you so much uncle, I appreciated it." After a moment of thought, as he opend his mouth to say something his uncle cut him off and added,

"You should be careful from next time. I don't want you to ruin your future and this company because small matter like this. I'll be going now." And before he could show how thankful he was. His uncle stood up and embraced him gently.

"You're doing such a nice job don't let any filthy women ruin your future. I'm proud of you." Uncle Veer said before bidding his farewell.

It was a long day when Dhruv walked in his apartment tired to do anything. He changed into his nightwear, his eyes getting heavier to sleep as he typed on his keyboard.

"Thank you." It was all he could type before hitting the send button and drifting off to sleep.

  The continuous sound of a message notification irritated him, as his sleep was disturbed. Dhruv looked at his mother frustrated and annoyed.

"Mom, can you please keep your phone on silent! I'm trying to sleep."

"I can but you know, I won't be able to know if someone will call me." His mother reasoned before switching on to the another video which Dhruv probably knew it maybe a WhatsApp status from one of her friend or someone must have sent a video on whatsapp group which she was enjoying on a full volume. Not knowing that it was disturbing his sleep.

"And this dabba (container), why you have to take this big container to uncles? Why did you tell me to look after it? Look the oil is leaking from it." He pointed to the container he was holding on his lap. Which his mother said it was pickle in it. 

"You're just cribbing cause I forced you to come with me." His mother turned to him and added, "at the end of this highway, there's a mall you can go and buy something to eat for you. I'll wait here okay? Is this enough to compensate for your today's cricket match?" She glared and Dhruv nodded turning to window looking outside.

Once they passed the highway,the car halted in front of city mall as his mother promised. Dhruv went to buy burger for him and tacos for his mother. By the time he came out of the mall. He saw his mother was waving from the other side of the road at him saying to hurry, he smiled and made his way to the car.

He crossed the side and waited the green light to turn red. He started eating his burger as he couldn't wait. When the light turned red and as he took a step to cross the road. Dhruv halted in his step the burger and tacos for his mother fell from his hand as the world spin around him.

A taxi was rushing toward their car, deriving on the wrong side. The taxi tried to swerves to its right, but it was too late. As it hits their car, they made a dying screech, something breaks . His mother thrown forward. There was no seat belt to slow her down as her face smashed against the steering wheel and bends like half formed clay mask. Her face scrunches, her jawline contorts, her teeths were knocked out. Her eyes protude inhumanly, blood spurts. Suddenly the car flips over the railing and slams into the truck on the opposite side of the road. A deathly silence descended. Time freezes. Pisces of glass and tissue and teeth stay suspended mid air, unmoving.

   He blinked several times trying to believe whatever happens infront of him. He ran toward their car, which was shatter into pieces. The burning smell of rubber engulf as orange and red flames lick everything up.

"Mamma! Mamma!!" He searched for his mother. Shouting and screaming her name.

There was a movement on the floor near the flipped car, he rushed to it. It was his mother, who was struggling to breath. Dhruv reached for her, she was still smiling at him. Her face turned at awkward angle  from the neck, her lips cut and bloody. She was flooded in blood. There was no trace of life in those eyes but she had a smile on her face.

Dhruv kneeled down and slowly took her head on his lap, "Mamma please don't leave me. Please don't close your eyes. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!! I shouldn't have said anything. We should not have stopped here. I'm sorry." The fresh drops of tear rolled down on his cheek as he held his mother's cold and unconscious state.

"Mamma please come back please!" And there his mother smiled for the last time before closing her eyes and going in the dark for forever. The hand slipped from his hands and landed on the ground.

"Mammaaa!!!!" He cried out loud.

Dhruv woke up with a start. Sweat clung to his body and stank up the room. He shivered. He looked up at the clock it was late dawn. He ran his hands through face breathing heavily. Another nightmare, another breathless night. He was sleepless now.