Warning: This chapter may contain mention of abuse. Do not worry I would never write anything graphic, I can't bring myself to do that. My thoughts, prayers, and love to all the beautiful souls out there who have been through or are going through a similar situation. 🙏

It's been just a week since the arrival of Parul and Chandrakanth was already looking forward to her departure. Padmini was having her hands full, with chores at the home front and the engagement preparations. Chandrakanth did his part, driving her paranoid by updating his guest list now and then and finding faults with everything that she was doing.

The living room was filled with extended family members who had arrived a day before the engagement, for the Kuldevi Pooja (*special prayers offered to the presiding deity of the family)

"Padmini" the curt tone indicated the brewing storm, she excused herself and followed him to their bedroom. She wondered if the kuldevi pooja was enough to save her from whatever was coming while climbing the stairs. Her insides flip-flopped and her palms turned clammy.

'Please not now, not amidst all the guests' she sent out fervent prayers once again.

He was at his mini-bar with his scotch glass, "Ah! Mrs Malhotra, please do join me for a drink".

The sweet smile, soft inviting tone, relaxed body language could seem nothing but a warm gesture to others, but Padmini knew better. The way his jaw ticked unnoticed and the glint of anger darkening his obsidian eyes, were evident only to trained eyes like Padmini or Das, his 'Man Friday.'

He held her arm and sat her in his favourite leather lounge chair and stood towering over her. Padmini knew that he would wait on, like the big cat on a hunt; she was his favourite and only prey. It didn't matter what she did or said, his reaction would turn out to be the same, punishing.

The scotch was refilled, his stance eased as he leaned on the mini-bar on her left, almost caging her in. It was clear, he was determined not to make a move but, Padmini can't afford to stay here forever. The house was filled with nearly two dozen guests, there were still things to be done for the engagement tomorrow.

She gulped the rock that obstructed her throat and gathered herself,

"you wanted to speak to me..."

She can't address him by name now, not when he is in one of his foul moods. He would taunt her for being disrespectful and taking advantage of him just because he let her call him by his first name. The anticipation was killing her more than the fear.

"Since when did you begin to think and act on your own? And upon whose behest Mrs Malhotra?" placing the glass back on the bar counter, he shifted and leaned over her trembling frame.

Padmini gulped, she knew this would happen but she had to act since it was an emergency.

"Gauri's... I mean the cook's daughter had developed complications in delivery. They had to perform a cesarean, they said they can't wait. You..."

He clutched her arms tightly, his nails digging through the sleeves of her blouse as he pulled her up to her feet. Padmini flinched in pain, her insides recoiled in fear, her body and brain were preparing for the assault which she knew was coming any minute now.

"So, you became the head of the household and decide to offer leave and paid the medical expenses without asking me? I had just gone for a meeting. I was not dead!"

He finished with a scowl which was slowly building into a rage.

With a muscular and toned body at 6'3 Chandrakanth, carried an air of superiority. The Malhotra men belonged to a lineage of warriors and all the men were bestowed with an impressive physique by birth.

The perfectly trimmed and gelled hair, the 'Maharaja-style' beard, and moustache highlighting the square set jawline, coupled with those deep-set obsidian eyes and angular eyebrows added to his intimidating leonine aura.
The handsome face was just a facade to his demonic one.

He never raised his voice, a raspy whisper like the hiss of a snake, words laced with venom. Nobody would suspect that he was angry or notice anything amiss.

He would have extended the same help to the servant without a thought, he did care about the welfare of his staff be it domestic or their organisation, no mistaking that. He didn't want her to take credit for the deed nor did he give her permission to make any decisions without consulting him.

"I...I'm sorry it was an emergency..."
a hoarse whisper broke out, before the sobs. Padmini could never gather the courage to speak in front of him when he was upset or angry. Fear clouded her brain and impaired her normal functioning.

"Let's compensate for what you have done Mrs Malhotra. Why don't you withdraw the amount that you blew away now on this cook, from the dowry that your father had showered you with?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm and humiliation as always. It always did when he spoke of her and her family. Her stomach churned and bile rose in her abdomen, leaving a sour taste in her mouth, she wished she could shrink in shame.

"What happened? The smart brain of yours can't think of a reply? Aren't you supposed to be 'a smart woman' according to your stupid villagers? Or..."
He drawled scratching his beard.

"Are you wondering where your cheap little brother went into hiding?"
Her brother was seventeen when she last saw him.

Chandrakanth's eyes glowered,
"What would you know about the value of hard-earned money? All you do is sit throughout the day on your big ass, gossip, eat and sleep. You are not worthy of any of this luxury, this life, nor me, you worthless idiot!"
The hatred was evident in his eyes.

"Good for nothing woman! No skill, no brain, not a single talent! The servants of this house are far smarter than you. My life is wasted because of you illiterate piece of shit! I was doomed the day I married you. I can never understand why my father felt you were a suitable wife for me. Imagine me, an MBA graduate from IIM, heir of the industrialist Jaganath Malhotra, stuck with a dropout like you for life. If not for the stupid promise he took from me before the wedding I would have gotten rid of you long back. I hate you Padmini! Did you hear me? I hate you!" shaking her violently like a rag doll.

The 'hate' phrase was pretty much brandished in her heart, soul, and every cell of her body but still every time he uttered it, it hurt. It hurt like a fresh wound inflicted on her heart, stung like salt being rubbed on the raw wound repeatedly never allowing it to heal! A sob escaped her mouth and a tear rolled down her cheek.

He hated tears, the scowl on his face deepened and the threat evident in his voice.

"Stop the drama now! Stop crying! And don't you dare show this sorry face downstairs in front of others. Am I clear?"

He grabbed her arms frisking her off the spot where she stood and finally pushed her away towards the walk-in wardrobe giving her a look of disdain. She stumbled backwards, managing to find a foothold without injuring herself. He pushed her against the wardrobe, his hands groping her brutally under her saree, she whimpered. Tears trailing down her face, she stood helplessly trembling in shame and fear while his nails clawed at her upper body.

"You will be punished for disobeying me tonight. Remember that".

He left her with the threat echoing like a rumble in her ears.

She gathered herself and walked into the bath to make herself presentable to the family assembled downstairs.
Every single word of his sliced through her heart and whole being like a thousand shrapnels.

This has been the routine past twenty-plus years. Her chest constricted, whole body burned with embarrassment, helplessness, and bitterness. She felt suffocated but, had mastered the art of hiding her pain.

She had to look to him for approval and permission in each and every aspect of life. From the sarees, she wore to decisions related to the house or kids or family she was never allowed to take a call without his consent.

The rest of their extended family simply thought that Padmini was so in love with Chandrakanth that she wouldn't bat an eyelid without his approval. Elders thought she was the example of the perfect wife written in ancient scriptures that lived and breathed in present days.

~~~~

Aparna and Samar's engagement proceeded very smoothly. The guests, the couple, and both the families were all very happy with the arrangements. Parul, Chandrakanth's sister was showered with appreciation.  A couple of Chandrakanth's business acquaintances even approached her with requests to organize their family wedding, which she politely turned down.

"Bua you should have accepted Mr Bhatia's offer to organize his daughter's wedding, the man can fly you back and forth on a chartered plane and you would have become the celebrity wedding planner in town".

Paarth expressed a bit of disappointment and confusion.

"Paarth, I'm surprised that you didn't understand why Parul rejected his offer".

Padmini spoke to her son as they gathered around one of the tables for dinner.

"He is a very powerful and influential man and one of the oldest associates of our company as far as I remember. Imagine if something doesn't sit well and things don't go according to their satisfaction in his daughter's wedding, not forgetting the fact that she is getting married to a senior politician's son. This could ruin the relationship between him and your father, and in turn, affect Parul and your father's too".

Realization dawned on Paarth. "Never thought about it from that perspective. Not only him, but we might also lose people associated with him and might suffer a major setback in the market too". he voiced thoughtfully.

He glanced at his mother approvingly, "you know Ma, I always knew you were much smarter than you project yourself to be".

"Alas! You, apparently my boy don't carry my sister-in-law's genes, but my dim wit brother's. Never thought fate would play such a cruel game with my poor Padmini darling!"

Parul quipped so dramatically, that a few of their relatives sitting at the same table burst out laughing at her tease. Parul never let a chance go by in vain to tease and taunt her elder brother. Always filling Paarth and Aparna with their childhood stories and pranks she constantly pulled on her elder brothers, which Chandrakanth considered very much unnecessary.

"Seriously? Parul behave your age please and leave all your childish behaviour at home not among guests, I have a reputation to maintain".

Chandrakanth was interrupted by Das, who led him to the main hall to send off some guests.
                         

~~~~~~
A whiff from the past...

Padmini and Parul were more like sisters than sisters-in-law since they were childhood friends. Parul was sixteen years old when Padmini stepped into the Malhotra family as their daughter-in-law at the age of eighteen. Chandrakanth was twenty one when Jaganath got him married to Padmini. Soon after he left for IIM Ahmedabad, to study MBA.

Jaganath Malhotra and Ambika Malhotra had two sons and a daughter - Suryakanth, Chandrakanth and Parul. Suryakanth was pursuing his MBA in the USA, where he fell in love with a British girl, Emma and returned to India seeking his parent's blessings. When Jaganath refused, Surya revealed that they already had married at a church in the US.

Jaganath refused to accept a foreigner as his daughter-in-law and disowned his son, thereby denying any share in his property or any rights as a son. A shocked and hurt Suryakanth returned to the US with his wife and never came back.

Jaganath feared that Chandra might get influenced by his brother's deeds.

"Chandra, before you leave for your studies I want you to make a promise for me."

Chandra had always idolized his father in every aspect, so assured him without thinking about what was on offer.

"Chandra, I want you to get married to the girl of my choice before you leave for your higher studies. So that at least one son of mine will upkeep my family honour."

Soon after, he handed him a girl's photo, she was a stunning beauty who seemed oddly familiar but Chandrakanth couldn't place it.

"Do you remember Kailashnath, the caretaker who is with your grandfather at our ancestral home? He is the one who manages the agricultural lands in our village. It's his daughter, Padmini. You might have met her in childhood. Both your horoscopes have matched. My parents feel she will be a perfect daughter-in-law for this family and it's our wish that you marry her and settle down".

"Pitaji! I will keep my promise do not worry. You can proceed with the arrangements".

Chandra couldn't believe his luck, Padmini's ethereal beauty had knocked him off his feet.

The same week the family left for their village to finalise the marriage alliance. Jaganath had settled in Delhi due to his business but made it a point to visit his parents in their village every year. As kids, Surya, Chandra, and Parul spent their holidays or festive occasions with their grandparents. Some of their cousins also would visit around the same time. Up to a certain age, they all played together during these trips. Later, when Padmini had reached her teens she was allowed to meet only the girls of the household, as it was the norm in villages.

Unmarried teenage girls were not allowed to interact with men, except for close family. She used to visit their ancestral home to spend time with Parul, taking care of her like an older sibling.

Neither Chandra nor Surya were aware of this since the girls were in a different wing of the palatial home moreover, they found all girls to be silly and annoying. They had their cricket and other boyish recreations to keep them busy.

On an auspicious day, the meeting of the bride and groom was fixed, Chandrakanth could not contain his thrill and anticipation after having seen Padmini's photo. Draped in a simple emerald-coloured saree with barely any jewellery, her thick black hair braided loosely and hung below her waist, her honey-brown eyes downcast and shy, with her caramel-coloured flawless skin, heart-shaped face, and the innocent village beauty that she was. Chandrakanth was bewitched.

She never lifted her head to look at him, it was a mark of respect too, to the elders present. When Chandra's grandfather asked if she agreed to the proposal, she whispered her reply to her mother, who in turn voiced it saying that she accepted the decision of the elders. The priest who was present there carried on with the rest of the rituals of Roka (confirmation of the betrothal). 

The engagement was held in a simple gathering the same evening. Chandra however got restless, he wanted to meet her and speak to her, hold her in his arms to be more precise. He was waiting for an opportunity for her to be left alone, which sadly never happened.

The wedding date was finalized within a week and was to be held in their ancestral home, in the presence of only both their families and the rest of their village. Jaganath hosted a grand reception in Delhi for their business associates.

What started as a beautiful life and had the promise of a 'happily ever after' turned into a living hell for Padmini in a matter of a few years.

Author's note: Hello dear friends! Please do read, share your opinions, comments, and feedback.

Like I have already mentioned domestic violence or abuse is not something any sane human would favour or support. I strongly condemn it too!