by MV Kasi
Dev’s rage erupted. “If you want a war, I’ll give you a fucking war,” he hissed, struggling while he was held back by her men. The knife nicked his skin several times due to his movements, but he ignored the pain.
There was a soft laughter from Sabitha Prajapati as she watched him. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you try, Singham,” she said. “Oh, by the way, the new red Ferrari you bought… it looks even better in ash.”
“You—”
Before he could complete, sounds of approaching vehicles could be heard from outside.
“Ma’am, we have to go,” one of the Prajapati men told her in an urgent tone. “We are on the Singham lands, and there are just the three of us.”
The knife held at his throat was moved away and Sabitha Prajapati let out another small smile. “Remember this day, Singham. You were at my complete mercy. I could have easily slit your throat or just plain castrated you. But I didn’t.”
***
PRESENT…
Dev’s blood continued to boil as he recalled the rage and helplessness he felt when Sabitha Prajapati had held him at knifepoint and left him naked in every way that night. Since then, they had clashed several times, each time trying to get the upper hand over one another.
Sabitha Prajapati was like a bloody hurricane—only twice as destructive when it came to him.
Some of the Singham men had been outraged on his behalf and wanted to plan an attack targeting only her. But he had stopped them.
Sabitha Prajapati might be the most cunning, violent, and dangerous bitch like everyone in the provinces believed. But she was his prey. Only he would get back at her for the things she did to him.
He took a deep breath to calm down and not think about how badly he wanted to get back at her. He had to repeatedly remind himself of one fact.
Sabitha Prajapati was not only his enemy but also his bloody ally.
However, despite the repeated reminder, he had to take a few more deep breaths to calm down.
Dev knew it was going to be a herculean task to work along with her over the next few months.
CHAPTER 5
Sabitha listened keenly as Dhruv read the document aloud to her.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” she said when Dhruv finished. “But make sure you add the notes about the specific days when the Prajapatis would be busy with the local fair and festivities. The Singhams can compensate with more people during that time, just like we would when they are busy with theirs.”
Dhruv nodded and marked the dates on the calendar provided. Even though Dev Singham had told that her signature wasn’t necessary, she signed on the document. “Take a copy of this and give one to Dev Singham. After that inform the managers we had appointed to meet us in an hour.”
“Sure, madam.”
Dhruv made a copy of the document using the copy machine in the office and left with the original papers. As soon as the door shut softly behind Dhruv, Sabitha sighed and sat back.
Her eyes fell on the copy of the document lying on her office desk. As usual, the words barely made any sense to her at the first look. Slowly and painfully, she managed to comprehend the first two words before giving up.
Dev Singham had called her an illiterate.
Even though she had reacted badly to it, it had been one of the better abuses hurled at her because of her lack of reading and writing skills. Growing up, she was called retarded, slow, or just plain stupid.
It didn’t matter that she displayed her intelligence in various other forms. The fact that she couldn’t read or write made everyone think she was intellectually challenged.
As a child, she was beaten and abused by various tutors her aunt had employed to educate her. Each tutor who came in succession after the previous one had been fired, turned out to be more brutal.
They had starved her and beaten her, saying they would drive out her insolence, that she wasn’t trying hard enough, and that she was simply lazy. It didn’t make much difference to them or her aunt when a doctor finally diagnosed her and gave a proper medical term for her disability.
Dyslexia.
A disorder that involved difficulty to learn to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols, but does not affect general intelligence.
In her case, it was a genetic disorder.
“It’s okay, sweetie. We don’t need to know how to read or write. We have people for it.”
Her father, Harshvardhan Prajapati, had suffered from dyslexia, too. But during his time, rather than diagnose it properly, they chalked his reluctance of wanting to study or write to his hyperactivity and natural male aggression.
So, unlike her uncle, Yashwanth Prajapati—who had gone for higher studies in London and settled abroad after marrying a woman of his choice—her father had dropped from school at a very young age and remained in the Prajapati province all his life. Until he was ultimately killed and branded a murderer.
Despite her attempts, Sabitha knew how closely she was following in her father’s footsteps.
Is that how it would end for me, too? Be branded as a savage murderer and then be shot dead one day on a street like a dog?
She hadn’t always chosen this life. She had been forced to do so.
All because of Dev Singham.
***
SEVEN YEARS AGO…
After getting caught at the Singham cottage, Sabitha was dragged back to the Prajapati Mansion.
Two men held her in the courtyard overlooking the balcony of her aunt’s suite. A crowd began to gather while Sabitha sobbed with helplessness.
She had thought she and Raghav had almost succeeded in their elopement. They were going to build a new life for themselves in a city that did not include violence or humiliation. She had thought she could finally escape from having to spend the rest of her life being called the murderer’s daughter who had started the feud.
“Neelamma is coming out!” someone from the crowd yelled. It was followed by the noise that was emitted as the large, heavy doors leading to the balcony were opened.
Neelambari strode out and looked down at everyone. “Bring her closer!” she commanded in an angry voice.
Sabitha was dragged closer until she stood just below the balcony. Her hair was pulled to tug her head back, until her eyes met with that of her aunt’s. Sabitha could only see the blurred form of her father’s sister.
“You have proved once again you are a daughter of a whore,” Neelambari spat out. “But unfortunately, you also have the Prajapati blood running in your veins. And I promised my brother I’d take care of you.”
Sabitha remained quiet as she heard the words her aunt often repeated over the years.
Daughter of a whore.
Promise to a brother.
Sabitha knew her aunt barely tolerated her presence in the Prajapati Mansion. After Sabitha’s mother had died in childbirth, Harshvardhan Prajapati had brought his infant daughter to his home. And when he was killed, Sabitha became her aunt’s responsibility.
Sabitha didn’t understand why her aunt couldn’t just let her go? Why continue to make her suffer in this grim life?
“Give up that boy, and I will spare you,” Neelambari ordered. “I will also let you live the rest of your life in this mansion until your death.”
Sabitha’s reply was immediate. She didn’t even have to think about it. “No. I won’t.”
Neelambari’s eyes widened with rage at her niece’s insolence. She took a step closer and leaned on the balcony rails, her eyes locked on Sabitha’s. “You have always been stubborn even as a child. But I know just the way to bring you in line.” She looked at the men holding Sabitha. “Tie her up! And take that boy away and tie him in the other courtyard.”
Sabitha was dragged away and tied to a tree in the courtyard with her front facing the tree trunk. She didn’t put up a struggle because she knew it would be of no use.
“Whip her! And don’t stop until I say so.”
As soon as her aunt passed the order, S
abitha felt the searing sting of the whip as it met with her back. Her nails dug into the tree bark, but she controlled herself and didn’t cry out.
“Make them harder! If you go easy on her, you’ll be whipped as well,” her aunt threatened the person who was whipping.
The lashes continued to fall, and Sabitha endured it silently. She closed her eyes and focused on her future.
When this is over, Raghav and I will try running away again. This time I’ll make sure we’ll succeed.
Raghav was the head cook’s son. He had a passion towards cooking just like her. They had fallen in love with each other and were to run somewhere safer. Somewhere far away.
Sabitha recalled the plans she had made along with Raghav.
Raghav and she would find a small house to live in. And in front of the house, they would open a small stall to sell homemade snacks and tea.
Even though she couldn’t read or write, she knew she was a good cook. She had spent most of her childhood hiding in the kitchens where she had learned to cook. Whatever dishes she had prepared, people had told her she had a magic touch.
She was confident her plans would work and with the money they’d earn, she and Raghav would be able to afford to stay in a decent-sized house, preparing for their future.
Sabitha didn’t know how long she was lost in her plans, but soon the pain became unbearable and darkness took over as she lost consciousness.
***
The next time Sabitha opened her eyes, the sun was shining hot from the sky above. She didn’t know how much time had passed since she had been tied to the tree until she gained consciousness.
Her lips felt dry. They were so parched that simply moving them made them split.
She wanted to ask for water, but she stopped herself from begging. She knew if water was allowed, she would have already been given some by then.
Soon someone informed her aunt that she had gained consciousness.
Sabitha was dragged in front of her aunt again, and she heard her aunt asking the same question.
“Promise to give that boy up and remain here with me.”
Sabitha’s tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She used all her energy to utter one word. “No.”
The whipping continued for three days.
Sabitha was even starved, but she still refused to give up on her future.
On the fourth day, when Sabitha gained consciousness, she was lying on her bed with her face down. Her back felt as though it was on fire.
She felt a cooling balm being applied on her back by someone.
“Tch tch. Look what you made them do to you,” a familiar woman’s voice scolded. The woman was her mother’s cousin who worked as a healing woman and midwife within the Prajapati Estate. Eighteen years ago, she had been the one to even deliver Sabitha.
“You are just like your mother,” the woman said with exasperation. “Stubborn as a mule. Even though Shaila knew Harshvardhan loved someone else and wouldn’t ever marry her, she still wouldn’t give up on him or her love. She shunned our society and had a relationship with him and bore you outside the sanctity of marriage.”
Sabitha didn’t respond. She was in too much pain to even bother thinking, let alone talk.
A few minutes later, the door banged open. “Has she gained consciousness? Madam wants her brought in.” Sabitha heard a man’s voice ask.
“She can’t come with you right now. She’s still too weak and injured badly.”
“Madam ordered us to bring her if she is awake. We can’t ever refuse madam. Step aside.”
Sabitha felt arms grab her and pull her out of the bed. Her legs felt weak, and she couldn’t support her weight. The men held her up and dragged her upstairs towards Neelambari’s room.
They stopped and let her collapse on her knees, right outside the open door of her aunt’s suite. She knew they were waiting for her aunt to come near the door to speak to her.
Even during her childhood, Sabitha was never allowed to go into her aunt’s room. Her aunt was a big stickler of the class system. The fact that Sabitha’s mother belonged to a supposedly lower class, made her less than the personal maids her aunt had employed. Only the higher-class maids were allowed inside the room to clean or bring food.
A large chair was placed behind the doorway within the room. A few minutes later, Neelambari appeared and sat on the chair with her arms resting on top. She watched Sabitha with a closed expression on her face.
Sabitha felt exhausted as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
“Will you give him up now?” Neelambari asked softly.
Sabitha watched her aunt through half-closed eyes and whispered out a single word. “No.”
Instead of going into a rage as Sabitha had expected, Neelambari slowly smiled. “I’m proud of you, my dear niece. Today, you have proved to me you are a true Prajapati woman. We never ever give up.”
Sabitha didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. She wanted to ask what her aunt had done to Raghav, but her eyes kept shutting and exhaustion was taking over.
“This iron will and grit you have, you are meant for greater things,” her aunt’s voice continued speaking. “You have the makings of being a great leader to the Prajapatis. Over the generations, our women always led. From now on, I will personally groom you.”
Sabitha shook her head faintly. “I don’t want that life,” she whispered. “I want freedom.”
Her aunt watched her quietly. “Why? Because you want to be with that boy and lead a pathetic, dreary life, living in a small shack somewhere?”
“Yes,” Sabitha replied. “I prefer that life over this.”
Neelambari was silent again. Then she sighed. “I truly wish I could grant that life to you, my dear. Only if I was convinced what you and that boy have is true love and worth giving up all of this.”
“I want to spend my life with him,” Sabitha replied.
“I know. But he doesn’t want to spend his life with you anymore.”
Sabitha shook her head. “He does want me. Please, let us go so that we can be together. I’ll give up my money, my assets, everything. Just let us go.”
Neelambari was quiet and appeared to be contemplating. “I know what you feel for him might be real. But he isn’t worth it. He trapped you for your money, my love. When he realized you would probably try to give it all up, he ran away.”
“No. He promised to be with me and that we’d start our life together without the Prajapati money or power.”
“He lied,” said Neelambari. “Or maybe it wasn’t a lie as such, but that boy was definitely not man enough to keep his promises when things got tough.”
Sabitha pushed aside her exhaustion. “What did you do to Raghav?” she asked.
“Nothing much. But whatever little was done… with barely five lashes, he begged to be free. He also made another promise. And this time it was to me. He told me he’d never step into the Prajapati province again.”
Sabitha shook her head. “You are lying! You must have killed him!” Panic started to take over her.
“I’m not lying,” Neelambari replied calmly. “Talk to him,” she said, and asked one of the maids to fetch a phone.
The maid dialed a number, and when the phone began to ring, it was handed over to Sabitha.
Sabitha heard the familiar male voice answer.
“Hello?”
“Raghav,” Sabitha whispered as sheer relief of him being alive took over.
There was a deep inhale on the other end. “Sabitha?”
“Raghav, are you alright? What did they do to you?”
“I’m fine. I’m in the city now.”
“Please come here and take me with you, Raghav. My aunt said if we stand together, she will let me leave from here. I have everything planned—”
“I’m sorry Sabitha,” Raghav said softly, cutting her off. “I can’t. I can’t risk being stuck in that brutal world again.”
“Raghav, what are you saying?” Soon, another kind of p
anic began to slowly take over.
“I’m sorry I promised you that we’d escape and build a life together, but I can’t keep my word.”
“But Raghav, you know very well that I—”
“I’m sorry, Sabitha. Please, forgive me. But I can’t help you.”
“Raghav, please. I’ll make sure you are safe when you come here to get me. Please listen—”
“I’m sorry.”
“Raghav—” The line was cut.
Sabitha frantically hit the redial button, but the automatic message of the phone being switched off was played. She tried it a few more times, but the same message was repeated.
Sabitha stared at the phone blankly as shock began to take over.
“I’m sorry, my dear,” Neelambari said softly with regret in her voice. “Men can never be trusted when it comes to matters of the heart. You give them everything—your love, your devotion. Everything that you have. But what do they do? They’ll still betray you in the worst way possible.”
Sabitha was in too much of a shock to react or respond.
“That boy barely took five lashes before he began begging for his life, saying he would leave you. I admit I had promised him some money if he went away. But if he really loved you, he should have endured it. Like you did.”
Sabitha just continued staring blankly.
She couldn’t recall when and how she had been taken back to her room. But that night, and the following nights, whenever she lay awake, she felt the crushing defeat when she realized she hadn’t yet escaped from the dreary, violent life.
Her aunt had been right about one thing. Sabitha didn’t want to give up.
Over the next six months, she tried to escape over twenty times. Each time, she was dragged back and tortured. She finally gave up trying after the sixth month.
***
PRESENT…
Sabitha recalled how she had been in that state of shock and defeat for a very long time after her last attempt to escape. A year later, the shock wore off and she had hardened her heart. She had taken up the offer her aunt had made and allowed her to be groomed to lead the Prajapatis.