Meenakshi kept staring at the road, speculating how her fate never gave up on making her miserable. The rain had ceased, flashing a clear sky above and the sunlight touched her through the open end of the bus stand, where she sat.
She opened her dupatta and stared at the soggy envelope and the small box. She skimmed her thumb over the surface of the royal blue box, her skin touching the intricate carvings. It was a beautiful box.
But why was it given to her?
Meenakshi felt her nose tingling and a sneeze came its way, accompanied by three more. Her wet hair and soaked dress were to be blamed for the cold. She rubbed her nose and stared back at the envelope.
Should she open it?
Of course dumb! It's for you! Do you need a special invitation? Her inner mind barked.
Meenakshi tore the paper carefully as it was already soaking wet and a few parts were scraping out. She managed to pull the folded paper and opened it. It was a letter.
The contents inside were a bit blurred out due to the ink smudging, but Meenakshi managed to read through it.
The thought of reading brought back her days when she had a hard time reading sentences at the age of 13 when other children could read fluently. Of course, her education was stopped and her freedom stolen. But Ryan took the responsibility to teach her everything.
"M, E, E, N, A, K, S, H, I,
See, this is so easy." Little Meenakshi looked at the paper, her name scribbled on it.
"Ryu! Your handwriting is so bad. I can't understand a thing."
Ryan gasped at her, fake shock evident on his face.
"Nuh, nuh. It's the legendary Ryan's handwriting. Remember! One day it'll be encrypted in gold."
He stood from the floor, standing like a king.
Meenakshi wiped her lone tear as it descended from her left orb. If he was here, he would've never let her stay in this condition.
With a sigh, she started reading the paper in her hand. The handwriting looked very neat.
"Dear Meenakshi,
You may not know me, but I do!
I know you're reading this letter right now and you have a plethora of questions drumming in your head.
But all you need to know is that I'll never harm you! I'll be like your friend who stays with you at the most difficult moments.
I know under what conditions you're living. And I want to help! From now on, you'll be getting more of these letters from me as a source of guidance.
I wish I could be there in person, to help you. But the burden of my guilt weighs heavier than I crave. And you're a married woman right now.
Until then, don't make any abrupt measures that'll get you in grave danger. The person you're staying with is a lot difficult than you can decipher.
So, hear my word. Stay safe and alert. Danger lingers everywhere!
I love you.
Yours faithfully
A"
Meenakshi examined the box laid on her lap. Her curiosity was taking the best of her and so she thought to open the box. She scanned around to check anyone was watching her or not, but the road looked empty.
"What are you waiting for? An invitation letter?" her mind asked.
She sighed and opened the upper lid of the box. A gasp escaped her lips as her eyes ventured the beautiful necklace lying on a blue satin cushion.
It looked like a key embedded with beautiful Swarovski diamonds designed in the form of a heart. She looked at its beauty in awe.
With trembling fingers, she picked the chain and found another paper beneath it. She placed the necklace in the box and took the paper.
"The key to my heart. Please wear it. "
The words said.
Meenakshi frowned at the necklace in the box. Did she have a secret admirer? The thought of Dhruv doing this crossed her mind. Since the necklace looked expensive and he could afford such an expensive thing. But his action today recited the contrary.
"No, it's most certainly not him. I can bet on that."
Meenakshi agreed to her inner self and closed the box with the necklace inside.
It was a misunderstanding. Someone must have given it to her by mistake.
"But the letter said 'Dear Meenakshi'. Dumb much?" her mind defended.
Meenakshi again looked back at the box. Why would someone give this to her? Who was this man? Or was he a woman?
Meenakshi felt her mind straining with the questions. She needs to find out the truth!
*******************
"Seven hours. Dhruv, maybe you should let her inside now. It's quite cold outside." Vijay spoke to Dhruv.
Dhruv was busy typing something on his computer. He replied without sparing a glance at him.
"Caring much about her? Do you like her a lot?"
"What! No! I-I didn't mean to say that! Dhru-" Vijay defended.
Dhruv raised his hand as an authoritative gesture to stop. Vijay stopped himself from speaking further.
"Then mind your own business. She's getting what a whore like her deserves. She should learn what happens when you cross paths with Dhruv!
Have you done the arrangements?"
"Yes"Vijay replied with a deflated tune.
."Hmm. Dismissed."
Everyone in the room nodded, including Vijay, and walked away from his chamber.
Dhruv spread his arms from the chair he was sitting on and wrapped them at the back of his head
His thoughts went back to Meenakshi, drenching silently in the rain. By now, he had deciphered her of being a scared cat. She didn't seem like the ones rebelling. He internally laughed at his late mother's horrible choice.
Nothing of her matched with him. And seeing her silent and broken just made him feel more powerful. People should know what he's capable of.
He moved out of his chair and walked towards the ceiling-floor glass window. The whole world looked so small through it. Just like it should be!
Small droplets of water started to adhere to the glass. Gradually, it started to rain.
Rain?
The rooftop, thunderstorm.
"You're a monster!"
The voice came back. Dhruv clutched his fist tightly.
"Take care of her. She's your soulmate." his mother had said these.
"Stop! She's not my fucking soulmate! And you're dead!"
Dhruv squeezed his eyes shut to stop the voice.
***************
The lady combed her brown hair curls with a brush, while her hazel eyes stared at the reflection on her mirror. She remembered the incident that happened today. She internally thanked the heavens for her rescue from the devil.
And even though she didn't like to admit it, she was saved by Meenakshi!
Veronica picked her phone from her dressing table and dialled a number. After a few rings, a deep husky voice was heard at the receiver's side.
"Listen, I don't think things are stable here anymore. I noticed some changes in him. I'm not sure, but maybe he has sensed something.
What? What do you mean by how can I be so sure?
I've got saved today from getting killed!
How can I tell?
Ok, I need to hang up now. I fear the walls have ears here.
Love you.
Bye!"
The call ended.