Her DARK World

~every passing wind

I ask, what was my crime?

birds flying every day

I ask, what was my fault?

begging from every level

I am praying for them, for whose sake I left everything.

I wish someone could tell me,

What did I do, the one who got such a big punishment?~

Dua !.

..

..

"Hey! Eat your dinner, God knows what she is writing all the time", One of the Jail's ladies yelled at her.

Dua folded her diary and put it under her bedding. She smiled at her fate and again ignored their rude comments.

Dua saw her meal and shook her head again in disapproval. She swallowed hard those tight chapati with watery pulses/grams.

"Oh! So Madam wants to eat restaurant food", Another cell member spoke and tried to poke Dua.

Dua ignored them and continued to eat her meal but she lost her temper when another cell member threw her plate.

Dua stood up in a blink as she choked one girl and kicked another one.

"Don't you dare bitch. Don't you dare to disturb my peace? I won't leave you again. I won't give you another damn chance", Dua said grittedly and squeezed her hand on the cell member's neck.

One of the prisoners was whimpering in pain on the jail's cold floor and another prisoner was having difficulty in breath because of Dua's hard grip.

"Leave her, otherwise she will die" The female warden came and tried to detach them from each other.

Dua left her neck and glared at the people who were looking at her. Dua's eyes were red, looking like a female version of BEAST.

"I'm saying this again and again. Don't you dare to disturb me and don't dare to touch my things", Dua said in a cold tone that made them gulp down fearfully.

"Bitch", another woman from a different cell said loudly and everyone listened clearly.

Dua stopped and turned around to look at that woman and said in a low but strong voice, "Yes ! I'm a bitch but I'm a better bitch. Better than you who said behind my back at least I have the guts to say that you're a bitch openly on your face not behind your back. YOU BITCH".

Everyone trembled as they all knew that Dua was not a weakling and that anyone could come and crush her.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME", Dua said as she clenched her jaw.

Then she lay down on the cold floor.

Everyone stared at her and then they went back to their work.

On the other hand, Dua closed her eyes stung badly. Her heart was cold because of the events that happened in her life.

Her heart thudded frantically searching for peace and warmth from someone who would console her.

"Why?", Dua's heart asked and her soul cried.

Her mind was restless because of her cruel condition.

It was another day that was ruined by others.

But Dua wasn't a weak woman who would cry. She knew how to fight and how to protect herself in the prison.

The time made her learn about the world and Dua had learnt very well from this time.

....

The Next Day, In the jailor's Office:-

"Dua! I want to hire a lawyer for you", The Jailor said who was fond of Dua.

Dua looked at the Jailor.

"And for what?", Dua arched her eyebrows and asked.

Jailor gave her a small smile.

"Dua! I know why you are here and what happened to you", Jailor said sympathetically which didn't fit well with Dua's cold-hearted personality.

"So?", Dua closed her eyes and opened only to glare at him.

"Dua! Don't be like this. I want to help you. You are wasting your time and youth in this hell hole", Jailor's voice was pleading.

But Dua shook her head negatively as she breathed deeply.

"Listen, I came here and always talked to you. It doesn't mean that I'm giving you any right to make decisions for me and I don't want any lawyer", Dua spat bitterly cold and Jailor shook his head negatively at her.

"You've been here for the past five years, Dua and I think you need help", Jailor said and threw some newspapers on the table for her to see.

"I don't need help, Mr. Jailor", Dua said while taking a glance at the headlines of the newspaper.

~A Twenty years old woman arrested by Delhi Police for MURDER AND BLACKMAILING~

Dua's breathing labored.

"Dua! Your next hearing is next month so please support me and I'll try to help you", Jailor said and she shivered by reading the headlines.

Her heart wavered painfully and memories tried to pull her again into the ocean of pain, darkness, loneliness, and tears.

"You used the word 'TRY' in your lines. it means there aren't any chances for me to win the case then why are you wasting your time and money on me?", Dua asked the jailor while chuckling softly.

Dua knew how weak her case was. She was a murderer and this stamp would never fade from her life.

Dua looked again at the jailor and moved to work with other women in the prison.

Jailor saw Dua and understood why and how cruel and cold-hearted she became. But he was fully aware that there was still a broken girl who was hidden inside that hard outer appearance.

"I'll help you, Dua. You're like a daughter to me", the Jailor said and took his phone and dialed a number.

.....

The Next Day, In front of her cell:-

"Hey girl, someone is here to meet you", the Female warden said and Dua was stunned because in these five years, no one had come for her then why now?

Dua's eyes looked straight and found a tall and firm figure approaching her cell.

Dua's eyes bore into his midnight Black eyes. He had a glint of fire and ice in his eyes.

"What a combination of fire and ice?", Dua thought while standing confidently in front of him.

"Hello! I'm your new lawyer. Someone contacted me for your case", He said and gave her a small professional smile.

Dua rolled her eyes at his words and she badly wanted to beat that jailor who was trying to create a mess in her life. However, she controlled her temper and threw daggers at the lawyer.

"I don't need a lawyer. Go away", Dua said arrogantly and turned around to walk inside the cell.

She looked away but the next second, she heard a chuckle. She looked at him.

"Sorry, Miss Dua but I am taking your case and I want to hear your story", He spoke and smirked and his smirk irritated Dua a lot.

"Why?", Dua crossed her arms around her chest.

"Because I'm interested in your case", the lawyer replied casually and continued to stare deeply into her eyes.

"Nothing is interesting in it so take my advice and go away", Dua said grittedly and sat down on her bed.

That lawyer sighed softly.

"You've been here in this cell for the last five years without any reason, Dua and I think for me as a lawyer is all that matters", He said listening to him, her eyes moistened but she controlled her emotions.

"Don't you want to know about your family? Don't you want to meet your family?", He asked one by one and each question pierced her heart.

Dua craned her neck and looked emotionlessly at him.

"What's your name?", Dua asked because something about him was making her dizzy.

His eyes held numerous questions, thoughts, and hidden wildness as well.

That lawyer was looking too powerful and His aura was too strong which made her uncomfortable. His dominant gaze was drilling holes into her soul that her eyes wavered and she didn't look at his face directly.

"ARIN", said and Dua mentally whispered his name "ARIN"

"I'm a Criminal Lawyer", Arin added after a few seconds and Dua chuckled again.

"Criminal lawyer?", Dua muttered harshly and Arin was still staring at her expression.

"I am ARIN Arjun Kashyap. The best criminal lawyer in the country", Arin introduced himself and Dua wrapped her arms around herself while listening to him.

"However, You can call me Rin", Arin said and Dua blinked her eyes.

"I . I. I'm D . Dua", Dua stammered because of all his overpowering personality.

Arin chuckled but he didn't break his gaze from her.

"I know about You, Dua", Arin said and their eyes clashed.

The time seemed halted.

They both stared deeply into each other's pitch-black eyes but found nothing.

"Take a rest, Dua. I'll come again. Prepare yourself for telling me of your unspoken, unheard story", Arin said and then he walked out of the cell, leaving Dua with a perplexed heart and wavering thoughts.

..

..

Thank You

ShineeSunshine ❤️

Inside the prison:

"I want to know about you, Dua?", Arin asked, and the lady warden gave him a chair to sit in Dua's cell.

Dua rolled her eyes and approached her bedding.

"Dua," Arin called her name loudly, causing her to squirm slightly.

"Stop calling my name; I am not interested. So, will you leave me alone?", Dua yelled, pointing fingers at him.

Arin was just looking at her, wondering how someone could change so much. He had all of Dua's information, but he preferred to hear her story directly from her.

"What happened and why did it lead her into the prison?", Arin stared at Dua and thought about every this and that possibility.

"I am applying for parole for you. So, Dua, be prepared to tell me your story because I do not like repeating myself," Arin said coldly, standing up from his seat.

"Will you really want to help me?", Dua asked, looking down at the dirty floor of the cell.

"Are you having any doubts about it?", Arin asked in his professional chilled tone.

"Sir! My case is weak and everything is very clear in it. You will lose your name, time, and status because of my case", Dua said and breathed deeply.

Images of her past flashed before her eyes and her heart constricted. This darkness sends chills down her spine.

"I never lose any cases of mine. I never beat. So stop worrying about everything and just get ready to go outside of this hell", Arin said as he stood up from his seat.

"I'll tell you and after hearing my story I want you to decide whether you want to fight for me or not?", Dua said and Arin nodded his head.

Arin already made up his mind to fight for her justice. Hearing her story was a small thing just to understand her case deeply.

"Your request for Parole is granted by the court and next week you are going to get out of prison", Arin said in his full authoritative voice.

"How did you get this easily?", Dua was shocked by the speed of his work.

"I'm a lawyer here and I know how the law works. I applied two months ago. So you just have to tell me your story without hearing your story. I won't be able to help you", Arin said and smirked making her roll rolled eyes.

....

A week later:-

Arin applied for parole and was granted by the board members of law.

Arin took Dua with him because she had no one in her life and She was inside the prison for the past five years. She had no family, no friends, and obviously no house in the capital city.

Arin didn't want to leave her to stay on the street or in some motels. So, he took her under his wing and gave them his house to stay.

A. A KASHYAPs

Dua read the nameplate carefully, hanging at the door. She stepped into the house. Dua stared at the house with observing eyes and found that the house was lavish and magnificent. However, Black and white colors made her scared.

"Whose house is this?", Dua asked panickedly and Arin could feel her trembling.

"Don't worry. It's my house and you'll live here", Arin said and bought some clothes for her.

"Huh? It's your house then how can I live here?", Dua asked grittedly and her eyes were too hard on Arin.

"Control your temper, Ms. Dua. I live with my parents but this house is also mine. I brought this house with my money and from now you'll live here whenever you'll get your parole'', Arin said and looked intimidated at her.

Dua squirmed under his blazing gaze.

"Oh okay", Dua replied and looked here and there to control her nervousness.

"Where is my room?", Dua asked and saw there were so many doors.

"Right-hand side of yours", Arin said and started to arrange a table for supper.

Dua looked confused. She stood in the middle of the house. She saw there were ten rooms. Arin looked at her and understood her confusion.

"Aah! You can take - - - - - "

Arin was saying something but they heard loud laughing voices coming from outside.

Both Arin and Dua turned around and saw the owner of the voices.

Dua panicked and Arin closed his eyes while groaning.

He shook his head in annoyance and looked at the intruders.

"Fai and Aru, what are you guys doing here?", Arin asked his elder brother AARYA (Aru), and younger brother ARIV (Fai) who came unannounced to his house.

Ariv and Aarya were gawking at Dua who glared back at them.

"Stop staring at me otherwise I'll poke your eyes", Dua threatened them and they smirked playfully at Arin.

Beasts could smell her fear easily but didn't say anything to her because Arin discussed her case with them.

"Ah! We didn't know that she would be here?", Ariv said and Aarya nodded his head quickly.

Dua continued to throw daggers at the Kashyap brothers who were talking silently to each other.

Arin looked at Dua and found her glaring at his brothers.

Arin smiled and said, "Dua! They are my brothers and they didn't know that you would be here or say I forgot to inform them. They are leaving now", Arin spoke to her and Dua still chose to stand behind him.

Arin looked at his brothers. Both Aarya and Ariv shook their heads and said, "Mom was worried for you and you did not answer her calls either. Talk to her".

"I will talk to her after clearing a few things here", Arin replied and both brothers left the house.

Dua was still standing there.

"You said this house is yours?", Dua asked, there was a fear in her heart.

Fear of betrayal.

"It's mine but I share this house or say I share everything with my brothers", Arin replied genuinely with a soft smile.

"Brothers?", Dua asked confusedly.

"Yes", Arin replied and made snacks for her to eat.

"We are Quadruplets. The elder one of us is a Doctor", Arin said but he did not disclose many things about his siblings as he had an elder brother named Shaurya who was the CEO of K.K corporation, and also had a baby sister named Arika who was married to the King of VitraVand Kingdom.

Dua nodded her head but an arrow of Jealousy hit her but she gulped down immediately.

"The youngest one is working at a construction site", Arin said and laughed softly.

Dua stared at him. His smile was pure and Dua looked away from him and thought, "What will happen to me from now on?"

"Go freshen up. Snack is ready", Arin said as he arranged the table.

Dua eyed the table and walked towards the new room with her small bag.

Arin smiled softly as he could understand her fears and those jealousy-filled eyes as well.

"I will change your life, Dua but you're a hard nut to crack", Arin stared at her retreating figure and thought.

Arin took the case file of Dua and started preparing himself for the next hearing of her case.

..

..

Thank You

ShineeSunshine ❤️

At ARIN's House:-

"I really need to know your story, Dua, so stop beating around the bush," Arin growled slightly at her.

He had been trying to talk to Dua for two days, but she refused to speak.

His shouts made her nervous, and Dua looked down, guilty.

"It is not easy for me to reveal everything about myself, Mr. Arin. "You may be my lawyer, but I did not ask for this," Dua said grumpily, her eyes red.

"But I am your lawyer, and your case is in my hands. That is why it is really important for me to know everything about your past, and that too from you", Arin easily controlled his temper and spoke in a calm tone, leaving Dua perplexed by his mood swings but still nodding at him.

"I have already wasted too many days with you. So now tell me, Dua, or I will not be able to help you in your fight", Arin said, as a lawyer, he wanted to give his all, but Dua was not cooperating.

Dua closed her eyes and remembered the darkness that sped up her heartbeat and breathing.

Dua panicked and hurt, but she knew Arin was correct. He was doing something for her. Jailor helped her, but why? It was critical for them to assist her. It was not important to those who did not know her or her past, but they chose to help her, but why?

Dua was still dazed, reflecting on her life before and after the storm.

Darkness, tears, pain, betrayal, and blood ripped her to the core.

Everything had changed in her life. She was not the 19-year-old girl who was happily wandering through the streets of her hometown. She was not the type of young person who enjoyed spending time in Delhi with her friends. Her life changed dramatically. She spent five years in prison. She was now twenty-five years old, with a dark past.

Dua shook her head and looked at Arin, who was patiently staring back at her.

"I am from Patna City, Bihar," Dua said, closing her eyes.

"My full name is Dua Srivastava. My father owned a Mart Shop. I was a single child with a single father. My mother passed away while giving birth to me. My father never remarried because of me," Dua said, her voice cracked.

Dua caught a glimpse of him and saw him staring at her intently. She gulped nervously and avoided his stares.

"I was happy in my life, especially with my father. He cared deeply for me. After passing my twelfth grade, I was accepted into the best college of fashion design in Delhi, but everything changed in my life. Delhi changed me, my life changed me, and time changed me", Dua said, holding back tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.

Arin gave her a glass of water, which she gulped down in one go.

"If you need time, I can wait", Arin spoke, and Dua shook her head negatively.

Dua looked into his eyes, hoping to read him, but they were blank, with no sympathy or condolences. Only a lawyer was listening to the story of Her DARK World.

"No, I am ready to share my life with you. I want to end everything. I want to see my father. I want to go back to my house", Dua spoke, and tears streamed from her eyes.

Arin said nothing to her, just stared at her intently.

The pain was visible on her face.

Dua wiped her tears and looked out the window of his home. A dark night screamed about her dark life. Her life had its ups and downs, but it never turned out this darkest, creepiest, and scariest.

"I was nineteen years old when I returned to my hometown, and there was a surprise waiting for me"

~Flashback Six Years Ago:-

Patna, Bihar:-

"Dua.. Dua.. Dua"...., Her name was disturbing her beauty sleep.

"Dua", Dua recognized the male voice that was calling her.

She groaned, hiding her face in the pillow.

"Dua, wake up, daughter." Her father was shaking her body, but she was not in the mood to leave her beloved bed and pillow.

"Papa", Dua spoke in a hoarse voice, sneaking a peek at her father, who was lovingly ruffling her curly hair.

"Good morning, Papa", Dua said, and her father smiled at her.

"Wake up, my friends are coming to meet me, and you are still sleeping." Her father spoke, and she sat down on her bed.

"Which friends, Papa?", Dua inquired as she collected her messy hair.

"My child, I told you a week ago about my friends who will come here to meet and visit the temple", Her father responded, and Dua slapped her forehead.

"Sorry, Papa, I forgot about their visit," Dua said as she went to the bathroom.

Her father shook his head at his childish daughter.

"Come quickly. Breakfast is ready", Her father spoke, and Dua looked at him.

"Are you not going to Mart?", Dua asked as she began brushing her teeth.

"No, the staff will handle the Mart today", Her father spoke as he looked at a photograph of his beloved wife, who was smiling broadly while holding her newborn child in her arms.

Her father left the room and served breakfast on the plates. Dua appeared and suddenly pounced on the breakfast.

He smiled at her.

"Dua! Dress nicely", Her father spoke, and she stopped eating her breakfast.

"Huh? Why are you asking me to dress properly? Am I not in proper dress?", Dua asked, pouting dramatically.

"No, my child", Her father shook his head and gazed at his daughter.

"I am just asking you to wear something else", Her father spoke and arranged his own plate.

"What do you mean, Papa? I always dress appropriately. I never wear short or revealing dresses", Dua spoke slowly and ate her breakfast unwillingly.

Her father sighed loudly as he looked at his saddened daughter.

"I am sorry", Her father apologized, and she smiled at him.

It was true that Dua always dressed according to the time, situation, and place, but only outside of the house or at college, not inside. Dua loved wearing whatever she could get her hands on.

"My child, I am just telling you that my friends are coming with their families, so wear whatever you want, shorts or skirts. I do not mind, but please spare my lungi today", Her father spoke, and Dua choked food in her throat.

Her father immediately rose from his seat and rubbed her back. He gave her water, and she gulped it down forcefully.

"I do not like you going in my lungi in front of them", her father said, and she understood what her father was trying to tell her.

Dua and her father exchanged stares before laughing.

"Dua! Please spare my lungi", Her father pleaded, and Dua again laughed loudly.

"No, Papa, I feel comfortable in your lungi and about dressing properly in front of your friends, naa, so do not worry, I will be a good host for them", She said and giggled upon seeing her father's face.

[Lungi is a white or colored cloth that is usually wrapped around the waist with the two ends knotted together. It is worn by various states of India]

"Girls love to wear Western dresses, but my daughter is unique and came from Mars, and she loves to wear my shirt and lungi", Her father spoke and shook his head.

Dua laughed again, stood up from her seat, and bent down slightly in front of her father. She kissed her father's cheeks and headed for the kitchen.

"For how many days do they live here?", Dua inquired, and her father joined her in the kitchen.

"Maybe for a week," Dua's father replied.

"Will they live in our house?", Dua asked as she began washing the dishes.

"No, hotels will be more comfortable for them", Her father spoke as he cleaned the kitchen.

"That is good", Dua spoke softly, and her father questioned her.

"Papa, I only have a week with you, so manage your friends' visits because I will be leaving soon for college, and I do not like it when someone disturbs my peaceful time with you. I came here to spend my holidays with you, but you are already booked with your friends", Dua said frustratedly, and her father stared at his daughter. He nodded in agreement.

Time passed, and the guests arrived at her house.

"Dua, come meet my friends and their family members", Her father introduced her. She touched their feet and smiled warmly at them.

Her father's friends smiled at her. Her father was proud of his daughter. She looked stunning in blue traditional clothes. Simple yet elegant. Dua looked at her father, asking him through her eyes. Her father smiled and shook his head. Dua noticed that his eyes were glossy. She rarely dressed up; at other times, she lived freely and dressed casually.

Dua served snacks and drinks to the guests, and as they began chatting, Dua became bored and uncomfortable in traditional attire. She missed her father's lungi a lot.

She sighed loudly, catching her father's attention. He exchanged a look with her, and she shook her head.

"Dua, please go to your room. You have an assignment to finish, right?", Her father asked abruptly, and she was perplexed, but she nodded her head and left them to their chitter chatter.

..

..

Thank you

ShineeSunshine ❤️