My Tormentor

"Put the gun down. You don't even know how to hold that thing!"

"No, I won't. I am going to kill you today."

"Oh, really what would you do after that??? You know that you are going to die here after a few days. Without me, you won't survive, not even for a few days.

He was just trying to scare her but she had been over this. The brutal torture every night. This giant house was no less than a cage for her. She had been allowed to do anything but had no connection with the outside world. How long she had been there??? She even has forgotten the counting. She decided to kill the monster once and for all. She was trembling while holding the gun. She had never held once before.

She was scared and afraid and who better than the guy on the other side of the gun knew that??? He tried to calm her down. He was going to tell her the truth about everything but something else was written in his faith. He was the villain of her story and he had to pretend like one.

"Give me the keys. I am leaving your hell right now."

"Trust me babe that's a bad idea.''

''Do you still think you can scare me??? I am the one with the gun now. I am not going to ask again. Just give me the keys now.''

She pulled the trigger and he stopped. He was staring at her and thinking of the possibilities of his survival even after being shot from such a close distance. After speculating about the consequences he decided to move. Although the survival chances were very low from being shot such a close range. He still wanted to try. He had a little hope that she didn't hate him that much. She once loved him so much how could she let him die? She can't hate him that much.

She was shivering and even in that cold, she was sweating. He started walking towards her.

"I told you to stay away from me. Just stay there and give me the keys."

"I am not gonna give you the keys. Do whatever you want to do."

He was ready to take all the chances even if it involved him getting killed by the love of his life. He was back again in his beast mode.

"You think I am joking??? I will shoot you. Just stay there."

"Give me the gun babe. Give it back to me. You can't kill me. We both know that."

She realized that her warning wasn't affecting him. She had seen him being a monster and she knew how would he treat her after getting the gun again. She decided to play the card in reverse although she was scared as hell.

"Stop there or"

He was getting close to her with every step.

"Stop there or I would shoot myself."

"Don't be stupid. Give me the gun."

Although that thought shivered his body and his heart started racing. How could he let her do that?

"I am not joking. If you get any closer. I am going to shoot myself."

Saying that she pointed the gun at her head.

That's when he realized, it wasn't as simple as he thought. She could kill herself and he had no one left in the world. How could he let her do that?

"Okay. Put down the gun. I am not going to move. Not even an inch. Please. Don't behave like a child."

She tried a trick and gambled on herself and there he was. The monster of her life. On his knees. Begging her to not kill herself. Why was he doing that??? Does he still love me??? She thought. No, He can't. She was recalling the torture that she was facing all these months.

"You want the keys??? Take them but please don't shoot yourself. Put down the gun damn it. If not for yourself then for our baby."

She was shocked listening to that.

How could she be pregnant???

Why not actually??? She realized. Everything was adding up. Her body changes and her diet changes. Why was she puking a few weeks back? That's why he was being so kind and polite to her after that???

"What baby??? I don't want any baby. Not of a monster like you. I would prefer killing myself and this baby instead of that."

"Please I will do whatever you want. Do you want to go back??? I will take you. I will surrender myself. But please don't hurt our child. Please!!!"

He had to beg. She never anticipated that the tables would turn like that for her. She was begging for her freedom from his cage some time ago but now he was the one ready to do anything for the child.

"I would prefer dying than giving birth to your child. I will kill him then."

He was losing himself. His nerves stopped working. He could even hear his heart beating loudly. His dream of starting a new life with her. Starting a happy life was ruined. He had to do whatever she wanted. He had to save his child.

She pointed the gun at her belly.

"Please. Please. Shoot me instead. You are going to be a mom. How could you be so ruthless???"

''Well, that is not new. I had to abort a child when you left me. The one created with love. Not with hatred like this one. This won't be difficult."

"You were pregnant??? Why didn't you tell me???"

"I was an idiot. Trusting you like a fool. I was thinking of giving a surprise to you for our wedding night." She yelled. Her patience had reached its limits.

"I am so sorry. I had no idea."

He tried to get up and get close to her.

"Stop right there. You jerk. You were enjoying your time with your Ex back then. I should have known. You used me then and you are using me now."

"Please stop this blame game. You don't know what happened to me. Let me tell you one thing."

He heard some noises after that. How someone could get to his secret place? His island was a secret. Only he knew about that.

"Save it. I don't want to hear this at all. My dad will be hearing any minute. He would treat you the way you deserve and you know the best part??? I am getting the first-row audience seat."

His game was over. Everything he planned was over just because he let his guard down. He started trusting people again. And history was repeating itself. People he loved were betraying him again.

"I guess this is it. Shoot me now. I don't want to be killed by anyone else's bullet. Shoot me. I would like to die in your hands. Please Shoot me."

Shanaya Singhania POV

My Dad had always been so strict and I knew he cared for me so much and I never had been a stubborn child. My school was about to end and before going somewhere else to study I wanted to enjoy my time with my friends and they had arranged a farewell party. Now, I had been given the dared to ask for my Dad's permission. So, I agreed and decided to go with them.

I went home after that and Dad was on the lawn and was having his tea. It would have been much easier if Mom would have been here. She was out of town to meet my grandpa. She used to be my human shield and I used to ask her and demand everything from her therefore, all these years I got more close to mom than Dad. Now, I knew I couldn't call her, and I had to ask Dad by myself.

My Dad was a senior-ranked army officer and he was a strict man. When Dad used to ask me about anything I just asked him to do whatever he wants. I never got so much stubborn and had always been an obedient daughter. He was caring but he was so strict at the same time. Mom and I never got to resist his orders. Therefore, when he one day asked his mom to arrange dinner for his friends we had no idea who was coming. Mom asked him later on but on the spot, she couldn't say anything.

In the evening, I got ready and Dad and Mom were already on the lawn while I was being called I went down and It was Dad's Friend, Uncle Oberoi. He is a billionaire and owns a huge company. He deals with arms and makes all that stuff for the military and from there he and my dad become close friends. He used to come here more often. I was wondering why did Dad advise me to get ready properly. I was getting down the stairs and I got to see a boy sitting next to Uncle Oberoi. I went closer and I could see His Wife.

"There she comes. Ryan meets my daughter Shanaya."

Mom said while looking at him and then introduced him to me after I said hello to Uncle Oberoi. He shook hands with me.

"Hi, Shanaya. You are even more beautiful in real than in pictures."

Well, that was a compliment I didn't expect right in front of my Dad. While looking at my Dad I noticed he was smiling. That's strange now. Anyhow, Dad asked me to see if dinner was ready so I headed to the kitchen.

Our maid Pallavi was smiling and looking at me.

"What is it Pallavi?? Why are you smiling??"

"Nothing Didi(Means sister). I am happy for you."

" Happy for what? My result hasn't come yet and My match is next month."

" Ryan Sir is so handsome. You two will look great together."

" What?? You are kidding right??"

" No, why would I? I heard your mom correctly. She said Mr Oberoi is here with a proposal for his son. He wants both of you to marry and I have seen your Dad. He is so happy today."

Then all that was making sense to me.

" Okay. Stop talking now. Everyone is waiting for dinner. Make it fast."

She started working and I went out and as I looked up I saw Ryan and he was looking at me. Now, it started getting awkward. I sat beside my mom when his Mom Auntie Anita called me.

"Shanaya!! Come here, Daughter. Sit with me."

I sat next to her and she was loving and caressing my head and then she was asking about my studies and everything. I was answering that while Ryan was talking to my Dad. He was looking at me from time to time and I was seeing his smile. Anyhow, I was trying to avoid and ignore his gaze but I couldn't.

After the dinner was served Mom asked me to take him and show him the house. He was following me and we entered my room after seeing other rooms. He was looking at all the trophies and was interested in my hobbies. He was asking about my matches and my studies.

" So, I hope you know why we are here. I wasn't in favour of this arranged marriage scene but I am regretting why did I say that. I mean honestly, I had never seen anyone more beautiful than you."

I smiled and was nervous. What to say had no idea.

" You can ask me anything. Shanaya."

I looked at him and when I had eye contact with him I couldn't remember what I was gonna say.

" Okay, Then I will tell you about myself. I am Ryan Oberoi. I was born in England and after spending my childhood there I came back to India with my family. I completed my studies here and to get higher education I went back to England. I was there after that and I am doing a job there in a business firm as a senior manager. Dad didn't like my job at all so my parents emotionally blackmailed me and now I am back to take over his business."

"Well, India isn't that bad."

He smiled finally listening to me and got a bit closer My heart was beating fast.

"You are right. It's not that bad. It's very beautiful."

I moved away and he realized that he was making me uncomfortable.

" I am sorry Shanaya. Don't take me wrong. I am not a playboy. I was just mesmerized by your beauty. I am sorry."

"I think we should go down they must be waiting for us."

"Okay, Sure"

We went down and after some time they left and I noticed he didn't look at me. He was perhaps ashamed. They went away and we sat back and Dad spoke.

" He is a good person. Isn't he Shanaya??"

"Yeah. He is."

After that, I went to my room. I was too tired I wanted to sleep so I lie down and slept immediately.

Shanaya Singhania POV

I was still thinking about my first meeting with him when my phone rang and I realized that I was again lost in those thoughts.

I picked up it was Rahul. My best friend. I picked up.

'"Hey shanaya!! Have you talked?? "

"What??"

"Idiot! You forgot about the party. It is tomorrow. You gotta ask him. Please."

"Okay, I will try."

"Not try. You have to get permission. Please."

"Okay okay."

I hung up the call and decided to go and talk to Dad. I went down. He was in the study.

He saw me entering the room. He smiled.

After what happened between me and Ryan he got gentle with me. Although I tried to absorb his kindness I was still afraid of him.

"Hey!! What a nice surprise."

"I wanted to ask something, Dad."

"Anything, my sweetheart."

"I was thinking. My friends were saying. They were insisting."

"Oh come on say it. You can tell me."

"There's a party tomorrow night and my friends want me to be there. "

"Well, that's a good thing. So what do you want? Should I send the driver with you??"

"You are allowing me???" I looked at him in disbelief.

"Why not?? I don't remember you going out with your friends for long. And I know you will feel better. And after so many days my daughter started talking to me. I am not gonna say no."

"Thank You, Dad."

"Should I send the guards?? "

"No, my friends who be with me. I will be alright. "

"You are gonna take your car??"

"No, Rahul will pick me up."

"Rahul Malhotra??? Are you guys dating??"

"No, dad. He is just a friend."

I was trying to avoid that topic and got up but he stopped me.

"Sit here. Look at me."

he held my hand

"I love Shanaya. I know whatever happened to you wasn't right. I was mistaken. I thought he was a good guy but he was a criminal. I am sorry. "

"Dad please I don't wanna talk about it."

"But you have to."

"you can't just stay silent. Enjoy your life. Move on. You have to get over him. And I have seen this Rahul. He is a good guy. And I think you should give him a chance. Not everybody is like Ryan."

"Dad, please. I don't wanna hear his name either."

"Okay okay. I am sorry. But I gotta say It's useless to think about him. You have to move on. Your Mom and I are worried about you. We know it was painful for you. But you gotta move on now."

"Okay, dad."

"Promise me that you will give Rahul a Chance. Be optimistic darling. And I am here for you. I won't let anything bad happen to you know."

My eyes were filled with tears. Because when I needed my dad back then he wasn't there. And I would never forget that.

"I hope so."

I went back to my room and told Rahul about permission. He was happy.

After Ryan left me I was so shocked. That's when I met Rahul in college. He was really sweet and by the time our friendship grew I gotta told him everything about my life. He was my best friend. My only way of survival.

He works in his Dad's company now.. he was my senior I like him but I never thought he could be my boyfriend or anything more than a friend.

Anyhow, the next evening I got ready. I wore a black-coloured backless dress and wore a pearl necklace by the time I got ready. Rahul was there.

I went down and he was talking to Dad and he looked at me. For the first time, I was feeling uncomfortable with his gaze.

I went down. Dad was saying I was looking beautiful and after saying bye we went out. He opened the car door and I hopped in.

"You are looking so great. I can't take my eyes off you."

"Well thank you. Where are we going by the way? Where's the party??"

"It's in the Galaxy Nightclub."

When I heard that name all those memories were rushing in. The last time I went there was with Ryan.

I remember it was his birthday after we met and he called Dad and asked permission for the party and Dad agreed.

I wore a maroon dress that evening. He was looking so handsome that night. We went to that club and after the cake cutting. We were sitting together and for some reason, I was feeling good about him.

He was taking care of everything of mine.

"I hope you forgave me for the other day."

"Yeah, it is okay."

"So, what do you think of me now?? Is there still a chance for me??"

He made a cute face and I smiled looking at that. He held my hand while looking into my eyes. My heart started beating fast.

"I have never seen anyone smiling more beautifully than you."

He kissed my hand.

"Do you wanna dance??"

I nodded yes and we got up and started dancing. After the party song, romantic music was playing and he was holding me by my back and for the first time, I was so close to him.

I was feeling his heartbeat. It was racing just like mine.

He pulled me a bit closer. We were dancing and were lost in each other's eyes.

"To be honest. I can't wait to marry you. If you have no problem I can talk to my parents?? "

I didn't say anything and started looking away.

He smiled and then he asked me if I wanted to leave.

"Okay, sure."

He wanted to take a walk so we started walking. I was feeling a bit cold and he wrapped his jacket around me. And he held my hand. It felt so warm.

He was smiling and talking. And by the time we reached home, we had known each other well. He was a calm and compose guy.

We stopped outside my house and I was feeling so nervous. I was going to say bye and he pulled me into his embrace.

"I have never seen a pure person like you. I can't wait to meet you next time."

It was so good being in his embrace. I was feeling his warmth. He then said bye and I went in.