Avarudh-1

Ahalya Raghavan

20-11-1993

I was gazing at the vast stretch of mountains, standing on the balcony. The mountains stretched forever and the view looked like a painted canvas filled with splashes of light and dark brown everywhere. I could see no life in this stretch of barren land. No trees which bore beautiful flowers nor birds which chirped endlessly. I was trapped in this ancient mansion with a cursed servant who served a madman.

There was a sudden breeze which shook the barren trees and it blew my cotton saree revealing my blouse and waist. I shivered as the cold air hit my chest and pulled the saree back covering myself with my arms. A sob escaped me, I wet my lips and stared ahead till my eyes blurred and my thoughts muddled. I tried straining my mind trying to remember how in the world I came to this godforsaken place, but my attempts were in vain. I was lost and alone. My thoughts were jumbled, and interlaced with one another and created a chaos, a spatter of unforgotten memories and a splash of unrecognized faces. I was plunging into a world of madness. No!

I ran to the 3^rd pillar of the balcony and my eyes searched fervently for the name etched carefully and secretly ‘Ahalya Raghavan’, I traced my fingers over the name which was scribbled.

Don’t forget your name, you’re Ahalya, Ahalya, Ahalya Raghavan.

I repeated my name in my head several times, because of late, I forgot my own name. I was slowly slipping away from reality and spiraling down to a very diverse world which beckoned me with open arms.

I saw a tall shadow loom over me and a cold hand touched my waist from behind. I flinched, turning back instantly. Leaning against the railings, he placed both his hands on the balcony making me a prisoner. His eyes met mine and his mouth was twisted in a vicious smile, he took one more step closer to my body placing his elbows on the railings of the balcony. I turned my face away, disgusted. The moment our eyes met, I could see lust filled in his. They were hooded and hungry for me and unfortunately my body always surrendered to the slightest touch of his fingers.

“Tharune, oh, My beautiful lady.” He whispered, his mouth hovering over my neck. He closed the distance and placed a soft kiss on the side of my neck, I leaned away from him.

“Let me go.” My voice was a frail whisper.

He placed his hand on my lower back, applying enough pressure to push my body against the length of his and immediately placed another open mouthed kiss on the base of my neck. I quivered slightly, hating how he made me feel but unable to resist his mouth against my skin. I pushed his chest hard but he continued his onslaught on my skin by kissing every inch of my neck and I shook as pleasure took over my body sending shivers down my spine. He placed full kisses all over the side of my neck as his beard graced roughly tracing a path down to my collar bone. He bit my skin lightly and clutched my waist, squeezing it gently and I could not resist any longer, I gave in. I turned my face towards him and ran my palm over his chest until I reached his neck, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his chin gently as my lashes drooped down. He lost it.

He grabbed my face and captured my mouth in a kiss and we started our rhythm. He kissed me ardently and sucked on my lower lip as his hand roamed over my lower back, feeling every inch of naked skin he could lay his hands on. He slipped his hands inside my blouse and ran his palm over my bare spine. My back arched pushing my breasts against his chest as my head lolled back, he bent over my body and continued kissing me till we went breathless. He bit my lower lip and tugged at it slightly till my eyes opened and I looked at him from beneath my lashes.

“Tharune, you belong to me. The ruler of this Vamsha.” He rumbled and claimed my mouth once again, pressing his body against mine. I could feel his thighs and the bulge of his erection through the thin layers of my cotton saree and a soft moan escaped my mouth. He pulled back and stared into my eyes as he rubbed his erection against me until I moaned again, my eyes automatically closing. He dipped his head down and kissed the top of my breasts and I held the top of his head and yanked his hair—

“I’m most sorry to interrupt you My Lord, but there are guests awaiting your presence at our doorstep.” Chhaya interrupted.

He inhaled a sharp breath and kissed my breasts once more before he released me and stood up straight. He glared at Chhaya, his fists closed in anger and his nostrils flared.

“I have ordered you to never interrupt me.” He said through gritted teeth.

“Forgive me, my lord. But this is very important.” She said, her eyes were downcast and the gray in hair stood out as she bent her head down in supplication.

He stormed past her. I looked at Chhaya and my eyes widened and my cheeks turned crimson realizing what she just witnessed, mortification made me speechless.

“Child, go down quickly.” She whispered and her voice carried an urgency.

I ran without thinking, I ran past the long corridor which had artifacts of ancient rulers. Their faces sneered at me, each more haunting than the other. The only sound was my labored breathing and my anklets clinking, I reached the grand flight of stairs and saw him at the open door.

I could see three men standing at the entrance, he smiled at them and with a grand gesture swished his hands toward the mansion, inviting them inside. Foolish as they were, they fell for his beguiling charm and entered the mansion without a thought or hesitation. As they walked ahead of him I saw his hands reach into the back of his dothi and he drew his dagger swiftly without making a single noise. He raised his hand high–

“NOO!” I screamed running down the flight of stairs, but I knew that my attempt was futile.

 

…to be continued