DAMINI (THE PRICE)

Damini kept running as fast as she could without looking back. She was running from a stranger who wants to kidnap her. Her heart was beating fast and heavy. She glanced and saw the stranger moving closer with a wicked laughter. Damini turned and was happy when she saw her house standing at the end. She ran faster than before and entered her house. "Mom". She called as she entered. breathing heavily. "Dad".She fell beside her mom who was sitting on the sofa. Her father was standing. "A man was chasing me. I don't know him and I don't know what he wants".She breathed heavily as she explained. The door bell rang and her father went to open the door. "Welcome sir".He said as a man entered with two bodyguards. "You can come in". Damini recognized the man immediately. He was the man that was chasing her. "Mom".She called and moved closer to her."That's the man I'm talking about. What's he doing here?". "Hm. I wonder why you didn't tell her about the contract". The man said as he signalled his bodyguards to carry her. The bodyguards moved closer and carried Damini who was crying and jerking to free herself. Damini's mother ran to her room crying while her father stood doing nothing but looked sober. The bodyguards carried Damini out of the house and dumbed her into a car. Damini opened her eyes gently as she scanned the room.She realized she was in her room. It was just another dream. She sighed as she sat up and brushed her hair back behind her ear. What was wrong with her? Why was she having a weird dream on her special day. "Happy birthday!!!". Damini heard her parents shout immediately after the door went open. She snapped out of her thoughts. Micheal and Emily entered the room and repeated the chorus. "Happy birthday". "Thanks".She smiled. "How was your night. Sweetheart?".Emily said as she sat beside her at the edge of the bed. she brushed down her hair "Fine mom".Damini smiled. "Will you come down in a bit".Micheal said. "Your mom and I have a surprise for you". "Is that so?".Damini asked with her eyes wide open in excitement. "Yes".Emily smiled and stood up. "Let's leave you to dress up". "Will be down in a bit".Damini said as she stood up from her bed. Micheal and his wife went out of her room. Damini smiled as she rolled in to her bathroom. Today was her special day. Her twenty first birthday. Damini was more than thrilled. Her parents never forget her birthday or forget to present her. She was blessed to have such parents. Even though she was old enough to do the house chores. Her mother never lets her single handedly do them. Her mother was works as a designer at a local cloth store. While her dad worked in an either microfinance or bank or insurance company. What ever. She's just happy her father stopped the work and was now working in a*****e. What else would someone have wished for?. "What gift does mom and dad had for her that day?". Damini thought as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel round herself. She walked up to her wardrobe and opened. Different wears lined up in front of her. She picked a light green crop top and a mini short and laid them on her bed. She dressed up and checked herself up in the mirror and smiled. She went down stairs and met her parent smiling at her. "Happy birthday".They chorused again. "Thanks".Damini smiled at her parents. "Make a wish".Micheal said as he brought a cake with a candle on it. "I wish for an adventure".Damini said and blew off the light on the candle. Michael and Emily laughed at their daughter. And Emily brought out a box and handed it over to Damini. Damini opened the box and saw a new pair of shoe".She hugged her mother." Thank you, Mommy ".She went to her father and hugged him too." Thanks Dad ". " One more thing ". Micheal said and brought out a smaller box. Damini collected it with a smile and looked at her parents who held each other in embrace. "What's in it?".She asked in curiousity. Her parents has always managed to keep her keep her in suspense and she has always loved their surprise. Damini opened the box and saw a box of jewelry. She was thrilled. She opened the jewelry box and saw a rare gleaming necklace. It was beautiful and special. Damini spent time glancing at the necklace from the box. Micheal took the box from her and removed the necklace and unhooked it. "Glancing at it won't put it on you".He placed it round her neck and hooked it. Damini turned and hugged her father. "Thank you daddy. I love you. You're the best dad in the world". "You're the best daughter in the world".Micheal said as he brushed a kiss on her hair". " Damini".Emily called." That necklace is very special and it must be well protected. It has hundred languages of I love you in it. And as long as you protect it. It will also protect you. Even when you're not with us". Damini smiled." You know I do cherish and protect everything I get from you".she placed a hand on the necklace. " This necklace is different ". Micheal said in a serious tone." It's special from someone? ". " Who? "Damini asked. " You will find out very soon". Emily said. Damini looked at her father before looking at her mother." Is something wrong? ". " No".Emily replied." But no matter what happens. Always remember we love you". " Mom". Damini called curiously. "Dad". "Happy birthday".Zara shouted as she entered the house with a cake. "Happy birthday to my best friend in the world. She dropped the cake on the table and hugged Damini. Damini smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks Zara". "Uncle Michael.Aunt Emily".Zara called as she hugged Damini's father and Mother. "How are you, Zara". Emily asked and Zara hugged her. " I'm fine ". Zara replied and turned to Damini."I have a surprise for you".She said. "Later in the day. Jus get dressed and I'll come and pick you". "I'm not in the mood to go anywhere today".Damini said as she fell to the chair. Emily took a tray and cut the cake into smaller pieces. She shared it round and took her seat alongside with her husband. "Don't tell me that".Zara said. "What if Frank called for us to go out?".Damini asked. "He will indeed".Zara said out of annoyance. "I bet he hasn't called to wish you a happy birthday". Damini glanced at her cell phone and remembered Frank had not called her. She hugged her phone tighter and bit her lip in disappointment and sadness. "Happy birthday".Frank shouted as he entered the house. Damini jumped up and threw herself up on her boyfriend. "Happy birthday, baby".Frank said again. "I'm sorry if I'm late". "You're not".Damini said. "You're here just at the perfect time".She kept her smile on. "Hello, Uncle Micheal".Frank greeted. "Aunt Emily". "You're welcome, My son".Micheal responded. "Hi".Frank said to Zara but she pretended not to hear him. "Zara" He called. Zara hissed and went to sit beside Emily. Damini looked at Zara. "You shouldn't disrespect my boyfriend like that".She fired. "And your boyfriend should learn to respect himself".Zara fired back at Damini. " Damini". Frank called. "Let me go and get changed".Damini said. "Let's go out". "I thought you said you were not in the mood to go out".Zara shouted. Damini ignored Zara and faced Frank. "Huh. I'm sorry. But I came to tell you that I'll be traveling.I have some presentations".Frank said. "What!".Damini exclaimed. "I thought we already talked about this. No work on my birthday. Isn't there another person to go for it". "My boss wants me to do the presentation".Frank explained. "And he promise to reward me. Don't make it up. I want to spend today with you". " Damini".Frank called. " Nevermind ".Damini said as tears streamed down her cheek. She ran to her room. " Damini".Micheal and Emily called unison. " I'm sorry".Frank appologised. " Keep the sorry and don't come back here".Zara said angrily as she stood up and went to Damini's room. " Damini".Zara called and she entered her room. She met her on the bed crying." Calm down. I'm sorry ". " You don't have to be sorry".Damini cried." He should be. He promised me that he won't go to work on my birthday. He said he would take that day off. He never had my time". " He does not love you ".Zara said as she hugged Damini." He doesn't love you". " He loves me".Damini defended." It's just his work". " why do you always defend him everytime? ".Zara asked." He didn't even bring you a present ". " He'll make it up".Damini said again and Zara gave a deep sigh. " I pray you realize soon that Frank does not love you".She said." Well. I hope you'll be in the mood to go out now". " No". Damini said almost in a whisper. "I'm not taking no as an answer" Zara said as she stood up from the bed. " Get ready by four".She walked out and closed the door. Damini forced her back down on the bed and covered herself with the duvet. Zara, Her best friend since high school. Was the only person after her parents that know her. That understood her. That always cheer her up. That loved her. Zara and Damini met on the first day of resumption when Damini mised her step and fell over Zara who was in an angry mood. Zara got mad at Damini and insulted her while Damini appologised. When they got to class, Damini and Zara were seat partners and when the teacher called Zara to answer a question. Damini saw that Zara didn't know the answer. She picked a paper and wrote the answer on it, She gently tap Zara and showed her the answer and that was how she saved Zara from the disrespectful word of the teacher. Zara appologised to Damini and Thanked her. They became friends and became best of friends when they graduated. Zara was staying alone as her parents lived in another country . Zara has never liked Frank and was against it when he came to court Damini but Damini already had crush on Frank and didn't hesitate to say yes. Zara could do anything. She just wants her friend to be happy. Damini closed her eyes and slept off till noon. ---- Damini and Zara entered the executive lounge and one of the attendant took them to their reserved seat. "I don't know you did this for me".Damini said as they settled in their seat. "Who else deserves this?".Zara smiled and placed her hand on Damini's hand." You are my best friend and my only family here. I'll do anything for you". Damini smiled back." Thank you". The waitress arrived with an exclusive and executive drink in a classic and gleaming casket and dropped it on their table. " Thank you".Zara said as the waitress open the drink and served them. She picked her drink and held it up." Happy birthday". " Thank you".Damini said and cheered with Zara. Then they started drinking. Damini noticed a man sitting in the VIP corner with a lady. Though the man was on glasses. Damini felt his eyes on her. She noticed the lady drooling all over the man who did nothing but sat down and rested his back on the sofa. Zara pulled Damini's hand and led her to the dance floor. "Come on".Damini said. "I'm not in the mood to dance". "Come on girl".Zara shouted. "It's your day. Dance away your sorrow".She pulled Damini and shake her to dance. Damini sighed and forced herself to dance. They danced and played before Zara excused herself to use the restroom. Damini went to their table and stood beside it dancing slowly and quietly as she held her drink. "Happy birthday".Damini heard immediately before she felt someone rocked her. She turned immediately and saw a tall handsome smile who gave her a wet mild smile. "Happy birthday".He said again. It was the man in the VIP corner. " Thank you ". Damini said in a low falling tone. "How may I be of help?". The guy laughed with his laugh and made Damini's knees feeble. "Oh! You don't know me yet. Well, I hope you love the present" . Damini looked surprised." What present? ". "Oh!. You're wearing it".The guy said and picked the necklace on her neck. "It looks good on you". "Who are you and what are you talking about?". "You will find out in less than four hours time". The guy said. " I wonder why your parents hadn't explain to you". He rubbed his thumb on Damini's cheek and she felt feeble to his touch. She tightened her hand round her glass cup to avoid any suspicion of her falling for his touch. " I wonder how you'll be able to act as my wife". The stranger said and left. " Wait! ". Damini shouted as she ran after the stranger." What do you mean? ". The stranger got out and entered a white coloured SUV Rolls Royce and it drove away. " Who is he and what does he do wants from me? ". Damini asked herself. " Hey". Damini turned around and saw the lady that was drooling over the stranger in the VIP corner. "Stay away from Damon".The lady warned. It was clear to Damini that she was talking about the stranger. "Why?" Damini asked. "I don't even know him". "No matter what happens".The lady said. "Don't try to fall in love with him". " What are you talking about". Damini asked in annoyance and curiosity. "He'll jus play with your heart and break it".The lady said and went away. "Wait!". Damini said and ran after her but she was being blocked by Zara. "And where're you going to?".Zara asked as she held Damini's hand. " A strange man".Damini said, looking confused. "Oh, girl. You've fallen for him".Zara teased. "I saw the way he caressed your cheek. He's cute. Isn't he?" "Stop". Damini said in annoyance." Let's go home ". " Come on. The party is just getting fun". Zara said. " I need to go home". Damini said." I need to talk to mom and dad". She walked away and Zara ran after her. ______*****______ "Mom". Damini called as she entered the house. "Dad". "My dear".Emily called as she came out from the kitchen. "Who is Damon?". Damini asked. Emily looked shocked. "Mom". Damini called. What's going on?". " Is my wife home? ". Damon, the stranger at the bar called as he came in. " What are you doing here? ". Damini questioned. "I'm here to pick my wife". Damon replied. Putting one of his hand in his pocket. Damini looked at her parents. "Can someone please just make things clear to me? You're putting me in darkness ". "I wonder why you haven't told her about the -". " Mr Walker ". Micheal called." Please, If you could give us few minutes to talk to our daughter". " You can take your time ". Damon said began to go outside but stopped by Damini. "Don't make me send my men to come and carry you". He brushed a kiss on her cheek and went out. " Damini".Micheal called." We're sorry". Damini walked up to her parents. "Mom. Dad. Can you please tell me what happen?". "You see".Emily explained. "Your dad and I were indebted to the Walker family and when we couldn't pay.... he gave us a choice to give ........ You out.. as a price for our debt". Emily cried as she explained." We're sorry. My love. We love you and we wouldn't do anything to hurt you". "He threatened to send me to jail if we don't do what he wants ". Micheal added. Tears rolled down Damini's cheek." You know I have a boyfriend". "Damini". Emily called as she moved closer to her daughter. Damini stepped back. "Don't. I'm not doing this". "We won't force you". Micheal said. "You have the the decision to make". " I'm not doing this ". Damini repeated and opened the door the run out and she met Damon waiting patiently in the car. She took heels and ran away. Damon's men immediately ran after her and caught up with her, The carried her and put her in the car where she sat beside Damon who said nothing. "We're sorry sir". Micheal pleaded as he got to the car." I don't think I can go ahead with the contract. I'll be the one to pay for my actions, Not my daughter ". " The contract says that you won't be able to back out once you've signed it". Damon replied and signaled the driver to roll up the window and drive away. Damini fumbled with the door lock but it couldn't open." Please let me go. I'll work and pay for whatsoever amount my dad's owing ". " Are you going to pay hundred and fifty million with the thirty thousand you're receiving monthly? ". Damon asked. Damini watched as only the lines of his moved as he spoke. "What do you want to do with me?" Damini asked . "Marry you for six months". Damon replied. "Why?". Damini asked again. "If you're gonna ask so many questions. I'll be forced to lock you in the basement". Damon said and brought out his phone. More tears rolled down Damini's cheek. She thought of her boyfriend. What would Frank do when he found out she was gone? Would he come for her?. She thought of her best t. Zara would definitely come for her. She thought of her parents. Helpless parents. They were left with no option. Damini drifted away as she thought about her life in a prison marriage for the next six months...