Only His for all New Years

Candles burn slowly

They say a traumatic childhood never goes away. Are they correct wondered Stuti. In her life there was reason enough to be traumatised. Yet was she really..

Czar spoke from the kitchen, "Incase you have not realised you are speaking loud again. "

He got them both tall glasses of ice cold water and took a sip. "Drink, I have added a dash to lemon. Will help . "

He stood over her, but not in a frightening way. "Let's talk. What happened to you Stuti .. I want to know, if you can share. If you can not I will understand but do not lie to make a story."

She wrapped the bed cover round her almost naked body and sat up. It she had not spoken they may be already.. she let out the breath of regret..

Czar's face was blank not indicating anything. Did he internally laugh at his fascination, for it was clear he knew of it.

She slowly shared her memories.

"It was a difficult time Czar. The villages had less food, people of the foothills and mountains started some fight, then people started cutting trees, there was possibly a timber company nearby. All my childhood memories on the bank of the river disappeared as the land became barren. People had money, even my uncles but my mother almost none. Even then she insisted that I have an exclusive private school English education which was expensive. So from that huge house which had housed generations I would go to the neighbouring town's Girls' school to study. I do not remember Ma's face very well now. She was always working in the kitchen, maybe she wanted to pay back for the food that was cooked as she could not contribute to it. Her widow pension from the army went towards my education.

I remember the photo on the wall telling that father was no more.He was a respected man from army who died in foreign lands.His body never came, only his uniform came with honour.

I was almost seven when the cloud fall happened. It was a horrifying day. I was saved possibly because, Ma asked me to climb to the roof and then keep climbing up till I reached a higher and safe land. Then she handed me some dry nuts.

I was on the roof.. when .."

The door bell rang breaking into her story, startling her into spilling the water.

Czar did not look surprised and looked into the video image of the visitors and told her, " Go inside and do not come out, whatever happens. Close the door. It's your family."

Stuti stood looking confused till Czar pushed her in. "Listen to me." The door closed behind. She flung it open.

"No I want to go face them. Please."

He looked at her up and down in a strange manner. "It won't be pretty Stuti..Face them another day, go back inside the room today."

But she insisted and won't back up. Together they went down the stairs. She suddenly realised she had put on Czar's shirt over her jeans. She thought she would go back but now Czar gripped her hand, "A decision is a decision, Stuti."

He opened the front door and stepped out , still holding her hand. Next to the door at the bottom of the stairs stood her entire family. Her sister came running up and held her hand , " Come with me now Stuti. This is an evil man. He will destroy you."

She remembered how Julia had been with Czar before Marc's return, adoring, hanging on to his each word, spending his money and wrapped around her little finger. She felt the man behind her boil with anger at all the things that had been said about him. She shook her head and tried to get out of Julia 's clutch. Her long nails were digging in as she tried to drag Stuti away.

"Enough. " Barked out Czar. " She has said she won't go. Don't scar her just to get your way Juliana. "

"Scar her ? Me ? Does she know that what you love doing to a woman ? You adjusted for me only and for the twins. And I know you would take the revenge on my little sister. She has seen enough in her young age, she will never marry or have boy friend or even have a child. She will go with me, with us.. she will go back to her safe , protected life. How dare you target am innocent you perverted man?"

But she was stunned by her words and she spoke up, "Julia what do you mean by never marry , habe child .. why?"

Julia turned and told her bluntly, "Someone should have told you Stuti, that your reproductive system was destroyed when the traffickers sold you.. "

Mummy came running and put a hand over Julia's mouth. "Stop. "

"Does she not know .. she is not really a woman.. "

Mummy was in tears, "Julia can you sto, talking rubbish. "

She insisted , "But she isn't .. right mummy. Her reproductive organs were destroyed that night .. when thean who bought her first night inserted a flaming candle inside her."

Stuti stood still as stone as forgotten memories and pain suddenly crowded her mind. She saw Mummy slap Julia and her grasp. She saw Mummy release her from Julia 's grasp and ask Marc to take her away. She noted there were quite some people observing their fight and possibly listening to her story.

Julia was fighting with Mummy as her Baba looked away when she seeked his eyes. He turned away and got in the car, possibly remembering his friend who died saving her, possibly believing she should have died instead of the mate who led many a mission in a foreign land keeing peace just to die for one young girl.

She tried to retreat but her back was against Czar's chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Then he pushed her behind him still holding her by the hand and called out, "She is in every way a woman Julia. Much more than anyone will ever be. " Julia came flying at Czar, scratching him and shouting obscenities.

Stuti took one step back and then another and looked in horror at the family that raised her. Mummy had been knocked to the ground by Julia, Baba was still in the car with its engine running, Julia was acting like a lunatic and Marc looked shell shocked.

She turned and ran into the dark. She was the cause of this. She.. no one else.