Destiny's Fusion

Broken heart – broken promises

How could you do this Roop! I trusted you. Mom-dad, they trusted you!

Why did you do it?! How could you be so selfish! You betrayed us all!

Is this how you wanted to repay us back for our unconditional love!

Shame on you Roop!

SHAME ON YOU!”

Preeti di spoke angrily and her rage filled eyes stabbed me coldly with disdain.

I tried to defend myself but only my lips moved and words didn't come out as If someone had already silenced me.

I searched with my tearful eyes for Raj as my body didn't move but I couldn't see anything in the pitch black darkness except my infuriated sister.

I called out several times helplessly but nothing happened until finally.. I screamed out loud waking myself up from this horrible nightmare.

“Raaaaaj" l was breathing heavily and sweating all over, I felt my heart beating rapidly inside my chest.

“Oh god..lt-lt was a dream..just a bad dream. Nothing more." I mumbled in fear and shock of what I had seen. My head hurt with severe pain and it felt like I had been sleeping forever.

“Wh-what happened?.." I looked around the dark dingy place.

“Where am I?” the shabby dim light scared me even more as my eyes keep searching for something familiar to calm down my out of control senses. Where was I really?

“Raj, you there?” I heard nothing, got no response in return.

“Raj, please say something? Where are you? I can’t see anything in here. Where are we?!”

Still nothing. No voice. No sound. It creeped me out to the extreme.

I knew this wasn't a dream anymore but still he didn't show up so why was I here in this unusual place all alone.

I quickly got up and walked towards the window as I heard noises below and traffic moving, what I saw on the street outside was more horrifying than the nightmare I experienced few mins back.

Girls dressed in indecent skimpy clothes drinking and smoking and doing all sorts of inappropriate things with men on their side.

“This..this is not real..I'm imagining things..th-this..this cant be..where is Raj!" I whispered hoarsely and clutched my chest so that it would stop beating rapidly in horror..

My boyfriend was missing and I was in a dark room all alone, the obliviousness about the whole situation I was in, scared me to death.

“Holy crap!”

Suddenly I heard a smooth manly voice behind me and the front door opened and shut loudly at once.

I turned around quickly with a hope to see Raj but it wasn't him as the mysterious guy in blue fitted denim jeans, polo tshirt and brown jacket still leaning towards the door was taller than him and much different in an unsual manner.

"Who are you?" He quickly turned around startled by my intrusion and our eyes met. It wasn’t Raj to my dismay but a man I had never seen before strangely.

It seemed as if he wasn't expecting anybody to be in the room alread, his intent stare made me realize what I was actually wearing immediately my hands covered the exposed skin so that he would stop staring at me like a pervert.

"Didn’t you hear? I asked, who are you?' I shouted angrily this time.

"Hey..I heard you! now lower your voice down lady! It's not how you think it is. Really I'm not interested.." He then went back to what he was doing before i.e leaning weirdly towards the door as if trying to hear the noises going on the other side of the room.

"Interested in what!?" I asked in a confused manner.

“In you.. of course. Now quiet!” He then turned towards the door leaning closer to it but I knew something was really wrong here.

“Where's my boyfriend? What did you do to him?! Answer me!" I raised my voice again deliberately.

"Just stop alright!" This time even he lost his temper and replied in frustration.

“Excuse me. What boyfriend? I don't have the least bit of idea of what you're talking about and I can hear you quite perfectly so stop yelling. Please! Can't you see? I'm trying to save my life over here."

“Wh-What do you mean?” I asked still not satisfied with his incomplete responses. He then sighed heavily and gave in running a hand through his silky brownish blonde hair as he stepped away from the door.

"Alright, You see, my jackass friend Just bought me a hooker for a night as a thank you gift and now I can't seem to get rid of her. It's not like I don't want to, you know but just not today... so I guess I'm stuck here, in this room until she finally gives up.."

"Hooker..” My legs went weak hearing the filthy word and I instantly fell to the floor. My heartbeat was racing with fear of what I was about to know.

"Hey, you alright? Ahh! Dammit! I didn't mean it that way, no offense really." He then came towards me and knelt down to look at me.

"Wh-What is this place?" My voice cracked as I managed to ask "Uh. Shouldn't you know that better than me?" He smirked.

"Tell me!' I whined desperately.

"Alright! Alright, Calm down lady, It's called Vertigo strip club, why?"

I couldn't digest the two words. I immediately kept a hand over my mouth from screaming but my mind and heart were already torn into pieces.

"Hey, What's wrong? You alright?" he asked with concern seeing my terrified look.

"I..I am not a hooker." I whispered helplessly.

"What? if you're not then.. how did you end up here? desperate to get laid probably eh!" He got up and smirked with a big grin folding his hands over his chest but it quickly turned into a serious face when he heard my low sobs.

“Hey.. I just.. damn me and my big mouth! I'm sorry okay? Don't cry!" He then walked away.

I thought he went back to the door to hear the noises outside but he came back with a glass of water Instead.

"Here. Drink some water please and tell me exactly how you got here?" I looked at him in amazement and he made a go on gesture to me then I hesitatingly took the glass from him and drank up, the water soothed my throat and allowed me to think clearly.

“I..I don't know.. I was with my boyfriend in a hotel room..we were ha-having champagne and celebrating.. we were so happy together..and.. and after that I just fell asleep when I woke up I found myself here in-in this place." I waited for his response but he didn't say a word so I looked at him and he was staring at me now with more seriousness.

"You seriously don't remember what happened after that?" He questioned.

"No. I told you I don't." I replied honestly, he sighed heavily and ran a hand through his dark blonde hairs again as he paced around the room.

"I don't know how to say this but..." He put his hands in his pockets and looked around everywhere except me as if avoiding my gaze, his act was scaring me in the worst possible way, was my boyfriend dead or did someone kidnap him?

"What is it? Tell me please." I panicked, he then finally looked at me and said what I least expected to hear from an unknown person.

"This is not something.. you would be pleased to hear from a stranger like me but the truth is, lady, your boyfriend turned out to be an asshole, looks like the pathetic looser mixed something in your drink and once you were out cold, he brought you here and left with the money he earned from selling you off. It's actually quite common in a..." I interrupted him rudely as I couldn't take it anymore.

Who was he to judge my Raj?

"No.. It... It can't be. He won't do something like that. He-He loves me. Raj loves me very much..You're wrong! I...I have to find him!" He stared at me for long as if I was acting crazy but I didn't care I got up and ran towards the door but he caught my wrist and brought me closer to him. He then kept a firm grip on my shoulders with both hands staring right into my eyes.

"Hey look! He's gone, alright? and he is not coming back for you.. He doesn't care lady..! Because If he did, then he wouldn't have left you in this place all alone. You don't have to believe me.. but just think about it."

I removed his hands from my shoulder and sat on the edge of the bed as I was tired and broken completely.

It was just too much to take in and above all from a total stranger that the guy for whom I travelled this far without caring about the consequences..sold me as if I meant nothing..nothing at all to him.

Just a useless object he wanted to get rid of. I clutched the bedsheets in anguish. Was it all fake?..the love.. the promises .. All a plan to get me here?..what was I thinking. I made a fool out of myself and my family. I closed my eyes and breathed heavily even my tears couldn't hide the pain I was feeling as they trickled down my cheeks..

"But why? Where did I go wrong? I loved him so much. I-I did everything. Everything he told me to..why me then?" I cried harder as I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Money turns people into selfish monsters.. That's how powerful it is, lady." I heard him speak up

THUD THUDD THUDDD!

"Hey who is in there?" the knocker growled loudly from outside. My heart skipped a beat in fear.

I kept looking at the door waiting for the moment the guy would barge in and drag me out humiliating me more than I already felt finding myself in this outrageous place.

"Don't worry, he can't get in. It's locked." He smiled carefreely at me as if nothing was wrong..

THUD THUDDD!

"Hey c'mon out!" the knocker shouted, I then saw a hand in front of me. It was the hand of this stranger I had just met few seconds ago.

“C’mon." He stated with a serious face. I looked at his hand and then at him not sure of what he meant or expected me to do.

“I already told you..I'm not a hooker." He smirked and let out a short laugh.

"I know and I believe you but the one standing outside he won't so we have to get out of here before they practically book you as one."

THUD THUDD!

"Open the godamn door before I break it through!" The man barked angrily.

"We don't have time lady, you gotta decide quick..come on!"

Me having no choice finally took his hand and my chances with him, he firmly entangled his fingers with mine and It certainly felt warm and unexpectedly secure.

"Just stay behind and follow me."

He then opened the door and I saw a man who looked like a bouncer with a huge belly, his nose, ears and lips were pierced and wore tight fitted suit, he looked scary and ugly so I quickly looked down and hid behind the stranger with me but I could feel the scary big guy's eyes on me.

"My apologies, Sir. I wasn't informed you were in there.." He knows him? I internally thought as I was confused but I didn't look up.

"Did you enjoy your time, Sir?" Why is he asking him all that! Who is this man really? Is he that important? Maybe he is.

"Yes, actually I did so much that I would like to.. keep her with me.." with that said, he left my hand and gripped my waist which brought me closer to him but this time much closer, he looked at me with his vibrant blue eyes and smirked.

"I want her all to myself." What the hell! What is he doing? Is he crazy!

I tried to remove his hand from my waist but he kept a good hold and didn't let go so I just lowered my eyes trying to hide my embarrassment but suddenly I felt his warm breath near my ear.

"Trust me." The two words whispered made my heartbeat fast and I looked at him again. He just winked back at me. "But sir, we don't sell our workers and she just arrived." The scary fat man replied

"Hmm. I see...not even if I pay you double the price you paid for her?” I looked at him and realized he was gambling for my freedom. Why would he do that? He doesn’t even know me.

"Double?” I looked at the fat man and could see the selfish monster awakening in him.

“Not enough huh? Then how about triple?” he would pay such hefty amount for me? Why? What is wrong with him!

"Come on buddy! I haven't got all day, you know!" He poked his belly in a friendly manner.

"Su-Sure right away, Sir." He instantly agreed.

“That’s more like it! You're a smart ass.” He searched for his name tag but it wasn't there

"Bruce, Sir!”

"Yeah right! Go on then, Bruce..I'm in a hurry, you see." He then quickly took his credit card and disappeared around the corner.

My focus went back to this stranger who was still holding my waist, he was pretty much taller then me so he didn't know I was staring at him he then started to whistle casually and looked around the area to make sure that the hooker he was hiding from was nowhere around.

He was charming no doubt with a stubble and bright blue eyes even better than my Raj.

Gosh! what was I thinking? I brushed off such frivolous thoughts from my mind immediately.

“You can let go of me now.” I murmured as it was making me uncomfortable standing in such close proximity with him.

"And what If I don't?" I looked back at him and I could see he wasn't joking this time I lowered my eyes as it got embarrassing for me but he didn't take his eyes away from me until the fat bouncer came back with a satisfactory smile plastered to his face.

"There you go, Sir!"

"Ah! Bruce! just in time so now, tell me, do we have an understanding?" He asked with a broad smile as if he had made the best deal of his life.

"Loud and clear, Sir." He took back his credit card and placed it in his back pocket.

“Perfect! Let's go my precious." He took hold of my hand again and we walked away from there while leaving I noticed the place, it was dreadful filled with obscenity and vulgar acts..

I couldn't have imagined a life like this.

lf it weren't for him I would have taken my own life in shame.

Raj, why did you do this! Did I deserve all this! Was my love this weak..

"Alright.. about time! we're finally out! Such a great feeling." his voice snapped me out of my miserable thoughts.

I then looked around and we were actually out that too at quite a distance from that pathetic place.

“We better hurry up now! It's quite dangerous to stay around here anyways. Come on!” he walked ahead but stopped in midway when he noticed I wasn't following him.

I looked away as soon as he looked at me.

I felt a chilly breeze brush against my skin which made me hug my shoulders. It was cold outside and I wasn't wearing the proper warm clothes but then I felt something covering me up.

It was him and his brown jacket comforting me giving me the warmth I needed urgently.

"If you keep standing like this, you'll catch cold, Lady." He muttered with a short smile.

"Why are you doing this?!" I snapped but he just kept smiling.

"Doing what?"

"Being nice to me you, you don't hove to do this, act as if you care of my well being.” He stared at me for long then replied in all seriousness.

"Actually I do care."

"But why?!"

"Because I feel you deserve much better than this and more.” I looked into his clear blue eyes and realized he meant every single word of what he just said. No humor involved this time.

"Besides, I just bought you so I have all rights reserved to behave In whichever way I like so now, you'll walk, Lady! or do I have to carry you to my car because really, I don't mind." he smirked devilishly.

He knew I wouldn't let him carry me so he lust laughed and went ahead whistling But still walking ahead he didn't hear my footsteps behind him. He understood, I wasn't following again.

"Oh man! what now?!" He said loudly in frustration and turned back at me.

“I.. I don't want to trouble you anymore. I'm really grateful for everything you did but I’ll find my own way from here."

"Wait a minute! What?!" he laughed so hard and I stood there on the side walk dumbstruck with his jacket on questioning myself when did I crack a joke.

"What are you! saint no-thank you!" but he stopped as his stomach started hurting then he spoke up calm and composedly.

"Firstly, if I thought you were a bad news for me I wouldn't have helped you and secondly- the way" he made a quoting gesture. "you're talking about, where is that!? Enlighten me?" He was right, I had no idea where I was and where I wanted to go in this big city.

“This place is dangerous, Lady. Not safe at all, So I'm taking you to my place where you'll be much safer and at ease..just let me help you. Believe me, I’m not such a bad host." his words reassured me that I wasn't alone anymore, somewhere in me I felt I could trust him.. that he was my knight in american clothes and fate had brought him to me just as it wanted to.

"So you in? pretty lady or you need more reasons." He smirked but I just plainly nodded.

"Thanks for the jacket, by the way" I said softly.

"My pleasure." He then went ahead and opened his car's door for me. I stepped inside the car, he then closed my door and came in from the other side. The car looked expensive and smelled good.

What does this guy actually do because his car seemed quite decent like for a normal person.

He put his seatbelt on, told me to put mine as well as he turned the key in to start the engine and we left from the area for good. After covering some distance on wheels he turned on the heater, my legs that were freezing cold started warming up.

I looked oulside the window and the view was breathtakingly amazing as before. Splendid skyscrapers, beautiful city lights, digitalized screens everwhere.

New York was really the juicy attractive big apple which no one could resist eating.

I didn't know how I made it this far but the one with whom I wanted to experience this journey had abandoned me before it even began.