LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

7-Broken

                                                                                            Dev's pov

I was staring at the ceiling of my suit room for few hours from early morning I couldn't sleep well last night. I was mad and I don't understand what was happening with me. Was I taking out my frustration over her or that anger which I felt for Lakshmi was taken over her ? I don't understand. Night which I had to spend it with my new wife got spoilt by me itself and I feel so happy about it. If I think about her my mood will turn off and that girl is not even look attractive for me. What makes me happy and satisfying when I see her tears. When I see how her dreams are getting shattering one by one.

When Zahir told Mohit that I came to hotel he asked me a question...., do I have to be like this from marriage night itself ? I could only scoff at him because he won't understand that pain inside my heart. Watching her happy face to get married to me I felt like walk away from there breaking her dreams. How dare she ? How can she smile at me like that ?  Whenever she smiles I feel like to hurt her. Because her smile and her happiness is someone's else life. She don't have any rights to smile in her life.

I heard Zahir calling me from outside. I let him come inside and stood from bed grabbing my robe.

" DD, your aunt just called me now. She asked you to get back home as soon as possible. " He seemed to be worried and he was still holding his phone in hand. I think aunty scold him from morning itself.

" Why she called in this early morning ? " I asked while drinking some water.

" Your Dadi came back with some relatives and waiting to for you to finish post marriage rituals " he replied.

" Damn..... What else is there ?  Didn't they finished everything yesterday night itself ? " I rolled my eyes getting annoyed by everything that related to my marriage. Only I know how I sat to marry that girl for half an hour.

" There will be such tradition. Even we have so for a royal family definitely there will be something special. You should hurry up DD, your aunt sounded bit tensed .... I think it's because of dadi " Zahir says

" Alright I am coming.  You wait outside" I ordered to Zahir and went to get freshen up quickly. She was all over me yesterday. But nice..... I liked her she knows to satisfy her partner.

Zahir drove me back to my home quickly and when I reached there I saw some familiar and non familiar faces. A group of aunties and most were my close and distant relatives.  With a fake smile I just passed by them. Their looks at me was thousands of questions and I can guess the main one. " Where I went leaving my newly wedded wife ? "  Dadi looked annoyed..... Did that b***h said something ? I wondered , if she spilled something then it's her final day here. Clenching my jaw I walked silently towards my room.

Usually everyone will be happy to open their own room's door but I never likes it. I don't even like to come to this house then this room isn't anything special. I get more comfort from those hotel beds than here. see the irony..... Soon after I opened the door I shut my eyes tightly because sunlight just pierced into my eyes like some vita rays of captain America.

" What the hell ? " I shouted and entered into my room searching for the remote of blinds.

" Who the bloody hell did this ? " I grunted and quickly closed all the blinds on windows to keep my room dark. I like it in that way , maids know that then who ?

Damn, from morning itself I really getting frustrated. I threw the remote to couch and walked towards the closet and there I stepped on a few plastic packets which was lying on floor. I frowned my face thinking that from where these waste came ? Chocolate wraps, cookie covers what else ?  Did I came to wrong room ? Is it my brother's room or mine ? Even such doubts passed into my mind because I don't recognise my own room within a night. This can't be my room.  I want my room to be clean and tidy always,  also my things shouldn't change its place at any cost. 

" f*****g hell " I cursed under my breath and threw those scraps to floor angrily and banged opened my closet door.

I was struck, hell struck watching the condition of my perfectly maintained closet. From the door end till the last corner of my closet it was filled with clothes. I followed those clothes by running my eyes on floor and stopped at two weird legs.

I looked at the owner of those mutt face slipper legs. I was already pissed off at the condition of my room but lost my sanity when I saw that i***t was holding my shirt. She crumbled it like she is holding some scraps.

" What are you doing ? " I asked in a calm yet very serious tone and my eyes were fixed on shirt in her hands.

" Finding space to put my clothes " she replied very excitingly . That smile..... I hate it. 

" Who gave you permission ? " I asked in very gently but my blood started to boil from my toe which can reach at head at any time.

" Do I need permission to put my clothes in your wardrobe ? You are my hus...... "

" Did you asked me before touching my things ?  " I don't know what happened to me in that second. I just pushed her towards the glass doors of my wardrobes making her head hit on it. I heard that sound and I also wondered she is only that much strong ? Lakshmi stood back in a shock hugging to my shirt. She looked at me with those sacred eyes and started sweating. I could see how her face became pale and I was sure she gonna cry at this moment.

" Sorry, I .... I thought you won't mind " but what happened was exact opposite of what I thought. She just smiled at me gently and apologized. 

I hate it, I hate it , I hate it. She is again smiling and that's the most annoying thing on her face.

" I will ask Roopa to clean this up quickly ... " She acted very normally like she owns this place and took the  intercom.

She already started to become my wife and daughter in law of this house ? Why she is not even asking me where was I previous night ? Why didn't I called her or anything ? she should know what happened yesterday. Still this silence and normal behaviour ? 

" Roopa......... " I snatched the intercom from her hand angrily and talked to Roopa.

" Don't send any maids to my room until I say " I ordered to our head maid and put the receiver back. Lakshmi gulped a lump from throat and was staring at me. She is loosing it I could say.

" If they won't come then who is gonna clean this ........ "

" Why ? Don't you have hands ? " I stopped her from talking because of her voice. She knows how to talk very innocently but I am not going to fall for it. Her voice gives me headache. 

I  walked over her dress in my shoes itself while unbuttoning my shirt.

" Me ? All these ? I don't know how to organize ...... " She collided with me while turning back and stopped blabbering when her mouth hit right on my chest. She bounced back, that much fragile this girl is. Also when we stand she is only upto my shoulders. Now I understood she was on her heels before we met. She has to raise her eyes and neck to talk with me while standing in front of me .

" Can't you move carefully " I yelled at her and she nod her head gently.

" Before coming here your dear father didn't taught you anything ? Or did he said that I will make you my Queen of this palace ? Is that what you dreamt ? Then I am giving this final warning,  If you have such kinds of thoughts in your mind then destroy it now itself. That's never gonna happen.  " I warned her and pinned her back tightly.

" If you don't know then learn it because you are literally my slave now. What slave does ? Slaves should treat their master well and satisfy them. You might be your daddy's princess but here you are my slave " I added.

She is not reacting but agreeing for everything that I am saying. She is well prepared to stick on my side.  Okay , then now it's getting more fun.

" My appa didn't raised his daughters to become someone's slave" Finally, she opened those lips. I looked at her with a smirk and walked slowly towards her side.

" What did you said ? " I asked and the watching how I was changed she remained silent.

" I am asking you something ..  what you just said now ? " I asked again.

" Nothing.... I will do it " she mumbled.

" Huh. ..... Coward " I grunted at her with a scoff and went back to change.

" Stop walking over my dress. My appa brought them for me" I heard her lashing at me when I again walked over her dress on floor.

" Your dress ? Where ? " I looked around and acted like I didn't see anything. She looked at floor and gritted her teeth.

"  Oh these ? I thought Roopa put waste clothes on floor to clean it. " I said mockingly couldn't stop laughing at it

" All the time you are chanting about your dad and his love for you. Then Mr Govind Varman could only afford these rags for his dear daughter ? " I asked to her. Lakshmi was fuming with anger. She should know what's happening with her. She should be angry then only she will cry. At end she will realise she is paying for her dad's mistakes..... Not mistake but his sins.

" Those are good for me even of it is rag " she mumbled not even showing enough guts to look at me.

" I should need my room just like how it used to be by this evening. Understood ? " I asked to her.

" Are you going to come tonight ? " I heard her asking back in a weak tone.

" If I am not busy then definitely " I replied thinking about last night. I thought she is gonna ask me about it but she knelt down collecting her dress.

" You won't ask where was I last night ? " I asked

" Office....... May be attending some important meeting " I couldn't stop my laughing at her hearing that reply.

" I haven't seen a shameless girl like you b***h. Girls with whom I sleep with.... they are much better than you. Sending your friend tail me at night,  you got all informations that you shouldn't get at first night of marriage. Still acting like nothing happened. You does have a thick skin shameless bitch..... ''

" So you did that deed purposefully right ? Why? To know my reaction ? " 

She was standing infront of me like a hopeless creature.

" You are calling me shameless when you are doing shameless act. Who is thick skin here ? You or I ? " She was calm at first but then she loose it and screamed in her top of lungs.

" Then why did you married me if you want to sleep around with those sluts ? Are you insane or do have a psychological issues ? I didn't came here as your wife from road. Your family came with this proposal and asked for my hand from my appa. He married me off to you with what he has. He trusted his daughter with a jerk like you. What you want ac... ......"

I raged towards her and fisted a bunch of hair with my one hand and then squeezed her cheeks to shut that filthy mouth.

" Now you talk " I pressed her towards the wardrobe that much anger rushed inside me.

" I said to talk, you bitch... " I screamed like a mad man. She was trying her best to loosen my grip but those little hands were not even affecting me. I pushed her towards the floor when her face turned red. Lakshmi crawled back to the corner of door getting scared and sat there not looking at me but still she didn't cry. She was shivering severally and those eyes it never lift from floor. When I took a step forward Lakshmi shook her head as no and I stopped there.

" Here, call your dad and tell him that I am torturing you." I threw my phone towards her and said. She didn't move an inch from there. Fisted both hands on her dress and sat there like a rock .

" You don't want ? Then I will call him for you " I took my phone back and tried to call but before that she caught my hands.

" Don't...... If I did any mistake then I am sorry. Why you want to drag my appa into this ? " She asked in a pleading tone but still I couldn't find a single drop of tear from those eyes.

" You didn't do any mistake. Your mistake was you born bearing his blood and I hate it. " I said

" Why you have this much hate for me and my appa ? We didn't do anything bad for you... "

" Huh ? Listen girl.... You didn't do anything bad to me but your dad did. He snatched my happiness from me. Now it's pay back time. I never thought that destiny will play like this in my life. Otherwise how would you have time to me at right time ?  Now I will snatch his happiness from him which is you.  Haven't you heard " an eye for an eye" 

Same like that. He will writhe in pain watching you suffering under my heels. He will cry not able to swipe his own daughter's tears. Then only my rage will go down. Do you understand "

" so let me call him.... Let's start this game now itself. " I again looked for his number from contacts. Suddenly Lakshmi caught my hands to stop calling her dad.

" If you ever let him know about this then I won't sit back. Your problem with my appa you can seek revenge through me. Fine....  I am here do what you want but leave them, my family. Or else I will start to destroy you from here. Let's start it from both ends and we will see who is gonna win ? Those who win should be the innocent one and the one who loose will bear the punishment. " She said holding on my both hands like she is begging as well as calling me for a war.

" I will do what you say..... That's the punishment I decided if I loose. " I put my punishment for myself in front of her because I liked her deal.

" Now you tell me.... What punishment you would like to get if you loose. Culprit should atleast get a chance to select how he or she should get punished " I said with a smirk. I know that there is only one winner for this game and that's me. So I am excited to hear her punishment which she is going to give her.

" Death...... I will take my own life. That's my punishment for me " I was indeed shocked for a second. Did I really heared death from her mouth ? She said she will die if she loose ? That much confidence ? She didn't even flinched when she said that. She don't want to live ?

" Keep that word ...... When you die I will definitely come to see you with lots of white flowers. I will show that much courtesy  because I won't take revenge on dead bodies. " I said in a sarcastic tone and said one more thing.

" Remember this too...... at end don't even ask me to save you because I might kill you rather than saving this useless life. " I patted on her cheeks before raising from floor. She didn't budged from there all the time

When I came back after a quick shower then also Lakshmi was sitting on floor behind the door towards a corner like a looser.

" What my appa did to you ? Is it business rivalry ? " She asked while I was getting ready to go down for our post marriage rituals.

" Business rivalry ? That would never happen. He is not even worthy to come across my empire. " I said with a scoff.

" Then what ? I know my appa very well. He won't even hurt a small life then how comes he destroyed your happiness ? '' Lakshmi stood from floor and came towards me. Her eyes were fuming with anger but still she didn't shout.

I understood one thing from her, She loves her dad more than anything in this world. Through those eyes I can say it and I feel it and that distracted me.  I clenched my jaw and turned to select a watch from drawer. I was distracting myself from her because those eyes ...... It was very intense. It's distracting me and distrubing me at the same time.

" Don't turn your back at me.  Now I am asking you something. What my appa did to you ? What grave sin he did to you that you have this much hatred for us ? " She shouted at me pulling back my shoulder to face her.

" Nisha...... " I roared making her flinch.

" He snatched her from me. She was my happiness, my world, my everything. He snatched that from me. Our happy lives, our dreams and more over......  He destroyed a small life which was growing inside her. Did you hear what I said ? My blood.... My baby ..... He took two lives from me. Now you tell .... what I am doing is right or wrong ? You should answer me . His daughter should answer my question. " I shook Lakshmi to say something who was standing in front of me all shocked and numb.

" My appa won't do it. I am sure....  it might be an accident. He won't do that knowingly, especially to a girl. I know him.... I grew up with him and he raised me up..... so I know. " She also shouted back in that same anger.

" Accident ? Accident means you are not aware of what you have done. I would have understood his condition if it was something like that but here it wasn't an accident. He killed her, he let her die on road in a heavy rainy night. Do you know how my Nisha died ?  She died draining last drop of blood from her body. My baby died not able to breathe without knowing that his mom is dying.

"  Like what happened to your dad that he couldn't even take her to hospital or atleast call for an ambulance to save her life ? Fear ? Is he a coward ? Did you inherited that from your dad ? "

" Enough...." Lakshmi shouted to stop me.

" Not a word about my appa. I won't endure that....... " She warned me pointing her finger.

"  How dare you to shout at me with that filthy mouth of yours " I couldn't hold back watching her audacity and  choked her towards the mirror. 

" Still defending your dad even after knowing he is a murderer ? Nothing is gonna change my mind girl. Don't even expect a little bit of mercy from me.  I will drag you all to streets. I won't even give him a little space to keep your dead body for funeral. I will make it happen no matter what. " She fell down when I released my hand from her neck. She choked and took heavy breaths to get some air.

" Remember to hide everything well from others. Because with each mistake you does knowingly or unknowingly your dad will pay for it there in your house. You have one more sister who has lots of dreams in her life right ? I will destroy her dreams one by one. Rest of the rules I will teach you slowly. "

" Now get ready for the drama to Play your character Mrs Devdutta Pratap Singh Rathore. Dress well, put some makeup, smile and follow me like a dog. If you perform well then definitely I will give you treat. If you did any mistake then also I will give you treat. But you can decide which treat you want. Peaceful night or painful nights filled with tears "  I said  it like a warning.

" Tears ? No...... I won't let a drop of tear to fall down from my eyes and that's for you. It will never gonna  happen. Dream on mister. Even if you burn me alive I won't cry in front of you  " Gritting her teeth she said to me with those blood shot eyes.

" Let's see that..... You are provoking me b***h " I smiled at her sarcastically and walked out from closet.

After a half an hour Lakshmi came out from closet getting ready to go down. She obeyed like what I said. Dressed up like a doll and all ready to play her character.

...................

We both sat at the middle of the Mandir inside my house surrounded by all family members most were ladies. Some came from our ancestral home. Rest were my aunt, mom, Yuvi's mom and Jhanvi's mom. Jhanvi and Yuvi might have went to office or didn't came for pooja ? Anyways it's good.

Pandit ji started the pooja and we followed his instructions one by one. Lakshmi was doing her role perfectly. She seemed very happy even though it was acting. I like such obedient bitches.

" Tie that sacred thread on each other's left hand " pandit ji instructed after giving two threads for both of us. Lakshmi tied it on my left wrist first then it was my turn.

" This will help you from all evil eyes and dangers around you. Lakshmi's time is not that much good for now. Even death is showing when I looked into it. So be carefull about everything for an year. Dev's condition is also nothing good but relief is that his strength is sitting next to him. He will be saved from all danger because of her grace still you should also take care of yourself including matters in your workplace" 

pandit ji said like a warning for Lakshmi as well as me.

I wanted to laugh because what he said is actually right. My strength and motivation of life is sitting next to me and same goes for her... her danger, her husband.

She forwarded her hand to let me tie the thread. My eyebrows raised automatically like what the hell ? Does she have any obsession for wrist bands ? Her left hand was filled with wrist bands and bracelets completely.

I was trying to find a little space to tie the thread. I got annoyed and just wrapped it over them letting her to tie it somehow. She pulled her hand hiding from everyone with that fake smile which was slowly fading sometimes.

" So all marriage rituals are completed now. Kids should visit temple often to get blessings and stay happy. Soon you will be blessed with a child. " I chocked myself hearing that and all ladies started to giggle. That never gonna happen, I won't let that happen. Not even in dreams.

" Now take blessings from your elders. " Said pandit ji and I stood from floor to get blessings from others. This ... I hate it to core. I only need to hold dadi's leg and my aunt's why all these ladies.

Just like a formality I bend a little and took blessings. I stopped bending in front of my mother. She was standing there looking at me with her crossed arms. That itself shows she doesn't want to bless me. Meanwhile Lakshmi also came to take blessing from mom and I thought to bend down together. Atleast that will reduce some intensity of hurting my pride.

" Parvathi.... " When mom loosened her hand to bless us dadi suddenly called her name like a warning. Lakshmi and I also stood there in a confusion like what happened ? Mom pulled her hand back which was forwarded to bless us with a pale face. 

She looked around at others who were staring at her. What's happening ? Mom was like as always and kept that head high and stood there without even minding us.

" Come here " aunt called me towards her side happily and blessed me even with a kiss on my forehead. She is always so warm and loving towards me and that's why I love her more. What I mom couldn't give me I got all love from my aunt.

" I think today's drama is over " I heard mom mumbling from my side and walked out from Pooja room with that arrogant face.

" Come we will have something now " dadi ignored that and called everyone to have food. What all things are left ? I need to go office. I followed dadi sighing heavily.

Everyone sat around dining table which was filled with lots of food.

Only one seat was left beside me and Lakshmi came to sit there.

" Lakshmi..... You should serve us. " Dadi said quickly before she could sit. Once we sat to have food we shouldn't stand from our place before finishing the food even if the king arrives. That respect should be given to food.  Family still follows that rule.  That's why dadi stopped Lakshmi before she sits.

" As time goes our rituals are changing Bhagirathi. In our times we had to cook and serve for elders with our hands.  Now a days these kids only have to serve... " One of my old aunt commented.

" Lakshmi cooks well. She did her hotel management from abroad. Right Lakshmi ? " I saw Lakshmi chocking when aunty commented she cooks. Doesn't she ? I mean... Yes of course she does have cooking skills since she finished her hotel management studies from a prestigious university. Even though she is specialised in whatever streams there will be an introduction to all streams. So she should know something.  She runs her cafe, she handles cafe's kitchen definitely she knows about it.

" Aunty.... " Everyone's attention fell on that sound which came there unexpectedly. Lavanya....  When did she came back from Hong Kong ? That Zahir didn't even notify me.

" Lavanya.... come my child " aunty welcomed her so excitedly when she came there without even notifying me.

" Oh I am really sorry I think I came at wrong time. " Looking at the guests she said in an apologetic tone.

" No, no.... these are family members only. Anyways you came... Sit beside Dev and have some food. " Aunty invited her to have food with us and she sat beside me where Lakshmi was going to sit before.

" Dadi... " Before that she took blessings from dadi. Is she for real ? Who knows ?

" I wanted to discuss something related to our new project with Dev. I went to Hongkong to make this deal happen. Now I  need some advice from him that's why I came . Hope you don't mind " she said to aunty and dadi.

" It's fine...... have your food first. Then talk with him whatever you want. " Aunty said and signed at Lakshmi to start serving food.

She started from where she stood by grabbing some random dish. I saw Roopa, our maid came forward to stop Lakshmi because she started it wrong. But my aunt shook her head as no.... so Roopa stood back.

" Lechu ...... Start with the eldest one. Dadi is the head of our family." There comes her knight in shining armour Yuvi the great. She was flinched when she heard his sound. But wait a minute..... Lechu ? Seriously ? Didn't she said that only her appa calls her like that. My brother is her appa now ?

" Hai beautiful ladies.... " He came there and all ladies mood got lighten up. He is expert in handling them . Of course he is the youngest and most pampered one. I can't believe that even I was a protective brother for him when he was  small. I used to took him to  kindergarten and school along with Jhanvi. With how many gangs I faught for him in school whenever he pokes his nose there unnecessarily. Now everything changed.... We all grown up to fight for each others life. Sometimes I feel like we shouldn't have grown up. We all as kids were actually fun. 

" Next is this one.... " I was wake up from my impossible dream when I felt Lavanya's hand on mine. I looked at her with a warning to take it off and don't start it in front of dadi. Then my attention fell on Yuvi and Lakshmi. What is happening here ?  Who is serving now ?

" Little bit " Yuvi said. He was giving all details for her and her head was towards his side cross checking with him before serving.

" Yuvi.... you are helping your baabi way to much " I commented staring at him.

" Let it be.... Brother in law and sister in law bond is like that. Both will back up for eachother. " Dadi commented jokingly and took Yuvi's side.

" Better there is a limit for everything " Lavanya mumbled.

" She don't know how our traditional dishes should be served. So I just helped her a bit. Also she took her hotel management degree from  abroad so not good with our traditional stuffs. But look she knows basic manners of serving. Very elegantly and without making any sound. Right Lechu ? "

Why he put some pressure on that word abroad ? And the way Lechu was  staring at him.

Lechu ?  Did I just said Lechu ? Why I am calling her Lechu ? She don't wanted to call me with that stupid name. Then I don't need it. 

Its Lakshmi, Lakshmi, Lakshmi... Remember well my precious brain.

Lakshmi came to my side to serve the dessert. I don't know what happened suddenly but that hot kheer fell right on Lavanya's hand. She stood from her chair crying and shake the hand vigorously.

" Oh no....Lavanya.... " I held on her hand to stop shaking it and checked how much fell on her hand.

" Bring some ice water " I yelled at the maids who standing there like statues.

" Where were you looking at ? " I  shouted at Lakshmi who stood there stumbled.

" I tripped.... "

" Just shut up... " I don't wanted to hear anything from her now. I took Lavanya from there to take care of her hand. I will take give what she deserves later.