LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

22 - A creep

Writer's POV

" So when they comes we have to kidnap you right ? "

Jasmine rolled her eyes and started hitting her head on a wall annoyingly.

"How you both became goons with this stupid brain ? Ten times I told you, it's not me whom you have to kidnap but my bag. Push me gently and snatch my bag then run. I will cry and scream, that time three men will come behind you. Then you should hide somewhere without getting caught. Then the money inside this bag is yours. That's the plan, understood ? " Jasmine explained again everything very well to the goons she hired. Her plan is to see, among Zahir, Mohit and Gaurav who will help her in this matter. The person who helps her will be the easiest target to get along with her.

" Okay ...... Go and wait there. I will come after ten minutes with three men and walk ahead. That's your opportunity....... Don't push me into that sewage then it's not them but I am going to beat you up " She said in a hurry and ran to the c city office.

After ten minutes just like Jasmine said she came out from office with Mohit and Gaurav. Jasmine was walking along with Mohit typing something on her mac while he was dictating.

" Draft it, now itself " Mohit ordered and buttoned his blazer getting ready to go out from office. Zahir was waiting outside the office premises so they have to walk till the road. Jasmine walked ahead a of Mohit and Gaurav casually and signed at the goons to start the drama.

Two goons jumped in front of Jasmine from nowhere and snatched her bag by pushing her to the ground. She fell down for real by hitting her hand and head on road.

Everything was so fast like three of the men just stood there and watched without understanding what just happened.

" My bag. ........ " Jasmine started crying for her bag and that's when Zahir ran behind the goons. Gaurav quickly came to Jasmine's side and helped her to wake up from ground.

" Are you okay ? Oh god you are bleeding " Gaurav quickly made her sit inside the car and gave some water to drink.

" I am okay. ......but my bag " Jasmine made a pity face and said.

" Don't worry, Zahir will get them. " Gaurav consoled her and started checking for the first aid kit inside the car.

" Where were you looking at while walking ? You didn't see them coming towards you ? " Mohit began to scold Jasmine for her negligence which made her cry for real.

" Stop it Mohit. She is already scared and you are adding more. How she can see them ? It's not like they told her they will come and snatch her bag. So rude ..... " Gaurav yelled at Mohit for behaving roughly with a girl.

" I just. ....... I mean she should be careful and focused on everything. ....."

" Why you are always scolding me for everything ? I know I am not upto your perfection still ........ " Jasmine whimpered and cried louder. Meanwhile Zahir came there without getting the goons.

" They escaped ...... Don't worry I will ask my team to sketch them. They know almost all goons of these area".

" But are you okay ? " Zahir also showed his concern for Jasmine. She looked at Gaurav and Zahir one after another in a confusion to select one. Mohit was already out from her list, Gaurav seems like same with every girl so she choosye Zahir.

" Thank you so much Zahir. I am so touched by your act. You went behind them and did your best for me. I am  really thankful for this. " Jasmine held on Zahir's hand and thanked him very dramatically.

Zahir already started sweating because it's first time a girl is holding his hands.

" Enough...... We are getting late" Mohit smacked his hand on car roof at said in a serious tone.

Jasmine curled up her lips and grunted something against Mohit. She is not at all liking him and she never liked such guys who always keep their face like a grumpy cat.

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

Night time

Lechu left from café very late than as usual, time was past nine already. She quickly started her scooty and drive back to Rathore villa. Main reason she didn't went back early was to avoid Varada.

Lechu took many pocket routes to reduce the distance and continued her drive. Around half of the way she felt like a jeep wrangler is following her. At first she ignored it thinking that it's her false notion but when that jeep took same route as hers she felt odd. Lechu increased the speed and drive faster to take the main road inorder to avoid any danger but her scooty couldn't match up with the speed of a Jeep. In an isolated road Jeep overtakes her scooty making Lechu almost hit with it.

No one was there and that made more fear inside her. A huge masculine figure stepped out from jeep and came towards her. Lechu's eyes opened widely in fear when she saw Vikram in front of her.

" Long time no see .... " He kept his hand on her scooty key to turn off the ignition.

" Vikram..... " Lechu took his name but her sound didn't came out properly because of fear.

" You thought I won't come back from jail in this whole life isn't it ? But sorry dear...... I got bail today and the first person I wanted to meet was you. I was waiting for you to leave the cafe so that we can meet alone. " Lechu gulped a lump from her throat and stayed on her scooty itself. 

Vikram took a round watching her from head to toe in a lustful way.

" After marriage you got some changes on your body. You look more beautiful........ My Lakshmi always looked beautiful, that's why I can't get over from you all this time "

" Vikram please....... " Lechu shouted and jerked back in disgust when he came close to her and that mixed smell of alcohol and ciggerate pierced into her nose.

" You are doing wrong. How many times appa and I have to say that nothing can happen between us. I am really sorry for what elders did with our life. I have never seen you as more than a brother. I don't understand that relationship and I never want to. It's weird Vikram, you are my aunt's son, my first cousin so please........" Vikram got annoyed hearing this same and that's from Lechu. He kicked on his Jeep several times furiously and raged towards her.

" Come with me, today I will take you no matter what " he grabbed on Lechu's hands and dragged her towards his Jeep. Her scooty fell on the floor inbetween that push and pull commotion. When Lechu tried to scream he covered her mouth and forcefully dragged her.

Fortunately her sling bag was on her shoulder and she succeed to grab a small knife from it which she always carry around nowadays.  She didn't have enough guts to do anything with it but in that situation she dragged it through his hand. Vikram's grip on her got loosened with a scream.  When she tried to escape Vikram gripped on her hair to stop Lechu with his bleeding hand. She screamed and swished the knife which made a cut on his face this. Lechu quickly went take her scooty but then Vikram kept his leg forward to make her trip on the road. Lechu fell down hitting her elbow and back of head. She squirmed holding on her wounded hand and cried. For a second she gave up and admitted the fact that Vikram is gonna take her and she never going to see the outer world after this night.

Still deep inside she couldn't do it. Her sister's face, her dad's face were only flashed inside her mind. She only know one dark reality, even if she dies the problems on her family never going to end but family will get ruined after that. Thinking about what's gonna happen with them made a terror inside her. She won't be able to die peacefully after knowing what's gonna happen with them.

When Vikram came to grab Lechu,  with all energy she kicked right on his crotch making him fall down. Lechu somehow stood from floor all weak and left from there with her scooty. She was driving in maximum speed as much as  she can but Vikram was just behind her. Somehow she made till Rathore mansion and passed the gate. At the same time Vikram stopped his Jeep in front of Rathore villa and barged in beating up all the securities.

" Lakshmi...... " He shouted and ran to get her when Lechu ran towards the house climbing the steps somehow. She slipped her leg from heels many times still ran enduring the pain felt on her ankle. She know it twisted and going to swollen soon but life is important now.

" Stop there......" Vikram was getting angrier for not able to get her when she is in front of his eyes only a hand distant away from him..

" Dev....."

" Dev..... "

" Dev....." Lechu ran and hide behind Dev who came just few seconds before her. He was getting out from his car while Lechu came there running with her life.

Vikram stopped in front of Dev like a snarling bull and Dev was watching him all confused.

" Oh ...... So he is the guy " Vikram scoffed at Dev and said. Zahir quickly came and stood in front of Vikram. He was doing his duty that is to protect his boss.

Vikram was not ready to give up then also. He went to grab Lakshmi from Dev's behind where as she was holding on his shirt crying fearfully.

" What the hell are you doing ? Who let these creeps to enter into my house ? " Dev shouted at Vikram and then at the security guards who came there running to catch Vikram.

" You filthy slut...... It's your dad, my uncle who cheated me by giving hopes. If I wished to get you then I will make you mine no matter what. For your dad I will give to him separately...... Remember that " Vikram challenged while he was taken back by the gaurds.

" If I couldn't get you then I will kill you bitch...... " Vikram released his grip again from gaurds and went to grab Lechu but this time Dev held her close to him in a shock pressing her head on his chest and covered her eyes.

" Zahir. ..... " He shouted at Zahir to take Vikram out from his house because gaurds can't control Vikram.

Dev took Lechu inside who was still shivering in fear. But soon after he stepped into the house he got a shocking surprise waiting for him.

" Dev........ " Lavanya jumped in front of him from nowhere with a wide grin on her face but that got vanished to thin air watching Lechu was attached to Dev especially he was wrapped his right hand around her as a support. Lechu quickly stood away from Dev to avoid further complications.

" Dev, come fast. Mr Mishra and his wife came for dinner with us. They are waiting for you. " Dev's aunt came there in a hurry to get Dev towards the guests.

" Dinner ? " Dev looked at his aunt without any idea about it.

"It was a quick plan. He was free today and I called Lavanaya to share this idea. She was so happy and made her dad agreed for a dinner with you. " Varada says.

" Aunty...... Why you arranged this dinner without asking me ? He must be waiting for all these time right? Atleast you should have called me" Dev seemed little irritated by his aunt's act doing things without asking to Dev.

" No Dev.... It's fine, We just came now. Mohit informed me when you left from office.  So we also left from our house after that. Dad don't wanted make you disturb, he likes such unexpected visits. You come with me and show your face in front of him. " Saying this Lavanya took him to meet her parents leaving Lechu there.

" Can't you take your phone when someone is calling you? Or you deliberately avoided the calls after knowing it was me ? Don't think that Parvathi will be there to backup you always. If you have any plan to move towards that side then this is my warning. It will be worst days for you than what you saw yesterday. " Varada pushed her back after warning her.

" Go to kitchen and get the things prepared for them. Serve it perfectly without any drama.  Go ...... " Varada sent her straight to kitchen giving instructions. Lechu looked around the house searching for Parvathi hiding from Varada.

" Parvathi is not here. You don't have run your eyes anywhere.  That's what I said. ..  if any mistake from your side Parvathi  isn't going to come for your rescue. So be careful " 

Varada again warned her and Lechu silently moved to the kitchen.

Lechu could here the noisy laughs from the place were the guests gathered. Especially the horse laugh of Lavanaya's dad, Mr Anand Mishra. A well known politician from ruling party who has hold in both State and central.

They all know who is Lakshmi for Dev still their behaviour was like Lakshmi is just a maid in that house. When she served them food no one looked at her nor commented anything. Lavanaya's dad continued his conversion like Lechu was invisible in front of him. Dev seemed to be not that much enjoying his conversion. Mr Mishra was praising himself about the help he did for Dev and whom all he had to call for stopping the investigation on Cosmos and Dev.

" Dev knows everything and he is always thankful for you. " Varada said with so much gratitude.

" I know.......  Dev is really a smart guy. I love him from the time Lavanaya brought him to our house for her birthday party. I adores him more than Viren because of his smartness and ambitious mind " said Mr Mishra.

" About that new government project you wanted to do ...... Lavanya told me about it. You don't have to worry Dev , next week I am going for a foreign meet with our IT minister. I will take care of it " he promised Dev about a government deal in which Dev got an eye and was preparing to call the tender. Dev got angry by hearing that and glared at Lavanya. He don't wanted anyone to know about it or her dad's help to get it. He really wanted to compete against other companies so that he can evaluate his company's performance range.

When Lechu was serving the tea for them she noticed their eye fight.

" Anand, you talked alot and made them bored. Now let's leave them to talk freely and we can continue with our talks" Mr Mishra's wife, Shobha said to her husband jokingly.

" Oh I forgot about that. Then you both can leave. Now a days kids needs their privacy. Before that I want to give you something Dev. I brought a gift for you . " Anand forward his hand towards wife and she passed a small beautiful shopping cover to him.

" Last week we both went to switzerland. From here we brought this.  Lavanya was snoozing through my phone don't forget dad , don't forget to get this.....oh god don't even ask. I think I never saw her desperateness to but anything from her dad but Dev " Saying this 

Mr Mishra passed that cover to Dev.

" It's Louis Moinet limited edition Dev, Tempograph chrome. I noticed you don't have this in your collections " Lavanaya said while Dev was checking the gift he got.

" Oh it's so precious " Varada commented in wonder seeing the watch.

"It's limited edition aunty, with 18 k white gold, costs around 6 million " Lavanaya says.

" Oh wow..... " Varada was surprised to hear the price and widened her eyes. Lechu secretly counted in her fingers to check the number of zeros in a million. Her mouth opened widely when the zeros ended at six. She then quickly peeked into Dev's hand and saw the watch for once.

Only Dev seemed not that much excited for his new gift infact he looked annoyed but he didn't showed that in front of Mr and Mrs Mishra.

" Thanks..... I do have a craze for watches. Thank you Lavanaya " he said only as a formality and stood from there excusing himself. Varada aunty signed at Lavanya to follow Dev and she quickly ran behind him.

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

" Lavanya please don't repeat this again I won't entertain such things. If I need something then I will get it with my money. " Dev yelled at Lavanaya when they came towards garden to talk freely.

" Dev...... It's just a gift from me. Why you are shouting at me for that. We used to share gifts from childhood itself. How many gifts I got from you and how many I gifted you back , then what's your problem now ? " Lavanya asked

" Those were not like this. Something simple and pretty which symbolises our friendship. Which I can keep it with me as a souvenir. But this is ....  I feel burdened by receiving this. A gift should be something which the recipient should feel happy while keeping it with them. Please take it back.... I don't wanted to make it bad in front of your parents that's why I am saying this to you. " Dev forward the cover back to Lavanaya and said

" No ..... I won't take it back. If you don't want then you throw it out. I don't care but I am not going to take this back that's for sure " Lavanya turned her back at him annoyingly and stood there with her crossed arms.

" Lavanya........ " Dev made her look at him and called gently.

"Do you know how much I was excited for this ? " Lavanya whined at Dev. Her eyes were wet and she didn't looked at Dev.

" Okay, leave it. I will accept this but please don't repeat. " Only after hearing that from Dev a smile appeared on Lavanaya's face

"Give that,  I will make you wear it " she took the watch from him and made Dev wear it with her hands itself.

" See this is looking perfect on you " Lavanaya said very happily. That's when Lechu came there to call them for having dinner. She was sent by Varada. 

Lechu saw Dev wearing the watch and looked so comfortable around Lavanya within her presence.

" Stalking is a bad manners " Lavanaya commented at Lechu with an irritating face.

" Aunty is calling you both for having dinner " Lechu said staring at Dev and  left from there silently.

" She is really getting into my nerves Dev. Only because of you I am holding myself back " Lavanaya said annoyingly. Dev ignored her with his silence and went to have dinner

During dinner also Lechu couldn't leave because serving was on her head. They talked on all unnecessary topics.  She also have to witness the hand in hand game of Lavanya with Dev under the table. For a second Lechu felt like to pour the water on them and ran from there but nothing was possible for her situation other than to dream.

Finally Lechu was set free by Varada after their dinner is over. She knew that Dev won't be back soon so Lechu banged herself on his soft matress, it was like heaven for her. She closed her eyes gently but suddenly she remembered about Vikra. Soon she grabbed her phone to call Govind. She feared that he might went to him to let out his anger on  for not getting Lechu.

She walked into the closet while connecting her appa and after so many rings finally Govind attended the call

" Appa...... "

" Where were you? How long I am trying to get you ? " Lechu whined at him soon after he attended the call. Very first there wasn't any reply from him then he talked.

" Do you know what's the time now ? " He asked. That's when she is checking on her watch and it's past eleven at night. She smacked her on head with her hand.

" Ops......sorry.... What to do? I missed my sweet appa. Can't I call you anytime or you forgot about your princess ? " She turned her plate cleverly and now complaints that he is not calling her.

" I was going to call you tomorrow. Dev's aunt Varada ji called me today morning. " Just by hearing that her heart skipped a beat. Many things flashed inside her mind thinking what she would have told to her appa.

" Why you didn't told me that Dev's relatives are coming to see you ? " Govind asked.

" It slipped from my mind appa. That's not a huge issue they are just his relatives " Lechu says likes it's nothing important.

" Mad girl, it's a custom don't you know that ? They are coming to see the new daughter in law of their family, not just for a home visit. Elders are coming to bless you and you need to give gifts for them from your side. Why you didn't informed me? Dev's aunt gave me the complete list of their relatives who is going to come there. Today I was I behind that. "

" Appa..... " Lechu interrupted him to tell that he don't need to spent much on that but he understood why she called him just by her tone.

" I know what you are going to say. That's why I didn't tell you before. Even if you tell me that I don't have to buy anything for them,  as your father I can't ignore my duty. It's same for Aadhya. Your mom and I brought you into this world so we have that responsibility. Your mom left two precious gifts with me, then I should protect it till my last breath right ? " He chuckled softly and said to his daughter.

" Appa.......... Don't worry about me."

"  I promise I will be happy here. I...... I ...... I am really happy here."

" ..... Goo.. Good night " Lechu quickly cut the call bursting into tears and looked at her reflection on mirror. She herself don't understand who is she now ? She don't understand what is happening with her life and to where it is taking her. Sometimes she feels like her decisions are the most right ones but sometimes she feels it was the worst. What is giving her hope is the happiness she could see far away with her family, like old times........

" It's not your fault Lakshmi..... It was just a bad luck. You will also get another chance. This is not the end " she taught her brain these words again and again to make her strong.

Lechu sighed heavily and grabbed the first aid kit from drawer to clean her wound on the right elbow. During the fight with Vikram it happened. She saw her blouse sleeves got torn and blood stains around it. Lechu locked the closet door and removed her blouse slowly because the wound was stinging.

" This is gonna leave a mark on my beautiful hand." Lechu pouted her lips and tried to remove the blood clot and dirt on wound, but it wasn't that much easier. With left hand she couldn't do it properly and that's by looking at the mirror.

Lechu threw the cotton to the floor getting annoyed and grabbed another one. She took a deep breath to relax herself but stood in front of mirror all shocked when she saw the image of Dev behind her. She turned back all wondered forgetting that she was only in her black lace bralette and jeans. Dev came inside through his secret room since he got something to do there. She didn't closed that door.

For the first time after their marriage Dev's face looked flushed watching Lakshmi in that condition. He didn't expect that she will be there in closet like this and Lechu didn't expect that Dev will come through the other door.

" I was..... I thought..... Damn it.....  " Dev smacked his hand on wall slightly to reduce that embarrassment and turned to open the closet door. Meanwhile Lechu looked around to get some cloth to cover her up but didn't get anything and Dev was standing near to her wardrobe so that wasn't an option. In that hurry she hit her hand on the glass table of his watch collections and knelt down hissing in pain.

Dev stopped for a second watching her on floor and doubtfully approached her. Lechu moved back a little in fear remembering that night he saw her in tube top. Dev noticed what she was hiding from him and the opened first aid box. He pulled a mini cusion chair with his feet and sat on it leaning towards Lechu. She gulped a lump from throat and breathed abnormally. She feared about what he is going to order next and put all her hair to front side to cover herself. Dev corrected his throat when his gaze caught on her cleavage.

Lechu rearranged her hair again and kept one hand on the pendant of her necklace inorder to hide the cleavage.

Dev forward his hand at her and Lechu's face became pale within seconds she started crying.

" I don't want to do it. Please "

" It will sting otherwise " he replied in a monotone.

" I will throw up, I don't like to do it " she replied and joined her hands.

" That's why I will do it for you. Come " he says and Lechu opened her eyes widely and cried more badly.

"You can beat me, kick me, hate me but why are you doing this ? Spare me for this one night. I can't.. .... " Dev frowned his eyebrows watching her melodrama then only he understands what happened to her.

"i***t, Pass that first aid kit to me " he became more serious and ordered to Lechu. She stopped crying like he switched off her crying button and quickly passed the box.

" If you want me to spare you for this night then tell me the truth for questions I am asking. " Dev took some cotton with medicine and pulled her hand forcefully which she crossed across her body.

" Who was that guy ? " She flinched when he kept the cotton on her wound and along with it he put a question in front of her. He blew on her wound and raised his intense gaze to get a reply. Scared of Dev she quickly replied in one word

" Vikram "

Dev raised his one eyebrow like Vikram who ?

" He is my cousin, my aunt's son. " Lechu replied in her feverish voice and hissed again.

" Vikram........ I remember this name.... " Dev squeezed his eyes trying to remember Vikram.

" Oh.... Your dad's personal goon ? " Dev asked with a scoff and threw the cotton to floor.

" The one who threatened Nisha's family to withdraw the case. " Dev asked and Lechu looked at him pathetically as she don't know anything about it. She slowly pulled her hands back but he gripped on it stronger. Lechu jerked towards him and ended up few inches away from his face.

" Why he followed you today ? " Lechu remained silent infront of him. He took a small medical scissors and shows in front of her to scare her and that worked.

" There is a ritual from my appa's side that his sister's son can marry his daughter. "Maman kalyanam appadithan solvay "

" What ? " Dev frowned his face cluelessly when Lechu mixed tamil in that. He couldn't understand what she said.

" I mean uncle niece marriage, that's how it says. When I was born they all decided that I am for Vikram. But now I am grown up and Vikram is not like what we thought. He is indeed a goon and appa doesn't like him. So he didn't agree for that marriage. Vikram got angry for that and he is behind me to take me with him to Thanjavur" Lechu explained and sniffed pouting her lips.

" Your dad even cheated that guy showing his daughter right ? What kind of father he is ? " Dev laughed sarcastically and commented. Lechu didn't liked that and she stood from floor that instant.

" Whatever and however is my appa I love him and will always love him. In this world if I love someone then it's only my appa. No one can take his place.... no one  " Lechu spatted back at Dev and turned to leave but he forcefully pulled her back to him

" Leave........ Leave me " Lechu wriggled and tried to escape from his grip but he was strong. Both started to struggle and finally Dev locked her inside is left hand by wrapping her.

" Leave me..... " She cried when he came so close to her ears. She could feel his hot breath near to her skin but at the same time his touch on her skin and closeness made Lechu really uncomfortable.

" Snarling like a wild cat , to whom you are rebelling like this ? " Dev quickly pressed her towards the wall and stood in front of her trapping inbetween both hands. He swiped her front hair back to earlobes and trailed down to swipe rest of the hair to back side exposing her.  Lechu could only stand there holding each breathe.

"Like what's so special about you ? What is there inside you that I haven't seen in any other girls who warmed my bed ?  " His hand stopped on her chest and get hold on her Bartlett IL.

" Not a super model size, nothing extra ordinary, only a petite lean body  with pale skin, nothing is there to excites me in you then what others are seeing ? Are they all blind or you are doing any black magic on them " Dev asked in that same sarcastic tone. Lechu could only stand there and hear everything even though it make her feel ashamed and something was crawling under all over skin.  He then leaves her like he is not interested.

Crossing her both hands over the chest Lechu silently decided to leave from there to let Dev change. But he called her back snapping his fingers.

" Keep this with my watch collections. " He passed the watch Mr Mishra given to her and said.

" Carefull..... It's expensive than you " Dev commented. Lechu clenched her jaw hearing that and slide the glass door of the table to keep the new watch.

Dev started praising the new watch in front of Lechu and carefully observed it. Dev came half naked and stood behind her so close by making her in his left hand. He supported his hand on the table by make it look like a barrier around Lechu. Literally her soft skin was touching his strong mascular toned body which gave her all uncomfortable feelings. But there was no way to escape.

"It's very pretty....... Looks worth of it's price money. Stands out because of it's unique design and performance same like me. " Dev says.

"Every watch  shows the same time of our country. My this watch and yours 18k white gold watch also shows same time. Then what's the difference? " Lechu grunted but Dev heared her.

" For cheap stakes there won't be any difference until they get one. Buy they could never afford one like this in their whole life " Dev mocked Lechu.

" It will be special for you since it's from Lavanaya and her father  " Lechu mumbled

" Yes it is........ People with some class and standard knows what to give as a gift. Also knew the value of the person who have to wear it. " Dev replied and for that Lechu didn't said anything.There is no use though. She silently left from there to let him get freshen up soon so that she can cleanup after that.