Talab - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

News Broadcast
"Due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging, citizens are advised to stay indoors. Avoid traveling to unsafe areas."
⸻
Fanaa's POV
The sky outside cried with rage, but inside the house—it was quiet, painfully quiet.
She quickly prepared Samarth Ji's favorite breakfast and brought it to him with hope...
Hope that maybe today, he would look at her like he used to.
But he didn't.
Not a glance.
Not a word.
It was as if... she didn't exist anymore.
The whole day passed like that—
Her moving around like a ghost in a home she used to call safe, and him...
Sitting, staring, breathing—but never seeing her.
As the clock struck dinner time, she stood at his door, hesitant.
Knock...
No answer.
She slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
There he was—standing silently near the window, his figure framed by the streaks of lightning behind the glass.
"Umm... Samarth Ji, dinner is ready," she said softly, afraid of his coldness.
But this time, he turned.
"Let's talk, Fanaa," he said, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
She blinked, confused.
He walked to the bed and sat down, patting the space beside him.
She moved slowly, her footsteps uncertain, and sat at a safe distance.
"Tell me, Fanaa," he whispered, "what are you hiding from me?"
She gave him a weak smile, pretending. "What would I hide, Samarth Ji?"
He held something up in his hand—
Sleeping pills.
Her heart dropped.
"Woh... those are just for insomnia," she tried to cover up, but her voice was shaking.
"You think I'm that stupid, Fanaa?"
His eyes searched hers, pleading for the truth.
But her lips stayed sealed.
Frustrated, he stood with a jerk, ready to leave when—
Her voice broke the silence.
"I was raped."
The words were barely a whisper, but enough to shatter the world around them.
He froze.
His breath hitched.
He turned to her slowly, and there she was—
Shivering.
Breaking.
But still... standing.
Tears streamed down his face as he staggered forward and cupped her cheeks with trembling hands.
No words.
No breath.
Just unspeakable pain.
"He raped me brutally, Samarth Ji. After that... I never trusted anyone.
A girl who used to hug her father without fear... now gets scared by his touch.
You know... I used to call him bhaiya..."
Her voice cracked. His heart shattered.
Without thinking, he pulled her into the tightest hug he'd ever given.
A hug that screamed I'm sorry,
A hug that begged forgive me,
A hug that promised I'll never leave you again.
For the first time, she hugged him back.
No hesitations. No holding back.
After a few moments, she gently pulled away, her hands reaching for the hem of her kurti.
"What are you doing?" he asked quickly, alarmed.
"I want to share my pain with you, Samarth Ji...
The truth I've hidden for so long."
"No," he whispered. "Please... I won't be able to bear it."
But she didn't stop.
Slowly, silently, she removed her kurti.
His soul shattered the moment he saw her body—
Scarred.
Bruised.
Some wounds faded, others still fresh.
Marks of hell left behind by a monster.
He couldn't take it.
He hugged her again, tighter than ever, hiding his face in her neck as his sobs escaped without shame.
He gently ran his fingers over her scars, then looked at her, heartbroken.
"I'm sorry, Fanaa... I'm so sorry. I've been such a bad husband. I left you alone in your pain."
He pulled her to bed and laid her down softly, resting her head on his chest.
"You don't have to be strong anymore. I'm here now. I'll protect you. You're safe, jaan... safe."
"I'm not your dream wife... I'm impure... used," she murmured brokenly.
"Shhh..." he kissed her forehead.
"Who said you're not pure? My jaan is the purest.
I'm proud—proud—to be your husband. Tell me, bacha...
Tell me his name."
Her body stiffened.
She went silent.
"It's okay if you don't want to," he said softly, stroking her back.
But she looked at him, her eyes glassy.
"I want to tell you everything."
And so she did.
She told him everything—
Even what happened after their marriage.
Even what he did to her.
Samarth listened.
Each word etched a scar on his soul.
He hugged her tighter.
"No one... no one... will ever touch my wife again.
My bacha... you were in so much pain, and you didn't tell me.
You thought so little of me?"
His voice broke at the end.
"I was scared, Samarth Ji.
Yesterday... when I thought I hurt you...
I felt like dying."
She rested her head against his chest, his heartbeat wild and rapid beneath her ear.
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Samarth's POV
Bloody Raj.
You thought you escaped your sins?
You've just signed your death sentence.
You touched what was mine.
You stole her innocence.
You dimmed her light.
You broke my Fanaa.
Now watch how I break you.
Your world will burn, Raj.
And I'll be the fire.