Previous cut:-That same day she had also visited Rupam's family home. The answer she received there was far beyond anything she could have imagined—strange, shocking, and utterly terrifying.
Rupam opened his eyes as soon as he woke up and realized the room was empty. Sarmistha was nowhere to be seen. He glanced toward the front door, and his face darkened with rage. Muttering under his breath, he hissed, "You'll have to come back eventually. There's no way I won't get you after marriage. You won't let me come near you? Fine. Today I'll make you suffer so badly that you'll remember it for the rest of your life."
Still burning with anger, Rupam left for work.
Meanwhile, Sarmistha had finished college and gone straight to Rupam's parents' house. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw her mother-in-law, Binodini Devi, watching television, while her father-in-law, Soumen Babu, sat reading the newspaper. At first, no one noticed her. A few moments later, Binodini Devi looked up, saw Sarmistha, and seemed slightly surprised. She quickly recovered, stood up, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"What's the matter, Sarmistha? You're here all of a sudden! Were you missing us that much?"
Soumen Babu lowered his newspaper and said, "Never mind all that. Come, sit here."
Sarmistha sat down on the sofa in front of Soumen Babu. He asked gently, "Tell me, how are you? Is Rupam taking good care of you?"
Sarmistha remained silent for a few seconds. Then, in a low voice, she said, "I'm not well, Baba. And the reason is your son, Rupam."
Binodini Devi frowned. "Rupam? What has he done now?"
Sarmistha decided not to hide anything. She told them the entire story and, to make them believe her, showed them the injuries on her body.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew heavy. Binodini Devi stayed quiet for a few moments, then said, "Look, Sarmistha, you two got married because you loved each other. The best thing is to adjust to each other and move forward together. He's young and hot-headed, so he lost control and did something like this. But he's not like that at all."
Sarmistha looked at her in disbelief. "After seeing these wounds, is that what you're going to say?"
Binodini Devi shifted uncomfortably and replied, "Maybe he got a little rough while trying to show you affection. Perhaps you didn't listen to him. As a husband, he has every right to love you, doesn't he? Anyway, I give you my word—he won't do anything like this a second time. So stop worrying about it."
Soumen Babu nodded in agreement. "Yes, Sarmistha, don't worry. I'll talk to him and make him understand. These little things happen after marriage. Just put some medicine on the cuts and they'll heal. And whatever you do, don't tell your father. He's getting old; there's no need to upset him unnecessarily. He'll think his friend's son married his daughter and is now torturing her."
Sarmistha felt stunned by their words. She understood clearly that her in-laws would never say anything against their son. There was no one who would stand by her side.
For a moment she thought about telling her father. But then she realized—her father was old. If he got worried and his health suffered, it would only create more problems. In the end, she decided she would have to handle everything on her own.
She left her in-laws' house and started walking home.
But she had no idea what was waiting for her in the shadows.
Back at the office, Rupam sat brooding. The woman he had married was refusing to give him what he wanted. His body burned with frustration. As the thought kept circling in his mind, a plan suddenly came to him. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. On the screen, a name appeared—Shalini.
Let me introduce Shalini briefly. She was a sex worker who had been in the business for the past five years. She had spent time with Rupam many times before. And Rupam wasn't her only client—she had many wealthy ones. Hotels, flats—wherever the client wanted, she went.
Rupam called her.
From the other end came a sweet, familiar voice: "Tell me, baby… you remembered me after so many days?"
Rupam smiled. "Remembered you? As if I could ever forget you. Anyone who spends even one night with you can never forget you."
Shalini laughed softly. "Alright, enough of that. Now tell me, why did my darling suddenly call?"
Rupam lowered his voice. "I want you, baby. I'm missing you so much. Are you free today? I thought we could spend some time together."
Shalini answered without hesitation, "For you, I'm always free. Where do I have to go?"
Rupam replied, "You don't have to go anywhere. I'm coming to pick you up myself."
Shalini blew a kiss at the phone screen and said, "Okay…" Then she hung up.
Rupam placed the phone on the table and let out a long breath. There was a strange, burning hunger in his eyes.
To be continued....