N: Let's talk it out today Sameer!

S: Hmm...

They settle down with two mugs of coffee in the balcony. Preeti has gone to Pandit's house to look after him, so there's no one in the house.

The sky is calm and the weather serene. Cool winds are blowing and the mugs of coffee in their hands are warming them up.

N: By the way Sameer, how did you get to know where Sharad has taken me and in the first place, how did you know I had been kidnapped?

S: My sixth sense is really strong Naina. Especially when it's about you. The previous time too, I found you only relying on my sixth sense! And coming to how I found you, well I found your phone lying in the park. If you had a tracker chip inserted into you, then why the hell dint you say before? The last time it literally took me 2 hours to search for you! If I hadn't seen the tracker app on your phone, I would never have reached in time! I dread to even think what would have happened!

N: (giggles) I dint have it then Sameer! It was after that incident that I decided to use this. Anyways, you did reach me right? Nothing happened na?

S: Hmm...

After a silence of about 5 mins,

N: I was 12 years old, when my parents passed away in a car accident. I don't even know whether it was an accident. I belonged to a joint family. Taiji, Tauji, Chachaji, Chachiji, Arjun, my parents and me- we were a family. I was about 4 when Chachaji, Chachiji and Arjun Bhaiya met with an accident and they were believed to be dead until the time when we met Chachiji in the hospital.
After my parents passed away and there wasn't anyone else in the family apart from Taiji and Tauji. They were sweet to me in the initial years and I trusted them with all the decisions they took for me, unaware of their true colours.

I was educated and worked hard as I wanted to make them proud. I was grateful to them for looking after me and also financing my education and I wanted to repay the debt as soon as possible. But iski itni badi keemat chukani padegi, yeh kabhi nahi socha tha!
(But will have to pay such a big price for this, never had I thought!)

I dint know that my Taiji and Tauji were involved in illegal things like drug dealings and human trafficking. When I turned 16, Taiji suddenly changed her behaviour and started forcing me for things. If I refused or protested, she used to beat me up mercilessly. I started fearing her. I learnt dance forcibly but soon it turned a huge solace. She used to call some unknown men and I had to dress up and dance infront of them. Once, while dancing,one of the men grabbed my hand and started dragging me, so I slapped him. And because of that, she beat me up and dint give me any food the whole day. That day I learnt that she wanted to make money out of my body...by making me a bloody prostitute! ( Tears well up in her eyes and she lets them flow)

I begged, pleaded but she dint listen. I was forced to continue dancing. Then yet again, the same thing happened another day and this time, I was dragged and he..he..( she bursts out crying)

It was very painful. It felt disgusting! And that day, I lost the only thing I had- my honour! After he left, I ran to the washroom and sat crying under the shower. I did my best to rub off that disgusting feeling and touch but couldn't... And then this became my life. Everyday I would be.... looted of my honour...whipped at night...I...I...

Sameer pulls her close to him and hugs her tightly. He soon makes her sit on his lap and she cuddles more into him.

And one fine day, she started dragging me out to sell to Amog Babu forever. I pleaded and protested but got nothing but slaps and taunts in return. I couldn't take it anymore and hit her head and ran away.

I ran away and don't ask me how I have managed to come till here. I was all broken, alone and injured, both physically and emotionally, but still braving up I decided to work hard and become what I am today. I wanted to save all those people who were sold and used as I myself knew, how it felt! But from my own personal experience I knew it wouldn't be possible legally, so I found this- which gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a writer and also help those in need. It was hard at first but somehow struggling, I managed to get here!

It feels so good to get rid of all that you have buried in your chest. Naina too feels this and finally, after so many years, she feels light,like a huge burden is off her chest. All the while, Sameer had been patting her back, soothing her.

After some 20 mins of silence, she is still in his arms.

N: Sameer?

S: Hmm..

N: Come with me, I want to show you something.

S: Hmm..okay!

She takes him to her room and dims the lights and closes the door. He looks at her with a puzzled expression, not understanding what she planned to show.

His eyes widen with shock when she starts stripping.

S: Naina, yeh tum..
( Naina, you this..)

N: Shh Sameer. I know what I'm doing. This is important.

As she removes her top, he sees blue black marks on her stomach. His eyes well up with tears looking at them. She then removes her pants as well and the sight makes his heart wrench with pain. Her thighs are full of bruises and wounds. She turns and on her lower back, he sees whip like marks. All this while, tears are flowing through her eyes.

He immediately picks up her bedsheet from the bed and wraps it around her and holds her close to him, tightly.

S: Naina.... this...your Taiji?

Naina nods and Sameer clenches his fist in anger. How dare she? How can she? Dosen't that woman have a heart?

He, with great difficulty, manages to calm down and makes her sit on the bed.

N: These scars will forever remain Sameer. I will always be this ugly inside and that's why I told you to move on from me. You don't....

She is cut in between by his lips on hers. It takes her some time to register his lips on hers and is even shocked but reciprocates. It feels like the most beautiful moment of her life to her. In that moment, she completely forgets her tears and feels peaceful.

They soon break apart and a deep red hue adorns her face. She is just not able to look at him and buries her head in his chest. He smiles at her flushed state. He makes her face him and cups her face.

S: Don't you dare repeat those words again and don't you dare let such thoughts come to your mind, did you get that?
I love your soul and not your body! These scars, these aren't ugly. Infact, they make you even more beautiful because these show despite suffering so much, you are still so strong. Today, with all the love and respect I have for you, I bow my head infront of you, in admiration and appreciation of your inner beauty and strength.

He bows and Naina immediately holds his head and shakes her head in a no.
Happy tears flow down her eyes due to his one gesture and words.
She holds Sameer's hand in hers and says

N: Thank you for coming into my life! Thank you for accepting me despite everything. Thank you!

S: Thank you too for coming into my life. Thank you for being the light of my darkness! Thank you!

Hey guys!
So how's the update?

Anything to say about Naina's past?

Lovingly,
Pratyu