Voting target 800+

Roohi's pov

I couldn't sleep through the whole night. I kept on turning and tossing in the bed till early morning. His words were ringing in my ears continuously. Is he joking with me? Or was it real? How can it be real?

He despises me, he hated me since so long. For him, I'm the most ugly woman living on this earth. He always told me so many hateful things. How can a person's emotion change so suddenly?

A few months back, he screamed on my face that he hates me. He said so many things which I even forgot but i remember one thing that his every word only depicted extreme hate for me.

"Roohi..."

Siya woke up. She yawned lazily.

"Good morning"

I said in a tired tone.

"Is everything fine?"

She asked.

"Hmm"

I entered the washroom. After taking a quick shower I came out.

"I'm going downstairs..."

"Okay go"

Siya entered the washroom. But then she came out instantly.

"Roohi...I think I misunderstood the situation"

"Which situation?"

"Umm..that kidnapping... suddenly i remember something you know, when Sharad kidnapped me, he didn't see my face...after seeing me he got shocked like it was mistake..infact he told me this..I was so scared that moment that i didn't focus on his words but last night I remembered all these..I think I was not the target..They kidnapped me by mistake...."

I frowned.

"Then who could be the target? I mean, they came in Paliganj for the first time...when it happened? The kidnapping...."

I asked Siya.

"On 20th March"

Suddenly something got clear in front of my eyes. 20th March! I remember the date because I had sent a legal notice to him that day. I still remember our conversation. We had a big fight.

"Whatever you did today was illegal..that area belongs to our institution but you destroyed the place without any legal documents... I'm giving you 3 days.. submit the legal papers or I'm going to take action against you"

"Really? Then do it.. I'm eagerly waiting for your action..do it, go and take whatever action you can, I'm right here sweetheart..show me your claws"

"By the way you are the sole reason for whatever happened to those people.. remember i gave you 48 hours to send back my mom.. remember? But you didn't do it...and that's why I destroyed that slum.."

"Are you crazy or what? You did this because I didn't throw Gayatri chachi out of my house? What a coward man you are..shame on you..why don't you go and tell her that you want her to come with you? Your own mom doesn't want to come with you and you are blaming me for this? You are ruining lives for that? You are a real coward man"

"Shut up! Don't use that tone on me"

"I will because you deserve this"

"Not a word Roohi..not a word.."

"Why not? Only you have the right to derogate people?"

I sat on the bed abruptly.

"What happened Roohi?"

"I was the target Siya...He planned the kidnapping on me..I don't know what was he thinking that moment..Was he planning to........."

I couldn't speak further. I'm literally trembling in fear and anger both.

"I don't think so Roohi..maybe the target was you but I feel he just did that to scare you..If he had any bad intentions, he could have done that after your marriage..but he didn't.."

"Don't take his side Siya..He is not a saint..Thanks to shivji that I got to know this truth...he had literally confused me last night with his words but now I'm not confused anymore..He was always disgusting and still he is plotting..."

"What kind of plotting?"

Siya asked.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"He was telling me last night that........."

"What?"

I don't want to say that. It's giving me deep chills.

"He was expressing....he was..i mean he was uttering nonsense things..I don't think..."

I went silent. Siya was also silent. She sat beside me and placed her hand on my back.

"I saw him looking at you in some different way....I didn't tell you this because I knew that you won't like such type of conversation.."

I looked at Siya in shock.

"Are you kidding me Siya? He was acting"

"I don't think so..Listen Roohi..it's very normal..You are now married..maybe he got attracted to you after marriage..look at you, you are beautiful, innocent and different.... Don't you think that a man like him can fall for you?"

"What do you mean by a man like him?"

Siya smiled after hearing me.

"He is too handsome and rich...and passionate"

"You are not making any sense...let's go downstairs...Dronum is waiting for us and i don't want this conversation.."

I walked out.

My head is throbbing in pain. This is the last thing I want in my life.

But my luck was not in my favour. After coming down I saw Advay talking to Dronum. My heart jumped violently inside my ribcage. Last night's memory came back.

"Mam is here..mam, we were discussing about the temple.."

Dronum said.

I walked near them with a blank gaze. There was no spot around, so had to seat next to him. I felt so uncomfortable. After last night, nothing is normal.

Dronum's wife served us tea. Dronum walked out after his wife called him for some household chores.

I took a sip of tea. He is sitting so close to me. Why his presence is affecting me?

I turned my head and immediately I got angry.

"Don't touch my hair"

I came just after taking a shower and my hair is open. He is entangling the end of my hair around his finger.

"Your saree is getting drenched with water"

He said with a slight smile.

"That's my problem"

I shifted a bit away. I'm really getting irritated now. I finished my tea and again i looked at him.

"What's wrong with you?"

I pulled my pallu from his hand.

First my hair and now my saree!

"I told you already"

He said with that stupid smile on his face.

I got up and walked upstairs. I can't believe that i have to spend the whole day with him.

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

"I think we should start with giving a wall boundary around the temple...What do you say?"

He asked me.

The idea is great, i must admit it but i didn't show it on my face.

"That can be done.."

I said in a cold way. I don't want to give him any wrong signals from my side. He should have known that I'm not interested in him.

"Fine..."

The meeting goes on like this. Other members were also there. But soon one by one left. Today Siya didn't come. She is doing the official work.

"I should also leave"

I looked at the time and then i found him standing close to me and staring. I got really irritated. He doesn't leave a single chance to make me uncomfortable.

"Are you not going to Mumbai today?"

I asked while making slight distance from him.

"It depends"

He said while leaning on a tree.

"Depends on what?"

He chuckled.

"On you"

My face turned blank again.

He is flirting with me directly!

"Don't give me that look sweetheart...You are a sweet person, no matter how hard you try to look grumpy, but you failed.."

"Don't do this Advay..and I'm saying this seriously.. whatever is going on your mind, just stop this right now.. I'm not interested in you in anyway...We are not friends, not lovers...."

I replied.

"But we are husband and wife"

This man is ridiculous.

I didn't say anything. It's futile to argue here. I know myself very well. I don't feel anything for him and I'm not going to feel anything ever.

I walked forward to reach the main road. I know he is coming behind me. We walked in silence. It's already evening. Suddenly I heard some footsteps.

I looked at Advay. He also heard it.

Then we saw few men coming out of the bushes. They had covered their faces with some clothes. I senses total danger. They are holding sticks.

Before I could process anything further they literally jumped on Advay and started beating him.

I covered my mouth in extreme fear. Advay started fighting but they were almost six in number and every one of them are attacking him from different angles. Though he kicked and punched them but beatings are coming back to back from different angles.

"Help..help....somebody help...."

I cried out in fear.

I saw blood on Advay's face. I looked around and immediately I grabbed a stone. I threw at them.

"Leave him....go away...I will call the police...go away.."

I took my phone but my network is zero. What should I do now? Advay is heavily injured. Now he has fallen in the ground and those men are still beating him so hard.

I immediately ran towards them. Suddenly one of them grabbed my pallu and pulled it roughly. Fear struck me completely. I cried out.

Suddenly Advay kicked that man directly on his face. He started fighting again and this time he gave a good fight. He snatched one of those sticks and started beating them. He is bleeding from everywhere but now he is looking so crazy. He is screaming and beating those men black and blue.

After a few minutes, those men ran away in fear. Advay ran after them and I also followed him. Suddenly, Advay held his head and sat under a tree.

"Are you okay? Oh my god....."

His head is bleeding too much.

"Give me your phone..."

I took his phone. He is closing his eyes. He is in too much pain. I tried to call Sharad but again network problem.

What should I do now? Tears gathered into my eyes.

"Wait here... I'm going to find some help"

I stood up but he immediately grabbed my wrist.

"No...They are hiding somewhere..it's..not safe for you"

He groaned in pain.

"But you are bleeding...Your head is bleeding..you can die"

I yelled in fear as more tears streamed down to my cheeks.

"I'm fine...let's walk"

He stood up but he is limping too much.

I immediately wrapped my arms around his torso and he placed his hand on my shoulder. He is too heavy. I felt difficulty in walking. But we have to get some help.

We walked for a while. He is bleeding too much. My saree got soaked with his blood in few places. He is closing his eyes.

I placed him under a tree. He is sweating profusely. I wiped his face with my saree.

"Advay....Advay"

My voice broke. I started crying.

He immediately opened his eyes.

"I'm fine sweetheart..."

He whispered. His face is crumbling down in excessive pain. Those bastards attacked him directly on his head.

"Why are you closing your eyes? Look at me..I have to go to find some help..."

Suddenly I saw a woman inside the forest. I immediately ran towards her. I asked for help.

"Mam, there is a village hospital within 10 mins distance..let me call my husband...we can shift your husband there"

With the help of that woman and her husband, we took Advay to the village hospital finally.

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

"But this place is unhygienic...Sir can't stay here"

Sharad said to me.

I'm filling up the details of Advay. I looked at Sharad coldly. I called him after reaching here.

"He got some stitches..do you really think it's a good idea to shift him right now in Mumbai?? These doctors are also doctors..they are working in a village hospital that doesn't mean that they are illiterate...they told me to not move him at least for three days.. and about hygiene...leave it on me..I will take care of him..now you go back to Mumbai and arrange everything...after three days, I will send him back.."

"Okay mam"

Sharad left after that.

"Who will be staying with the patient?"

A nurse asked me.

"I will stay..."

"Fill this form"

The nurse again gave me a form. After submitting the form, i came out. There is a local market here. I bought some fresh clothes, a towel, a toothbrush, sanitizer, a new plate, a glass, water bottle, pillow, bed cover and some other stuffs. I know this man and his issues with hygiene.

I entered the hospital. I walked towards his floor. This is a village hospital, so they don't have the facility of a special ward. They can provide a cabin but right now it's not available. So I had to admit him in the general ward. Other patients will also be there.

I don't know what is he doing right now. After all he got tantrums like celebrities.

I entered the general ward and it's really stinking bad. He got a bed near the window. This is a good part. I walked towards him. He is lying by covering his nose. His whole face has a deep bandage.

"Advay.."

He turned his face towards me.

"I can't stay here..it's so dirty.."

He complained immediately. I knew it.

"Look at that man..he is throwing up from the last half an hour...it's stink sweetheart...I just can't..I don't know what kind of punishment I'm getting right now...did you talk to Sharad..shift me immediately....aahhhhhh"

He held his head in pain.

"Stop talking..you got fresh stitches"

I snapped.

I loomed over him and caressed his wound gently.

"Listen, doctors told me that you can't move at least for three days...I know you got some hygiene issues..and that's why I bought fresh clothes, bedcover and pillows for you...I will keep you safe and clean..You don't have to worry even a bit...hmm?"

He nodded his head like a kid. I smiled and caressed his forehead.

"Good boy..now try to get some sleep okay...After dinner, I will change the bedcovers.."

He closed his eyes immediately and fell asleep due to the effects of sedatives i guess.

I took a deep breath looking at his injured face. Should I call chachi? Yes i should.

I immediately called chachi. She picked up the call after a few rings.

"Hello Roohi...we were just talking about you...are you fine? How is your field visit going?"

She asked.

"Chachi..is Baba around?"

I asked.

"No..he slept..why?"

"Actually Chachi... I'm with Advay..he got an accident..And his head is injured..but don't worry he is doing fine now..he got some stiches..He is in the village hospital"

"What was he doing there? What is going between you two?"

I was stunned. She didn't even ask for Advay. Her voice is so unfazed.

"Chachi...what are you taking about? Nothing is going between us"

"Listen Roohi..Your Baba's health is not well..he got a slight fever in the evening and some coughs..Stay away from Advay..I don't want Jaivanth to suffer from any kind of stress due to you...And Advay will be fine...he is a strong boy..come back to Paliganj right now...Sharad can look after Advay"

With that she disconnected the call.

I was absolutely dumbfounded. I walked near his bed. He is in deep slumber. My heart ached after seeing the negligence of his own mother towards him. I don't know why but my heart shook with some pain.

His face is looking so swollen. I took out the fresh bedcover from my bag. I removed the hospital cover from his body. I covered him properly with the fresh cover. I closed the window.

Then i turned my face towards him. Gayatri Chachi's words are ringing in my ears.

She doesn't care!

But I care. I can't leave him alone like this. I touched his forehead. I ran my fingers through his hair.

He will be fine.

I will take care of him in these three days.