A month had passed since I last saw my family. I spoke to them only occasionally over the phone. Appa called Grandma every day, yet never once did he ask to speak to me or even inquire about me.
Life here was good in almost every way… except for Manoj brother. Something about him had changed, as if a switch had been flipped. Over the past week, his behavior toward me had shifted in a way that made me uneasy.
Before, he would simply watch me from a distance. But now, he found reasons to come over every day under the pretext of helping Priya and me with our homework. He would sit between us, and sometimes, his arm would brush against mine. Each time, I would quietly move a little farther away, yet somehow, he would still end up close, leaning over me while explaining something, his body brushing against mine again. I hated it. Even when I tried to study on my own, he would pull Priya to sit elsewhere so that he could take the spot next to me.
His presence distracted me from my lessons.
I was in my room braiding my hair in the long mirror attached to the door of the wardrobe. I turned around and caught Manoj at the threshold of my room. He wasn’t looking at my face. His gaze lingered too long, too still—tracing every change as though he was committing them to memory. When I met his eyes in the mirror, he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
It was a small smile, polite enough to seem harmless but there was something about it that made my skin prickle. He didn’t say anything, and neither did I, yet the silence between us felt like a thread stretched too tight, ready to snap.
I stepped out of the room looking for my grandma but I could still feel his eyes following me.
I couldn’t handle his gaze and touches anymore, they burnt me.
One afternoon during lunch break, I was lost in my thoughts when Priya nudged me with her shoulder.
“Meeru, what’s going on? Tell me. You’ve been so distant for a week now,” she said, her lips curving into a small pout.
Should I tell her? Should I say her brother’s closeness made me uncomfortable? But what if she got offended… what if it broke our friendship?
Instead, I forced a smile. “Priya, I was just thinking… why don’t we try studying on our own? Let’s make it a challenge, see who scores more marks without anyone’s help. Manoj bro must have his own college work to focus on. We shouldn’t trouble him. From today, we’ll do our homework together in my room. What do you say?”
Priya thought for a moment, then smiled. That smile felt like a small victory to me. Relief washed over me—if she agreed, then I wouldn’t have to face Manoj every day.
That evening, we returned from school. I changed into my nightdress and waited for Priya to join me. A knock sounded at the door. Grandma went to open it, and I already knew who it would be. Panic rose in me. I hurried into my room and locked the door.
Then came another knock on the door of my room. My hands trembled as I turned the knob. Manoj stood there beside Grandma, smiling in that way that made my skin crawl. He stepped forward as if to enter, but I quickly slipped past him into the hall.
“Brother, I’ll manage my homework on my own. You must be tired from your college work. If I have any doubts, I’ll come to you. Priya and I have decided to study on our own and try to score more marks that way.” I said firmly and I reached for Grandma’s hand, seeking silent support.
Grandma’s face lit up with pride. “Meera is right, Manoj. Let them study by themselves, and just help with their doubts. You should also focus on your own studies.”
I exhaled in relief.
“As you say, Grandma. I’ll get my books, and they can approach me if they need anything,” Manoj replied. But his tone was different, and the look in his eyes made me uneasy. He turned and walked away.
Just then, Priya arrived with her schoolbag. I pulled her into my room, locked the door, and stayed there. Away from him.
I could only hope he wouldn’t cause me any trouble. But deep inside, I knew—I was scared of facing him.
Days passed, and Diwali was drawing near. Kavitha aunty, Dheeraj uncle, and Manoj returned one evening, their arms heavy with shopping bags, just as Priya and I were buried in our lessons.
“Priya, Meera, we bought new dresses for all of us for Diwali, this year, we’ll celebrate here. The next day, we’ll visit your parents. I’ve got dresses and gifts for them too.” Kavitha aunty announced, her eyes bright.
I forced a smile. Amma, Appa, Janani, and Akash would be happy, no doubt. But the thought of not being with them on Diwali itself left a hollow ache in me. I wasn’t in a position to ask for anything, not even as a request—they’d already done so much for me.
“I’ve sent money to Radhika to prepare something for Diwali,” my grandmother said.
“I’ve sent some too,” Dheeraj uncle cut in. “But you should really talk to Shankar. He has two daughters growing up fast. In a few years, they’ll be ready for marriage, and he can’t even manage his monthly expenses now.”
Shame pressed heavy on my shoulders. I stared at the floor, unable to defend my father.
“That poor woman is struggling with those two kids, I’m tired of talking to him.” Grandma sighed, she shuffled back to the kitchen.
I could feel a strong, steady gaze on me—so strong it burned without needing to look up. I knew exactly who it belonged to. Without a word, I slipped away to my room. Priya followed.
“Meera, you never play with me anymore. I’m bored. Come on, lets play just for a little while,” she coaxed.
We went outside, and for a brief moment, I let myself forget. Priya blindfolded me, and I chased her laughter through the yard. I stumbled forward, reaching and collided into someone. Arms caught me by the waist, firm and unyielding.
I yanked off the blindfold. Manoj. His fingers tightened around my waist, holding longer than necessary. I pushed him away and ran to my room, my body trembling, hot tears spilling before I could stop them.
I’d had enough. I was going to tell Grandma. I wanted to go back to Amma. But when I found her, she was collapsed on the kitchen floor, unconscious. Panic surged, and I screamed for help. Kavitha aunty and Dheeraj uncle rushed in, lifted her, and carried her to the hospital.
And then came the worst part—Kavitha aunty telling Manoj to look after us. He agreed far too quickly.
Manoj sat in the hall watching TV while I stayed in the room with Priya, clutching her hand.
“Meeru, stop crying, Grandma will be fine. They’ll be home soon.” she said softly.
But my tears weren’t just for Grandma. They were for me.
Two hours later, Manoj returned with two plates of food. “Grandma’s blood pressure is high, and she has a hairline fracture in her elbow. She’ll be in the hospital for two days. Amma’s staying with her. Appa will be late. Eat, and then sleep. I’ll take care of you both.”
Priya ate quickly, but my throat was tight. I waited for Dheeraj uncle to return, planning to tell him I wanted to go back home.
When Priya refused to take my plate to the kitchen, I forced myself to do it, avoiding Manoj’s eyes. I dropped the plate on the counter and rushed back to the room, shutting the door fast. My heart pounded like I’d run a race.
A few hours later, I heard a knock on the door that startled me. I gulped in fear but stood by the door without opening it.” No I will not open ” I muttered to myself and waited for the knock to stop.
“Meera, are you asleep? Open the door,” came Uncle’s voice. Relief flooded me. I opened it, scanning the hall—Manoj was gone.
“Manoj said you didn’t eat, Grandma’s fine. She’ll be home in two days.”, Uncle said gently
“Uncle… I want to go back to Amma. I’m scared here. Please take me home.” My voice broke.
“We’ll talk in the morning, now come, eat something.” he said, patting my head.
In the kitchen, he served me. I tried to eat but choked. He patted my back, at first comfortingly but his hand didn’t move away.
“Thank you, Uncle. I’m fine now,” I murmured, stepping aside. But he caught my shoulder, his arm resting just above my chest. My appetite died instantly. I set the plate down and turned to leave, but his arm snaked around me from behind.
“Uncle, what are you doing? Let me go ” I struggled, fear turning my voice sharp. His hand moved lower, too close—too wrong.
“Shh, don’t be scared,” he said softly, almost mockingly. “I’m just comforting you. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” His fingers roamed, ignoring my tears.
I cried out for Priya, but he clamped his palm over my mouth and shoved me against the wall. His shadow loomed over me, swallowing the space.
“Don’t you know your family depends on my money? Two weeks to Diwali, and I’ve already sent money to your mother. I’ve been doing it for years. What do I get in return?” His voice was cold, calculated and his smile was vile.
“I’ll tell Amma and Grandma ” I gasped when his hand left my mouth, my body still trembling.
“I dare you, little Meera. Do you really think anyone would believe you? No, they won’t. I’ll send a bit of money, and they’ll believe me instead. I could kill your useless father, and your family would be thrown onto the streets—no food, no clothes. If you dare to tell anyone, I’ll cut off every tie with your family. Do you what would be the consequences of it ? If you want them to survive, keep your mouth shut and be a good girl. Otherwise, I don’t mind paying extra to have your sister brought here— I know better ways to have her as my little girl too. Or maybe I’ll sell you for a high price. That way, I’ll make back all the money I’ve spent on your family over the years.” he said and I was shocked over every threat.
” Would my family believe me ? What if he really sell me for money ? What if he brought Janani and does the same to her ? ” all the thoughts swirled in my mind while I couldn’t stop crying feeling his touch on my body.
I was about to scream when his hand sneaked beneath my shirt but he held my throat.
” I will kill you if you dare to make noise ” he said and his eyes flickered to the knife on the kitchen counter.
I sobbed pleading him. ” Uncle, please let me go. I will talk to amma and we don’t need your money anymore. Please let me go.”
I shut my eyes and cried when he groped on my bare chest. Hearing him groan, I opened my eyes and froze seeing him stroking his private part. I gagged and puked when he spilled something white from his private part.
” Clean the mess and get back to your room. I hope you remember every word of mine. Open your mouth and I will kill everyone in your family.
I crouched on the floor holding my stomach.
But he stood with a smile, a sickening, predatory smile and in that moment, I knew my life was doomed forever.
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A/N:
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