Her Second-Hand Husband! novel Chapter 43

Arjun’s PoV

I couldn't wrap my mind around the things that I'm supposed to do. My mind was constantly adrift over her. How could she do this to me? She lied to me when I gave her a chance to admit her love to me. I knew something was off then, but I made the decision to marry her because of the blind feeling I had on her. I love her and that doesn't change now. She will be mine now and forever. But she lost the chance of enjoying being mine. Now she will be mine paying for her deeds.

When I landed in Kolhapur airport, I got a call from my detective. He said that Anika was in love with her senior boy Arun since her second year in college. It was no secret and almost all of her batch mates knew it. So Arun was right. They were indeed lovers at college. Everything sits so well. I remember the email she sent me about doing something wrong and the very next day I saw her in Tirupur, she was blaming herself for her father’s condition. Arun said it was when her parents knew about their love affair. So there is a huge possibility that Anika talked to him about taking a break until they settle themselves.

How dare she? She said her parents did not force this wedding upon her even when I asked her. Maybe that is true, her parents are not to be blamed. It is her, she lied to me about falling in love with me. She talked like she was in love with me. She deceived me by acting genuinely happy for marrying me. Her smiles, her blush, her longingness all fake? How can I be deceived like this? Am I that dumb that I cannot tell apart truth and lies? I knew she was lying when she refused to look me in the eye that day.

Above all, she used a huge lie on our first night to stop me from further questioning her. How clever is she and how dumb am I!? I melted at her words because that is what I wanted to hear. I was deprived of love and when I got that from the girl I love, I was flattered. Sure she behaves like a good wife who is in love with her husband so far. She even yearns for intimacy. She is a natural at acting.

She used me to settle her family’s monetary needs and ditched her boyfriend even without informing him. How cheap she is! Ever since I saw her, she was constantly pestering my mind, in good ways before our wedding but in a terrible way now. She messed with the wrong person and she will reap what she sowed. I got another call from an unknown number when I was travelling to our factory.

“Hello, Arjun here. Who is this?”

“Arjun mama, Advay here. How are you?” I heard that innocent little boy’s voice over the phone. I still remember how he carried himself like a man to compensate for the absence of his father in the wedding. Such a nice kid.

“Hi, Advay. I'm good. How are you? How is your mom and dad?”

“We are all good, mama. Dad is getting better day by day. We all miss Anika. I'm missing her more as I dont have anyone else to fight with. I called her number but she didn't pick up the call. It’s been two days since we spoke to her.” He said.

“Oh, she is sad too, Advay, about Arun.” I told him. I must know if the whole family is behind this or just her.

“She told you about Arun?” He asked in shock.

“Yes, she did. Don't let your parents know that she told me. They might get scared.” I told him.

“Are you cool with it? I won't let my parents know. But why is she still sad?” He asked me back.

“Well, I don't know. Maybe she is missing him.”

“No, mama. My mom and dad didn't want to marry her to you as it was your second marriage. Mom told her that she doesn't have to say yes considering the benefits Sivaprakasam uncle said but only if she likes you. Anu said she really likes you. Only after that my parents said ok to the wedding.” He said. Ok, so her family is not part of anything that she had pulled. Just like me, they all think that she agreed to this wedding because she liked me.

“Do you know what happened between Arun and Anika? I can console her better if I know what exactly happened.” I asked him. I felt guilty to use this boy for my understanding but I am left with no choice to get to know the situation better.

“Mom and dad didn't approve of their love and asked them to stay apart. Anika told Arun that she needs a break until they are settled. But she did that only after dad got a stroke. When Sivaprakasam uncle brought your proposal, mom and dad wanted to give Arun a chance before they proceed with anything else. But after a week, Anu said Arun won't come to meet them and they broke up.” He said. Ok, no one knows what happened between them. Arun looks like he is genuinely sorry that she got married to me.

“Did she break up before she knew that I am her groom-to-be?” I asked him to be more clear.

“Um… I don't know, mama. But I think she said that they broke up after we knew that you were the groom.” He said. Cleared. She got to know that I am the groom and she calculated the benefits and decided to marry me. She never spoke to Arun but told her parents that she broke up with him and said yes to the wedding. She is a criminal.

“Ok, Advay. You guys don't have to worry about her. I will take care of her. I am in Maharashtra right now for a business visit. Try calling her number a little later. Also, I have arranged for your admission in the engineering college that is affiliated to the college that your sister studied. You are free to pick any major you want. All your college expenses are paid for and all you have to do is pass the four years with flying colors.” I told him. That feeling of guilt cannot be wiped away but can be subtled.

“Thank you so much, mama. I will make you proud. In my school final exams, I will score more than 90%. I will be responsible, mama and I will not take things for granted.” He said. I love this boy. Such a good and kind kid.

“I trust you on this. Make sure you are in your best behavior. I am really a good person and I can also be really a mean person. That depends on how you behave with me. I hope I will always be good to you!” I told him.

She thought I would do favors for her family? I will. Not because I married her but because her family is full of nice people except for her. I will arrange for the best treatments for her dad. I will arrange a place for her mom to start her bouquet shop. In turn, she will pay the price that I didn't ask for.

All my burning rage to take revenge on her melted away when she came running to me. She hung on my neck talking non-stop about how she missed me. Her nearness and her beauty is something that I cannot handle. I wanted to insult her just like how she insulted me in the past. I wanted to strip her naked and leave without touching her but I couldn't do it. I could not stop my burning desire as she took off her shirt and pants. As much as I wanted to devour her, I got infuriated with myself for being so weak.

I asked her what she thinks about love. Her reply truly melted my heart and she sounded truly genuine. My heart that holds unbound love for her masks all her altercations and shows her to be truly in love with me. I hate it. I tried to get out of there but she moved boldly closer to me and hugged me half naked. My manhood took control of me and I started exploring her. I remembered her betrayal half way through and all my anger drained on her. I inflicted pain on her but I didn't want to make love to her yet. I marked her mine in the most brutal way. Her reddened face and bruises on her body when I finished on her, made me feel ashamed of myself. I am not a characterless man to do this to a girl. That too to a girl I love. I hate her for changing me to a man I hate.

And that hate turned on her and I threw her some cash from my wallet for the intimacy we had. I locked myself in the restroom to calm my nerves. It is hell. I cannot forgive her. I cannot punish her. I cannot send her away. I cannot live with her either. What kind of life is this? I opened the door after showering. She stood there in her underwear and I regret doing that to her. Her milk-like skin has bruises all over. She confronted me about what I said and I didnt want to hurt her more than I already did, so I told her differently and looked like she bought my lie.

I wanted to offer her a job in my factory. She cannot be in this home enjoying the luxury. I asked her to get ready and she came out with a beautiful salwar that I bought for her. But I told her that that was Anamika’s. It gave me a weird feeling of satisfaction to see her get hurt. I decided to hurt her heart rather than hurt her physically. It makes me feel inferior when I hurt her physically and I don't want that. She changed and came in a different cloth. She is beautiful no matter what she wears. I made her an attender and refused to answer her questions.

Again, when she came to me in the evening, I wanted to hurt her but I retreated when I saw her bruise. I wanted to right the wrong I did to her. I decided to pleasure her. I made her naked on my office desk and pleasured her with my finger. Her plushy mounds and her smooth folds made me a demon of desires. I made sure her hymen stays intact as I wanted to break it in a proper sex. She tried to speak to me on the way back home but I refused her any chance to do so.

“Anika, shall we spend some time in the pool? It’s been more than a week since I had a refreshing swim.” I asked her after our dinner. I heard from Tarun that she doesn't know how to swim.

“I don't know how to swim. But I can give company to you.” She said, looking at me. She is unsure of my mood and behavior. That is what I want too. She doesn't deserve to know why she is being punished.

“I will teach you!” I took her to the pool and shredded my clothes.

“This pool is specially built for me. It is 6ft deep in the right end and gradually increases feet by feet to 9feet on the left end.” I told her walking towards the left end holding hands with her.

“Do you want to change to swimsuits?” I asked her.

“I don’t have one.” she said.

“There should be some of Anamika’s swim suits in your wardrobe.” I told her and looked at her shrunken face. Ah, satisfying!

“No it’s ok. I am fine in my pajamas.” She said with a little anger. I loved her anger and that love turned to hate almost immediately and I pushed her in the pool at 8feet.

“Arjun!” She started struggling to come up in the water and I stood there watching her getting tired of trying and slowly drowning in the water.