Radhika walked aimlessly on the road. In her anger she didn’t even think about her safety. It was such a stupid decision to step out of the party with no one to protect her dignity and honor. Her eyes shed tears of anguish, anger, jealousy and resentment. She was hurt and disappointed by him. All she could see was red. That was the level of her anger which was out of the roof today. As if her miseries not  enough for today, the fateful night had something more dreadful planned for her.

She came into the sight of five drunkards who were stumbling around on the road. Their eyes stared at her with sinful lust brimming in their squinted eyes. A cold shiver travelled down her spine as her eyes took in the danger that could take away the thing she cherished more than her own life i.e Her dignity and her honor. Only she knew how she regretted stepping out of the party without Arjun. What the hell was she thinking?! How could she be so stupid to give a damn about her security?! She chanted constant heartfelt prayers to God to protect her. She even asked no begged him to take her life instead of ripping her off to shreds in the most inhuman way known to mankind.

They surrounded her like predators walking circles around their prey. Their ghastly stares were like numerous insects creeping on her body. She begged for mercy but none of her cries nor protest fell on the deaf ears. Her eyes filled up, her lungs gave up, breath hitched, lips trembled and whole body shriveled. For the first time she felt loathing rage for her own self. How could she neglect her safety in her anger?! At that moment she only prayed for death for she knew the life of a woman who was a victim to something gruesome as rape was worst than hell. Will anyone look at her with love in their eyes after this?! Will Arjun ever look at her with the same passion, desire and deep affection. Let alone Arjun, could she ever face herself in the mirror?! Not even in her worst nightmares she had ever imagined such a scenario where she would have to pay such a huge price for her small mistake. In just a matter of minutes she was a crying mess. She had never sobbed so harder in her life and never had her heart beat so violently. Just then her heart which was on the verge of jumping out of her chest was filled up with hope she gained from a voice that called out her name in a loop. Arjun?! Was he really here or she was hallucinating?! She rapidly turned and signed in relief for she knew now that her knight in shining armor had arrived no one could touch a hair on her head. She bolted towards him in a speed of a lightening and embraced him with great warmth and earnestness. She lays her head against his chest and cried like a scared distraught child. He immediately cuddled her with deeply felt affection. He took off his coat and shielded her dignity from prying eyes. He was in no mood to leave her alone but the flaming rage inside him drove him mad to avenge her tears. He fought each one like a wounded lion, so fierce and invincible to face. He wished he could rip them to shreds for hurting his Radhika. The lousy pieces of shit collapsed on the ground half dead but their punishment wasn’t over yet. He handed them over to cops and they were put behind bars under the charge of attempt to rapebut made sure it remained confidential. He took her home but didn’t speak a word to her on their way back home.

When he entered his room where she  sat on the bed, curled up in a ball. She had her head buried in the apex of her thighs. Her cheeks had traces of dried tears on her cheeks and her eyes were blood red. She was even crying now. He made no attempts to pacify her instead took off his shirt and searched for his night wear in his wardrobe.

“Arjun, I am sorry.”She said with her head bowed down.

The way she said it, her tone annoyed him more. His rage knew no bounds now. His temper was out of the roof and his major weakness, his anger took complete control over his senses. He rushed to her and before thinking further, he slapped her hard across her face. He stared at her with menacing rage burning in his eyes,”You are sorry?! Do you have any idea what I went through when I didn’t find you in the party?! I was looking out for you like mad person.” He held a fistful of her hair and pulled harshly making her scream in pain. Thanks heavens the room was soundproof. He snarled,”Let alone me Do you even give a damn about yourself?! What could have happened if I had not reached on time?! Tell me what the fuck were you thinking when you left without me?! If you wanted to leave you could have said so. Have I ever said no to any of your demands?! Then why did you leave without me?! Answer me dammit!” He shook her vigorously. Seeing her tears he melted a bit and realized what he did in his anger. He raked his hand in his hair frustratingly and said,”Radhika, you are the most senseless, brainless and dangerous female I ever met. I told you many times the world isn’t as good as you think of it to be. See what you made me do today. I could never forgive myself for raising my hand on you.”
He turned his back to her and walked away to get some fresh air to calm his nerves. He stood in the balcony closing his eyes letting the cold air fan his face. She sat on bed holding her bruised cheek, dumbstruck and shocked. She still couldn't come to terms with the reality that her Arjun slapped her so cruely.

When she finally realized her folly she galloped towards him and hugged him from behind. He jerked off her hands resting on his chest. She again hugged him back with more zealness and intensity. She rested her head on his shoulder. He again tried to yank off but she adamantly held tight. She whispered in a dim voice,"Arjun, sorry please don't give me a cold shoulder. I know I did wrong by stepping out without you but I am guilty."

With tears in her eyes, she sniffed,"If you want hit me more but please talk to me."

He instantly melted and rush to her aid. He turned and took her in his arms. He touched her cheek which now appeared swelled up because of his smack. He teared up,"Does it hurt too much?!"

She shook her head, rubbed her nose against his nose, pecked his lips lightly,"No just a bit."

"For whatever reason I shouldn't have slapped you. I am extremely sorry I just could not control my anger. I felt no greater animosity for you when I didn't find you in the party. All sorts of horrible thoughts cornered me I could not think straight."

He held her hand and brushed his lips against her knuckles. He turned her around, resting his chin on her shoulder, he nestled her in his arms,"Waise tum chali kyun gayi aise?!"

His question knocked the wind out of her chest. She fumbled with her fingers, staring down at her feet. She didn't wanted one more tussle between them. She lowered her eyes giving nothing away if only she knew he could even read her body language.