Love was a cruel thing.

He claimed to love her but he shattered her.
She loved him but he was the one behind her broken state.
Was love meant to be this excruciating?

After that day, she had a personal doctor who treated her bruises. The servants took care of her with healthy diet and preparing her favourite juices. She didn't cry infront of them neither did she call her mother like she did when it happened the first time. It was a usual occurrence.

His parents had come to know of the incident but they blamed it on his anger and alcohol. Her parents, they didn't know what to say, he was the one paying for all the expenses of the household after her father's heart attack. They couldn't say much to the son-in-law. Her aunt had an interesting observation, one that Kabeer agreed with - Salem didn't do it for the first 4 years of marriage. If he was abusive, he would be that from the first year of marriage. She must have provoked him to do something like this. Kabeer nodded his head. He only knew that he had slapped her. He felt bit angry towards Salem but his aunt's words made sense. Why would a man start being abusive suddenly after 4-5 years? Pari must have been the reason behind it. Kabeer had started working in Asif's club managing the crowd. He was having a good time working there and payment was great, thanks to Salem.

Wajid and Tiger also reasoned with Pari that his alcohol and drugs were the reason he would lose this temper.

"He has hit me when he was not under the influence of drugs." Pari answered them. She knew he is always drinking.

"Trust me Bhabhi, the things he has done for you, he does it for noone. He has always tried to be different than he was, for you." Wajid continued, "I have known him since before....he was never possessive for the girls he dated, he never cared if he cheated or about the break up. With you, he has taken care to change his personality.....he can't do much about the alcohol....everyone has their vices." Wajid defended Salem.

Pari knew that Wajid didn't understand much about equality in relationships. The man who views cheating as a 'normal man habit' didn't view domestic violence any differently.

"Wajid, why don't you just get lost?" Pari said.

The past one month has been of relief to her. There were less fights as Salem was drinking less and spent more time in the gym. He had to look a certain way for the role and was ripped. He came back early today and suprised his wife with a Tiffany & Co. jewellery.

At night, he watched cricket on TV with Wajid & Tiger and they cheered for every ball as they had alcohol and snacks. Irritated by the noise, Pari went to the living room. She was trying hard to sleep but the noise of the TV and the guys cheering didn't let her sleep.

She saw 3 of them lying on the sofa and cheering loudly. At first, they were so engrossed in the match that they didn't notice her. Salem saw her glaring at them and quickly muted the TV.

"Bhai, Why did you mute it?" Wajid questioned still looking at the TV and Tiger signed him about Pari. (Bhai means brother)

"Sorry, Pari. We will not make noise." Salem said with his hands up in the air.

Wajid said something in Tiger's ears and laughed to which Salem hit Wajid on his head. "Everyone fears their wife. You will know once you are married." Salem said.

Pari still didn't budge from there and Salem just asked the boys to leave, earning a disappointed sigh from them. The servants who were serving the appetizers looked at Salem for orders, they had brought more appetizers but didn't know if they should place it.

"You are waiting for me to be thrown out of the house? Go and give it to Wajid and Tiger or you guys have it. Take it away and turn off the TV." Salem ordered and followed Pari to their room.

The servants laughed amongst themselves. On most days, their boss was whipped and totally under his wife's spell.

**

Pari took the blanket and covered herself. He never understood her need of turning on the AC, putting it at 22°C and covering her whole self with blanket. He felt like it defeated the whole point of AC. He never had an issue with low temperature or extreme heat, he was blessed to be able to sleep in any condition.

"I tried." He lied down on the bed and made her face him.

"Take me in your blanket." He said to which she shook her head and he sighed but didn't force her.

"You tried what?" Pari asked.

"Remember, when you said about divorce that morning....I was confused but still thought about it. Yesterday, I met Moosa and the guys brought some entertainers for him." She caught the drift of the conversation. "One of them came on to me and all I felt was disgust." He confessed. "I pushed her away and was extremely angry. You know me, Pari. If it was the Salem you'd met in college, I would never push a girl away."

"I also shoot with a lot of women...and I don't feel anything close to what I feel for you. Well, I don't feel anything for them.  Now, I don't know if it's cause you are my wife and the ties of our  relationship and the vows don't allow me to feel anyone or what....but I can't divorce you, my love." Salem said.

"And what if I want to go out and check if I am feeling something for some guys? What do you think?" Pari asked.

"Sure, go ahead. But trust me love, they won't see the next day." He said.

"Salem, I....I don't want to have this conversation at this hour, please." Pari said. Salem asked her what was bothering her as the servants told him that she didn't eat much the whole day.

"Nothing, I am just missing Priya and her baby. Actually, her baby. I would not get to see him." Priya was blessed with a cute baby boy whom Pari adored to bits.

Salem knew that Pari often visited Priya after the birth of the baby or Priya would come visit. Pari felt the happiest when she would see the baby.
Salem asked her the reason for not seeing the baby when Pari told him that Priya is going to visit her husband's ancestral home and will be back after 15 days.

"She is travelling by train?" Salem asked astonished and Pari nodded.

"Are they crazy? Call Priya right now." Salem said sternly and a bit annoyed.

Pari was taken aback. "Salem, she must be asleep. It's already 10.30 pm." Pari tried to reason.

"Please! It's Priya. She must be awake." Salem said and asked Pari to call her. Salem knew from Pari that Priya was a night owl and would often watch movies at night.

"How are they so stupid! They are travelling by train in the winters with a baby! What if something happens to him? They should have taken our car or just stayed at home. Call her." Salem said and Pari dialled Priya's number.

Priya was scared to see Pari's call at this time. She picked it up and asked if everything is okay?

"No, Salem wants to take your class. Talk to him." Pari said and passed the phone to Salem.

Priya was scared of what wrong she has done.

"Priya, you took a baby by train in this season? Atleast, you could have told me once...No, not Pari. You could have talked to me."

"I don't think there was a need to travel with the baby. You could have called the relatives at your place."

"Okay, take care and let me know if you need anything. Again, I really think it's foolish on your and Vivek's part."

He kept the call wishing Priya a good night and gave the phone back to Pari. As he was the eldest child in house, he was used to being the responsibile one for his siblings and saw Priya and Kabeer with same lens, especially Kabeer as he was a year younger than Aamna. He knew how much his wife loved the new born baby in the family and wanted to make sure the baby is comfortable.

"You must have scared her." Pari commented. "Also, she is the baby's mom. She knows better. You shouldn't have lectured her."

"Not necessary. She doesn't have much experience with kids whereas I have always looked after my siblings or other kids. You don't know but kids can get sick anytime, anywhere due to any reason, especially weather. The parents must always be cautious. Priya could have avoided this trip and travelled when he was a bit older." Salem shook his head.

She didn't want to admit but she liked this version of him, his care for the people around him, especially for their family. But somehow, this side vanishes when he is angry and his ego dominates. From what she understood from the people around him is that he has always been the person who destroys everything when in anger but now that he is a successful actor, people have started worshipping the ground he walks on and has been surrounded by yes men who pampers his ego. The money and success has made him invincible.

He pulled her closer and they talked more about random things and they slept in each other's arms.

"It's Moosa's first anniversary and he has insisted me to bring you along for the party. I know you don't like him but come this once!" Salem said in the morning and Pari glared at him.

"No." Pari brought him the tea made by her and he drank it in one go.

"Babe, not up for discussion. Moosa is not as bad as you think." Salem said and continued eating his breakfast.

"Really? That is your defence for a criminal like him? Salem, I don't want to do anything with that criminal. I am not going." Pari said in anger.

Salem stopped eating and looked at her. That look was enough to tell her that playtime was over. "Pari, I won't repeat it again. Wear something nice in the evening. Be ready by 8 or so." He ordered.

"Salem, why should I always listen to your orders? I don't want to be involved in your business and especially people in Moosa's category." Pari said in disgust.

"Because I am your husband and wives listen to their husband." Salem said casually. "I don't drag you anywhere else with me or in my business but this is important. He has personally invited you. So, listen to your husband and be ready on time. No. More. Discussion." Salem said and went back to eating his breakfast.

In the evening, Pari got ready in a red sequinned saree. She wore long earrings and no necklace for the look. She was happy with her look and tied her hair with a small clip. When she entered Salem's car, his eyes were stuck on her.

"Oh my god. You are looking gorgeous!" Salem complimented her and she said a thank you.

"I am actually envious that everyone gets to see you looking like this but it's okay, you are just mine." Salem commented.

"Has anyone told you that you are obsessed?" Pari asked hearing his statement to which Salem laughed and said, "You are my wife. I am allowed to be madly in love with you."

"Pari, look here." The moment Pari looked at him, Salem captured her mouth with his and kissed her hungrily.  Thank God, there was a partition between the driver's seat and theirs. But still, Pari felt embarassed. Salem's hand wandered towards her breast and took hold of it while sucking her lips.

"Salem, no...uh..no." Pari said embarassed.

Salem chuckled and said, "Married for so many years and still so shy, my bride." Salem kissed her again.

She took time to touch up her lipstick. He had totally ruined it. She cursed him as she had to apply lipstick in a moving car.

As the car stopped at their destination, Salem took her hand in his and warned her, "Behave yourself."

In the party, she met most of the people from movie industry - from directors, producers to actors and actresses.

"Great, everyone is involved with the criminal!" Pari whispered to herself. Earlier, when they visited the parties - when Salem was an upcoming star, he used to go and meet everyone but times changed and today, when Salem entered, everyone came to them and greeted them.

"Salem, Pari!" Sanjana, Salem's co-actor came to them and hugged them. Salem excused himself after sometime and asked Sanjana to be with Pari.

"You know I always had this massive crush on Salem when I was not in the movies and today, I am doing a movie with him. He is totally smitted by you and I can see why!" Sanjana winked at Pari. Like Sanjana, there were multiple girls who have admired Salem and in the beginning, she used to feel insecure but with time, she felt secure enough to take these compliments. Plus, Sanjana was a sweet girl. Infact, many of his female co-stars were sweet and nice to her.

Salem came back and was by Pari's side when Moosa and his wife entered. Everyone clapped as they cut the cake.

Moosa and his wife came near them. His wife was a pretty woman wearing the blingiest of jewellery. Pari didn't say anything the whole time as Moosa praised Salem for being the star in his movies and always delivering a hit.

"Bhabhi, please make yourself comfortable and don't miss out on the dinner." Moosa said and excused himself.

'Ofcourse, I am here for the food.' Pari commented.

Salem also engaged himself in movie talks with producers and directors, Pari excused herself and went to the appetizers section where she met Sanjana and her friends. They were also actors. They were drinking and offered her a drink but Pari denied.

As the night passed, the music turned crazy and multiple performances were performed on stage. Most people were drunk and occupied the dance floors. Salem was by her side for most of the night and even danced with her on the floor. After a while, Salem told her he had to step aside for something important. The host announced that the night was about to go crazy and that's when a group of girls performed pole dance. While their skills were impressive, Pari didn't think she was attending a family event looking at their skimpy clothes. After their performance, a girl performed belly dance seductively. For the whole time, Pari's eyes were on her. She looked very familiar.

After the performance ended, she followed the girl backstage. She has to act before the girl goes in the room. She stopped the girl and said, "You did an excellent job! Have I seen you somewhere?" The girl was happy listening to her and smiled.

"Thank you so much." The girl was about to go when Pari said, "Do you perform often? I mean I don't want to take your time but I would like to know more." The girl thought of this as an opportunity and took her to the vanity. If she was a guest at this party, she definitely has contacts who could help her.

"Sorry, I don't know your name." Pari said when she smiled and said "Shazia."

"Shazia, you look very familiar. Where do you perform?" Pari asked.

"Ummm, I am an actress who works as a junior on film sets. But recently, I have started performing in clubs, you know the famous ones - Osmo, Sangrila, Blue Eyes...may be from there?"

Blue Eyes!

Yes, that's where she has seen her. Blue Eyes is 'owned' by Asif and funded by Salem.

"So, the next three weekends, I already have shows lined up....we can check sometime in the next month. You will have to talk to Joel, my manager."

"Joel? Isn't it he working with Blue Eyes?" Pari asked.

"You know Joel? I am working with Blue Eyes as a server and private performer and they get me these shows. They are nice enough to allow me to go to other clubs." Shazia was chatty, good for Pari.

"Yes, I know Joel from these events. I didn't get it? You are a server and a performer?" Pari probed.

"For money! I started as a server in Blue Eyes after failed acting gigs but when I got to know the amount they pay for performers...I was in for the deal. You know private dance and all...but I still serve from time to time when there are no personal requests or other shows lined up for me." Shazia also handed her Joel's card for enquiry.

"Your name?" Shazia asked.

"Pari."

"Hahaha, like an angel? I'll remember!" Shazia replied and Pari got it that she was bit drunk.

"People say 'more like a witch', but I'll take angel." Pari took the card and left.

In the party, Salem took a hold of her hand "Where the fuck were you?" He asked in anger.

"I was in the washroom but got a bit lost." Pari replied and Salem tensed, "are you okay?" He asked worried and Pari nodded.

They returned home and all the while Pari was stuck on Shazia's words. Pari had been to 'Blue Eyes' once on Asif's request and he had shown her the busy nightclub. It was very lavish but nowhere had she seen a room for private dancers. She didn't even see any girls in dance attire. She was also introduced to Joel, who was one of the managers there. Kabeer usually looked after special guests, as she was told.

Unless...it was on third floor. That was the only floor she had not seen because they told her it was still under construction and not completely done.

Pari was not so naive to not understand what private dance meant. She thought Blue Eyes was only meant as night club and restro for young people. She didn't like the thought of a private dance and all that must be happening there. But why did they hide it? Salem wasn't the person to hide things just because Pari didn't like it.

He smokes and doesn't hide about it.
He drinks and doesn't hide about it.
He works with Moosa despite Pari hating the idea.

The thought that she was lied to got to Pari!

He was smoking on the bed and her temper flared. She snatched the cigarette out of his mouth and threw it away.

"What the fu*k, Pari!" Salem yelled. He was caught off guard.

"Don't you get it? I don't like you smoking, especially in our room and on our bed. Get out and smoke if you want to!" Pari yelled louder.

Salem lit another cigarette, took a puff and slowly blew the smoke on her face.

She closed her eyes in anger.

"What will you do, wifey?" He asked with amusingly with cigarette in one hand. "Touch this one and see what will I do to you." He threatened her.

"I love you that doesn't mean you will yell at me and disrespect me. I was peacefully smoking, said nothing to you and then you come and throw it away. Isn't it you who is starting all this?" He took a puff again and said, "and then the blame comes on me and you play the victim card." Salem completed.

"Victim Card? Really? That was the truth and I was a victim of your anger and cruelty." Pari said and almost cried. She hated to cry. But noone has seen her crying more than his man and he was the reason behind it.

"You had a chance with entertainers...or why don't you call them what they were - Strippers...God knows what you did with them and then you came to a conclusion that 'Oh, I want my wife and not them.'" Pari said.

"Oh god!" Salem put a hand on his head, "Is this what it is about? You are angry about that?! Babe," he pulled her closer but she swatted his hands away.

"Don't...don't touch me with those hands you touched other women." Pari said.

"Babe, it's not what you think...and I didn't do anything with them." He pulled her closer, not caring about her anger and resistance. He needs to clear it out.

"One of them came onto me and the other tried touching my shoulder. I pushed them away the moment they did it. I swear! I can't explain you how disgusting their touch felt. Any other women apart from you has no rights to touch me in that manner." Salem said and put his head on her shoulder.

"I love you so much. I can't let them touch me. And I want you to clear this misunderstanding, now." He kissed her shoulders.

"I am your trouble for a lifetime." Salem whispered in her ears.

_____

Nov 24, 2024

Please vote and comment :)

Prayers me yaad rakhna 😂❤️ Now that I gave back-to-back updates, do pray for me and a better life :) 🙏🏻

I hope you guys are doing great 😃
I wish you all the same