Jwala:

I opened my eyes and found Agni beside me with a worried expression on his face. Why is he worrying? Does he care for me? I looked around and recognised that I am in a hospital.

"What happened to her doctor? Is my Jwala weak?" He questioned staring at me.

My Jwala? I guess I will collapse again. When did I become his Jwala? Of course, I am weak. Does he have any doubt? He didn't give me proper rest or food for a month. My health destroyed due to his torture.

"No Mr Agni, she is pregnant," the doctor said.

What? Pregnant? How can I become pregnant? I told Agni that he should never impregnate me when I agreed to the contract.

"Oh, thank you, doctor," he said to the physician as if he is happy.

Is he happy? I think he should be angry or upset. Why is he happy? Is it his another plan to ruin my life?

"Shall I take her to the home?" he asked the doctor.

"Doctor, I want to abort the child," I said, and Agni glared at me.

"No doctor, we want our child. I will convince my fiance," he said to the doctor.

Fiance? I am not his fiance. Why is he deciding everything in my life? He is forcing me to accept his bullshit decisions. However, I choose to be calm. I didn't want to create nuisance in the hospital. Agni brought me to his home. Ved and Anjana came again for holidays. They hugged me as soon as we went back. Agni smiled at them.

"We will just come," he said to them.

"Come to my room, Jwala," Agni ordered me.

I went to his room.

"I want this child," he said firmly.

"I want to abort," I said stubbornly.

"Look Jwala; I will marry you. I won't say even a word to you. Please trust me. I want our child."

His child? When did I say it's his child? To Agni, I am a whore who sleeps with every man. How can he marry a slut like me and trust my Baby as his Baby? I don't know why but tears stopped forming in my eyes. Maybe my Baby wants me to be strong.

"How do you know that it's your child, Agni? You always call me a wh*re. How can a whore's Baby become your child?"

He closed his eyes clenching his fist. Why is he angry and upset? I just repeated what he said.

"I know it's our child. I trust you."

"Trust? Do you know the meaning of trust? After all, how can you trust me who is nothing but a slut to you?"

"Jwala, stop it. I didn't want to hear this shit from you," he said while an angry frown creased his forehead.

I am not scared of him anymore. I must make my feelings clear to him.

"Agni, I will bear any pain you give to me in these three months. But I can't marry you and don't want this child."

"Are you in love with anyone?" He asked suspiciously and looked away from me as if he didn't want to listen to my answer or expecting an answer that hurts him.

"No!" I replied.

My problem is not loving someone but hating him. When will he realise my hatred towards him?

"Okay, let's make a deal. I will give that orphanage now itself. I will transfer my whole property to your name. But I want our child. I won't even touch you after marriage. I want our Baby," he said as if this child is his life and he didn't want anything else other than his child.

"I want to abort the child," I said without changing my decision and anticipating his reaction.

"If you kill my child, I will kill your whole family, Jwala. Don't make me a murderer," he said pinning me to the wall and shouting at me.

I am right. I know this Agni never changes. I don't want to kill the child. But I don't want a person like Agni to come into this world again.

"Anyways you have to do anything I say in these three months. Okay fine, don't abort the child for these three months," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Okay," I said trying to understand his plan.

"Go and have your food. One more thing, don't wait for my permission. Eat anytime you feel hungry and drink whatever you want. But take care of the child for three months" he said and kissed my belly.

Does he have feelings and emotions? However, I don't want this child or life with this beast. I hate him.

"I want to prepare dinner," I said.

He nodded. I prepared a meal and served Agni, Ved, and Anjana.

"Sit Jwala, have food with us," Agni said making me stunned and speechless.

"Brother, you told us that sister in law loves to have food only after you eat, isn't it? Ved asked.

"Yes, but I don't want your sister in law to be hungry till then."

"I will eat later," I said.

"Really? Do you want to eat that special food prepared by me for you Baby" he said, and I gulped cursing Agni in my mind.

"Then sit quietly and have this food," he said holding my wrist and making me sit beside him.

I was about to have food, but Ved saw the injury to my hand which happened while cutting vegetables.

"Bhabhi, what happened to your hand?"

"Nothing Ved, it's a small injury."

"What happened to your hand, Jwala?" Agni asked looking threateningly at me.

I didn't reply.

"Tell me you sl...... " he said while his face turned red with anger but stopped seeing his siblings.

"While chopping vegetables, it happened," I said.

"Why were you so careless? I already warned you to be careful, don't you remember."

"Bhaiya, stop scolding bhabhi" Anjana pouted.

"Okay. Have your food now," Agni said.

"Bhaiya, how can bhabhi have food with an injured hand? Please feed her," Ved said.

"No no it's ok, I will use a spoon" before I complete my words, Agni kept food into my mouth giving me a shock.

Then he turned his chair towards me and fed me carefully. I coughed in between, and he gave water to me patting on my head slowly. I think I may get heartache seeing his behaviour. How can he act this much before his siblings? He used to hit me every day with a belt until I bleed and exhausted. Now, for a small injury, he is feeding me. Does he think that I will believe his action and marry him for the child? No way! He fed me. I had good food today. Thank God! I am cleaning dishes, and Agni came to me.

"Jwala, maids will clean them at morning. Your hand was injured, so leave them. Come to my room. I need to talk to you."

God, please tell him to stop this drama. My head was spinning due to his shocking behaviour. I went to him.

"Forget what happened till now. Marry me. I didn't mean I love you. I didn't expect you to love me. The only thing I want is for our child to grow up in a healthy environment and live a happy life with his/her parents."

I was happy and sad at the same time. I was pleased to know how much Agni loves our child but sad to know he never likes me.

"I can't marry you."

"Are you stupid? That child shares your blood too. How can you kill our child that harshly?" he shouted.

I was on the brink of tears. Agni cupped my face.

"Jwala, I am going to marry you at any cost. If you marry me by yourself, I will treat you as my wife and won't hurt you. If I marry you through force, your life will become hell as I will torture you more after delivery. You can't escape the marriage with me. Choose which life you want, a wife's happy life or sl*t's horrible life. The choice is yours, but you should remember that I will marry you anyway," he threatened me.

"I will give your child to you. Please leave me."

I said while tears were welling up from my eyes.

"I want a loving mother for my child. If I marry someone else, they may not treat my child lovingly. So, I want you to stay with me forever as my wife and a good mother to our child. Think well and decide. Now go to your room and take rest."

I went to my room and slept. Next day I got ready in a short dress as he ordered earlier. He looked at me once.

"Change your dress. Till now I thought to see you as a wh*re, but now you are a mother to my child. Go and wear something good as per your wish."

"My luggage is in the storeroom," I said.

"I bought sarees and dresses for you and arranged those in our wardrobe. Wear them; I am sure you will like them."

I went and opened the wardrobe. I found dresses and sarees. Every saree and dress was according to my taste. I loved them. I wore saree and went down. Agni stared at me for some time and averted his gaze without realising that I have noticed it already.

We went to the office. Fifteen days passed by and Agni didn't say even a word to me. He gave food and everything on time to me. He didn't touch me. He treated me so good. I wondered about his sudden change. How can a beast change quickly? However, I was unsure about his transformation.

I was working on a project and discussing with a male colleague. We were tired. We sat in my cabin and having lunch together sharing a friendly talk. I quickly get mingled with people. Moreover, this colleague was very talented and descent. I laughed at his joke about work and unfortunately my hand touched his hand without my intention. Just then I raised my head and noticed Agni observing us.

I am dead today, that's what my mind said to me.

Agni went to some meeting before an hour, and I felt free for some time. But, he returned and observed my friendliness with a guy. I am sure he will kill me. He signalled me to come to his cabin and went off.

"Eshwar, I will just come," I said to the colleague.

"But why? Have your food first."

"It's ok," I said and went to him.

I didn't find Agni in his cabin. I was about to go but felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go home," Agni said.

I was in his room now standing in front of him with fear and expecting the worst that is going to happen to me.

"What are you doing with him, Baby?"

"It's just a friendly talk," I said.

He held my hand which touched Eeshwar's hand. Agni stroked every finger of mine.

"Is this the hand which touched him?"

"Agni, please I won't do it again."

"Baby, I didn't say anything to you these days as you are pregnant. But, I think I shouldn't behave well to you. You should always have a fear for me. You must remember my conditions kept for you. Now you are going to face punishment for forgetting your limits" he said and held my hand again.

Jwala:

He held my hand and kept another hand in his pocket to take something. I was sure that he would award me the worst punishment. I didn't understand the reason behind his anger at me whenever I talk to my best friend Aadarsh or any other guy.

Is Agni possessive towards me? Then why did he send me to clients? No, he is not possessive. He wanted to hurt me, and now he had a reason to do that. I blocked the vision of my Baby blue to prepare myself for the upcoming torture.

Instead of pain, I felt something slid over my finger. I opened my eyes. He smiled looking at me. It was the first time I saw his smile.

"He is very handsome when he smiles," said my heart.

No, I shouldn't fall for his charm. Inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. He might look great, but he is a demon. I should never forget it.

I looked at my hand to check what he did. He kept a ring with name "Agni" engraved on it. I didn't understand his intention.

"Don't be afraid of me. I won't let even a single scratch appear on your body until my Baby is in your womb. After your delivery, it depends on your behaviour" he said kissing my hand.

"This ring means that you are mine and only mine. Anyways remember from next time I shouldn't see you talking to any man except me. Be careful about that or I will forget that you are carrying my child" he warned me.

"Now let's talk about the punishment. If my kid is not in your womb, I would have made you starve for three days and would decorate your body beautifully with the strokes of my belt. Now I can't do that. Nonetheless, I will punish you. The punishment should be only to you but not to my Baby," he said and thought for a few minutes.

"Let's play a game."

"What?"

"From tomorrow let's act as husband and wife. You must take care of me, and arrange everything for me. Let me see what kind of a life partner you will be. Remember sweetheart; if you commit a mistake in acting like my wife, orphanage won't be your's as still our contract is on. This acting gives you a good experience to be a good wife after our marriage," he smirked.

"No, I can't do that," I said.

"Already you have done everything that a wife does. You gave pleasure to me. You are carrying my child. So I don't think it's that tough. However, I am not bothered by your opinion. From tomorrow you are going to lead a life of my wife. I will have more fun now," he said, and a haze of fear surrounded me.

"Go and take rest. I have no mood to go to the office now. So for today, there is no work for you" Agni said.

I slept in my room. I remembered Agni's behaviour after conceiving and before that.

I can't marry him or abort my child. How can I give a dignified life to my kid without marrying him? What if this child becomes as Agni who disrespects women and views them as a pleasure giving machines?

I can't trust Agni's sudden transmutation. He always insults and lacerates me. For him, I am not a human. I am just a machine which bears every torture. What can I do if he tortures me again after delivery? He loves his child but not me. I am not even expecting his love, but at least he should respect me and treat me as a human.

I don't think marriage works for us. It destroys my life more. What about my child? Agni is right; this is my Baby and sharing my blood too. I placed my hand on my womb thinking about my kid. I can't kill this child. At the same time, I can't marry a beast.

I cried till my eyes were swollen and drifted into sleep thinking about my helpless life. I opened my eyes feeling someone's touch. I found Agni kissing my forehead. He smiled at me. He sat on the bed beside me, and I moved away. Why did he come into my room after fifteen days? Is he going to take me harshly for talking to that colleague? No, I can't bear. My eyes filled with water drops.

"Hey, why are you crying? Are you suffering from a stomach ache or something? Are you fine? Why are you looking dull?" He said with genuine concern.

I was in intense shock. Does Agni worry about me? No no maybe for his child.

"I am fine," I said.

"Then?" Agni inquired.

"Why did you come into my room?" I asked.

"What? Come again. Which is your room? This is my house, Baby. I can come here anytime I wish. So, shut your mouth to save your body from bearing pain. Already you escaped punishment today as you are carrying my child," he said looking at me.

"I.. Amm.. Sorry."

"Ok fine, if you are scared of me imagining that I came to fulfil my need, you are wrong. I came to give you food," Agni said and gave food to me.

I looked at my mobile. It's dinner time. I slept for a long time.

"Have it. If you want anything to eat, you can inform maids or me."

I had my food. Agni took the plate.

"Now sleep calmly without straining your brain or heart. I promise you, Jwala; I won't hurt you. I won't touch you without your consent from now. Please at least for our child, marry me. Today, your parents called me saying next week I can come to see you. I think they will ask you to return home soon."

No, I should talk to my parents. But what can I say if they ask the reason for refusing Agni? In society, Agni had a good reputation. Only very few know his original character. Everyone thinks Agni is admirable and loves him. But I am the one who saw his cruelty. I hate him. I am sure after delivery; he will start his torture again.

"Jwala, I may not be a good person but not a bad guy too. I had my reasons to become like this. I have no respect towards women because my life got spoiled because of a woman."

"I am not interested to know your past. A woman might have spoiled your life, but you have no right to ruin my life. As you destroyed my life, do you mean I should hate every man?"

"Don't worry you will never get a chance to love or hate any man. Because either it's your hate or love, it belongs only to me," He said smirking.

My phone rang.

"I think it's your dad," he said.

He is right.

"Hello, Dad."

"How are you, Jwala?"

"I am fine, dad."

"Jwala, you got a good alliance. He is rich in heart and status. We know we are not suitable for him. But, he said he loved you seeing you in a college program. His name is Agni. We talked to him. We felt he is right for you.

We asked him to come to see you. You need to reach our village in the next week," my dad said.

"Dad, I want to study more. I didn't want to marry," I said, and Agni passed an angry look towards me.

"Jwala, you see him and talk to him. If you like him, only then we will settle the marriage. Otherwise, we won't force you. Don't worry; we respect your opinion," dad said.

"Ok dad, I will come," I said and disconnected the call.

"Jwala, you can study even after our marriage but after delivery. I won't stop you."

Why is he so stubborn to marry me? How can I break this marriage?

"I love someone else" I lied to make him cancel the wedding.

Jwala:

"I love someone else" I lied to make him cancel the marriage.

Agni turned red with fury. My heart was beating fast with fear. What if he hurts me now? Why will he do that? He doesn't love me. Does it matter to him if I love someone?

"Did you stop only at love or did you sleep with that someone else?" He asked, and the uninvited guest, i.e., tears arrived immediately.

How can he talk like that? It may be easy for him but not for me.

"Is it my child or someone else's or don't you know the father of the child?" Agni said holding my hairs.

"Shut up, Agni" I shouted for the first time at him.

Agni is killing me with his words. He sat on the bed beside me. I tried to get up from the bed, but he held my wrist tightly which made me feel that blood circulation may stop to my hand at any time.

"Agni, leave me," I said, but he didn't listen.

With another hand, he touched my belly.

"Is it my child or not?" He said and started tightening the grip on my stomach.

I was scared of his tight grip on my stomach. What if something happens to my child? I slapped Agni. He looked at me and left hold on my wrist and stomach.

"Are you insane? Are you trying to kill my Baby?" I fumed at Agni.

Agni smiled seeing me touching my stomach as if trying to soothe the unborn kid.

"I know you love our child. This child is precious to you too as for me."

I didn't say anything. Till now, I too didn't know that I love child of this beast, but it's quite obvious because a mother can never stop herself from loving her child.

"Till now I tortured you so much, but you never dared to slap me. Today just for tightening grip a bit on your stomach, you hit me. It means you are ready to do anything for our child."

Really? Am I that attached to my child? I touched my stomach with my hand to feel my Baby. If it's my kid, why do I think that she/he may become like Agni? My child may become like her/his mother when I raise my child in the absence of this beast.

"Look Jwala; I am not a fool. Do you think without knowing about you, I decided to marry you? No way, Baby. I know everything about you. You are never in love with anyone. Though you have friends in boys and few guys in your college proposed you, you never cared for them as you have deep respect towards your family. I don't like you befriending men at your college. However, I will take care of it after marriage. I am the only person in your life from now, keep this in your mind, or I will make you remember it in my harsh way," he said kissing my lips softly which I never felt until today.

He used to kiss me harshly all the time as if he wants to show his hatred towards me, though I never knew, the reason for his hatred. Does Agni inquiry about me? But why? Why is he interested in me when I am nothing but a whore to him?

"Honey, the only thing I didn't understand is why did you forget the respect towards your family when you slept with me before marriage? Is it just for a girl who is not less than a sl*t who sell her sincerity and honesty for money or for those old people and orphans who have no relationship with you? What will you get in return for this Jwala? If that sl*t Vigna or those orphanage people know about our relationship, they won't understand your sacrifice rather they blame your character. Why can't you understand this?"

"I don't care. I just did what I felt right. If sacrificing my life can make more people happy, then I am ready to do it."

"Sweetheart, being selfless will be your biggest mistake in life if I leave you with a child without marrying you. Anyways I am not saying that I am saving you from humiliation or something like that by marrying you. Because only to marry you, I impregnated you," he said.

What does he mean? Did he impregnate me intentionally? When I asked him after knowing that I am pregnant, he lied to me saying that he always used protection but somehow it was broken and I became pregnant.

"Didn't you use protection?" I asked hesitantly.

"Now you got it, not bad. You are smart. Yes, I never tried to take precaution. I want to make you as my wife, but I know you will surely reject me. So, I impregnated you through which I can marry you easily."

Disgusting! How can he be that cunning? What a man he is? No, he is not human, he is a beast. He betrayed me in every way possible.

"I am not going to marry you at any cost. Instead, I will kill myself along with our child," I shouted at him with tears.

"You must marry me, Jwala. Sacrifice your life for our child and me, Baby" he said sarcastically.

"I hate you. You are a jerk. You are a beast. You have no right to live."

"Aww my Baby, are these the mood swings during pregnancy which was told by the doctor?"

"You never opened your mouth before me except to moan when I give pleasure and plead when I give pain. Today, you are scolding me, but I love you opening your mouth only on those two occasions."

He said and came close to me pushing me to bed. He came on top of me. He started kissing my cheeks and forehead.

"I want to give pain which makes you plead for scolding me. But, now I can't-do that because of my child. So, let me make you moan the whole night by giving you unbearable pleasure which is a pain too," he said.

No, I didn't want him to touch me. I hate him. I tried my best to speak, but no words came out of my mouth due to fear and his kisses.

"By the way, I asked the doctor. He said as you are in early stage of pregnancy, I can take you," he said and moved his fingers around my neck and bosoms.

He started playing with my breasts.

"Agniiii," I said closing my eyes and biting my teeth to control myself.

He kissed my bosoms and stomach in a different manner making me moan. He stopped and left me.

"These are the sounds which you should make when you open your mouth or better shut it up," he said.

"I am not going to make love to you until you accept me. This is just a small punishment for scolding me and lying to me that you love someone else. Now take rest," he said while leaving the room.

"What if I had a crush on someone but never revealed? What if I want to marry someone and melt in his love forever? What if I have already dreamt my love and married life with the one whom I love?" I asked to see his reaction.

Does he change? Does he love his child or is he trying to trap me for that property of twenty-five crores? What if he blackmails me saying he will kill the child if I didn't give up on that orphanage?