ACCEPTING 'US'

33.

Shyam didn't get to see the people who were hitting him as his vision was blurry due to mud in the eyes. He blinked several times but couldn't make out who is surrounding him. Two people lifted him off ground holding his arms and another person started hitting him from the front. His face was covered with bruises already and many agonising screams escaped his mouth. His jaw was also hurting due to repeated hittings. He tried to free himself from the men but they held him tightly not allowing him to flinch and move. The other man kept hitting him in the stomach and shyam was unable to stand the pain. His screams were heard by people and many gathered around to witness the fight. But as soon as they saw the person behind this they moved back not wanting to face his wrath.

" How are you feeling my dear Shyam? " Gangadhar said sarcastically coming near him. He lifted his head holding his chin and smiled. He liked how his men made him bleed.

Shyam realised it was none other than gangadhar as soon as he spoke. He tried hard to get away from the men but they only increased their grip.

" Don't even think about getting free from them. Because the harder you try the harder they will hit you. They are my men and they will only leave you when I order them to. So give up trying " Gangadhar said with a growl.

Everyone present there shivered looking at his rage. They were aware about his dangerous reputation but seeing him directly attacking someone in public is uncalled for and they now feared for Shyam's life. The way his men were hitting him was making them concerned about him and his family. Although they cannot stop him they still prayed for something miraculous to happen so that shyam could get free of this monster.

" Hit him harder you bastards " gangadhar again seethed in anger. His men started hitting him even stronger making him scream louder. Gangadhar had a smirk on his face all the while. He was enjoying each hit like a devil he was. He wanted revenge from him and this was something which was cooling him off. He wanted to look at him suffer and make him cry for all the years of lose he had in the competitions and also the fight put up in the village.

Aabida was coming back from the market and saw the crowd gathered in the street. She was curious to know what was happening. When she cleared the crowd and came in the front her eyes went wide and tears filled her eyes. She saw shyam being held by few goons and gangadhar ordering them to hit him. Her hand went to her mouth stopping herself from screaming. She immediately ran back to home to inform sudha about it. She knew she couldn't stop gangadhar as how influential he was but she can atleast inform sudha about the incident.

Sudha was done with her work and was eagerly waiting for her husband's as well as maaji's arrival. As time passed she became anxious and kept looking at the street end from the frontyard. From the time it was clear that her husband is very late and an unsettling feeling crept in her stomach. Already she was bothered with the instincts she was getting earlier and now him being late from work added fuel to her anxiety.

She was shocked to see Aabida coming towards the house very quick and from the way she was walking it was clear that she ran all along. She held her saree end in her fist and waited for her to come near. Aabida walked towards her and her heart beat increased with each step.

" What happened aunty? Why are you walking so fast? " She asked Aabida and held her in her arms. Aabida was breathing heavily and she was not able to talk properly. She was trying to tell but her breathing was erratic.

" I...saw...go...goons....hitting...sh....shyam " she said between her breaths but sudha didn't understand anything. She went inside and brought water to her. She drank it and took deep breaths to calm down.

" Sudha I saw few people hitting shyam in the street end and I was.... " Aabida uttered finally making Sudha gasp. She soon started running towards the main street and her steps were giving up due to her being handicapped. She was able to walk but running was quite difficult for her. Her mind kept rewinding about Aabida's words and tears rolled down. Everyone were looking at her awkwardly but she kept walking. She kept praying all along her way and she saw a huge crowd standing there. She rushed towards them but her legs gave up and she fell down. She even scarred her elbows and it pained her but she got up and moved further.