Captured

Chapter 8

"Fuck!" 

Arush rammed his booted foot on the brakes immediately and made the car halt with the screeching of tyres on time before they collided into another car which cut up their way. Arush dipped his light, gasping and Matsyaa was also shaken up badly. They could be seriously injured. 

"Iski toh mai…(Let me see him.)" Arush hissed, unbuckling and preparing to step out but Matsyaa gripped his wrist. "What? Are you gonna go fight him? It can be dangerous."

"We could've died, Matsyaa. That fucking blind man didn't…" He stopped abruptly, casting a hand over his eyes to shade the blinding light coming from the headlights of the other car and blinked, "This fucker will have it from me today."

"Arush, wa…" Matsyaa couldn't finish and he was out, slamming the door shut and came in front of the bonnet. "Hey, you, giant puddle of elephant shit! Where are your fucking eyes, man? You planned a swift death for us, asshole. Come out!" 

Matsyaa winced at his loud, derogatory tone and climbed out, meekly calling him. "It's okay, Arush. We should leave." 

He flexed his neck to train a burning glare on her and turned back to mouth more curses at the man who hadn't stepped out. Matsyaa rolled her eyes and paraded to him. She clutched his hand and hissed in his ear, "You want me to miss the flight? I'm so sure if we stay here for long, we'll be in trouble. Get going, idiot!" 

Arush was torn. He wanted to know why the man didn't step out but Matsyaa was right. Reluctantly, he moved to the driver's seat and buckled himself. Matsyaa was also on her seat, shutting the door. She looked at Arush confused when he didn't start the car. "What? You want me to get the royal edict to you now?" 

"He's not moving back." Arush pointed out, staring ahead and she dismissed with a wave of hand, "Just push the gear. He'll give us space automatically."

Arush followed her command and drove straight into them only to apply brakes again when the car didn't budge. He stuck his head out of the window and yelled, "What the hell, man? Move back, assh…" 

His words died in his throat as a figure loomed out in the dark and came to stand before his car. The lights falling on his face got Matsyaa and Arush both stunned. Their eyes popped out of their sockets and they gulped, exchanging glances. Suddenly, they were surrounded by three cars and all the lights landing on them. 

"I got you both. Game over!" Anup commanded, tucking his hands in his pockets and flicked his finger at Arush. "You, angry young man! Would you come out now?" 

Matsyaa trembled when she saw Kumar striding to her side and her forehead shone with sweat. She immediately grabbed onto Arush's arm who grazed her palm in assurance. "Don't worry. It'll be alright."

Matsyaa couldn't form a reply to him and whimpered softly when Kumar held open the door for her. Lowering her gaze, she tentatively stepped out and looked up at the stoic face of her father. Arush came to stand beside her and belligerently clasped her clammy palm but Anup was only staring at her. "This is not the time for the long drive, Matsyaa. You've to attend your engagement within an hour. Let's go home."

He turned to go and she hesitated in a broken voice. "Dad, please. I don't want to do this."

"You're too late to make a decision now." He gruffly saud and she pleaded, rushing to him. "Dad, please. Don't do this. I don't love him. I don't wanna live with him. I'll never be happy with him. Please don't do this, dad."

"Did you hear me when I asked you to not back out?" Anup snubbed, flitting his glower at her face and she felt victimized. "You know I don't love him. Why are you forcing me then? I am not sure what he has told you but he is dangerous and I fear my life when I'm near him. Can't you see this? He acts all good but deep down, he's…a different person, dad." She casted her eyes down, mumbling. "He makes me feel terrified."