Lost Bride

The jarring lurch of the train grinding to a halt jolted Phool from her fitful slumber. Blinking owlishly, she took in her surroundings with dawning confusion. Night had fallen while she slept, the compartment now bathed in inky shadows. Nothing the faint, flickering lightbulb above her could do.Where was Deepak? Her still sleep-addled mind groped for coherence as the other passengers began stirring, collecting their belongings in preparation to disembark. Panic seized Phool's heart as she realized her new husband was nowhere to be seen amidst the milling bodies."D-Deepak?" she called out tentatively, craning her neck to scan the crowded compartment. Only a jumble of unfamiliar faces turned towards her quizzical call before brushing past, intent on joining the shuffling queue towards the exits.Rising to unsteady feet, Phool clutched the folds of her modesty veil tightly, using the filmy fabric to dab at the tears already prickling her eyes. How could he have wandered off without her? Was this some cruel omen about the viability of their fresh marriage?The dread coiling in her stomach quickly calcified into a cold, heavy knot of fear. Steeling her resolve, Phool pushed against the human current, determination lending strength to her slender frame. She had to find him, had to understand what cruel misfortune had already separated them so soon after their nuptials.Buffeted by the jostle of disembarking passengers, Phool finally emerged onto the bustling platform. The cavernous station strained with the din of hundreds of voices, trains whistling in the distance. Her eyes darted wildly, desperately searching for any sign of her husband amidst the churning sea of humanity."Deepak!" she cried out, the apprehensive waver in her voice swallowed up by the overwhelming cacophony. Squaring her slight shoulders, Phool determinedly began navigating through the press of bodies.Everywhere she turned, impenetrable walls of strangers impeded her path, their indifferent faces offering no recognition, no solace to her deepening distress. Hot tears traced scorching paths down Phool's cheeks as she spun about, growing ever more disoriented.A flash of panicked despair lent wings to her steps as she barreled back through the exit and into the train compartment once more. Surely he had to be here, waiting for her as dutifully as a husband should for his wife, his bride of just days. But the cabin stood eerily vacant, all evidence of its previous occupants having disembarked into the chaos outside.The heavy sobs racking Phool's slight frame made it difficult to draw breath as she staggered back out onto the platform. This couldn't be happening, not so soon after the joyous celebration of their joined lives. What cruel injustice had allowed for such a senseless separation so quickly?"Deepak!" she wailed again, the despairing cry torn from the depths of her anguished soul. Passersby cast her bemused looks, but none broke stride to offer aid or consolation.Tears flowing unchecked, Phool stumbled like one lost in a desert mirage, continuously circling back to the vacant train despite the futility. Her desperation grew with each fruitless turn until a vast, hollow emptiness threatened to consume her utterly.A stone-throw away, the relentless stream of his mother's chastising prattles washed over Pradeep like a stinging rain. He stood hunched, shoulders slumped in a vain attempt at warding off the onslaught, while their servant efficiently gathered their voluminous luggage."...and just where is your wife?" his mother's reedy voice cut through the noise of the crowded platform. "Where has Jaya wandered off to now?"Pradeep startled at the mention of his wife's name, feeling a rare pang of guilt. In the chaotic shuffle of disembarking their train, he had utterly disregarded Jaya's whereabouts. His mind raced, trying to recall the last time he had even laid eyes on her petite form amidst the milling crowds.A knot of trepidation formed in the pit of his stomach. If he could not immediately locate his errant bride, there would be another round of severe reprisals to endure. Pradeep ground his teeth, imagining the biting sting of his cane on Jaya's flesh, or worse, the brutal double-lashes of the bullwhip they so delighted in employing.Screwing up his resolve, Pradeep straightened and began scanning the teeming masses clustered on the platform. He turned in a slow circle, craning his neck high in search of any glimpse of a familiar sari or veil amongst the faceless throngs.There! A slash of brilliant crimson wending through the crowd. "Jaya!" Pradeep barked out, cupping his hands around his mouth to project his voice.Uncaring of the annoyed looks his bellow garnered, Pradeep pushed against the unforgiving current, driving a path towards the ruby-clad figure. Reaching the woman in red, he clamped an insistent hand on her slender shoulder, spinning her around to face him."There you are!" he growled, lips already peeling back in preparation for issuing the first of what would surely be many vile rebukes.But the stern words withered on his tongue as the veiled face lifted towards him. It was not Jaya's delicate features surrounded by the gauzy fabric, but another woman entirely - her eyes reddened and swimming with tears of anguish."I...my apologies," Pradeep stammered, so wrongfooted by the wretched expression twisting her comely features that thoughts of upbraiding fled his mind. "I did not mean to accost you so."The woman flinched back from his touch, her eyes growing as wide as a cornered animal's. Without a word, she whipped around and plunged back into the unforgiving press of the crowd, propelled by a blind desperation.Pradeep could only gape after her retreating form, nonplussed by the encounter's abrupt conclusion. What fresh torment he had interrupted, he could not fathom. But there was a haunting desolation etched into that poor woman's countenance that gave even his calloused soul a momentary pause.The petty grievances plaguing his own existence paled before the naked anguish seared into those tear-stained eyes. He felt an unaccustomed stirring of pity flare up unbidden at the memory.A harsh bellow from his father shattered the reverie, dragging Pradeep's mind back to his own far more immediate torments.A low growl rumbled up from the depths of Pradeep's chest as his servant leaned in close, pale eyes darting furtively about before speaking in a hushed undertone. The words ignited a molten fury in Pradeep's gut, causing his fists to clench unconsciously."The jewellery box...it's gone, master," the wretched man whispered, fear rendering his voice reedy. "And with it, all the valuables - the gemstones, the currency, everything."White-hot rage lanced through Pradeep's mind, searing away all other concerns in an instantaneous burn of disbelief and towering anger. That wretched woman! His new bride had been trouble from the first moment she'd scurried meekly into his sphere. But to steal from him, to violate the scant shreds of trust a husband should be owed from his wife? It was an unforgivable transgression.Wheeling on his servant with a snarl twisting his features, Pradeep grabbed a fistful of the man's tunic, pulling him up until their faces were separated by mere inches. "Find her," he hissed, flecks of spittle flying from his lips to speckle the poor man's cheeks. "I don't care what it takes or who you have to... persuade. Bring her to me."The servant's adam's apple bobbed convulsively as he gave a jerky nod of assent. Pradeep released his grip with a contemptuous shove, upending the man to sprawl gracelessly on the platform. His eyes bored into the cringing figure with an intensity that could blister paint."Do not return without her. Or I'll make sure you receive worse than anything I could ever inflict on that faithless wretch."His father's bellow sliced through the red haze of fury fogging Pradeep's vision. With a visible effort, he reined in his blazing temper, smoothing his expression into something approaching neutral disdain as he turned towards the summoning shout."There you are, you useless ingrate!" his father roared, jowls quivering with choleric rage. "Well? Where is that shrew of a new bride you've lumbered us with?"Pradeep kept his face carefully impassive, aware of his father's keen perception for sniffing out any perceived disrespect or defiance. "A temporary...complication, father," he replied through gritted teeth. "But it is one I am handling accordingly."The barest ghost of a sneer played over his father's brutish features. "See that you do. I'll not have that woman besmirching our family's honor any further."With a curt nod, Pradeep turned on his heel and stalked back through the dispersing throngs, mind consumed by the thunderous cadence of his own thoughts. That treacherous viper had made her choice and soon she would face the consequences.No bride of a son from so prestigious a lineage could be permitted to engage in such brazen theft with impunity. The gall of the wretched woman! To not only rob him blind, but then flee into the crowds like a filthy gutter rat.A cruel smile carved its way across Pradeep's mouth as he replayed how he would greet his runaway bride upon her return. There would be a reckoning to be paid, oh yes. His knuckles whitened as his fists clenched in anticipation.They did not call him Baaghi - The Butcher - for his merciful ways. Before the moon had risen on this nightmarish night, he would make Jaya rue the moment she ever dared to cross a man of his means, his stature, his...methods.A harsh bark of joyless laughter escaped Pradeep's lips. He was almost looking forward to reacquainting himself with the marriage jewellery - using it to adorn Jaya's slender neck in ruby-hued reminders of the infinite pain awaiting betrayal of Baaghi Pradeep.•Waves of panic crashed over Phool as she fled blindly down the dimly lit station passageway. Her breath came in ragged gasps, terror propelling her slender frame forward with desperate urgency. The leering catcalls and crude whistles still rang in her ears, compounding the acute sense of vulnerability already clawing at her pounding heart.She was utterly alone and adrift in this churning human sea. The finality of that realization seemed to sap what little strength remained in her trembling legs. Phool's steps faltered, then stilled as she sagged against the soot-stained tiles, chest heaving with silent sobs that wracked her body.Where could she even begin to seek refuge or aid? Her parents' home was off-limits by the steadfast traditions governing her existence as a married woman. To return there unwed and abandoned by her husband would bring shame and censure down upon the entire family. Phool shuddered, imagining the scornful whispers and derision that would await.Then there were the more pragmatic considerations - in her desire not to be robbed, she had relinquished every last piece of bridal jewellery to Deepak for safekeeping. Even if she could bring herself to make that unthinkable journey home, she lacked any funds to cover the expansive travel costs.Hot tears spilled freely down Phool's cheeks, her mind whirling with fragmented recollections of Deepak uttering the particulars of his village's name. Indrapur? Kundroor? A heavy haze of anguish clouded her memory, smothering those crucial details as effectively as her senses had been obscured by the opaque veil she'd worn.In her despair, Phool sank fully to the filthy station floor, drawing her knees tightly against her chest as she surrendered to the gut-wrenching sobs. She was bereft of jewels, funds, family, even a final destination to seek - for in truth, her journey had been meant to end with Deepak, sharing his home and identity as his forever-bonded wife.And now that fragile, priceless attachment had been severed as abruptly and inexplicably as a cut tether. Phool rocked back and forth, cradling herself against the violent tremors of fear and loss battering her slight frame.What was she to do? Without funds or a determined path to walk, returning to her marital home, wherever it may have been, was an impossibility. And navigating these unfamiliar streets alone as an unaccompanied woman invited dangers she dared not give voice to.Yet the notion of sinking into the anonymous ranks of the city's nameless destitute filled Phool with equal parts revulsion and soul-cradling dread. The predatory edge underlying those strange men's crude calls offered just a fleeting glimpse into the horrors awaiting one of her gender on the unforgiving streets.Huddled against the crumbling wall, Phool could perceive no path forward that did not lead inexorably to some terrible cliff's edge from which she could not return. The depths of her utter powerlessness overwhelmed her until conscious thought became an arduous battle.She could only exist in that singular moment, drawing what meager solace she could from the protective cocoon of her own tightly-furled body. The rest of the world blurred around the edges until all that remained was Phool and the relentless spinning of her fragmented ruminations. What cruelty had awakened on her wedding day to conspire against her hopes and dreams?Hot tears mingled with the sour tang of her own rising despair as Phool surrendered fully to her isolated torment.