KHUMAARI- The Nocturnal Beast, PART 2

KHUMAARI

The Nocturnal Beast

Thanx guys for the warmest welcome ever

PART 2

Dream

During certain stages of sleep occurs the involuntary succession of images, emotions and sensations in mind commonly called dreams.

Psychology, though says, that dreams are not just random slideshow shooting on the screen behind the closed lids. They convey one’s state of mind. The occurrences in a person’s subconscious could be a replay of past experiences-both good and hideous-or simply an escape into present fantasies while it could also be an indication of the upcoming future.

Unfortunately, not everything could be described by human intellect. Sometimes, few things are beyond normal understanding. Who knows if the realms of dreams-outside the substantive world-are used as a medium, to communicate, to explore and to feel, by the dead or the unknown and the hidden.

2 years later, Aenofl

The sun shone bright in the sky in the early summer morning, casting its buttery, mild shade over the land of the small town.

Tightly clutching the sweater around her torso with one hand and holding a bag full of supplies in other, Geet exited the only grocery store of their town.

As the summer had finally started, she was ecstatic, waiting for the longer and warmer days to come. Nothing against cold, she loved it but when you lived in a town where winters were bone chilling and summers were not a big difference, you seemed to get jaded of it n need some change-in her case-a brighter sun.

Kicking a stone in the way while walking along the pavement, she glanced up and groaned angrily. So much for the brighter sun, disdainfully looking at the gray clouds now covering the burning ball, she decided to reach home faster. Walking was not a problem because her apartment was not very far but she wasn’t sure, if she would be able to reach there before the wet drops hit the ground. God forbid if she got drenched in this cold weather.

There was a short cut that led to her street in half the time, though it was through the woods, not into deep, just by edges. She hurriedly left the road and took a right turn. After walking a little, trees started to thicken and she followed the trial which she had only once before used. It was unusual because the last time she remembered entering the woods was when she was thirteen. Her father had given her a good scolding for that. She acknowledged his concern for the forest being dangerous and never repeated the mistake again, then why now?

There were animals that could prove fatal. Although they remained in the vast inlands of the forest and Geet had never heard any resident of their town being attacked. Still it didn’t mean that the dark woods were worth trusting. The search of food could bring the predators out. She just wished not to be their first human feast.

Increasing her pace, she vaguely tried to remember which day was today since she was grocery shopping it must be the weekend. Strangely she couldn’t point out the exact day. May be the cold winds had her mind jammed.

The rumble from above caught her attention and to utter dismay the sky was covered with a thick sheet of black clouds making the already shadowy surrounding even darker. An alarm started to sound in the back of her head. She jumped upon hearing another rumble and next moment realised it was not from up in the sky but somewhere near.

Bracing herself, she turned around and came face to face with big black eyes that seemed to have been set alight in the darkness. Another growl, that Geet thought of as a warning, came with the front right paw of what looked like an unnatural wolf being forcefully pushed into the ground for the impending hunt. Her eyes were wide n breath got caught in throat.

The creature ducked his head, setting his focus on her. She knew he would attack any second. Gulping her saliva, she very slowly took a step back. The wolf snarled, his nostrils flaring n she froze.

She counted till three n did what any helpless prey would have opted for, ran- as fast as she could. She tried to loose him but the heavy sound created by his paws meeting the hard ground told that he was not far behind. She wondered, how much time would it take for him to catch her?

Taking sharp turns, avoiding tree n leaping across the logs, she kept running on the fuel of her adrenaline. Her throat was dry, lungs in desperate need of air while legs felt like they had gone numb. To top it all she realised that the trail she was following was long lost. There was no awareness of where she was. Even if she somehow saved herself from that thing, the chances were that she would never find her way out n nobody would be able to locate her dead body. Her death would become an unsolved mystery. She wasn’t sure about anyone else but Cotton surely would miss her.

No, she didn’t want her end to be like this n so early.

To see if he was still behind her, she looked back n whoever preached about not looking back while running was a mastermind. Because when she twisted her head back he pounced at her from front.

She screamed at the abrupt hit. Then gasped because the one who'd knocked her to the ground was not an animal but a man n he was naked. The more astonishing fact was the feeling his flesh against hers, from chest to toe. She was as bare as him.

Fog seemed to surround the two nude bodies, cutting their world from the real. She tried to make out his face but couldn’t, only the darkness of his eyes was visible. He kissed the corner of her mouth n then his lips trailed down to her neck where he nipped at her skin. She could do nothing but shudder in response.

Every inch, that his lips came into contact with, burned. She felt an ache at her centre as his hard manhood rested on her thigh. His rough fingers traced the path till her globes where he cupped her breast. She wanted to but she didn’t scream nor pushed him away as though tied in the fascination of things he was doing to her.

It was all new n she liked the sensations dancing beneath her skin and was craving for more.

His knees nudged her thighs apart while his lips nibbled on her earlobe, his hand playing with her nipples.

His head moved lower to take her pointed bud in mouth. The circle created by his tongue made her moan n she found his shaft crawling up to her core. This was so wrong yet so desirable. It seemed, if he stopped now she would die then n there.

Releasing her nipple with a small bite, his lips went again to her ear. Mine. He whispered his claim leisurely grinding his manhood to her wet spot.

When he raised his hips, she understood what was coming. Although disgusted with herself, she thrust her own hips up to meet him n the piece of his flesh entered her core in one sharp, smooth movement.

She woke up panting n horny. Her hand flew to the side lamp n she switched it on. She was wet in every sense with sweat n unfulfilled wanton desire.

The same dream again!!

A tear slid down her cheek, of helplessness n an eccentric longing. She wiped the drop away. At least now when she had that dream today, next 5-6 nights could be spent fearless. It was peculiar. Her haunted dream had a pattern, she saw it only once in a week, thankfully.

Getting up from the bed, she turned on the main light n closed the lamp. Her pet dog, Cotton, was sleeping coolly at the end of the like nothing happened.

First look at him n nobody would be able to figure out that it was actually a dog n not a big cotton ball.

She felt bit eased with the view of her cutie pie companion. Still her heart was beating fast; she walked back n forth to calm it down n then settled on the bed again frustrated, not getting the required result.

After rubbing her face with her palms n humming an idiotic song from a movie she didn’t dare watch, she opened her drawer filled with her favorite thing, sweets. There were lollipops, toffees n the magical yummilicious chocolates.

She pulled out a chocolate bar n after unwrapping it, took a bite. The dulcet cocoa melted in her mouth n she savored the sugary delight. There was no problem in world that chocolate could not solve.

The rest of the night went sleepless which was no surprise. Sleep never came back once she had that dream more precisely nightmare, perhaps the reason was the fear of closing her eyes n entering that world again.

It was only when the birds started chirruping outside that she realised that the sun had arisen with a new day. She drew the curtains open to the sight of her patio. She loved her town on days like this. Sunny n clear, the greenery around added to the serene beauty. Still she missed Bangalore. She missed the hustle bustle of the city life. She missed the ignorant people n her friends. More than everything else she missed her college n books.

But not for very long she would be back there again. Her whole life circled around others n she did what they wished. Not anymore, she would complete her post graduate n come out as a licensed psychologist.

She just needed one chance. Glancing at the calendar she enthusiastically confirmed that it was Sunday. It meant she had to go home today. She could try to convince her dad to let her continue her studies. Looking up she joined her hand n prayed to god n her mother to help her. There was little time left for the colleges to accept applications for this year’s term. She didn’t want to waste this year n who knows if she did miss it, her dad would probably get her married. He already had her engaged.

A year could certainly make a lot of changes.

Hearing a small scowl she turned around while Cotton rushed to her feet, rubbing his head against her leg.

Aww my hero is up. She said taking the tiny being in her arms n scratching that sweet spot behind his ear. It was gifted by her eldest brother on her 16th birthday. Only she knew how much she missed her little bundle when he was at her father’s place and she was in Bangalore as no pets were allowed in her hostel. But who would tell the matron that Cotton was not a pet but her family member.

After pouring dog food in Cotton’s bowl, she pulled out her clothes from the cupboard n dashed into the undersized bathroom of her apartment. On total her whole apartment was small consisting of a living room with a kitchenette attached to it n a bed room with adjoined bathroom. Irrespective of the size, her apartment was cosy n homely while it was better than the room she shared with Garima back in hostel.

Once done with the bath, she walked to the mirror to check her appearance. Faded jeans, pink tank top n a brown jacket over it, she looked just the same. Staring out of the window she discarded the idea of taking a sweater. It wasn’t needed since the weather was moderate. Staring back at the mirror, her eyes came to a halt on the faded mark on the left side of her neck.

She found it the next morning after that horrible party two years ago n had no idea how it got there. Taking into account Garima’s assumption, she believed that her drink was spiked n the mark could be doing of some bug or a bush or something which scratched against her while she was in the trees.

Locking her apartment door, Geet exited the small building she lived in. Her father’s home was nearby, then taking the small area of their town every place was near.

Sometimes it was exasperating to live in a place like this, secluded from rest of the world n so small. She still remembered the stories one old grandma from their neighbourhood liked to recite to the children. The name of their town was Aenofl, pronounced as E-nofal. She told that ‘Ane’ in old native language meant arcane n ‘ofl’ meant cold. So their town was the land of the cold n mysterious according to the aged lady.

At that time those stories fascinated her but now she knew why her town was named so, well partially. About the mysterious thing she was clueless but the cold aspect of the name she assumed to understand. Firstly it could be because of the weather or if not that then surely it referred to the men in town because they were cold hearted. They thought they knew everything n were the king of world. Not sure about whole town but men in her family were exactly the same. She let out a huff. Theirs was a male chauvinist society n she hated it to the core.

Surely the people-the little population at their town-were nice but still a feeling of being entrapped haunted her every now n then. For a women, there were no opportunities, no future outside the house more particularly kitchen. There was also no phone towers n no television network either. And so people’s thinking was narrow, they didn’t know what was happening in the outside world n that the women were not only to take care of family n house.

She wanted to be an example to the people of her town. That was why she fought for her graduation n that was why she was not living with her father currently.

Last time her father let her go for graduation, though in return, he asked her to give consent for engagement to the son of his best friend. As soon as she turned eighteen he made her exchange rings.

She stared at the meaningless gold band in her ring finger. The fact that she didn’t love her fiancé was not important because she knew that type of love would never sprout in her heart. Something from the past had broken her belief on the feeling of love that existed between two lovers or life partners.

Still she agreed for the engagement. It was a very little price for her graduation; her father wanted something as a guarantee n she had no qualms in giving it to him, if it meant she could pursue her dreams.

This time he was not at all ready. But she was also his daughter. If he was stubborn, she was no less. She would do her post graduate n become a psychologist. It was her fate n nobody could change that, not even her own father.

When she reached the two story house of her father, it was locked. She wondered where everyone had gone. They seldom left this early on Sunday mornings. Taking the keys from below the doormat she unlocked the main door n entered the house.

She had a mini cardiac arrest looking at the mess in living room. Gosh! It was truly criminal to leave three men in a house without female company.

If they were all out right now the odds were less of them returning before lunch. With a sigh she decided to start cleaning n then prepare lunch directly. Apparently, the lone reason for coming here every Sunday was to clean n cook. It was what she did since she started living with them. Yeah, she didn’t live with her father since her birth. It was funny that her father had absolutely no idea that she existed till 10 years of her life n her brothers were not her real but cousin brothers who were adopted by her father.

Rahul n Vipul were the sons of her father’s elder brother. Their parents were dead n they lived with her father even before she did. They both were elder to her n loved her like a real sister, but sometimes could be sheer pain in ass. Rahul was 25 n Vipul, 23 n they took advantage of it to the fullest, treating her like a kid. It was one of the many things she hated from the bottom of her heart, being treated like a 12 year old.

Geet heard the doorbell ring n went to open the door.

Welcome back papa. She said taking her father’s bag.

How is my little princess? He asked n Geet rolled her eyes at the word, how typical of him.

I am good papa. Where have you been?

Some important work had me out with your brothers. He said going upstairs to his room.

Geet didn’t ask further. She knew they wouldn’t bother telling her what that important work was.

Hey sis. Both her brother said in unison. Rahul patted her cheek n Vipul opted for pulling her braid.

Don’t do that. She scolded n was about to close the door when Sahil caught her eyes. He was coming towards her after locking the gypsy.

Hello Geet. He greeted with a bright smile.

Your fiancé wanted to eat your hand made food. She heard Vipul’s voice from inside.

Sahil walked to the dining room.

With a blush on her cheeks, she closed the door.

Aaah Geet. You cleaned it all. Vipul said with a glint in his eyes. Thank you so much. You cleaned my room also?

Yeah I cleaned that gutter hole. Sticking her tongue out, she taunted.

Remind me, why you are staying in that apartment, again? Rahul asked already knowing the reason.

Because little sis wants to study more. Vipul said sarcastically.

Geet was used to all this teasing n mocking. The best technique to deal with this crap was to snub it. She simply brought the food to the dining table.

Seriously Geet we can’t live like this. I need this food daily. Rahul said making a baby face. Please come back.

Shut up. You know it won’t have any effect on me.

Rahul is right Geet. Mr. Punj said entering the dining room. You should stop all this childishness and come back here. This house is far better than your apartment.

Firstly, I am not a child. She whined.

Point proved. Vipul commented n gave Rahul a high five.

She threw her brothers a glare and then sighed. Papa please. I can’t n you know the reason well. No matter what they said she won’t come back. For years she cooked for them, cleaned the house n did their laundry. Now she wanted to be independent n complete her studies. Not too much she was asking for. It was her life, right?

Well you completed your graduation in Banglore that’s more than enough. Girls at our place don't even get to do that. Resolution was evident in Mr. Punj’s voice. You are not going out of the town again. Your brothers and Sahil wants the same.

Her brothers gave a nod in affirmation. She loved them, she swear she did but they could be really stupid n hell irritating at times. On the other hand, Sahil just shrugged. She didn’t expect much from him either. He always stayed along the safety lines not wanting to angry her n also not going against her family. Sometimes she wished him to be man enough, for a word in support or even in opposition, at least she would know his point of view.

She was about to protest again but her father showed a hand, dismissing anymore discussion on the subject. Geet ate the food sadly and silently while the men talked among themselves. 

After the lunch, she stored the leftovers in fridge so her hungry family could survive on good food at least for one more meal. God! Life would have been so much easier with another woman in the house. But no worries, not like the world had ended. Once back to the apartment, she would treat herself with a chocolate cake. Like stated earlier, there was no problem in the world that chocolate couldn’t solve. She twisted her lips, fancying it to be actually true.

Next day,

He banged his cell to the wall. Thrashing into the hard concrete, it fell on the floor in five pieces, one of them hitting the side wall.

That was your fifth phone. Adi said entering the room.

This filthy place has no network.

I know and am afraid that there is another bad news.

Maan ran a hand through his hair n Adi continued.

It would take one more day for the road to get cleared. We can’t proceed further before that.

At this, Maan glared at him n Adi raised his hands. Hey! I had no hand in the landslide. It’s the natural forces.

I don’t like this place. Maan groaned. And Maan Singh Khurana doesn’t stay at a place like this.

Maan. Adi sighed. This is the only Inn this town has. We only have to spend a day here. Now, where are you going?

You can’t expect me to remain in this room for whole 24 hours. Maan said walking to the door. It’s smaller than my closet.

Adi rolled his eyes. Just don’t damage anything. He told.

Maan smirked closing the door behind him. Will try.

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