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Akshay paid a casual visit to meet Akshita. He brought teddy bear which she requested last week. He press the bell and Smita welcomed him inside.

"Where is Akshita?" he asked

"She went to birthday party. This days she is more on than busy than me. She will come in 2-3 hours. If you wish you can wait." Smita replied.

"No, I came to give her this teddy bear." he said and she asked him to place it on her bed. He went inside and a familiar bottle caught his eyes.

"Akshita is having cough and cold?"he asked.

" Yes , but how can you? "she stopped in mid when he showed her the bottle." this is great medicine and Akshita doesn't show tantrum when I give her. "she completed.

" Discontinue it. "he said.

" Why? "

" because I am saying."

" Give me reason otherwise forget it. "

" Fine, Its addictive. "

" I didn't get you. "

" I was addicted to it. "he said and she raised her brows in confusion.

" When I have returned from Dehradun,I hadn't able to sleep properly. Whole night used to passed by twisting and tossing on bed. One day I cough and cold caught me. Grandad took me to hospital. Physician prescribed three dose of cough syrup in day."

Smita guessed where it is heading. She knew cough syrup makes patient drowsy and dizzy.

" I slept really well at that night. Whole week passed smoothly and I was recovered. I discontinued medication after that but there is strong urge to took one dose. I tried hard really hard, trust me."

"I trust you."Smita ensures and showed confidence in him.

" I watched tv till 11 p. m. than returned to bed. Bottle of that cough syrup just infront of my eyes. My hands were eger to touch it. My feet wanted to go there. I shifted my sight and closed my eyes. "Akshay said closing his eyes.

" Images of those monsters whom I killed, flashed in my eyes. My shirt soaked in sweat. My heartbeat was raising, I can't take it anymore. I ran towards shelf and gulp whole liquid of bottle. "he sighed.

Smita didn't realised her fingers were crossed all this time. The worst happened, years ago but she still hopeful that the obvious hadn't happened. He wouldn't became drug addict. If someone help him at that time,he hadn't fall in that pit.

"It was half bottle of cough syrup initially. After few days its not sufficient so I increased the dose to one bottle. Soon my pocket money is not enough to buy the medicine and Chemist asked bribe to give me my relief substance. I was restless. I can't function without that cough syrup. One day my dad forget to lock his locker. I was afraid of him but my urge is so strong. I tiptoed in his room and steal 5000 rupees. That is enough for two three months. My consumption increased to five bottles at that time. I used to sleep whole day and night. I was clueless about breakfast talks. It raises suspicion of my grandad. He asked me is there something wrong with me and I lied. I lied about everything. I hadn't told me about all those murders which haunted me. I hadn't told about dad's beatings and his mistresess. I can't tell, I was afraid. "

" I wish you had said that,your heart will get relief. May be your grandad found some solution. "

" I don't know about solution but he found out about my addiction. There was a raid of drug inspector on that chemist shop. I was present at that time. Fear engulfed me when I saw police and all those officials. I ran towards home as fast as possible. My slippers stuck on the muddy road but I hadn't care. I was terrified. I reached to backyard of house. My feets were bruised and bleeding. I opened the door and collided with a side table. Bottles falled on floor and my secret was out in open in front of.... "his voice chocked.

" Who was there Akshay? "Smita asked after sometime." You know, sharing lessen grief. Tell me who was there and what happened after that. "

Akshay folded his knees and hide his face in his knees. His body was shaking terribly . Smita went towards him to comfort him but he jerked her touch.

He hit the table suddenly and throwed all content in one swift hit. He broke the glass. Smita ran towards corner of room and attached herself to the wall to safeguard herself. Fifteen minutes, it took him just fifteen minutes to break every thing. Whatever came in his way broke into pieces. It felt like a tornado hit her room. Her dressing table, bed, watches, perfume bottle, portrait, Photo frames, side lamps everything is ruined. He look possessed by evil spirit. His eyes were blood shot red, nostrils were flaring, body is shaking with anger. His eyes secured on her and she was disheveled, extremely afraid of him. Her facial features showing fear, perfect braid is gone, hairs were falling on her face blocking her view, tears were flowing from her eyes. She is perfect definition of misery.

He fall on the floor, back leaning on wall. "This is me real me, broken, miserable, vulnerable and damaged beyond repair. Just one trigger and beast unleashed, ready to destroy anything come in the way." he sighed. Tears are flowing from his eyes.

Smita wiped her tears from the back of her hand and sat on the floor. She neither utter a word nor move a inch towards him. She has strong urge to pee but didn't have courage to move.

" You are afraid of me. "its not a question but statement which is true. Violence disturb her and every inch of this room is witness of violence happened few minutes ago. There is no difference between this room and him both are ruined.

" The Akshay you fall in love with was a mirage. This is me real me whom everyone should be afraid and stay away for their own sanity." his voice filled with anger and threat. Smita looked him without blinking eye to forecast upcoming danger.

"A mere touch of woman can trigger me." he said and her eyes flickered. Her hand holds her chest. She have touched him so many times inappropriately and he never react strongly.

"Its not that simple." he said looking directly in her eyes. "After that night everything changed. I was destroyed for life. Nothing can fix this" he chuckled, hands pointing his temple. She felt hidden evilness in his chuckle.

"I would be great if I was arrested but I was a fool who returned to home. A home which gave me nothing but pain. Mistress of my father was standing on the door frame. Predators can guess the state of their prey more accurately. I was afraid and she took me in her embrace to comfort me. She rubbed my back to calm me and its soothing to some extent. "

" She caressed my cheeks and wiped my tears. She did dressing to my wounds and I was more than grateful to her. I hadn't felt that kind of warmth from anyone in long time. It was a good experience for me . After that she paid regular visit to me in my room. Her company was fun. It was going great or I assumed that. "

"One day I felt a piercing gaze on my back when I was changing my clothes. I turned around and there is no one around. Same thing continued till that night,I felt hands in that part of my body. I hadn't know what's going on with me. I liked the touch and there is harness there. After few minutes its gone. I was confused what happened with me. "

Smita felt disgusted. Her stomach churned. Most intimate and romantic thing of two individuals looked pukeworthy. She knows where it is heading. She keep looking him without saying a word.

" It continued for many weeks and I felt I was paranoid. I was imagining things which was not real. I felt same touch that night but this time my clothes torn off. I was shocked and wake up with a jerk. She was sitting in my bed. I tried to cover my modesty and she laughed on me. 'Enjoyed for weeks and pretend when caught'. She said to me. I was terrified for my life and ran towards door. It was locked and keys was in her hand. She slapped me for showing disrespect to her. She beat me like my father. I closed my eyes in fear. I closed my eyes tightly waiting for the end of her ordeal. I hadn't felt anything except fear. There is rage in me which wanted to kill her but I didn't have that power in me. That overdose of medication sublimed my power. I was the prisoner in my own home. "

" than how you... "Smita started and realisation hit her. This guy whom she called her husband genuinely liked her. He took extra step to ensure her well being. He walked extra mile for her. Now she understood why there was no cuddling after love making . Why there was no play before that act. Now she understands how much difficult it would be for person like him. He tried his best and she fucked up everything. She destroyed the chance of happily ever after by that stupid act of hers. She behaved same like that woman. Now all his anger and accusations came in her mind. She wronged him according to his point of view. His accusations of betrayal is not completely wrong. She triggered the deep buried emotions and hurt.

"Don't blame yourself for anything. There is no light after the tunnel for me. I became the same person I hated the most." He sighed, hiding his face between the knees.

Smita looked around just like everything their life is destroyed beyond repair. There is no words to say. There is nothing to comfort. She felt ashamed of herself for destroying last sane piece of him.

She destroyed the person she claimed to love. Where it landed her in the eyes of God. Should she run away from him like everyone else? She knew she will find another person and her wound will be healed but what about him. Will he ever be alright.

She looked at herself "am I really Abandoned? question arises in her mind. Her father was always at her sid till his death. Later few friends support her. Her daughter was on her side all this years.

She looked towards him and first time he looked abandoned and neglected by everyone. A innocent soul destroyed before blossom. Spring never came in his life. It was Autumn forever.