SHADOW

SHADOW

Dhanush is very happy; after his job, today marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life. It’s his wedding night, and like all men, he has many curiosities. Besides, his friends are adding fuel to the fire of his anticipation.

Bablu: “Hey, the writer inside you often emerges in front of us. Have you written something for your wife tonight, or not?”

Dhanush : “Poetry just comes to me; I don’t really write it down. Let’s see what mood I’m in when I see your sister-in-law. You guys drink, but I won’t. Drinking alcohol on a day like this isn’t a good idea. If my impression goes wrong today, it can last a lifetime. No, no, I won’t drink. I’m leaving.”

Bablu: “Sure, friend, you go. No problem, but at least finish your fruit juice.”

Dhanush: “No, I don’t want it. Leave me alone.”

Bablu: “It’s just juice, have it. You’ll need a lot of energy tonight.” He insisted, forcing him to drink it.

After that, Dhanush began walking towards his room. Many thoughts and questions were running through his mind. Does she like me? This is an arranged marriage. We’ve talked before, and she said ‘yes’, she was ready for this relationship. After that, we got married. If she wants to take things slow, then I also want to do likewise. There’s no problem; we’ll gradually build our relationship for a beautiful moment. Even otherwise, I really like her. The first time I saw her, I felt a strong attraction towards her. I just couldn’t wait for this day, but I have to be patient.

This is the beginning of a new life, the second chapter, the first being my getting a job. After working so hard for it, I finally got it. The responsibilities and exhaustion from work left with no happiness. This is the most beautiful turn in my life, and I must handle it well. There was no joy in solving crimes and dealing with numerous problems every day. I was even worried I might go into depression. So, this is a great change for me, a chance to start my life anew.

With these thoughts revolving in his mind, Dhanush reached the door of his room. Before he could knock, he heard the jingling of anklets. He stopped. The door was opened, and there stood the beautiful girl whom Dhanush liked very much. He had been waiting for this day for years. Dhanush recalled this beautiful night in his mind

Dhanush Babu, inside the room, asked Priya, “You haven’t slept yet?”

Priya: “No. This is milk; please drink it. Mother gave it for you.”

Dhanush: “All right, put it on the table, I’ll drink it later.”

Sitting on the corner of the bed, Dhanush called Priya over.

Priya had many things to share with Dhanush. She believed that he was a very good person. They had spoken a couple of times before the wedding, and had also communicated via video calls. From these interactions, she had learned that Dhanush was a kind by nature. Even though he was very busy and they couldn’t talk much, she felt he was the one she could love for a lifetime and who would understand all her troubles. Thinking like this, she went and sat beside Dhanush, wanting to share her thoughts with him.

In the midst of this, something unexpected happened to Dhanush. He seemed to lose control over himself and tried to forcibly pull Priya onto his lap.

Priya: “Wait, please wait a bit. What are you doing? Let’s talk first.”

Dhanush Babu tried to make her sit her forcefully on his lap, saying, “We’ll talk later. I don’t know what’s happening to me; I can’t control myself.”

Priya: “What are you doing? Please listen to me first.”

Dhanush Babu: “Don’t say anything more. We’ll talk later, not now.”

Despite Priya’s pleas to stop, Dhanush Babu ignored her and, after turning off the lights, began removing his clothes.

Seeing this, Priya started crying loudly. People in the nearby rooms heard her and came to see what was wrong. Since Dhanush Babu hadn’t locked the door, they were able to enter. When they did, they saw Dhanush partially covering himself with his clothes while Priya sat on the bed, crying loudly. Everyone was shocked and worried seeing this scene. Dhanush’s mother took Priya out of the room. As they left, Priya was trembling with fear, repeatedly saying, “Let me go, please let me go, I don’t want to stay here, let me go.”

Despite Dhanush’s mother’s efforts to calm her down, Priya couldn’t be pacified. His mother then poured a jug of cold water over her head, which made her calm down a bit, but she continued crying loudly. Everyone was stunned and silent; only the sound of Priya’s crying filled the house.

Dhanush sat quietly on the bed, the door closed. He could clearly hear Priya’s sobbing in his mother’s room. He kept thinking, “What have I done? How could this happen? I thought I would wait, but still, what did I do?”

Dhanush slept in his room, while Priya slept with her mother-in-law. The night passed. Before dawn, Dhanush left for his office.