Beyond Explanations

Disclaimer

Readers Discretion Advised

Explicit Sexual Content, Strong Language, Psychological Horror, Disturbing Imagery

This is a work of fiction. All names characters places incidents and events in this book are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead events or places is purely coincidental and entirely unintentional.

Priyanka Varma was the kind of woman who turned heads even on her worst days. Thirty six years old with warm light brown complexion long dark wavy hair usually pulled into a neat corporate bun and sharp expressive dark brown eyes that could switch from warm motherly love to ice cold corporate steel in a single heartbeat. She carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone who had fought her way up the ladder at one of Gurgaons biggest tech firms but tonight that confidence was cracking. Exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.

Her husband Araav Varma was the steady one. Thirty eight years old tall broad shouldered with short neatly styled black hair sharp dark brown eyes and a clean shaven face that still looked boyish when he smiled. He was the classic corporate warrior who could close million dollar deals during the day and still make his wife feel wanted at night. Calm collected and always trying to fix things with logic and that half smile of his.

Their daughter Anika Varma was ten years old and until recently the brightest light in their perfect little family. Large innocent dark brown eyes and long straight black hair with soft bangs that usually framed a face full of laughter and mischief. She was the kind of child who filled rooms with crayon drawings and endless questions. But something had changed in the last few weeks. The laughter was gone. The light in her eyes had dimmed into something distant and unreadable.

Priyankas voice sliced through the closed bedroom door for the sixth time that night sharp with exhaustion and a growing edge of fear she refused to name.

“Anika dinner. This is the last time I am calling you. Please.”

No answer.

Only thick heavy silence pushed back against the wood like something alive and patient listening on the other side.

It was nine o clock. The ten years old had locked herself inside the moment she stepped through the front door after school and had not come out since. Priyanka stood frozen in the narrow hallway arms folded so tight her knuckles glowed white under the flickering tube light. She had begged. She had pleaded. She had asked over and over what was wrong. Anika had only stared at the floor the entire time as if the answer was scratched into the tiles by invisible fingernails.

“Let your father deal with this when he gets home. I do not care anymore. I am done.”

Priyanka hissed the words under her breath frustration twisting into something sharper something almost afraid.

A few minutes later the front door clicked open.

Araav Varma stepped inside loosening his tie the heavy weight of another twelve hour corporate day carved deep into his shoulders. Endless meetings back to back conference calls and the usual office politics had drained him completely. His short neatly styled black hair was slightly disheveled his sharp dark brown eyes tired but still hungry.

He walked straight into the kitchen and stopped.

Priyanka Varma stood at the counter wearing nothing but a thin black satin nightie that clung to every curve of her thirty six year old body. The silky fabric was short barely reaching mid thigh and it was obvious she wore nothing underneath. The soft material shimmered under the kitchen lights outlining the swell of her breasts the dip of her waist and the smooth roundness of her hips. Her long dark wavy hair had been let down after her shower and it cascaded over one shoulder still damp.

Araav felt the heat rush through him instantly. Exhaustion forgotten. Desire flared sharp and sudden.

He moved behind her without a word sliding his hands around her waist pulling her back against his chest. His lips brushed her ear.

“When did you come home.”

His voice was low rough with need.

Priyanka turned in his arms and before she could answer he kissed her hard desperate and deep. She met him with equal hunger their mouths crashing together tongues sliding hot and urgent. For several long moments they devoured each other the kiss turning raw and messy the kind that wiped away the entire day. Araavs hands roamed down her back gripping her hips then sliding lower pulling the satin nightie up inch by inch exposing the smooth warm skin of her thighs.

Priyanka moaned softly into his mouth but then she broke the kiss just enough to push against his chest in a slow sexy resistance her eyes half lidded her lips swollen and glistening.

“Araav stop... your daughter is acting up again.”

She whispered the words breathlessly her body still pressed tight against him even as her hands held him back.

The kiss lingered in the air between them charged and unfinished.

But behind them the closed bedroom door at the end of the hallway remained silent.

They finally pulled apart breathless and flushed. The satin nightie still sat high on Priyankas upper thighs. Araav gave her one last hungry squeeze before they moved to the dining table carrying plates of hot idlis coconut chutney and a small bowl of snacks for him. The apartment lights felt dimmer now the air thicker as if the walls themselves were listening.

Araav sat down first loosening his shirt collar and popping a piece of snack into his mouth.

“So did she tell you the reason.”

Priyanka shook her head as she set the plates down. Her long dark hair still messy from his hands.

“She was silent and never ready to talk to me.”

Araav chewed slowly watching her face.

Priyanka sighed heavily sinking into the chair opposite him.

“Araav that is why I asked you several times I wanted a boy who will listen to his mommy and be nice all the time.”

He gave her that familiar half smile the one that usually fixed everything but tonight it felt strained.

“Okay. Let us talk to her. I bet this would be again all to do with Durga.”

Priyanka exhaled sharply her fingers tightening around the edge of the table.

“Anika has changed a lot after becoming friends with this new girl.”

Araav reached for another snack his voice gentle but firm.

“Hey she is just ten years old. You cannot go tell her that your friend is bad and stay away from her.”

Priyanka leaned forward her sharp dark brown eyes flashing with frustration and something deeper something colder.

“You know last month when I went to school for the Moms Day event Preethi ran towards me in front of everyone teachers other mothers and cried. Aunty I had a very bad day today. Anika is not talking with me anymore. She says I am not her best friend anymore. Can you please do something. I really got embarrassed among all the other moms and teachers.”

Her voice cracked slightly at the end. The words hung in the air between them heavy and uneasy.

From the far end of the hallway the closed white bedroom door remained perfectly still.

But the faint warm light leaking underneath it flickered once.

Just once.

As if something inside had shifted closer to listen.

Priyanka leaned forward her voice turning into a low whining tone thick with exhaustion and growing resentment.

“And a couple of weeks back she said she will not go to the field trip planned in the school. And you know the reason being her lovely friend Durga is not coming. And she will not join the dance class as Durga is not enrolling. For every single action in her life she says Durga Durga. I am sick of it.”

Araav quickly interrupted her his half smile fading as he pushed his chair back.

“Okay let me talk to her.”

He stood up and walked toward the closed bedroom door at the end of the hallway. The faint warm light still leaking underneath it seemed to pulse once as he approached. He knocked gently on the wood.

“Hey Anika. Daddy came home.”

Silence.

He tried again softer more coaxing but still no answer. Through the small keyhole he could see her lying curled up on the mattress looking small and strangely still her long black hair spread across the pillow like spilled ink. She looked so innocent yet something about the way she stared at the ceiling made the hair on his arms rise.

He spoke again keeping his voice light and hopeful.

“Okay if you come out now for dinner I can talk to Durgas parents and bring her to our house for this weekend for a sleep over.”

Before he could finish the sentence the lock clicked loudly. The door flew open with surprising force. Anika stood there eyes suddenly bright and alive for the first time all evening.

“Promise Dada.”

Priyanka set the table in heavy silence. Hot idlis coconut chutney and the half eaten bowl of snacks. They were soon eating the meal but the air between them felt heavier now the apartment itself holding its breath.

Araav waited until halfway through the meal before he asked casual as he could manage.

“Okay tell me what happened today at school that made you so upset.”

Anika poked at her idli with her spoon her small voice flat.

“Daddy today I got the cookies that Mommy prepared to school. All kids had it but for Durga. I was very upset. I saved some for her. She said no and she does not eat cookies.”

Araav smiled gently trying to keep things light.

“Maybe she does not like cookies. Next time ask her what she likes and Dada will buy it for you to take.”

Anikas small shoulders relaxed a little. She even managed a tiny smile back at him.

But behind them in the now open doorway of her bedroom the darkness inside the room seemed to watch the family with quiet hungry interest.

The silence from earlier had not gone away.

It had simply moved closer.

Anika smiled.

Later that night.

Araav Varma quietly stepped out of his daughters bedroom and gently closed the door behind him. Priyanka Varma sat on the living room couch still wearing her short black satin nightie her long dark hair messy and damp from the shower. The television murmured CNN news on low volume casting flickering blue light across her exhausted face. She had barely sat down after another brutal fourteen hour corporate grind at the office back to back strategy meetings back to back client calls and a never ending stream of urgent emails that refused to stop even after she left the building.

“Look at her when she sleeps. Deep and innocent. Can you go to school tomorrow and check with Durga find out about their parents. We shall call them for dinner this Friday. Not sure about sleep over.”

Priyanka did not even turn her head. Her voice came out flat tired and edged with irritation.

“Are you serious about this Araav. I have back to back meetings from eight in the morning till seven in the evening this entire week. I have three presentations to prepare two investor calls and a team review that I cannot push. I cannot make it to school.”

Araav rubbed the bridge of his nose feeling the weight of his own endless day pressing down on him.

“Oh come on Priyanka. I also have a full day field visit tomorrow. You know how crazy my schedule is right now. Site inspections client meetings and then the quarterly report that has to be submitted by end of week. I barely have time to breathe.”

Priyanka finally turned to face him her sharp dark brown eyes flashing with frustration.

“Your schedule is crazy. My schedule is crazy. But somehow everything related to Anika always falls on me. I am the one who wakes up at five thirty to get her ready for school. I am the one who drops her off attends every parent teacher meeting and still has to deliver results at work. Now you want me to go play detective about some imaginary friend. I am already drowning Araav. I cannot do one more thing.”

The tension in the room thickened instantly. Araav exhaled heavily his jaw tightening.

“I am not saying it is only your responsibility. I am just asking for one small favor because my day tomorrow is completely packed with site visits and back to back client meetings across Gurgaon. The traffic alone will eat three hours of my life.”

Priyanka let out a short bitter laugh and turned back to the television.

“One small favor. That is what you always say. Fine. Call her teacher yourself then. Because I cannot add one more thing to my plate without breaking.”

Araav stood there for a moment the silence between them heavy and uncomfortable. Behind him the closed bedroom door at the end of the hallway remained perfectly still.

But the faint warm light leaking underneath it seemed to pulse once.

As if something inside the room had heard every word.

Araav Varma saw the anger flash in Priyankas eyes and immediately softened. He moved closer to the couch and sat beside her his hand gently resting on her bare thigh just below the hem of the short satin nightie.

“Hey... come here” he whispered his voice low and soothing. “I am sorry. I know how crazy your week is. I know you are carrying everything right now. I should not have pushed.”

Priyanka let out a long breath her shoulders slowly relaxing under his touch. Araav leaned in and kissed her forehead then her cheek then the corner of her mouth. His fingers traced slow circles on her smooth skin.

“You are an amazing mother and an amazing wife” he murmured against her ear. “Let me take some of the load tonight. Okay.”

She finally turned to him her sharp dark brown eyes softening. A small tired smile touched her lips. She nodded once.

Araav stood up quietly and walked back down the hallway. He cracked open Anikas bedroom door just enough to see her curled up under the blanket breathing slow and deep in the kind of heavy innocent sleep only children can manage. Satisfied he gently pulled the door shut and turned the lock from the outside with a soft click. The hallway fell silent again.

He returned to the living room. Priyanka was already standing waiting for him. Without another word he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. The kiss quickly turned hungry. His hands slid down her back gripping the satin nightie and tugging it up over her hips exposing her completely. Priyanka moaned softly into his mouth her body pressing hard against him.

They did not make it to the bedroom. Araav lowered her onto the wide couch his mouth never leaving hers. He pushed the nightie higher until it bunched around her waist. Priyanka arched her back as he kissed down her neck to her breasts sucking and licking until she was gasping. Her hands fumbled with his belt and zipper freeing him.

Araav positioned himself between her thighs and entered her in one slow deep thrust. Priyanka gasped loudly her nails digging into his shoulders. They moved together in a perfect rhythm slow and sensual at first then faster deeper. The couch creaked softly under them. Priyankas legs wrapped tight around his waist pulling him even deeper. Their breathing turned ragged moans mixing with the low murmur of the television still flickering in the background.

Araav buried his face in her neck thrusting harder.

“I am close” he groaned.

Priyanka tightened around him her body trembling.

“Please inside me” she whispered breathlessly. “I want to feel you.”

With a deep final thrust Araav came hard inside her filling her completely. Priyanka shuddered as she felt the warm rush his body pressed tight against hers. They stayed locked together for a long moment breathing heavily sweat glistening on their skin.

The apartment fell quiet again.

Only the faint warm light still leaking from under Anikas locked bedroom door remained unchanged.

Two days later.

The highway stretched endless and empty beneath a flat gray sky. Araav Varma gripped the steering wheel his knuckles white. The air conditioning blasted ice cold air into the car yet a thin film of sweat still clung to his skin. Something had been gnawing at him since that night something he could not name. He suddenly remembered the promise he had made to Priyanka.

He tapped the Bluetooth on the steering wheel.

The teachers voice filled the car warm but tired.

“She has been a little dull these days. Actually I wanted to meet you and Priyanka this week.”

Araav forced his voice to stay steady eyes locked on the empty road.

“Sure this week is a little hectic for both of us and we can definitely meet sometime next week.”

“Sure no problem.”

Araav swallowed hard the next words feeling heavier than they should.

“And I wanted to know if I can get Anikas friend Durgas parents telephone contact. Planning to invite them for dinner this week.”

The line went dead silent for two full seconds.

Then the teacher spoke again her tone shifting.

“Sorry. Who Durga. Did you say Durga.”

“Yeah Durga. Anikas friend. You know this kid who joined your school this year.”

Another pause. Longer. The kind that made the car feel smaller the road feel narrower.

“No there is no one called Durga in her class.”

Araavs stomach dropped.

“Maybe in the other sections.” He stammered the words his voice cracking.

“No Araav. I have not heard any Durga in the whole school.”

The words hit like a blade sliding between his ribs.

Araav eased his foot off the accelerator. The car drifted to the side of the freeway and rolled to a stop on the dusty shoulder. His heart hammered so hard he could hear it over the low hum of the engine. Sweat poured down his temples and back soaking through his shirt even though the air conditioning was freezing. His hands trembled on the wheel.

He forced a weak broken laugh that sounded nothing like him.

“Okay okay. Maybe I would have got the name incorrectly from Anika. Will talk to you later.”

He ended the call with a shaking finger.

Silence crashed over the car.And he after few minutes he pushed the accelerator and raced back home

to be continued....