I, Sharmi, Diamond. Ep-9

1. 9- Sharmi

Every one of Reshma's birthday parties offered a unique experience. But after I came of age, I didn't expect an experience like this one—unlike any I'd had in the past three years. As usual, the house was bustling. Reshma's father was a millionaire, with a granite business. White-uniformed servants served sweets and drinks on the rooftop, and boys and girls who were usually hesitant to speak directly at school were chatting intimately. They flaunted their closeness simply by pairing off. Everyone present was an heir from a wealthy family. Falguni Pathak's song “Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi” was playing. Reshma's mother hugged and greeted everyone effusively, saying "So sweet" every ten minutes, acting more childish than anyone there.

Arjun, even while with four or five friends, kept glancing at me. My back prickled under his gaze. It was like this every year. For three years, he had been following me everywhere—at school, at parties, in the corridors. If I suddenly turned around, he would wear a somewhat sorrowful expression and smile. Making him pine like this gave me a perverse sense of pleasure. Reshma would feel sorry for him every time.

"You tease him too much," she'd say. "You think you're so beautiful." "So many girls are after him, but he doesn't see anyone but you." "What is it about you, anyway?"

These kinds of comments fueled my vanity. They gave me an air of haughty confidence, which, in turn, tempted me to lead him on further. Over these past three years, I'd spent more and more time looking at myself in the mirror. I'd begun to marvel at the curves of my body.

It was the same today. The same boys whispered secretly, and their words and glances suggested a conspiracy. They would suddenly disappear and then reappear just as suddenly. When they returned, their eyes held a certain gleam.

They played "Dumb Charades," like at a ten-year-old's birthday party. While Reshma's mother was coordinating the games with the younger guests, the couples were putting their hands on each other's shoulders, with hands straying towards breasts as if by accident. The women, fully aware, would brush them off with a mixture of pride and amusement. I was bored with their charade. It seemed inevitable that the women would give in to them by the night's end. Watching from a distance, I felt completely disconnected from the festivities. Everything seemed exaggerated. Perhaps, from being so close for so long, those girls’ shaved areas were becoming sore. They all seemed a little uncomfortable. I moved away from the crowd and slowly wandered through the rooms. Many were empty, with the beds and mattresses neatly made. My lower abdomen felt tight from all the cold drinks. When I came out of the attached bathroom in one of the rooms, Arjun was standing at the door. I was startled. I hadn't expected anyone, especially not directly in front of me as I opened the door.

Recovering myself, I said, "What?" "I need to talk to you." "What do you need to talk about? You could have said it there. Are you going to follow me all the way to the bathroom for that?" "Sorry... I'm afraid you might humiliate me in front of everyone." "You know that, don't you? So what?" As I turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed my hand, pulled me against the wall, and kissed me violently. I hadn't expected this from him. Instead of kissing me directly on the lips, he bit my cheeks and neck, then finally seized my lips and sucked them hard. As the pain intensified, my scream echoed back to me from inside his mouth. With one hand, he pressed my face into his from the back of my neck, pinning me against the wall with his body, while his other hand squeezed my breasts roughly. It was painful. He lifted my clothes and thrust his hand inside my panties, squeezing my clitoris. The pain was excruciating. Suddenly, taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I kneed him hard in the groin and pushed him away. "Help me... Reshma... Karthik," I screamed. In great pain, clutching his groin, Arjun ran out before anyone could come. Those coming in the opposite direction were shocked to see him pushing past them without regard and to see my state. Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes, and I collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.