The truth behind the veil
Read Part 1 of the story here.
There was something in Mr. Kohli’s behavior that Tisha felt was wrong. She pushed Mr. Kohli back and mumbled “What are you doing sir?… I am not comfortable. Please don’t mind. I don’t want to offend you but I don’t like such kind of affection.” She rushed with her words.
Tisha was a highly optimistic girl. It was in her nature to find positive things. No matter how worse situations were, she always found a ray of hope. Her friends in college used to call her dumb. She couldn’t understand the intentions of any person unless someone told her about them.
Why should I think negatively about any person if he hasn’t done anything wrong? What if, it is his nature? She used to say and the same thing happened here. She thought it was Mr. Kohli’s nature to behave like this.
She thought he is an old man who feels lonely in his giant mansion and needs someone to talk and it was his way to show his affection. He was like her grandfather and she loved her grandfather a lot. She belonged to a family where she was been taught to respect elderly people. That’s why even though she disliked Mr. Kohli’s behavior she could not use harsh words to oppose it.
“Ohh! I am sorry pretty lady. I didn’t mean to offend you. Don’t get scared. I won’t hurt you.” Mr. Kohli looked worried. Actually, my dear, I have spent half of my life in Europe and there this culture is normal. I got it from there. Don’t take me wrong.” Mr. Kohli continued.
“That’s okay sir. It can be normal there but for me it’s unusual. I hope you will take care of it next time. Tisha looked relaxed after listening to Mr. Kohli’s words. “Yeah sure my dear, I will keep this thing in mind.” Mr. Kohli patted her shoulder and they moved forward.
Mr. Kohli opened the door for her and she stepped into the office. She was spell bounded seeing the beauty of the space. It was one complete hall, sprawled within an area of almost 2000 sqft. Not so huge, but it’s more than enough for one person.
The color palette was white and sky blue. The beautiful transparent ceiling gives an illusion of real waves and when meets the wall, it felt like it broke it to find its way. The wave continued to the floor. She felt like landed on the sea and water was flowing below her feet.
“Oh, my God! This place is so beautiful. My words won’t be enough to explain how amazed I am”. Tisha said. “Your office is a perfect example of an architectural prodigy.” Tisha looked surprised and mesmerized at the same time.
Wait, he took the remote and push the button. She could now hear the sound of the waves, in a very subtle and soothing way. The atmosphere completely changed. She could feel the air around her, whispering something, touching her body, and tingling her soul. She was enchanted… beguiled… out of words.
Mr. Kohli was enjoying Tisha’s expressions. “Remove your shoes, my dear, and enjoy their beauty.” Mr. Kohli whispered in Tisha’s ear. She got confused but followed as Mr. Kohli directed. They both remove their footwear and move forward. Tisha felt like her feet were on water though they were dry. She could feel the water flowing through her feet.
And as they moved forward she felt like she is crossing through waves that were touching her body. Tisha was an architecture student. She used to get amazed seeing the normal interiors of malls or offices and here the scenario was totally different. She felt like she was in a different place. She was completely taken by the beauty of the space.
She couldn’t understand how Mr. Kolhi created this space but really wanted to know. “This is my small Island an island of my thoughts. I enjoy working here. It gives wings to my imagination.” He pointed towards his workstation which looked like a static wave. “Did you like it?” Mr. Kohli stifled his laughter seeing Tisha’s bewildered face.
“You have created a beach area within your office space. My God! It’s beautiful! It’s heaven.” How did you do this…? She was completely bewitched by the beauty of the space and ignored Mr. Kohli’s question.
Well, my dear, you are an Architect. You can create anything you desire. Never limit your imagination and never take no for an answer. Neither from yourself nor from someone else. And you have this power.
Nothing can stop you if you want something hard. And I tell you, my dear, never settle for anything less, unless you dive you will never know your potential. So always believe in yourself” Mr. Kohli encouraged her.
She was again captivated. “You are an amazing person, sir. So inspiring. I am so glad that I met you.” Tisha looked really inspired. “I am glad I met you my dear” Mr. Kohli patted Tisha’s cheeks.
“You should always be surrounded by beautiful and alluring things. Because you have to feel good first to create something amazing. Natures inspire me to create, to design, but it’s not possible for me to get that always, so I brought nature into my workspace.” He winked.
“You are beautiful, that’s why you are here. In my office also, I chose only beautiful girls.” He smirked. “And Tisha you are one attractive girl with an amazing personality, you should use it as armor. Like, there is no need to tie your hair you should let it breathe.” Mr. Kohli pointed towards her hair.
“You will look more beautiful with your hair down.” Mr. Kohli smiled. “How long is your hair, can you please tell me.” Mr. Kohli asked. “Tisha got perplexed and uncomfortable with that question. She couldn’t understand where that thing came up but couldn’t say anything. “This long” Tisha pointed her hand towards her waist.
“Ohh lovely” She could see the twinkle in Mr. Kohli’s eyes. He came close to her looking into her eyes and said, “Put your hair down my dear, let it breathe. I have already imagined how charming you are going to look, but I want to see it for real. Will you do it for me, my girl?”
What the hell was that? Tisha looked baffled, she insinuated something hideous “What…!! What are you talking about!! Are you out of your mind?! She fumbled with her words.
“Did I say anything wrong, my dear? You look annoyed.” Mr. Kohli asked with a mysterious smile on his face. “I just want to see how you will look with your hair down. Let your hair breathe and enjoy its freedom. Your face is like a lovely moon and your hair will be like a cloud giving smoldering kisses on your face, accentuating its beauty. Ohh! I can’t imagine. It will be a marvel. Please do it, my dear. Please give this old man what he wants.” Mr. Kohli held her face with his hand and looked into her eyes.
Tisha looked horrified and was shocked to see Mr. Kohli’s behavior. She could see evil in his eyes and felt sinister from his touch. She forcefully pushed him back and staggered backward. “Do you know what are you talking about? Look at yourself. At least maintain the dignity of your age. I am like your granddaughter.” She said breathlessly.
“Stop this bull shit. I am a man and no one’s grandfather here.” Mr. Kohli looked angry in the beginning, but then immediately he changed his pace. “Don’t get confused with my age, my dear. I am looking old because I don’t have control over nature, but from the heart, I am young like you. Come close, my sweetheart, and you will find the truth.” Mr. Kohli spread his arms and ushered her to be there.
“Just give me some time my dear, you will know me soon. I can the coolest person you have ever known. I don’t want anything from you. Just be near to me and let me touch you and kiss you whenever….”
“Shut up! Shut up….” Tisha shrieked forcefully before Mr. Kohli could complete his sentence. “How dare you talk to me like this.” Tisha’s face turned red with rage. She couldn’t imagine in her dreams that she will be using such words for her role model. A person whom she adored and admired always. She felt shame for herself after seeing his naked truth. How could she be so ignorant?
“Hema was right about you. Wasn’t she?” She gasped and questioned Mr. Kohli.
Hema was a student at her college. She was 3 years of senior to her and did her internship under the guidance of Mr. Kohli. She was a brilliant student and had a charming personality. When she was in the 2nd year she heard a case, a girl from her college tried to put false allegations against Mr. Kohli stating that he tried to rupture her integrity.
But the case resulted in the favor of Mr. Kohli. How did it happen, she was unaware of it. But the only thing people heard was that she tried to blackmail Mr. Kohli demanding a position in his office. He refused to give her so and so she tried to defame him.
“Oh! You know her. That girl was a beautiful bit**. Mr. Kohli’s words brought her back to the real world. “She tried to play games with me. She pretended to accept my proposal in beginning and then tried to fool me later.” Mr. Kohli smirked.
“Poor girl, she tried to expose me in front of everyone. But she didn’t know me and my power. Her entire career is ruined now. She was chucked out of the university with a poor character certificate. Her career got buried under the debris of her own deeds. I have told you a number of times, I never take no for an answer.” Mr. Kohli said narcissistically. “And that girl said no to me.”
Tisha was flabbergasted by the revelation. She didn’t believe what she just heard. “You mean to say Hema didn’t do anything? You slew her on a false accusation. She was innocent. All that she was saying about you was true. She was victimized by your nefarious act. Tell me…” Tisha questioned despondently. It was a sacrilegious attack on her faith. Now she was not going to believe anyone.
“Come close to me my dear and I will tell you everything.” Mr. Kohli still looked calm and composed. “Forget about all these things pour the rain of your beauty on me.”
“Stop it!… Please stop it” Tisha found herself lost in disdain. “How could you do such a thing to a girl? Look at you! You have everything, but that poor girl has lost whatever she had. She is broke and lost. She was the hope of her poor family and after the incident, not even a single organization accepted her. She is living a life of profanity. She is suffering for the mistake she didn’t do. You are the culprit. How could you….!” She confronted Mr. Kohli having tears in her eyes that she wiped brutally.
“Go easy on yourself, lovely girl. It has been a while now. Everybody has forgotten her story. You are one smart and intelligent girl. You should not waste your tears on such a trivial thing. Let it go and come to me. I can’t see you crying. See how your beautiful face has gone pale. Let me comfort you.” Mr. Kohli looked unperturbed by her words.
It looked like it was normal for him. He was used to facing such reactions from girls. “No… I am not coming to you. You are not a nice person. I wish I had listened to Ishan and had not visited you. I wish I had not met you.” Mr. Kohli’s revelations broke her and she started crying. She held her laptop bag and sheets, settled her handbag, and rushed towards the door.
“You are not going anywhere.” She could feel the anger in Mr.Kohli’s voice. “I don’t take no for an answer. Come to me or you will embrace Hema’s destiny.” The words of Mr. Kohli shook her. She felt like she was trapped in a quagmire with no way out. And let me tell you one more thing, nobody is going to listen to your voice, so don’t try to shout and waste your energy.
“Why are you doing this thing to me? I will not say anything to anyone I promise. Please let me go,” she begged with tears. “I have told you what I want. It’s not a lot to ask. If I am putting the time into something I want to get something out of it. And here I have wasted more than 2 hours. So you have to pay the price.” Mr. Kohli replied with no emotions.
“Let me tell you one more thing. I told you earlier that my office is filled with beautiful girls. I can do anything to them anytime and they can’t stop me. I have held their nerves. They can’t raise their voice against me.” Mr. Kohli sneered.
“Wait, what do you mean?” Tisha looked inquisitive and wanted to know more. “I just mean to say who so ever enters my life I mold them according to my needs. I am a beauty lover and nothing can escape from me if it entered my castle. Mr. Kohli smiled.
This means the rumors about you being a womanizer were true. The suppressed stories of girls which had never been revealed were true. My God! I was so naive. I can’t believe I did this to myself. Tisha’s voice was lost in the air.
Ya…ya… forget those rubbish things and come to me now. Let me hold you. Mr. Kohli sniggered. “We have already wasted plenty of time discussing nuisance. I don’t want to waste even a second now.” Mr. Kohli said voraciously.
Tisha felt helpless and couldn’t find any way out. There were continuous tears flowing from her eyes. She stepped towards Mr. Kohli with no spirit. “Please, sir let me go. I won’t be able to forgive myself.” Tisha stammered but her voice was subdued by her tears.”
Mr. Kohli opened his arms and waited for the moment when Tisha was there. And soon she was standing right in front of him. Her eyes and face were red with tears “Sir please let me go” she pleaded again. “SShhh… Mr. Kohli put his finger on her lips, “everything will be alright and brought her close to him.
“Ohh! It is such a relief. Mr. Kohli whispered in her ears. You made me happy today and now I will enrich your world with happiness. I promise you………”
“Aww… what the hell.” But before Mr. Kohli could complete his sentence he was attacked by the pointed tool on his right shoulder. “You bit**! How dare you?” He pushed Tisha away and took out his cell phone. This will be the last mistake of your life. You attacked me! Me!… You have deliberately thrown your future into darkness. And now you will see what I can do.” Mr. Kohli spat.
But before he could do anything Tisha punched him hard right on his face, with the laptop bag, Mr. Kohli lost his control and found himself lying on the floor, “If you want to live, don’t show your smartness. Any inch of smartness and you will be lying dead on your beautiful island of thoughts,” Tisha warned him. She took his cell phone and kept it in her bag.
“Yeah situation is under control, you can come now.” Tisha signaled someone on phone and then disconnected it within a few seconds. Mr. Kohli looked bewildered and shocked but didn’t know what to say. “Ohh, sweetheart! Don’t you want to know why am I behaving like this? I had already surrendered in front of you then why did I revolt.” Tisha poked Mr. Kohli’s chin with her index finger.
Mr. Kohli was still trying to contemplate what just happened. He could not imagine himself lying on the floor like that. A few moments back he was enjoying his victory and now he was helpless under that girl’s mercy. His face fumed with rage.
“Mr. Kohli, don’t you want to hug me now,” Tisha asked Mr. Kohli laughingly. She was enjoying the scene. “Shut up you bit**. I am going to kill you. You don’t know whom you are dealing with. You will be in huge trouble if you won’t let me go. I am not going to spare you. You will have to face the consequences ” Mr. Kohli raised his voice with indignation.
“First get ready to face the consequences of your own deeds, “Tisha said angrily. “You must have thought you were going to get away with this like you have got away with your other cases. Isn’t it? And you know what, I had never thought in my dreams that I will be using such words for you. I respected you so much. You were my ideal. Sometimes your life is much better if you don’t know the truth.” Tisha looked sad.
“Well forget that. There must be so many questions running through your mind. Don’t you want to ask them?” Tisha patted his cheeks. “And please stop staring at me like an angry dog. You can’t do anything.” Tisha said calmly. Though her face was swollen because of tears, she was no more a helpless girl.
“Ok, let me help you with this thing. I am Tisha, a final-year architecture student. Your one of the biggest fans you can say. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I met you for the first time and couldn’t wait to tell everybody. And soon everybody knew. Thanks to social media” she laughed.
“And then I got a message from a girl who wanted to tell me something about you.” Tisha stopped in between. “Don’t you want to know who that girl was,” Tisha whispered in Mr. Kohli’s ear? I am sure you do.” She laughed. “She was your best friend ‘Hema’.At first, I didn’t believe her. Why? Because I am one stupid girl. That’s why.” Tisha scorned.
Read- STOP AND THINK IT OVER!
“But later my friends convinced me that if whatever she was saying was true. There is nothing harmful in being alert. And after some time I heard about other cases of your good deeds as well. On that very day, I promised myself, if you will try to prey upon me, you will never be a free bird ever in your life again. Tisha can’t tolerate a lie and this would have been a sin.” Tisha said proudly.
“But you know what, I wanted to prove everyone wrong. I wanted to tell everyone that you are a good person and whatever is there in the air about you, is all rumors. People are trying to defame you and want to take advantage of you. Though many people have told me about you, my heart didn’t want to believe them. I was such a silly girl.” Tisha looked annoyed with herself.
“Today when you called me, I texted one of my friends that I am going to meet you. One of my friend’s father is in the police and he is with us. Do you see this? She pointed towards the pen that was tugged in her shirt’s pocket, it was a video camera. And what you have just said and the way you have behaved has been recorded and it’s sufficient to put you in jail.”
“I waited until the end, what if you didn’t mean what you were saying? What if I was taking you wrong? What if, it was your nature to behave like that? What if you feel lonely and want to pour your affection into someone like me? I gave you so many chances, but no I was so naive. It was all my mistake. But I am thankful to God that I am still safe and able to talk to you like this.” Tisha looked calm now.
Soon her friend’s father entered the room along with two guards. Well, they also looked amazed for a few seconds seeing the beauty of the room. But soon they diverted their focus towards the devil lying on the floor watching everything with stoned eyes. He was caught red-handed and there was no way out for him. They took him with them and Tisha also followed them.
Tisha was shocked by the revelation and what just happened. It was a new day for her, a new life you can say. She learned a few lessons that she will never forget. Now she knew, not to trust a person by seeing his age. Always observe his actions when he is talking to you.
And somebody from your dear ones should know where you are going to land, with whom you are going to meet and never forget to take something with you that’s is going to protect you when the situation goes wrong. Be alert and always be ready and prepared for the worst situation you can face, because every day is not the same.
It was still raining. She opened her arms and tried to look toward the sky. She thanked God for saving her today and prayed to be with her like that always.
The end
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