《NOT A CRIMINAL》 ACCUSATION (CHAPTER-1) (Hello readers, please feel free to comment, it¡¯s my first novel) (In prison 7 years ago) Aradhya POV I was crying over and over again I don¡¯t know why all the bad things happened to me. I was crying so much that I am taking short breaths and my vision was blurry because of the uncontrollable tears in my eyes. I just can¡¯t understand how my life changed in just a moment. My face was red due to excessive crying and my swollen eyes were looking horrible. I said to myself, ¡°I am really in a very miserable condition¡±. I was sitting in the corner of the prison cell curled up like a ball. For my whole life, I was a positive person who tries, best to make people smile. Most of the time I try my best to forgive people and move on but I wound ¡®not forgive those people who made me cry and left me in this condition. I was feeling so tired and dehydrated because I cried a lot but I don¡¯t have much power to do anything. Then I said to myself, ¡°No matter how much I cried today I wouldn¡¯t cry on this matter again. I would take my revenge no matter what, they have to pay for their deeds. I tried to calm down and unknowingly, my mind started remembering how much cheerful person I was, again a tear escaped from my eyes. I can¡¯t stop myself from thinking about my old memories and my small dreams. Those dreams were the reason for my life. While thinking all these things my eyelids started to feel heavier and slowly I closed my eyes. (At midnight time) I was on edge of crying I said to all the people around me, ¡°Please listen to me I don¡¯t know how all the shreds of evidence are against me but I haven¡¯t done anything like this please believe me.¡± Meera said to me ¡°I thought you are a good person but you are just a worthless piece of shit. I just can¡¯t believe I was your friend¡±. I stared at her in disbelief, I just can¡¯t believe how she can do this to me. I thought she is a true friend and now she is accusing me of that crime I have never done. Suddenly Aditya¡¯s mom came out of the patient ward by her face I can say she is so angry and there is the only thing in her eyes and that¡¯s pure hatred. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. She came towards me fiercely and slapped me so hard Because of that slap, I instantly fall on the ground with a loud thud all those people whom I thought of as my family even though they were my friend. At that moment I realized that everything was a plan to torture me and unfortunately they succeeded in their plan because I have trusted them with my whole heart. She grabbed my arm fiercely and asked me, ¡°why just why, what he had ever done to you. Because of you now I am facing all this because you, now I lost the most precious thing of mine because of you.¡± After saying all this she broke down crying and just then Aditya¡¯s father came and tried to comfort her. I tried to say something but my voice betrayed me. I again tried to say something because of the whole situation I was not in a condition to talk even then after some efforts I spoke, ¡°p¡­ple¡­please b¡­believe me I haven¡¯t done anything.¡± I was sobbing at that time. Just at that moment, both parents looked at me with their dark gaze filled with pure hatred. After Aditya¡¯s mom left, they all were looking at me, Meera, Arnav, Riya, and Aakash. Meera smirked while watching my miserable state. I covered my ears because their sound of laughing made me angry and frustrated at the same time. Suddenly I woke from my sleep and then I realized it¡¯s a dream about whatever happened yesterday I again said to myself. ¡°Calm down Aradhya calm down¡± (Author¡¯s POV ¨C Aradhya is a 17 years old girl, who was studying in her dream school. It was the last year of her school and she was hardly trying to get into her dream university. But she got accused of a crime she have never done. Now she is struggling in prison because prison life is so horrible for a girl like her.) Aradhya POV I have to prove my innocence otherwise my life going to be ruined in prison for a crime I have never done. After some time a police officer came and said I have to come out, I simply followed his order because I don¡¯t have a choice right now. Other officers and constables were also going towards the van. They guide me towards the police van and I sat down in the van silently not knowing what is going to happen next. Thousands of questions are ringing in my mind, why they had to do this to me, how they made all evidence against me, from when they were planning all this to me while thinking all this the van suddenly stopped and a lady constable holds my arm mercilessly and started dragging me like a criminal, I know even though I am not a criminal but for them, I am a criminal right now. While they were taking me to the courtroom only one thought was lingering in my mind, ¡°Sometimes we pay for those things we have never done and sometimes we got betrayed by those people whom we have trusted as a family and loved with a whole heart.¡± My all thoughts got interrupted when I was in the courtroom. The lawyers started talking about the case. After almost 2 hours of giving evidence of the case. My lawyer tried a lot to prove my side but he couldn''t do anything because all pieces of evidence were against me. Everyone was thinking that I killed Aditya. No one can believe me because in which situation I was found with Aditya. I know it''s hard to believe. Meera called me there and I think she and all her friends planned all this. Then at last after all this I heard the judge say, "According to all pieces of evidence and sayings, the court finds Aradhya as a culprit of Aditya''s murder. For this crime, the court gives 7 years of prison to Aradhya as a punishment." Just after hearing, all this I couldn''t hold my tears back tears. I don''t think I could ever explain to someone how much my dreams mean to me because they were the only thing I always remind myself of as an aim. Apart from my dreams, I don''t have other important things in my life because I always feel like everything else is just an illusion and when the illusion breaks it hurts a lot. PRISON I feel like, I''m not in the right sense, and then I started screaming like a crazy person, "I haven''t done anything, I haven''t. Please believe me. After all this, the lady constable started dragging me towards the police van. I again said, "Please believe me." I started sobbing because of all the hopes I had felt like crashing down deep in a black hole. The lady constable made me sit in the van and then they started going to the jail where they are going to put me for 7 years. I was feeling so devastated, no matter how much I think I still feel betrayed. I don''t think, I could ever forget this feeling of betrayal. Suddenly the police van stopped in front of the jail and again the lady constable guided me towards the jail. After a while, some subordinate of the jail staff started taking me towards my cell. I was silently following them because I don''t know what I should do at this time. I entered my cell there was another prisoner like me. The door was closed now and I am alone with that prisoner and unknowingly I had a different fear in my mind that how I¡¯m going to survive here for 7 years. I sat on a cold metallic thing and I think that''s my bed for 7 years. I don''t know what to say. I stared at another prisoner because I am scared that should I talk to her? Or not. I thought to drop the idea and lay down for some time. After almost an hour I opened my eyes I was tired, Looked around hoping in my heart hope all this will be just a dream but deep inside I also this that this isn¡¯t. I thought to accept the reality that was too harsh for me. I know in our life we have only two options first, escape from the reality and the second option is to accept the reality and face it bravely. I said to myself, ¡°I am not going to give up because I have a lot to do in the future. Whatever happened I can¡¯t change it but I can do things that I should in this situation and that survive in the place. I don¡¯t know how many things are waiting for me.¡± I closed my eyes took a long breath, opened my eyes, and saw another prisoner in front of me, she was silently laying down and her back was facing me, I was staring at her, still confused should I talk to her or not. Just at that time she was in the position and then she started saying, that girl started saying, ¡°if you want to say something just do it rather than staring at me. I was low key shocked by her response but I think she sensed that I was staring at her. I calm myself and started talking in a stable voice,¡± what is your name?¡± she faced me and started talking with eye contact. My name is Sonakshi and I am 23 what about you? You look quite young to be a criminal. Aradhya says that no I am not a criminal. Sonakshi: oh so you are here for a picnic or school assignment. Aradhya: no, actually some people framed me in a crime I haven¡¯t done. Sonakshi¡¯s expression changed a bit. She again asked, what¡¯s your name and how old are you? Aradhya: Aradhya, I¡¯m 17. Sonakshi: what was your crime and do you know who framed you why? Aradhya: I am framed by my friend or her whole gang because they called me to the crime spot and everyone thought that I had killed my friend Aditya. Sonakshi: can you tell me your whole story if you are okay with it. Aradhya started thinking because she was a little hesitant to talk about everything. Then Sonakshi said don¡¯t worry don¡¯t take too much stress ok I will be the first. I will tell my story first ok. Aradhya nodded in agreement. Sonakshi POV Sonakshi started her story: I don¡¯t regret it because he deserves it. I killed the person I thought was my life partner. I killed my husband. My father was a simple person and he owned a restaurant, a simple one and about my mother, she was a housewife. My mom and dad had two children me and my sister. My sister¡¯s name is Dikshya. She is 21 right now. We were a happy family but unfortunately, it didn¡¯t last long. My husband¡¯s name was Ritik and his father and my father were best friends. Ritik had a good boy image in front of my father and his father. My father thought he would be a good match for me so he wanted me to marry him. I didn¡¯t have a boyfriend and wasn¡¯t in love with anyone. I just loved my family so I just agreed I was 18 at that time when I got to know that my dad want me to marry him. My dad said that I can marry him after my graduation and now if wanted. I know that my father always chooses the best for me that¡¯s why I agreed my mother died in a car accident when I was 15. Dad didn¡¯t marry anyone because he thought that my mom was the only one for him and no one can take her place. My dad was weak and he often fell sick because of his illness. On my 18 birthday when he told me that he wanted me to marry his friend¡¯s son, he also wanted me to make a promise that I will marry Ritik (his friend¡¯s son) if he died because of crying. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. I told him not to talk like that because I and my Lil sis have only him after mom. In that situation, I promised him that I will do as he said. I was trying to help him in the restaurant while being a good sister to my Lil sis and being a good student also. It was hard but I was still trying my best to keep up with the situation. After my 18 birthday it¡¯s been two months because dad was not well our restaurant was also not doing well. We had a lot of debts to pay because of the downfall of the business. I was scared to lose my dad and because of the financial problem, I was confused that will my sister be able to get a good education and a bright future. Everything was so hard for me to handle and dad¡¯s condition was becoming getting worst day by day. My father friend visited my father frequently and I also met his son a few times he looked good-looking and a cheerful person but I don¡¯t I just judge someone by their looks. But his father was a good person whenever he meets my dad looked happy. He also treats me and my sister as their daughter. Ritik was also good towards me and my sister but I don¡¯t like it when he smiles at me because I just felt creepy or just doesn¡¯t have good vibes from him but I shrugged it off thinking that I think I am assuming things. I have never been in any relationship I thought that¡¯s why I thinking too much and at that time in my condition, I was worried about my dad rather than anything else. So at that time, my full concentration was on my dad, I just wanted him to be healthy because now I couldn¡¯t think I could afford to lose him. Ritik was good to me and most of the time he comforts me whenever I was alone sitting and thinking about my life. He often hugged me and hold my hand I appreciated him. Ritik also often met my dad, one day when everyone was in the garden he said me he wants to see my painting so I took him into my room without hesitation because, from the time dad told me that I am going to marry him, I agreed because my father wanted me to marry him. My father introduced me to him after some days of my 18 birthday, I met him often after that because he and his father often came to meet my dad. I slowly started liking him because he was good to me. He had taken me to some dates also and slowly and steadily I started liking him more. When I have taken him to my room he started talking about my painting. I loved painting from a young age because my mom was a painter and I always wanted to be like her. Ritik started talking. Ritik: you have a great talent like your mom. Sonakshi said thank you. Ritik: your paintings are beautiful just like you. Ritik started getting closer to her while saying that Sonakshi is beautiful in and out. Sonakshi was nervous and blushed at his statement. He trapped her between the wall and him. He was looking straight into my eyes. Then he started staring at my lips deeply. I was hella nervous at that time because I don¡¯t know what to do. He often hugged me, took my hands into his a lot of times, and until now he always kissed my cheek so I was so nervous. While I was busy in my thoughts he started getting closer towards my lips and when my lips connected his a sudden electricity I felt in my whole body because that was my first kiss. I got Goosebumps and didn¡¯t know what to do. My whole body was stiff due to his sudden reaction. But he continued doing what he had to do his hands were traveling all over my body and slowly I melt in his kiss and I started wrapping my hands on his shoulder and started touching his hair because of my sudden response he moaned a little. His hands were on my hips he was squeezing them I moaned and he took the chance to enter his tongue in the mouth. He started exploring every part of my mouth. His lower body was pressing on mine and our make-out was going on and after some time we stopped and we both were breathing heavily and he smiled at me. After watching, him smile at me a smile automatically appeared on my face and after talking a bit we started going towards the garden where dad, Dikshya, and his father were enjoying their weekend. Sonakshi: by the way you are a good kisser. Ritik: just for you mam and your lips are tasty. I waiting to taste more. Sonakshi blushed at this statement and hit on his arm lightly. Ritik: it hurts, said with a sad face, and Sonakshi said you deserve it with a mischievous smile. Ritik: do you like me? Sonakshi: I wouldn¡¯t have kissed you if I didn¡¯t like you stupid. Ritik: yeah that¡¯s a point. I am happy my soon-to-be wife loves me. Sonakshi: it¡¯s just been 3 years but because we met a lot of times and you treated me good I gradually started liking you and you know dad wants to do our marriage on my 21 birthday and you know there are only 4 months left. After 4 months you will be my husband. Dad wants me to marry you because he wanted to see me with some who will take care of me after he is gone. My sister¡¯s birthday is in 7 days who is 2 years younger than me. It¡¯s her 19th birthday and I am also going to be 21 after 2 months. It means you are going to be my fianc¨¦ in 7 days and my husband in 2 months. I am scared because first mom left me now dad he is also. Sonakshi started sobbing, tears are falling from her eyes, and Ritik hugged her comforted her then she again said, ¡°Just like mom, dad will you leave me alone?¡± Ritik: I wouldn¡¯t live you no matter what and even you wanted me to leave you I wouldn¡¯t live you. Sonakshi: I believe you. Never break my trust, please. After that, they all enjoyed their weekend and someday went simply for Sonakshi while taking care of her father, planning for her Lil sister¡¯s birthday, and chatting and talking with Ritik from time to time. Finally my Lil sister Dikshya¡¯s birthday came, I and my whole family celebrated her birthday and mine and Ritik¡¯s engagement also happened that day, everything was okay. My sister also applied for her dream university and because of her great academic record she secured a scholarship also. I was happy with this news because she can study without any problem now. I was also doing distance study and I will be graduated after my 21st birthday. Next two months went while looking after dad and helping Dikshya as much as I can in her studies. Dikshya is beautiful and intelligent and she is humble and cute but sometimes I personally think that she is cool, like if someone try to bully her she is kind of bad girl also then and she has a great dressing sense also. She tries to help me as much as she can, she loves us a lot. After 2 months my 21st birthday came and I am going to marry Ritik today and after sometimes I will be graduated too MARRIAGE AUTHOR¡¯S POV On Sonakshi¡¯s 21st birthday she got married to Ritik, she was happy because she liked him too but she didn¡¯t what is waiting for her in this relationship. Sonakshi¡¯s POV Our wedding happened just like we planned, everything went well. When the wedding ceremony ended, we went towards our elders to take their blessings. When I had taken their blessing that time I couldn¡¯t control myself from crying then I hugged my dad then my Lil sis. Dad was still sick and it¡¯s been 3 years, his condition is still getting worse day by day but I am happy I fulfilled the promise dad had taken from me when I was 18. Dad was sick at that time too. Every day I pray to god to make my dad healthy just like those old days. I am afraid that God will take away dad just like mom one day. I hugged my Lil sister to the last time and said her to take care of dad. She nodded in agreement. Ritik¡¯s dad gave the keys to our new house to Ritik, His father is a rich businessman. After everything happened Ritik and I started going towards the car, which was a beautiful black Porsche. We both sat in the car, it¡¯s luxurious and cool. Ritik was also looking so handsome I can¡¯t describe it in words, I stopped myself because my eyes were staring at him too much and do you know what he sensed that and then came closer towards my ears and said, ¡°just wait a bit baby I will show you a full demonstration.¡± I blushed and stopped looking at him, my head was hanging down because of the embarrassment she doesn¡¯t dare to look at him now, after some time they reached their house, where they are going to live from now own. It was a big house a luxurious one. She stared at the house because it was so beautiful, she that they were but she didn¡¯t expect this much because she just wanted a beautiful life with a loving partner, whom she could trust. She entered the house with ritik, he guided her towards the bedroom. The moments they entered the bedroom. Ritik: go change your dress, I think you are uncomfortable in this. I think it¡¯s heavy. Sonakshi nodded in agreement and smiled with the thought that he cares for her. Ritik POV Yes I am happy, now I can use my money without any problem and I can also do whatever I want, but first let¡¯s taste this kitten. She thinks I love her, he smirked at that thought. A playboy like me can never fall in love. I just want two things money and fun with girls. He laughed thinking all this, now I am married and dad is far away and because of business issues, he has to travel a lot. So basically it means I am free and now I can go clubbing just like before. While he was in his thoughts Sonakshi came out of the bathroom in her nightdress. He started staring at her from head to toe then he came closer to her and said in her ear. When started talking because of his hot and deep voice Sonakshi felt a shiver down her sprain. Ritik: I will be back, be ready it¡¯s a long and rough night. Sonakshi was so nervous that she didn¡¯t say anything. She sat on the bed and started playing with her fingers because of her nervousness. While she was in her thoughts after sometime ritik also came out of the bathroom. He drooped the towel on the sofa which was he carrying for drying his hair. He started coming towards her and slowly and steadily now, he was hovering over her fully. She was so nervous that her breath started being uneven, he was enjoying her innocent looks. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Ritik: Let me know after the demonstration, who was good, me or your ex-boyfriends. Sonakshi: I never had any boyfriend you are my first kiss also. Ritik: that means you never done that then you are. By her, he guessed that she didn¡¯t know anything. ¡°OK don¡¯t worry I will teach everything, just do one thing be a good student. He started touching her face from one hand and started undressing her from another, then he started kissing her passionately. He was dominant and his tongue was asking permission to enter her mouth, she was nervous and the thoughts of what is going to her next distracted her. He squeezed her boobs and moan left her mouth, he took the chance and started exploring her mouth, and after he moved downward kissing every part of her body, his hands were still on her boobs. He was doing his work like a pro. He didn¡¯t let her sleep the whole night, her body was filled with a lot of hickeys given by him. He had explored every part of her and given her a lot of rides the whole night. Next morning, Sonakshi POV I slowly opened my and then tried to get up from the bed but I couldn¡¯t my whole body was aching and feels like I am torn apart. He was so rough last night and felt like a whole different person, oh god. Just then the bathroom door was opened by my husband who made me like this. He was looking so good even now, yeah he would look because he was banging me the whole night that¡¯s why I am in pain right now. He caught me looking at him. Ritik: what happened wife? Why are you looking at me like that do you want more? Sonakshi instantly said no and said she is in pain she can¡¯t get up then he lifted her in bridal style and helped her in her morning routine and while helping her in the morning routine, they had a make-out session also, he was about to take things farther but Sonakshi stopped him. They had their breakfast, the maids were working and it was already 10 when they were having breakfast. Maids work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ritik: I have important work to do and then I have to attend a party with my friends. I might be late. Sonakshi: can I come to the party also. Ritik: actually no, only boys allowed. Sonakshi: oh ok, I wanted to meet dad and Dikshya, you know dad is sick that I wanted to meet him. Ritik: Oh sure, you can go enjoy, if they ask about me or if my dad asks about me then tell them that I was a little busy ok baby? Sonakshi said ok that day in the afternoon, Sonakshi meet her family and spent a good time on her way back home she purchased some books also. She asked the maids not to cook dinner then she cooked dinner of her choice because Ritik was at a party so he going to have his dinner there, she made a delicious dinner enjoyed her time while listening to music. After having her dinner, she started going towards her bedroom with the book she purchased today. She started reading that book. It was 8 O¡¯CLOCK at that time after some time when she got bored. She looked it was already 10, she called him to know when he is going to come but he didn¡¯t pick up her call. On the other hand, Ritik was busy clubbing and cheating on her wife with the club girls. Sonakshi¡¯s POV I think I should message and wait. She messaged and thought to read her course books to keep her awake. After some time she noticed it was already 12. She again messaged him but there was no reply from him. She again called him in hopes to know when he is going to come. After trying a lot she thought he is a party and because of music or any other problem, he might not be able to pick up my call. I should worry too much, he will be okay, and he should be enjoying his friends and should give him freedom and trust because there is no relationship without trust. I think I should sleep, then she slept. Ritik POV It was a great night, I had a lot of fun tonight. I noticed the time on my watch and it¡¯s already 2 a.m. I thought to go home and rest now, I reached my home in nearly 30 minutes and then started going towards my bedroom. Without thinking anything else I removed my shoes and my shirt and slept on my bed. Next morning, Sonakshi POV I opened my eyes, stretched my body a bit, and stood up from my bed then I noticed Ritik he looked tired and didn¡¯t realize when he came. I came closer to her, stared at him lovingly, and touched his face, his whole body was smelling like alcohol, it feels like he bathed in alcohol. I think he enjoyed it a lot. I shrugged off my thoughts it was already 7 then I started doing my morning routine. After doing all my morning routine it was already 8 a.m. I started going downwards, I instructed the maids to ready my breakfast and make a hangover soup also. I started watching television and decided not to ask him any questions to him about that night, I think I shouldn¡¯t annoy him like that, after some time the maid informed me that my breakfast is ready. I ate my breakfast and started studying my course-book of university because I have exams after 2 months. In the afternoon he came into the living area and it¡¯s already 2 p.m. he had already taken bath and now he was well-dressed then I served him his hangover soup because he might have a headache right now. He thanked me for the soup and after some time I served him lunch, I also started serving myself and started having my lunch also after having our lunch. We started going towards the living room then he said, ¡°Sorry yesterday I didn¡¯t notice calls because of the loud music¡± She said, ¡°It¡¯s ok, I understand.¡± He said, ¡°Let¡¯s go for a dinner date tonight¡±. She smiled and said okay. They both enjoy the dinner date and again a long night like the first night. A month went well.