Under his gaze (his forced bride) by Olivia Jessie (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📕

I heard the chopping of trees when came out of the bathroom. It had water supply when I went in. He was working since 5 AM but I was in no condition to wake up so early. In the kitchen, I  found some bread which were not there yesterday. It meant there was a shop nearby. People living here. I could turn for help if needed. 

After making toasts and filling two glasses with juice. I went again inside the room and took out the packet of sanitary napkins and tried to find the pills. 

But they were all missing. Every packet was empty. Where were they? 

" You didn't need them anymore. Right? " I dropped the packets. And saw him leaning over the door. 

" I do need them. " My voice was controlled and I didn't try to hide it. He walked closer to me and picked up the packets. 

" No. You don't. " He held my chin " We want a child " He too hid the urge to slap me. 

" But I don't. " The truth made him shocked. I spoke against him. 

" And why so? " I was expecting a slap anytime. But it didn't come yet. 

" Because we are too toxic for a baby. " That was it. I cried fearing for the worst. He hugged me and calmed me down. That was really different from his original self. 

" No. We are not. We used to be. " He whispered. It was not him. He was being really weird. And I couldn't understand him. 

" But " I continued but he gripped my arms painfully tight. So I kept quiet. 

Now I had to run. I won't produce his kids knowing about him. They would be trapped here for forever. And I had no idea if we would even go back to Delhi given the arrangements he was doing here. The place was dangerously quiet. I heard wolves crying last night and no signs of humans. It's September and the snow has started to cover a large part of the land. In months like December or January it would become hell. 

" Let's have breakfast. And we can then continue with other stuff " He held my hand and we sat at the dining table where I had already laid it. 

" Do you like it? What's your favorite breakfast dish though? " He looked at me and stopped eating. 

" It's delicious. My mom used to prepare a stuffed mayonnaise sandwich. And I loved them as a kid. " I smiled showing a little teeth. He seemed content but his expression showed to not ask any questions further. 

" I am going out to collect wood for fire. " He pecked my forehead and proceeded to go out. That was the chance. 

" Can I accompany you? " He sensed something suspicious. " I love hilly areas and I can help you too  . " And I gave him my sweet smile again. 

" Come on then. " I grabbed his arm and he put his left arm around my waist. As soon as we were out the cold breeze hit my face. He locked the door and we walked hand in hand together. The deep forest grew horrific as we went in more. 

He stopped in front of a big tree and started chopping it with an axe. I stood behind him and he asked me to sit on the broken tree trunk from where he could see me. After maybe ten minutes I started walking backwards very slowly still looking at him. My heart beat so fast. I knew he would turn any moment and this time he won't stop himself from hitting or maybe killing me. He had believed me and thought I won't betray him again. He didn't even turn once to check or asked me to do any work. I felt saddened by breaking his trust but I had no option. 

I didn't want to get pregnant. And my cycle ended three days ago. There were high chances of me getting pregnant in this week. 

When somehow, he was no longer in my sight I ran. Without looking back. With every five minutes of running I would turn in a zigzag direction. So that he won't be able to follow me. With all the hopes dead in me, I sat down after running for an hour. There was high probability that I would die here after being attacked by wolves or getting lost here forever without food and something to keep me warm. 

Then I heard a voice, a human voice. Obviously it was not manly. A female talking and laughing. I turned around to find a teenage girl collecting woods. She didn't notice me, so I quietly walked to her. 

" Excuse me " She looked startled but composed herself. And looked shocked. 

" Yes. Who are you? " She asked putting the wooden log on the ground. 

" Can you please help me? I am lost here. I have no one to stay here with me. Please help me " I cried joining my hands. She watched me from head to toe. And finally nodded. 

" Yes. Don't worry. Me, my grandma and elder brother lives here. We have a store and you can stay with us. " I walked behind her still aware of him looking for me. He would have gone crazy by now. 

" Are you hurt somewhere? Or any injury? We have a doctor living here. " She blushed but I knew the only doctor who lived here was my husband. " You know he is so cool. He owns a mustang. And he is the tallest guy I have ever seen in this small area. " She chuckled.. 

They knew each other . I gulped fearing for the worst. 

" No. I am perfectly fine. Don't call him please. " She gave me a dull look. I looked up at her and she didn't look too young anymore. Maybe she was in her 20s or 19 . And she definitely had a crush on him. The monster. 

We reached the store and she asked me to come in. There was an old woman sitting by the counter. She frowned a bit but her granddaughter explained everything. She asked her some questions but later came towards me smiling. 

" It's okay. We are habitual of lost people coming for a place to stay in. You are welcome. " I touched her feet. But she hugged me. 

I sat on the chair and drank the tea they gave me. I had to somehow leave the place and reach a marketplace. 

" How do you get all the groceries and supplies here? " I asked the girl. 

" My brother goes in the market every Saturday and we fill the supplies. He has gone and will return by tomorrow. " She took the cup from my hands.