Nil Chowdhury pulled the stamp paper out of the drawer and slammed it onto the table.
Under his cold gaze, I felt as if I couldn't breathe.
In a calm yet terrifying voice, he said, "This is a special contract, Sahana.
If you sign here, you must abide by these terms in the days to come.
You want the job, don't you? Then listen—"
Nil leaned in close to me, his voice a sharp whisper.
He continued, "This agreement states that you must spend every night with me.
Whenever I call, wherever I call—you must come.
In return, not only will you keep your job, but you will also receive rapid promotions.
I will take full responsibility for your family, your ailing mother, and your brother's medical expenses.
In exchange, you will simply remain under my control."
Hearing that diabolical proposal from Nil Chowdhury's mouth, I felt as if the sky had come crashing down on my head.
I jolted up from the chair and took several steps back.
My entire body was trembling with loathing and humiliation.
I screamed, "What are you saying? Have you lost your mind to make such a proposal to a girl?
Shame on you! You think so highly of yourself, but in reality, you are a despicable, low-minded man. I will never agree to this.
I cannot stay under you like this!"
Without saying a word, Nil Chowdhury leaned back in his chair and watched my agitation.
That crooked smile was still plastered on his face.
Fuming with rage, I added, "I have to sell my dignity to save my job? I don't need such a job! You are taking advantage of my helplessness, Nil Chowdhury.
You know that I have a sick mother and a little brother at home, which is why you have the audacity to corner me like this.
But remember, even if I die, I will not sign this filthy contract!"
Nil slowly stood up. He leaned forward, resting both hands on the table.
His pupils were as hard as stone.
In a very low voice, he said, "Life doesn't run on emotion, Sahana. Reality is harsh.
I'm not forcing you; you can walk out of this cabin right now.
But remember, stepping out of that gate means the end for you and your family.
Your mother's medicine, your brother's education—who will pay for these starting tomorrow? That Rushda?"
Looking at my worried face, Nil Chowdhury stepped forward slowly.
There was a strange hypnosis in his voice now.
Looking into my eyes, he said, "You were the one who told me you'd agree to any condition; why are you backing out now?
The terms cannot be changed, Sahana.
Think about it—if you sign this agreement, I won't keep you as an ordinary girl; I'll keep you like a queen.
You will receive more than you ever needed."
I stood in silence, listening to his words.
Nil came even closer and whispered, "And listen, have you forgotten that humiliation? Don't you want to take revenge for how Rushda insulted you in front of everyone last night?
If you stay by my side, I promise—I will bring Rushda to such a state that she won't find a place to hide.
The power and nobility she uses to belittle you today—I will grind that pride into the dust.
Just put one signature on this paper."
Hearing the mention of revenge from Nil Chowdhury's mouth, something inside me ignited.
Rushda had trifled with my love, called me a 'fraud' in front of everyone, and mocked my appearance.
Her victorious smile and cunning gaze resonated through every cell of my brain.
I realized that at this moment, there was no way for me to retreat.
Alone, I could never reach the influential Rushda, but using Nil Chowdhury's power as a shield, it was possible to destroy her.
The intoxication of revenge clouded my conscience.
Crushed under the fire of revenge and the pressure of my family's poverty, I lost the strength to think of anything else.
Strangling the cry of my own conscience, I walked slowly to the table and sat down.
With a trembling hand, I picked up the pen and signed that cursed agreement.
With every stroke, it felt as if I was selling a piece of my soul.
As soon as the signing was finished, Nil Chowdhury snatched the paper.
A look of devilish satisfaction appeared on his face.
He said in a low voice, "Thank you, Sahana! This is exactly what I wanted.
You've understood what's best for you."
Without wasting a second, he stood up and came very close to me.
The heavy scent of his perfume was suffocating.
Placing a hand on my shoulder, he whispered, "Come, let's begin our 'good work.
' Why waste time for nothing? I have a restroom or bedroom right next to this cabin.
Let's go there and finish the task first, then we'll talk about the rest."
Hearing Nil's words, my legs felt as heavy as stone.
My entire being screamed 'no,' but the invisible chains of the contract bound me tightly.
I had nothing left to do. Like a mechanical doll, I followed behind him.
As Nil opened the bedroom door and led me inside, I felt as if I was entering a dark abyss from which there was no return.
Stepping into the bedroom, a sharp yet intoxicating fragrance hit my nostrils.
The light in the room was a haunting blue, making the entire atmosphere even more mysterious and terrifying.
My brain seemed to stop functioning; I just stared blankly at Nil Chowdhury.
Nil Chowdhury did not mince words.
He slowly took off his coat and placed it on the sofa, then set his wristwatch on the table.
Then he stood right in front of me and looked steadily into my eyes.
There was no mercy in that gaze, only a primitive sense of possession.
In a very low, heavy voice, he said, "The contract is done, Sahana, so why the delay? Come, let's begin.
Take off your upper garment.
I want to see if the thing I'm investing so heavily in is perfect."
Hearing such direct and shameless words from Nil's mouth, my whole body burned with humiliation.
I gripped my scarf tightly with both hands.
For a moment, I wanted to scream and run out of there, but then I remembered the agreement and my sick mother's face.
Seeing my hesitation, Nil took another step forward.
He reached out and touched the fabric on my shoulder.
Though his touch was as cold as ice, it felt like fire against my skin.
He whispered, "Why are you afraid? You signed knowing everything.
Now, surrender yourself to me."
Without any hesitation, Nil Chowdhury pulled the scarf off my shoulder in one tug.
His bone-chilling gaze seemed to paralyze my entire body.
In an instant, he removed my final layer of clothing.
I felt completely vulnerable and naked.
Inside, I was breaking down bit by bit from shame and insult.
In that blue, haunting light, my naked body seemed to be nothing more than a commodity to him.
Without wasting a moment, he grabbed me firmly with his cold hands.
I shuddered at his dominant touch.
Lifting me in his arms, he laid me down in the middle of the bed.
As the cold touch of the bedsheet hit my bare back, I closed my eyes in fear.
Nil Chowdhury leaned over me.
His heavy breath crashed against my face.
With a strange smile of satisfaction, he began to say, "From now on, you are mine alone, Sahana.
This beautiful body, this beauty—everything belongs only to me."