Chapter 4- My Caroline

             Chapter 4: My caroline

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Her whole body is shivering due to their horrible act. Austin gets stunned seeing her in such a vulnerable situation. His heart pricked with thought needles pricking his heart. 

Scratches and nail marks are visibly on her exposed skin. Her sleeves are torn, face turns pale and eyes swell due to continuous crying.

Why is my heart not under my control? Why am I unable to see her in tears? Why does her pain stab me as if she is my dear one? She is a mere stranger. I don’t even know her properly, then why I feel a connection. I never feel like this but this unknown girl. She is something extraordinary. She has some magic.’’ 

From the time Austin's eyes lay on her, his mind is not at peace. Her innocence, way of talking, her smile, pulling him more and more toward him. He kept on staring at her lost, when suddenly he felt a sharp pain on his chest. Raggedly, he turned back and glared at Jack who is the sole reason for her tears. 

“Why did you come here and spoil my night?” Jack grip his collar and punch him while all other mens are surrounded by her. Austin's eyes are only on her who is lying like a dead body on the bed. ‘’I am talking to you..you idiot. Look at me.’’ He gave another punch, a harsher than before but Austin didn’t tear his gaze from her. This surprised Jack.

“What harm that innocent girl caused you that you punished her. See what you have done?” Austin's eyes pricked as a few droplets rolled down not due to the punch he was receiving from Harry but to see her in such a state.

“Just tell me. Why are you so concerned for this ordinary girl? Why are you feeling bad? What relation does she share with you? Is she your mistress?”

“ENOUGH! DARE TO UTTER A SINGLE WORD. SHE IS MY---” Austin stopped immediately as more tears stringing his eyes.

“There your sister's marriage is going on and here you are trying to molest an innocent girl. You bloody jerk. Have some shame. Did you think about Ana’s state knowing about your deeds. She will hate you”

“If you are done with your lecture, kindly leave and let us do the task which was put on hold due to your unpleasant entry. You are no-one to her.  Better maintain distance from my personal things. Okay now go.” Austin anger reached its peak. His intense brown eyes are enough to burn every other man who thinks girls are their private property. They have no right to play with the modesty of a woman which means everything for her.

“Guys you start till then I will throw this man out.”

Austin is boiling in anger by listening to his rubbish words. 

“Dare to touch her. I would rip you.” Austin said to his friends who are nearing her but upon getting his threats, they stopped on their track.

‘’Boys, don’t worry. He has no guts to put any scratch on me. Afterall I am his favorite Ana’s brother. I am sure he won’t spoil the special day of Ana and if he does everyone will get to know what is happening under the closed door. Who will marry a girl whose brother is a spoiled brat. Think before messing with me, Austin. Ana’s in-laws were already against this love marriage of her and Jiju. Your favorite Ana’s marriage gets called off if you try to stop me having her. What if she try to commit suicide?’’

“SHUT UP..JUST SHUT YOUR BLOODY MOUTH..’’

“Chill bro. Why are you raising your blood pressure and risking Ana’s life for this random girl.. Do you think Ana will survive without Alex? This marriage is very important for Ana. That’s why I am saying quietly go and enjoy Ana’s marriage meal and let me enjoy my meal.” Jack said lustfully observing her tempting body in bed.

Jack triggers him at the weak point. He thought Austin chose Ana over this random chick with whom he shared no relation. To his surprise, Austin started beating each of them, he twisted their hands which they used to touch her. In no time, one by one they collapsed on the ground injured, bleeded terribly.

They winched in pain, pleading him to stop but Austin mercilessly beating them. He becomes violent and gives them what they actually deserve. Their deeds are unforgivable and every man who dares to cast a bad eye on a girl should deserve the worst punishment. Currently he is hell mad and furious seeing her state. Only thing which matters to him is her safety. 

“How dare you touch her. You all have to pay for it.’’ His one punch and jack fly on the air before getting dropped against the ground.

“Ahh..Who is she to you that you are ready to keep Ana’s happiness at stake? Why are you being so protective of her? Who is she to you?” Jack asks in between the punches he is receiving. ‘’Why does she matter to you? ANSWER ME? This silly girl. For her, you are beating me. I won’t spare her”.

He angrily pounced at her but Austin blocked his path and protectively stood like a wall.

“SHE IS MY EVERYTHING. DID YOU HEAR ME, SHE IS MY EVERYTHING” Hearing this, Caroline lifted her teary eyes and looked in his direction.

By seeing his angry devil side, all other men jumped out from the balcony leaving behind Jack.

“How dare you put your dirty hand on her purity?” Furiously, Austin grabbed his hand roughly and twisted it which he used to force her. 

Blood is oozing from his mouth and nose. 

“Austin please stop. I promise I won’t imagine doing this to any girl. I understood my mistake.” But he didn't give mercy to Jack and resumed beating. Every pore of his cell is burning seeing her like that. This pain is unbearable.

“How dare you do this to MY CAROLINE.’’ Jack got stunned by his remarks.

Oh I didn’t know you like her and developed feelings for her. Next time I won't do this again, I promise.I swear of Ana. Trust me” 

By listening to Ana's name, he calmed down a bit and glared at him with lava emitting his eyes. Never bring Ana in between. she is no one to you. You don’t deserve to be her brother. 

Caroline is watching his act from a few distance, sitting in the bed, trying to cover her chest by putting pillows. She got more scared and said with a trembling voice, “Please stop.’’ Austin raised his hand in a tight punch, but after hearing her, he melted and come forward to comfort her”  

 Taking advantage, he prepared to leave. Austin wanted to stop him seeing Ana’s state, he ran to her.

 “I am right here. Take a deep breath and calm down. Everything is under control.” With uttermost softness, he comforted her.

“They.. tried to..I didn’t know he would..” She wasn't able to speak as her entire body was shivering.

He touch her face tenderly to wipe her pain but after he touch her cheeks, she wink in pain, “It hurts''

“Wait.I will bring a first aid box. Before he stands up, she hugs him from behind which halted his steps.

''Please don't go. They won’t leave me. They will again come back and..” She remembered the horrible moment and jumped out of skin. The grip on his hand tightened. She again panicked.

His heart broke by seeing her in this situation and anger clearly visible in his eyes. 

Until I am alive, no-one would harm you. I would give him the most brutal punishment for doing such a cheap act. Come with me to the hall. I will expose him in front of his entire family.’’ With that he pulled her hand and began moving out of the door. But she pushed the door from inside. The room got locked automatically from inside.

“No. Please don't do this. Ana loves her brother very much and today is the biggest day of her life. It doesn't want to degrade her family name in front of her in-laws. They might judge her due to her brother’s deeds and what if her marriage..No..I can’t let this happen” She sobbed in between and covered her face with her palm. 

“Do you trust me?” She nodded but didn;t look at him.

Austin removes her palm from hiding her face. Slowly lean close and drink her tears with his mouth. She hugged him immediately, not having courage to bear the burden of pain. But the moment he touches her, she gets drowned in another world that is more beautiful than the real world. 

Unaware of the fact that this night is going to change her entire life.

To be continued.