Thread by @TheDilliMirror

A DABHA ON DELHI-SHIMLA ROAD TRIP-
“ Where are you going ". Som asked Pragati , rubbing his eyes as he woke up .
“ Work” .
“ Are you fucking crazy , we have to leave by 2 PM in order to be in Shimla by 10-11 , In time for Kailash’s Baraat “ . Som was almost seething with anger

“ Why the fuck do you bait me when you know I get angry on these dumb fuck decisions of yours”
“ Som its just my first week and it’s a very important meeting – I will be home by 12 max. Oh and I won’t be able to take any calls ok in the meeting, ok . I love you .”

It was already 2.30 when Pragati rang the doorbell. trembling with fear. “I am so sorr. “ . Before she could finish her sentence , Som’s heavy hand landed on her cheeks – her glasses flew off her face – for 2 seconds she could not hear anything as her ear buzzed with the impact

Som dragged her inside and threw her on the ground – “ Behenchod tujhe simple baat bhi samanjh nahi aati “ . He screamed at her face , his speech slurred with alcohol.
Pragati went to her room . She washed her face and

hid the slap marks with make up . She got another pair of glasses to replace her broken glasses .
Her 5th this month .
Then she waited for the effect of Som’s alcohol to wane.
At 4.00 clock there was a soft knocking on her door . “ Let’s go , its already 4 “ . said Som .

After few minutes of awkward silence , things were back to normal . It was, after all , a regular thing between them .
They had to stop for air near Ambala. Once done , both realized they were very hungry and saw a small non-descript dhabha , tucked away at the back .

Though it was already night , there was barely any light on at Dhabha. The tandoor though, was still burning.
“ Koi hai “ . Said Som . There was no response .
“ Hello “ . No response .
“ IF ONLY WE HAD FUCKING LEFT ON TIME"
Before he could get any angrier , Pragati added

“ Please we need help “ , almost in a pleading tone .
Just as they were about to leave , a voice from behind startled them –
“ what do you want?". They turned around and there was a woman – must be in her 40s – typical Punjabi Jatti.

There was a strange silence all around – The random dogs stopped barking ,noises frm the highway ceased & even though it was a clear day with no wind , the big tree under which the woman ws standing ws engulfed in mist, the leaves were rustling as if someone was shaking the tree

Pragati broke the silence – “ Can we get something to eat “
Pragati lowered her face and covered it with her hands as she saw woman’s piercing eyes scanning the marks on her face .
“ Yes , sit "
She went inside and got 2 plates

“ Why has see given you non-veg and paranatha to me ?”. Som asked
“ I don’t want non veg – simple bread or parantha would do ". Pragati told the lady .
“ Eat it “ thundered the lady to Pragati – her eyes pouring deep inside’s Pragati as their eyes met .

Som had enough – “ Lets go Pragati , this woman is crazy "
And then the unthinkable happened – Pragati held Som’s hand – looked into his eyes and firmly said-
“ Sit and finish the food Som “ and she started eating her food .

“ HAVE YOU GONE CRA…..” but Som’s voice was muzzled with astoundingly loud and angry rustling of the tree leaves . Som went quiet.
Both finished the food in silence and looked around to pay the woman . She was nowhere to be found .
Som was visibly upset as he started the car

The tree behind him seemed to retract and get quieter . The mist disappeared , the noises from the highway resumed , the dogs slowly started to whimper again .
“ What came over you ?” Som demanded .
“ I have no idea “. Pragiti replied in daze .

On their way back to Delhi the next day – Pragiti was biting into her 5th sandwich of the day .
“ Pragiti what’s wrong with you , ever since Kailash’s wedding you have been eating like an animal “ . said Som .

“ I know ! but I am just not satisfied , I feel hungry all the time . Oh , look ! can we please take a detour and go that dhaba again “
“ The same one? – I am not going to that crazy place again ! "

“ Oh please , the mutton was amazing, and you didn’t try any – I am hungry and maybe there will be other people there now to serve “
“ Maybe if I see that woman again , I will set her right “ . Said Som
But as they entered the dhabha , it seemed that nobody was there .

Out of curiosity they asked the people about the dhabha and why it was closed today .
“ You must be mistaken “ , replied one of the neighboring shopkeeper with tinge of sadness and anger in his voice when he heard that they were here yesterday .

“That haramzada owner , Kartar used to beat his wife but they always made up . But last week he drowned all his senses in alcohol and beat his wife , Reshma ,back and blue until she could not breathe .
The animal in him , still not satisfied , hung her from that tree .

I was the one who called the police . He is still missing, and we performed Reshma’s last rites .
Som stepped back a bit, as if ashamed of the alcohol fumes coming out of his mouth . They drove back in silence , stopping only to buy more food for Pragiti .

Once home , Pragiti before entering the shower almost emptied the entire fridge . Then she went for a long shower , pondering over the weird happenings of the trip .
Som also pondered over it ; over 3 large drinks . Sufficiently drunk , he took his clothes off

and trespassed into the shower . Grabbing Pragiti by back of her neck ,he whispered –
"nibble on my neck ,slut ."
Pragati's lips touched his wet skin and she felt strange sensation through her body . She went ahead and held her skin between her lips and sucked on it.

She dug her teeth inside his skin.
“ Not that hard”, Som moaned .
But Pragati began to torn off his skin and was tearing through his nerves and veins . Her hunger satiating with taste of each morsel . She took no time in eating through cartilages & hynoid bones .

The head fell off the body and rolled in the bathroom floor.
She did not stop until she was full.

“ CHARRED BODY OF AMBALA DHABHA OWNER FOUND IN TANDOOR. SOME BODY PARTS EATEN AWAY. HE WAS SUSPECTED OF KILLING HIS WIFE".

The inspector again visited Pragati after 15 days

"I am sorry Pragiti but we still have no news of Som. We don’t even know if he is dead or alive "
“ What is that strange smell". Asked the inspector.
"I was making liver (kaleji) for lunch . Replied Pragiti .

I would have offered you but its rotten .