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“I understand business is important, but he could at least check the panic message sent by his fiancée and respond? That literally means he is careless in this relationship. Anyways, you don’t have to worry about all that now. I am coming there for you and we will set this right. Am I clear?”

Her assurance means everything to me right now. After speaking to her I crawl back to the bed and close my eyes, hoping the flashes of my wedding with Aarav Raichand fade away so that when I open my eyes again, this all would be nothing but a bad dream. Only if that was possible.

***************

I jerk at the sudden door knock of my room. It’s dark. Looks like I fell asleep. Is it night already? The door knocks again and this time I hear Daadi’s voice. She is back home. I am glad she is safe. My steps to the door falter as I realize the sindoor is still shining on my forehead and the Mangalsutra Aarav tied is still around my neck. I can’t let Daadi see it. Not yet. I don’t even know what Tsunami it will bring in Mohit and her life if they get to know Aarav Raichand married me forcibly?

“Jhanvi, open the door.” Daadi knocks on the door again.

I quickly wipe off the Sindoor from my forehead partition and hide the Mangalsutra by wrapping a Veil around my neck. When I open the door, she takes a sigh of relief.

“You scared me. I was worried why you didn’t open the door.”

“I… I am sorry I dozed off.”

“Oh, you look tired.”

She quickly touches my face, and I stiffen as her eyes notice something on my forehead.

“Is that Sindoor?”

How could she notice it? I had wiped it off. Swallowing my fear, I nod, rubbing that area again with my fingers.

“Yes. I .. I went to a temple today,” I lied.

I don’t like to lie, but that’s exactly what I do to save her from a shock. But for how long? One day, I will have to tell her and Mohit. In fact, until I tell them, how will I find a solution to this problem? Was there even a solution to it?

“Oh. Good. The way things are against us, we need God’s help. Anyways, let’s have dinner. I will ask the chefs to serve.”

I nod. “I will be there in five minutes.”

She agrees and leaves the room while I lock myself again. Throwing off the veil on the bed, I unhook the Mangalsutra and place it on the dressing table. I can’t wear this. I don’t take Aarav as my husband, nor the rituals we did as marriage. He tricked me. Nothing we did can be real. Ever!!

*****************

I was hungry but not in a mood to eat. I hardly ate anything and when Daadi asked me, I lied to her again that I am not feeling well and would like to sleep early. She didn’t force me and wished me a good rest.

I come back to my room, the darkness pricking my mind, but that’s exactly my state right now. I have no idea where this imposed marriage with Aarav Raichand will lead me to. He’s dangerous for Daadi and Mohit, and now he is also dangerous for me. I wonder how he allowed me to come back to Raichand Mansion and didn’t force me to go along with him? What was his next plan?

I unzip my Dress, looking at my lifeless face in the mirror. How would I hide this truth from everyone? I haven’t even been able to apprehend this when I see him again.

Aarav Raichand.In my bedroom. Standing right behind me.

Turning around to be sure he’s really here, I am about to scream when he shuts my mouth with his palm and hauls me to his body.

“Easy Jaan. It’s your husband, not a ghost.”

My body burns with rage as he calls himself my husband. But before I can do anything about it, I see him staring in the mirror and his gaze darkening. I know why!! My dress is unzipped and Aarav Raichand has no guilt staring at my naked back. I quickly try to zip my dress again, but it’s stuck.

“May I?” He offers shamelessly but I push his arm away.

Thankfully the zip works up and I feel more confident to face him again.

“What the hell are you doing in my room?” I snap.

As if I cracked a joke, he laughs and steps behind to take a good peek at this place. His gaze intensifies seeing a picture of me and Mohit together from college times, the one which I had framed and placed on the bedside table. Before he can do anything about it, I block his way.

“I asked you something. Why are you here, Aarav?”

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