She sank to the deserted road, tears streaming freely, her body shaking with despair. After a few moments, summoning all the courage she could muster, she rose and started running again, her footsteps echoing in the empty night.
After a while, she spotted three men up ahead and, hoping for help, approached them to ask for directions to the bus stand.
"Bhai sa, yeh bus stand jaane ka rasta kaha se hai?"
("Brother, which way is it to the bus stand?")
But their eyes lingered on her in a way that made her skin crawl, their gazes heavy with something vile. She sensed the hunger in their stares, and fear tightened around her chest.
Trembling, she tried to back away, her voice barely steady: "Aap rehne do, main kisi aur se pooch lungi."
("You leave it, I'll ask someone else.")
Turning to flee, her heart racing, she barely had a step forward when one of them snatched her hand, stopping her in her tracks.
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Adheer's patience was wearing thin, and his anger simmered hotter with each passing moment as he sat in the pavilion. The past hour had brought no news of Sananya, and whispers were spreading among the guests.
One guest murmured to another, "The Shekawat family must have used their influence to force the Malhotras into marrying their daughter to their son. The girl wasn't happy with this marriage—that's why she ran away."
The words reached Adheer's ears like fire to tinder. His patience snapped completely. Rising abruptly, he began to stride toward the exit when his grandmother called out, concern in her voice: "Beta, kaha ja raha hai tu?"
("Son, where are you going?")
Without hesitation, his eyes blazing, he replied, "Apki bahu ko lene… pehle toh nahi, lekin ab yeh shadi uski na-marzi se hi hogi."
("To bring your daughter-in-law. Earlier, no, but now this marriage will happen even against her will.")
With that, he stormed out of the pavilion, determination and fury in every step.
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The man grabbed her hand roughly, leering as he said, "Hey, where are you going? Show us your beautiful face."
Another, eyes glinting with desire, whispered, "Just look at her figure—she doesn't look any less than Katrina Kaif 🤤."
A third smirked, voice low and menacing, "Tonight, the feast is at our place… a night of indulgence."
Before she could react, he gripped her waist, pulling her close and groping her inappropriately. Another lunged, trying to force a kiss upon her trembling lips.
Panicked, she pleaded, "Please… leave me!"
But they ignored her cries. In a desperate act to save herself, she struck one in his most vulnerable place with a swift kick and bolted into the night.
Her heart pounded as she ran, lungs burning, while the man's relentless pursuit thundered behind her. Then, out of nowhere, a car skidded to a halt in front of her. The door swung open, and a figure emerged—dressed impeccably as a groom, every step radiating authority and command.
Desperate and trembling, Kaya lunged toward him, clutching his arm as she begged, "Please… please help me."
The moment the men's eyes fell on him, recognition hit like lightning—it was Adheer Shekawat.
Panic etched across their faces, they didn't dare look again and scattered instantly, fleeing in terror.
Adheer's grip on her hand was fierce, his anger radiating as he forced her into the car. The engine roared to life beneath them, and with a storm burning in his eyes, he broke the tense silence: "What do you think—can you escape from me?"
Hidden beneath her veil, Adheer assumed she was Sananya, while Kaya's heart wavered, believing him to be the older husband chosen for her future.
Tears streamed down her face as helplessness consumed her. Soon, the car screeched to a halt at the marriage hall. Adheer stepped out and yanked her along with such force that her bangles shattered, the fragments biting into her wrist.
Not allowing a word from the Malhotras, he dragged her straight to the pavilion and commanded the priest, "Pandit ji, begin the wedding rituals."
The priest's voice rose and fell in solemn rhythm, chanting the sacred mantras that echoed through the hall. After a pause, he declared, "The bride and groom shall now exchange garlands."
The bride's sister placed the garlands in their hands. Bound by circumstance, Adheer and Kaya draped them around each other's necks, their hearts unwilling, yet their hands obeying the ritual.
Seated again before the sacred fire, Kaya's sobs were muffled beneath her veil, her tears silent witnesses to the helplessness she felt. The priest continued with the ceremonies, and then intoned once more, "The bride and groom shall now rise and take the seven sacred vows together."
They both rose, the weight of the moment pressing down upon them, and the seven rounds began. Adheer led the first four, his grip unyielding on Kaya's fragile hand. The shards of her broken bangles bit into her skin with every step, each movement searing her with pain she could not escape.
When it was Kaya's turn to lead the remaining three, her body betrayed her. Her legs trembled, faltering beneath her, and just as she was about to collapse to the ground, Adheer scooped her into his arms. Authority radiated from him, leaving no room for refusal, as he carried her through the rounds, each step sealing her fate in his unwavering grasp.
At last, he swept the vermillion across her hairline, claiming her as his, before fastening the mangalsutra around her neck. The priest's voice echoed solemnly through the hall:
"From this moment, your marriage is complete. You are now bound as life partners, joined in every joy and sorrow. Go now, and seek the blessings of your elders."
Inside, Kaya felt her world crumble—her heart wept silently for a life that now seemed shattered beyond repair. She rose slowly beside him, her tears hidden beneath the veil, when suddenly a sharp, jarring voice cut through the stillness—
"What the hell is going on?"
Let's Guess who is she ? 🤔
Thanks for reading the chapter 😊❤️.