Tujhe tujhse Tod lun, kahi khud se jod lun
Mere jism O Jaan mein aa, teri khushboo odh lun~
TARA JINDAL—
Life is not always the same, it shows us every colour, the ones we live and the ones we have to face anyway. And when you enter the darkest phase of your life, either it breaks you completely or molds you in ways that feel better than ever. This is one of the things I learnt from my mother.
No one can break you until you allow them.
So, am I letting him to break me?!
No, I am not.
We can’t escape our destinies, but we can tilt them with our intends. I have no idea what’s going to happen, better or worse, I’d face it anyway, but not because someone wants me to.
A sound breaks the stillness around me.
I turn to the door where Lucie stands with four other women dressed elegantly behind her, and I realise they’re here to get me ready, to make me his bride. The thought itself sickens me.
“Ma’am, these are the beauticians,” Lucie informs, entering the room. “They’d get you ready within an hour.”
An hour?
Shit.
I can’t let this happen.
“Ma’am, this is your outfit,” one of those ladies’ says, putting forward a big net box. “Please go and change.”
All of them have their heads bowed, not even daring to look at me, I wonder why don’t they themselves feels insane doing that.
I suck on a slow breath, and stand, taking the heavy box, I get in the closet to change.
What am I supposed to do!?
Every last of my hope is dead.
Locking the door from inside, I throw the box aside and let my gaze find my own reflection into the grand mirror before. Pale eyes, colourless face, damp lashes and those... those marks on my body. His marks.
I hate each of them. I hate how he marks me as his own, and how I have no control on me when he’s around. But the truth I can never erase is... He was the first man ever who came so close to me, touched me, that too with my consent.
But that doesn’t mean I’d let him destroy the rest of me. Never.
I shake my head to throw all these thoughts aside, I have no time to sit and curse, for now. I turn on the tap and splash some cold water over my face, letting the shock of it settle me. Then I bend to pick up the lehenga from the floor.
The baby pink bridal lehenga glimmers softly, its delicate diamond work tracing patterns too exquisite for a moment like this. My heart palpitates at the thought of becoming his bride. He said I’d meet my brother. Just out of some dumb hope, I want to trust him, but no, it’s something I wouldn’t survive.
A while later, when I step out, the lehenga settles over me like it was made for my very form. The neckline strikes a careful balance, bold yet refined, while the skirt skims my curves and falls into a graceful flare, hinting at my waist with every subtle shift.
“Ma’am, sit comfortably,” One of those ladies pulls the chair for me.
I don’t react much, just move for the sake of it.
They start their work, and I let them, sitting there like something lifeless. My head tilts just enough to catch the vintage clock—09:43 a.m. Time drips by, each second heavier than the last, whispering the same thing... he’s going to break his promise.
The beauticians adorn me in diamond jewellery and soft, nude makeup. One of them gathers my hair into a simple bun, tucking fresh roses into it with delicate precision. As soon as they finish, they all leave, everyone except Lucie.
I don’t even realise when my nails starts to scratch my own palms in restlessness.
I don’t care about anything, except of his lies. That bastard lied to me. I shouldn’t have trusted him.
So now, the only way out I can see now is to run. The consequences don’t matter anymore... nothing could be worse than staying.
“Lucie, Rivaan sir has called you!” A servant informs to Lucie and other staff standing there like statues.
Rivaan, yes, I’ve seen him with that monster earlier. Maybe he is one of his men. But why the hell would he, or anyone here, help me?
Fuck—I’m panicking.
I can’t sit still anymore. I just can’t.
“Lucie,” I call without a second thought, she pauses and turns to me. “Can you... can you please call Rivaan here?”
Fear flashes in her eyes. Then confusion. “Why, ma’am?”
Shit.
I don’t let the mask on my face slip. “You’re questioning me? I’m your lady boss. You must have an idea what can happen if I tell this to him?” I’ve threatened someone for the first time in my life.
Her lips quivers as she immediately shakes her head. “Sorry, Ma’am. I’m really sorry.”
I don’t react and she leaves the room with quick steps.
I didn’t want to sound rude, but this is what the situation have become.
I don’t know if she’s going to call Rivaan or not, I can just hope, because Aayansh is not in the villa right now... so this is the only chance.
I bite my lower lip, pacing the room. The lehenga and jewellery weigh heavily on me, but they’re nothing compared to the storm raging inside.
“Yes, bhabhi?”
My head snaps toward the sound of the voice. Rivaan stands there, composed, his gaze lowered.
He called me bhabhi? I swear If it was some other situation, I would have punched his face. But I hold that back.
“Actually, I...” I hesitate, not sure about the words I should use. “I need your help.”
Confusion crosses his features. “What?”
But before he can inspect further, I almost beg. “Please... Please just help me. I don’t have time. I won’t let anything happen to you once I reach my brother. Please! Just once help me escape this place.”
He freezes.
Complete blank. Complete afraid.
I know he’s aware about my situation, so I’m practically begging him rather than sitting here and cry over my fate.
He doesn’t say a word, while I stare at him with pleading eyes.
Oh god! Just give this man some amount of sanity so that he gets ready to help me!
“You can use the basement area!” He suddenly says carefully. “I’ll guide you the way out, and bhai’s car is already there.”
Huh?
He. actually. agreed?
I’m still processing when he hands me the car keys.
Even when I don’t trust him, this is a do or die situation for me, I’ll take the risk anyway as I can’t get out of here on my own.
“Come with me,” He gestures with one hand as he heads out of the room.
Pulling my lehenga a little up, I follow him, keeping aside every logical instinct in my head right now.
Each step is heavy in anticipation, in dread, but I don’t falter. After a few minutes, we enter the massive basement. Rivaan tilts the vase placed on a side furniture and the metal before creaks open, like some mystery thriller is going on.
My eyes bulge at the sight.
“Come this way, bhabhi,” He instructs in a low tone.
Ugh! He called me bhabhi again.
Patience. Breath. Follow him.
In a matter of seconds, we’re outside. The backyard stretches before me, quiet and still until my gaze catches on the Rolls-Royce standing just a few feet away.
“Use this car, but please be careful.” Rivaan murmurs, tensed and terrified, as if I’m playing with his life and death.
Well, I am.
“There’s a route indicator inside it!” He highlights.
I give a quick nod and get into the car, my hands steady as I turn the key in the ignition. It won’t be easy, but doing nothing would be worse.
In the rearview mirror, I catch a glimpse of Rivaan, his attention fixed on his phone as his fingers move across the screen. I don’t dwell on it, I press the accelerator instead.
My breathing turns uneven again, but I force myself to stay calm. I need to hold it together until I reach Jindal Mansion. The jewellery, this lehenga... everything feels suffocating, too unfamiliar on my skin.
The car surges forward as I keep the speed high for the first five kilometers. After that, I ease it down, following the locator as I enter inner New York.
But it’s all so unsettling.
Every bit of it.
By now, he must have realized I’ve run.
Then... how is everything going so smooth!?
“Missing me, fireheart?”
My spiralling mind blacks out the moment these words ring in my ears. For a whole minute, I don’t move. Then, panic grips me as I look around in confusion and unease... but there’s no one here. My gaze drops to the dashboard, landing on a small device fixed in here. Then I glance at the rearview mirror.
A black Bugatti is right behind me.
I should have expected this.
It clicks instantly... he’s chasing me. The Beast. But fear doesn’t come. I push the car faster, widening the distance between us before my brain ever calculates anything.
Here, he’s not even trying to close in. He’s letting me run. And that’s far more terrifying.
Why?
Because he’s overconfident, sure he’ll catch me no matter what. So here we go. I’ll give him a chase worth remembering.
I slam down on the accelerator, abandoning caution, my gaze locked straight ahead.
I don’t care if it ends in a crash, or something worse. I won’t let him catch me. Not this easily.
“You think I can’t catch you, amour?” His voice comes again, calm and amused.
“And you think you’ll catch me so easily, monster?!” I fire back.
“I won’t just catch you, I’ll catch you and fuck you.”
Flush creeps on my face.
Fuck it.
“We’ll see.” I shift the gear higher.
Cold wind lashes against my face through the open window as I glance at the rearview mirror once more. His car is still there, a dark shadow against the bright daylight.
“Clear the streets of Albany right now.” His voice filters through, cold and commanding as he orders his men on the call.
So... It’s getting messed up.
Within minutes of his command, the road begins to clear, obstacles vanishing as if swept away by an invisible hand. Soon, the street lies completely empty, only my car racing ahead, his Bugatti following close behind.
Fuck him!
“Desperate enough?” His voice crackles and I gasp.
Is he reading my mind?!
Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck him.
I jerk the wheel, merging onto the highway. His car slips in right behind me, refusing to lose ground and I swear, at this speed, I’m going to end up in a brutal crash.
“So you won’t stop the car?” He asks from the other end, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone.
“I won’t!” I bark in the haze.
“I hate your guts.”
“And I hate you.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine.” He adds.
“Fuck off.”
“I’ll fuck you.”
Ughh.
A kilometer passes before I check the rearview mirror. He’s not there anymore. No car is. The road is completely empty. Just me in the entire lane.
What is happening?!
My chest heaves as I look back again and again, confused, more terrified, actually.
He’s trapping me. But I won’t slow down anyway.
I swallow a long breath and press the accelerator again. The unsettling silence cages me in as adrenaline spikes, but just a while, I’ll be free soon enough.
Yes, Tara. You’ll have to give it.
Just when I ease off and drift the car, my eyes almost pop out at the sight ahead and I hit the brakes as hard as I could. He stands right in front of my car, leaning against the bonnet of his Bugatti, his head slightly tilted as he watches me like I’m some sort of entertainment.
Let this be a dream, Jesus. Just please.
My head aches as I stare at him, keeping my face a void, Not letting him have what he wants... My fear.
“You’re caught.” He smirks like a devil he is.
“Not yet,” I mutter quietly as I steer sharply in the opposite direction. Before I can move further, another car cuts me off.
And then I see him again. Rivaan. Sitting inside it.
Woah, so the bastard showed his true colours.
This is it. No escape left, only him.
And, I will face him.
I shut my eyes out of exhaustion, frustration, and inhale before stepping out and approaching him.
And just when he’s before me, I bark with a deep ache in my voice. “You betrayed me! You said you’ll let me meet my brother... before this marriage?!”
Ignoring my pain, my impatience, he orders in that same cold tone. “Get in the car.”
My fury peaks.
And this time, I shout. “You think you can force me, or I’ll obey your commands?”
“I will never marry you.”
His demeanor doesn’t get a single crack as he bends closer. “You will marry me like a good bride, my bride.”
Before I can even catch my breath, his arm locks around my waist. In the next second, he hauls me up onto his shoulder like I’m some rag doll.
“Put me down you bastard!” I cry out, trying to pull free of his wrath but nothing helps. “You can’t force me!”
My body bounces against his back as he simply stops near his Bugatti, orders something to that pig-shit Rivaan and throws me onto the passenger seat. Then he himself settles in the driving seat.
“Do you think you’ll get away once my brother finds me?” My voices cracks, no matter how much I try to sound firm. “He’ll bury you alive!”
An evil grin forms on his mouth as he towers over me and fastens my seatbelt. “Your desperation will be fulfilled soon.”
I blink, taken back by the hint in his words.
What is he going to do!? A strange terror clouds my mind.
He floors the accelerator and starts the car, his attention briefly on me before his focus sharpens on the road ahead.
To be continued~
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