"you are chosen for the eldest son,Tejasswi" her mother told her.
"Initially,they wanted you for their youngest. But the eldest son wanted to marry you. I heard he is a writer. But soon will takeover the family business. You are very lucky to marry into that household."
Watching outside the mansion, she was lost. It did not matter to her if she was even alive. So it didn't matter what the future held for her.

3 months back

She was leaning down the stairs being lost in Sanskar's thoughts.
Nobody knew where exactly he went. Some say he scammed few people and ranaway with the money. She could not believe it. A social worker who spent his every penny on people's and nature's welfare.would he scam people?

After few days of his missing she wanted to file his missing case but her father didn't let her to..
Deep inside her heart she knew. There was something hidden from her.

But unfortunately, she did not expect how horrible it could be on the wedding day when she was waiting for him. And he was battling for his life.

She was passing by the room when her steps suddenly stopped as she heard her brothers speak.
Brother 1:he could have died right?
Brother 2:I don't think so someone falling from that large cliff....
Her heart clutched in fear.
Brother 1:I don't know from that day. I am not getting any good vibes. What if tejasswi knows the truth?
Brother 2: she would be married before that... She will forget about Sanskar very soon.

She couldn't just have her balance.
Her eyes welled up. Her fingers trembled realising they killed him.
Gathering all courage she stepped in.
When her brother's noticed her.
Tejasswi:it was all a lie.. A lie!!!
She could not believe what might have happened with Sanskar and she simply believed her family.

They moved to her explaining something bad about sanskar that made an accident.
She walked to her father asking for explanation.

Tejasswi:what did Sanskar do to you all?why did you just do this to him?why?
Her father:blame yourself tejasswi. You should have known the conclusion of this way before.
She bursts into a bitter cry.
She shouts out loud not able to control herself.
She clutched her hair pulling them.
At this moment she felt the worst.

Her father:I can't take the humiliation again. Marrying you off to some random guy, who knows whose blood is running in his vein... I would just die than let him get married to you.
Her brother: you just did not leave any option. So do not blame us.
Tejasswi was shocked:I.... I am to the blame? You killed a person and I am to the blame. My future and happiness lied on him, you.. you killed him.
She cried falling on her knees.
They blamed her in certain way that made her traumatized.

She wanted to file the case on her father and brothers but his father blackmailed her with the life of her mother.

And now after 3 months.
She started to believe that Sanskar lost his life because her.
She lost her smile and it was just like she forgot to smile. Or even interacting with people became her weakest point. She could not have listened her own voice in all these months.
She was just a lifeless soul trapped in a living body.

All these months her father just kept her caged in her room. And now was just bound to accept his orders. It was not bound but she had no will for anything. She would agree for everyone's 'Yes' and everyone's 'No'

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

Anil:still thinking of why Mrunalini's choice?
As he placed his hand karan's shoulder. He was scribbling on the paper.
Anil:move on. If she is happy then this makes a reason for your new life. Start a new life Karan.

Karan:if I am starting a new life then I have to tell my past to the woman I am marrying.
Anil:this makes no sense. What girl would accept her future husband having a past?
Karan:no... In fact I should tell her to not have much expectations at least for first few years of married life?
Anil:did you go insane?you need a psychiatrist. Every girl has lot of expectations in first few years of married life. And you are not teenage boy. You will hit 40 in some years.
Karan: I am 31.
Anil:So...
Karan: don't make me old so soon.
Anil:oh yeah.. you are 31.

Anil:but that was not the topic.
Karan:but I can't digest that you calling me 40 already.
Anil:okay but my son coming to the point. These condition are lame.
Karan:if she finds it lame then I don't think so there's any more talks to discuss.
Anil:what do you mean?
Karan:I mean I can't be marrying her.
Anil:I hate calling you my nephew.
Karan:Same to you.

Anil laughs :between... How will you meet her? If you just get to see her before marriage that would be the biggest flex.
He literally mocked him.
Karan:what is there in it? I am going now.
Anil:you are going now?
Karan:yeah. Directly to her house and would ask them to meet.
Anil:oh yeah. You will be welcomed with gunshot then... seriously after watching Mrunalini's husband you have gone mad!
Karan was about to reply but stop, it really triggered him.
Anil realises:I shouldn't be saying this right?
Karan nods.
Anil too nods:okay.. I apologise sincerely!
Karan:accepted!
Anil:this 80's this world is not advanced.
Karan:but I am advanced. If I want the change. Then change should start from me.
Anil scratched on to his forehead:you are right though... (But panics) You can't be doing this. I won't allow. I know people won't like it.
Karan: I don't care...
Anil:oh...
Karan: let's go.
Anil:where?
Karan:her home?
Anil:me?
Karan:yeah.. you won't be letting me go alone. I would need an elder to speak there..
Anil:I won't be coming there. I am aging that doesn't mean, you will throw me to the grave.
Karan:you are just making it complicated. It's very simple to begin with..
Anil:no. I am not falling for this...
Karan:you don't have a choice.
Anil:I wish if you were not my nephew...

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

Tejasswi's family were not prepared for Karan's arrival.
Where as Anil being formal initiated with introduction. And spoke about some mutual friends.
While Karan just noticed every bit of the surrounding. Obviously, he was the writer. It was his habit to look upon the surrounding for the inspiration. And this time, All he could see the countless reaction of fear.
He could sense some unspoken agenda. Yes, they were mysterious if said in other words.

Tejasswi's father: this is the first time the groom stepped into the family before the wedding to his in-laws home. This didn't happen in last 5 generation and I believe it. I strongly believe it's not good omen. But sadly nowadays People don't learn customs.
Karan looks at him, The audacity!
Karan smiles genuinely: to be Frank I wanted to come in as a guest now. But seems people nowadays forgot the custom.
He wasn't the person whom someone could easily mess with words...
Yes, some time he resists answering

He was sitting in the centre of the home all he could notice and sense there was something not right at this place.

Anil:time is changing now. It was before, husband and wife meet only after marriage.
Karan wants to meet your daughter before marriage.
Her father:sorry it did not change yet to us.
Karan nods and stood:well,then it's a no from me. I will inform dadaji.
While everyone in the house panicked a bit.
He turns to move to the door.
Anil really didn't understand what exactly he had to do. He did not wanted to be part of this drama. But this is getting interesting, he somewhat took his nephew to be easygoing.
He simply started to follow.

Tejasswi's father: rukiye.
He left out a breath. He did not have an option. Already few people knew about Ragini's affair. And if this relation breaks he won't be able to face the community.
Tejasswi's father:just for 5 minutes.
Karan nods: I would prefer the privacy in 5 minutes.
Tejasswi's brother's felt offended now.
But her father nods to him.
Anil smiles, his nephew surely knew which vein to pick and prick, which sometimes paramedic in his clinic couldn't do it perfectly.

Her father moved inside and opened the lock of the door letting her sister-in-law, lata inside her to design her presentable.

It was her father who let someone to give her food and water. Once in a while her father let's her mother to enter.
Lata looked at the untouched breakfast. Yup, there would be half eaten food sometimes. Or untouched.
Her eyes welled up looking at tejasswi. Yup, the person her was not the one who used to live here before. She had changed a lot. She was treated like a animal in the zoo.

Lata: Tejasswi... I won't say anything but I will say this that this is your opportunity for your freedom. Am sure that guy is a nice man.i could sense that... Marrying him, will get you out of this cage.

She moved to the wardrobe and grabbed pretty orange and yellow mix simple gagra.
Lata:you know his name is Karanveer. I have been reading his books from past 2 years. He is a writer. His every book was dedicated to women. Am sure he will give you the space which no one ever could....

She turns her removing the hair tie to realise. Tejasswi didn't even comb her hair.
Her long hair was her life. She used to care for her hair like a baby.
While lata couldn't control with her tears.
Lata: tejasswi...
But she controlled.
She combed her hair slowly removing the knots.

While on the other side...

Karan was outside near the car.
Anil: don't you think yahan daal mein kuch kaala hai.
Karan:poori daal hi kaali hai.
Anil:then why? Let's go from here. Let's cancel this plan here itself.
Karan : I don't know.i wanted to meet her.
Anil:why?
Karan:I don't know..
Anil:I don't think you will get along with this family.
Karan:I don't care as long as the lady I am meeting now.

Anil:why are they taking so long?
Karan: pata nahi.
Anil:then what you know?
Karan:mama please don't cross question now. That irritates me.
Anil left out a breath:I don't get a good...
When he spots her brother. He smartly shifts to other topic.

Her brother:please wait at the terrace.
Karan:sure.
Anil pats his shoulder as if he was preparing him for war.
Karan looks at him.
Anil:careful.
Karan moves.

He moved to terrace.
Where the rice papads were drying along with red chillies. And there was a seat  and a table.
He was twirling the car keys around his fingers.
And he heard the chimming of anklet.

Ragini walked along with a maid who placed tea tray and left from there.

The moment his eyes falls on her.
Those keys in his hands fell.
He took his steps towards her. And unknowingly he missed a small stair which he climbed while moving in there, which got him stumbled but controls himself from falling.those bright colours of her outfits were complimenting her skintone.
Her long hair were nicely braided and was hanging at one shise of her shoulder.
Her eyes looked extremely pretty where someone could simple watch and spend time on silence. And thick kold under her eyes were complementary look to it.
She had a pretty features.
That was the moment he realised he had stopped breathing.

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

Anil who was driving: it's been so long. Why are you making me drive? I would dash it on something.
Karan was all silent.
Anil:what happened?you are scaring me. You don't tell me anything. At least tell me what they did to you that got you so silent.
He doesn't reply.
Anil was annoyed. He couldn't drive too.
Anil:at least tell me how was the last?

That's it... The car went out of control and anil hit on the huge tree.

Despite getting slightly hurt. Karan leans on to the seat: Devine... She was Devine!!!!

Anil who was also hurt,looks at him:what did you say??

To be continued......

So how was it????