•••

"Dad I don't know if it's the right thing to do," I said looking at my watch.
"Fateh, think about it anyone who you would hire as your assistant he/she will be so lucky plus it will be good for the reputation of University" Dad continues to convince me, all he thinks about is University reputation even it is Diljit Bhai who looks after University and do everything for it.
"Fine, I already have someone in my mind and I don't want your interference in this" and with that, I hung up the call.

"Who is that student?" Diljit Bhai questions, we were at his house right now he is also the Dean of this University no one knows that he is my cousin and we want to keep it that way.
"Heer Singh Gill" I blurt out her name with confidence when we were hanging out she showed me some pictures after I begged her to.

"Third-year student?" He asks and I nodded my head as yes.

"You know her?" He inquires.
"I heard about her around," I ask frowned upon the expression he had on his face.
"You cannot hire her" he gave a short reply.
"What do you mean by that?" I want to hire her, she has potential plus I think she can learn so much from me or something like that.

"Her father called, she is getting married, in a week tomorrow is her engagement she won't be coming to University anymore," he says.
"What?" I asked surprised when I spoke to her, she didn't seem like that in a very little time she showed how passionate she is about this and her career, and Heer doesn't come off as some kind of girl who wants to get married and leave her studies.
"Yes, I know her family they are very restricted kinds of people her father never wanted her to study in the first place " he added casually what is with the parents here, nothing has changed when I was in college there was one of my friend she had to drop in mid-semester because her father wanted her to get married.

"That's shocking, well then I will interview then hire someone" my tone sounded disappointed, for some reason I was waiting to spend some more time with her.

I have never connected with anyone the way I felt connected with her, anyway I'm doing this for Dad I don't care about having an assistant I hardly go for shoots or anything like that. Some people say that I don't care because I have been given all kinds of privileges maybe I don't but I believe you should do something when you feel like it.

I agreed to pursue this career because Dad wanted me to, I was never interested in photography but yes I was interested in nature that is why I chose wildlife photography.

"Anyway, I'll come down tomorrow again, for interviews whosoever is interested, ask them to fill forms," I said after a moment and left for my home, I'm staying alone at my paternal house where I have spent almost my childhood before Dad, Maa and I left.

On the way back home all, I can think about that girl, her big dark brown eyes which went wide when I told her who I am, or when we were discussing photography, her passion for capturing pictures was seen in her eyes, I don't believe that someone like her would want to marry so soon.

Why do you care Fateh if she wants to? My mind snaps at me.

Reaching home, I took a shower told the cook to go home, and ordered something in from the nearest hotel, I went back to my room stood on the balcony as I looked at the sky it was filled with stars yet bleeding darkness, looking like a perfect painting I ran inside to grab my Instax camera capturing the picture from the best angle and paste the picture in my scrapbook which I carry with me wherever I go. Some say I don't know how to be grateful for what I have maybe it is because my parents never taught me to be grateful.

Dad was always like if I get something then I shouldn't just sit and be happy with it I should fight for more, I get the philosophy he has. I don't know but it has never brought me peace or contentment in my heart or mind and now I just don't care for anything.

I sat on the swing on my balcony whilst sipping on my coffee closing my eyes taking the aroma of coffee beans as well as feeling the breeze touching my face. It was so quiet at this moment that I didn't realize when I fall asleep.

∆∆∆∆

Heer

"Chal Heer chetti, chetti taiyaar ho jaa," Maa says, with that apologetic look on her face since yesterday.
"Mainu yeh viah nahi Karna Maa, aap log yeh batt samjahte kyu nahi " I tried one last time maybe she will talk to Papaji.
"Tu to jaanti hai na tere Papaji nu, jo Ek vaari soch lia unhone kare Bina chain milta hai," she says, yes exactly, and let that ruin someone's life.

"Ha, unhe koi farak nahi padta hai, jeh unke es decision se Kisi di Zindagi barbaad ho rahi ho" I spat out bitterly.
"Tujhe konsi dhandak pai jaati hai apne Pyon naal eda behave karke huh?" She says angrily.

(Father is referred to as Pyon in Punjabi)

"Taiyaar ho jaa nahi to chittrol kar deni teri main aaj" and with that, she left.

I looked at the dress which was laid on the bed even this stupid piece of fabric was taunting me on my situation right now, this is the end I guess. I know Jassi gave me money to run away but now it just seems difficult because Papaji has forbidden me to even go to the salon he said there is no need to just put on the dress and come downstairs.

Jassi has already left they took my phone away so I don't call anyone and I'm practically locked in the room right now, I don't know what to do now, all the roads which were leading to my freedom are closing now one by one, I even had a fight in the morning with Papaji on this where I tried to make him understand why all this is important for me but he thinks whatever he is doing for me is good for me.

How marrying me off to someone is good for me?

When Jeet's parents arrived today I tried to convince them too, but they said, girls shouldn't study and they are only good for taking care of their family. Sometimes I find this life cursed being a girl is a curse here.

No, being a girl is not a curse born around such people is a curse how can they even decide for what we are capable of, wiping my tears which doesn't seem to stop flowing since yesterday, taking out my backpack from the cupboard stuffing two pair of clothes and the cash I have plus Jassi gave me putting on my black canvas shoes I slipped into my jeans and a tee, I tried opening the window after a while of struggling with it I finally opened because of the music playing in the house no one can hear what was happening in the room, I made sure first no one is around thankfully my house doesn't have high walls.

I walked away cautiously as soon I was out of the house I ran as fast as I could whilst looking back, that I didn't notice what was coming in front of me until I was thrown away with force eyes blinding with a bright light I cursed loudly at the person driving and at my situation, trying to get up quickly which was not easy as I have hurt my leg it started to bleed now.

The person comes out of the car helping me up, my vision became clearer a little bit and I noticed it was that guy I spent my whole day with.

Fateh.

What is he doing here?

I stiffened as he helps me get up his hand around my waist "what is wrong with you?" anger and concern both visible on his face, even if it's possible to have two emotions at a time.

"Uh...I'm sorry I'll be on my way now" I said trying to get out of his grip which was tightened around my waist.
"Oh God you have hurt your head too, and your leg let me take you to the hospital, check if you have any concussion or not," he says touching my forehead.
And the fear starts to take over me as cold sweat starts to form on my forehead and the hair stands at the back of my neck, if I go there they will call my family, and then I will be dead.

Papaji will surely kill me.

"No, no I will go myself thank you for offering" I reply getting away from him, only to stumble upon the ground.
"Nonsense you are not even in a condition to walk, I don't bite you know," he says holding me by my arm.
"Look, Mister, I'm fine no need to be the knight in shining armor here" I retorted, yanking my hand away from him and was almost about to fall on my ass again but he prevents me from falling. My head was spinning because of the bruise on my head.

"I can see that," he says mockingly.
"Okay fine but please don't take me to the hospital," I said my voice sounding pleading.
He looks at me with confusion written all over his face " Okay, but we need to see the doctor" he says reasoning with me.

"You look as if you have murdered someone and hiding, why don't you want to go to the hospital?" He says jokingly noticing my hesitation.
"It's...uh --um nothing like that take me somewhere else but not to the hospital I'm scared of hospitals," I stammered averting my gaze from him.

Without saying anything we walked towards the car he helped me settle in and drove off to God knows where, for some reason, my heart was telling me to trust him, he is practically a stranger to me, we only spent few hours together but still my heart is telling me to trust him.

By now, Papaji would've found about me missing once I get out of here I won't even look back once.

We reached a house, not a very big one, "who's place is this?" I ask getting down the car.
"Mine, now come on let's go inside and I'll call a doctor for you, then we will talk" he states more in an authoritative tone, I just nodded meekly at him.

"Wait here," he says making me sit on the couch, and as he headed towards the kitchen to get some water I guess. While I took time to take a glance at his house it was decorated with a very minimal amount of things and has even some vintage look to it, there are two large couches across each other and two single ones adjacent to them there was a big glass coffee table in the middle. The kitchen was in front of the living room an open one with bar stools kept near the counter.

"Let me call, my friend Rishi he is a doctor," he says and goes out to call that guy.

After five minutes he comes back inside "he'll be here in fifteen minutes till then you tell me what is going on" he says sighing loudly and sits beside me.
"None of your business, and as soon as your friend checks me up I'll be out of here also don't you dare talk about this to anyone" I reply, trying to sound brave holding a straight face.
"Okay, fine I won't tell anyone but you have to tell me what is going on I thought you were getting engaged today" as soon as those words leave his mouth I choked on the water spitting it all out.

How does he know that I was getting engaged?

Is he friends with Jeet?

Does he know my Papaji?

I was quick to grab my bag and started to leave but he stops me holding my wrist "hey wait, I promise I won't discuss this with anyone just tell me what's going on I might be able to help you" he proposed. My mind started to ponder over the thought, can he help me, but what if he calls my family.

But if he wanted to he would have by now and won't be sitting here talking to me "fine, I'm running away from this city, to fulfill my dreams, and if you dare to tell anyone that I was here I will kill you myself " I blurted it all out my voice was trembling with fear.
He let out a laugh I looked at him what is wrong with him.

"So you don't want to marry?" He questions and I shook my head as no.

"So you chose to run away what made you think it's going to solve your problems?" He says, his tone held an accusation of me doing something wrong.

What did you think he would understand he doesn't know what kind of situation you are in, just get up and leave before you are strapped away from the rest of your self-respect.

"Look, sir, you don't know my situation and you certainly have no right to be talking like this about me" I reply as a treacherous tear starts to roll down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Fateh that I'm late" a man walks in with a bag in his hand his gaze falls on me looking at me with a scrutinizing look on his face taking my disheveled look in.

"Thank you for coming and sorry for wasting your time doctor" I reply wiping my tears.
He looks at my leg then at my head "sit let me do your dressing as a doctor I cannot let you leave like this" he says softly and I sat down.

I can feel Fateh's heating gaze on me the whole time Dr. Rishi was cleaning my wound on the head "you should change into something loose so I can clean your leg wound also and thankfully you don't have any concussion" Dr. Rishi pulls me out of the reverie I seemed to be falling in.

"Uh it's fine, leave it be" I reply touching the bandage he has wrapped around my forehead.
"No, it's not you should never leave a wound like that it can turn into something nasty which of course you don't want," he says chuckling a little.

"Come I'll give you my sweatpants" finally Fateh spoke up.
I nodded and followed him to his room, with my bag I cannot leave it just like that my heart was hammering loudly against my chest I don't know what is wrong with me I'm in the house of some stranger going to wear his clothes and letting some stranger clean my wounds you have come far, Heer.

My mind mocks me.

He hands me his sweatpants and leaves the room after putting them on I stopped midway when heard them whisper "How do you know Heer Singh Gill?" Dr. Rishi asks Fateh.
"I met her yesterday only in the University," he says.
"What is she doing here like this?" He questions again.

Run, Run Heer my mind was yelling at me but my feet won't move I want to listen to what they are talking about and how does that guy knows me.

"I had hit her with my car she came out of nowhere, then I brought her here and called you" Fateh lied to his friend, he didn't tell him that it was me who didn't want to go to the hospital.
"Okay, have you informed her parents?" He asks, this man sure questions a lot.

Without thinking twice I left from there and went straight to the station, covering my face with the dupatta I was carrying in my bag.

I don't know where I will go, or what I will do, buying a ticket to Chandigarh, I left on the train.

As I looked outside the window of the train my eyes start to well up all the memories flashing in front of my eyes I have spent here, I was born here this is my hometown. How my life changed in just a day I never wanted to leave here I just wanted to fulfill my dream is that too much ask for myself, since I was a kid I never asked anything from Papaji, never had stupid demands all I ever imagined was of being a photographer or become something, do something in my life.

I can't have that taken away from me just because I don't fall in the norms of society, or whatever it is.

Though I'm scared of what will happen once they find out, I cannot even imagine the chaos I have left behind this is such a shameful act and I know what I just did was a selfish thing to do but it wouldn't have ever come to this only Papaji and anyone else in the family had listened to me. Maybe after few years I will come back and make them understand it is not going to be easy but I will try.

And with that thought, I closed my eyes trying to fall asleep wash away all my sorrows in the river of sleep for now.

*****

So here is the chapter maybe not the best but motivation is been lacking it is becoming hard for me to write day by day, anyway I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.

Anyway, that is all I have to say.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling.