Laxita's POV

For the last few days, I am living as if I don't exist. I pretend to turn a blind eye to my uncle's actions, but I am keeping a track. I am thinking of all the plans which I can use against him. Everyday either he calls some woman home or he stays out all night drinking and gambling. Since, I have stopped questioning him, he doesn't really pay any attention to what I am doing.

Everyday I wake up, take a bath, eat, read in my mother's library and go back to sleep. It is my new routine now. It's the nights which are terrifying. I have trouble sleeping. This house contains all our memories and sometimes I cry myself to sleep. Other nights, I stay awake all night.

A random morning, I decided to visit Vanya. I was getting bored, uncle was not at home as usual and I could use her company. I decided to walk to her home to get some fresh air and to explore the market. When I reached her house, I saw that there was an unusual chaos. I asked a servant to tell her that I have come to meet her. A few moments later Vanya came running to me and hugged me. 

"How are you? Your uncle is not bothering you, right?"

"I am fine and doing good. As for my uncle he doesn't actually stay home so..."

"It's good that you came. Actually, I was planning to come at your house"

"Really? Why?"

"I have some really great news..."

"Enough with the suspense. Just tell me already!"

"So, Yash and I were trying to convince our parents for our marriage and they've agreed!!! The queen is happy to have me as her daughter-in-law". This explains the chaos.

Her smile was contagious and I couldn't help but smile. She deserves all the happiness in the world. I don't know how long has it been since I experienced genuine happiness.

"Congratulations my dear friend. I'm so happy for you". I hugged her and her eyes became moist. I knew that how much all this means to her. I promised her that I will participate in all her wedding rituals.

The next few days were busy as we were shopping for her wedding dresses and jewellery. And let me tell you, the time before a wedding is quite hectic. I started spending my entire days at her house as there was so much to prepare. Not that I had anything else to do anyway. I was so busy that sometimes I forgot that there was an uncle at my home who I had to deal with. But I was enjoying my time after so long, even though it was hectic. I decided to live and enjoy these moments. Her little brother was also very excited and I sort of formed a bond with him. He's really adorable.

And then the days we were desperately waiting for, finally arrived. Her wedding was next week so the rituals start today. On the first day, there was a pooja in which we prayed to the God for the new couple's happiness. The relatives and friends had started arriving. Keshavi could not come as their kingdom was suffering from some security breach issues. So, she had to stay home for her safety.

It was evening and the function was in full bloom. The ladies were singing bhajans and dancing and the men were engaged in deep discussions. Vanya arrived a little later in a beautiful pink saree. She was looking so pretty. I also wore an embroidered blue saree for today's function.

"Bohot sundar lag rahi ho meri bacchi, bhagwan tumhe buri nazar se bachaye," her mother said and applied kohl tika at the back of her head. Vanya smiled and sat down with the ladies.

("You are looking very beautiful my daughter, may god protect you from evil eyes.")

It was then, I saw a all too familiar face. It was Nakul. He had a bit of a rugged look now but he was still as handsome as ever in that white kurta. I was seeing him after almost two years now. I met him last at his graduation. He was the army commander now as his father had retired from the position.

There was a time when I became so happy to see him that I would get butterflies every time he entered the room. But now, I felt nothing. I have no feelings left for him. It's because of the pain and hurt he has caused me all these years because of his cold behavior. He was my fiancé just in name.

He entered the house, offered his prayers to God and congratulated Vanya. He didn't even acknowledge me. I used to get hurt by his actions but now I simply don't care. It was as if that if I don't put any efforts in our relationship, the relationship simply wouldn't exist. There were no efforts from his side to maintain the relationship. I ignored him and decided to enjoy the function. He left after a while.

The first function ended successfully. All the elders blessed the would be bride for a lifetime of happiness. I just hugged her and she started crying. A marriage is never easy for a girl. Seeing her like this, I also started crying.

"Why are you crying? It's your happy day," my voice cracked.

"I know. But things change after marriage and even though I am marrying the man of my choice, these new beginnings are really scary."

"Don't worry, I know that you will do great because you're such a caring, smart and lovely person", and I meant every word of it. We hugged each other until we stopped crying.

After the function, all of us had dinner. It was already night by the time the function finished. I decided to go home tonight because there is no way I can spend one more moment in this heavy attire.

I reached home and realized that my uncle was at home today. Huh, quite unusual.

"Where were you? It's already late."

"I think I already informed you that it's my best friend's wedding. She's getting married next week so there will be times when I will arrive late. Since I don't interfere in your affairs, kindly don't interfere with mine"

He scoffed but left it at that. I came to the conclusion that he was heavily drunk that's why he was not able to reply properly. He was definitely not in his right mind. I ignored him and went back to my room. I changed my heavy attire into a comfortable night dress. Finally, I can breathe. I sat down on my bed and got down to business. 

I kept a parchment of paper in my bedside drawer. In that paper, I wrote down my ideas of taking down my uncle. Although, I brainstormed regularly, I still haven't reached a proper conclusion. 

The first idea I thought of was to run away. But it was a flop because I don't have enough money to support myself. I can probably survive 2-3 months with the amount of money I saved. I had earned money by giving swordsmanship lessons to those who needed it back in University. I have kept them safe so that my uncle doesn't notice. I had no relatives who would actually take care of me once I leave home. And even if they do take me in, they can't help me to get my family business back. It is not safe for me to wander around for long without any safety if I had no destination in mind. So, the first idea is scraped.

The second idea is to kill him. But it seems unfeasible because I would be labelled as a murderer. If I try to disguise his death as an accident, then too I would be the prime suspect. So, this idea is also scraped. 

The third idea is to kick him out of the house. But I can't do that because he is the acting head so this house actually belongs to him...WAIT....he is the acting head of the family and not the real head. That's it. He was supposed to act as the family head until I grew up. Unmarried women can't inherit the family business so if I got married to someone, I can get my family business back. Oh my God! Why didn't I think of this before? So, I just have to get married and thankfully I have someone in mind - Nakul. Yes, I know he doesn't like me but he is literally the best option. If I get married to him, I can kick out my uncle and save my family business.

Married life with him will be much better than my current life where I'm always at the mercy of my uncle. I don't need his love or attention. I just need the title of a husband from him. Now, I only have to convince him to help me.....

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Hello everyone🌟

I hope you are enjoying the story so far. There is going to be a big revelation in the next few chapters so stay tuned.

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