" Papa? Apne bulaya?"
( Dad you called?)
" Hmm I've arranged your marriage with Rajveer Raghuvanshi. We'll go to their house the day after tomorrow."
" Pap.. papa what?"
" You have a problem?"
No this couldn't happen to her, she would escape one hell and put in another hell, a far worse one.
" Baba vo... Vo mujhe maar denge papa. Aisa na kare please." She begged and sat on her knees clutching her face crying.
( Baba they'll kill me. Please don't do this.)
" You'll marry him that's final."
" Papa please they are monsters. Please why are you doing this to me?"
" Aren't you ungrateful like your mother huh? You should thank me that I did not kill you when you were born! You owe your life to me!"
" I'm your daughter!" She yelled back.
In a instance Siya fell down face first holding her palm on her cheek.
" How dare you yell at your father, I provide for you. "
" I... I'm so....sorry " Siya sobbed.
" I told you you'll marry him, I did not ask you."
" Please baba n...no don't do this!"
" Tikh hai then, you don't marry Rajveer I'll marry you to one of my men. What about Darshan huh? "
" H...he he's 40?" She whispered.
" Him or Rajveer Raghuvanshi. Shadi toh tujhe karni he padegi."
( You have to get married.)
Siya looked at her father in disbelief, tears streaming down her. Her life was over now, she couldn't marry Darshan he was a 40 year old man and Rajveer Raghuvanshi? She was afraid he would turn out like her father. That man had more power than her father and no-one would question him even if he killed her.
" I'll marry Rajveer Ji."
" Good we'll go to their house tomorrow then, to fix your marriage dates and everything." Her father said.
Siya walked out of the room and closed her father's door, as soon as it was shut she dashes out to her room.
"Siya kya hua? Tu tikh hai?' her mother who was waiting for her asked.
" Pa..pa told me to get married." She sobbed.
" Marriage?"
" Hm w..with Rajveer Raghuvanshi."
" Kya?"
Siya sobbed while keeping her head on her mother's lap, Jaya slightly brushed her daughter's hair not knowing how to console the innocent soul.
" Ma? "
" Hmm"
" I don't know what to do. I'm afraid ma, what if he is like papa or worse than him. I have seen him on the news he looks scary mama." Siya told her mother with teary eyes.
Siya knew she was going to be married off to someone but she did not want it to be Rajveer Raghuvanshi. That man looked so intimidating that his one glare could send shivers down a grown ass man's spine. She also has never once seen him smiling he always I mean always looked angry.
" Siya Mera baccha, sometimes a person is not what he seems from outside. Maybe he is nice."
" Mama apne unko dekha hain? From what angle does he look nice. He looks like a khadus man who enjoys torturing little kids and cute dogs!"
( Mama have you seen him?)
Jaya smiled a little listening to what her daughter said.
" Siya I'm sorry that I failed to protect you. I wish I could stop this wedding but you know I do not have any say on his decision. But I'll help you to escape okay?"
" Ma what are you saying?"
" I have saved up some money, it's not much but enough for you to flee this state. Then you can rent a small apartment somewhere."
" Ma but he will hurt you if I go away I can't do that."
" No you must listen to me, work as a cashier or something. I'll buy you a new laptop you can join some online course. You told me you wanted to be a vetrinari na? Kya tha vo?"
" Veterinary doctor ma. Aur uske liye mujhe exam clear karna padega aur college join karna padega." Siya spoke.
( I have to clear an exam and then I will have to join college ma.)
" Then you do that Siya. Don't be a loser like your mother. Live your life on your own terms or you'll spend the rest of your life regretting."
" I won't run away ma. I can't leave you here. He'll kill you. I promise one day I'll help you get away from here. "
" That will only happen if you leave Siya what if your husband will turn out to be like your father huh? Go. Tumne bola na ki koye exam clear karna padega vo karlo till then I'll save up some more money for your college."
( You told me you have to clear some exam na? Clear that exam till then I'll save up some more money.)
" Papa told me we will have to go to Raghuvanshi's house tomorrow, so that the marriage dates can be fixed."
" Siya! Listen to mama run away."
" You don't get what I'm trying to say you're the only person I love! Why would I do something that will put you in danger?"
" Fine have it your way then." Jaya said and got up.
" Ma-"
" No I..I need time Siya. I don't want to ruin your life, this.. this life that we live is dangerous I wanted you to live a simple life. People like your father don't care about us, all they care about is their status and power. Take some rest you'll need it. " Saying so Jaya left the room.
Siya felt she was right for refusing her mother's proposal of running away and her mother was right too because she wanted to protect her daughter. Both were right from their perspective but only time will decide if Siya had made the right decision or not.
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" Siya betiya apke papa ne ye dress bheja hain. Apko pehen ne ke liye bola hain aur do ghante mein nikalna hain." The maid informed.
( Siya your father has send this dress for you. He told you to get ready because you have to leave in two hours.)
" Hmm vaha rakh dijiye kaki hum tayar ho jayenge."
( Keep them there, I'll get ready.)
" Ji betiya."
Siya was very nervous and scared, last night she couldn't even get an ounce of sleep. Thinking about all the different possibilities that would happen today.
She looked at the dress kept on her table, a lavender suit. Lavender was her favourite colour it must be her mother who picked it out for her.
Siya settled in the car with her mother sitting beside her and her father seated in the front.
The car stopped in front of a lavish restaurant, Siya looked at her mother confused. Her father said they would be going to their house.
" Siya behave." Was all her father said as he got down first and opened the door for his wife.
They walked inside and Siya noticed the restaurant was empty with only staff standing to welcome them. A staff member escorted them to the table where an elder man was already seated. Of course she knew who it was, Vijay Raghuvanshi. Father of Rajveer Raghuvanshi.
" Namaste." The older man greeted.
" Namaste." Her father said as they sat down
" This must be your daughter Siya."
" Yes, where is your son Raghuvanshi?"
" He'll be here soon. You know na how packed his schedule is." Vijay spoke.
After 10-15 minutes, Siya noticed a few men in black suits and guns in their hand surrounding the area they were seated in.
" Well looks like my son is here."
Siya felt it, the heavy footsteps and the strong smell of cologne hitting her. Soon enough she felt a presence in front of her but couldn't lift her head to look at the person sitting in front of her.
" Mr. Maheshwari." He greeted and that was enough for Siya to feel the chills. If her marriage was fixed with this cold ice today she was sure this voice would give her chills through out her marriage.
" Rajveer."
" So I talked to our pandit he fixed the marriage date after 20 days and engagement is after 10 days. Election ke pehle hi hojayega." Vijay Raghuvanshi said.
" Fine with us."
" Siya beta it is okay with you right?" Vijay asked his soon-to-be Daughter-in-law.
It doesn't matter if it was okay or not but she was sure if she opposed this decision her father would get mad, very mad.
" Ji uncle it is okay."
" Aree don't be shy beta."
She looked up to face her soon-to-be father-in-law but instead it landed on the towering figure sitting in front of her and to her surprise he was also staring- no it felt like he was glaring at her.
" Karan let the kids talk to each other."
Siya knew her father-in-law had some dushmani with her or else why would he do this to her. This man sitting in front of her looked like he could crush her if he wanted too.
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