Long chapter ahead......

Today I could not concentrate on my work since my thoughts were floating around thinking whether Kavya would reveal about Karthik and me or not. Her silence was scaring the shit out of me. What would be the reaction of father and other people? He would really bury me alive in his backside of garden. The mere thought of him getting know the truth was scaring me to death. However I tried my best while making cakes without missing concentration.

When I was on my third cake, I heard my phone's ringing tone. I looked at the wall clock and it was showing the current time was 1.15 pm. Who might be the person calling me this time? Thinking that I went near to the wooden counter top where I have kept my phone. Otherwise always I messed up my phone with flour and icing. Tilting my head I saw the caller ID but it was a new number. In doubt crunching my nose, using tissue paper I wiped out the icing in my hand and answered the call with hesitation. Because new numbers always got me nervous.

"Hello?" but I did not hear any response from other side. I looked at my phone screen to knew that caller was still on the line. Ahhh! During busy time who the hell was wasting my time?

This time little bit frustratingly I asked " Hello, who's this?"

" Oh! So my soon to be wife has voice to talk like this. I thought you lost your voice after yesterday. It is okay, besides I do not want to marry a dumb bitch." hearing his voice first I was shocked and second I thought to break my phone to stop his irrelevant talk. Where did he get my number? Oh, shit sherlock I forgot his mom and sister had my contact numbers.

" Oh my God, you are really an idiot and useless. Here, Listen to me carefully what am I going to say without day dreaming and wasting my time. Mom asked me to bring you to our house after your work and already she has informed to Krishnan uncle. So I will be at your bakery premises around 6.15 pm to pick you up . So be ready in accurate time, otherwise I will not hesitate to come inside and drag you out from that cheap place. Does not matter if you are ready or not. " irritatingly he said those things in hard voice. Nooo way, I would not go anywhere with him.

Before I could deny him, he disconnected the line. Arrogant bastard. First he should study the manners and etiquette, how to make a proper conversation . Did he think I was his slave and I would do whatever my master ordered me?😤 Hippopotamus!!! I know he was not like hippo but I would call him like that. Arrogant Hippo.

When I was going to keep my phone down, I saw two message alerts. Those were from Karthik and first one was sent at eleven thirty and next one was twenty minutes later . I missed to notice it. So without delaying I opened the inbox .

First message - Hey Kayal, everything will be alright. Do not worry and only concentrate on your work.

Second message - Kayal? Are you OK?

Heaving a sigh, I wrote down a reply for the second message. ' Hey! Sorry I was caught up with the important orders. Now only saw your message. I am doing fine so no worries. TC '. When I got the sent note I kept the phone aside and returned back to the work.

*

*

*

After completing my works and cleaning my part of kitchen area, I moved out from bakery sharply at six o' clock, bidding my goodbyes to everyone .I was getting hurried today to escape from that devil's clutch but my steps came to halt when I saw the ' can't be so obnoxious' creature who was standing few meters away from building of our bakery , leaning to his so called luxurious car. Fortunately he was looking at his phone screen very interestingly, showing his sickening smile. I turned my heels to the left side and started to move as fast as I could.

But my fate always liked play with my timing and soon I was stopped by a strong hand and dragged me along with him to the car. "S... Siddarth.. Siddarth leave me... It is paining..." but he acted like a deaf man and started shove me inside of his car while I was trying to escape from his hold.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my waist area and I realised that he pinched me hard. " Do not dare to make seen in public.. Get your stubborn ass inside the car otherwise next time I will pinch you in the place which I think you will not like a bit . And you know very well my threats are not just threats. So it would be better if you listened to me like a good girl. " he seethed in dangerously slow voice.

This time by a single shove, I landed to the passenger seat without trying any stunt. My lower lip quivered and my sight became blurry by unshed tears. My right side of waist area was paining like hell by the inhuman behaviour of him. To reduce the pain, even I could not massage that area infront of this devil. So I sat like a statue and worshipped the all the Gods who were in heaven to make this journey to been very short. I could not bear the fact he was sitting next to me like nothing happened like what happened few minutes ago. A minute felt like a day when I was with him.

*

*

*

In the grace of all Gods we arrived to his house without him opening his dirty mouth. The next moment when car came to halt I tried to move out from the car but to knew the door was locked. "Do not try hard because it was waste of energy. Unless I decide to unlock them, you can not move out from this car" I freezed hearing him but did not dare to turn and look at his side.

" Here me out loud, you can not make any unnecessary dramas infront of yours or my family. Behave like a good girl and lead the way. If anything happened or you tried to go against me, there will be consequences and I will show you the hell in reality. Did you understand or not? " he asked like a military man who questioning his trainer. I nodded yes but did not utter anything.

I literally jumped out of the car the next second when he unlocked the door. I rushed inside and saw father and Kavya seated one side, another side devil's family were seating in the living room comfortably and talking on random things. Hearing my steps everyone took a look at the side of mine. Sara came running to me and dragged me to near to them.

" Kayal, you arrived earlier than I assumed. It's okay come with me." saying Susila Aunty led the way to the place where I was thinking Sara's room as she too following behind us. When I went inside she asked Sara to close the door and wait for us, outside the room.

When she closed the door, Susila Aunty came near me and said" Kayal I asked Sid to bring you here because today is an auspicious day. And I thought today we could keep small engagement only between our two families since there is no any auspicious day until the wedding date which is next month. So considering with everyone I arranged necessary things for the engagement also Sid insisted to make it a small function since he was thinking that it would make you nervous.

Only recently your engagement called off so people will start to talk unnecessary things and we do not want to make you upset. So do not worry why we did not conduct function for Siddarth's and Yours engagement this time. During wedding we will rectify it and celebrate it as a grand event. " she told everything very happily. And I wondered why atleast she did not inform me?

So with a small fake smile I asked" A... Aunty why did you not inform me? " she smiled broadly and said " Siddarth told that it would be better if we reveal this thing as a surprise after you returning from work. " of course it was a hearth shuttering surprise which unexpected. They all want to me as a rag dool or puppet who would dance to their tunes.

" OK ok enough of day dreaming and I could understand that you dumbfounded by our surprise. Now go quickly and refresh yourself little bit. Sara will help you if you need anything." saying that she left the room. What the actual fuck!!! I did not know why Susila aunty was doing like this without considering my opinion.

" Akka... Ohhh sorry! hereafter you are my soon to be Anni, right? ( sister in Law). Come Anni we will get ready soon otherwise my Hitler Amma will start her rantings." Hearing the Anni word from Sara, I gulped my saliva. God! Where this all leading to?

I went inside the washroom to wash my face also get some time for myself. I stood infront of the mirror which was attached with sink and thought,

Why?

Why it has to be me again and again, who suffers by other's decisions? There should be some reasons for these things which were happening now. It seemed like a lesson for life. But why would God want me to be put through so much pain in order to teach me something? Was it a punishment? Did I do any wrong in my last birth or in this, he felt that I deserve this? Because already I had gone through lot. But why again and again?? How strong can be a person who already wounded deeply? I asked the questions which could not be answered by anyone other than God.

Thinking all these I closed my eyes and first image came to my mind was Karthik. Immediately I opened the eyes and thought, yes I had to inform him what was going to happen here. I did not know why but I was sure only he could do something for me to help me out and he would not leave my side. Wiping the tears I thought to call him but then only it stuck me that my phone was inside my handbag which was probably in Sara's room. But how to get it? She would get doubt if I asked my phone at this time.

Suddenly someone knocked on the door, startling me. Did devil came to here like last time? In fear my pupils got dilated and my body started to shiver.

" Anni...." hearing Sara's voice I got immense relief. And started to breath in and out to control my chaotic brain. " Anni.. What are you doing?" immediately wetting my puffy eyes with water I opened the door to half way and peeking my head I asked " What happened Sara?"

" Anni your phone was continously ringing from your bag that's why I thought may be it should be an emergency and let you know the news" Idea!!! Thinking that I asked Sara to bring my bag to check the caller. She handovered the bag and saying my thanks to her I closed the door.

" Anni, please come out soon before Sid Anna barging in and bring you out for the engagement" she said in teasing tone standing outside of the door. She really did not know what her lovely brother capable of. He was the person who could do like that things. My thoughts cut off by my cellular phone's ringing. I put my hand inside and searched for it and finally succeeded.

Turning my phone I saw the name the only name which I was thinking now. Without any delay I answered the call " Hello Karthik?"

" Kayal, I was calling you for a while. Where are you now?" he sounded restlessly. And I told him everything what happened from this afternoon.

" Kayal, first be patient and relax." I frowned hearing his answer after what did I tell to him. And got anger how he was talking like this?

" How could you ask me to be relax watching everything? " I snapped at him in lower voice.

" Kayal did you think that I am all OK with what is happening? Even my father and Kavya did not inform me anything. I just came here to your workplace but could not find you. That's why I called you to check where are you. But did not think within one day this matter will go this far. "he said gritting his teeth.

" K... Karthik what should I..I do n...ow? Everyone is w....aiting for me in hallway "I said to him and in this level my voice started break.

"Kayal please hear me out well . This is not the moment to break down. You should be confident and face the fact. If we both want to get rid of that bastard Siddarth, I want your cooperation too. He will break you more if you gave the satisfaction of getting fear. Please baby do not let your guards down, I am here for you, always. Will you listen to me?

" Y.. Yes" I managed to reply him by my hoarse voice. " What I.. I have to do?"

" First trust me that was the only thing I need from you now." Yes I trust you... I heard his huge sigh. " You go down and go with the flow. And.... let the e...engagement happen." my windpipe blocked hearing him. Did he really want me to get engaged to that devil?

" K... Karthik... "

" Shhhh baby let me finish. You may think I am useless. But at this time we have to be patient. One wrong move, everything will be ruined. Think about me. How would I feel about my love getting engaged with any other man. Already I have gone through that hell.

But listen to me properly, he could only put a ring to your finger but other than that nothing will happen. You are only mine Kayal. I do not let any bastard to come near you. For last time only agree with this. Definitely there won't be next time and I will be the only person who is going to tie thaali (nuptial chain) around your neck and the vermillion will be filled in your hair partition only by my hand.

So do not mind this ring thing. We could get rid of this so soon. Only I am asking you is just for last time, go with the flow . And first be confident and have faith on me and yourself. I know very well what is your feeling for me. So please Kayal will you do that for you? For us? "

Through mirror I saw my reflection. I looked like mess.

Yeah I have faith on him. That's why I am going to do as he said to me, risking my life." Kayal? "

" Okay I will do this. For me.... For us... " while saying it, my tears flew out from my eyes and through my cheeks.

" Love you Kayal " I heard him saying in hoarsely with small smile. I did not know how but I felt that he also crying from another side. This time I too smile little with tears flowing continuously . But this tears reflected the difference feeling.

"Okay now where are you?" he asked clearing his throat.

" I am in Sara's washroom"

" Then wash your face and cool down yourself before going out. I know how hard it will be for you same like here. But think for whom you are doing this everything.

Okay dear now do as like I said and go out, before they started to getting doubt. Bye Kayal . Take care. " saying he immediately disconnected the call.

Keeping the phone inside of my bag. I washed my face well using the face wash and still repeating the mantra" Everything will be alright " in my head. Wiping my face with tissue papers I threw them in a dustbin. But before I could take some relax breath someone knocked the door and I heard the Sara's voice. Once again checking my face through mirror I went to open the door.

" Sar....." my voice stopped when I saw not only Sara, but devil himself standing behind her waiting until I opened the door. Sara looked tensed and he had a hard look.

"What took you so long?" this time he used gentle voice but emotions are opposite. I averted my eyes and told " Girl's issue" when I looked at him again still he had a doubt look but Sara's voice broke the tension.

". Okay Anna, now Anni came nah. You go down wait little bit. I will bring her soon" and with that she dragged him out but still his doubtful gaze lingered on me.

*

*

*

Night Time...

Now I was currently in my room sitting on my comfy bed and looking at the second ring which I was wearing in the same ring finger after my so called engagement.

Yeah my engagement completed few hours ago . And everything went smoothly but still some tensions lingered through the air. Thanks to almighty God, because Siddarth did not make any scene and when he tried to talk with me I managed to dodge him by always standing near to Susila Aunty. And his face expression was worth to see it.

However after finishing the dinner we left the place. And I only breathed properly when I came out from their premises until that it suffocated me the hell out of me.

Someone knocked on my door. And I hesitated before opening it. Nowadays I could not believe who would be at doorstep of my room. Hearing the sound again I slowly opened it but before I could see who it was that person burge inside and locked the door.

When I recognised who it was and that person turned around , only I did was crashing to him and hugged him like never before. A small whimper left from my mouth " K.. Karthik.. " and I felt him kissing my head.

                                     ~~~~~

Hi Lovelies ❤️

So this is for today and hope you will like it.

Sorry for the late update. Hope you all will understand my situation . That's why Today I came with an update with Total words, 3120. But still disappointed with numbers of votes when compared to numbers of readers.

❇️ What are you think about today's chapter?

Press the star button ⭐ if you like the chapter and support this new writer.

Let me know your thoughts about the update.

Love you and Take care ☘️