Vihani was sitting in the backyard of her home, the huge mansion, which spreads over a large area. She sighed looking at the enormous structure, which was less of a home more of a brick building. Why do people spend so much on a building , when it can't make you feel home at all. Her one room apartment in Mangalore was more lively and cozier than this posh building.

She took her eyes off from the building as she tucked her wet hair from shower, which made slight damp lines on her yellow kurti she was wearing along with white leggings. She had tried to get some sleep after her inevitable conversation with dad, and her tiredness turned into a jittery feeling, which didn't let her close her eyes , not even for a second.

So she was here, sitting in the backyard, which was covered with well tended grass and flower pots, Vihani tried to think about a way to get out of the mess that she was currently in.

The more she thought, the more anguish and abysses opened for her.
She struggled to find a way to get out of her troubles, but nothing came into her mind, except her dad's gruelling voice describing about his plan for a strategic business marriage for his one and only daughter.

'It's a time of need Vihani. Your brother is struggling with one of his main projects , which I was against from the beginning. But Varun was adamant about the whole organic farming and food processing for a better, healthy food supply in this country.'
Her dad shook his head in total disappointment, and Vihani bit her tongue to avoid voicing her opinion in this matter, when she was sure, that their ideology was different always and business was his one and only priority.

'You and your brother, both still believe in charity than business... just like your mother.'

The bitterness in his voice, undid her will to stay quiet, because he was basically raising his finger on her mom.

'Don't say that dad, I wasn't interested in your business ever, but Bhai always had shared that interest with you and mom always supported him in his choice.
I believe.. whatever Bhai chose to do with his project , shows that how committed he is. Don't say that he is not competent enough. Instead of saying how he disappointed you, you should support him dad. I know that you always have a plan to overcome the financial crisis. That's how you built your empire. I know that. '

Her voice was hoarse , her dad managed to work her up in few seconds and that scared her. She hated that he held that power over her till date.

Krishna Reddy smiled at her, he was waiting for his daughter to voice her opinion, so he could convince her to execute his plan. Vihani was an emotional person since she was a kid and he knew very well how to get her to talk.

His plans for Vihani and Reddy's industry is something he was looking forward to happen and it needs a quick execution too.

Varun's folly has landed them into a financial crisis and his deteriorated health is also going to raise questions among the share holders about how much trust and money they could invest in Reddy's. But he had been through such situations earlier too and this time Vihani was his trump card.
She hates her ruthless business minded dad but she loved her brother with everything in her and she will do anything for him and that's going to be his winning bid and he knew exactly what to do for that.

Vihani eyed her dad, whose posture told that he really has a plan for her and no matter what she was going to gave in.
' Vihani, my daughter, you are going to help your brother this time. I know you hate my plans but for now you are your brother's security. I want you to get married to a potential business man , so for the public and media it will be a prestigious marriage and following the wedding there will be a tie up with the company and there will be an influx of money too.
Varun and his new project will survive. There won't be any issues with the share holders too.'
He said with a grave look on his face.

Vihani gulped down the lump formed in her throat. She was hearing something that she feared always, one of her reason to stay away from home.
But she was back now and the consequences of her action was evident. She would do anything for her brother, but who would like to get married to a pregnant woman?
This is India for god's sake. She wanted to laugh hysterically, and the urge to run away surrounded her like a smokey fog which choked her. Her dad was thinking to use her, it was what she hated always. Her old man will go crazy if he gets to know what a mess his daughter is in and that made her smile a bit in a churlish way.

Her dad's plan is not going to work , that means she has to voice her reason and she can't abandon Varun either.
Her heart was beating erratically when she stepped out of her dad's room without saying anything and now she was waiting for one of the potential groom to show up, whom her dad has shoved on her way to meet and greet.

And she screamed in her head.
What kind of stupidity was she doing, waiting here, instead of thinking a plan to get away from home in a day and talk to Varun about everything, that means putting him in pressure again.
She pressed her eyes shut with her right palm.

'This is so frustrating..I need to go...need to leave.' she muttered. Her voice was strained and her fingers were shaking.

'What is so frustrating Ms. Reddy?' a voice which came from very near to her, made her almost jump from her chair.

She snapped open her eyes and looked at the guy Infront of her.
He was looking at her in an uncanny way and she realised that this guy was here as per her dad's plan.
Vihani took a long breath to steady herself, and got to her feet in a second.

'Sorry Mr. Rao. I didn't realize that you were here. Nice to meet you' she extended her hand as he smiled at her. He looked exactly what she remembered from the business magazines. Owner of one of the leading companies in India Android renowned name in food industry, and someone with power and money who could help Varun in no time.
Her dad's choice was great. He looked great and he had a no nonsense vibe about him and Vihani could feel her hands getting clammy thinking how was she going to deal with him.

As they shook their hands, so formal ,
Vihani sighed internally. It really felt like she was attending one of her dad's board meeting, where people were his insignificant puppet and he was the master.
Even in his absence, she could feel his eyes on her , probing her , studying her, judging her. She shook that thought away as they sat down.

They were silent for few minutes and Vihani scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

'How is your dad doing? ' his voice was calm and steady that Vihani took a moment to answer.

'He is doing well, thank you'. She replied flatly and he nodded in response.

Vihani closed her eyes and took a calming breath and crossed her hands in front of her chest, to steady herself.
She didn't want to have a mundane charade of conversation. She wasn't in a position to do that. Sooner or later , she has to tell the truth and it's time to stop being a coward. She mustered up all her courage and looked straight into his eyes.

'I am sorry Mr. Rao. I can't marry you.
I know dad has asked you to meet me.
But I can't do that' her voice was low and the initial strength in her voice ebbed as she spoke.

'Excuse me?? Can't marry me?? But...why?' his gaze narrowed on her and he looked a bit confused or shocked. Vihani couldn't place his reaction.

'Because I don't want to' she replied and wondered how lame and juvenile it sounded even to her own ears and he grinned.

'Oh! I don't think that's a valid reason to reject a potential proposal' he said playfully and Vihani could feel the anger bubbling up inside her.

'Mr. Rao, you know what? I can't marry you because I am pregnant. Do you want to marry to a girl who is carrying someone else's baby?' her voice cracked in the end and she struggled to stay calm. What was she doing? Hormones are acting up already??

He looked at her keenly assessing if she was telling the truth or not and he sighed deeply as he perched his hands on the table a bit more close to Vihani.

'And..?' he quired in a low voice and Vihani wondered what he was trying to know.
She tucked a few strands of her hair , behind her ear thinking what else she has to tell him to get out this.

'And I want to have this baby. ' she told more to herself than him.
She wasn't sure about it till now, but she wanted to keep the baby.
She pressed her lips together as the sudden realisation hit her.

If he was shocked by her words, he didn't show it on his face. Instead he asked another question.

'Then what about the dad of your baby?'
'He is not in the picture' her voice was muffled but he heard it well.

Before he could respond , Varun walked in on them.
' Hey guys..' he greeted both of them who was sitting in a state of confusion.

'What are you doing outside Vinny?' her bhai raised his eyebrows suspiciously and Vihani shrugged unsurely.

Varun sensed a kind of tension in the air as he came and stood beside her.

'Did he introduce himself to you Vinny? If not, let me do it properly.
Meet Avinesh Rao, one of the successful young entrepreneur and moreover my best friend.
We are here to talk to dad about a business plan, to find a solution to our current crisis.' Varun's said in a matter of fact tone and Vihani suddenly felt dizzy.

' He wasn't the guy I was waiting for, and Ispilled everything to a stranger and he knew my secret now '
She rubbed her head which was pounding ferociously now.

'I am such an idiot ' she said to herself and Avi nodded in agreement.

Vinny was really in a trap....