-: Rajeshri :-

The freezing air was howling, as the leaves of the mango tree swayed from one side to another. The moon was hiding behind the dark clouds and the path was almost dark, almost if not for the low light, that was coming from the torch I was holding.

Wrapping the shawl tightly around me, I covered my head and rubbed my palms trying to generate some heat. The cold crisp air was prickling my naked toes and gooseflesh broke out on my skin.

I was standing at the side of the mango orchard, for which our village was famous for, waiting for Daud. As soon as baba told me that he would go Mukhiya ji tomorrow morning, for talking about my marriage, I couldn't control myself from informing him. He texted me to meet him at our favorite hangout spot. This mango orchard.

Another gust of wind blew and my teeth chattered. It was really difficult to sneak out, as ma was sleeping with me today. But I jumped down from the small window in our toilet, and here I was waiting for my other half.

Where is he? He is late today.

But as soon as that thought came to my mind, a pair of hands covered my eyes from behind and gently whispered near my ears, "Missed me darling?"

I swiftly turned back and crashed with his body, pulling him into a hug. I had missed him terribly. He was away, at the nearby city, where he worked under the son of a renowed councillor.

"You have no idea Daud how much I missed you," I cried out on his chest and he gently kissed my crown.

"It's okay darling, I am here now. You have nothing to worry about. We will sort this out together," he gently mumbled into my hair and I heaved a breath of relief. I trusted him with all my heart, and I knew that as long as he was alive and by my side, I could live my life with my eyes closed.

I snuggled my face in his chest and he pulled back to leave a chaste kiss on my forehead. Closing my eyes, I signed out in adoration. I love him, beyond he can imagine. He was my everything, after my parents.

"Come, let's sit and talk," he gently nudged me towards our favorite spot. It was a nature made small bench, only fit for one. He sat on it and I sat on his lap. He covered us with a blanket and nuzzled his face into my shoulder.

I shuddered in pleasure and leaned back into his body. It was not the first time, we were snuggled into each other. But something was strange this time. As if I was doing a heinous crime.

I quickly shook my head to clear any dreadful thought and looked back at him. His eyes were so beautiful, molten silver.

"You were in kind of hurry. Tell me, what was so urgent?" He asked.

I decided to tell him everything and when I was done, he gave me look full of agitation. He face was scruched as if he was deep in some thought, and his eyebrows were furrowed.

"So your father is not even ready to atleast meet me? He just wanna marry you off, as fast as possible?" he asked. Somewhat the tone he used to call 'my father' felt harsh. But I decided to ignore it for now.

"Yes."

He nodded and gently kissed the back of my head. "Dont worry, I will figure it out. You are only getting married to me and that's final." The possessiveness in his tone, gave me goosebumps. But I felt protected at the same time.
 
"Are you sure?" I asked. He seemed too confident and though I loved it, I was expecting a more eager reply from him.

"Yes darling, now come on, I want you..."

He was just about to say something, when a flash of light fell on us and I winced out at the sudden intrusion.

"They are here!" A harsh voice spoke out and several footsteps resonated around us.

Oh my god! We were in deep trouble.

In a flash Daud stood up and took a few steps away from me. This sudden action of him, gave a flash of pain in my chest. Why did he step back? But everything happened around us too fast. We were not in a situation right now to complain.

The goons surrounded us with their big and long wooden sticks in hands and strode towards us. Daud quickly whispered 'I will be back to get you' in my ears and scampered away from the scene.

"He is fleeing away. Get him!" Someone from the crowd shouted.

But I was too numb to react to anything. Baba was standing infront of me, disappointment reflecting in his eyes and I just lowered down my head. He was ashamed of me and this was all my fault.

*******

-: Shamrat :-

The car jerked due to the crappy road for which I was still unable to fund money to finish its construction. Village roads are usually unpaved and and earthen, and it makes travelling in car difficult. It wasn't like the car was necessary but it saves a lot of time.

A

s soon as the car came close to Mukhiye Ji's office, Arnav came out and took out the files that were needed to be signed from Mukhiye ji. I turned my face away from them and told the driver to drive in the pavement.

The SUV's engine roared to stop and I climbed down from it. Walking into the office, my personal guards surrounded me with this guns in upright position and their faces stern.

I strode into his room, and Mukhiye ji stood up with a nervous smile on his wrinkled face.

"Pradhan sahab, you could have informed me. It would have been my honor to visit you," he said, with a wide dirty grin. I sat down infront of him, in a relaxed position. One of my hands on the armchair, other on my knee.

"I don't want your filthy paws in my office Anupam. Now, without beating around the bush tell me why did you told Arnav that this meeting was urgent," I growled out. I detested this man, and I had several reasons for it. He was not only corrupt but very sly.

"I know, I know, you are a very busy man. But this was also urgent. Mr. Sharma came 2 weeks ago with an opulent offer," he said and swallowed down slowly.

"What kind of offer?" I asked, rubbing my chin and narrowing down my eyes.

His smile turned mischievous and I glared back at him. "He is offering to buy 50% land which the mango orchard consist off. He would give 25 million and not only that, he had promised to give 35% of the profit he would get yearly by exporting the mangos."

My blood boiled and rage flowed through my veins like molten lava. How dare he!? The mango orchard was the source of livelihood for more than 70% inhabitants of our village. How low could he stoop for his own profit. If he sell away the mago orchard, the lives village people would turn miserable.

"No!" My voice boomed in the silent office and he flinched back. He lost his smile, as if his heart had been cut out from his body.

"But Shamrat..." He was trying to convince me, but I thrusted my palm and he stopped.

"Thats Pradhan ji for you. And you know I would never agree for this. The mango orchards belong to us, to the inhabitants of this village. And I am not selling it off for my personal profit. That's final!"

His face fell, but he nodded reluctantly.

Good.

A knock suddenly resonated in the the room and Meera, mukhiye ji's receptionist poked her head in.

"Sir, Mr. Ramlal is here to talk about her daughter's marriage," she said.

Suddenly Anupam's lips turned into a dirty smirk and he rubbed his palm, as if the mere presence of Ramlal and his daughter was exciting for him.

"Send them in, and tell the girl to enter in my office alone." he said, and bit his lip.

"What is it Mukhiye ji? You look too excited for meeting this particular person," I asked curiously.

"Don't worry about it Pradhan sahab. It's my field of job. I perfectly know how to do it," he stated, and pointed towards the door as if telling me to walk out of the door.

I wanted to slap him for his audacity, but didn't. After all I was also bound my some laws. Shaking off the anger, I stood up and strode out of the room.

*******

-: Rajeshri :-

Me, ma and baba were standing in front of Mukhiye ji's office. The guards and other men here, were giving me creepy looks, but I adjusted the dupatta around my body tightly.

"Baba," I whispered trying to talk to him, but he didn't respond. His grasp on my hand just tightened and he pulled me into the office.

My left cheek was aching where Ma slapped me yesterday, after Baba and the goons brought me back from the orchard. They locked me up in my room, althrough out the night. Even Adi wasn't allowed to come near me.

In the morning, Ma dressed me up for this meeting. Baba was not even looking at me, and my heart was aching at his behaviour.

I tried to tell them multiple times that we were not doing anything bad out there, but the village folks were treating me like dirt.

A girl around my age came where we were standing, and smiled at me. "Ramlal chacha, mukhiye ji told me that you need to wait here. She will go alone and meet him."

Baba's hold on my hand tightened, but he reluctantly nodded. I was not ready to go and meet mukhiye ji alone in a room. He was a creepy old man, who gave dirty looks to young girls.

"Come," Meera said and hold out her hand for me to take.

I looked at Baba, but he turned away his face. Why was he behaving like this? I wanted to cry out but controlled myself.

I strolled towards his office room and sat outside, on an iron chair.

"Wait here, okay. Pradhan sahab is inside. As soon as he come out, you can go in," Meera said and left.

I was biting my nails in agitation. I would never marry a stranger, not someone that sleazy old man would choose.

What if I behave oddly with the potential suitors? They will think that I am mentally sick and wouldn't want to marry me.

I was busy trying to come up with ideas, regarding how to reject the suitors, when the door opened and I pushed myself up on my feet.

A tall bulky man dressed in white shirt and black slacks, walked out of the room. My breath hitched in my throat, as soon as my eyes collided with his dark orbs. He was so tall and strudy, and his arms were as thick as tress trunks. A dominating aura radiated off him.

Who was this?

<<~~~~~~~~~~~~∆~~~~~~~~~~~~>>

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