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-: SHAMRAT :-

The marriage rituals were finally over, and I heaved a sigh of relief. She was mine now, finally, and no one in this world would dare to take her away form me.

Her neighbours helped her to stand up and took her towards the stage. She sat down, her head low and face tired.

My eyes were still fixed at her, when the incident of last night flashed in my head and nostrils flared in rage. I curled my fist and turned away from her, or else God knew, whom I would unleash my anger on.

Arnav appeared beside me and gave me my cellphone. I raised my eyebrows and he mouthed Maaji.

"Ji Ma?"

"Beta, did everything go well? When are you coming back? I just can't wait to see her." Her merry tone extirpated my anger, as I pinched my forehead with my thumb and middle finger.

"Mom, mom ... slow down. We will come tonight. And yes, the wedding went well. Be ready, we will be there within 11 PM."

"Okay be.... ," she was saying something but I felt a yank on my sherwani. My eyes darted down and I took a few steps back to see Aditya, Shri's brother, was standing near my leg, peering up at me.

"I will talk to you later mom." Saying this I disconnected the call and handed the mobile to Arnav, motioning him to leave me and this little boy alone.

Glancing at his face, I kneeled down in front of him to match our heights. He was really small and still not on my eye level, even in this position. I cocked one of my eyebrows at him, when he kept mute.

After waiting for a another minute, he licked his lip nervously and looked here and there, as if trying to check whether anyone was listening to us or not. I gave him a minute.

After he was okay with his surroundings he looked back at me and open his mouth. "Are you my didi's new husband?" His voice was really cute and full of curiosity. (Sister's)

"Yes."

His eyebrows furrowed in a deep frown, as if he was really disturbed by the news that I had married his sister.

Taking my hand in between his tiny palms, he gazed back at me, his eyes shining with hope.

"Can you give me something?" he asked, with his cute little face and puppy dog eyes. How could I ever say no to that face?

I instantly nodded at him with an encouraging smile, knowing that he would definitely be asking for a toy, or bicycle. Children of his age mostly desired those things. Now that I was his brother in law, it was my duty to take care of my wife's family too.

"Can you please promise me that you won't ever make my didi cry?" My eyes widened at his question, and my breath hitched in my throat at his demand.

What? He wanted that? No toy, no money, no bicycle, but just a small promise that I wouldn't hurt her sister?

"Can you?" he pleaded again and I was speechless. I couldn't promise him that. I didn't want to lie to a child, cause I knew Shri's initial days would be filled with anguish and torments. She needed that so that she wouldn't repeat her mistake.

"I would keep your didi happy," I twisted his words and promised little Adi, kissing his cheek. His eyes lit up and he beamed at me, clapping his hands and hopping on the ground.

"Yay! Thank you buddy!" he squealed and kissed my cheek. Jumping around he ran away and I chuckled out at his excitement. The promise I gave him wasn't fully a lie, cause Shri would be happy with me. Maybe not now, but after a few days or .... weeks.

I was talking to Arnav when Ramlal Ji came towards me, with his hands joined in prayer form.

"What is it papa. Any problem?" I enquired.

"Nothing bet ... pradhan ji, its just that I wanted to ask whether when would you like to have dinner?" His voice was flooding with reverence.

I furrowed my eyebrows at his words. "Dont call me Pradhan Ji, papa. We are family from today onwards. And yes, we would have dinner now, cause we need to leave within an one hour," I told him and glanced at my watch.

He hurriedly ran towards the dining area to arrange dinner for us. My eyes sweeped towards the figure of my bride. Her face was grief stricken as if fate couldn't be worse to her. But I knew how much stubborn she could be. It would be difficult to handle my new wife.

But if she ever dared to behave arrogantly with my Mom or dared to disrespect her, she would land herslef in too much trouble.

I strode towards the stage where my bride was sitting alone. As soon as she saw me coming, her body stiffened and my dick pulsed.

Patience junior, not today.

I sat down on my throne and looked at her from the corner of my eyes. Her eyes were ducked down and a faint reddish tinge was appearing  on her cheeks. If I wasn't so angry on her, I would have loved to brush my fingers on her cheek.

Well, I would have enough time to do that on future. I cleared my throat to swift her attention towards me, and it worked. She casted her eyes upon me and if possible her reddish cheeks turn more warm at my gaze.

Fuck! My slacks tightened painfully and I groaned out. She swiftly turned her eyes away from me towards a guest that had come to congratulate her.

We sat there for almost 30 minutes, welcoming the guests with a smile on our face. An elderly couple left after giving their blessings and she massaged her cheeks.

"What happened?" I enquird. Her face snapped towards me and I saw the slight bluish-purpleish bruise on her cheek, that was hidden quite well with makeup.

"Nothing," she murmered and looked down.

My temper flared at her ignorance, and I grabbed her wrist. She gasped and looked at me, her brown doe eyes laced with fear.

"What. Happened?" I ordered and she gulped audibly.

"My cheeks are  paining from smiling continuously, and ..."

"And ... ?" I urged.

"Your grip was too hard," she feebly whispered. My eyebrow shot up and I released her hand. I shouldn't have held her last night and today so roughly. Her cheeks were very soft, that's why a bruise had already formed there.

"Okay, come on. No need to give fake smiles anymore. Let's have dinner." I stood up and held out my hand for her. She peered at my hand and then at my face. I narrowed my eyes at her, daring her to disobey me. She sighed and took my hand. I interlaced my fingers with hers, and strode towards the dinner area.

Soon we were served with the food and Ramlal ji stood behind our table.

"Papa, please sit down and eat with us." I told him.

"No prad ... beta. I am here to tend to your orders and if you need anything," he stated.

Arnav stood up and made him sit beside him, in front of Shri and me. We had our dinner together, and I saw how Shri was not eating enough.

"Why aren't you eating properly?" I asked, curling my fist.

"I am not hungry," she timidly mumbled and took tiny morsels in her mouth. I shook my head and finished my food.

After resting for half an hour, finally it was time to return to my haveli. I talked to Ramlal ji, and his eyes glistened with tears.

"Please take care of my bacchi, Shamrat beta. I raised her as my princess. She is naive and stupid. Don't hurt her, that's the only thing I can request you." He joined his hands and sobbed silently.

I grasp his hand and shook my head. "Your rajkumari will me my queen, papa. Don't worry." I promised him. Though it may take sometime, but she will be. (Princess)

He nodded and I wiped his tears away.

"Come."

Rajeshri was standing in front of my car, sobbing her heart out, hugging a girl. She was rubbing Shri's back and was consoling her.

"Don't worry didi. You can come here anytime you want. Please don't cry."

I joined them and stood beside my car, silently telling Shri to utter her final goodbyes to her parents. Cause I was surely not going to allow her to come here, not atleast for a few months. She was mine now.

"Ma," she stood information of her mother, but the lady maintained a stoic, cold face "Don't disappoint us anymore." Saying this she turned back and  disappeared into the house.

Okay, that was really rude. She didn't even bless her. What kind of mother was she? Instead of showing her attitude, she should have been empathetic towards Shri's emotions.

Little Adi was standing stoic, jutting his lower lip out. He was trying, really trying not to cry and was continuously clenching his jaw to keep the tears at bay. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears, but he crinkled his nose and sniffed.

I quickly went over to him and pulled him in my arms, adjusting his weight on hips. By then, some traitorous tears had already made their way down his cheek.

Shir's steps faltered in front of me as she sniffeled and caressed Adi's hair. Her bangles jiggled at the motion, and her face was turning red due to crying continuously. Standing on her tiptoes she kissed Adi's temple.

But Adi didn't even look at her. His head was dipped low and his lips were still obtruded out stubbornly.

"Adi? Won't you say goodbye to your sister?" I cooed in a most gentle voice possible.

He shook his head and his eyes were still downcasted. "Why?" I asked.

"Because she will come back soon again. I know, she will. What if I say bye and she never returns?" Adi spoke out in a cracking voice.

Shri sobbed out at his words and snatched him away from my arms, peppering kisses all over his face.

"Don't cry didi. Buddy will keep his promise. I know." Adi wiped away Shri's tears and smiled back at me. I slightly nodded my head and ruffled his hair. He was a cute little kid.

Shri gave me a confused look, but didn't ponder on it. Bending down she let Adi jump down and kissed him one last time on his head. Her tears were still continuously flowing from her eyes and she was crying profusely, when her baba appeared in front of her. She looked at him, and lunged herself at his chest.

"Baba, I am sorry. I love you a lot. If possible, forgive me." she cried out. I walked up to her and gently touched her shoulder. If the villagers get any hint that she eloped last night, it would be a very big problem.

Ramlal ji's stone face was crumbling down when he kept his hand on Shri's head and uttered his blessings. "Be happy."

A violent wail broke out from her throat and I gently dragged her towards the car. She was still wailing, but her father disappeared too in the house.

Arnav sat in the shotgun and the car roared to life. She was looking at the window grasping one of her friend's hand. "Shakshi, please take care of ma and baba."

The girl nodded and the car wheeled out of the place.

*******

All through out the journey her silent sniffles were resonating in the silent car. Neither Arnav opened his mouth, nor I wanted to speak something. Why was she even crying this much? Out haveli was barely 10 miles away from her home.

Though it was a completely different  thing, that she won't step out of the house for a few weeks.

When the car came to halt, I looked at her and silent tears were still running down her cheeks. Her nose was red, and her eyes was glistening. Such an adorable sight. But I quickly shook my head and stepped out of the car, rounded to her side to open the door.

She looked at me with vulnerable eyes and I narrowed my eyes at her, silently telling her to behave. I had planned go treat her right when I decided to marry her, but she did a big blunder by running away. So, my nice treatment was needed to wait for a few days. For now, she would see a side which only a few people had been unlucky to  face.

"Come out," I ordered in a gravelly tone and she obliged. Mom and Leila were standing at the gate with the a bronze tray illuminated with earthen lamps and some other items, to welcome us.

As soon as we stopped at the gate she raised her thali with a smile on her face and spinned it in front of me and Shri. When she was done, both of us touched her feat and we were ushered inside the house. Ma was smiling with pride when she saw Shri looking at the haveli with awe.

"I am happy with my son's choice. Rajeshri, don't hesitate to ask for anything from me. This is your home too, from today," she instructed and handed over the thali to Leila, who was standing behind Mom.

"Okay Maa." Shri nodded her head and her gentle voice threw me over edge. I wa glad that she didn't behave rudely with Mom, or else she was having another thing coming.

Mom smiled at her and turned towards Leila.

"Leila beta, take you bhabi to her new room, will you?" Shri visisbly shuddered at Ma's words. My lips curled into a smirk,and Leila dragged Rajeshri away. (Sister in law)

Arnav turned towards me and nudged me to do the rest. Some of my party members and family friends were scattered all around the hall, so I told them to retire for the night, as rest of the rituals would be performed the next day.

We didn't invite any relatives today, cause they were invited on the reception day. Ma married baba against her parent's wish so I had no connection with my maternal grandparents or uncles.

Turning back towards the staircase I saw how Leila was talking to Shri, and her skin had started paling as each second passed.

Mom was also looking at their retreating figure when Arnav decided to leave. Leila was staying back tonight.

After Arnav left ma cupped my jaw tenderly and kissed my forhead. I palmed her hands and she said, "She looked really beautiful Shamrat. But don't get swayed away by her beauty. And don't be hard on her today, okay? She looked tired, so refrain yourself for tonight."

My eyebrows rose at her absurd request. She expects me to stay away from my bride on my wedding night. How was that acceptable!?

'But mom, it's my wedding night!' I wished to whine, but decided otherwise. It was better to keep my mouth shut. Only God knew how much I restricted myself from fucking any random woman since the marriage date was fixed.

"I will try mom," I whispered and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"You better don't tire her out. She looked exhausted already from all the rituals and customs."

I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, 'Whatever.'

*******

-: Rajeshri :-

The girl named Leila gently pulled me into a room on the first floor and I gasped out as soon as I stepped in the room. It was illuminated with fairy lights, scented candles and flowers chains. The bed was decorated with roses and various other flowers and the light were dim.

The room was huge, with a walk in closet and attached balcony. My eyes trained on it, as the front lawn was beautiful.

Leila made me sit on the bed and smiled at me. I smiled back at her cause she looked like a really nice girl.

"I am Leila Agarwal. Nice to meet you," she introduced herself and extended her hand.

"I am Rejeshri Jh ... Rathore. The pleasure is all mine." I bit my tongue when I was going to say Jha and she chuckled at me. It had been a habit for long 19 years afterall.

"It would take some time, but you will get habituated to it. So don't worry," Saying this she rubbed my arm and stood up from the bed.

A strange creepiness crawled up my body and I also stood up. Was she going to leave me alone? But how would I face the monster? On the top of that, it was out weeding night!

"Are ... are you leaving? I stuttered and her eyes widened at my condition.

"Hey hey hey, calm down. You are looking as if you will faint any minute," she consoled me, and grabbed my hand gently.

I swallowed down heavily, and cold sweat broke on my forehead. I didn't even know what kind of a man he was. Would he force me?

Leila was looking keenly at me, as if expecting me to get unconscious anytime, but I took a deep breath and slumped down on the bed.

"What kind of a man is he?" I asked, looking at Leila. She grimaced at my question and bit her lip.

"I don't know much of that. But as per as I have seen, he and my husband are kind of alike in somethings, like they all have desires," she mumered, and sat down beside me with a gentle smile.

"Did Arnav ji hurt you, on ... um your weeding night?" I whispered the last part cause I was a little hesitant to voice out my thoughts. I was new here after all.

"No, infact he was very very lenient," she replied and my face whirled towards her. She had a faraway look on her face and her eyes were shining with love for her husband.

"You know, when I first married him. I was very shy kind of a person. I had never been in a relationship before that, and whenever he tried to come near me or hold me, I would just dash off from there. Well, the truth was, I was terrified of him. I thought he would hurt me and treat me just like an object of pleasure," she chuckled humorlessly as if this thoughts were funny for her.

"He is a man, and they had urges, so I plotted in mind that if I don't let him touch me for a few months, he would definitely cheat on me and I would get a reason to blame him," Leila uttered lowly and I gasped at her words.

"I know, I know, I am terrible." She grimaced and  let out a wry chuckle. I kept my face blank, trying to hide my emotions. I don't wanna be seem as a judgemental bitch on the first day itself.

"But then one night ..." she whispered and a loud knock banged on the door.

Boh of us flinched and my eyes flew to the door. Leila stood up from the bed with a flash, and scampered away when she saw who was standing at the doorway.

As soon as she left, all the energy left my body and a nervous chill shot down my spine when my eyes connected with dark memancing orbs of the monster at the door.

●~~~~~~~< ☆ >~~~~~~~●

Welcome back my loves! 🤗

Didn't you guys fall in love with little Adi? He is such an adorable kid ... 😍🥰

What do you have to say about Shri's mom and also  Shamrat's mother? 🤔🤨

What was Leila going to reveal?? 😲

And what do you guys think will happen in the next chapter? 😏😏

Let me know your thoughts my lovelies ❤😌

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