Author's POV

Rano went upstairs and saw a beautician standing outside the door. Rano questions "aap yahan bahar kyun khadi hai?"

"Mam maine Hemadriji ko lehenga pehenne ko kaha tha uske baad se wo darwaza khol hi nahi rahi hai" she said worriedly.

Rano was shocked to hear her, she places her hand on the doorknob and rotates it to open it but it gets stuck indicating it was locked from inside. She bangs the door and shouts "Hemadri.. Darwaza kholo beta"

However, there is no response from inside. Rano gets worried about what if something had happened to her daughter. She panics and runs downstairs. She saw the guests ready at the door to welcome the groom and his family.

She pulls Alok aside, he smiles seeing her. "Are kya hua Rano?? Iss tarah kyun laayi mujhe?"

"Hema.. darwaza nahi khol rahi hai kamre ka" she said in concern.

Alok and a few other relatives went upstairs with her. They knocked on the door but there wasn't any response.

Shrestha doubted and said "Chachi.. Kahi hema.."

Rano slaps her face immediately and said "meri beti aisa kabhi nahi karegi shrestha.. Uske paas aisi koi wajah nahi hai samjhi"

"Rano pehle darwaza kholo.." the other lady comments.

A few people break the door and they get shocked to find the room empty. Rano and Alok move inside, Rano checks the bathroom but doesn't find Hemadri. Her heartbeat starts to horse and fear passed down her spines.

Shrestha sees her wedding lehenga on the bed, she heads towards the balcony and sees the rope made up of dupatta hanging down. She sighed deeply "ye kya kiya tumne Hemadri" she uttered in a state of shock.

She walks back inside, Rano was holding a letter in her hand. Tears brimmed down her eyes, Shrestha took the letter and stared at everyone.

Alok shouted "kya likha hai letter mein Rano?" however Rano was still in disbelief that her daughter would take the such a drastic steps.

He eyed at Shrestha and said "padho shrestha"

Shrestha looked at the letter and reads it "mujhe maaf kar dijiye mumma papa lekin main ye shaadi nahi kar sakti hun.. Aap log mante nahi isliye bina bataye london university mein apply kiya aur wahi jaa rahi hun apne aage ki padhai karne apne sapne pure karne!"

Alok snatched the letter from her hand, he read it and sits on the bed with a thud. The baraat is standing at the door and their daughter had run away from the house. She didn't even think once about the family honor, respect, and dignity.

Alok didn't even have the courage to face the family members of Rishi, especially his father who was a dear friend of Alok. The alliance could have brought both the families closer personally and professionally but his daughter ruined everything.

One of Hemadri's cousin's brother enters the room and said "mamaji.. Sab neeche bahut kuch bol rahe hai"

Alok sighed deeply, he and Rano descends the stairs. Alok looked at the door Rishi and his family was standing there with a lot of questions in their eyes.

"Ye kya mazak hai Alok?" Sharad Rishi's father questions him in a loud tone.

Alok closes his eyes for a moment and apologizes folding his hand "maafi chahta hun Sharad lekin Hemadri ye shaadi nahi karna chahti hai"

"Are bhaisab sach kyun chupa rahe hai? Bhaag gayi hai inki beti" one of the guests said.

Sharad looked at Alook with hateful eyes "Alok.. agar tumhari beti taiyaar nahi thi toh kyun haan ki iss shaadi ke liye? Itni badi insult hamari.." he confronts him.

Alok remains silent, Rishi stops his father "chaliye papa.. Aur beizat hone ki zaroorat nahi hai"

Sharad insults Alok more and leaves with his family. The relatives begin to taunt and raise questions about the upbringing of their daughter.

Alok shouts "bas.. Aajse Hemadri ka naam bhi iss ghar mein nahi liya jayega!"

Rano was left in disbelief hearing that, tears brims down her eyes and she said "kabhi maaf nahi karungi tujhe Hemadri main.. Aaj tujhe apne maa baap ka sar sharam se jhuka diya hai"

Hemadri's POV

London, United Kingdom

I landed at the London airport, I was feeling so guilty for running away from home on the day of the wedding. I was disturbed by the thoughts of how my parents will be humiliated but I choose my happiness over family. The decision wasn't easy for me but how could I let go of such a big opportunity to lead my life with independence? I know I have hurt my parents and they won't forgive me for that but I couldn't bind myself into a new relationship with a complete stranger.

I took a deep breath and sat down inside the cab keeping my luggage in. The driver asked "mam where?"

I checked the accommodation which had been booked by the agent of mine who had been helping me throughout my process. I informed him of the name and he dozes off towards the location.

The car moved at a speed and I looked out of the window. So far, I had seen London in movies and today I am at my dream place. I passed through the famous London bridge and admired its beauty.

For the first time in 25 years of my life, I had gone against my parents' wishes and came to a western country. Within 45 minutes, the cab stops in front of the multiple floors building. I asked him "how much?"

"35 pounds," He said looking at the meter in the cab. I took out my wallet and paid him the amount. I stepped outside and took out my suitcase. I sighed deeply, I checked the phone and read the email.

"Reception pe ek aadmi khada hoga mera.. Wo tumhe room key de dega! Wish you all the best"

She held the handle of the suitcase and walked inside. A young British man was standing there, he stared at me and asked "Miss. Himadaari Kahyap" he couldn't pronounce my name properly and that annoyed me a little.

However, I smiled at him and said "Hemadri Kashyap.."

"Sorry about that.." he apologized and handed me an electronic card which was a key to my room,

"It's 8th floor Flat 801," he said and left.

I pressed the card and the small door opens. I got inside and pressed the button of the lift which was at the corner of the corridor. In a few seconds, a lift opens, I was shocked to see a girl and boy kissing each other. I gulped down my throat and realized it is London, not India and here every one is open. I silently got in and pressed the 8th-floor button. It was an awkward situation for me, the lift opens and I immediately moved out of it.

I looked around the corridor and on the right side, there was room flat no. 801. I opened it with the card and went inside. 

I placed the luggage in the corner of my room and lay down on the bed relaxing for a while as I was extremely exhausted after 12 hours of journey. I closed my eyes and within seconds I had fallen into a deep sleep. 

The just risen sun shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it a flurry of early-morning activity. I slowly opened my eyes and sat up straight glancing at the window and admiring the view. I moved my hand in between my hair and then got off the bed.

I had slept for almost 15 hours, I walked out and saw a girl in the kitchen preparing breakfast with headphones in her ears. She was so engaged that didn't realize my presence inside the flat.

I commenced towards the fridge and took out the water bottle. I drank the water and placed it back. She finally noticed me, she removes her headphones and smiles "hey.."

"Hey.." I replied.

She forwards her hand and said "Myra Tripathi"

I shook hands with her "Hemadri Kashyap" I introduced myself.

She offered breakfast to me, I said "ye tumhara hai.."

"Are chill yaar.. Have it" she spoke forwarding the plate. I ate it and coughed badly. She had added sugar instead of salt.

Myra bits her tongue out "dam.. Phirse maine sugar daal di.. Arghh" she said all annoyed.

"Tumhe cooking nahi aati?" I questioned.

"Khane layak thodi bahut kar leti hun.." she replied with a smile on her face. I laughed hearing her words for a moment.

She asked, "Master in?"

"Finance" I replied.

"Cool.. listen you seemed be from every traditional family.." she said.

I smile "yes I am.."

"Sorry but.. Main yahan drink karti hun.. Outing karti hun apni zindagi full maze se jeeti hun! Aur har Friday night ek handsome sexyy bande ke saath date pe jaati hun" She revealed and I glanced at her in disbelief.

She laughed and said "anyways I am getting late see you soon.. Bye" she takes her bag and left for university. My flatmate is crazy but extremely friendly.

I freshened up and then went to the university completing all the formalities and attending my first lecture. 

It was a completely different and new environment for me. It took me a month to adjust to it as I am used to waking up to the sound of my mother. I had been missing her a lot, I wanted to call her and just hear her voice once but didn't have the courage to speak to her.

Every evening returning from my part-time job, I only think about my parents. I took my phone and dialed the landline. It ranged and I disconnected closing my eyes for a moment. 

Myra returned home, she saw me lost. She kept her bag on the side and sat down on the couch beside me. "Hemu..." she called my name.

I turned my face towards her and smiled lightly.

"Jabse aayi ho tumhe pareshan dekhti hun main.. Kya baat hai?" She asked.

She had become a close friend of mine and the only one I could trust. Myra made a face with my silence, she said with a disheartened face "lagta hai ab bhi hum itne qareeb nahi aaye hai ki tum mujhse apne secrets share kar sako"

She gets up and moved a bit, I grabbed her wrist and stopped her "Myra wait.."

She sits back and stared at me. I hugged her tightly and tears brimmed down my eyes. She rubbed her fingers in between my hairs and consoled me. "Hema.. kya hua?" she asked out of concern.

I told her everything that happened and she said something which left me completely shocked. 

To be continued..

What did Myra said? Stay tuned...