Hare Krishna
Chapter 1

Anubhav fixed his bow tie with a practised gesture, his silver eyes reflecting a quiet determination. Tonight was no ordinary night for him. He was dressed in his waiter's attire, blending seamlessly into the bustling party atmosphere, yet carrying a secret burden that no one could perceive. As he took a deep breath, he mentally prepared himself for the night's ordeal.

Balancing the drinks plate with practised precision, he weaved gracefully through the guests, offering smiles and nods in place of words. He had grown accustomed to this silence, finding solace in the unspoken moments that passed between himself and the world. Though he couldn't utter a single syllable, his expressive eyes spoke volumes, conveying emotions that words could never capture.

The party's vibrant energy swirled around him, but his focus remained unwavering. The clinking of glasses, the laughter, and the music washed over him like a distant tide. Yet, amidst the joviality, he bore a heavy weight in his heart.

ANUBHAV was a resilient 23-year-old man, who had weathered the storms of life from a young age. The devastating loss of his parents at the tender age of 15 had left him with a heavy heart and a soul burdened by responsibility. As a relentless flood swept away his family's home and dreams, it thrust him into a world of uncertainty and hardship.

With the weight of his young brother Dhruv's future on his shoulders, Anubhav embarked on a journey of survival. There was no time to grieve or to be consumed by sorrow. He donned the mantle of both brother and guardian, becoming the anchor that held Dhruv's world together.

In the wake of tragedy, Anubhav knew he had to be strong. With a fierce determination, he dove into a multitude of odd jobs, anything that could provide a meagre income to support their basic needs. From being a bartender, skillfully mixing drinks with a silent grace, to taking on shifts as a waiter, carrying plates with poise, working late nights at a fuel station, he did what he must to keep food on their table and a roof over their heads.

Life had carved deep lines of maturity on his young face, but he carried himself with an unyielding spirit, never losing sight of the love and responsibility he held for Dhruv. In the absence of spoken words, his expressive eyes spoke of his unwavering love and fierce protectiveness for his little brother.

Though Anubhav's journey was strewn with challenges, he faced them head-on, determined to navigate the currents of life. He knew that he couldn't turn back time, but he could shape the future. Dhruv's well-being became his North Star, guiding him through the darkest of nights and the stormiest of days.

With each drink he served and each smile he offered, Anubhav's mind raced, calculating the value of this night. The promise of an unimaginable sum of money awaited him, a lifeline that could secure Dhruv's future and save him from the shadows of uncertainty. Yet, it came at a cost he was unsure he could bear.

Anubhav deftly balanced the plate of drinks, making his way through the jubilant crowd of party-goers. As a mute bartender, he was well-acquainted with the subtle art of sign language, gracefully responding to their signals and requests. A group of girls, led by Neha Singh, the birthday girl, celebrating her 27th birthday, waved him over for more drinks.

With a practised smile, Anubhav approached the group. He exchanged nods and gestures, silently confirming their orders. As he reached for the drinks, fate had other plans in store. Out of the blue, a girl collided into him, sending the contents of the plate splattering in every direction.

Anubhav's heart raced with momentary panic, but he managed to suppress any signs of frustration or distress. He couldn't afford to draw attention to the mishap, not when everyone around him was immersed in the throes of celebration and intoxication.

A soft voice reached his ears amidst the loud music and laughter, saying, "Sorry bhaiya." He looked up, meeting the gaze of a light brown-eyed girl. Her apologetic expression softened the mishap, and he found himself momentarily captivated by her presence.

She was the one who had crashed into him – a girl dressed in a stunning navy blue ankle-length dress that swayed gracefully with each movement. Her eyes reflected a mixture of surprise and remorse, and for a moment, time seemed to slow down around them.

Despite the inconvenience of the spilled drinks, Anubhav felt a peculiar sense of calm in her presence. He nodded gently, assuring her that it was all right, though his voice remained lost in the silence. Instead, his expressive silver eyes conveyed gratitude for her concern.

Their brief interaction remained unnoticed by the intoxicated dancers, and Anubhav was grateful for that small mercy. As he gathered himself to clean up the mess, the girl knelt beside him, offering her assistance. Without words, they worked in tandem, carefully wiping away any traces of the accident.

Her presence was captivating, and for a brief moment, Anubhav felt a connection unlike anything he had experienced before. Gracefully, she knelt beside him, offering her assistance in cleaning up the mess they had inadvertently made.

Their hands brushed briefly, and in that fleeting moment, NITARA felt a sudden jolt of electricity pass through her. She smiled at him, once again apologising, her genuine concern warming Anubhav's heart.

Before he could find the right gestures to convey his response, a voice called out Nitara's name from afar,“Nitaraaa!!” causing her to turn around with a promise to join her friends soon. But before she left, she offered him a compliment that made his heart flutter – "Aap ki aankhe bahut pyari hai, I have never seen someone with silver eyes."

Anubhav stood still, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. It had been a long time since anyone had looked beyond his silence and appreciated the unique trait that defined him – his striking silver eyes. A mix of gratitude and curiosity filled his heart, but words remained elusive, unable to express the whirlwind of emotions that swirled within.

As the night carried on, the memory of the light brown-eyed girl in the navy blue dress lingered in Anubhav's thoughts. In a world where words often spoke too loudly, he found solace in the unspoken connection that had graced him that night. Little did he know that the enigmatic girl named Nitara would continue to occupy his mind, setting in motion a journey of love, fate, and the profound beauty of a bond that transcended words.

Amidst the vibrant lights and pulsating beats, Nitara danced with infectious joy, her radiant smile lighting up the room. The night was alive with laughter and celebration, and she revelled in the carefree moments with her friends. Yet, as she spun and twirled, a certain pair of silver eyes continued to linger in her mind, like an enigmatic puzzle she couldn't help but try to solve.

Nitara, a spirited 19-year-old girl, had faced the cruel hands of fate at a young age. Her parents' untimely demise when she was only 8 years old had left a void in her heart that time could never fully heal. Placed under the care of her maternal aunt, she hoped for love and warmth, but her hopes were shattered as they never treated her with the kindness she longed for.

Despite the lack of affection and the harsh treatment, Nitara clung to her family ties, for they were all she had left. The memories of her parents, the echoes of their love, remained etched in her heart, serving as guiding stars in the darkness of her world.

As the music filled the air and the night carried on, Nitara danced with abandon, trying to drown out the pangs of loneliness that occasionally gnawed at her heart. She lived in the present, savouring every moment of joy, yet unable to shake off the quiet fascination she felt for the enigmatic young man.

Amidst the laughter and the dance, Nitara's heart craved the love she had lost so many years ago. She yearned for the warmth of family, the comfort of knowing she belonged. And though her aunt and uncle were flawed caregivers, she couldn't help but hold on to the hope that one day they might understand the love she desperately sought.

The next day, as the sun painted the city in golden hues, the servers of the party lined up to collect their hard-earned pay. Anubhav stood among them, his tall frame exuding a sense of quiet determination. He patiently waited as one by one, his co-workers received their wages until he was the only one left.

A man in his early 50s, Rajendra Singh, Nitaras' uncle, approached Anubhav. He glanced at the young man with a calculating look, curiosity piqued by the silence that surrounded him. "So, you are that boy who needs money," Rajendra spoke, his voice carrying a touch of authority.

Anubhav nodded, his silver eyes meeting Rajendra's with a mix of gratitude and apprehension. He couldn't help but feel vulnerable, standing there without the ability to vocalize his thoughts and emotions.

"You can't speak?" Rajendra inquired, noticing Anubhav's nod. A sinister smile curled on Rajendra's lips as he seemed to grasp the opportunity that lay before him.

Anubhav felt a knot forming in his throat, knowing he was at a disadvantage in this conversation. He braced himself for what would come next.

"So, you need money for your brother?" Rajendra asked, his gaze locked onto Anubhav's.

Anubhav's heart sank slightly, but he kept his composure and nodded once again, acknowledging the truth of his predicament.

"How much?" Rajendra pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Anubhav raised seven fingers, indicating the amount he desperately required for Dhruv's surgery. A sense of vulnerability washed over him, feeling like a small child in front of the imposing man.

Rajendra's sinister smile widened as he seemed to take pleasure in the young man's helplessness. "Seven lakhs?" he confirmed, and Anubhav nodded in affirmation.

Without warning, Rajendra raised the stakes. "I will give you ten lakhs," he proposed, a glint of deceit shining in his eyes. "But in return, you have to marry my niece."

Anubhav's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened in surprise. The proposition caught him off guard, and he was torn between the desperation to save his brother and the moral dilemma of such a proposal.

His mind raced with conflicting thoughts, but amidst the chaos, he found his anchor – the love he held for Dhruv. It was for his brother's well-being that he was willing to make sacrifices.

With a determined nod, Anubhav steeled himself, reminding himself that he was doing this for Dhruv, for their future. He might not be able to speak, but his love and devotion to his brother would transcend words.

In that moment, Anubhav made a silent vow, accepting the offer, knowing that his decision would lead him down a path he could never have foreseen. Unbeknownst to him, his life was about to intertwine with Nitara's in ways they could never have imagined, and the unspoken bond between them would shape their destinies in unforeseen ways.
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Finally first chapter is up!
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