The sudden, unannounced arrival of anyone in my home always put me on edge. But this was different. This was the Chief Minister of the state, Randheer Yaduvanshi, standing in my living room.
Terror, cold and sharp, pierced through me. What did he want? Why was he here? Was I about to become a pawn in some twisted political game?
His presence was overwhelming, his aura of power suffocating. His strict demeanor and expressionless face offered no clues, no hint of his intentions. "Come in," he commanded, stepping inside as if he owned the place, his bodyguards forming an intimidating wall outside my door. I'd always distrusted people like him, those who wielded power like a weapon, those who could bend the rules to suit their needs.
"There is something which belongs to me," he said, settling onto my sofa with an unnerving air of authority. It was my home, yet he treated it as his own. Was this the prelude to some horrifying act? Was he going to… kill me?
"W...what?" I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.
"You," he said, his eyes locking onto mine, unwavering and intense.
"Kyaaaa?" I repeated, my confusion escalating.
"Sir, that day… I didn't know you were in the office," I blurted out, thinking he was angry about our accidental encounter.
He gestured to one of his bodyguards, who produced a folder and then exited, closing the door behind him, leaving us alone in the suffocating silence of my living room.
"Dekho… main aisi vaisi ladki nahi hoon… case kar dungi agar kuch kiya toh," I warned, trying to project an air of defiance I didn't feel.
( I'm not such type of girl , I'll file case on you if you tried to do something)
He merely smirked, a chillingly dismissive gesture. Was he insane?
"Look," he said, pointing to the photos and articles in the folder.
I approached cautiously, my heart pounding in my chest. They were photos of us, the same ones from the news.
"So?" I asked, feigning nonchalance. I'd seen the news; I knew what they implied.
"Then?" I pressed, trying to understand his angle. My face was obscured; I was just a nameless figure in the scandal. What did he want from me?
"You have to marry me," he stated, rising to his feet and closing the distance between us. His voice was devoid of emotion, a cold, hard declaration.
The floor seemed to drop out from under me. It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over me, a sensation I loathed. "Sir, if you're joking, please… it's not funny," I managed to say, my voice trembling.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression unwavering. He was dead serious.
"Take your time," he said, and then he was gone, leaving me reeling in the aftermath of his pronouncement.
"Bhagwan ji, aap meri seedhi simple life ko kyun toofani bana rahe ho?" I muttered (Why was my life always a whirlwind of chaos?)
How could he just declare that I had to marry him? This wasn't some fairy tale; this was my life.
"Ab kya koi bhi raah chalta aayega aur bolega shaadi kar lo? Toh aise thodi na hota hai?" I thought, frustrated.
(Could anyone just walk in and demand marriage?)
I tried to think of a way out.
He was the Chief Minister; he could solve his own problems. Why drag me into this mess? Was he blind? I wasn't particularly beautiful, nor did I have any political connections.
Regardless, my marriage to Mihir was fixed. I would never marry a politician. With newfound determination, I resumed packing.
Jaanvi arrived in the evening, her cheerful presence a welcome balm to my frayed nerves. She brought gol gappe, and we indulged until we were stuffed. I'd always preferred eating them at home, in peace and comfort, rather than on the bustling streets.
In the midst of laughter and gol gappe, I forgot about the morning's unsettling encounter. I didn't tell Jaanvi. She’d taken two days off to spend with me, her emotions running high about my upcoming wedding. I adored her; she was the only one who truly understood me, and I her.
We spent the next two days in a flurry of activity: shopping, playing games, dressing up for impromptu parties, visiting temples, taking countless photos for Instagram, cooking together, and exploring charming cafes. In the whirlwind of fun, I almost forgot about my wedding.
But Mihir's calls were a constant reminder of the reality I had to face. We talked about our days, and I fell asleep feeling both tired and anxious.
The next morning, I stood on the railway platform, waiting for the train that would carry me to my destiny. Jaanvi had wanted to see me off, but I'd declined, knowing I'd become emotional in her presence. The station was unusually quiet.
Then, I saw them: a group of men in black suits, heading straight for me.
"Mam, please come with us. Sir wants to talk to you," one of them said, their faces expressionless.
"Kon sir?" I asked, confused. They were all stone-faced, emotionless.
( Sir? Whom?)
"Mam, CM Sir wants to talk to you," he repeated.
Did he have no other work? Was he sending his goons after me? I just wanted to escape.
"Dekho bhaiya… meri train miss ho jaayegi, mujhe ghar jaana hai," I pleaded.
( Look brother my train Will be missed, i have to go home)
"And you are exploiting a person's privacy, so please go away," I added.
Why wasn't the train arriving? It was already past eleven.
I called Jaanvi. "Baby, the train is not coming. I think I have to go by bus now," I said.
"You can go tomorrow, Keyu. You don't like buses. Wait there; I'll come pick you up," she said, and I agreed.
The men in black suits were still standing there, their presence intimidating. Living alone in the city was a constant reminder of the dangers lurking around every corner. Not all men were the same, but it was always men who posed the threat.
Power and money were everything. And he was the CM, the most powerful man in the state.
I left the station and waited on the roadside. Jaanvi arrived on her scooter, and I smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
She dropped me off at my building's gate and headed to her school.
I tried to unlock my door, but it was already open. Jaanvi must have left it that way. I entered and turned on the lights, gasping at the sight of the man standing in my living room.
Without thinking, I grabbed a water bottle and smashed it over his head, my eyes squeezed shut.
"Open your eyes," he commanded, his voice authoritative.
I opened my eyes, water dripping from his head. "Sir?" I said, a wave of relief followed by a surge of anger. How had he gotten in?
"Why are you here… sir?" I asked.
"You know the answer," he replied.
"Sir, this is not a solution to anything," I pleaded.
"I'll announce it tomorrow," he stated, stepping closer.
"You can find another girl. I'm not even visible in the picture; your position and status will be maintained," I reasoned.
"No. The person who is the cause has to endure it," he said, his voice firm.
The conversation was going nowhere.
"Sir, my marriage is already fixed," I said, my last attempt at convincing him.
"I know," he replied.
He was testing my patience. "You can't do whatever you want," I said, my voice rising.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me close.
"I have already given you enough time," he said, his voice laced with dominance.
"But you can't force me," I said, trying to stand my ground.
"You don't even know what I can do or not," he said, his eyes flashing with anger.
"S...sir, it's not funny anymore… I can't marry you," I said, my voice trembling.
"Get ready for the marriage. I'm giving you two days," he said, and then he bit my earlobe.
I pushed him away with all my strength. "How dare you touch me…" I said, my voice filled with rage. I was just a girl, trying to protect herself from a predator.
I don't care his power and influence.
" Don't you dare to raise your voice against me" he said getting angry, looking very furious.
I'm not the someone who got terrified easily but I'm terrified just by his voice but I can't let him destroy myself and my family.
He left the apartment and I fell on my knees, feeling helpless.
I have to go from here as soon as possible because it's not safe here.
After booking early train for tomorrow I told jaanvi about my departure. She is sad little bit but I told her to come to me soon.
My family is pressuring me to come as soon as possible.
They keep saying, 'Everyone is asking about you. Where's the bride? Why isn't she here yet?' This society would never question a man if he arrived just a day before the wedding, but all the daggers are aimed at a woman's neck.
At the dining table, we ate, sharing workplace gossip. Everything was packed neatly; I hadn't packed everything because I'm coming back here even after the marriage. I can't let my independence slip away, which is only possible because of my job. If I have to fight even my family for this, I'm willing to do it.
Morning came, and I found myself standing at the railway station with Jaanvi. The train arrived, and I departed for home after saying goodbye to her. While scrolling through my phone, I saw a video of the Chief Minister, a press conference. Curiosity made me play it, and his every word started to play havoc with my life.
Happy reading
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And I will increase the chapter length in upcoming chapter.
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