Mumbai
Jannat Villa
As soon as Haya turned in bed and opened her eyes, she felt a strange sensation, as though someone had just jumped down from her balcony. Startled and anxious, she quickly sat up. "How could someone enter such a big house?" she wondered. Filled with fear, Haya rushed to the balcony, looking for any signs of movement, but there was no one to be seen. She searched all around, but it was eerily quiet. Her heart raced in confusion, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. There was nothing, absolutely nothing. She reassured herself, laying back down on the bed, although the unsettling feeling lingered.
Mumbai Bar
By now, Rudraksh had emptied countless bottles. The alcohol had started taking its toll, his mind clouded with frustration. Sofia, noticing his disoriented state, ran her fingers teasingly over his face. "Rudraksh, baby," she cooed, "you were amazing today. You made that simpleton realize that she doesn't even matter to you. On the very first day, you made her understand that she's nothing in your life. Poor thing is probably lying alone on her bridal bed, feeling completely abandoned, don't you think?"
At Sofia's taunting words, Rudraksh grabbed her mouth harshly, cutting her off. "I didn't ask you to meddle in my personal life," he snapped angrily, his patience running thin. "You came here to 'freshen up my mood,' didn't you? So what now?"
Sofia, unbothered, smiled slyly. "Baby, I just want to tell you one thingâshe doesn't deserve you. You, the most handsome bachelor, are going to marry a simpleton? Seriously?" she mocked.
Without waiting for a reply, Sofia leaned in and began sniffing Rudraksh's neck seductively. But Rudraksh, irritated, shoved her away from him. "How many times have I told you not to come close to me?" he growled, his voice laced with frustration. "Can't you hear me?"
Sofia, now visibly upset, lowered her head in disbelief. "Really, Rudraksh? You're treating me the same way you treat her? I'm your girlfriend, and yet, you act like I'm nobody. Do you even understand what you're doing?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.
Rudraksh, his anger simmering beneath the surface, took a deep breath and apologized, albeit reluctantly. "I'm sorry, Sofia," he muttered. "But today my mind is all over the place. It's better you stay away from me. I'll direct all my anger at the one who deserves it, not you."
With those words, Rudraksh staggered off, his steps unsteady as the alcohol continued to affect him. Sofia, now wiping away her fake tears, muttered to herself, "Fine, I'll make sure that girl gets a divorce. After that, it will be just you and me, our house, our life. We'll rule the world as king and queen." Sofia's eyes gleamed with determination as she picked up her drink, her mind already planning her next move.
Jannat Villa
It was 7 in the morning, and the entire Shekhawat family was still asleep. Everyone had planned to sleep in today because they were all exhausted from the wedding celebrations. Meanwhile, Rudraksh tossed the car keys towards the guard and headed straight for the lift, making his way to his room. As soon as he opened the door, a sudden wave of mehndi and rose fragrance hit him, instantly souring his mood. The memories of the wedding, and everything that had happened, were flooding his mind.
He turned on the main light in the room, and his eyes fell on the bed where Haya, looking angelic, was sleeping. She appeared tired, her face flushed, and she looked completely peaceful. But Rudraksh felt a surge of anger as he looked at her. In that moment, he couldn't ignore the fact that this girl had taken away his freedom. He had been forced into this marriage, and now he was bound by it.
His frustration boiled over, and without thinking, Rudraksh grabbed a jug of water, glaring at Haya, and dumped it all over her face. The cold water woke her up with a start, her eyes wide in shock. "Gudiyah... Gudiyah... Where are you?" she stammered, half-awake, clearly scared. But as her eyes adjusted, she saw Rudraksh standing near her, and the shock quickly turned to disdain. She glared at him with hatred.
Rudraksh, holding her by the neck, pulled her close and taunted, "How does it feel, Haya Diwan? How does it feel to sleep in this huge house, on this soft, luxurious bed?" He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with mockery. "Tell me, how does it feel?"
Haya, now fully awake, recoiled in disgust. With an angry shove, she pushed Rudraksh away, and snapped, "First of all, lower your tone when you speak. I am not your servant! Stop acting like a tyrant or assuming I'm some helpless fool. I didn't marry you because I wanted to. Did you think your family came to take me away as if I was dying to marry you? And you... you, with your past affairs, are going to teach me manners?"
Rudraksh, taken aback, didn't expect such sharp words from someone who seemed so innocent. Haya, with fierce determination, glared at him. "What happened? Has your tongue lost its ability to speak now?"
At the mention of Haya's words, Rudraksh laughed and said, "Now, a village girl like you is going to tell me how many affairs I should have and how many I shouldn't? If you didn't want to get married, you could have said no, right? Your father sold you for two crores. When a good match is presented, who would refuse, right?"
Looking into Haya's eyes, Rudraksh added, "You're the first girl with whom my hatred grows every moment. And as for this marriage, in a month, I'll divorce you and throw you out of here. I have no interest in you. As for me, I have a girlfriend with whom I sleep," Rudraksh lied, as he hadn't yet been physically involved with Sofia. But he said it just to hurt Haya.
Haya smiled and replied, "So?"
Rudraksh, now angry, said, "Don't try to interfere in my life. As long as you're here, just stay in a corner. You're a daughter-in-law for the family, but for me, you're not a wife. Looking at you feels like an insult, and how dare you sleep on my bed? Go sleep on the couch and don't come near me. You'll have all the luxury you want here, the money you married for, but you'll never get my love."
With that, Rudraksh threw her bed onto the couch and collapsed on the bed himself, as he was also very tired. Haya, smiling, said, "I knew this is how rich people are. I understood your lowliness from the start and was prepared for it." She then lay down on the bed.
Morning
It was noon by the time the entire Shekhawat family was awake. Mannat ji was preparing food while Veena was with her. Falak and Arina were enjoying their coffee when they noticed Haya walking in, her face radiating an unusual beauty. Truly, the Creator had made her very beautifully. Falak was lost in praise of her sister-in-law when the innocent-looking Haya walked over to them.
Everyone knew how Rudraksh was, and once he had hatred in his heart for someone, no power in the world could remove that hatred. That's why no one asked Haya anything, and everyone remained silent. As soon as Haya sat down, Arina quietly asked, "What's wrong, Haya? Are you feeling okay? Your eyes look red."
Haya gently replied, "Bhabi, I'm fine. I'm just not used to sleeping late, so my head is heavy today."
Falak immediately said, "Your headache will get better. You haven't had Kaki's coffee, have you?"
Haya smiled and said, "Oh, really?"
Just then, Kaki handed Haya a cup of hot coffee and said, "Bahurani, Falak is right. Everyone loves our coffee. And you know, Rudraksh Baba always asks for our coffee as soon as he arrives. You'll get used to it too."
Haya shyly took the coffee, and with the first sip, she felt peace spread through her body. The coffee was truly delicious and strong.
Haya softly said, "It's really good. Thank you so much, Kaki."
Kaki smiled and left. As soon as Veena and Mannat came out of the kitchen, Haya quickly bent down to touch both their feet. Veena gently said, "Enough, enough."
Mannat gave Veena a stern look and lovingly said, "Beta, daughters don't touch feet." Then she hugged Haya and said, "Beta Haya, forgive me for what happened last night. I understand how a new bride must feel. Whenever you feel bad because of Rudraksh, just look towards us. He will improve, just give him time. I know he has hurt you, but beta, please be patient."
Haya held Mannat ji's hand and said, "Maa, please don't apologize. I'm not upset about anything. I've also had things forced upon me, and I've accepted it. I know Rudraksh will also take time."
Mannat ji, with love, said, "Thank you, beta. You understood well. Now, come, have breakfast."
As Mannat ji was saying this, her eyes fell on Rudraksh, who was walking down the stairs with red eyes.
What will Rudraksh do now? Will he really divorce Haya?
To find out, read "The Devil's Sweet Sin."