chapter 7

Was it that easy to take a girl from a brothel? Absolutely not. Everyone was up in the morning and doing their usual chores. Mohini was seated on the swing when she found Vikrant coming with Pari. On one hand, she is holding a bag." Aye? Where are you taking my girl?"She stopped them. Vikrant muttered a cuss word under his breath, realising he'll have to deal with her now. He does not have much time." Pari? Go back to your room. Where are you running with your belongings?"Mohini scolded the girl who lifted her gaze and looked at the man. She felt him grasping her hand tighter than before." How much do you want?"Mohini frowned and everyone came to the scene." Huh?'" 50 Lacs?"Mohini stood up when he suddenly mentioned the amount of money." What?"" How much do you want to free her?"Gasps echoed in the whole room." Listen, just because you are rich you can't do whatever you want-"" 75 lacs?"He took a step closer to Mohini, pulling Pari with her. Mohini's greed was aroused, but she could not give in to his words like that." Just leave her-"" 1 crore?"Everyone widened their eyes including Pari while Vikrant kept his expression cold and did not budge from his place while spending money like water." W..what?"" 2 crore?"The amount only increased. Pari pulled his hand and he turned his gaze at her." Are you crazy?"He ignored her and looked back at Mohini." 2 crore, is it? Final. From today Pari is mine. You will get your money by evening."He was about to walk away but Mohini stopped them again." Aye aye aye? You cannot take my girl away from me-"She sealed her mouth when he looked at her with a heated gaze. Silence erupted in the hall; the only sound was the clicking of his shoes as he walked towards her.Pari was terrified, the second time by him. First was when he came to her room on their first night. He is looking so different and dangerous as if he will exceed any limit just to get his power recognized." You know this and I know this too that it won't take me much time to buy this brothel of yours. You run the business too. Do you even understand the profit and loss?"She gulped, feeling too scared to fight against him." Hamari beshkimti amaanat hum apne paas saja kar rakhte hain. Sar peet lo ya kuch bhi kar lo par har jagah se haarogi tum."( I keep my priceless assets safely with me. You can bang your head or use any other source but you will lose everywhere.)Pari blinked her eyes slowly and felt something happening to her heart. There was depth in his words, there was intimacy and there was possessiveness in his voice.In front of everyone he held her tightly as if he was challenging them to break the bond if they could. Then he took her out with him.A wave rushed down her spine when she stepped out of the brothel after 1.5 years. She felt overwhelmed and couldn't help but to think- was it real? Is she leaving this place forever?People came out of their homes to witness the unexpected scene.But, as something clicked her mind, she halted on her steps. He looked back at her." What happened?"She widened her eyes slowly and turned her head behind. He followed her gaze and landed it on Palak.Pari's eyes filled up seeing her and Palak too had tears in her eyes. She promised to help her escape this place. But, how will she now? Forgetting everything, Palak smiled at Pari with glossy eyes wishing her to be happy in her life.Vikrant felt her slowly leaving his hand. He pulled her hand and she looked back at him." I..I cannot go. Palak.. I promised her."" I'll take care of that," he said." But-"" Trust me."And she chose to trust him. He never breaks his promises. He always helps her.She followed him to the car without looking back, not wanting to cry. It took her 1.5 years to get out of here. She has seen many heart-wrenching things.She wants to cry. Laugh and dance like a maniac. She is very happy but the cost of her freedom is very high. She has to become his wife and marry him.He opened the passenger side door for her and she sat inside. She is feeling very excited and happy. He sat on the driving seat." Seat belt?"" Huh? Oh yes."He noticed her bodily responses. She is shivering due to immense happiness. She grabbed the seatbelt and he helped her buckle it.He ignited the engine and drove them away from there. She put her palm on the window and looked outside." Should I open it?"He asked." No please, " she refused.She was afraid that some dirty man might cast his eyes on her. She wanted to stay locked up for some time. He watched her from time to time. She is staring out and not letting any place go without looking at it. To her ease, he slowed down the car a little.No one could understand how she was feeling at this moment except her. Today she finally got the freedom she had been craving for 1.5 years.He frowned when she chuckled suddenly as soon as they crossed the area of the brothel and reached the main road." Sorry sorry."She apologised and wiped her tears. He smiled slightly and grabbed his phone from the dashboard then dialled a number." Gautam?"Pari looked at him." Prepare 5 crores instantly."She frowned and couldn't hear what the other person said but she is sure that person must be as shocked as she is." Just do what I say and yes bring maa to the temple near my home."He disconnected the call." Why are you spending so much of your money? And if we talked about 2 crores, why 5 crores?"" I need a huge amount to shut her mouth. Anyway, this is not even half of what I spend."" How much do you earn?"She asked in surprise." So much that the owner of that brothel will die."She looked down at her lap and wondered seriously how much he earns? She needs to reassure herself and know where she is putting herself into." But don't worry. All is earned by hard work. I don't do illegal business."She sighed." I would still say we are doing wrong-"" Hum shaadi kar rahe hai," he interrupted her.( We are getting married.)" Whatever it is. How will you deal with your family? You can..just send me back. I don't want you to be in trouble and your family to curse me."" Once I have pulled you out of the mud, I will not send you back again. Do not talk too much and sit quietly."She refrained herself from scoffing and stared out of the window. Everything must have changed so much in 1.5 years. She wondered how her family would be? They must be happy.In the next 30 minutes, the car stopped at a makeup studio. She came out when he opened her side of the door." Let's go."He said and grabbed her hand. She stayed quiet and watched him talking to guards then entering the studio which looked quite expensive. Posters of celebrities were pinned on the walls to showcase that they have taken service from here.She stopped when he did. She knitted her eyebrows as he shook his hand with a woman in her 30's. She is looking gorgeous." I won't disappoint you, Sir."She then looked at Pari." Come with us, mam."Pari's heart sank when he let go of her hand. She grabbed his hand again as she recalled a horrifying past. This moment seemed similar to the day when she was forcibly taken to Brothel.The woman was left confused." They will help you in getting ready. I am waiting right here. Go."Vikrant said." You won't go without me, right?"Pari asked and he smiled before shaking his head no. She nodded and left his hand then followed the polite woman.She was taken to a particular room in which four workers were present." You should change into this then we will do your makeup."The woman said and handed her red blouse and petticoat. She took it and one of the workers guided her to the changing room. She took 5- 7 minutes to change her clothes. She grabbed her old clothes and looked at herself in the mirror.The work is heavy on the blouse. She felt exposed. She let out a deep sigh and walked out of the changing room.She sat on the chair in front of the mirror and watched a girl opening her loose braid. There are many branded make up products before her. She doesn't even know the names of some of them." Uhm, please don't apply too much."She said to them." Sure mam."And then began the process of adorning the bride. Earlier also she got ready with the help of 2-3 such girls, but this time the moment is different, the reason is different and the person for whom she is getting ready is different. Don't know how she will handle everything in future. Was she ready to become someone's wife?Maybe..Maybe not.Other things apart, these girls are very experienced and talented. They are doing everything very politely and skillfully and in no time they added their artistic touch to her beauty.They helped her wear bangles, anklets and other jewelleries. The last work was to put a small red bindi in between her eyebrows. They have brushed her hair in a low bun, leaving some strands of her hair on either side of her face.She stood up and they brought a heavy saree. She felt the weight of it when they draped the saree on her.Probably one hour took to make her ready." You are looking very beautiful."She smiled and thanked them. Bridal sandals were presented to her which she wore and looked at her complete look in the mirror once." Let's go."The woman said and she followed them out. She is nervous to witness his expression.When they came out of the room, she could hear the muffled sounds of him talking to someone via call. Her eyes fell upon him. He, too, has changed his clothes into off white kurta and pyjamas." Sir?"The woman called him." Yeah, be quick."He disconnected the call and turned around while still checking a message on his mobile." Sir, your bride is ready."He lifted his eyelashes as soon as the woman informed him and oh, he was left awestruck. She is looking breathtaking. Very different from how she looked in that place. Her beauty has not decreased but increased. He knows where he is pushing himself but he did not know that where he is going is such a beautiful heaven, where she is the angel.She is biting the corner of her lips, avoiding her gaze nervously and finding ways to hide herself from him." Sir?"He hated the woman who disturbed him." Yeah..yeah, uhm thank you. We should do the rest of the formalities."The woman nodded with a smile." Wait here for me."Pari nodded and he followed the woman to the counter. She watched him from afar. He took out his card from wallet and paid the money." Let's go," he said to her.She nodded and he grabbed her hand. She lifted her saree a little and followed him out of the studio. They drove away from there.A question arose in Pari's mind and she ended up clearing her doubt." How old are you?"He glanced at her, " 28."She started counting on her finger." I am 7 years older than you," he told her.She put her hands down, creating sounds of her anklets." Oh."She stayed for a minute before asking another question." Where are you going?"" Temple," he answered." Will we marry there?"He hummed. Her heart skipped a beat. She didn't know if it was because of the excitement of marriage or freedom. And whether she was going to be free or tied in a bond." Uhm, you are looking beautiful," he finally complimented her.She smiled shyly, " thank you. You too."" Beautiful?"He raised his eyebrows." I mean, handsome."He chuckled slightly. After that none of them shared a single conversation. Their next stop was a temple.They climbed the stairs up the temple." Suniye," she called him.( Listen.)" Hmm."" Your family?"" My mother," he stopped suddenly and she followed his gaze. Her eyes landed on a middle-aged woman in the temple with a young man, around his age. She seemed weak and sick. She is coughing from time to time." My mother is here."He grabbed her head and her heart beat increased." No," she said fearfully." Just come. She won't eat you."He pulled her to his mother. She insisted on standing at a little distance because she doesn't want to face his mother yet. She cannot bear her scoldings and hatred filled words.She watched him keenly. She cannot hear their voices properly but she is sure, his mother is trying to change his mood. She looked at her more than two times and every time she looked displeasant. On the other hand, Vikrant seemed as adamant as he was before." Vikrant, you've completely lost your mind? How will you handle your father? There will be enmity between the two families."" I do not care, maa. I have been clear from the very first day that I don't want to marry that girl but you guys forced me."His mother put her hands on his shoulders." Son, you will cause a lot of trouble. Many people will be sad, your fiancée will be heartbroken and a rift will develop between you and your father."" And what about me? My happiness? You are trying to tie me up with a girl whom I don't even want to see, then how will I spend my life with her? By marrying me, not only will my life be ruined but hers will also not be good."" Try to understand, son-"" Please, maa. For the first time I have made a decision against my father for my happiness. But without your blessings I will not be able to do anything. Do not make me weak. My so-called father will make me marry that girl for his own business profit."His mother let out a sigh and turned her gaze at the girl with whom he's ready to spend life with." What is her name? Her family? Where does she live?"He glanced behind at her, " Pari."" And? Her family? Do they know about her?"He looked back at his mother and felt disappointed in himself because he doesn't know much about her except her name and few of her habits. He should have extracted her information instead. To save him from this moment, the priest came and called him for work." I'll be back," he said to his mother and walked away.Fear rushed down Pari's spine seeing him walking with the men who accompanied his mother. Why did he leave her alone? Did he convince his mother already?She regretted looking at his mother because she gestured to him to come to her. She gulped and took slow and steady steps to her. Akansha patted beside herself and she took a seat there." What is your name, daughter?"Akansha chose to begin a conversation with this question only. Pari could feel the gentleness in her voice. After her parents, no one called her this sweetly." Pari."" And your parents?"A wave of sorrow passed by her before she dropped her eyelashes down to her lap." They are no more."" Oh, I am so sorry for your loss."Pari smiled reassuringly. Akansha glanced at her son talking to the priest about the preparations for the wedding." Do you two love each other?"Pari felt out of words. What is she supposed to answer? What did he tell her about this question?" Uhm,"Akansha looked at her, " you two sure do, that is why my son is taking this step. Do you have no family? I mean, do they know about this?"They don't even know where she is. They don't care if she lives or dies. She shook her head negatively, " they don't."Akansha felt suspicious, not knowing what type of a girl her son has got for himself." Where do you live?"And she asked the most expected question Pari feared. Vikrant took her from the brothel. Did he tell her this? Probably not because which mother would like a girl from a brothel as her daughter-in-law." Uhm.."" She lived with her father's brother's family," Vikrant interrupted their conversation..Akansha nodded, " so won't they find her?"" I do not think so," he sat down beside Pari and she felt relieved. He will take care of everything now." Why?"Akansha frowned." They do not really love her. She works at an NGO. That's where we met. I went there to donate."Akansha nodded. Don't know how he was lying without hesitation but he guessed correctly about her family.Akansha smiled and grabbed Pari's hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze." I trust you with my son. His choices are always precious."She forced a smile. She doesn't even know if she's precious or just a modest girl. Akansha looked at her son," You can marry her. I just want your happiness."Vikrant smiled. Pari was caught in a dilemma. Would it be okay to get married? What if something went wrong? Would this relationship be successful?Her trance of thoughts broke when Vikrant's man came and informed them," The priest is calling. We should not delay."She let out a deep exhale and felt Vikrant grabbing her hand." Let's go."He said and three of them stood up. Akansha followed them to the temple. Pari stared at his back.⋆༺✷༻⋆Share your reviews.