Chapter 14: chapter 14

SRUTHII close the door but don’t lock it when Gabe and Nisha leave us alone. My aloof mask slips and a couple of tears fall on my face. I put my head on my brother’s shoulder. Vikram was always the brave one. He always took care of me. He accepted my fears without scoffing at them. He understood my phobia and never belittled me for it. I am grateful for him. I can’t understand why I decided to leave Vikram for that jerk Praveen. “It is okay,” Vikram says in a reassuring tone patting my back. “Everything is going to be all right. I will handle everything.”I can’t meet his eyes. Even, now, he doesn’t blame me for the lousy man I choose. Looking down at my toes, I say, “I am sorry. I am sorry for not following your advice about men who would use me. I should have been more careful. I am sorry for falling in love with that man.”Vikram pulls me into a tight hug, “I am sorry for being the defence minister. If only I wasn’t that, he wouldn’t have felt the need to keep pretending to you. I know many men are scared of approaching you because of me. If only, we weren’t born in this Ariyan family, this would not have happened.”I shake my head at him, “Never be sorry for who you are or for our family. We are from the Ariyan family—the family that has been guarding this country for centuries. You are not at fault here. He was a coward and though it hurts like hell, I am glad that I don’t get a coward as my husband.”I wipe my eyes. The eyeliner is smudged and the makeup is ruined. I take deep breaths. The politics in Yepistan is unstable now. Many politicians are corrupt and the only person keeping them in check is my brother. If a scandal breaks out, the wolves in the cabinet would make a big deal out of it and make my brother step down and replace him with a distant relative of ours who is as corrupt as the politicians. I can’t let that happen. As his sister, I must make sure that he stays in the position.“What do you want me to do?” Vikram asks. That breaks my heart even more. He still wants me to decide what to do with my life. He may be a politician to the whole world but to me, he is always the protective elder brother. I take a deep breath. I know the decision I am going to take is not only going to affect me but many people in this country. Screw romance and love. Those are things that only people with no burdens or responsibilities could afford. Not me. Because I have a responsibility to this country. My family always puts this country’s well-being before its own and I am going to do that.“The marriage must happen at any cost. I will do what I need to do to keep you in the minister’s position,” I give my answer.“You don’t have to do that for me, Sruthi,” my brother says. “It is what I must do. We can’t risk this scandal now. You know how the other ministers are eager to see you fall. I won’t let that happen when I am still alive.”“But you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for it,” Vikram says. “It is more than enough that one of us is already sacrificing ourselves for this country. You don’t have to come under that list too.”I shake my head at him. He keeps forgetting the words our father told us when we were kids. “Our family is known for making sacrifices to this country. I don’t care who you bring me, I will marry him.”Vikram pursues his lips in deep thought. I grab a tissue from the dressing table and wipe away the smudged makeup. My face is emotionless as I carry out the task. I can’t even bring myself to smile. Just ten minutes ago, I was bursting with happiness. It is funny how rapidly our mood can change. An assassin on my trail is the least of my worries now. That reminds me.“No matter who you bring as my groom, make sure that person knows what they are signing up for. He must know about the threat to my life.”“Are you sure that you would marry any man I bring you?” “I will. So, who is it?” I ask knowing that my brother has someone on his mind already.“Madhav,” my brother answers meeting my gaze.I stop breathing for a moment. I feel cold sweep in my veins. Any man except him. He is the last man I would ever want as my husband. But I gave my word. Can I back out now?“Why him?” I ask instead of the denial that is sitting on the tip of my tongue.“Under these circumstances, he is the perfect match for you. He knows how to keep you safe from the threat. He already saved you once. Very importantly, he isn't scared of me.”I know that is true. But that does not change the fact that Madhav is a violent man and being near him makes my heart race faster in fear. I am scared of him.  There are rumours about him killing people. The world may see him as an eligible bachelor but I have heard rumours about him in our close circle. Many say that he has bloodlust and relishes killing others. The reason why he was sent to juvenile? Rumours say that he killed his father. He is everything that I don’t want in a man. I wanted my husband to be an open book and a good citizen. But Madhav is neither of those. He is a mystery and not definitely not good. I am sure Madhav would keep me safe from all the threats but who will keep me safe from him? “Sruthi, you don’t have to do this,” my brother says. I shake my head. Vikram doesn’t understand the consequences like others. He has no idea about the history of our country where ministers were replaced for many silly reasons. I can’t let that happen to my brother. Even if it means marrying a man I am afraid of. I have nothing else to lose now. The only thing I valued in my whole life was my heart and I gave it to the wrong man who stamped on it. Why did I choose Praveen? Because I wanted to have a safe and secure life. But, I don’t think safety and security are something I would ever get in my life. I am done playing it safe.“Will he agree to this?” I ask. Madhav never struck me as the type to commit to something. The media says he has an attention span of two minutes and has dated a variety of women. I doubt he would be willing to be tied down to me.“He would do it in a heartbeat,” Vikram says. I frown at him but before I can question him further, he asks, “Your opinion is the only thing that matters now. Do you want to marry him?”Desperate time calls for desperate measures. The moment I was born in the Ariyan family, I was duty-bound to this country. I can never have the happiness and romance I wanted to have if I marry Madhav but at least I would have my life and my brother would have his position. I always believed that happiness is the most important thing in our lives but today, I am realizing that other things are more important than happiness.“I will marry Madhav,” I say in a clear and firm tone just as the room bursts open and the very man we are talking about stands in the doorway with a stunned expression on his face.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥