𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟔 ：𝑬𝒌 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒎 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂 ✓

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘝𝘐. 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯

The day passed, giving way to another morning. Sunlight streamed through the window, slowly making its way across the room until it kissed her face.

Manjari stirred, fluttering her lashes as the warmth caressed her skin. A small smile graced her lips as she stretched, hoping for a peaceful day ahead. However, before she could fully bask in the serenity of the morning, faint voices drifted through the open window, breaking the silence.

Curious, she rose from her bed, straightened her kurta, and made her way outside. As she stepped into the street, she was met with a large gathering of people. Familiar faces from the neighborhood were scattered among the crowd, their expressions laced with worry and unease.

Her gaze shifted towards the commotion's source. Four men sat atop horses, clad in striking red and yellow uniforms that suggested authority. Beside them stood an Indian man dressed formally, his posture rigid, as though standing guard.

Manjari's eyes settled on the one who was shouting. He was a foreigner, unmistakably not from India. His golden hair shone under the sun, but his furious expression overshadowed any semblance of warmth. His words were foreign to her ears, laced with anger and command.

Who is he? Why is he shouting? The questions ran through her mind, but answers remained elusive. Feeling overwhelmed, she shook off her thoughts and retreated to her home.

After a refreshing shower, she carefully braided her hair and adorned herself in a soft pink patiala, accentuating it with a delicate rose tucked into her braid. With one last glance in the mirror, she set off for college.

~~~

The day progressed uneventfully until the break arrived. As Manjari walked through the corridor, hushed whispers caught her attention. A group of girls huddled together, their voices urgent and laced with concern. She recognized one of them-Gauri.

Curiosity got the better of her. She approached them and took a seat beside Gauri before asking, "Gauri, kya hua tha subah? Wo sab?"

{Gauri, what happened this morning? What was all that?}

Gauri sighed before replying, "Arey, tumhe nahi pata? Chalo, main khud bata deti hoon."

{Oh, you don't know? Let me tell you myself}

She leaned closer and continued in a hushed voice, "Wo angrez log the jo humare Bharat ko humse lootne... mera matlab hai, cheenne aaye the. Bol rahe the ke hum yaha se nikal jaaye aur apne ghar khali kardein."

{Those were British officers who have come to steal-I mean, take-our India from us. They're ordering us to leave our homes and vacate the land.}

A wave of shock washed over Manjari. "Aise kaise khaali karde? Aur kyun aaye hain humare Bharat mein?"

{How can they expect us to leave just like that? And why have they come to our India?}

Gauri shook her head. "Mujhe nahi pata kyun aaye hain, par koi Fletcher naam ka angrez ne sandesa bheja tha. Keh raha hai ke ab woh is Bharat ka raja hai aur uske hisaab se sab kuch chalega."

{I don't know why they've come, but someone named Fletcher sent a message, claiming that he is now the ruler of India and everything must go according to his orders.}

Her voice dropped lower as she added, "Pata hai, subah jab main jaa rahi thi, maine kuch logon ko angrezon ke khilaaf bolte hue dekha. Toh un angrezon ko gussa aa gaya aur unhone un logon ko bohot buri tarah se peeta... ghasseet rahe the! Mere papa bhi keh rahe hain ke woh unke khilaaf jaayenge. Mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai, Manju. Ladkiyon ke saath bhi battameezi ho rahi hai. Samajh nahi aa raha kya karein."

{You know, this morning, I saw some people protesting against the British. They got so angry that they beat them brutally, dragging them away! Now, my father says he will stand against them too. I'm so scared, Manju. They're even misbehaving with women. I don't know what to do.}

Manjari felt a chill run down her spine. The weight of this revelation pressed on her, but she refused to let it consume her thoughts. She sighed, bidding farewell to her friends, and began her walk home, lost in contemplation.

~~~

As she walked along the narrow lane, deep in thought, a sudden force gripped her wrist. She barely had time to react before she was pulled roughly behind a tree. Panic surged through her veins as she turned to see who it was-and her breath hitched.

Her lips trembled as fear coursed through her. Standing before her, a sinister smirk stretching across his face, was none other than her cousin-Dev. His dark eyes roved over her form, his gaze predatory, sending an unsettling shiver down her spine.

She tried to yank her hand free, but his grip only tightened. Instead, he yanked her forward with such force that she stumbled, colliding against his chest. His lips curled into a wicked smirk as he murmured, "Manjuuu..." in a husky voice.

A fresh wave of terror engulfed her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

He leaned in, his voice dripping with possession. "Roz roz tum kitni khoobsurat hoti ja rahi ho... sirf mere liye."

{You're growing more beautiful by the day... just for me.}

Disgust churned in her stomach. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to push him away, to fight back, but fear paralyzed her.

Before she could react, he seized her wrist once again and dragged her toward the temple. She struggled, but he was stronger. Upon reaching the temple, he stormed inside, shoving the priest aside and snatching the nuptial chain from Goddess Kalika's idol.

Turning toward Manjari, he reached forward, attempting to place the sacred chain around her neck. She gasped, mustering all her strength to shove him away. Without wasting a second, she bolted for the door, her heart hammering in her chest. But he was faster.

Catching up to her, he grabbed her arm once more, his grip unforgiving. "Tum jitna bhi bhaag lo, par aaj sirf meri hogi."

{You can run as much as you want, but today, you will be mine.}

Tears streamed down her face as she struggled in vain. Just as he tried to drag her back, a firm hand grasped his wrist, halting his movement.

Manjari's eyes widened as she turned to see who had intervened.....

~~~~

Hello loves ❤️

So how was the chapter?
Who was the person who caught Dev's arm? Was he another antagonist? Another villain?

Let me know!!!
Guys and pls do comment and vote! Also flw

Stay tuned for the next chapter!!

*1044 words*
•Updated•

~Nishaa♡