VANI

CHAPTER 4

जायज़ है तुझपे दीवानगी मेरी,
रगों से रूह तक है रवानगी तेरी
~ Anonymous

VANI'S POV

As I stood there, watching Riti dii and her fiancé, my heart danced with joy. The happiness in the air was infectious as dii attempted to place the garland on her groom. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, bending on one knee, a symbol of surrender to his soon-to-be bride. The room erupted in cheers as dii finally placed the garland around his neck.

I closed my eyes for a moment, silently sending my best wishes to the newly engaged couple. Riti dii had it all—a loving family, a devoted partner, and a successful career. She was the epitome of luck, a woman destined for happiness.

My mind wandered to my own life. In the final stretch of my studies, I was yearning for an internship in a reputable company. With the loss of my parents, my world revolved around textbooks and exams, leaving little room for anything else.

Amidst the celebratory chaos, a twinge of anxiety pricked my thoughts. Would I ever find someone who would love, care for, and respect me just like dii's fiancé did for her? The uncertainties of my future loomed large, mingling hope with fear.

But despite these doubts, I clung to optimism. I believed that the answers to my questions lay ahead, waiting to reveal themselves in due time. My journey might differ from Riti dii, but my faith in the possibility of happiness and love remained steadfast.

As the worry crept in, I endeavored to relish the vibrant wedding atmosphere, the air filled with laughter and the fragrance of flowers. My phone buzzed, an unknown number flashing on the screen. I picked up, and an unfamiliar voice echoed through the line.

"Hello, am I speaking with Ms. Vani Sharma?" The tone indicated a call related to the internships I had applied for.

Walking away from the cheerful crowd, I stepped into my hotel room, answering the call. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Vani?" I replied and swiftly opened my laptop.

"Yes, Vani speaking," I responded, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions.

"Hi Vani, this is Amrita speaking from VRS Solutions." The mention of the company name, a Multinational Tech Giant, sent a wave of nervousness through me.

"Hey Amrita." I responded, maintaining a composed tone despite the excitement welling inside.

"So Vani..." The conversation delved into my skills and certifications, Amrita shortlisting me for the internship's initial interview round. I thanked her and ended the call, placing my laptop back in its place.

Deciding to share the news with bade-papa and badi-maa, I opened the door and was greeted by their presence.

"badi-maa, bade-papa, you've arrived at the perfect time. You won't believe it—I've passed the screening round for the VRS internship!" I joyfully exclaimed and moved to embrace them, but their stiffness halted me. Their expressions hinted that something was amiss.

Observing their tensed demeanor, I stepped back, questioning the sudden change. "Is everything okay?"

"Vani, you need to leave right now," badi-maa's urgent words left me befuddled.

"Leave? But why?" I inquired, trying to understand the sudden urgency.

"We'll explain everything soon, beta. Please pack your things; your bade-papa will take you to the airport." Their plea for haste was evident, yet their explanation remained obscure, leaving me unsettled.

Amidst the rush and the cryptic directives, I gathered my belongings, my mind swirling with unanswered questions. Bade-papa and badi-maa remained preoccupied, offering no further insights but ensuring everything would be clarified after our departure.

Exiting the bustling celebration, the unspoken weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over my confusion.

"Why are we leaving like this?" I inquired again, confusion and concern tingeing my voice.

Badi-maa, engrossed in the phone call, glanced at me with a mix of worry and determination. "We're almost there. Just a phone call away from clarity."

My attempts to comprehend the urgency were met with silence as badi-maa focused on the promised call.

Amidst the chaos and the hurried departure, I found myself lost, seeking understanding amidst the shroud of secrecy enveloping bade-papa and badi-maa's unexpected actions.

Bade-papa sat on the passenger seat while me and badi-ma sat on the backseat. Everything was rushed and I sat unable to comprehend a single thing, why was I asked to leave suddenly, did I do anything that made my family, upset mad or hurt. I was scared after my parents passed away, they were my only family members and in no way I wanted to leave them. 

We had moved just a little on the road when the halted with a jerk. Badi-maa held my hand tightly as if she was scared that someone was going to take me away from her. 

I looked outside the window, my eyes widened looking at the bulky men dressed in black suit with guns tucked in their waist belts. 

The car doors opened, bade-papa, badi-maa and the drivers were forcefully taken out of the car when I tried to get out of the car, the car door was locked. 

"Hello, my love" I gasped looking at the strange man sitting beside me. 

"Bade-papa, Badi-maa" I screamed as I tried my hard to open the door lock. 

"Jaan dekho na, bade-papa or badi-maa meri baat mane hi nahi, unhe kitna samjhaya mene, unhe sach mein warn bhi kiya tha mene but fir bhi mujhe cross karne ka try kiya, mujhe dhoka dene ka try kiya or puri duniya janti hai ki Rudra Singh Rathore ko agar kisi cheez se sakht nafrat hai to woh dhoke se hai or tumhare badi-maa or bade-papa jese dhokebaaz logon se, abhi dekho kya ho gya, mujhe kya kya karna padega abhi"  The man complained in the childish tone as if he was a small kid and by the end his voice got cold but my whole focus was on getting out of the car. 

(look how my to be in laws didn't listen to me, my love, I tried to convince them so much, I even warned them but they still tried to cross them and the world knows this love if there is anything that Rudra Singh Rathore hates is betrayal and the betrayers like your uncle and aunt, now see what they made me do. )

"To my penthouse, Kumar" The man said rubbing his forehead with the gun that he had in his hand.

My heart dropped in fear at his words and the gun that he was casually playing with.

Dii = elder sister

Bade-papa = Father's elder brother

Badi-maa = Father's elder brother's wife

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