TERE AA JANE SE

Ch 14 object for someone's bed ?

Being a servant was acceptable to her, but becoming an object for someone's bed was absolutely intolerable.

Amidst her contemplation, she quivered and, with tears streaming down her face, began to speak, "Please, sister-in-law, don't sell me. I will do every task for you. I will work day and night. Make me do any work you want, but please spare me from this deal... please save me, sister-in-law."

In response to her pleas, her brother, in anger, pushed her towards Surekha, shouting, "Surekha, make her understand properly. If she creates any drama in front of Shalini madam later, I will beat her to death."

"Don't worry, I will make her understand very well," Surekha replied with a smile, assuring her husband. After he left, Surekha closed the door and issued a threat, "Hiya queen, you have to get married. Not only that, they want a child from you. So, it's better for you to willingly accept it. Madam's son has a fierce temper. Even a small mistake from you could have severe consequences. Therefore, keep yourself subdued in front of them. If you come back home after marriage, I will sell you to an even worse place next time... Understand? I'm sure you get what I'm saying." She playfully ran her fingers through Hiya's hair with a devilish smile.

"Sister-in-law, you are a woman too. Why can't you understand my pain? This is very difficult for me," Hiya sobbed, expressing the emotional turmoil she was experiencing.

However, Surekha quickly crushed her hand with her foot, causing Hiya to wince in pain. She then leaned down slightly and said, "Marriage or suffering? Think about it; the decision is yours." With those words, she kicked Hiya and swiftly exited the room.

The mention of Utkarsh's name sent shivers down Hiya's spine. Surekha had made it clear that Hiya had no say in her own decisions.

_____

Raizada Mansion

The evening had fallen, and Shalini was about to execute her entire plan to convince her son for marriage. She knew that convincing her son for marriage wouldn't be easy.

Ahil was comfortably seated on the sofa, sipping his coffee and engrossed in some office work on his laptop. At that moment, Shalini approached him, took a seat, and cheerfully said, "Ahil, you know, today I am so happy that you agreed to get married."

Ahil, who was enjoying his coffee until then, started coughing upon hearing this.
Shalini quickly patted his back, "Oh dear, are you okay?"

"Mom, I'm fine, but maybe you're not? Get yourself checked. Are you okay?" he replied, looking at her with a hint of annoyance.

His words echoed with a mix of disbelief and frustration as he continued, "I mean, seriously, Mom? Is it ethical to use someone's life as a mere means to an end? This whole idea of bringing a child into the world without a solid foundation of commitment and love is not just unfair but downright cruel. You're talking about disrupting someone else's life for our convenience."

Shalini, sensing her son's strong reaction, tried to calm the atmosphere, "Ahil, I understand your concerns, but you need to think about the family legacy, the continuity of our lineage."

Ahil, however, wasn't convinced, "Legacy, Mom? Is that more important than the happiness and well-being of individuals involved? What about the emotional toll it would take on that girl and the potential child? Is it right to play with their lives for the sake of some perceived legacy?"

His mother sighed, realizing the depth of his convictions, "Son, I just want what's best for you and our family. I thought this could be a solution, but if you're so strongly against it, we'll find another way."

As the conversation unfolded, it became evident that Ahil was not willing to compromise his principles for societal expectations, setting the stage for a clash between tradition and individual values within the family.

Ahil, perturbed by his mother's proposal, pondered the ethical implications. "Mom, using money to manipulate someone's life is not justifiable. How can a person be so desperate for financial support that they agree to a temporary marriage arrangement? It raises serious questions about exploitation and the value we place on human dignity."

His mother, determined to make her point, insisted, "son, this is how the world works sometimes. People make compromises for their needs. If we can secure our family's future and help someone in need, why not?"

Ahil, still grappling with the moral dilemma, replied, "But Mom, can we really call it help if it involves compromising someone's fundamental rights and emotions? It feels like we are exploiting someone's vulnerability for our gain."

Their conversation delved into the complexities of societal expectations, morality, and the blurred lines between financial assistance and ethical responsibility. As Ahil contemplated his mother's proposition, he realized the profound impact such decisions could have on the lives intertwined in this intricate web of circumstances

____________

Ahil's mother had been pressuring him into contemplating this marriage every minute through texts, calls, mails, plug cards, and messages through others' hands continuously. His head was spinning and he was tired as hell with this pestering. He wanted to run away to his office but his mother didn't allow him to leave the mansion either. Frustrated, he presses the bridge of his nose after applying balm on his head. Gulping the brewing coffee kept on his table he sat lost in contemplation, when his mother decided to show up herself and barged inside his study room, probed once more, "Ahil, spill the truth, are you genuinely committing to this marriage or not?"

Closing his laptop decisively, he responded, "I'm on board, Mom, ready for whatever you think is right. Now if you allow me, can I please leave this house?” His voice laced the agitation of his suffocating state and as his mother nodded, he briskly exited the mansion. Meanwhile, Shalini exuded sheer joy, revelling in the satisfaction that her cherished son had acquiesced to the union, finally.

Fixing his coat with fast paced steps he almost runs outside as if an ice cream man arrived after a long day and he with legit urgency just wants to grab the cone as soon as he could. Seeing him coming, the driver quickly brought the car near the porch and stood at the side.