Secret Marriage

wedding?

Mayukh had decided to take the day off and go for a long drive with his friends. They were headed to the hills and valleys of Kolkata, away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a getaway.

"So bro! Dubai huh." His friend Armaan exclaimed.
This group of his friends had been with him since school and now are heading to the same city for masters and work.
"Finally bro! I'm tired of staying here. I keep telling Mom dad to make this home a hotel, but they don't want to listen. They can live in Dubai with Ruyash bhai and me. Kolkata is not as great as used to be."
"I mean, it is right now, it's Durga Pujo come on! The most auspicious ten days for anything."
"Valid, but not relevant to us! Let's go we need to reach before sunset to put our camps."

The boys drove for two hours before reaching the outskirts of a small village where they set up their camp and were able to find a decent hotel to spend the night if needed. They got their food and music ready and were in awe of the view and vibe in front of them.

Meanwhile Nikita was getting ready for her engagement. Her aunt had hurried everything up and decided to hold the wedding today. Nikita found it weird that the engagement was held at a secluded outskirt area rather than in the city amongst the family and friends. She had also not being able to contact her parents for a day because her aunt said that they're gone for a Vipasna, which is a 9 day meditation where one is kept away from the phone and outside world.

She sat in the car adorned in a pastel pink saree with minimal mehendi on her hand, her hair, of her chest length, flowed freely whilst adorned with some flowers and clips. She had a small nose ring which reinforced the features on her flawless face. Her eyes were adorned with kajal and lashes with mascara. She wore simple bangles and a bindi on her forehead. Her brown eyes were looking outside, hoping for a positive change.

"You're looking beautiful Nikita." her aunt said as they got down the car towards the engagement hall.
Nikita had a very bad feeling about this. The hall looked shady and old and looked like no one came here at all. She headed to her allocated room where she sat and tried to call her parents yet again.

It was 9pm when his whole friend group had gotten so drunk they passed out at the hotel. He, however, did not drink and was now bored. He decided to go for a stroll nearby and observe the village. He wore a white shirt and black pants and made his hair and freshened up and headed off, not knowing his life would change forever by just one walk.

He reached the village and watched a bunch of lights and musicians. A marriage, he assumed. Coming closer, he saw the groom to be a 60 year old man. Something in his mind didn't feel right but he shrugged the thought.
He came closer towards the area and looked on the corner to see a lady peeking at her venue with her eyes in shock.

What happened to her?

Mayukh went closer to follow the lady and watched her run inside a room. He peaked through the entrance to see what was going on.

"MASI WHAT IS THIS?" The lady yelled, THE GUY IS 60 YEARS OLD. YOU TOLD ME THAT HE IS YOUNG AND THIS IS AN ENGAGEMENT."
"Stop shouting Nikita." Her aunt replied.
"Stop shouting?! My life is being toyed with and you want me to stop shouting?!" Before the lady could say anything else, she got a tight slap on her face, resulting in some blood coming from her lips.
What is wrong with this aunt of hers?! She's lying to the girl???? Mayukh thought.

"You are getting married to this man, today and right now, end of discussion." She said holding the girl's arm very tightly and left the room. As she came towards the entrance, Mayukh ran away.

He came back and saw the girl in her room crying. His heart broke. He didn't even know this girl and hadn't even seen her face properly.

He decided to walk away, trying to not be involved.

It had been 45 mins since he left the village and was walking back to his hotel, trying to get that girl out of his thoughts. He walked along slowly when suddenly he felt his hand held tightly by someone. He turned around to see her.

"You?" He said.
The same girl who he had seen in the room was here. She looked like she'd been running for a while. She had bruises on her hand and the side of her lip still had dried blood.

"Please... Pleas... get me... to a... station..." She cried.

"Hey hey, listen, relax." Mayukh said, holding her arms and bringing her closer. Before he could get his phone out, huge flashing lights and a car had surrounded them.

"This wrecked woman. Won't leave us alone. You are getting married." Her aunt had come in the car cursing the girl. Mayukh watched her eyes get wide with fear and clutch his hand tightly as she hid near him.

"No... no please...." she said, he could feel her tears soaking the back of his shirt.

"I don't know who you are, but she doesn't want to marry that person." Mayukh replied.

"Who exactly are you to tell us what to do?" Her aunt cursed, "some lousy child, move out of our way." She came closer and pulled Nikita away along with some men of hers despite Mayukh's tight hold on her.

Nikita's aunt slapped Nikita tightly and she let out a painful scream and fell on the ground, her pink saree now covered with brown spots of the dirt. Mayukh watched in horror and tried to come to her but was stopped after being held by some men.

"Please Masi, don't do this" She begged as she saw the same old man, the groom, come out of the car with sindoor in his hands. Nikita crawled backwards trying to run.

"ENOUGH." screamed Mayukh. Everyone turned to see him. By now he had gotten the two guards behind him to switch sides by paying them some money. They had let him go. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HER?" He yelled.

"This is my niece and it's none of your concern. Who are you to her?" Her aunt said.

"I...." Mayukh claimed, he knew there was no other way to give this girl her freedom and free her from her death or this miserable faith. He sighed and looked at her aunt with anger and fearless aura in his eyes, "I'll tell you who I am."

He walked to Nikita and pulled her up and wiped her tears and the mud off her saree and brought her closer to her aunt. Fresh tears came to her eyes again.

He took the sindoor in her aunt's hand and looked at Nikita and filled her head with it. Nikita's eyes widened in shock as she cried more. He then looked at her aunt, who was equally in shock.

"I am her husband. What will you do now?" Mayukh said confidently.

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