Hateship

6

Vidyut sat in his parents' living room, his mind still reeling from the previous night's events. The memory of Aarohi's words, her tone, and her expression was etched in his mind like a scar. He couldn't shake off the feeling of humiliation and anger that had been simmering inside him since the moment she walked away.

"Mother, Father, I need to talk to you about something," Vidyut said, his voice firm and resolute. He had made up his mind, and he was determined to see it through.

His parents looked up from their tea, curious about the determined look on their son's face. "What is it, Vidyut?" his mother asked, setting her cup down. She could sense the tension in his voice and wondered what was bothering him.

Vidyut took a deep breath, his eyes locked on his parents. "It's about Aarohi," he said, his voice low and even. "I've been thinking a lot about what happened last night, and I've come to a realization."

His father raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of realization?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

Vidyut's jaw clenched, his teeth gritted. "I want her," he said, his voice firm. "I want Aarohi, no matter what it takes."

His mother's eyes widened in surprise, her hand flying to her mouth. "Vidyut, are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "After what she did to you?"

Vidyut's smile was calculating, his eyes glinting with determination. "That's exactly why I want her, Mother," he said, his voice dripping with conviction. "She's the only woman who's ever challenged me, who's ever stood up to me. And I need that in my life."

His father leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Vidyut, listen to me," he said, his voice serious. "Aarohi is not a woman to be trifled with. She's got a sharp tongue and a quick wit. She'll not hesitate to use them against you again."

Vidyut's eyes flashed with determination, his jaw clenched. "That's what I'm counting on, Father," he said, his voice firm. "I want a woman who will keep me on my toes, who will challenge me to be my best self. And Aarohi is the only one who's ever done that."

His parents exchanged a worried glance, sensing the resolve in their son's voice. They knew that Vidyut wouldn't rest until he got what he wanted. And what he wanted was Aarohi.

His father's expression turned grave. "Vidyut, be careful. You're playing with fire. Aarohi is not a woman to be underestimated."

Vidyut nodded, his jaw clenched. "I know what I'm doing, Father. I'll be fine."

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving his parents looking at each other in worry.

Little did he know, Aarohi was not going to make it easy for him.

Aarohi's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I'm shaking with fear," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What could you possibly do to make me fall in love with you?"

Vidyut's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "I'll do whatever it takes," he said, his voice firm. "I'll prove to you that I'm the only man for you."

Aarohi laughed, a throaty sound. "I'm looking forward to seeing you try," she said, her eyes sparkling with challenge.

Vidyut's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked, his voice low.

Aarohi nodded, her smile still in place. "Oh, yes," she said. "I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Vidyut's face darkened, his eyes flashing with determination. "Fine," he said. "Play it that way. But I'm not giving up. I'll make you fall in love with me, no matter what it takes."

Aarohi's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with excitement. "I'm looking forward to it," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.

And with that, the game was on. Vidyut and Aarohi were engaged in a battle of wits, a battle of wills. Only time would tell who would emerge victorious.

After few days

Vidyut arrived at Aarohi's house, his heart racing with anticipation. He was greeted by Aarohi's parents, who looked less than thrilled to see him. "Vidyut, what brings you here?" Aarohi's father asked gruffly, his arms crossed over his chest. Vidyut took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Aarohi's parents. "I've come to ask for Aarohi's hand in marriage," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Aarohi's eyes widened in shock, her face pale. "What? No, Vidyut, I won't marry you!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. But Vidyut's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "Aarohi, I want to marry you," he said, his voice low and husky.

Aarohi's parents exchanged a stunned glance, their faces a mix of shock and calculation. They had always known that Vidyut was a catch, but they had never thought he would choose Aarohi over Tanya. "Aarohi, beta, think about this carefully," her mother said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Vidyut is a great match for you. He's rich, influential, and handsome. You would be lucky to have him as your husband."

But Aarohi was shaking her head, her eyes flashing with anger. "I don't care about his money or his influence," she said, her voice firm. "I don't want to marry him." Her father's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Aarohi, don't be foolish," he said. "This is a great opportunity for you. You would be securing your future."

Vidyut's eyes never left Aarohi's face, his gaze burning with intensity. "Aarohi, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye," he said, his voice low. "But I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I promise to always be there for you, to support you and love you."

Aarohi's eyes filled with tears, her face trembling with emotion. "Vidyut, I...I don't know," she stammered. "I need time to think." Vidyut nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll give you all the time you need," he said. "But know this, Aarohi. I'm not giving up. I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine."

She felt like she was suffocating, like the walls were closing in on her. She couldn't believe her parents were doing this to her, ignoring her pleas and treating her like a pawn in their game of power and prestige. "Please, Mother, Father, listen to me," Aarohi begged, trying to keep her voice calm, but it was shaking with desperation. "I don't want to marry Vidyut. I don't love him. And I know he doesn't love me either. He's only doing this to prove a point, to show me that he can have me if he wants me."

But her parents just ignored her, their faces set in stone. "We'll talk to Vidyut's parents and finalize the details," Aarohi's father said, his voice dripping with satisfaction, like he had just secured a major business deal. "And then we'll start making arrangements for the wedding. It will be a beautiful ceremony, Aarohi. You'll see. You'll be the envy of all your friends and acquaintances."

Aarohi felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, with no way out. She couldn't believe her parents were willing to sacrifice her happiness, her well-being, for their own selfish desires. She knew she had to think fast, to come up with a plan to escape this arranged marriage, but her mind was a blank. All she could do was stand there, frozen in horror, as her parents continued to discuss her future like she wasn't even in the room.

Vidyut, however, was watching her, his eyes never leaving hers. She could see the intensity in his gaze, the determination. He was not going to give up easily, she knew that.