𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞

6.

My mind was empty of thoughts. What was there to even think about when I had lost. He had made it clear I was either going with him or he was gonna kill me. There was no choice, only the illusion of it.

I dragged my feet towards his car. He opened the passenger door for me, made sure I got in, shut it and rounded the car and slid inside the driver seat. His movement was precise and calculated. He didn't even glance at me as he revved the car and we were back on the road.

Neither of us said anything, maybe because there was nothing left to say.

Soon, I could see my mansion in my line of sight. I was filled with dread. Now, not only I was going to go sit in the mandap with Yuvraj but before that I was going to face my parents. Who always pretended to care but only reminded me how much of a disappointment I was.

The car came to a halt right outside the mansion and Yuvraj didn't waste a moment before he unbuckled his seatbelt and went out. Before I could even process to come out, he was at my side. He opened the door and grabbed my wrist.

"Come out, fast."

I didn't resist and stepped out. He led me inside, and I felt more like a thief being presented to the cops. And maybe in a sense I was a thief. A thief who wanted her freedom back.

The garden was filled with tension and hushed conversation. Both the families stood there like statues with their faces in a grim line. Their conversation died down when the noticed us and all their head snapped in our direction.

Yuvraj didn't stop until we were right in front of them. He stopped, pulled me forward and shoved me, not enough for me to fall but I stumbled. I felt like a criminal standing in a trial.

Good thing the wedding only consisted of only the relatives, and no business associates or friends, this would have dented their so called image to an extent that as the result for me running away they'd have given me a death sentence already.

My father looked at me with anger in his eyes. He stepped forward, seething. He clenched his fist at the side. I looked back at him not tearing my gaze away and he seethed more because he wanted me to be ashamed of my action.

I wasn't. Why should I be?

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" He spoke through clenched teeth, making sure others didn't hear him. "Tumne sharminda Kiya hai hame."

[You've ashamed us.]

Shame. Yeah that's what I've brought. Always.

"Sharminda?" I scoffed. "Wo to aap logo ko  hona chahiye tha, ye shadi krate hue. Do you think I don't know? Even Disha was supposed to get married just because of some business deals you promised with the Nanda family."

[Shame? You should have felt that when you agreed on this marriage.]

He grabbed my wrist and pulled it, warning me to be silent. "Bakwas mat Karo, Ira, aur awaz niche karke baat karo."