As the sun slowly rose over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the temple grounds, Amrita's eyes fluttered open. Disorientation gave way to panic as memories flooded back.
She was inside the car and saw all the bodyguards surrounding the place.
She hurriedly tapped the window and Daksh opened the door.
Daksh's deceitful smile flashed before her eyes. The sedative's effects still lingered, but adrenaline fueled her struggle.
He held her wirst as she was weak.
"Let me go!" Amrita shouted, thrashing against Daksh's grip.
Vikrant stepped forward, his expression stern. "Daksh, we must proceed."
Daksh's eyes narrowed. "Not here, Vikrant. Inside."
Amrita's gaze darted between the brothers, her mind racing. The temple's tranquil atmosphere now seemed ominous.
With newfound strength, Amrita fought against Daksh's hold. "No! I won't marry you!"
Daksh's face twisted in anger. "You have no choice."
She cired and tried to speak
"Daksh please... I'm begging you
Don't do this"
Vikrant, who was standing behind, looked at everything.
His eyes softened.
Daksh stopped for a moment
"I won't force you... But don't protest.
Khushi khushi shadi karlunga tumse-"
Amrita had enough, she screamed loudly
"aap kyu nahi samajh rahe... Ghutan hoti hai mujhe shadi se... Mar jaungi main.."
She whispered the last words brimen
Daksh clenched his jaw, his face hardening
"to raho is ghutan me"
He grasped Amrita's wrists again.
Vikrant looked down and sighed,
His brother was manic.
As Daksh restrained her, Amrita's desperate cry echoed through the temple grounds,
"Someone help me!"
No one is Going to come.
Amrita's eyes glazed over as Daksh's grip tightened around her wrist. The priest's chanting faded into the background, replaced by echoes of her past.
Flashbacks assaulted her mind:
_A younger Amrita, tears streaming down her face, being forced into a wedding mandap._
_The suffocating weight of a stranger's hand on hers, promising eternity._
The memories blurred together, but the feeling of helplessness remained.
"No...not again," Amrita whispered, her voice trembling.
Daksh's smile twisted. "You're mine now, Amrita. Forever."
The rituals concluded, and the priest declared them husband and wife. Amrita's heart sank, trapped in a nightmare she thought she'd escaped.
Vikrant stepped forward, his expression unreadable, confused as his heart unsettled
" Congratulations "
Amrita's gaze pleaded with Vikrant, hoping for a glimmer of empathy. But his eyes turned away, leaving her isolated.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Amrita's world darkened. The flashbacks faded, replaced by a steely determination.
She would not be held captive again.
_______
Mehak's tears fell uncontrollably as she envisioned Amrita's distress. Concern and helplessness wrestled within her.
She arrived at the cottage as soon as she got the news.
Isah approached, his gentle voice soothing. "Mehak, don't cry. We'll figure something out."
He knew what Daksh is up to and how could he not support his brother.
Mehak's face turned away, her silence a stubborn shield.
Isah's hands hesitated, wanting to comfort her, but respecting her boundaries. "I know you're upset, but please talk to me. Let's find a way to help Amrita together."
Mehak's shoulders shook, her voice barely audible. "You can't understand...no one can."
Isah sat beside her, his presence calm and reassuring. "Try me, Mehak. Sometimes sharing the burden helps."
Mehak's gaze lingered on his empathetic eyes, her resolve softening.
"For Amrita," she whispered, "I'll do anything."
Isah nodded.
________
Daksh looked at Amrita who leaned on the window looking out.
Her protest finally stopped.
She looked calm, like a child seeing the outer world.
He knew she deserves happiness and for her, he would head the world down.
They all got down,
Daksh helped Amrita as she stumbled a little.
Vikrant walked forward to look at his wife and mother waiting.
Daksh was about to enter when
"DAKSH CHAUHAN..!
Ek aur kadam aage badhaane ki galti mat karna..!"
Bhavana's stern expression halted Daksh's steps, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and disappointment.
Pratap who was half asleep sat leaning on the couch,waiting for his wife to finish.
Meanwhile meera looked worriedly at vikrant for an explanation, he gestured her to calm down.
"Daksh, what is the meaning of this?" Bhavana demanded, her voice low but firm. "You got married... by force"
Daksh's grip on Amrita's wrist tightened, his smile faltering. "Maa, I—"
Bhavana's raised hand silenced him. "Don't dare call me 'Mother' after what you have done"
Amrita's fear intensified, her heart racing as she sensed Bhavana's displeasure.
Daksh : Maa meri baat to suniye... Main pyaar karta hu Amrita se
Bhavana glared at her son
"Tu karta hai.. Ye nahi karti... Iska Matlab ye nahi ki tu zabardasti shadi karle.."
Daksh sighed and looked at his father who watched the drama unfolding in front of him.
Pratap shrugged casually at daksh's plea
Bhavana looked at Amrita,
Her eyes softened as she looked at her disheveled state.
She called meera,
" Meera... beta ise le jao"
Meera came forward, hesitantly holding her hand and took her upstairs.
"she's shattered"
Bhavana broke the silence, breaking daksh thoughts
He sighed
"Maa aisa kuch nahi hai... Vo bas dari hui hai.."
Bhavana sighed frustratedly
"all the men in this family are performing it like a ritual,
Falling in love and forcing the girls for marriage."
She glared at both of her sons and went to her room.
Pratap too, went behind his wife.
______
Meera got up as Amrita came out of the washroom.
"tum theek ho...?"
Amrita nodded slowly in response.
Meera made her sit in the bed and gently towel-dried her hair.
"you're safe here Amrita... Don't worry"
Amrita's tears returned listening to her
"He won't let me.."
Meera gently hugged her and Amrita nuzzled for the warmth.
"I know it's hard.. but we're here for you...
Iam here..."
Amrita nodded and pulled away.
Meera made her drink a glass of warm milk and went away.
Amrita gazed at her reflection, the mirror revealing a stranger.
The pink salwar kameez, once vibrant, now seemed dulled by the tears that stained her cheeks. Her hair, tangled and disheveled, damp from the shower, framed a face that looked worn and weary.
Her eyes, red and puffy from crying, seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words. The sindoor in her hair and the mangal sutra around her neck gleamed, stark reminders of her new reality.
Married.
The word echoed in her mind, a hollow feeling spreading through her chest.
Daksh's cruel words replayed: "You're mine now, Amrita. Forever."
Amrita's gaze dropped, her eyes tracing the contours of the mangal sutra. A symbol of love and commitment, yet it felt like a chain binding her to a life she didn't choose.
With a deep breath, she steeled herself:
She would survive this.
She would find a way out.
_____
YOU ARE READING
Hidden Flames ....♡
Romance"Ek wada tha tera ; har wade ke peeche, tu Milega mujhe har gali , har darwaze ke peeche sab the.... bas ek tu hi nahi tha mere janaze ke peeche..." she mumbled as her tears fell.. kissing her eyes softly , he whispered "haa... mera wada tha har...
