ENTANGLED AND HEARTS (Her Price For Dreams)

CHAPTER 11: Deep Affection 💕💕( RAYAN)

Rayan's POV

The village camp is set up under the Shade of a Big Tree and volunteers have gathered a sizable group of local females. Maryam stands in the center,to start her speech.She looks at me, her eyes locking onto mine as she begins her speech. I offer a reassuring smile, and she takes a deep breath.

"Hello, everyone," Maryam starts, her voice slightly shaking. "Today, we're here to discuss the importance of educating women. You might think, 'What do these city folks know about our struggles?' So I wanna make clear that I'm from a small village in UP, just like you. We tought that women should stay at home, raise kids, and get married. Education isn't for us.

Maryam's confidence grows with each word. "But that's a lie. It's a way to deprive us of our rightful place. We have the right to education, to a dignified life, to be human."

" Why these people make us deprived of Education.Have you had this thought in your mind ever?" She ask her voice confident.
" Because they know that education is power,Power to change the world,to make it a better place,power to get freedom."

Just then a group of boys approaches.
"What are you doing, madam?" A boy demands he is wearing a white scarf.He's flanked by four to five others, their faces stern.

Maryam stands firm. "We're hosting this camp to empower village women through education and awareness."

The boy snatches the admission cards from Maryam's hand and tosses them into the air.

"Go home," he orders the village women.

The women hastily gather their belongings and begin to leave. Volunteers attempt to stop them, but they disappear into the distance.

I swiftly move beside Maryam, standing protectively in front of her.

"What do you want? " I ask

"Take everything from here," he demands. "We don't want this. You want to make our ladies like you - who don't obey their men."He says while looking at Maryam.

I stand firm, my voice steady. "Excuse me, we're conducting a peaceful village camp. What's wrong with you?"

The boy's face twists in arrogance. "You don't know me. I'm the son of the village mukhiya."

"I don't care who you are," I respond firmly. "Leave us alone. You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

The boy sneers, kicking a nearby chair to the ground. The sound echoes through the camp, sending a chill through the crowd.

The boy's gaze lingers on me before shifting to Maryam. "You're disturbing our village's peace."

Maryam's voice remains steady. "Its you who is distrupting the peace."

" Dont you think ,your girlfriend talks a lot.She need to shut up." He says and my blood boils i punch him and in one punch he is on the ground.

Ms. Khurana( Head of this village camp) rushes in, her voice firm. "That's enough! We're shutting down the camp immediately."

Ms. Khurana turns to me, concern etched on her face. "What are you doing Rayan? Violence only escalates things."

I shake my head, still fuming. "He was out of line."

"We can't afford to lose control," Ms. Khurana says firmly. "Our mission is to educate and empower, not incite violence."

The campsite empties, leaving only volunteers amd they starts gathering the stuff to the bus .

Maryam collapses onto the makeshift table beneath the tree, her body shaking with sobs. I can feel the weight of her despair.

I sit on the ground before her, my eyes locked onto hers, filled with empathy.I know how much this meant to her.