𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: अनुरागी

❀ 3

The air was thick with tension in the dark, cold room. Reyansh’s heart pounded in his chest as he frantically searched for his sister, Esha. She was only ten, too young to understand the dangers of the world, too young to be caught up in the madness that had now consumed his life. 

But this wasn’t just any madness—it was DD’s madness. She had taken her. She had crossed the line.

Reyansh slammed his fists on the table, his breath coming in ragged gasps. How did this happen? How had everything spiraled so out of control?

His phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. He snatched it up, his heart leaping into his throat. It was her.

“DD!” he yelled into the phone, his voice filled with fury and fear. “Where is my sister? Where is Esha?”

A cold, smooth voice answered on the other end. “Relax, Reyansh. She’s safe… for now.”

He could hear the smirk in her voice, and it made his blood boil. “If you hurt her, I swear—”

"Swear all you want, Reyansh," DD interrupted, her tone dripping with amusement. "But you’re not in a position to make threats."

Reyansh’s hands shook. “What do you want?”

There was a long pause before DD spoke again, her voice chillingly calm. “Be my husband.”

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. He froze, his mind racing. Marry her? Was she serious?

“Are you insane?” he spat. “You think I’ll marry you after everything you’ve done?”

“Think about your sister, Reyansh,” DD said softly, her tone turning dangerous. “She’s just a little girl. So innocent. It would be such a shame if something happened to her.”

His stomach twisted. She had him cornered, and she knew it. There was no way out.

“I’ll give you one hour,” DD continued. “Meet me at the location I’ll send you. And don’t try anything stupid. You know what’s at stake.”

The line went dead, and Reyansh stood there, frozen in place, his mind spinning. He couldn’t believe it. Marrying DD was the last thing he wanted, but he had no choice. Esha’s life was in her hands.

---

The abandoned mansion where DD called him loomed large and intimidating as Reyansh arrived. The building was old, its windows dark, the air around it heavy with the feeling of dread. Inside, DD waited, her signature calm expression in place. Next to her stood Esha, looking terrified but defiant, her small body trembling. A gun was pointed at her head.

Reyansh’s breath caught in his throat when he saw her. “Esha!” he called out, his voice thick with emotion.

“Bhaiya!” Esha sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled against the ropes binding her hands.

“Let her go, DD,” Reyansh said through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing on the woman who had turned his life upside down.

DD smiled, an icy smile that sent a chill down his spine. “Not until you say your vows, Reyansh. You marry me, and she walks away unharmed.”

Reyansh’s fists clenched at his sides, his entire body trembling with barely controlled rage. How had he ended up here? Forced to marry the woman who had kidnapped his sister, who had brought nothing but chaos into his life?

He wanted to hate her, and he did, but more than anything, he wanted Esha safe.

“Fine,” he growled. “I’ll do it.”

A quick, impromptu wedding was arranged in the grand hall of the mansion. The room was eerily silent, save for the occasional whimper from Esha, who watched the whole scene unfold with wide, terrified eyes. She hated DD, but her fear was stronger. She knew her brother was doing this to save her.

They both had a registered marriage. While DD liar was ready with marriage paper which DD signed with an amused smile while Reyansh was lost.

This was not a marriage born of love, but of coercion, of power. DD, on the other hand, looked pleased, her smirk never leaving her lips as she slid the ring onto his finger.

“Now we’re one, Reyansh,” she whispered, her voice low and possessive. “You. Are. Mine.”

Reyansh didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on Esha, who stood in the corner, still trembling, still afraid. His heart ached for her. He had married the devil to save his little sister, and it burned him from the inside out.

Once the ceremony was over, DD turned to Esha, her expression cold and calculating. “You can go now,” she said, waving a hand dismissively.

Esha ran to her brother, tears streaming down her face. Reyansh knelt down and hugged her tightly, his heart breaking as he held her close.

“Bhaiya, I was so scared,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I know, Esha,” he murmured, stroking her hair gently. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”

But even as he said the words, he knew they were only half-true. Esha might be safe, but he was trapped. He was bound to DD now, and there was no escaping her grasp.

---

Later that day, DD stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her sharp business suit. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She had gotten what she wanted—Reyansh, her husband, and all the control over him. 

Before she left for the office, she turned to Reyansh, who sat on the edge of the bed, his face pale with exhaustion and frustration.

“I’m going to work,” she said casually, grabbing her purse. “But just so you know, if you ever try to leave or do anything stupid…”

She pulled a gun from her bag and pointed it toward Esha, who was sitting quietly at the table, her eyes wide with fear. “I won’t hesitate.”

Reyansh’s jaw tightened, fury coursing through his veins. “You’re a monster.”

DD’s lips curled into a small smile. “Yes. But now I’m your monster. Don’t forget that, Reyansh.”

She holstered the gun and left, the click of her heels echoing through the mansion as she disappeared out the door. The silence that followed was suffocating.

Reyansh’s hands clenched into fists. He had never hated anyone as much as he hated DD at that moment. She had stolen his freedom, his peace, and forced him into a nightmare. But as he looked at Esha, still shaking from fear, he knew he had to play along for now. For her.

But one day… one day he would make DD pay for everything she had done.