Devil's Bride

The Storm Breaks

Ayaan sat in his hotel room in Chennai, the lights of the bustling city twinkling through the expansive glass window. His trip to the village had left him yearning for more time with Maya, her innocent charm and radiant smile etched deep in his mind. Though he had intended to leave after their midnight meeting, something held him back—her. She was the tether to a life he never thought he wanted but now couldn’t imagine living without.

Leaning back in his chair, he loosened the collar of his shirt, his mind playing over the way her lips had shyly brushed against his. Ayaan smirked to himself. She was mine in that moment, and she’ll always be mine.

He knew he couldn’t stay in her village—it was too risky. For now, staying in Chennai City provided the distance he needed to think, plan, and prepare for what lay ahead. His men had already secured a suite for him in one of the city's finest hotels. He would bide his time, ensuring Maya remained safe while figuring out how to make her his in every way that mattered.

Back in the village, Maya’s world was spinning out of control. Her grandfather had witnessed her late-night interaction with Ayaan from afar, and his heart weighed heavy with concern. Maya had been like a granddaughter to him, a bright, innocent soul full of dreams. But Ayaan’s shadow loomed large over her future, and it was a shadow filled with danger.

The old man knew the truth of his grandson’s world. Ayaan was powerful, ruthless, and used to getting what he wanted, but Maya wasn’t built for that life. She belonged to this village, to the simplicity of the world she had grown up in. If Ayaan claimed her, she’d be thrust into chaos, a life that would consume her innocence.

Grandfather couldn’t let that happen.

He visited Maya’s father the next morning, his expression grim. Sitting on the old wooden bench under the banyan tree, he broached the topic cautiously.

“Ravi,” the old man began, addressing Maya’s father. “You know I’ve always considered Maya as my own granddaughter. She’s a wonderful girl, but she’s at a delicate age. And this world… it isn’t as kind as we’d like it to be.”

Ravi, a hardworking man devoted to his daughter, looked up from his tea. “What are you saying, Sir?”

Grandfather hesitated but pressed on. “I’ve seen things, Ravi. I worry for her future. It’s time you think about settling her down. She’s bright, ambitious, but she needs stability—a partner who can take care of her, someone who matches her simplicity.”

Ravi frowned, setting his cup down. “Maya is young. She has her dreams. She wants to become a doctor. I don’t want to clip her wings.”

“I’m not saying we stop her from pursuing her education,” Grandfather replied gently. “But securing her future now will only ensure she can chase her dreams without fear. There’s a young doctor I know—Dr. Arjun. He’s from a good family, respectful, and he’s willing to wait until she finishes her studies. This could be the best thing for her, Ravi.”

Ravi remained silent, his heart torn. He trusted his daughter, but the weight of the old man’s words couldn’t be ignored.

That evening, Maya noticed her father was quieter than usual, his gaze distant. The air in their small home felt heavy, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

“Appa?” she asked, sitting beside him. “Is everything okay?”

Ravi looked at his daughter, her face so full of life and innocence, and his heart ached. He didn’t have the courage to tell her about the conversation with Ayaan’s grandfather, not yet.

“It’s nothing, kanna,” he said, forcing a smile. “Just work matters.”

But Maya wasn’t convinced. She could sense something was troubling him, but she decided not to push.