𝐀𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 : 𝐸𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

~🥀 Reluctant 🥀~

{ it's my friends Birthday today but I forget to wish her and now she is upset from me.I request you guys to just write A happy Birthday to Lakshmi in comments. Please }

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Haseena’s heartbeat drummed wildly against her chest as she stepped into the room where the royals sat in silent authority. The air was thick with tension, every pair of eyes fixed on her—some with curiosity, others with expectation. But only one gaze sent chills down her spine. Anubhav.

He was seated beside his mother, his usual cold demeanor masked behind an unreadable expression. But Haseena knew better. Those dark eyes burned with a quiet intensity, watching her every move like a predator waiting for his prey to submit.

Her Ammi stood beside her, fingers slightly trembling as she gestured for Haseena to speak. "Beta…" Noor Jahan's voice was hesitant yet firm, reminding her of the decision that had been forced upon them.

Haseena inhaled sharply. Her mind screamed for her to say no, to fight back. But the weight of the situation crushed her resolve. The royals had done a great favor by bringing her back safely after she had gone missing. Everyone expected her to show gratitude. Her Ammi had already given her consent.

And then there was Anubhav…

She flicked her gaze toward him, only to find his lips subtly curling into the faintest hint of a smirk. A silent challenge. He knew. He knew she couldn't refuse.

Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms. She wanted to defy him, to look him in the eyes and reject this nightmare. But she also knew—if she denied this rishta, he wouldn’t stay silent. He would make her regret it.

Haseena swallowed her fear and forced herself to speak. Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Ji… ham razi hain."

A beat of silence followed her words. Then, the sarpanch's wife smiled approvingly, while Rajmata Vaibhavi Yadhuvanshi gave a satisfied nod. Noor Jahan let out a shaky breath, and the atmosphere seemed to lighten—except for the storm raging within Haseena.

Anubhav remained motionless, his gaze locked onto her, unblinking. But she saw it—the slight shift in his posture, the way his shoulders eased, the dangerous satisfaction glinting in his eyes.

She had just sealed her fate.

The modest home had lightened slightly after Haseena’s reluctant acceptance, but the undercurrents of tension still lingered. As formalities continued, Satya Yadhuvanshi, seated beside his wife Maya, observed Haseena with an assessing gaze.

Breaking the silence, Maya leaned forward, a deceptive smile playing on her lips. "Haseena , humein aapke baare mein thoda aur jaane ka man ho raha hai. Aapki padhai kahan tak pohonchi hai?"

Haseena hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, her voice steady but polite. "Ji, hum abhi apni graduation ke teesre varsh mein hain."

Maya continued "Achha hai, achha hai," she drawled, before tilting her head. "Aur shauk kya hain aapke?"

Haseena instinctively glanced at her Ammi, who gave her a reassuring nod. Taking a quiet breath, she replied, "Hum Bharatanatyam seekh rahe hain."

For a brief moment, an uncomfortable silence followed. A sharp glint flashed in Maya’s eyes before she let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over her chest as if scandalized. "Oh, toh hamari hone wali Rani Sa ek… nachnewali hain?"

The words, dipped in poisoned sweetness, cut through the air like a dagger. A few of the elders exchanged wary glances, but before Haseena could even react, a firm voice sliced through Maya’s venom.