Seize Her And....

Chapter : 50

The Obsidian Fire.

Her slender fingers are wrapped around the bars of her window. Her obsidian eyes are fixed at the cloudy sky. She loves the sunlight. It gives her confidence, makes her believe that everything will be fine at the end but neither the sun nor her optimism is showing up this time. An uneasiness keeps growing within the pit of her stomach.

Vidur didn't break the marriage, neither did he have a problem with her dark complexion like the others. Since that discussion beside the pond he has been visiting the mansion regularly. As if asserting his right. Every time her eyes landed on him, she found him looking ecstatic. As if the discussion never happened at the first place. Her mother has been a passive spectator like always. Mrinalini knows that she isn't happy about it either, but also knows that she won't utter a word against her husband. She is scared, she has forever been. Her father on the other hand has been acting like a demi Mahipal himself. The daughter he has despised since her birth, has suddenly become the crown jewel of his palace. As if marrying her off to the son of the Mahipal will change his impression to his subjects or make him accepted by the people of the Capital. The people who have been tortured by him to no end.

She intentionally ignored Vidur, knowing she won't be able to look at that man again and keep her calm.

The rain is yet to begin and her suffocation has crossed every limit today. Seeing so many people happily gathered in the palace, helping the Maharaja with the arrangement of a marriage she can never willingly take part in, makes her nauseous. She silently leaves the palace from the back door. She needs to go to her baba, her one true home. She needs to see Ira and braid her hair as promised. She needs to sit beside her Kakima and see her smile like there is nothing to worry about. Like she would protect her and hide her away from this evil world.

She needs to be in her Ridhu da's room and ask him to read her a new book or comb her hair or just hug her till everything gets over.

She needs to be home.

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"The arrangements look huge Mrinal, I am happy for you darling but are you happy for yourself?" Abha asks serving her another round of vegetable curry.

Mrinal's hand full of rice pauses midair. Her eyes fixed at the plate lying infront of her. By now the entire village knows about her marriage. Her lips start trembling along with her hand that's still hanging mid-air. Her eyes become glassy as she fights the sob that's striving to break free.

Aswini's grey eyes were fixed on Mrinalini since the moment Abha asked the question and the teary eyes didn't go unnoticed. He watches as Abha slowly extends her left hand placing it affectionately over her head. Tears trail down her cheeks as well.

"You will be a very organized and strong wife. I just know that. I raised my daughters better than others. They can win the world." Abha places a small kiss on her forehead.

Aswini's heart clenches from within. A pain he never knew, surges through his body.
Mrinal, his Mrinal, is being married off to someone who isn't his son. She is going away for good and is never coming back to him. Never gonna hug him from behind or look at him with those curious little eyes as if she has a bag full of questions unanswered.

He takes a deep breath looking at her nearly defeated face. She should be, because she has been fighting all alone since her childhood. He has witnessed her growing, evolving, becoming confident and now looking at her body language all he feels is shame.

'Baba', that's what she calls her. What has he ever done to earn that title?

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Ashok looks down at the table. The map and the battle plan is spread over it. The ambience around them has drastically changed within the last few days. The seriousness and tension is palpable. Some of them are sitting on the ground and some standing beside the window or against the wall. The plan has been made and put to action. Men are posted at various locations, troops are made for sudden invasions when instructed, weapons were collected and responsibilities are distributed. They were currently working on the last few details, the details only five of them will know. Two of Aniruddha's most trusted friends, Nishit and Kaju along with Tashi and Ashok were selected for the final execution of the plan.