The warm sunlight streamed through the window, I slowly opened my eyes, realizing I had spent the night sleeping near the glass pane. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the sleepiness, and then my gaze fell upon the sun-kissed sky. A faint smile crossed my lips as I whispered, "Good morning, Maa and Baba."
I remembered the words my parents had once spoken to me, promising that they would always be with me, shining bright like the sun, even though the stars seemed far away. My heart ached with longing, but I pushed the emotions aside, focusing on the growling hunger pangs in my stomach.
I quickly got dressed, ran to the bathroom, and freshened up. As I stood in front of the mirror, drying my hair with a towel, I felt a sense of readiness. But then, my gaze fell upon my mangalsutra, and I bit my tongue, feeling a sudden rush of anxiety.
I hastily grabbed a box from my bag, took out the sindoor, and carefully filled the hairline with the crimson powder. Now, I felt complete, ready to face the day ahead.
However, my stomach growled once more, reminding me of my hunger. I thought of heading to his room, but my feet hesitated. What if he was angry? I recalled the intimidating look on his face when he was upset in the car. No, I couldn't risk it.
I retreated to my room, sat on the bed, and began to ponder if I would be confined to this space for the rest of my life. The uncertainty and loneliness threatened to overwhelm me, but I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
I was lost in thought, my mind racing with worries and fears, when suddenly I heard a strange sound in my room. Thri...thri...thri... My heart skipped a beat as I thought of an earthquake, and I quickly hid myself in a corner of the bed.
But then I realized that the sound was coming from next to me. I peeked out of my hiding spot and saw a telephone. "Ohhh... telephone hai, mujhe dar hi gaya (ohhh... it's a telephone, I got scared)," I exclaimed, feeling a bit silly.
I took a deep breath, picked up the phone, and said, "Hello?"
A voice replied from the other end, "Hello, mam."
I responded with a simple "Jii (yes)."
The voice on the phone continued, "Mam, I got a call from Anant sir, and he asked me to take your breakfast order."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Anant. "Mam, are you there?" the voice asked, breaking my train of thought.
"Yes, yes," I replied.
The voice asked, "So, mam, what would you like to order for breakfast?"
I thought for a moment, and then my eyes widened with excitement. "Can I ask for everything I like?" I asked, feeling a bit hesitant.
The voice replied, "Yes, mam, whatever you like."
I took a deep breath and let out a long list of dishes I had only read about in books. "Chana masala, saag paneer, curry sauce, veg fried rice, malai kofta, kadhi paneer, dal makhani, raita, paneer tikka, butter naan, carrot halwa, jalebi, eggless cake, rosogolla, gulab jamun, and lassi... that's all I can think of right now," I said in one breath.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then the voice asked, "Mam, are you sure you'll eat all of this?"
I felt a bit embarrassed, but I replied, "Yes, can you please send them to my room?"
The voice replied, "Yes, mam," and then the call ended.
I couldn't help but wonder why the person on the phone sounded so shocked. Had I ordered something outrageous? I had only asked for a few dishes, or so I thought. In reality, I had only eaten a few of these dishes before, and that too was only when my mother would secretly bring them for me.
But now, I had someone who would never stop me from eating whatever I wanted. The thought brought a smile to my face, and I felt a sense of excitement and freedom.
Half an hour passed, and I was lost in thought when I heard a knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that my food had arrived. I quickly got up and ran to the door, excitement coursing through my veins.
As I opened the door, I was taken aback by the sight of four men standing before me. I felt a wave of fear wash over me, my heart racing with anxiety. I wasn't used to meeting new people, and the sudden presence of so many strangers made me nervous.
But then I remembered my mother's words, "After the wedding, you'll meet many people, Vaani. Don't be afraid of them." I took a deep breath, composed myself, and stood up straight.
The men smiled and greeted me, and I managed a weak smile in return. They efficiently set up the food in my room, told me to enjoy my meal, and left.
As soon as they were gone, I let out a sigh of relief and gazed at the spread before me. My eyes widened with excitement, and a mischievous grin spread across my face. I fell upon the food like a hungry lion, devouring dish after dish with reckless abandon.
After eating my fill, I washed my hands and settled onto the bed, feeling content and satisfied. "Thank you for giving me such delicious food," I thought to myself, feeling grateful to whoever had arranged for my meal.
As I lay there, my eyelids began to droop, and I felt myself being pulled into a deep sleep. The comfort of the bed, the satisfaction of a full stomach, and the exhaustion of the past few days all combined to lull me into a peaceful slumber.
Author pov-
Anant and Dhruv were engrossed in their work when Anant's phone rang, breaking the silence. He answered the call, and a curious expression crossed his face. "What?" he asked, his tone intrigued.
A light laugh escaped his lips, and he replied, "Ok, give her whatever she wants, and send me a list." He ended the call and turned to Dhruv, bursting into laughter.
Dhruv raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Anant's sudden outburst. "What? Why are you laughing like a madman?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
Anant's laughter continued, and he managed to gasp out, "Destiny doesn't show any mercy... That fairy-like angel has been captured by this devil-like man." His words were laced with mirth, but Dhruv's expression turned serious.
"What are you saying, Anant?" Dhruv asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
Anant's laughter slowly subsided, and he replied, "You know what your wife ordered for breakfast?" Dhruv's curiosity was piqued, and he raised an eyebrow.
Anant forwarded his phone towards Dhruv, displaying the list of food. Dhruv's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "Is she human? How can any human being eat this food?"
Anant chuckled and retrieved his phone, saying, "Hey, don't call her that... She's an angel." Dhruv's expression turned skeptical, and he asked, "Why are you being so caring about her, Anant? When because of her, your life is in danger?"
Anant's expression faltered, and he began to say something, but the words died on his lips. He looked away, frustration etched on his face.
Dhruv pressed on, asking, "She is not what, Anant?"
Anant's eyes snapped back to Dhruv, and he replied, "Sir, I've been with you since childhood... I've never said anything wrong, and I trust you, sir... That girl doesn't know anything about this world, but still, if you're sending her away... I'll tell you that if anything happens to her, only you will be responsible for it."
With that, Anant turned and walked out of the cabin, leaving Dhruv to ponder the weight of his words.
As Anant departed, Dhruv's frustration boiled over, and he slammed his fist on the table, scattering papers and pens everywhere. "Why can't I understand what to do?" he muttered to himself, his anger and confusion simmering just below the surface.
But one thing was certain - Vaani had to go. He couldn't shake off the feeling that she was a liability, a weakness that could be exploited. He rested his head on the chair, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
After finishing his meeting, Dhruv and Anant headed back to the hotel. As they reached their rooms, Dhruv began to get ready for their departure to the airport. He moved towards Vaani's room, but his knock was met with silence.
"She must be in the bathroom," he thought to himself, trying to rationalize the lack of response. "Let's wait for some time."
But as the minutes ticked by, Dhruv's patience began to wear thin. He knocked on the door again, but the silence was deafening. This time, a thread of fear crept into his mind.
"Where is she?" he wondered, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "Did something happen to her?" He felt a shiver run down his spine as he contemplated the possibilities.
Dhruv's anger and frustration gave way to concern and anxiety. He stood outside Vaani's door, his ears straining to pick up any sound, his heart pounding with anticipation. What was going on? And where was Vaani?
Dhruv pov-
I stood outside Vaani's door, my heart racing with every passing second. She wasn't responding to my knocks, and a sense of dread crept over me. I started knocking louder, my voice raised in urgency.
"Vaani, open the door!" I shouted, my palms sweating with anxiety.
Anant appeared beside me, concerned etched on his face. "What happened?" he asked, his voice low and calm.
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "She's not opening the door," I managed to whisper, my throat dry with fear.
Anant's expression turned serious, and he reached out to grasp the door handle. "Majak mat karo, sir," he said, his tone firm. (Don't joke, sir.)
I watched in silence as Anant called out softly, "Vaani, baccha, open the door." (Vaani, child, open the door.)
My mind was racing with worst-case scenarios, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Anant's words cut through my thoughts, "Oh God, please don't let her have a panic attack."
I looked at him, confused, but didn't ask any questions. At this moment, all that mattered was Vaani's safety.
Anant took charge, instructing me to call the manager to bring a spare key. I nodded, my hands shaking as I made the call. The manager arrived promptly, and Anant took the key from him.
"Pray to God nothing happened to her," Anant said, his voice laced with a sense of foreboding, as he unlocked the door.
We entered the room, and I held my breath, my heart pounding with fear. What would we find inside? Was Vaani safe? The uncertainty was suffocating me, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had made a terrible mistake.
I stepped into the room, my heart skipped a beat. The scene before me was like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and my mind reeling. Vaani, my swan, was sitting in a corner, her face hidden in her knees. Anant rushed to her side and enveloped her in a warm hug.
"Bacche, what happened? Why are you here?" Anant asked, his voice gentle as he patted her back. But Vaani didn't respond. She just cried, her body shaking with sobs.
As she lifted her face, I was struck by the sight before me. Her face was drenched with sweat and tears, her eyes red and puffy, her lips quivering, and her body trembling uncontrollably.
Anant's voice cut through the air, "Call the doctor now!" he yelled at the manager. Vaani shifted towards him, and her cries grew louder, but then, suddenly, they stopped. I felt a jolt of fear as I wondered if she had fainted.
Anant's hands moved swiftly, patting her cheek, "Bacche, Vaani, hey!" But there was no response. He gently lifted her in his arms and laid her down on the bed, covering her with the comforter.
The doctor arrived, and I could sense his professionalism as he took charge. "We'll need to examine her, please step outside," he said, his voice firm but polite.But I stood my ground, my jaw clenched in determination. "I'm not going anywhere," I said, my voice low and even.
The doctor looked at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Sir, please," he said, but I cut him off.
"I said I'm not going anywhere. I'm her husband, and I have every right to stay here," I said, my teeth gritted in a fierce determination. I wasn't going to leave swan's side, no matter what.
Anant dragged me out of the room, I shot him a glance, and for a moment, our eyes locked. His eyes were softer, filled with concern, but they darkened as he looked past me. I followed his gaze and saw the manager and some hotel staff standing behind us.
Before I could say anything, Anant's demeanor changed. He caught the manager's collar, his jaw clenched in anger. "I didn't make a booking in your pathetic hotel so that you could cut the lights," he growled.
The manager trembled, "Sir, we are sorry, but the lights went out suddenly, but we fixed everything right away."
Anant's grip on the manager's collar tightened, and he jerked him violently. "Get out of here before I kill you," he yelled, his voice dripping with venom.
The manager and the hotel staff scurried away, disappearing from sight. Anant turned to me, his chest heaving with anger.
I looked at him, my emotions numb. "Can you explain?" I asked, my voice devoid of any feeling.
Anant opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, the doctor emerged from the room. He looked at me with questioning eyes, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
The doctor's gaze seemed to bore into my soul, as if searching for answers. I felt a pang of guilt, but my emotions were still numb, unable to process the events unfolding before me.
The doctor's eyes locked onto mine, and she asked, "Sir, she is your wife?" Her tone was neutral, but I sensed a hint of curiosity.
I nodded, my jaw clenched. "Yes, why do you have any problems?" I asked, my tone slightly aggressive.
The doctor held up her hands in a calming gesture. "No, no, sir, it's just that she seems very young."
I felt a surge of defensiveness, but Anant intervened, his voice smooth. "This is not your concern, Doctor. Tell us how she is."
The doctor's expression turned professional. "Sir, she had a panic attack, but don't worry, it's a minor one. However, please be careful in the future."
I felt a pang of guilt and concern. What had triggered the panic attack?
The doctor continued, "I've given her some medicine, and she'll be conscious in about 10 minutes."
As the doctor left, Anant turned to me, his eyes serious. "She got scared in the darkness."
I raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"
Anant's expression was somber. "When you were getting married, her brother was also tied to me. He told me about her... condition."
I felt a surge of surprise and curiosity. What did Anant mean by "condition"?
Anant's voice cut through my thoughts. "I'm telling you, Dhruv, don't send her far away from us."
I looked at him, my emotions in turmoil. A part of me wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from harm. But another part of me was still reeling from the events of the past few hours. I didn't know what to say, so I remained silent, my eyes locked onto Anant's serious face.
Anant got a call, I slipped back into the room and sat beside Vaani, her face a picture of serenity. I thought to myself, "I don't have to go out and leave her alone." I was determined to stay by her side.
After a while, Vaani's body stirred, and she opened her eyes. But instead of looking at me with warmth, she got scared. Her eyes widened, and she shifted away from me.
"Swan, don't be scared of me," I said, trying to reassure her, but she didn't respond. I tried to move closer, but she shifted backward, and I stopped, not wanting to frighten her further.
Just then, Anant walked in and said, "Hey, bacche, you're awake." He sat down on the other side of the bed, and Vaani immediately moved towards him, hugging his arm.
A surge of anger rushed through my blood. What the hell was going on? She was scared of me, but she was clinging to Anant like he was her lifeline. Someone needed to tell her that I was her husband, not him.
I glared at the two of them, feeling a pang of jealousy. Anant looked up at me, a smirk on his face, and I quickly turned my gaze away, not wanting to acknowledge the emotions brewing inside me.
Anant broke the silence, saying, "Sir, it's time to go." I nodded, still feeling a bit off.
Vaani looked up at Anant, her voice shaking. "Wh...e...rr...e?"
Anant's expression softened as he took her cheeks in his palms. "Home, bacche."
I felt a pang of irritation. Leave Anant, leave her alone. "Let's go," I said, trying to sound calm.
we left the room, she clung to Anant's arm, refusing to let go. It was as if she was afraid that if she left his side, he would disappear. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
Why hadn't I gone first? Maybe then she would be clinging to me instead of Anant. The thought sent a spark of jealousy through me, and I quickened my pace, trying to shake off the feeling.
I drove the car towards the airport, I couldn't help but feel like I was Anant's personal assistant. She and Anant were sitting in the backseat, chatting and laughing together, while I was stuck in the front, feeling like an outsider.
When we arrived at the airport, Vaani's eyes widened as she gazed at my jet. "Wow, the plane is really big!" she exclaimed.
Anant chuckled and corrected her, "Vaani, this is not a plane, this is a jet."
She looked at him with questioning eyes, "Jet?" she asked, as if seeking clarification.
Anant explained, "The meaning of the plane is that in which everybody goes, and jet means only our plane."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent expression. She looked at the jet with her mouth agape, and I felt a pang of amusement.
When she asked Anant if the jet belonged to him, he pointed towards me and said, "No, it's not mine, it's your husband's."
Her eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. Her big emerald eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I couldn't help but think, "God save me from her torture."
She asked me, "Kya hum ghar isme jayenge?" (Will we go home in this?)
I felt a surge of frustration. Did she not know anything other than torturing others? But I had no answer to her question, so I looked away and said, "Not us, but only you."
Anant was about to say something, but I raised my palm to stop him. Vaani looked down, her voice barely above a whisper, "Where?"
I hesitated for a moment before responding, "Australia."
As I spoke the words, I felt a sense of unease. What was I getting myself into?
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