CHAPTER 2
Prisha sighed looking at him, it had been four hours since he brought her to his farmhouse, and all he seemed to be doing was watching TV.Prisha couldn't help but wonder what Shaurya was up to? What was he planning?
Feeling her gaze, he turned to her with a smirk. "You must be wondering what I'm up to, right?" Prisha’s eyes widened at his words. Could he read her thoughts? She quickly replied, "No, I wasn't."
He chuckled and said,"I brought you here for punishment."
She wondered, he'd brought her here to punish her, yet he wasn't doing anything. Was this some kind of mind game?
She snapped out of her thoughts when he spoke again. "This is your punishment: sitting with a man you hate, feeling scared and disgusted. Isn't it?
He chuckled, and Prisha felt a shiver run down her spine. He was right; she did feel uneasy sitting with him as he was drinking and smoking. She hated being around people who smoked and drank; it made her feel suffocated.
Seeing her discomfort, he felt peaceful. He took another swig of alcohol before adding, "You must be hungry. Let's go outside and enjoy the day. Today, my love got married to my brother. This day will go down in Rawat family history."
After finishing another bottle of alcohol, he announced, "Let's go. I'm hungry. We'll pick some vegetables, and then you will cook for me." Before she could react, he grabbed her hand and dragged her outside. Prisha felt a knot of fear in her stomach as she watched him stumble and babble.
As they walked, Shaurya almost tripped, but Prisha caught him. "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
He laughed and pushed her away gently. "Hey, don't worry. I'm fine. I have a high alcohol tolerance." He said last line with confidence.
They continued walking until Shaurya's gaze fell on the TV, where Tina and Rajeev's wedding ceremony was being broadcasted. "Look at your sister, finally married! How happy she looks, breaking my heart into pieces," he said with pain evident in his voice. Prisha couldn't help but feel sorry for him; he must be hurt from her sister's betrayal. But according to Tina, he was a bad man who only cared about himself. He was a selfish, self-centered, and arrogant man who didn’t respect anyone.
Pushing aside her sympathy, Prisha reminded herself, "He's a bad guy. Didn't you see him drinking and smoking? Those are bad habits."
Lost in her thoughts, Prisha was startled by a car horn. Shaurya hurried off down a side road, and Prisha ran after him, calling his name. He stopped in front of a temple, irritated by her presence. "What do you want? Why are you following me?"
"I... I'm scared. This place is isolated," she stammered.
"Don't annoy me. Leave me alone," he snapped.
He started walking again but paused when he saw a couple touching the priest's feet.
"No girl will marry you,"
Tina's words echoed in his mind. Remembering her words, he clenched his fists.Determined to prove her wrong, he turned to Prisha with a smirk. " Come with me," he said, grabbing her hand.
Confused and frightened, Prisha struggled against his grip. "Please let me go. What are you doing?" she pleaded.
"We're getting married," he declared, making her shocked.
"Your sister said no girl would marry me. I'll marry you today to show her that if she can get married, then so can I." he slurred in his drunken state. Prisha's eyes widened in shock. Her heart raced as she processedhis words.
Panic set in, and she struggled against his grip, trying to run away. But he didn't budge, ignoring her efforts as he looked around for the priest.
Noticing the lack of a priest, he shrugged. "No problem. We'll marry without the rituals. I've seen it in movies," he said nonchalantly.
Grabbing Prisha's hand, he started taking pheras around the holy fire.
"We will always care for each other.
I will protect you.
I will respect you.
I will always love you.
I will provide everything for you and our kids.
I will always remain loyal to you.
My heart, body, and soul belong to you," he saidas they circled the fire.
Prisha struggled against his hold the entire time, but he didn't let go. After applying vermillion to her forehead, he said, "Now we are bound for seven lifetimes, my dear wife."
Looking around, Shaurya noticed a red thread and tied it around Prisha's neck. "Consider this your nuptial chain," he said with a smile , in drunken state.
With the pheras done and the vermillion applied, Shaurya declared, "Now we are officially married. I'm your husband, and you're my wife." And he started clapping.
Prisha stood frozen, her mind struggled to process what had just happened, she was staring blankly at the holy fire.He couldn't believe he married her like this.
"Let's go home. We have more rituals to perform." As he dragged her out of the temple, her feet moved mechanically. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but no words escaped her mouth.
One person had been watching the entire scene with shock: the temple priest. "That's Rawat's younger son, Shaurya. What is he doing? He married a girl," he mumbled to himself. "Thank goodness, I took I clicked their pictures. Tomorrow, I will inform Rawat sahab.”
Shaurya stopped Prisha at the entrance and said in excitement," Wifey wait, I'm bringing things to welcome you. I've seen it in movies," he declared, then darted inside. Prisha didn't say anything, just stood their silently.Suddenly, her head started spinning and everything went dark.
Upon his return, Shaurya's enthusiasm waned, "I couldn't find any rice." He stopped seeing Prisha on the floor. Scooping her up in his arms, he walked to his room and gently laid her on the bed.
"It's our wedding night, but look at you." he murmured, and slept beside her.