-30-
She sat in her balcony looking at the light drizzle outside.
Her mind was at war at the moment. She didn't know in what direction her life was going.
She wasn't ready for marriage at least not with the man who hates her or wants to claim ownership over her.
She didn't want to be an object for anyone's desire.
This wasn't the marriage she had dreamt and manifested of.
She felt the cold wind hitting her face turning her face a deeper shade of pink.
Was it all worth it? If she told her mother about everything, if she let her father understand the situation, how will they react?
But she can't ignore the situation a woman gets with a broken engagement.
The society just wants to blame the women for every single thing even if she isn't at fault.
Was she ready for such fiasco? She couldn't understand that. She just didn't want anyone to question her character. But could she risk marrying a bastard for that? Her head was beginning to ache with everything.
The sound of her phone ringing pull him out of her thoughts. She reached to check it to see it from her possible future father-in-law. Gajraaj Hooda. She took a deep breath contemplating if she really wants to talk to him or not. Against her wish, she answered the call.
"Namaste....", she hesitated for a moment not knowing what to call him with her current status. "Sir"
"Namaste Jayasvi. Beta, I am sending someone to your place. Come here as soon as possible. I need to have a conversation with you about something", Gajraaj spoke confidently, every single word trying to pose as sweet but still having an edge of command to it.
"Hanji Uncle.. I mean sir. But I need to talk to my parents before coming", She hesitantly responded.
"Don't be so nervous, Jayasvi, you are family now.
I spoke to your father. Come as soon as possible", he spoke trying to calm her mind.
She still felt nervous to pay him a visit.
Why is it that only she was unaware of all these important things?
What was she even supposed to say when she visit him.
Her mind was in chaos at the moment with all the what ifs.
"Alright, I'll be there", she spoke waiting for him to hang up.
She touched her face which had turned warm with how nervous she felt at the moment.
She couldn't believe how her life turned to this.
The man she always saw on internet and news, he was going to be her father-in-law if everything goes the way it is at the moment.
She got up from her place going inside seeing her mother taking out her clothes.
"Raghav's father called and he want to see you", her mother told her while putting out all kind of suits from the wardrobe.
"Maa, can you please let me know before taking any decision. He just called me and I felt like a fool having no knowledge of what you have decided for me", Jayasvi couldn't help but let out her frustration in front of her mother. She was tired of not being involved in things about her life.
"Why are you so frustrated ever since the marriage is fixed. You were fine before that", her mother spoke in anger clearly done with her attitude.
"Because it was my marriage. And no body had the right to take a decision about it.
I was fine with the marriage proposal being accepted because I was told I will be offered time to get ready for it but now you all are just imposing things upon me.
I am too young to get married and get involved with a husband and his family", she snapped throwing all her outfits down on the floor in frustration.
"Behave your self, Jayu, just because we are being considerate, you are not allowed to act like a brat?
You had been seeing Raghav from quite a while now, how long do you want to wait?
Have you ever realised how people would react if they got to know you are seeing him before your marriage", her mother scolded her reaching to hold her elbow to stop her from throwing more things.
Jayasvi struggled in the grip trying to pull away. "So what were you hoping for? To get me married to a guy just because you chose him for me or because I saw his pictures? I can't just marry a person because he looks good. I need to understand how his character is"
"It's enough, Jayu, I have ironed your green suit. You are going and that's final. Act in the proper way there, don't ruin family's reputation", her mother spoke with irritation.
"You are saying this after I have put this family's reputation over every single thing in my life.
What did I ever do to affect the reputation that you have to give me this lecture?
I do find it important to cherish this family's respect that's why I have agreed to all your decisions till date.
But you can't even listen me for once", Jayasvi spoke as angry tears rolled down her eyes moving out of the room clutching the suit she was expected to change into.
She quickly got changed in the pink modest full sleeved suit adjusting the chiffon dupatta when her mother entered inside combing her hair properly in a braid.
"His driver is here. Go", her mother spoke.
She didn't reply to her words immediately picking up her small bag moving out adjusting her dupatta which wasn't sitting at it's place going downstairs where the guards and chauffeur was already waiting for her against an Audi Q8.
She let out a deep breath before getting inside the car.
The journey felt shorter than she expected.
She frowned seeing how the car stopped in the party office.
His secretary was there to escort her to his designated office.
Her fingers were constantly dangling with her dupatta with nervousness as she was taken to her destination.
The door was opened for her after the secretary knocked it twice letting her inside.
She peeked inside first. She had been here before during her internship yet her visit this time felt more heavy. She let out a deep breath seeing him sitting on his place before a mahogany desk surrounded by a lot of files. His party's symbol resting on the table along with the national flag.
The room was filled with white and grey being a contrast. Yet the white seemed to be there to hide different shade of darkness and whitewash it.
Gajraaj got up from his place elegantly, the sense of power surrounding him as he rounded his desk to greet her.
"Jayasvi beta, you are just in time. I have been waiting for you", he spoke with a warmth in his voice putting his hand over her head.
She froze for a moment at the sudden touch before bowing her head respectfully kneeling down to touch his feet like her mother instructed her.
"No beta, there is no need to do that. You are same as Dhara for me. And in our family, girls don't touch their father's feet", he spoke warmly pulling out a chair for her to sit. She was too nervous and shocked to react in any other way but obediently follow what she was expected to do.
He got back in his seat as his secretary rushed in with a coffee for both of them and some snacks.
"Eat, beta. You have come here for the first time as my bahu", he spoke gently to her motioning her to have anything.
"No, sir, it's fine. And the marriage hasn't taken place yet. I shouldn't...", She whispered not finding it right to just start eating. She was sure if he had called her here, there is something very necessary that needs her attention.
"Ok fine, as you wish", he spoke reaching back to pull out some document successfully catching her attention.
"I was thinking since the marriage is going to take place so soon.
I wanted to ask you what you are willing to do ahead.
While I wouldn't mind you being a homemaker because that is also an important job for a happy and healthy family; but after seeing your capabilities when you worked for me, I would want you to join me for my work", he stated putting the document in front of her.
She was frozen at her place. She hasn't expected this to be the reason of him suddenly calling her here.
"Sir.. I don't know what to say", she stammer out random words. Everything feeling so fast to her.
"I understand, Jayasvi. But I want you to know.
I am taking this decision not because you'll be my son's wife, while that is one of reason but the complete reason why I want you here is how I appreciate your views and dedication towards your work.
I am sure you'll give some incredible insights to my work", Gajraaj laid out his expectations in front of her.
She was still trying to wrap up her mind around whatever he told her about.
"Sir... I just want to say it's a dream opportunity. You have been my ideal always. And working with you permanently is something I couldn't even dream of seeing", she stammer yet again.
Gajraaj passed her an encouraging smile leaning back in his chair dressed in his white button down t-shirt and charcoal pants with a long coat over it looking every bit the confident politician he was with his expensive watch shining in his strong wrist stating how essential every second of his time.
She couldn't comprehend how she was actually stepping foot in this life.
"While you can choose to be a homemaker, it's your wish. But I have seen how dedicated you are with your work and I don't want to ignore such an asset", he continued giving her the free will to decide.
Was she ready to be a homemaker? Right now?
Of course, not. If she is supposed to get married to Raghav Hooda, she can't just stay at home and stare at the walls.
Her parents got her educated, sent her to the best college and she can't just let it go to play sanskaari bahu now especially not when she was getting this opportunity without even working for it.
"I agree, sir", She spoke after making her mind.
"It would be a pleasure working for you"
Gajraaj let out a satisfied smile in her direction.
"Don't worry just because you'll be my bahu, you won't be asked to work for family.
You'll have a proper professional environment here where you'll be paid for every minute of your work.
Also, this would ensure your safety as well with all the security around the party office. It's win-win for all of us."
Jayasvi smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks for this opportunity, sir.
I would try my level best for you to not feel disappointed at me", She spoke picking up her bag clutching it in her fist. Even when she exited his office after taking her leave, she still was feeling like it's a dream for her and she was flying.
She wanted to jump and tell the world how she won't be useless for too long.
While she was aware that she got this opportunity because she was going to be the future wife of Raghav Hooda. She didn't care.
He owed her that much after everything she suffered because of him. Her face was still warm from the recent incidents. She enjoyed seeing the vision outside the window as the chauffeur drove back to her home. Her phone pinged signifying a message.
She checked it to find it from Raghav. She really need to choose a different ringtone for him so she could ignore him completely.
"I know you have come to see my father. I have messaged the chauffeur to drop you at my hotel. I need to talk to you about something"
She fisted her hands the moment she read the message. How dare he? Did he just order her? Where was the question mark? Wasn't he getting too free with her?
"What if I don't come"-- she messaged quickly.
"I didn't ask"-- He messaged back.
"Good because that's why I am not coming"
And the very next moment, car stopped in front of his hotel.
Damn, how could he forget. It was his employee.
He won't listen to her. She gritted her teeth so hard that she herself was surprised for a moment at how her teeth are still intact.
She got down seeing the manager already waiting there to escort her to Raghav.
Her heels clicked on the expensive marble flooring of the hotel lobby. She was sure anybody who saw her at the moment could notice how red her face was. She had never been this angry before and she was done being obedient to everyone. She'll handle thing according to her own self now.