44. Unknown Man
Guess what's today?
Yes! Today is lav and vivaan's wedding.The house was a flurry of activity as wedding preparations were underway for the upcoming marriage of Lav and Vivaan. Servants bustled about, decorations were being hung, and a sense of joy and anticipation filled the air.
I gave myself one last once-over in the mirror, fixing my outfit and hair, making sure everything was in place. It was time for me to take Lav downstairs, where the wedding ceremony was about to begin.
I know you all are wondering where is vansh?
I gently knocked on Lav's bedroom door, but there was no response from within. Concern building, I slowly opened the door, expecting to find her preparing for the wedding. However, the sight that greeted me was shocking
Confusion and concern washed over me as I realized that the room was empty. "Where is Lav?" I wondered out loud, my mind racing with worry. She should have been here, getting ready for the wedding. But instead, I was met with silence and an empty room.
I quickly made my way to the bathroom, hoping to find Lav there and resolve my growing sense of unease. But to my surprise and worry, the bathroom was also empty. Where could she have gone?.
The sound of a phone ringing broke the silence, coming from Lav's dresser. Curious and concerned, I hurried over and picked up the phone, which I knew was hers
It's an unknown number.
"Hello" i said and then The sound of sobbing and tears filled my ear as the unknown caller answered. It was definitely Lav on the other end, her voice choked with emotion as she cried into the phone
"Lav, lavanya, are you there? What's happening?" I almost yelled at phone.
"Tumne uski awaaj sunli na ab use bachana h to tumhe ek kaam karna hoga" The deep, menacing voice on the other end of the line responded to my panicked question.
He told me that to save Lav, I would have to do something.
His words made my heart race with fear, but I had to stay calm and listen if I wanted to help her.
"K-kon ho tum?" My voice trembled as I asked the question, my heart thudding in my chest. I managed to gasp out, the fear and worry evident in my tone.
("Who are you?")
"Isse tumhe koi matlab nhi h, bas itna batau ki tumhe is ladki to bachana h ya yahi uda du" the man's words sent chills down my spine.
He made it clear that saving Lavana was my priority, or else she would end up dead.
His threat and Lav's scream on the other end of the line made my blood run cold.
I had to listen and obey if I wanted to save her.
"My voice was shaky, filled with a mix of fear and the determination to do whatever it takes to save Lav."N-nhi Mai karungi batao mujhe kya karna h?" I implored, desperate for instructions that would lead to her safety.
("No, I'll do anything, just tell me what I have to do,")
A wave of relief washed over me as the man finally gave me instructions, his voice cold and commanding. "Jyada kuch nhi bas cub board me ek shadi ka joda hoga use pahan kar niche mandap me baith jao"he explained, his words sending a shiver down my spine.
(It's not much, just go to the cupboard and wear the bridal gown there. Then, sit in the mandap downstairs,")
"What!" I yelled
Shock and disbelief coursed through me at his instructions, my mind racing as I tried to process what he was saying. In my shock, I blurted out, "what?!" The man patiently responded, "kya? Nhi kr sakti?".
(" Can't you do it?")
"Nhi main karungi?" I said and the phone cuts.
I sat down heavily on the bed, my mind a whirlwind of mixed emotions.
The realization that I had no choice but to do what the unknown man had instructed weighed heavily on me.
I knew that I had to find the bridal gown and wear it, even though the idea filled me with dread and nervousness
(No! I'll do it)
There's a message pop, My heart began to race as I read the words on the screen: The threat was clear and my heart pounded furiously in my chest
(I'll release the girl safely after the wedding, but you already know what will happen if you don't comply with my instructions.")
The message was accompanied by an image of Lav, tied to a chair, her face filled with fear and tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight of her like that made my stomach churn and the weight of the situation hit me hard.
"With one last look in the mirror, I made my way towards the door, my heart pounding with anxiety, i pulled the chunni to covered my face As I opened the door, Dristi's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by my appearance.
I held the chunni tightly around my face, hiding my identity and emotions behind the veil.
I could feel her questioning gaze on me, but I didn't say anything, opting to remain silent
"Vaise aapne sarah bhabhi ko dekha najar nhi aa rahi h" she asked, I shook my head in response to Dristi's question, feeling a pang of guilt and anxiety.
I couldn't tell her the truth about what was happening, and I had no idea where lav was.
The lies I had to spin were increasing, and I hoped it wouldn't come back to bite me later.
As Dristi led me down the stairs and into the main area, I could hear the faint sound of priests reciting mantras, filling the air with an atmosphere of solemnity and anticipation. I cautiously sat beside Vivaan, the heavy wedding lehenga feeling cumbersome and uncomfortable.
The wedding ceremony continued, each ritual passing in a blur. My emotions were a tangled mess and my heart ached knowing that somewhere Lav was held captive. Now the time for the mangalsutra and sindoor had arrived, and I felt a cold knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
Inside, I was silently praying that something would change, hoping for a miracle to save me from the situation I was in. The thought of marrying my best friend's groom felt wrong and I desperately wished for a way out.
Just as the lights went off, plunging the room into darkness, someone grabbed my arm firmly, causing me to gasp. But before I could scream, a hand was pressed over my mouth, and the familiar, masculine voice whispered, "Shhh... jaan" into my ear.