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Author's P.O.V....

The door creaked open as Riya and Neha led a shaken Garima into the room. Her steps were heavy, like she was walking in a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. Her eyes were hollow. Her lips trembled, and her mind was spiraling.

Garima sat down slowly on the edge of the bed. The moment her fingers touch the edge of the bedsheet -something about the normalcy of it....her dam broke. Silent tears began streaming down her cheeks, falling into her lap like a quiet rain. She didn't sob. She didn't wail. She just....broke. piece by piece.

Riya turned around and snapped. " Oh for God's sake, Garima! Just stop crying!" her voice cut like glass. " Do you even realize what just happened downstairs? Because of you, that man....Kartik...Pointed a gun at us. I almost lost my life today. We all did...and it's all because of you and your father."

Garima didn't reply. She didn't even flinch. Her eyes stared down at the floor, vacant. Her body slightly shaking, her hands clutching her duppata like it was the only thing holding her together.

Riya's voice was laced with venom now. " Do you know? Who is he?...he is Kartik Aaryansh...the CEO of Aaryansh industrial and ruler of a mafia empire...tum jaanti bhi ho that man is a monster...he doesn't even hesitate to kill someone... today because of you and your father...we all are suffering and you know what ? If you don't marry him...we all will die..."

Still, nothing from Garima. No defence. No argument. Just silence. A silence soo loud, it rang with pain.

Before Riya could spew another word, Neha stepped forward, her voice low but steely. " Enough, Riya."

Riya scoffed. " Oh great, here comes the best friend."

" Yeah. Her best friend. Which means I'll say what she won't. Back off."  Neha's eyes were sharp, unforgiving.

" You think she isn't suffering? Did you see her down there? She just found out everything she believed in her whole life was a lie. That her father...the man she loved and idolized, might've had blood on his hands because of her. And now she's being forced to marry someone who literally wants to destroy her. And you want her to shut up and smile about it?"

Riya looked away, her jaw clenched.

" She's in pieces, Riya," Neha continued, her voice softening as she turned to Garima, who still hadn't looked up. " She's not just crying. She's dying inside. You don't get to hate her for bleeding when someone stabbed her."

" So what? She deserved it. Iski hi wajah se toh iske 'mahan' papa...uss murder case mein involve hue the...toh phir yeh toh hona hi tha." Riya exhaled sharply, and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The room fell into a quiet stillness again. Only Garima's faint, broken breaths filled the space. Neha walked over slowly, knelt in front of her, and placed a gentle hand on her knee.

" Garima..."' her voice cracked, " please say something. You're scaring me."

Garima finally blinked. Just once. Her lips parted, and in a whisper so faint it was almost inaudible.

she said, " Neha...why is this happening to me? Papa he didn't-....what did I do wrong?"

Neha's eyes welled up, but she held herself strong. " Nothing. You did nothing. Mujhe nahi pata kya sach hai kya nahi..but this is not your fault. "

Garima finally looked at her eyes swollen, face pale, heartbreak carved into every line.

" He's going to ruin me...this marriage... it's not a punishment. It's a slow death, Neha." Her voice broke.

Neha reached forward and hugged her tightly, burying her friend in her arms.

" No he can't....we will find a way okay? You just stay strong as you always....humare pass abhi bhi time hai... I'll try to find a solution."

Garima didn't answer. She just clung to Neha like a lifeline because at that moment, that's all she had left.

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The morning sun barely warmed the sharp edges of the penthouse. Inside, it was cold -still. A place where silence didn't bring peace, but pressure.

At the centre of it all sat Kartik, he leaned back in his chair, expression carved in stone, as the conference call flickered to life on the massive screen across his desk.

Chirag, from the North Division, was the first to speak.

" Sir....we lost the Yamuna drop. Two trucks ambushed on the highway. Five men down. Two taken. It wasn't a hit and run. Someone knew our route."

Kartik didn't flinch. Even now, with chaos threatening to boil beneath his skin, his thoughts circled back to her..

her moist eyes, the way she yelled at him. His voice came low and steady, lethal in its restraint. " How?"

" We suspect someone from ours....and Sanghera's men were involved.."

Kartik's fingers tapped once. " How many people knew the route?"

" Seven," Chirag answered. " Four from our side, three transporters."

" Then I want seven tongues on the floor in 24 hours," kartik said flatly. " Find the snitch. If you can't get them to talk, get them to scream. And if they stop screaming...bury them....."

Chirag pales and nodded. " Yes, sir."

Then Amaan joined in from the Eastern corridor.

" Sir, Sanghera's also disrupting our import routes through Sikkim. Customs officers are suddenly getting bold -someone's greasing their palms. Our shipments are slowing down. The warehouse in Jalpaiguri is under watch."

Kartik's jaw flexed. " Double the guards. Move everything underground for the next four days. Rotate your routes and shift inventory through Manipur ...quietly." He paused, His voice colder. " And slit the throats of any officer who dares to go against me. No one defies me and lives."

Silence buzzed in the room like static. The call ended.

Just then, the heavy glass door swung open. Vansh and Ahaan walked in.

Vansh was the first to break the tension, a crooked smirk tugging at his mouth. " You fucker.... today's your wedding and you're still neck-deep in work?"

Kartik turned slowly, eyes like cold steel. He didn't smile. He just stared. The smirk faded from Vansh's lips.

Ahaan stepped forward, his tone more cautious. " Bhai...are you really sure about this?" He glanced at Vansh, then back. " I mean, I don't think it's right. Her father's already dead-"

" Exactly," Vansh cut in, arms folded." Kartik, listen....her father's gone. He died before you could even confront him. So why her?"

Kartik's voice sliced through the room, low and lethal. " Ho gaya tum dono ka?" He stepped toward them, shadows dancing in his eyes. " It's her fault. Her father died before I could make him bleed for what he did....so now -she will pay."

Kartik's voice turned colder, crueler. " And you, Ahaan...have you already forgotten what happened to maa, papa and pri?"

Ahaan's jaw clenched. " I haven't. But-"

" No but..She will suffer. I'll ruin her life, her light, her voice." Kartik stepped closer, every word soaked in vengeance. " She will never receive love. Only my hate." His words felt like hammers "That's final."

The silence that followed wasn't empty..it was dangerous. The storm wasn't coming. It was already here.

____

Garima walked downstairs, her steps slow and unsure, guided by her chachi's tight grip on her wrist. The house was unnervingly quiet ...too quiet, like the calm before a storm.

Her eyes widened when she saw two familiar men waiting in the living room.

Aksh and Darsh, sharp eyes, dressed in black. One of them, Aksh, held out a rich red bridal lehenga, embroidered and glimmering -almost mocking it looked like a celebration. But to Garima, it was a noose seen in the gold thread.

Tara took the lehenga from them with trembling hands, turned to Garima, and said stiffly. " Yeh le...andar jaa aur tyaar hona start kar de."

Garima's face froze. She took a step back. Her voice was barely audible cracked and trembling. " I don't want this...I won't wear it."

She looked toward Aksh and Darsh, eyes pleading. " Please...take it away. Mujhse nahi hoga yeh, please."

Tara turned to her sharply, grabbing her wrist, about to scold her but then she saw it.

Aksh standing calmly behind Garima, gun in his hands. Tara's breath caught. Her hand which had tightened in anger, suddenly loosened. She swallowed hard. Her entire posture changed from stern to scared yet oddly soft.

Her voice dropped. " Garima beta....jao jaake tayaar ho jao." she tried to smile, but her lips trembled. A beat.

Then, almost whispering. " Tum chahti ho na...ke tumhari wajah se kisi ki jaan na jaaye?...toh jao aur tayaar ho jao." Her tone turned painfully gentle, forced.

She turned and called out quickly, voice echoing through the corridor. " Riya! Jaa aapni behen ko andar leke jaa."

Riya appeared at the top of the stairs, tense and silent. She walked down slowly and came to stand beside Garima.

Garima's eyes met Tara's once more..searching, desperately, silently begging for help. But all she saw was fear. And defeat.

With no other choice, she turned and walked toward the room with Riya beside her. Each step felt heavier than the last.

The moment they disappeared into the corridor. Aksh straightened. " Be ready. We'll escort her when it's time. " said and left.

Darsh followed him outside. As they sat in the parked car, Darsh finally spoke, uncertain.

" Aksh bhai..sir kya sach mein unse shaadi kar rahe hain?" He glanced at the house. " Itna sab revenge ke liye? He could've just killed her. Why go this far?"

Aksh didn't even blink. " Darsh...how many times do I have to tell you? Never question the boss."

His voice dropped, sharp as a knife " whatever he does...he has a reason. And we must obey....and one more thing....ye shaadi kis bhi reason se ho...she is going to become our lady boss..call her mam from now."

Darsh nod and looked away, still shocked and confused.

_____

The room was locked. Garima sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the bridal lehenga lying in front of her like a punishment wrapped in red. Her eyes were swollen, her hands trembling.

This wasn't the marriage she had dreamed of. Not for revenge. She clutched her parents photo frame in her lap, her fingers brushed her father's face as tears rolled down her cheeks. ..

" Papa....I know you didn't do it..." Her voice cracked, soft and broken.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Garima turned, startled. It was Neha. Stepped inside and quickly shut the door behind her, locking it again from the inside.

Garima stood up in a daze as Neha rushed to her and pulled her into a tight, desperate hug. .

" Garima....theek hai tu?" Neha whispered, scanning her face, then looking at the lehenga.

Garima's lips trembled. " I don't know, Neha...." Her voice broke. " What should I do?" Tears spilled again as she held on to her friend. " I.... I'm scared."

Neha gently pulled her down to sit. " Garima.... listen to me carefully. I have a plan."

She took out a folded envelope from her bag, stuffed with a little money and a plane ticket. She pressed it into Garima's hand. " This is a ticket to london. My cousin lives there -I've already told her everything. She'll pick you up from the airport and keep you safe until all this madness ends."

Garima's eyes widened, and the voice panicked. " No! Neha, I can't do this! What if he finds out? What if he hurts chacha, chachi and Riya?"

Neha cut her off firmly, eyes blazing. " Stop it, Garima! Did they think about you when they handed you over to that monster?" Her voice softened but was filled with pain. " You didn't do anything wrong. Still, woh log ye sab tere sath hota dekh rahe... please for once, think about yourself."

Garima shook her head. " But what if something happens to you?"

Neha cupped her face, wiping her tears. " Nothing will happen to me. If he wanted to kill anyone, he would've done it by now. But he needs us to capture you...he wants you to suffer....so don't think about anyone just run..."

Garima hesitated again, still trembling. " I....I can't."

Neha held her shoulders, firm. " Just tell me one thing do you want to marry him?"

Garima looked at her, defeated, and broken. She slowly shook her head. " No...I don't."

Neha let out a breath, relief flooding her face. " Then that is it. Go. Run."

She stood, quickly stuffing the ticket, money, her parents photo and a small bundle of clothes into Garima's bag. " Go through the window. I'll cover for you...until you reach the airport."

Garima stood still for a moment, staring at the window her way out, her only chance. She looked back at Neha, then threw her arms around her in one last tight hug. " Thank you....for everything."

" Go," Neha whispered, holding back her tears. Garima climbed up, opened the window, and slipped out into the night with nothing but a bag and shattered hope.

The cool air hit her face. Her heart races. She ran without looking back.

She ran down the dimly lit street. Her duppata fluttered behind her like a fading scream. She spotted a taxi near the corner. She sprinted toward it.

" Airport.... please jaldi!" she gasped, clutching the money in her palm.

The driver looked at her hesitantly -sweaty, trembling, " Baithiye, madam."

As the car pulled away, she sank into the back seat, hugging her bag to her chest. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror. Then the side mirror. Then the streets behind.

She couldn't stop looking back. Her breath trembled. Her palms were cold. Her heart raced so loud it felt like a ticking bomb.

What if they were following her? What if he knew already? She closed her eyes tightly. Just reached the airport. Please, bhole baba.....just the airport..she keeps praying.

Back at the Vedaant house, the moment Aksh and Darsh realized she was gone...Darsh's face paled.

" She's not in the room..." Aksh's voice turned sharp. " Check the entire house. Now!"

Minutes later, Darsh's phone trembled in his hand as he called Kartik. The line connected. " Sir.... she's gone."

There was silence. Not a word. Not a breath. Then came the voice low, cold and controlled.

" Darsh...Lock her house. Grab her family and friend. " A pause. " Don't harm them yet."

Darsh gulped. " Yes, sir.."

Kartik ended the call, stood still for a beat, staring out the glass window of his penthouse, dressed in a sharp cut creamy sherwani.

Then, without turning he said - " Vansh, Ahaan... let's go."

A smirk ghosted across his face slow, terrifying, cruel. " It's time to catch my runaway bride.... The wedding will start on time."

Vansh narrowed his eyes, tension crackling in the air. " But where could she have gone?"

Kartik's smile deepened, laced with danger calm, but lethal. " I know exactly where she's gone..... and now, I'm going to give her a gift she'll never forget."

______

Garima sat nervously in the backseat of the taxi, tapping her foot restlessly. It has been over fifteen minutes -they hadn't moved on an inch. " Yahan traffic hamesha itna hota hai kya?" she asked the driver, her voice trembling.

He just shrugged, eyes fixed on the endless rows of honking vehicles.

Finally, after what felt like a century, the traffic began to clear. The taxi surged ahead. She kept glancing at

After another thirty minutes, the airport appeared in sight. She exhaled sharply, her grip loosening around her bag.

The taxi rolled to a stop. " Bas yahi...bhaiya, thank you." She handed over the money with shaking hands, then stepped out, adjusting her duppata and clutching her belongings.

The taxi dropped away. She turned towards the airport -

BOOM!

A deafening explosion split the air. The ground shook beneath her feet. The entire airport went up in flames.

The force of the blast threw her to the ground. Screams tore from inside her but got buried beneath the sound of burning metal and crumbling glass.

She clutched her ears, crouching down, her heart pounding so hard it nearly cracked her ribs.

Slowly, she lifted her head, trembling as she looked at the horrific scene before her.

Then ..black cars began rolling in from every direction. Doors opened. Men in black stepped out -silent, deadly, surrounding her like shadows closing in.

Her breath caught in her throat. and then...she felt it. That presence.

Him. Behind her, a chill slid down her spine like a knife. She didn't need to turn -her body already knew. But she couldn't stop herself.

Kartik. He crouched beside her slowly, leaning close. His voice brushed her ear like poison ..laced silk.

" Trying to escape, Mrs. Soon- to- be Aaryansh?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she turned her face toward him. Her entire body shaking, her breath hitched. Their eyes meet.

His lips curled into a dangerous smirk. She could barely speak, but the words escaped her, broken and choked.

" W-why?"  she yelled, grabbing his collar. " Why did you do this?!"

He didn't flinch. " Save that anger," he said coldly. " You'll need it for what's coming next."

He snapped his fingers. From behind, Vansh and Ahaan stepped forward. Ahaan handed kartik a tab. He turned it toward her.

" Look."

Her eyes slowly dropped to the screen. And the widened in horror. The live video feed showed the Ashram.

" No..." She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. " No, no them... please..."

" They're just kids.... don't hurt them... I'll do anything please...."

His jaw tightened. He grabbed her wrist -tight. " Then marry me." His voice was steel. " I won't touch them. but if you say no-" he leaned closer, his eyes burning into hers, " they'll pay the price. In your place."

She sobbed, breaking apart right there. " No please... please don't... I'll...hum karenge aapse shaadi...just don't hurt them."

He stood up slowly. " Great...now get up." He looked down at her coldly.

She tried -her hands pushing against the ground, but her legs refused to move. The trauma had left her body frozen.

He watched her for a moment, his jaw clenched in frustration. Then he stepped forward again, knelt, and without another word -lifted her into his arms.

Her head fell against his chest as tears soaked his sherwani. She didn't fight. There was nothing left in her to fight with.

The penthouse had been transformed into a private mandap draped in dark crimson and gold. Soft flames from a havan kund flickered beneath the chandeliered ceiling, casting haunting shadows across the room. The air was thick -not with celebration but with tension.

One either side of the lavish setup. Garima's family and friend sat silently. their hands clenched tightly in fear. Armed men in black stood behind them, guns pointed discreetly, but threatening enough to keep anyone from moving.

Kartik sat on the mandap. Cold, composed and Dangerous. But the moment he heard her footsteps and anklets - he looked up. And his breath caught.

Garima stepped into, draped in her bridal lehenga, her open hair cascading down her shoulders like silk, lips pale, eyes downcast and not a hint of joy on her face -but still...

She was breathtaking. So ethereal, it made the entire room blur around her.

For just a flicker of a moment, Kartik forgot everything -the armed guards, the forced silence, the flames. His eyes roamed her face with an intensity that could burn.

She looked like she was made for him.

Garima walked, every step heavy, every breath shaking. She didn't look up, not even once.

She reached the mandap and sat beside him -rigid. Silent. The priest began the rituals. Sanskrit chants echoed in the otherwise dead room. The fire crackled.

Kartik didn't blink. His eyes didn't leave her face. When the time came, he picked up the sindoor.

With slow, deliberate hands, he filled the parting of her hair with red. The sindoor falls on her nose....his fingers lingered for a breath longer than needed -eyes locked on her face as if branding her his.

She flinched Slightly. Still silent. Still looking down.

Then came the Mangal Sutra -he tied it around her neck, the black beads heavy against her chest like the fate she could no longer escape.

She didn't utter a word. Then, the priest gestured for the phera. They both stood.

The sacred fire burned between them and they began taking the seven rounds. Each step, a knot around her soul. Each vow, a sentence in this unspoken punishment.

Kartik walked beside her -his face unreadable, but every step firm, as if he was claiming her with every turn. Finally, the last phera ended.

" Vivah sampann hua..aaj se aap dono pati -patni hue." the priest announced.

Translation : The marriage is now done....from this moment on, you both are husband and wife

Vansh and Ahaan nodded to the guards, who lowered their guns slightly -but the threat remained.

Kartik looked at her. Not with regret, not with guilt -but something darker. Possesive. Finally, she was his now.

Garima didn't look back. But a single tear slipped down her cheek.

She was now Mrs. Garima Kartik Aaryansh.

Kartik, adjusting the cuffs of his sherwani with a sharp flick. His voice, low and commanding, cut through the heavy air.

" We're leaving for Jaipur tonight." His eyes shifted briefly to Ahaan and Vansh, who both nodded.

Garima, still frozen in place, her limbs heavy with everything she'd lost and the terrifying uncertainty ahead. Kartik turned toward her, his eyes cold.

" Let's go." A simple statement. No tenderness.

She looked up slowly, her lips trembling. " P-please...just once...let me meet Neha. For the last time." Her voice cracked mid-sentence, almost like a whispered plea breaking through chains.

Kartik's jaw clenched. For a moment, his eyes narrowed but then he gave a curt nod. " Do it fast. I don't have time." He turned away, his posture rigid.

Garima rushed toward Neha, the one person who had tried, the only person who mattered in that moment. As soon as their eyes met, the dam inside her broke.

She fell into Neha's arms, shaking, sobbing. Neha clutched her just as tightly, tears streaming down her face. " I'm sorry, Garima.... I'm so sorry. i tried, I-"

Garima cut her off, shaking her head, voice breaking " No... don't say sorry. You did everything you could. It's not your fault."

Neha pulled her closer, whispering urgently, " Take care of yourself okay? Please call me... somehow. Anything."

Garima nodded weakly, pulling back with shattered eyes. " You too...take care of the kids too... I'll try." Another hug.

Kartik's voice interrupted. Sharp. Final. " Enough...this drama." He turned, already walking away toward the exit. As he moved, the gathbandhan cloth dragged slightly behind him.

Before it could call completely .. her hand shot out instinctively, clutching the cloth. She stood up, tightening her grip, and began walking behind him. One reluctant step after another. A bride with no will, no words, but still tied literally and metaphorically -to the man who now owned her fate.

Behind them followed Ahaan, Vansh, Aksh and Darsh. Silent. Watchful.

____

The private jet blended with the silence air. Kartik sat on one end, his attention fixed on a call. His voice was cold, clipped.

Garima sat on the plush seat across the aisle alone. Her bridal lehenga now felt like a cafe, her jewelry heavier than ever. Her eyes were blank, still processing the destruction, the forced vows.

She clutched her trembling hands in her lap when suddenly, a thought hit her like a blow -

" Maa, papa ki photo..." Her lips parted in a silent panic she didn't have it. The only photo she had the one in her bag left behind in the chaos.

Just then, a polite air hostess walked up with a soft smile. " Ma'am, can I get you something?"

Garima shook her head weakly. " Nahi....thank you." But her mind wasn't still.

She glanced towards Vansh and Ahaan, who were seated a few rows ahead, quietly talking. Her gaze shifted instinctively to Kartik still on call, his tone sharp, commanding.

" Inse bolenge....toh shayad isi plane ko na uda de" she muttered under her breath, looking down.

She took a breath, then turned to the hostess. " Kya aap...un dono ko bula dengi?" She gestured toward Vansh and Ahaan.

The hostess nodded politely. " Of course, ma'am."

She walked up to the boys. Vansh raised a brow. noticing the hostess whispered something to them and then tilt her head toward Garima.

Ahaan and Vansh exchanged a quick look. Then they both stood up and walked toward her. She hesitated... she knew what she was about to ask would stir discomfort.

" Hello, Bhabhi," Vansh greeted with a gentle smile. " Kuch chaiye tha aapko?"

She nodded nervously. " H-hello... Actually, maa-papa ki photo thi...meri bag mein thi...but vhi rah gyi I think...I-I Know you hate...but it's the only thing I had....if possible, please.."

Ahaan's jaw tightened. His hands balled into fists, but he didn't speak. He forced his expression neutral.

Vansh noticed and stepped in quickly with a casual smile. " Arey don't worry... I'll tell our men." He winked playfully. " By the way, humne proper introduction toh diya hi nahi aapko aapna... I'm Vansh, best friend of that fucker - means your husband."

A small, unexpected smile appeared on her lips.

He gestured to the side. " Aur yeh hain Ahaan. Your husband's little brother."

Ahaan shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. His voice is barely above a whisper. " H-hello Bhabhi...."

She sensed his unease. She offered a soft smile. " Hello."

Vansh patted Ahaan's back. " Anyway, photo mil jaayegi...and if you need anything just tell us...we are not like that idiot." and with that they both turned to leave.

She watched them go, her heart a little less heavy. She leaned her head against the window. Outside, the clouds stretched endlessly. Her eyes fluttered shut.

Kartik finished his call. His gaze landed on her. Curled by the window, lehenga crumpled. Her face stained with dried tears.

And yet, breathtaking. Something shifted inside him. A flicker. An unfamiliar burn. He ignored it.

He stepped closer. Stopped. Then bent and effortlessly slid one arm beneath her knees, the other behind her back. The moment she felt his touch, her body, even in sleep, tensed arms looping faintly around his neck.

She clutched onto him. Kartik froze mid-step, breath catching. " Fuck.....last time.." he muttered under his breath. His eyes on her face.

With careful steps, he walked toward the VIP chamber at the back of the jet, opened the door with his foot, and laid

her gently on the luxurious bed meant for long haul comfort..

She didn't stir. He stood there for a second. Watching, then turned.... walked out, and shut the door.

***************************

How was it ?

My Insta/ Yt = lostverse_k

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