Maya's pov:

2  years ago

It's really been a long time since I last came here. The musty smell of monsoon, the people greeting each other with hugs and love. I went to US when I was 5.

Papa told me I needed to stay there, complete my academics and then higher education. At first I cried a lot, saying I don't want to, I can't stay away from mumma but he was persisted on sending me.

I stayed at a hostel first but later after my high school, i insisted on staying by my own. Him and mumma came from time to time to visit me, but never let me come here.

Not that I lost contact with my culture, but I lost contact with my childhood, which I think would have been much fun with mumma and papa by my side all the time.

I insisted papa that instead of handling Aggarwal group's branch which is in New York, I want to work in India now. Ny's branch was launched by me but I let one of my best employee to look after it for now.

Right now, I am at the airport. Papa told that he would come to pick me up but I said instead send a car. I will drive. Moving towards the parking lot, the driver came and gave me the keys. Sending him back, I sat in the car and drove off.

I played the song, 'Sanam Re', by Arijit Singh. Though I lived most of my life in NY, I just love Bollywood movies and Hindi songs. I rolled down the windows and cool breeze started hitting my face and soon it started raining. The cold droplets of water showering my face.

I rolled up the window because I don't wanna get wet right now. The road is quite empty today. I heard a sound and looked at the passenger side to find my phone ringing. Must be mumma, I picked it up and started talking to her. I was driving when suddenly a dog came in front of my car.

"Shit! Mumma I will call you later." Saying, I hung up the call and went outside to find that the dog is fine. Thank God! I went near it and picked it up, which was now shivering in fear. I wonder why he ran on the road. I kept it on the footpath after checking for injuries. He was fine, thankfully.

I am all soaked in the rain now. Sighing, I went back in my car and started the engine. The car started but it stopped. I tried again but it's not even taking a start now. I went out, opened the bonnet of the car and tried to figure out. But I don't know anything about machins . Wait, I should call someone for help.

I called the driver and he said that he will take 30 minutes to reach here. I hung up the call and decided to wait in the car. I turned back to walk towards the door, just then a car stopped in front of me. Few men coming out with a gun in their hands. Looks like robbers to me.

I tried to go from the other side,  inside my car to get the pepper spray. Would it even work? They have gun, bitch! Scolding myself, I tried to run, just then one of the man held my hands and said,"Give me your car keys and all the cards, now!" He shouted at the last word making me flinch.

I tried to wiggle but he kept the gun point on my head. His hands on the trigger. "Give it now, or you die and we will take it ourselves then."  He said, his face looking like he is losing his patience.

His hands on the trigger started pressing it, suddenly a loud sound of a gun shooting echoed in my ears and I felt my eyes getting heavy.

                                                  Present

I am walking down the aisle, with my cousins holding the the red dupatta above my head. I went to the place where the holy fire was lit. Adhrit was sitting there with his hands joined together and the priest chanting mantras.

(Scarf)

When I told everyone that I am marrying Adhrit and not Siddharth, they all were shocked. Mumma was asking me if everything is alright or if he blackmailed me. Little does she knows that it' was me who blackmailed him. Papa didn't agree to this first, saying that Adhrit won't take care of me, he is our rival but I don't need anyone to take care of me.

I can handle him. Adhrit's family was called at a very short notice. His father is not here though, I wonder why, it's his son afterall but I don't care. Adhrit's family doesn't look very happy, it's only Shreshtha who is smiling. I feel bad about blackmailing to destroy her.

When everyone asked us, why we took this decision just 20 mins before the wedding, we replied that we love  each other. Never.

They didn't believe that excuse though but we are going to continue saying that. If Adhrit wanted, he could have told everyone that I blackmailed him, not that I care. But, he didn't say that. I wonder why.

I went near Adhrit and sat beside him. However he didn't glance at me even once. He must be burning with rage right now but is not showing any emotion. It's very hard to read his face. It's always this emotionless face that he covers himself with.

The priest continued chanting the mantras and soon he asked Adhrit to tie the sacred thread made of black beads and a diamond in between, around my neck. He held the thread and his hands came in contact of my neck, slowly brushing it, making a shiver run down my spine.

He leaned closed to my ears, tieing the thread and then whispered, "this thread will chain you to my world now, sweetheart." My breath hitched at his words and our close proximity. He moved back, continued listening to the priest. I don't know why but after listening to his words, I don't have a great feeling about this.

The priest then asked him to put vermillion in the partition of my hairs. He picked a pinch of vermillion and his hands moved to my hairs. "This vermillion will mark you mine now and Just like it's colour, I will turn your life red as well. With blood." He spoke and applied it between the partition of my hairs, making some of it fall on my nose. Is he trying to threaten me with his words? His words are making a great impact on me right now.

After that, we got up from our seats and my mother tied his scarf with mine. He held my hands and we started taking rounds of the holy fire. It's said that it's to promise seven vows to our partner.

After taking the first round, he spoke, "I promise I will respect you and stay loyal. I will make sure you do too; any other man touching you will die by my hands."

Taking the second vow, he spoke,"Just how this scarf is tying you to me, I will also leash you in my world."

As the third vow, he promised, "I will never force you but it would also be you who will carry our child."

" Being your husband, I will make sure to protect you but it would also be me who destroys you." He took his fourth vow.

Completing the fifth round, he spoke, "I won't love you but I will make you need me all the time."

"I won't promise harmony in our relationship. It will get so hard for you that you won't be able to handle it but you will have to." He took his sixth vow.

Taking the final round he spoke, "As the last vow, I promise that even if we die, we will stay together. You won't be able to leave me, even after we are burnt in this same holy fire. I will follow you to hell."

He then looked at me and whispered in my ears, "I said hell because after our marriage, you won't be a deserving candidate for heaven." I looked at him and he glanced back at me with no expression as if just now he didn't say these things.

"With the end of the pheras, I announce you two as husband and wife."the priest spoke, breaking us from our glaring session. I feel as if I am suffocating.

The vows Adhrit took are creating different sensations in me. His words somehow make me feel so secure but it also scares me. 'Did I make the right decision?' this question is not leaving my headspace.

"Congratulations on getting yourself a prison, wifey."

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Adhrit's vows are so romantic but scary at the same time.🤌🏻🤌🏻

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