I was sitting on my desk and going through a script when my door unlocked and Ree walked inside. I gave her a brief smile and closed the file ," Di , Vinay bhaiya is downstairs waiting for us to go to the shopping mall," she informed and I frowned .

" Why are we going to the mall?" I questioned when a deep voice replied to my question,

" To buy clothes for groom's siblings," I turned around slowly looking at bade papa who looked at me dead serious.

According to the rituals , we have to send them clothes . Rushant is out of town for business and I and  Vikram  have a meeting , so Vinay will accompany you," he said and I nodded.

I would not dare even look into eyes !  Even though I didn't like him I still was scared of him.

I got ready quickly and grabbed my scarf walking out with Ree.

I looked at Vinay , my best friend to be honest, him and I we grew up together and went to the same school and then same college. He was my cousin brother but from the badi maa's side . He was a family , otherwise bade papa didn't allow us to go out so easily.

We walked to his blue City and then drove to the mall." Di , atleast we get to go out of house!" Ree said happily. Yeah for her it was a big deal. All she did was go to college and then come back that too with Aryan , no freedom at all.

" We are free from Hitler today!"  he said .

We were going through the lift when Vinay looked at me a sad smile on his face,"What's wrong?" I questioned him but he just sighed," You are handling it well," he said and I just nodded,"Shaadi ho rhi na meri, ab rone baithungi toh vidaaii ke liye aansu nhi bachenge,"
( I'm getting married if I started crying right now then no tears will be left for vidaai)

I knew what he thought! Even in the beginning I have felt that this marriage thing would end me in ruins but there was no point in crying and complaining. So I accepted sooner.

We walked out the store ," Di Lets look at that section ," she suggested and we nodded.

The rest  whole hour we kept going through different clothes and when Vinay and we agreed on whatever piece of clothing, he sent their pics to badi maa , as she was supposed to approve them.

When we were done ,  him and Reesha decided to go to the gaming arena for a play while I was going to the shop to look at decor items.

Vinay pulled me in  a side hug ," We'll be back in a few , just handle this please," saying politely he handed me all the bags earning a playful glare from me .

Pulling my cheek he laughed, " Just go and sit somewhere," I would have hit him on the head if my hands weren't full with the bags . I walked around to the next corner when I bumped into someone and few of my bags fell ," I am so sorry," I apologized and was about to pick up my stuff when a high pitched voice boomed in my ears.

" Isn't this Kashvi! " she laughed tauntingly and I looked up to meet a pair of dark eyes which gave me headache throughout my high school. Shanaya Sharma stood in from me glaring down at me.

Oh god! Why was I running so low on luck these days!

" I see, you are still with that Vinay! So shameful ! Using the things others did!" she smirked and I rolled my eyes. Vinay had a history with her and she hated our friendship. She believed I was the reason they both broke up.

" He's a person and not a thing to be used! " I snapped back at her.

She laughed evilly and said in her annoying voice," He was good for nothing and he still is not,"

" Just because you have some memory loss , dont forget it was him who dumped you!"  I retorted and she glared at me. " Who do you think you are to remind me! Just look at your class !" she said pointing at my clothes which were decent unlike her showing off her body parts.

" You have not changed at all! Atleast I am better like this , don't have to put on efforts like you to just look bearable," I mumbled and she took a step towards me .

" You are a stray dog! Stay in your limits !" she yelled .

God! What a bother her presence is.

I smiled and  took a step towards her . " If you dare to belittle me I won't think twice before biting you"  I warned her and picked up my bags ," And atleast I have my own identity unlike someone who's still living off her dad's money thinking she's a rich class!"

I knew it would irk her ! The biggest thing that annoyed Shanaya was this! Telling her that  she lived off her parents. Throughout school , she bullied people just cause her parents had her back and saved her from all the troubles.

And when someone told her that she had no identity without them it was like pulling on her weak point.

Before I could register what was happening she took a step towards me and raised her hand to slap me , I took a step back immediately when her hand stopped midway  as a blue cufflink shirt came in my view and then I looked at the whole person.

" I dare you to touch her!"  his familar voice reached my ears .

"Danish ," Shanaya gasped and took a step back immediately . Even I was surprisd seeing him here.

" It was her who provoked me," she mumbled and I glared at the lying bitch .

"I don't care ! But next time you try to hurt Kashvi , I wont spare you and your dad," he warned her and turned towards me.

Ofcourse, when you are rich all your families are just interconnected. You know others and they know you.

His face dead serious  as he looked at me ,grabbing my hand he pulled me around the corner again , I tried to release my hand from his but he would not budge .

" It hurts! Can you walk slow!" I yelled at him when he stopped all of a sudden. Turning around he looked at me and left my hand," Savio!" he called and a man tall as him wearing full black typical bodyguard costume came in front of us.
" Yes boss!"

" Take all the bags from her!" he ordered and Savio took away literally everything. " If you dont want to create drama in the middle , follow me ,"  his voice low and rough as he told me this.

I had no option except for following him so I nodded . We were walking wherever the hell he wanted to go to when Vinay and Ree came ," What is it?" he questioned Danish.

" You both can leave ,I will drop her off after getting her the ring," he said to Vinay who shook hands with him and waved at me and left.

" You should've told me this also, instead of just pulling me like a madman ," I mumbled  but he ignored me and kept walking till we were outside in the parking lot.

I folded my hands and looked at his car ," Wait a sec, where are we actually going?"  I questioned him and he just gave me an eye roll . This man takes me so lightly !

" I am not going unless you tell me," I mumbled and he closed his side of door and walked towards me , his expressions told that he was beyond annoyed .

I took a step back before he could reach out to me but he grabbed my hand and pushed me inside the car. This was too much for me to take , if he thought he could just force me or push me and act bossy around me I was not going to tolerate.

" What do you think of yourself!" I shouted at him as he stood around the door . He glared at me and I tried to get up and push him when he forcefully pushed me inside and grabbed both my hands.

" Let go of me!" I yelled but he paid no heed. " Shhhh, just shut up!"  he lowered his head to my level. " You talk so much woman! When you know we are going to exchange the ring , can't you just freaking follow up!"  he looked so scary when he got mad.

I just stared at him back when he raised his hand and I flinched , but he just pulled on the seat belt for me.

" Did you actually think I was about to hit you!" he exclaimed and I gulped and looked down.

I was afraid of him , and in that moment I realised that I actually found him scary when he got mad.

Shutting the door he sat down and drove off. We were in a huge jewellery store and I couldn't help but notice all the displays.

Danish and I walked out to the right and then the manager came," Mr.Singhania , its a pleasure to have you here again," he said and all Danish did was nod.

" Stacey will show you our latest ring collections," he said and a tall lady came to us. She took in my appearance and was quite shocked but I was not. I was happy wearing my blue cargo pants and white teeshirt. It wasnt like I was aware I was supposed to join Danish for ring selection. We followed her and then we stood in front of a huge ring collection. There were almost   hundreds of rings .

" This is what I picked from our latest collection, you can go through it," she said and I sighed.

I looked at Danish," Why are we buying a new ring?" I questioned and he pinched the bridge of his nose . " Because that one was the only piece and there was no size . Its better if you choose a new one of your liking," he replied and I just stared at him .

" I don't have any idea about this  , you can select for me," I mumbled and he ran his hand through his hair. " Alright," he replied and kept looking at the rings.

" It is just a ring why does it even matter," I said and he gave me an odd look . " It will carry my name," he said and I nodded slowly . " Ofcourse! His pride would hurt.

" I looked at the three rings he picked out  , they all were bold big and flashy and I shook my head.

I looked at collection and finally pulled out a simple ring ,it was so beautiful . " This one?" he asked and I showed him ," We are getting this one ," he said to Stacey .

I wore the ring and it fit me . Sighing in relief , I looked at the ring in my hand and then my eyes went to Danish's hand . He still wore his .

Once we were done , we walked back to his car . It was already dark outside I wondered if bade papa knew about this .

I sighed and sat inside the car when  my eyes fell on the rearview mirror , there was a guy fully covered in black and black hood covering his head . He was looking our way , so I turned around to look but there was no-one . I looked back in the mirror and he was gone.

" What's wrong?" Danish asked raising his brows at me  but I shook my head. I must have mistook it.

The whole drive was quite because I felt sleepy , otherwise I would've annoyed him .

The car stopped in front of my house ," Bye," I mumbled and quickly got off the car .

So dude , at least should have said bye back.

But before I could walk away , Bade papa appeared in our sight .

" I hope she did not trouble you ," he said to him and I glanced at Danish who had a neutral expression on his face but it felt like he was damn irritated at the moment.

And trouble him! What was I ? A six year old?

" Not at all ," they kept talking so I took my leave.

................

" You are lucky that shoot is beginning next week ," Abir said as soon as I picked up my phone.

I smiled and sat on the swing outside in the balcony. Abir was my colleague and a really good friend. Since I was not allowed to go to the theatre , all I did was call him and ask him the whole details of the day.

Even if I was allowed I would not be able to as the wedding was taking place in a resort outside the city . Everything about this place was classy and expensive. But the most beautiful part was the view.The view was so beautiful , we even had a lake at the back surrounded by a beautiful scenery.

" Yeah or else I would have lost the chance," we were talking about our new drama which was going   to start onstage next week.

Acting was my career . And noone had slightest clue about it. My family had a strong dislike towards it. So I kept it a secret .

But I did not know how long this hide and seek would go on , bade papa and I being the lead players.

" Why is there so much noise around you?" he questioned and I bit my lip , " Wedding preparations are going on ," I said and he agreed.

Abir thought it was Deepti's marriage and I was not telling him the truth over the call .

We kept talking for the next half an hour and then I hanged up . Talking to few people in my life just felt so good , I could forget about everything. But sometimes forgetting gets you in trouble.

Like right now , badi maa was glaring down at me ," I told you to get ready before 10!"  I mentally facepalm-ed myself and ran off to change .

Today was my haldi and I was the most lazy bride of the year because I was clearly uninterested and I did not even bother to hide it.

" Kashvi, I know you blame us for whatever that is happening but trust me child ! Marriage is once in a lifetime thing . I would suggest rather than holding this resentment you better be happy ," she said and I sat on the edge of the bed.

I smiled sadly and looked up at her," How can I be happy ! Whatever I've ever wanted is snatched off right in front of me. My freedom was curtailed but I never complained , I studied the college which you guys chose for me, got the degree in the field which you guys chose and now when I am focused on my career you guys get me married because you guys have a reputation and it matters more than my choices and life,"

Badi maa just stared at me and without any word she handed me my jewellery and walked out  .

I immediately regretted my words because I knew I hurt her . They were going through the drama their daughter created , the shame bade papa felt and now I just added salt to her wounds.

Sighing I got ready and looked at the door frame where my mother stood.

" I know how you feel about everything Kaaju but trust me on this , your elders  would never select a less than perfect groom for Deepti . He seems like a good guy and I feel that somehow there family is much better than our house. If it was not right , I would not remain quite. I would never let you sacrifice ," mom said and I hugged her.

Even if everything seemed perfect , what was the point. The marriage would end in a year , it was happening due to chaos, starting with divorce as the end result , obviously it would end at that point only.

I did not know anything but I just wanted to get done with this soon.

The rituals kept on going, everyone was happy all around dancing and teasing me.

And I felt annoyed.

" Di, your mother-in-law is here," Ree informed and we all looked ahead , where. Bade papa welcomed the groom's family.

I could not help but notice that they all were here except for the groom. His presence was so annoying that I couldn't stop myself from noticing.

Liar!

" Here is my beautiful sister-in-law,"  Rahul grinned as he sat in front of me . I smiled at him," You look so gloomy , Miss , not happening in my presence ," with this he applied the haldi on my nose and cheek . I looked at Samir who just rolled his eyes at Rahul ," She's my bhabhi first!"

He exclaimed and both of them started a silly banter which was for some reason enough to make me grin at them. But my grin faded as soon as I saw Danish , he was simply wearing a yellow kurta and white pajama. He genuinely looked good in almost everything.

His face was all yellowish due to the effect of haldi.

According to rituals , the haldi applied on the bride came from the groom's side and his was done before mine.

His eyes met mine and I looked away immediately , slowly my mother in law and everyone started applying haldi as the ceremony began .

I literally froze when my mother in law teased Danish to come ahead and apply haldi on me .

Like aunty? What era are you in?  You are going against rituals .

I took a deep breath and glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He ran his hand through his hair and bent in from of me ," Its just haldi , why are you so pale ? I am not harming you," he whispered and I looked up at him.

" You look scary! Equivalent to a vampire," as soon as I said this he looked at me as if I have lost my mind.

Applying the haldi on my cheeks , he stood up and I sighed in relief which earned me another glare from him.

After  the rituals were done , I walked around the curtains to go inside the house and change when a hand caught up my wrist and I was pulled away in a second near the wall . Danish stood in front of me , his hand covering my mouth as he glared at something beside me on the other side.

I tried to push him away but he gave me an annoyed look and pushed me more , I was about to literally push him away when my eyes fell on a figure . The same guy in black I saw in my rearview mirror , his back facing us  before he could turn around see us I pulled Danish away with me inside the nearby room and locked the door.

" What is wrong?" I asked and he ran a hand through his hair ," He's spying on us ," Danish said and I looked at him surprised . This was really serious because Danish was a famous businessman and he had many rivals .  He took out his phone and called ," He saw us entering the house , he must be coming this way ! Savio  , you guys cover him ," he said and I walked near the window to look . Before I could open it up slowly I was pulled away .

" He will know , " he shook his head and I nodded. Folding my hands I looked up and noticed his appearance , I stood against the wall and kept looking at Danish who was busy waiting nearby the door as if he knew something was gonna happen.

His face was neutral and I was glad because if he got all scary , I would not be able to stand in the same room with him. Within seconds there was a knock at the door and a smirk took over his face , he looked at me and then motioned me to remain quite.

Danish opened the door slowly and hid behind it , the same guy stood there and looked at me but before he could make a move he was knocked on the ground from behind ,  Danish's men locked his hands behind with handcuffs and tied his legs . Danish walked in front , his angry face taking over.

" Check him ," he ordered . Savio , I remembered from mall, took out his phone and all the electronic gadgets the guy had and what made me gasp was , that the man had a gun in his jeans behind.

Danish took the gun in his hands , looked at it and then rotated in his hands . He looked so damn scary at the moment as he knelt down and glared at the man.

Pulling his hair , he made him look up at him ," Not so smart , you know who am I right!" Danish said and the man shook his head. " Please I am sorry ! Dont hurt me !"  the man cried out  but Danish just stood up and grabbed the gun tightly.

" Make him stand ," as soon as the guy stood , he bumped his head into one of the guards when Danish pulled the safety off and grabbed the guy's head and put the gun on his head .

I looked at the scene horrified ," Who sent you ?" he asked in a seethed voice . The guy shook his head when in a blink , Danish shot his leg and I covered my mouth immediately to stop the scream which was about to come out.

The guy yelled in pain as he kneeled on the floor ," Answer!" Danish placed the again on his head . " Yash Khurana,"  the guy mumbled and Danish ran his hands through his hair .

Handing the gun to Savio , he ordered them to take away the guy and get the floor cleaned up .

As soon as they all walked out , Danish ran his hands through his hair . He was about to walk away when he turned around and looked at me , shivers ran down my spine as he walked towards me .

" Kashvi," he mumbled but I just took steps back , the scene which just unfolded in front of me was horrible. I was the kind of person who would not even dare to hurt an animal, and he was complete opposite of me . It did not even take a whole single second for him to pull the trigger.

He was scary . I might be scared of him more than my bade papa.

How was I gonna spend this whole year !

" Just stay away!" I said and immediately ran off to my room away from him.