Anika P.O.V
Present day:
"I'm Randeep, Randeep Chakravarti," the man’s commanding voice softened, pulling me out of the endless maze of thoughts that had been gnawing at my mind. I didn’t know what to feel anymore—my entire body, my entire being—everything felt numb. The questions that raced through my head were relentless, stabbing into my mind with the force of a headache. I wanted to scream, to make sense of it all. But here he was, this man sitting in front of me, and I couldn't even piece together the first question to ask.
After he had saved me from my uncle, we’d come to the terrace to talk. My uncle had been unusually quiet, but his mere presence was still enough to leave me paralyzed with fear. The sky above was heavy with impending rain, the distant chants from the Ganga aarti echoing faintly. We sat there in silence for what felt like forever, until finally, Mr. Chakravarti broke it, telling me his name.
I sensed fear in my uncle and relief in my aunt. None of this made any sense. Who was this man, and why was my uncle—my uncle, the man who seemed to fear nothing—so visibly shaken by him? The confusion was like a heavy cloud, suffocating me from all sides. I wanted to scream, but instead, I stayed silent, letting my thoughts drift once again.
My uncle's voice snapped me back to reality, his tone oddly respectful and submissive, something I had never heard before. "Mr. Chakravarti... it's nice to have you at our house," he said, trying to sound normal, but it came off as anything but normal. "What brings you here?"
He shifted his gaze from my uncle to me, offering me a strange, almost comforting smile. His hand gently patted my head, and instinctively, I flinched—trauma would do that to you. He stopped immediately, the smile slipping into a look of sympathy. "I'm here to take her, Jagdeesh," he said calmly, turning his attention back to my uncle.
My eyes widened in shock.
What did he mean by that? Take me? Where?
"I thought you were looking after her well," Randeep said, glancing back at me, his tone softening. "I'm sorry I didn’t come sooner, beta."
He took my hand in his, patting it gently, and I flinched again. "You no longer have to suffer," he said, his voice reassuring. "I'm here now."
I didn’t understand a word he was saying.
Sensing my confusion, he said, ''I know you have a lot of questions, beta, and most of them I don’t even have the answers to.'' Lie. That’s a lie.
"But I’ll tell you what I do know, and all that you need to know right now.' He paused and looked at my uncle and aunt."Leave us alone," he said.
Both of them stiffened but complied immediately, leaving me alone with this unknown man on the terrace. The distant view of the temple and the Ganga aarti should’ve brought me comfort, like it usually did, but not now. This terrace was my refuge, and yet, at this moment, I felt more trapped than ever.
I drifted back into my thoughts until the sound of Mr. Chakravarti clearing his throat brought me back. He smiled gently, but it didn’t ease the tension running through me.I couldn’t take it anymore—the questions that had been racing in my mind suddenly poured out of me before I could stop them.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Why are you here? Why is my uncle scared of you? What do you mean by 'you’re here to take me?' If you already knew me, if you were connected to me somehow, why didn’t you come earlier? Why did you leave me here with them?"
My emotions boiled over, the tears I had held back so tightly now threatening to spill. "Do I mean nothing to anyone? Is my entire life just a game for everyone to control and play with?" My voice cracked under the weight of my anger and pain.
I glared at him, waiting for an answer. For the first time in years, I let my emotions show. I wasn’t holding back anymore. I wanted answers—no more lies, no more vague reassurances. I was done being someone’s pawn.
Randeep took a deep breath, his head bowing for a moment before he looked back at me. "I know what you're feeling, beta," he began, his voice steady but laced with regret. "And I know that a simple sorry won’t make any of this better. You have every right to be angry with me, with everyone."
He paused, rubbing a hand over his face before continuing. "I tried to find you, Anika. Believe me, I did. But your uncle... that bastard... he changed your location so many times. He made sure I couldn't reach you. I never stopped searching for you."
His voice softened, the sincerity in his words catching me off guard. "I’m truly, truly sorry for what you’ve had to endure. If I had known you were going through this, I would’ve come sooner. But I’m here now, and I’m not leaving until I make this right."
His words felt heavy with the weight of truth, but something inside me still hesitated. I had spent too long believing that no one cared, that no one would save me. Could I really believe him? Could I trust someone now, after everything?
I turned my gaze to the view beyond the terrace, the temple and the Ganga aarti in the distance, searching for some kind of clarity. The soft glow of the evening lights reflected off the water, offering an illusion of peace that felt too far from my reality. My thoughts were racing, but all I could manage was a weak, shaky breath.
Just then, his voice broke through my whirlwind of thoughts.
"Your parents..." Randeep started, his tone somber and quiet. I quickly turned my head towards him, startled. My entire life, I had begged God to give me at least one memory of them, just one. And now, hearing him speak those words... it made my heart race, filling my eyes with unshed tears. Exhaustion washed over me, but I was still desperate to listen, to know. I nodded, urging him to continue.
He took a deep breath, seemingly weighed down by the story he was about to tell. "They were great people, beta. Your mother... she was the epitome of kindness. I’m not just saying that to make you feel good, but it’s true. In a world like the one I live in... she was the only ray of hope. She changed my way of seeing things, of living." He paused, studying my tear-filled eyes before continuing.
"You're just like her. The strongest woman I ever met. She always put others before herself, which is never easy, you know." He smiled at me, and I knew then that I was a mess of emotions, overwhelmed by it all. Hearing about my mother, whom I couldn’t even remember, felt like a floodgate opening, and I wasn’t prepared for the tidal wave of feelings that came with it.
"And your father..." Randeep continued. "He was a tough man. Honestly, no other woman could’ve loved him like your mother did. For a whole week, I was upset when I heard she was marrying him," he said, chuckling softly at the memory. His laughter brought a small smile to my face.
"But she was strong, she endured. And the shock of it all? She... changed him. She made him better, made him a man we could barely recognize. And that’s when I knew—she was special, one of a kind. I'm telling you this because... well, your father was a rascal," he added, laughing again, which made me laugh through my tears.
"They were great parents as much as they were great partners," he said, and that broke something inside me. There wasn’t a day that passed without me thinking about how different life would have been if they were still here. What would it have been like to have their love, to have their guidance? Hearing someone say that they were amazing parents made the pain sharper, yet also brought some strange sense of closure.
For the first time in my life, I felt angry at God. Furious. Why did He take them from me? Why was I the one left behind in this wretched life? Tears streamed down my face, and before I knew it, Randeep had come closer, sitting beside me. He took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
I looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears, my voice cracking, "Can I... can I see them?" The words barely made it out.
Randeep looked at me with deep empathy, nodding gently. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it. He handed it to me with a small, understanding smile, and there they were. My parents. Their faces were like a piece of a puzzle I’d been missing for so long. I stared at them, blurry from the tears, but finally... I could see them.
I hated God. Hated Him for doing this to me. I held the phone in my hands and let out a shaky breath. They looked so perfect together. So... divine. I stared at them hard, trying to feel a connection, but it was difficult when all I had were vague, disconnected memories. I gave the phone back to Randeep, my heart feeling a little lighter but heavier at the same time.
I smiled at him through the tears, the first genuine smile I had felt in what seemed like forever. "Thank you."
He smiled back, his expression gentle. "It's your right, beta. You don’t need to be thankful for getting what’s yours." His voice was calm but held an air of seriousness.
"I can’t help it," I whispered, "I’ve been denied so much for so long, I guess I don’t know how to feel about finally getting something that belongs to me." I wiped away the remaining tears and finally asked the question that had been eating away at me. "How... how did they...?"
He hesitated, and for a moment, I regretted asking. But then, in a low voice, he said, "Car accident."
I felt a chill run through me. It felt like a lie, and I was about to call him out on it when he added, "They were CID officers. Both of them."
That stunned me. Officers? My parents were officers? I had never imagined anything like that. My life couldn’t have been more different from theirs, yet somehow... it explained so much. "They... they were officers?" My voice was barely a whisper.
He nodded, his face growing more serious. "Yes. They were undercover, dealing with the most dangerous criminals in the country. I worked with them. At first, I thought I’d betray them, but your mother changed me. She made me care about more than just myself. I gave up the illegal side of my life because of her."
Randeep’s eyes darkened. "But it came at a cost. The devil wasn’t pleased. I lost everything... I lost my friends... my only family. And the love of my life."
I felt an ache in my chest. I never thought someone could understand pain like mine, but Randeep had lived through something worse.
His expression shifted to something more serious, and I knew—whatever he was going to say next, it wasn’t going to be easy to hear. "Being the best officers they could be, they did what they had always wanted... collected information on most of the gangs in the country. It was a treasure trove of data—information that could destroy nearly every criminal organization. It was kept a secret, but somehow, word got out, and they were attacked because of it."
I stared at him, my mind foggy. I wanted answers, but it felt like I was getting deeper into a nightmare.
"But your parents... they saw the danger coming. They had a backup plan, and they left the information in your name... locked away in a secret vault." He paused, his voice calm but filled with tension. "And that's why, beta, you were attacked today. You’re going to keep being targeted unless you’re somewhere safe... and there’s only one way—only ONE person who can give you that protection."
I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. If my parents had done everything to protect me, why would they place me in this kind of danger? Why would they put their only child at risk, like I’m some kind of... insurance? It didn’t add up. None of this made sense.
I opened my mouth to ask him, to scream, demand answers—but the sharp ring of his phone cut me off. He quickly excused himself and stepped aside, leaving me with my thoughts.
The second he turned around, the floodgates opened in my head. Everything crashed down—my parents, their secret lives, the attacks. My entire life was a mess of confusion. Were they hiding me all these years? Was I ever really safe, or was I just waiting for the next nightmare? Was this the whole reason I was sent away, to be 'protected' from something I didn’t even know about?
"What? Really?!" His sudden outburst made me jump. Though I didn’t mean to, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. The curiosity was eating me alive.
"Is she safe?" he asked, his tone urgent. Who was he talking about? Who else was in danger?
"Ok, don’t leave the house. Make sure she’s safe... We’ll figure it out tomorrow, and I’ll make sure everyone is out of danger."
Excuse me—what the heck was happening now? I could feel my head spinning. I desperately wanted to close my eyes and block it all out and sleep, but sleep? Ha, what’s that anymore? I couldn’t even remember.
"Your friend is in danger."
Go to hell, sleep. Seriously—what the hell? Yuktha? What happened now? My face must’ve been a mess of fear and confusion because he sighed and started explaining.
"The people who followed you tonight... they aren’t just petty thugs, beta. They’ve been tracking you for a long time. Watching your every move. They won’t stop. They know things about your past, about your family. And they’ll tear apart everything you care about to get to you."
I felt a chill crawl down my spine. Why are people like this? What kind of world is this?
"That’s why they’re after Yuktha now. They saw you at her house. Since they don’t know where you are, they’re going after her to find you." His voice was calm, but his words were terrifying.
Fear gripped me tightly. I felt my body go cold. "Don’t worry," he added quickly, seeing my panic, "I’ve sent men to her house. She’s safe... for now."
I nodded, thankful, but dread still gnawed at me.
"But as I said..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You’re not safe. And the only way out for you... is..." He paused again, this time longer. He looked conflicted.
I waited, too exhausted to even form more questions. My head felt like it was going to explode. I was running on fumes. Whatever this "way out" was, I was ready for it. Nothing could be worse than what I’d already been through.
He cleared his throat and finally said it. "Marriage."
My eyes nearly popped out of my skull. Marriage? What the hell was he even talking about? Marriage? No. Absolutely not. There was no way—no freaking way—this was happening.
"You’ve got to be kidding me." I wasn’t sure if I said it out loud or just thought it really hard.
Was this man serious? Was this all some ridiculous act? For a split second, I wondered if my uncle had sent him to trick me into marriage. Maybe this was his plan all along—send some "rescuer" to butter me up and then shove me into another hellhole. My trust issues were flaring up like wildfire.
God. Why is everyone obsessed with getting me married? I mean, c’mon. Can’t a girl get a break?
I tried to process what he was saying, but the pain in my body wasn’t helping. I could still feel the sting of my uncle’s beatings, and now this guy was talking about marriage like it was some normal Tuesday.
And then there was Yuktha. My mind snapped back to her. She couldn’t be in danger because of me. Not her. I wouldn’t let that happen.
"Why do you think that’s the only solution?" I managed to ask what felt like the most sensible question. There's no time to ask dumb questions now.
"Because it’s the only thing that will work. Right now, you need protection. And there’s only one person who can give you that protection... my son. The son who hates me." His voice softened, but there was no mistaking his seriousness. "I’m not asking you to marry for love or anything like that. Just for your safety."
I wanted to argue, to tell him to shove his marriage idea where the sun doesn’t shine. But I didn’t have the energy. I hated how easily he said it, like this was no big deal, like marriage was just some formality. He didn’t understand what this meant to me—how much I’d fought to escape this exact trap.
I thought about everything he’d said, about Yuktha, about the attacks. I didn’t have the strength for a fight. I was too tired, too broken down to even think properly.
"Fine, I’ll think about it," I finally muttered, barely recognizing my own voice. That was all I could offer. I wasn’t going to say yes. Not yet.
He seemed to understand. He nodded gently, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of empathy and urgency. "Please, beta. Think about it quickly. We don’t have much time."
I nodded again, not trusting myself to say anything else. I just... couldn’t. Not today. I needed space, and I needed to stop thinking.
I turned and walked away without looking back. As soon as I stepped out I saw my aunt standing in the doorway, I didn’t stop. I just kept going—straight to the bathroom.
The second the hot water hit my skin, I felt like I could finally breathe. But the exhaustion settled in even deeper. When I finally fell into bed, it felt like heaven.
Can I just sleep forever?
-Next day-At yuktha's house-
Yuktha leaned against the dining table, her arms crossed and her gaze hard, I could see the concern beneath it. The polished wooden surface reflected her clenched fists.
"Soo you're telling me," she began, her tone sharp with disbelief, "you're not getting married to the first man but the second man? And we don't know both the men?"
Her voice echoed in the small room, the absurdity of the situation clearly rattling her.
"There are no men, Yuktha," I said softly, knowing this conversation was going to get harder before it got easier.
"Yeah, you're right. There are no men—only monsters." Yuktha’s voice was dripping with sarcasm, but I could see the anger bubbling underneath. She straightened up, hands bracing on the table as if holding back a wave of emotions. "But no, Anika, I’m still not letting you get married to this unknown man. That’s not what I wanted for you, and it was never what YOU wanted for yourself! Please… don’t do this to yourself." Her words were heavy, each syllable laced with desperation.
I gave her a faint smile. I’d held back my tears so many times, and I wasn’t about to cry again. Not here. Not now. Yuktha had always been my rock, but this was one burden I couldn’t let her carry. "Remember, Yuktha, it's either you run away or you learn," I said quietly, my voice trying to keep steady.
"Tell me what you're going to learn from this, Anika!" she snapped, her patience unraveling. She slammed her hands down on the table, causing the cups to rattle slightly, her breathing heavy. She sat down again, frustration painting her every movement. I could see it all over her face—her disbelief, her helplessness, her anger.
I smiled at her again. How could I not? She had been through so much with me, and here she was, still fighting for me. She never stopped. She never let go.
"Remind me again why I became friends with the dumbest girl on the planet," Yuktha muttered, looking around as if asking the room for an answer.
I chuckled softly. Even in the heaviest of moments, she found a way to lighten the mood, if only for a second.
"Please, Anika, don’t do—" she started again, her voice breaking slightly, but I cut her off before she could continue.
"Don’t, Yuktha," I said firmly. "Stop making this hard for me. I don't want anything to happen to you, Yuktha. You have no idea what you mean to me." My voice wavered, but I pushed through. "You’ve done so much for me, more than I’ll ever understand. And I don’t want anything to happen to you—not because of me, not because of anyone. I’d do anything to protect you, Yuktha. I’d be the friend you were to me. So please, for once... stop helping me and let me help you."
She shook her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "You don't need to do a thing, Anika... just listen to me. We can get out of this."
I shook my head this time, my hands resting on the edge of the wooden chair. The weight of everything felt like too much, but I was tired of running. "I don’t want to, Yuktha. I no longer want to run away. There’s more to this—there’s a lot bound to my life, more than I even know. And I can’t let you get hurt because of it."
Yuktha was staring at me now, her eyes wide and filled with fear. "Anika…" she whispered, but I continued.
"It’s time, Yuktha. It’s time I stop letting my fears control me. It’s time I face them, like the strong woman I’ve always aspired to be—the strong woman you’ve always believed I could be. It’s time for me to fall into the pit alone... and get back up by myself." My voice was growing steadier, though the emotions I held back were threatening to overflow.
"I can never thank you enough for everything you’ve done," I said, my voice softening. "For every time you’ve stood by my side, when no one else did. And now, I need you to stand by me once more... on my wedding day."
Yuktha’s lips trembled, tears now spilling down her cheeks as she stared at me. I continued, "Though it’s just for six months, though it’s a fake marriage... I need you there. And I need you on my real wedding after that,that is if I ever think about marrying.I’m not running anymore, Yuktha. I’ll face this, for six months. And after that... I’ll take what I deserve. I’ll bury these memories and start fresh. I’ll live the life I’ve always wanted—the life of freedom. And I want you with me when I do."
Yuktha's sobs broke through the silence, and she rushed to me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I’m always here for you, Anika," she whispered through her tears. "Even when you don’t need me... I’m always here."
I held her back, my own tears threatening to break free. For once, I wasn’t crying out of fear or sadness. It was something deeper—a quiet acceptance. A silent strength.
Yuktha broke the hug, wiping her tear-streaked face before looking at me with concern. "You said you told him you'd think about it, right? You didn’t actually agree to it yet, right? It’s not too late, Anika. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Her words were filled with caution, but I could see the worry etched in her face. I gave her a firm nod, my determination clear. "I am," I replied softly, my voice steady.
Honestly, I was doing this for her. Yuktha, the most selfless person I knew. She knew her life was at risk, just as mine was, yet even then, she chose to worry about me and my dreams—again.
I smiled faintly, thinking about how someone could be this selfless. Yuktha was willing to help me escape this mess, even if it meant putting herself in danger. But no more. I couldn't keep allowing her to risk her life for me. If agreeing to this marriage—fake as it was—meant protecting her, then that was the only choice I had.
This wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was about protecting the only person in my life who had been with me through every storm. If this meant I had to play along with Randeep uncle’s plan, then so be it. I’d do whatever it took to keep Yuktha safe.
I smiled to myself, thinking how lucky I was to have her. Even now, despite the threat that loomed over both of us, her first thought was me.
Yuktha grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward her room, excited to show me some new dress she’d bought. But while she babbled on, my mind drifted back to the events of yesterday—the horror I’d barely escaped. What if Randeep uncle hadn’t come? What if my uncle had strangled me to death? And worse... what if they had taken Yuktha? The thought itself sent chills through my spine.
As we reached her room, I realized something: I had been given only thirty minutes to talk to her, and it was already past that. I never thought I’d reach a day where my time with my best friend would be limited. This was crazy, but I had to go. If I wanted to keep her safe, I couldn’t stay here any longer.
I opened my mouth, about to tell her I had to leave, but she beat me to it.
"How long are those gun-toting bodyguards going to live rent-free in my house?" Yuktha asked with a sarcastic tone, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Her sarcastic jab pulled me from my thoughts. I had forgotten to mention that she and her father needed to leave the city for a while, and Randeep uncle would arrange everything. I slapped my forehead, mentally cursing myself for forgetting.
"Yuktha, stop looking for that damn dress and listen to me," I said, quickly walking over to where she was rummaging through her wardrobe. I grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her down on the edge of the bed. She looked at me, startled by my sudden seriousness.
"What’s wrong?" she asked, her confusion deepening.
"I don’t have much time. I was given half an hour, and I’ve already gone over that. But there’s something I need to tell you." I took a deep breath, struggling to get the words out. This was hard for me. Yuktha loved her house and this city, and it was because of me that she had to leave it all behind. I felt the guilt swell inside me, but I had no other choice.
"Yuktha, I’m sorry," I said, my voice soft, but the weight of my words hung in the air between us. "You and uncle need to leave the city for a while, for your safety. Randeep uncle will help you relocate to another city. I... I’m really sorry."
Her face fell for a moment, but then she quickly covered it with her usual cheerful demeanor. "That’s okay, I was getting bored anyway. I'll just treat it like a mini vacation!" she said with a forced smile, her voice too bright, too upbeat.
I saw right through her. Her eyes couldn’t hide the sadness she was trying so hard to mask. I felt a lump in my throat and leaned in to meet her gaze. "I’m really, really sorry, Yuktha."
She shook her head, her expression softening. "It’s not a big deal, Anika. Don’t worry about me," she said, trying to comfort me even though I knew she was hurting inside.
I nodded, knowing I couldn’t stay any longer. "Okay, Yuktha. I’ll call you. Bye." I turned toward the door, heading out of her house, but just as I reached the doorway, her voice stopped me.
"Do you at least know his name?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of worry in it.
I turned around, confused. "What?"
"His name," she repeated. "The guy you’re getting married to... fake marriage and all that. Do you atleast know his name?"
I froze. My heart skipped a beat. Did I know his name? No, I didn’t. Had Randeep uncle even mentioned it? I racked my brain, but I couldn’t remember. I shook my head.
Yuktha nodded slowly, her eyes softening with sympathy. "Okay... call me. Bye."
I stepped out of her house and into the waiting car. As the driver started the engine, I sank back into the seat, my thoughts racing. I was about to marry a man I didn’t even know. I didn’t know his name. I didn’t know what he looked like. But did it even matter? This wasn’t a real marriage. It was just a contract, a way to survive for the next six months.
I let out a soft laugh, realizing how absurd my life had become. Six months of pretending... and then, maybe, I’d finally get my freedom. I’d be free of this nightmare, free to live the life I had always dreamed of.
But I knew better than to believe that things would be so easy. My life had never been easy.
I leaned my head against the window, watching the unfamiliar streets pass by. We’ll see what happens next, I thought to myself, taking a deep breath and losing myself in the view of a side of the city I had never been to.
Uff I never realized writing could be this hard 🤧. Life was good when I just sticked to reading........ This is good too. Anyway, did you guys like the chapter? Any changes I should make? Any advices? Does it feel rushes? Say something guys! 😭. I soo badly need feedback. I'm hoping someone will comment under the chapter. Enjoy reading ❤
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