“Everything happened so rapidly that I can’t even realise the feeling properly. I touch my hair partition and feel the sindoor (Vermilion). I have actually become Mrs Nandita Aditya Oberoi. Last night it was my precious dream and today it is the most cherished reality. But why he took this decision so abruptly? He was looking so tensed and vulnerable this morning when he popped the question. I have never seen him so desperate. Last time he was a bit reclusive about our marriage when I asked for it. That time I could understand his dilemma. He was not sure about my mental and health condition. But today I couldn’t comprehend his opposite behaviour. Aditya, you are really a mystery to me. I look outside the car window. He is coming down from the temple stairs. My husband is looking dapper in this groom's attire. My cheeks turn pink.”

Aditya opens the car door and gets inside. Sitting beside Nandana, he commands Ayan,

“Drop us at the farmhouse Ayan. After that, you can go to the office. I will join you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Sir…”

Ayan replied robotically. The car speeds to its destination. Nandana looks at Aditya from the corner of her eyes…secretly. After becoming husband and wife they haven’t addressed each other for once. Maybe he is conscious of the presence of Ayan. Still, it is bothering Nandana a bit. Aditya’s clenched jaws and static eyes to the front road are sending an uncanny discomfort to her. His left hand is resting on his knee. The fingers are tapping on it frequently, indicating his fidget. Nandana slowly crawls her hand towards him and hesitantly places it on his hand. Aditya turns at her with a baffled face.

“Something is bothering you? Is everything alright?”

Nandana tries to maintain a low voice as much as possible. In reply, Aditya only throws a formal grin and wobbles in denial.

“Congratulations, Mrs Oberoi. Finally, it happened.”

He utters with satisfaction.

“Yes, finally, it happened and how!”

Nandana agrees with a smile. However, it has so much diffidence.

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

“I asked you a simple question, Prasad. Did Aditya Oberoi meet Nandana personally that day?”

Vivek Basu’s voice raises high.

“Vivek, I told you that Mr Oberoi came to survey our school and at that time Nandana was one of the teachers. So, it is obvious that he saw her. What’s a big deal?”

HM Prasad tries to normalise the heat. But in reality, he is shaken from the inside.

“Why is this desperate fellow enquiring about Aditya? Did the police come to know anything?”

His mind calculates.

“Prasad, I am not talking about seeing. I know he must have seen her but did they meet personally? Did they talk or spend any time… Alone?”

Vivek sounds agitated because it’s evident that HM Prasad is trying to avoid his question. Vivek has something in his eyes which makes Prasad stare down.

“Ye….yes. I mean Nandana escorted him to show him the library. Maybe they talked that time…I don’t know. She insisted to take the responsibility to impress Mr Aditya and I didn’t deny.”

HM Prasad says without looking into his so-called friend’s eyes. For a moment, Vivek observes him.

“Hmmmm….I understood. Okay, I got to go now.”

Vivek’s tone sends discomfort to Prasad’s mind.

“Manvi is doing well in school. I am thinking to appoint her as a permanent teacher.”

HM Prasad tries to change the topic. Vivek gets up from the chair and scoffs.

“So, you have concluded that Nandana will never return? Then mark my words, I will bring her back. At any cost. Nobody can hold her for a long; no matter how powerful he is. And for your kind information, I know my daughter. She never seeks chances to impress any guy for any favour. It must be another way around. I believe my blood and ethics.”

Vivek turns on his heel and exits the room leaving behind a panicked HM. He immediately dials a number.

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

Aditya’s Audi tramples the pebble path of the farmhouse entrance and stops at the portico. Ayan gets down from the car and hands over the key to Aditya.

“Any news about the other guy? What about Pappu and Roshni? Have they left the city?”

Aditya almost murmurs under his hard jaws. Being inside the car, Nandana can’t hear anything. She is in fact a bit confused about whether she should get down herself or should wait for Aditya. It’s her new visit to the home after this marriage. There should be some rituals. Thinking about all these she decides to wait for Aditya’s order. Ayan nods in positive to Aditya’s question.

“Don’t worry about Pappu and Roshni, Sir. No one will trace them out. But….Billu is still missing. I don’t know how he escaped from Pappu’s hand. Sir, I think we should keep some guard in this farmhouse. It’s not safe for Nandana Ma'am to stay all alone here.”

Ayan’s voice is laced with worry. Aditya’s eyes flicker for a moment. In a cold voice, he replies,

“We are returning to my bungalow tomorrow. Now, I don’t have any fear. Now, no one can take her away from me. She is mine. Forever. Thanks to Mr Basu. By the way, I think Nandana’s father suspects me of her daughter’s kidnapping. Try to get the news if the police have the same notion. Then I have to train Nandana accordingly. Hmm…okay, now you go.”

Aditya orders. Ayan nods in deference and gives a cordial smile.

“Congratulations, Sir. I am happy for both of you. You have made a good decision.”

Aditya reciprocates with a smile and Ayan disperses.

“Aditya….do you want me to spend the entire day in this car? My legs are paining.”

Suddenly Nandana's call makes Aditya turn to her. He actually forgot about her. Immediately he comes to the car door while scratching his nape with embarrassment and pulls it open.

“So sorry. But I have a plan to compensate for that.”

His voice is frolic. Nandana arches her brow in a query. However, before she can fathom his words, two strong hands lift her like a feather doll and Aditya heads to the door.

“It’s a ritual. Mom said that my Dad once carried her in his lap and climbed hundred stairs to reach a temple. He prayed for her recovery and that was keeping his promise to God.”

Aditya unmindfully says but Nandana can see a serene smile on his lips. They enter the hall, Aditya having Nandana in his lap in bridal style. Nandana’s hands snake his neck.

“That means you believe in rituals and God. Just try to hide it behind this brute image.”

She asks curving her lips in a teasing manner. With a pretentious frown, Aditya looks at her.

“I believe in this relationship. I believe in your love. I believe in my angel who loves this brute.”

He sounds grave and emotional which is rare. Nandana giggles.

“Now, I have to give you another name.”

She giggles out. Aditya furrows his forehead in the query.

“Prince charming. Who always fails to hide his romantic side.”

Her voice is drenched with amour. Meanwhile, they reach the bedroom. Aditya puts down her and makes her sit on the bed. He scoots down and nears her face.

“But tonight, I won’t fail to show my romantic side. Our first night would be so special that you won’t forget it.”

The heat and the passion of his voice shiver Nandana to her core. She stares down and shyly replies,

“But I like my brute more.”

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

A man is laying on a park bench in a fetal position. His shirt and the pant are too dirty and torn. Some injury marks are clearly visible on his face. Suddenly a stray dog barks from a distance and the man wakes with a jerk. His face is panic-stricken. He wipes the sweat beads from his forehead and takes out a half-burnt cigarette from his pocket. Taking some puff, he throws the remaining.

“What should I do? Should I go to the police and tell them everything? But what if Aditya Oberoi traces me before that? And what is the guarantee that the police will give me protection? He can buy the police too. Aditya Oberoi can do anything. By luck I escaped from his claw otherwise, it could have been the last day of my life like Ratan and Rajesh.”

The man mumbles under his breath.

“If anybody can save me from Aditya Oberoi, that is Aditya Oberoi himself. I think I should surrender before him only. I will beg for my life. This is the only way to survive.”

He mends his mind and again lies on the bench resting his head on his forearm. His eyes drop down at the thought of what he will do tomorrow. He decides to go to Aditya’s bungalow to meet him. A nocturnal bird hoods from a distance as a clairvoyant just to predict an upcoming danger in someone’s life.