Burned 

Chapter Two

A man in his late fifties walked in, clutching his bag as if it were his only protection. His medium-length hair, previously tied in a bun, now hung loose, undone in the chaos that had unfolded just half an hour ago. His eyes darted nervously, matching the fear etched across his face. Why wouldn't he be scared? He was returning to the very place where, not long ago, he had been held at gunpoint.

"Move faster, Panditji. Atharv Sir doesn't like to wait." One of the men dressed in black barked before disappearing down another corridor.

The panditji's pace quickened as he stepped into the mandap area. His heart raced as his eyes fell upon the scene: Atharv stood tall and imposing near the sacred fire, his expression unreadable. Next to him, Shriya Malhotra stood rigid, eyes fixed on the floor, futilely trying to loosen his grip on her waist.

'Wasn't she supposed to be the bride today?' The Panditji thought, his confusion growing.

"Stop staring and get on with it" Atharv's voice snapped through the air, his gaze fixed on the pandit. The sudden command jolted the older man, who quickly turned his attention back to his ritual preparations.

Atharv was done with waiting. His patience had worn thin over the past few days. He had tolerated the disruptions, the resistance, but now... now, it was time to claim what was his.

The panditji fumbled for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. "Ah—what exactly—?"

"I'm getting married to her" Atharv said, the words sharp, as he pointed at Shriya. His lips twisted into a dark smile. "Now, hurry up."

One of the bodyguards stepped forward, slipping a bundle of five-hundred-rupee notes into the pandit's trembling hands. The man's fear seemed to faded instantly, replaced by a servile eagerness as he pocketed the money and began to set up for the ceremony. Money, indeed, can buy anything!

"You both sit" The pandit instructed.

"Sit" Atharv's grip on Shriya tightened. She glared at him with a mix of fury and fear but said nothing. The tension between them crackled, almost palpable.

"Sit" Atharv repeated, his voice softening as he locked eyes with her. But Shriya remained still, defiance sparking in her eyes.

"I want to talk to you" Shriya said, her voice firm but quiet. Atharv's eyebrows furrowed. "Alone" she added, with more determination.

For a moment, Atharv just stared at her, unreadable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slightly. "Let's finish the wedding first. We'll talk afterwards."

"No!" Shriya's voice was sharper this time, her hand gripping his arm. She knew she was walking a fine line, but she had to try. "I won't marry you unless we talk. Now!"

Atharv's eyes darkened, irritation flaring as he pulled her closer. "I could marry you without your consent, Shriya" he said, his voice dangerously low. "And I could drag you away without even marrying you. Imagine that—your brother watching helplessly as I take you away, without even the pretence of a wedding. Wouldn't that be worse?"

"Atharv!" Shriya snapped, her hands pushing against his chest, desperate to get some distance between them. To her surprise, he let her go.

Atharv stepped back, crossing his arms as he looked down at her with an intensity that made her swallow hard. "Fine. What do you want to say?"

Shriya's breath caught in her throat as she gathered her thoughts. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I don't know what you want from me. I don't know why you're doing this. But I'll marry you—for my family's sake. Just... let me talk to you first."

Atharv tilted his head, watching her closely. She looked lost, broken, and yet... strong. He hated it and admired it in equal measure.

"Five minutes!" Atharv muttered, grabbing her arm and leading her out of the mandap. His pace was quick and purposeful, and she struggled to keep up.

~ * ~

"Talk" Atharv said, his voice hard as he shut the door behind them.

Shriya inhaled deeply, gathering her courage. "Why me?" Her voice cracked slightly, and she quickly blinked away the tears threatening to fall. "Why are you so obsessed with marrying me? Why my family?"

Atharv's eyes narrowed as he took a step closer to her. "You'll know in time."

"Leave my family out of this, Singhania." Shriya demanded, her voice rising with newfound strength. "I'll marry you, but you need to let them go."

Atharv clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as her words registered. He didn't like people giving him ultimatums. "Watch your tone!"

"I don't care what you do to me" Shriya continued, undeterred. "But my brother and sister-in-law have nothing to do with this. I'll do whatever you ask, just... keep leave them out of this."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Atharv's mouth. "Oh, darling, they have everything to do with this. You think I care just about you? No, Shriya. This is bigger than you."

Shriya's heart sank as his words sank in. He wasn't just after her. He was after her whole world. Atharv can't help but smirk mentally. How naïve she is!

"I'll marry you" Shriya whispered, defeated. "But you have to promise you'll leave them alone."

Atharv's grin widened. "I could" he said, circling her slowly, "but there's a condition. You have to cut all ties with them. Permanently."

Shriya froze. "What?!!"

"You heard me. After we're married, you're done with them. No contact, no help. If you so much as speak their names, I'll make sure they suffer. Is that clear?"

Shriya's mind spun, anger and despair twisting together in a violent storm inside her chest. How could Atharv ask her to do that? But but she has to keep her family safe! This guy's sick! She can't take chances with her family's safety!

She has to think quick! Atharv watched her go mum and silence dominated the room for a couple of minutes.

"And if I agree?" Shriya asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You'll leave them out of this?"

"Absolutely" Atharv replied cooly, keeping himself composed.

"Fine" Shriya said after a long, painful pause. "But I have a condition too."

Atharv raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her sudden boldness. "You're in no position to negotiate."

"I'll scream in front of public!" Shriya threatened, her eyes flashing. "I'll go to the media; I'll make sure every woman's rights group in this country knows what you're doing to me!"

Atharv chuckled darkly. "And I'll have your family killed before you even finish your first interview." His voice was low and dangerous.

Shriya's chest heaved with the weight of his threat. She knew he wasn't bluffing. "My condition is simple" she said, her voice trembling. "Let my sister-in-law get me ready for the wedding and let my brother give my hand and let them leave safely from here, before us. That's all."

Atharv studied Shriya for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Remember to keep the end of our bargain."

Shriya's heart shank, but she managed a nod because honestly, she left like she had no choice.

~ * ~

"Shriya, you don't have to do this. Run, dear. Get out of here before it's too late." Nisha's voice was trembling as she placed a shaky hand on Shriya's shoulder.

Atharv had barely left the room when Shriya was rushed back to the bride's room by a few women from earlier. They moved swiftly, their silence heavy, as if they, too, knew the weight of what was about to unfold. It didn't take long for Nisha to join her, worry etched deep in her tear-streaked face.

"Bhabhi, don't worry." Shriya whispered, forcing strength into her voice even though she felt as fragile as glass. She wiped away Nisha's tears with a trembling hand. "I'll sort this out. I promise."

"Shriya, you have no idea what you're getting into!" Nisha's voice broke, her hands clutching Shriya's arms as if she could physically stop her from going through with this. "You don't understand the kind of man Atharv Singhania is. This... this isn't right!"

"Bhabhi, please..." Shriya sighed, her own emotions threatening to spill over, but she swallowed them back. "This isn't the time for that. Once the wedding is over, you and Bhaiya need to leave. Get out of here. Atharv said I'll have to cut ties with you both, so I won't be able to reach out after this. Go somewhere safe for a few days and once things sort out, come back. Our Manager Hegde will manage meanwhile."

Shriya wiped Nisha's tears again, trying to be the strong one. "And honestly, Bhabhi... you two could use a vacation" she added with a forced smile, trying to lighten the mood, though her heart was sinking lower with each word.

Nisha shook her head in disbelief. "Shriya, how can you expect us to leave you behind with this... this monster? You're asking the impossible! We can't just abandon you! You are my baby girl!"

Shriya gently placed her hands on Nisha's, her own eyes filling with unshed tears. "Bhabhi, you have to. It's the only way. You and Bhaiya leaving is the only thing I need from you. Please... if you love me, do this one thing for me. Please."

Nisha stared at her, helpless, torn between the instinct to protect her sister-in-law and the harsh reality Shriya was forcing her to accept. After several more minutes of pleading, Nisha finally relented, her heart breaking.

"I love you both, Bhabhi. More than anything in this world. I'm doing this for you, for Bhaiya. I'll be okay. Just... promise me you'll leave and stay safe."

Shriya managed a small, reassuring smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. Nisha's shoulders shook as she adjusted the veil on Shriya's head, her hands lingering, giving her a final, comforting squeeze. "Shriya, I—" Her voice broke again, and she looked at her with a mixture of love and despair. "You're braver than you know."

Just then, a voice called out from the other side of the door. "Is she ready?"

The moment shattered. Nisha exhaled, her face tightening with a finality that made Shriya's heart clench. With a sigh, Nisha gave her one last look, adjusting the folds of Shriya's veil, trying to hide the raw fear in her eyes. She whispered, "We'll always be with you, Shriya. Remember that."

And with that, Nisha guided Shriya out of the room toward the altar, her hand lingering on Shriya's back, as if trying to hold on for just a few more seconds before letting her go.

This was going to be a long night.

~ * ~

Thank you for reading, 

Nan ~