Bound by Traditions, Freed by Love
Chapter 1 - The Night I Chose Freedom
[Sound of distant wedding drums]
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
The wedding drums outside thudded like war drums, each beat reminding me of what awaited me tomorrow—a life I didn’t choose.
For weeks, I had begged them to listen
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
“Please, Papa, I don’t want to marry him. You know what he did to me!”
But my words fell on deaf ears. My mother’s silence was worse than any slap. My four brothers—my protectors—looked at me as though I was the problem, as though my refusal brought shame to the family.
Only one person had stood by me.
My Daddu, my grandfather.
The night before the wedding, I sat curled up in my room sobbing , when the door creaked open. Daddu stepped in, his wrinkled hands trembling as he placed them on my head.
Devander Thakur (FL's Grandfather)
Bas, meri bitiya… don’t cry anymore. (he whispered, his voice soft and firm.)
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
(I looked up at him, my voice shaking.) How do I stop, Daddu? How do I escape a cage built by my own family?
He crouched before me, eyes filled with determination.
Devander Thakur (FL's Grandfather)
You don’t have to stay in a cage, Reyavi. You just break it.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
But… how?
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Devander Thakur (FL's Grandfather)
I’ll help you. We’ll get you out. Kriti is ready to help, she owes me a favor. Tomorrow, before they can tie you to this… nightmare, you’ll leave for America. I’ve already made the arrangements.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
But what will happen if someone comes to know about our plan?
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
And how can I leave you here alone.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
I'll miss you daduu.
Devander Thakur (FL's Grandfather)
It's ok my daughter I will always be behind you and support you secretly. So, don't take stress and live your life with freedom.
I threw my arms around him, clinging to the only family who chose me.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
I love you daduu.
[Next evening – wedding night]
The sound of wedding drums pounded in the distance, each beat echoing like a countdown to my own execution.
I sat in front of the mirror, draped in a heavy crimson lehenga, my face painted into the perfect Indian bride. But inside, I was suffocating. My heart screamed for help, for someone—anyone—to stop this. Yet my parents hadn’t listened. My four brothers, the ones I grew up idolizing, had looked away.
Tears blurred my vision as I stared at my reflection.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
This wasn’t me. This was a doll dressed for sacrifice.
[She pulls out paper and pen]
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
To my family,
I begged you to listen. I begged you to see me. You chose your pride over my life. Today, I chose myself. Don’t look for me. Don’t contact me. You’ve lost me the moment you decided I wasn’t worth fighting for.
– Reyavi
I saw my room for the last time dressed in a heavy red lehenga adorned with gold embroidery. Her kohl-lined eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Her hands trembled as she held the letter she had written, the ink still fresh.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
They say weddings are the beginning of happiness, "she thought bitterly," but how can I marry a man I don't love? How can my own family not see how much I’m suffering?
She looked around the room once more—the flowers, the bridal veil—all symbols of a cage she was forced into. Her heart pounded as she picked up her small suitcase hidden under the bed, packed with only essentials and her passport.
She placed the letter on the dressing table.
My heart pounded as I slipped through the back door, my bridal jewellery jingling softly with every step.
[Outside – Kriti waiting in the shadows]
Kriti Sharma (FL's bff)
This has my cousin’s address in New York, she will help you there. Her name is Cara Anderson. You’re going to be okay, Reya. She will come to pick you up from the airport.
I hugged her tightly, tears wetting her shoulder.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Thank you… for everything.
Kriti Sharma (FL's bff)
"She smiled through her tears." Go. Before they notice.
[Reyavi looks up at Daddu’s window]
He stood there, silhouetted in the dim light, his hand raised in a silent blessing. I raised mine in return, one last goodbye to the only man who truly loved me.
Then I turned away and climbed into the waiting taxi, and didn't look back.
With every mile that carried me away from that house, away from the suffocating expectations and the pain of betrayal, my heart grew lighter.
I wasn’t just running from a wedding—
I was running toward a new life.
A new me.
Chapter 2 - She is Gone
The grand Thakur mansion in India was glowing with thousands of lights, laughter echoing in every corner, and the sound of drums filling the air. It was supposed to be the happiest night for the Thakur family—the wedding of their only daughter, Reyavi Thakur, to Vikram Ranawat. The sound of shehnai music filled the air, and servants bustled about carrying trays of sweets and garlands.
Upstairs, Mrs. Thakur walked briskly toward her daughter’s room. Today was the day her only daughter would marry into one of the powerful business families in India. Yet, a strange uneasiness prickled at her chest. She knocked lightly on the door.
She left Reyavi for sometime because Reyavi wants space.
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
Reyavi? Beta, it’s time. Everyone is waiting downstairs. Open the door.
Frowning, she tried again, this time louder.
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
Reyavi? Stop being stubborn. It’s your wedding day.
A sense of dread swept through her. She turned the handle—and the door swung open easily.
The room was empty.
Her eyes darted around, panic rising in her throat. The bridal chair sat vacant. On the dressing table lay a folded letter. With trembling hands, she picked it up and began to read.
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
Oh God… what have we done? "she whispered, her voice cracking."
[She clutches the letter to her chest and bolted from the room, her heart thundering.]
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
Reyavi is gone! "she screamed as she ran down the grand staircase, drawing the attention of every guest and servant alike."
Mr. Thakur and his four sons turned sharply toward Meera.
Rajveer Thakur (FL's Father)
What nonsense are you talking, Meera?🥶 "Mr. Thakur barked, striding toward her."
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
She’s gone! "Mrs. Thakur cried, thrusting the letter into his hands." She left us… she left her wedding. She… she begged us to listen, and we didn’t. Oh, God…
[Mr. Thakur's face darkened as he read the letter. He crushed the paper in his fist.]
Rajveer Thakur (FL's Father)
How dare she bring this shame upon us!
Raghav Thakur (FL's 1st brother)
"One of her brothers snarled," I told you, Father, she was acting strange! I should’ve kept an eye on her.
Aarav Thakur ( FL's 2nd brother)
"Another brother slammed his fist into the wall." She’s ruined us! Do you know what people will say?!
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
She begged us… she begged for help… and I didn’t… I didn’t stand by my own daughter…
Kabir Thakur (FL's 3rd brother)
Yes mom is right we're the reason behind this.
Samar Thakur (FL's 4th brother)
"With a loud voice he said", If we had supported her she would never have left us.🥶
[Doors slam open – Vikram Ranawat enters]
Vikram Ranawat (FL's Ex Fiance)
What is this I hear? Your daughter ran away?
Rajveer Thakur (FL's Father)
We’re handling it, Vikram. We’ll find her.
Vikram Ranawat (FL's Ex Fiance)
Find her? Oh, I’ll do more than that.
Vikram Ranawat (FL's Ex Fiance)
She dared to humiliate me. To humiliate me—on our wedding day? I’ll destroy the Thakur empire piece by piece until you crawl to me. And as for Reyavi…
(smirks darkly)
I’ll find her. I’ll drag her back, marry her, and make her regret ever running from me.
Raghav Thakur (FL's 1st brother)
(Sharply) Stop talking nonsense and stay in your limit.
Meera Thakur (FL's Mother)
Please, Vikram—she’s just a girl!
[Left talking with someone]
Vikram Ranawat (FL's Ex Fiance)
Find her. Search every airport, every station. She won’t escape me.📲
At the airport, Reyavi sat alone near the boarding gate, a small suitcase by her side, clutching the new phone Kriti had given her. Her heart pounded as they announced her flight to New York.
[She glances at phone wallpaper – her family is smiling together]
They hadn’t even tried to listen to her.
A bittersweet ache tightened her chest. She had lost them.
But she had chosen herself.
“Final call for Flight 492 to New York.” the announcement blared.
[Taking a deep breath, Reyavi stood. She looked back one last time, imagining Daddu's face at the window, his eyes filled with silent pride and sorrow.]
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
"She whispered under her breath", I’ll make you proud, Daddu. I promise.
[She boards the plane | Window seat | Engines start]
As she boarded the plane, she felt the weight of her old life lift from her shoulders.
The moment the aircraft took off, leaving India behind, tears slid silently down her cheeks—tears not of pain, but of freedom.
She didn’t know what awaited her in New York.
Struggle? Success? Love? Danger?
All she knew was that for the first time in her life, she was in control of her own destiny.
And nothing—and no one—would take that away from her.
Chapter 3 - A New Beginning
New York City.
The city of lights, noise, and opportunity—at least that’s what they called it. To Reyavi Thakur, it was the city of freezing winds, confusing subway maps, and coffee so bitter she wondered if Americans enjoyed punishing their taste buds.
Her first night in New York was far from glamorous. After landing, jet-lagged and numb from crying during the entire flight, she had dragged her suitcase across JFK Airport until she spotted a handwritten sign:
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
Reyavi? — Cara.
Cara was her friend's cousin—tall, fashionable, and with a smile bright enough to make Reyavi feel like maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t completely alone.
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
Welcome to New York, sweetheart! Cara had said, pulling her into a hug. We’ll get you settled. And hey, you look stunning even after a fourteen-hour flight. That’s a crime.
That night, Reyavi slept on a small bed in Cara’s house, clutching her grandmother’s old chain and whispering,
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
I’ll make it, Daddu. I’ll make you proud.
Life in New York hadn’t magically transformed into a fairy tale.
She had found a tiny apartment. She had also landed a job at a cozy coffee shop called Bean There, Done That--a name that made her giggle every time she wiped down the counter.
On a crisp Tuesday morning, Reyavi stood behind the counter, her hair tied up in a messy bun, her apron slightly askew. She had just managed to spill an entire latte on herself when a woman walked in—a woman who looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Tall. Perfectly tailored coat. Sunglasses indoors. The kind of confidence that made everyone in the room feel underdressed.
She approached the counter, ordered a cappuccino, and then… just stared at Reyavi.
??
You’re… exquisite. The woman said suddenly, her accent faintly European.
Reyavi blinked.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Uh, thank you? I, um, try to exfoliate sometimes?
??
The woman laughed—a soft, melodic sound. No, darling. I mean it. You have a presence… poise… elegance. What is your name?
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Reyavi.
??
Reyavi, "she replied cautiously."
Isabella Reed (FL's Boss)
Well, Reyavi, My name is Isabella Reed and I am the CEO of Starlight Talent Agency. I don't talk in circles so I will ask you directly have you ever considered becoming an actress?
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Reyavi nearly dropped the coffee pot. An actress? Me? I barely manage to spell ‘macchiato’ correctly on the first try.
Isabella Reed (FL's Boss)
"The woman handed her a sleek business card." Think about it. Call me if you’re serious. "And with that, she left, leaving a cloud of expensive perfume and curiosity in her wake."
That evening, Reyavi returned to her apartment, flopping onto the couch with a dramatic groan. After a quick shower and a humble dinner of instant noodles (“five-star cuisine,” she muttered to herself), she called Cara.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Guess what happened today?
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
You didn’t accidentally serve decaf to the cop again, did you? Cara teased.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
No! A woman—like, a fancy woman—came to the shop and asked me to be an actress. She gave me her card. ‘Starlight Talent Agency.’
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
"There was a pause, then Cara squealed." Are you kidding me?! That’s huge, Reya! Do you know how many girls would kill for that chance?
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
I don’t know… I have zero experience. Zero. Like, negative acting skills. My biggest performance so far was faking a stomach ache to skip math class in tenth grade.
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
That’s exactly why you should go for it. She wouldn’t approach you if she didn’t see potential. Plus, I know her—Isabella Reed. She’s tough but fair, and she has a reputation for actually caring about her clients. She’ll make sure you’re protected and get a great contract. You love acting, Reya. You always talk about those Bollywood films you used to sneak-watch. This is your shot.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
Ok I will think about it. Good Night 😴 Bye.
Cara Ander (Kriti Sharma's cousin)FL'sF
Good Night and make the decision carefully.
After talking with Cara she fell in deep thoughts.
Could she really do it? Could the girl who ran away from a forced marriage in India become an actress in America?
Reyavi twirled the business card between her fingers, her mind racing. Could she really do it? Could the girl who ran away from a forced marriage in India become an actress in America?
That night, she lay in bed, staring at the cracked ceiling. Her heart whispered yes, but her fear whispered no. Somewhere in between, she remembered Daddu’s words: “You don’t stay in a cage, Reyavi. You break it.”
The next morning, she called the number.
Isabella Reed (FL's Boss)
Hello, this is Isabella Reed," the smooth voice answered."
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
It’s… Reyavi Thakur. I want to take your offer.
Isabella Reed (FL's Boss)
Excellent, "Isabella replied." Come to my agency today. Bring your essentials—you’ll need them for the next three years. We will sign the contract at my office before leaving this city for three years. You’re about to start something extraordinary.
Reyavi Thakur (Rhea V. Thorne)FL
"As Reyavi hung up, she couldn’t help but laugh nervously." Three years, alone, in a strange city, learning to act… What could possibly go wrong?
But deep down, a spark had ignited—the spark of a dream finally taking flight.
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