chapter 3
The morning air in Banaras was crisp, carrying the scent of marigolds and the distant echo of morning chants from the ghats. Pranavi stepped out of the flower shop early today, the jasmine gajra still fresh in her memory—and so was that stranger.
Her mind wandered as she walked past narrow lanes, crossing the same spot where she was once shoved by a drunkard.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*paused*
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
That drunkard had vanished. Just like the man who tried following her a week ago. *mumbled *
People disappeared around her…only the dangerous ones.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
Is someone protecting me?*mumbled*
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
gosh! Pranavi stop running your imagination.
Fantasy. That’s all.
She brushed the thought away. Yeah! Fantasy. That’s all.
Eshaan’s Private Suite, Hotel Taj, Banaras
Eshaan stood by the window, dressed in a crisp black suit. He was on a call, his tone clipped and cold.
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
Sikka se kehna Kalim chowk ke aas-paas koi bhi lafanga na dikhe. Pranavi wahan se guzarti hai har shaam.
Voice on Phone: "Samajh gaya, Boss. Aur woh Seth ke bete ka kya?"
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
Uski zubaan band karwa do. Permanently.
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
*Ended the call and glanced down at the crowded street.
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
*His eyes softened
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
Lips curved slightly as he spotted someone
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*holding a basket of flowers and talking to a small girl.
From this height, she looked fragile. But Eshaan saw more—resilience. Fire. Grace.
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
(murmuring) Aap meri duniya ban gayi hai, Pranavi. Aur aapko kuch bhi nahi pata.
At Rajawat Mansion – Delhi
Meenakshi Rajawat walked into the living room, where her elder sister-in-law, Ratan devi, sat sipping tea with a smirk.
Ratan Devi ( Ml bua)
Sunaa hai Banaras se ladki dekh aayi ho?
meenakshi Rajawat (Ml Mom)
Nahi. Ladki toh usne khud chuni hai. Maine toh bas milke haan ki.
Ratan Devi ( Ml bua)
what was the need to choose someone holding a poor background? We are Rajawat's. At our one signal, there will be instantly a queue of girls from good families waiting for the boy
meenakshi Rajawat (Ml Mom)
(calm but firm) Gareeb! (scoff) dil se ameer ho toh kaafi hai. Aur Pranavi mein sab kuch hai jo meri bahu mein hona chahiye.
Ratan Devi ( Ml bua)
*Grudgingly sips her chai* Bas dekh lena. Gareeb ladkiyaan aksar sapne zyada dekhti hain.
Banaras – Sikawar House, Night
kalindi Sikarwar ( Fl grandma)
your marriage has been fixed.
Aur haan, tujhe bolne ka koi haq nahi.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*Shocked* Par mujhe toh kuch bhi nahi pata... kis se?
Kamini Sikarwar ( Fl bua )
(gruffly) Rajawat parivaar se. Delhi ke sabse bade business gharane se rishta aaya hai. Shaadi se tumhari kismat chamak jaayegi.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
But I want to be independent. Become a doctor..
kalindi Sikarwar ( Fl grandma)
*Slaps her hard *Zyada sapne dekhne ki zarurat nahi. Tere maa-baap ke marne ke baad humne tujhe pala hai. Ab kuch toh hamare liye bhi kar.
Tears brimmed up in her eyes, but she didn’t cry. Not anymore
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
Par main tayar nahi hoon…*whispered to herself
Outside, an anonymous black SUV was parked across the lane. A man inside typed a message:
Eshaan Rajawat (Ml)
📲 She’s scared. Don’t rush. Let her feel safe first.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*silent tears escaping her blank eyes
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*looked towards her phone and ignored it
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*sighs* reached for her phone
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
*opens the message*
it was from some unknown person.
unknown
📲 It’s okay to be scared. But I promise, not all strangers are monsters.
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
now, who is this human giving me free gyan at this moment?! * mumbled
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
📲 Who is this?
unknown
📲 Let’s say... someone who believes in your dreams. And knows you're meant for more than just pain.
At first she thought to block the person's contact but later don't know what got into her, she replied
Pranavi Sikarwar (Fl)
📲 Why me?
unknown
📲 Because you're stronger than you know.
She stared at the message, heart pounding. She didn’t know if it was a dream or reality.
But for the first time in years, she smiled.
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