chapter -1 wedding night

When Era was just eight, her world turned into ash and silence.

It was a chilly night she’d never forget—the smell of  heavy rainfall the leaves dancing in the distanced trees, and her mother singing an old lullaby as her father cared for their only daughter. But little did she know,That same night, her beloved family would lose their life in an accident.Leaving small Era behind.

Since then, she has lived in her uncle and aunt’s two-story house at the edge of the village. Their home was quiet—too quiet. Not the kind that feels peaceful, but the kind that presses on your chest like an invisible weight. Her aunt rarely smiled, and her uncle's conversations rarely went beyond grunts and orders. They clothed her, fed her, and sent her to school—but love? That was not part of the arrangement.

Years passed. Era learned how to blend in, to keep her dreams folded like old letters no one would read. She read books under her blanket at night, whispered her thoughts to the stars, and talked with her few friends.

Now she was nineteen

And this year, her uncle said the words she had feared for so long

-Era beti?

-Yes uncle? Did you call me?

"I did call you beti" he hesitated a bit

"So you're 19 now, it's time for you to take a lot of responsibilities you know" he said in a firm tone.

- responsibilities? 

" You're getting married" aunty said breaking her thoughts.

- what? But I- I don't want to- I 

"No more questions. i want you to understand the fact that we are not going to keep you here anymore!" Aunty said middling her words

- but my studies and other work? 

"If your husband allows you to do so we have nothing else to say.. but if you refuse to marry we are not going to keep you in our house" uncle said in his usual tone. 

her eyes become teary but no she can't cry yet no not yet She can't marry a stranger, nor she can decide her destiny. she always hoped someone to save her from this life , she always wanted to escape, but not this way what if the stranger turns out to be more bad, but she can't live in the streets either she knew her faith is too cruel.

-Okay I will 

with that said she thought to herself

That was the least thing I could do for them and not to stay here like a burden.but sometimes I wish my parents were alive because if they were they wouldn't think me as their burden... 

.

.Era's Pov:

And just like that I got into this position, all tied up as a bride marrying a stranger I only know by his name and some unnecessary information.  Our marriage wasn't like others it was quite formal and performed in their house. Which was strange I must say.

.

It's been a whole hour since I've been sitting here on the bed like this because of my so-called husband.. 

-can't I just get some sleep or what? Just as I was having random thoughts I heard the sound of the door opening.

Ivhaan Malhotra is my so-called husband. But he looks like he's sick or drunk maybe..

I got down from the bed and went to him, Ivhaan who was standingbalmost leaning against the door. 

I asked," Are you ok? Or sick? "

He looked at me softly but did not give any answer. 

I asked again," should I call someone? " Saying this, I went to open the door without waiting for an answer. 

Then he suddenly grabbed my hand. I got scared. 

I heard he said, "Don't go. Stay with me." I hesitated and said " ok." But Ivhaan held my hand and stood leaning against the door.

 I don't know what to do. Will I stand like this all night? 

After a few minutes I took my hand and started going towards the bed.

 Then Ivhaan said,

 "It was all your drama! Was it all a lie?"

 I turned around because I didn't understand what Ivhaan was saying. Is he really drunk? That's why he came 2 hours late? 

He slowly said a name of someone but I couldn't hear it. Then he started moving towards me. I don't know what to do. Before I knew it, Ivhaan pushed me and threw me on the bed.

 I said, "What are you doing?" Ivhaan squeezed my hands against the bed. 

- hey!? Leave my hand! you're hurting me!.Ivhaan held my two hands together pinning it on the bed. And with the other hand he removed the dupatta of my saree from my chest leaving me speechless and scared. 

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