Sahiba sat in her room, lost in the strokes of her paintbrush, seeking solace in the vibrant hues that danced across the canvas. But her sanctuary was shattered as the door creaked open, and her mother-in-law, Manveer, entered the room.
"Sahiba,I have brought a saree for you," Manveer said, her voice tinged with forced cheerfulness. "Garry has an announcement to make in the family room, and you must be there, whether you like it or not."
Sahiba nodded silently, her heart sinking at the thought of facing another ordeal with the family. But as Manveer turned to leave, Sahiba summoned the courage to speak up.
"Ma'am, could you please send someone to help cover up my bruises on my back?"Sahiba's voice was barely a whisper, the words laden with shame and desperation.
Manveer's brow furrowed in confusion, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Bruises? What do you mean, Sahiba?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.
Sahiba hesitated, her gaze falling to the floor as she struggled to find the words to explain. But as Manveer's eyes drifted to her back, her breath caught in her throat, a gasp escaping her lips.
The truth lay bare before her, stark and undeniable—the cruel marks of Angad's violence etched into Sahiba's skin. Manveer recoiled in horror, her hand flying to her mouth as she took in the extent of her son's brutality.
"Oh my god, Sahiba," Manveer whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "What has Angad done to you?"
Tears welled up in Sahiba's eyes as she looked up at her mother-in-law, the weight of her pain and suffering finally laid bare for all to see. And as Manveer reached out to comfort her, Sahiba's heart clenched as Manveer's hand reached out to offer comfort, her instinctive reaction to pull away, to retreat further into the shadows where she felt safest. Despite the sudden pang of loneliness, Sahiba couldn't bring herself to accept solace from someone who had only ever treated her with indifference, someone who had never seen her as anything more than an obligation.
"Please ,Sahiba, let me help you," Manveer's voice quivered with genuine concern, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she reached out once more.
But Sahiba shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "No, ma'am, I...I can't," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the floor as shame washed over her like a tidal wave. How could she accept comfort from a woman who had never shown her anything but disdain, a woman who had stood idly by while her son inflicted unspeakable pain upon her?
Manveer's hand hovered in the air for a moment, uncertainty flickering across her features before she withdrew, her expression a mixture of hurt and frustration." If...if you change your mind, Sahiba, I'm here for you," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she turned to leave.
Alone once more, Sahiba's heart ached with a longing she could scarcely comprehend. She yearned for the warmth of human connection, for someone to hold her close and chase away the darkness that threatened to consume her. But deep down, she knew that such solace would never come from Manveer, not when their relationship was built on nothing but formality and obligation. And so, Sahiba remained alone with her pain, her silent tears mingling with the colors on her canvas as she sought refuge in the only sanctuary she had ever known.
Manveer's directive to send Sukhdeep, the trusted househelp, to assist Sahiba conveyed an unusual hint of compassion in their otherwise strained relationship. Sahiba knew Sukhdeep would maintain her silence. With a heavy heart, she allowed Sukhdeep's help in dressing, then made her way to the family room. Standing amidst the crowd, Ekam and Veer offered silent support, a reassuring presencein the face of overwhelming scrutiny.
Sahiba'sheart nearly leaped out of her chest when she spotted her parents and younger sister, Keerat, standing in the grand halls of Brar Mansion. It was a shock, a sudden surge of unexpected joy amidst the suffocating darkness of her existence. Without a second thought, she dashed towards them, tears streaming down her cheeks as she enveloped them in a tight embrace.
"Ma,Papa, Keerat," Sahiba choked out, her voice trembling with emotion
Sahiba's heart swelled with gratitude at their presence, their unwavering support a beacon of hope in the darkness that threatened to engulf her. But as she looked around, her gaze fell upon Angad, his fists clenched at his sides, his eyes burning with anger. She felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of him, a reminder of the precariousness of her situation.
Her father's voice broke through her thoughts, concern etched into his features as he asked, "How are you, beta? Are you okay here?"
Sahiba hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she searched for the right words. She couldn't bear to worry her parents further, couldn't burden them with the truth of her suffering. And so, with a forced smile, she lied, "I'm well, Papa. Everything is fine."
But as she glanced over their shoulders, her gaze fell upon Angad, his fists clenched in barely contained rage. Fear gripped her heart like a vise as she realized the potential consequences of her family's unexpected visit.
Before she could voice her concerns, her sister Keerat spoke up, her voice tinged with excitement. "Garry called us over," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with anticipation. "He said he has an announcement to make."
As Sahiba's family stood in the grand hall, anticipation hung heavy in the air. Keerat's words about Garry's impending announcement echoed in Sahiba's mind,her heart pounding with a mixture of dread and curiosity.
Suddenly, the room fell silent as the doors swung open, revealing Garry and Seerat walking hand-in-hand, their faces radiant with happiness and nervousness . Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as Sahiba's family laid eyes on Seerat for the first time since her elopement.
Sahiba's mother, Santosh, stepped forward, her voice trembling with emotion."Seerat, where have you been?" she asked, tears welling in her eyes. "We've been so worried about you."
Seerat's gaze softened as she met her mother's tearful eyes. "I'm sorry, Ma," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I should have told you where I was going, but... but I had to follow my heart."
Sahiba's father, Ajit, stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "But where were you all this time?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Seerat took a deep breath, her hand tightening around Garry's as she prepared to reveal the truth. "I... I eloped with Garry," she confessed, her words hanging heavy in the air. "We're married now, and... and I'm sorry if we caused you any pain."
The atmosphere in the room shifted as Seerat's words sank in. Instead of the forgiveness she had hoped for, anger flashed in her parents' eyes, their expressions hardening with disappointment and fury.
Santosh voice quivered with anger as she stepped back, her hands shaking with emotion. "How could you do this, Seerat?" she demanded, her voice laced with betrayal. "You've brought shame upon our family. We raised you better than this."
Seerat's heart sank at her parents' reaction, tears welling up in her eyes as she realized the depth of their disappointment. But amidst the anger and betrayal, she knew that she had made her choice, and she would stand by it, no matter the cost. And as she clung to Garry's hand, she braced herself for the storm that was sure to follow.
As Seerat stood before her family, bracing herself for their reactions, she felt a surge of fear and uncertainty. She knew her decision to elope with Garry would not be well-received, but she hadn't expected the storm of anger and disappointment that followed.
Jasleen, Garry's mother, stepped forward with fury etched on her face. Her hand trembled with rage as she raised it, ready to strike Seerat, but before she could land the blow, Garry stepped between them, his expression resolute.
"Mum ,stop!" Garry's voice rang out, firm and commanding. "She's my wife now, and I won't tolerate anything against her."
Jasleen's eyes widened in disbelief, her hand dropping to her side as she stared at her son in shock. "But Garry, she..." she began, her voice faltering.
Garry held up a hand, cutting her off. "I know what I did was wrong, Mum," he admitted, his voice softening with sincerity. "But Seerat and I love each other, and we're committed to making this work. Please, forgive us."
Seerat's heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at Garry, his unwavering support a beacon of hope in the midst of the chaos. Despite the anger and disappointment of her family, she knew that she wasn't alone, that Garry was by her side, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
But as Sahiba watched the exchange between Garry and his mother, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Here was a man who stood up for his wife, who protected her from harm and defended her honor, while Angad... Angad had never once hesitated to raise a hand against her, to treat her with anything but cruelty and indifference.
As the weight of disappointment settled upon the room, Inder, Manveer, and Jaspal's voices cut through the tense silence, each laden with reproach and incredulity.
"How could you do this to your own cousin, Garry?" Inder's voice thundered, his eyes ablaze with disbelief. "Angad treated you like a brother, and this is how you repay him?"
Manveer's tone was sharp with condemnation as she addressed Seerat. "You both will have to answer for this," she declared, her words heavy with the weight of familial duty and obligation. "You've brought shame upon our family, and you will bear the consequences of your actions."
Jaspal's disappointment was palpable as he leveled a stern gaze at the young couple before him. "You should have had the courage to speak the truth, Garry," he admonished, his words tinged with regret. "Instead, you chose to run away, leaving the family to bear the burden of your betrayal."
Garry and Seerat hung their heads in shame, the gravity of their actions weighing heavily upon them. They knew they had made a grave mistake, one that had caused irreparable harm to their family and their own reputations.
Keerat's eyes widened in shock as she looked at her sister. "Seerat Di you should have thought about Sahiba di," she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief." She was forced to marry Angad, and you eloped? It's not fair to her."
Seerat recoiled at the accusation, her heart sinking with guilt. She had been so consumed by her own desires that she hadn't stopped to consider the impact of her actions on her sister. Shame washed over her as she realized the pain she had caused Sahiba, the sister that loved her family more than anything in the world.
Tears welled up in Seerat's eyes as she turned to face Sahiba, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Sahiba ," she murmured, her words heavy with regret. "I never knew they would force you to marry Angad. Please forgive me."
As Seerat approached Sahiba, her heart heavy with remorse, Angad's presence loomed over them like a dark cloud. With a determined stride, he intercepted their interaction, his eyes ablaze with fury.
"Sahiba, come with me," Angad's voice sliced through the tension, his tone commanding and authoritative.
Seerat froze in her tracks, her heart sinking as Angad's anger simmered just beneath the surface. "Angad, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. "Let me talk to Sahiba, just for a moment."
But Angad's grip on Sahiba tightened, his features contorted with rage. "No," he growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "You've caused enough trouble already."
Garry stepped forward, his expression defiant as he faced Angad's wrath head-on. "You have no right to speak to Seerat like that," he retorted, his voice tinged with defiance.
But Angad's fury only intensified, his eyes blazing with indignation. "You dare to speak to me after what you've done?" he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You and Seerat have brought shame upon our family. You will both pay for your betrayal."
Seerat's heart sank as Angad's words cut through her like a knife, the weight of his condemnation crushing her spirit. "Angad, please," she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just wanted to follow my heart."
But Angad's resolve remained unyielding, his grip on Sahiba firm as he forcibly dragged her away. "Enough," he snapped, his voice cold and unforgiving. "We're leaving, now."
As Sahiba's family looked on in stunned silence, the echoes of Angad's wrath reverberated through the hall, leaving behind a palpable sense of shock and despair. And amidst the chaos and confusion, one thing was clear—Sahiba's fate hung precariously in the balance, torn between the suffocating grip of her forced marriage and the bonds of family loyalty.
Meanwhile, Manveer, Angad's mother, watched the scene unfold with growing concern. She remembered the bruises that she had seen on Sahiba earlier. Fear gripped her heart like a vice as she realized the extent of her son's rage.
With a sense of urgency, Manveer hurried after Angad and Sahiba, determined to intervene before things spiraled out of control. Her footsteps echoed through the empty hallways as she raced to catch up, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts and fears. And as she finally caught sight of them disappearing around a corner, she prayed silently that she could reach them in time to prevent any further harm.
As Angad brought Sahiba into his bedroom for the first time in two months, a sense of foreboding settled over her like a heavy blanket. The click of the door closing behind them sent a shiver down her spine, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and apprehension.
With each passing second, the tension in the room grew palpable, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface. And then, without warning, Angad's rage erupted like a volcano, his fists slamming into the walls with a deafening roar.
Sahiba recoiled in terror as Angad's fury consumed him, his eyes ablaze with unbridled rage. "Look what you've done!" he snarled, his voice a guttural growl as he gestured towards the shattered remnants of his once-pristine bedroom.
Tears welled up in Sahiba's eyes as she watched in horror, her heart breaking with each violent blow. "Angad, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. "Stop this, you're scaring me."
But Angad's rage burned like wildfire, his anger unquenchable as he turned his fury towards her. "You think you can just waltz into my life and destroy everything?" he spat, his words dripping with venom. "You're nothing but a burden, a worthless pawn in this game of betrayal."
Just as Angad's violence threatened to escalate further, the bedroom door burst open,and Manveer, Angad's mother, rushed in with wide eyes and a gasp of horror. "Angad, stop!" she cried, her voice filled with urgency and concern.
Angad froze mid-motion, his fists still raised in fury, as he turned to face his mother's unexpected arrival. For a moment, the room hung heavy with tension as mother and son locked eyes, the weight of Manveer's disappointment and fear palpable in the air.
"Sahiba ,are you alright?" Manveer asked, her voice softer now as she turned her attention to Sahiba, who stood trembling in the corner of the room.
Sahiba nodded slowly, her heart still racing with fear as she clung to the faint hope that Manveer's presence might bring an end to the chaos that had engulfed them.
As Manveer entered the room and witnessed the chaos unfolding, her initial shock quickly turned to a simmering anger. Her eyes blazed with intensity as she took in the scene before her, her maternal instincts kicking into overdrive to protect Sahiba from further harm.
"Angad, what is the meaning of this?" Manveer's voice sliced through the tension, her tone laced with righteous indignation.
Angad recoiled at the fury in his mother's voice, his own anger momentarily eclipsed by her unexpected wrath. "Ma, I—" he began, but Manveer cut him offwith a sharp gesture.
"Don't you 'Ma' me!" Manveer snapped, her voice crackling with fury. "How dare you treat Sahiba like this? She is your wife, not some punching bag for your temper! I know that you both were forced to marry each other but that doesn’t mean you treat her like this. All this time we were all taking out Santosh and Seerat's frustration on her and we are all completely wrong."
Angad's jaw clenched in frustration as he struggled to find the words to defend himself, but under the weight of his mother's righteous anger, he found himself speechless for the first time in years.
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Manveer continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "This is not how a husband should behave. You are supposed to protect and cherish Sahiba, not terrorize her."
Sahiba's heart swelled with gratitude as she watched Manveer defend her, her eyes brimming with tears at the unexpected show of support. For the first time since her forced marriage to Angad, she felt a glimmer of hope that things might someday change for the better.
And as Manveer turned her piercing gaze back to Angad, her expression softened slightly, a flicker of maternal concern breaking through her mask of anger. "You need to get yourself under control, Angad," she said, her voice softer now, but no less firm. "Before you do something you'll regret for the rest of your life."
With that final admonition, Manveer turned on her heel and swept out of the room, leaving Angad to grapple with the weight of his actions and the consequences of his mother's unwavering love and support. And as the echoes of her foot steps faded into the distance, Sahiba felt a glimmer of hope ignite within her, a silent promise that perhaps, just perhaps, things might someday change for the better.
As Manveer's authoritative footsteps retreated from the room, Sahiba hesitated,her hand hovering uncertainly over the doorknob. But before she could make her escape, Angad's voice cut through the air, his tone commanding and unyielding.
"Sahiba, wait," Angad's voice rang out, stopping her in her tracks. "From now on, you stay here."
Sahiba's heart sank as his words washed over her, the weight of his command settling heavily upon her shoulders. "But Angad, I..." she began, her voice faltering with uncertainty.
But Angad's expression brooked no argument as he crossed the room to stand before her, his eyes cold and unwavering. "No buts," he declared, his tonefinal. "This is where you belong now."
Sahibafelt her stomach churn with unease as she realized the implications of Angad's directive. Her mind raced with a thousand questions and fears, but in the end,she knew that she had no choice but to obey.
With a heavy heart, she nodded silently, her gaze falling to the floor as she resigned herself to her fate. And as Angad turned away to make the call to Sukhdeep ,instructing her to move Sahiba's belongings into his room, Sahiba couldn't shake the feeling of suffocation.
In the family room, a heavy atmosphere of concern and worry permeated the air as Sahiba's family gathered, their expressions etched with anxiety. Santosh ,Sahiba's mother, wrung her hands nervously, her eyes darting around the room in search of solace.
"I can't shake this feeling of unease," she confessed, her voice quivering with emotion. "Sahiba….I fear she is hiding something ."
Ajit, Sahiba's father, nodded in agreement, clouded with worry. "I've noticed it too," he admitted, his voice laced with concern. "when she hugged me I felt like she wanted to cry but held in her tears”
Keerat, Sahiba's younger sister, shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her heart heavy with concern for her beloved sibling. "I have missed her so much, "she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I wish she would confide in us, tell us is if something is troubling her."
Seerat, standing nearby, swallowed hard, her own guilt weighing heavily on her conscience. "I just want her to be happy," she murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "I never imagined things would turn out like this."
Before anyone could respond, the door to the family room creaked open, and Manveer, Angad's mother, entered, her expression composed but her eyes betraying a hint of apprehension. "Everyone" she began, her voice steady.
Instantly ,all eyes turned to her, the air thick with anticipation. .
"I'm pleased to inform you that Sahiba has managed to calm Angad down," Manveer lied , her words met with a mixture of relief and skepticism. But as Manveer spoke, Ekam and Veer exachanged looks as they all knew the reality of Angad and Sahiba's marriage.
Sahiba's family exchanged relieved glances, grateful for the news of her apparent success in diffusing the situation. But deep down, a nagging sense of unease lingered, a silent acknowledgment of the unanswered questions that continued to plague their troubled minds.
As night descended, casting long shadows across the room, Sahiba's fear intensified. The darkness seemed to swallow her whole, wrapping around her like a suffocating cloak. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings of Angad's room.
The memories of their intimate encounters weighed heavily on her mind, each one a painful reminder of her vulnerability in this marriage. Angad had never considered her feelings, only his own desires, leaving her feeling used and discarded each time he left her room.
Tonight,the prospect of spending the whole night alone with Angad filled her with a sense of dread.
As Sahiba lay awake in the darkness, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty, she couldn't shake the nervousness that gripped her. It was the first time she would be spending the night in Angad's room, and the weight of the unknown loomed over her like a heavy cloud.
The truth about Seerat and Garry's elopement had been revealed, and Sahiba had already witnessed Angad's anger first hand. But what if Manveer hadn't intervened? What if she found herself alone in this room with him, trapped in his rage?
Determined to confront her fears, Sahiba resolved to take courage and speak to Angad about their marriage. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she couldn't continue living in this state of uncertainty and fear.
As Angad entered the room, Sahiba felt a surge of nerves wash over her, but she pushed them aside, steeling herself for the conversation to come. Summoning all her courage, she spoke up, her voice trembling slightly.
"Angad, can we talk?" she asked, her words barely above a whisper.
Angad's brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded, his expression unreadable. "What is it?" he asked, his tone clipped and impatient.
Sahiba took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation. "I... I think we need to work on our marriage," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
For a moment, there was silence as Angad processed her words. And then, to Sahiba's dismay, he let out a scoff, his lips curling into a sneer.
"Work on our marriage?" he echoed, his voice dripping with disdain. "What do you expect me to do, Sahiba? We're married, aren't we? We sleep together. What else do you want?"
Sahiba's heart sank at his callous words, her hopes dashed in an instant. She had hoped for understanding, for compassion, but all she received was rejection.
As Angad moved closer, his hands reaching out to touch her, Sahiba felt a surge of panic rise within her. She recoiled instinctively, her body tensing as his lips brushed against her neck.
But there was no warmth in his touch, no tenderness in his embrace. Only a cold, unyielding force that left her feeling hollow and alone.
As Angad's kisses trailed down her neck, Sahiba's heart shattered into a million pieces. In that moment, she realized that she was truly alone in this marriage ,trapped in a prison. And as the darkness closed in around her, she knew that there was no escape from the suffocating emptiness that consumed her soul.
As Angad finished, he moved to his side of the bed, his demeanor shifting from aggression to a cold, calculated calmness. He regarded Sahiba with a steely gaze, his words carrying an unspoken threat.
"You need to understand your place in this house, Sahiba," he said, his voice low and menacing. "As my wife and the elder daughter-in-law, you hold a position of power. You have more influence than you realize, and I expect you to wield it wisely."
Sahiba felt a chill run down her spine at his words, her heart hammering in her chest. She had never seen this side of Angad before, the coldness in his tone sending shivers down her spine.
"And as for Seerat," Angad continued, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous intensity, "I don't want you interacting with her as a sister. You are her sister-in-law now, and I expect you to treat her as such."
Sahiba's breath caught in her throat at his words, her mind reeling with confusion and fear. Seerat was her elder sister, her first friend, her confidante, but now Angad was demanding that she sever that bond.
"I hope you understand," Angad said, his voice dripping with menace. "Because if you don't, there will be consequences. And I assure you, you won't like them."
With a final, chilling warning, Angad turned away, leaving Sahiba to wrestle with the weight of his demands. She knew she had no choice but to obey, to bend to his will and suppress the bond she shared with Seerat. Him bringing her to his room and telling her that she has power was all a part of his game to show Garry and Seerat he had moved on from their betrayal and to show the power he had and his wife has.
But as she lay there in the darkness, a sense of dread settled over her like a suffocating blanket. She realized now that she was truly alone, trapped in a marriage built on power and control, with no escape in sight. And as tears welled up in her eyes, Sahiba vowed to herself that one day, she would find the strength to break free from the chains that bound her and reclaim her life and her freedom.
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