SS: A sacrifice for friendship- Tenth chapter updated - Page 5

Jagan called Rajpreet and asked them casually whether they liked each other. Preet didn't miss that he seemed to talk only to Raj. Of course, they needed only the boy's opinion... The girl never had a say... She thought bitterly. Raj laughed and said "I wonder why you would ask that. Anyone would like your daughter". Preet watched with satisfaction as Jagan's eyes flashed proudly. Raj continued "I would like to get married as soon as possible". Preet glared at him in sheer disbelief. Jagan knew he'll have to ask for some time and consult with Amba. Preet's wedding should be planned carefully or else they'll never hear the end of it from the Bajwas. "Oh, we are planning to get Sukhi married along with Gunjan. We won't be able to do Preet's bidaai now. There isn't enough time to concentrate on three marriages" Jagan replied swiftly. "Well not now... But we can do it after six months or so" Harjeet who joined them said. Preet watched helplessly as the three men discussed her fate. Raj was watching her with a smile totally mesmerized by her innocent eyes. The same eyes gave him an angry look. Soon after the roka Preet went to her room to right her make-up as everyone was eating. As she passed the storeroom she was suddenly pulled inside. She couldn't scream as a strong hand covered her mouth. She found herself pinned to the wall and he removed his hands off her and trapped her by keeping his hands on either side of her on the wall. Raj smiled and Preet glared. He came close and she was tensed. He wouldn't dare...would he? she thought perplexed. But Raj didn't touch her. There was a few millimetres of space between the them. "So we'll be getting married..." he said smugly. Preet had a strong desire to punch that infuriating smile off his face. "I suppose, since I have no other option" she said coldly. "I am sorry that I can't give you an option but you know what soniyo, even if I could give you an option I won't" he brushed away her hair which had fallen to her face. "Itni saari kudiya hai pind mein... Main hi kyun?" she questioned. Raj laughed before replying. "Soniyo, un mein woh baat nahi hai jo tum main hai... Tumhe dekhkar, mera dil dhadakta hai". " Agar mere baap aur bhai ne dekh liya toh tumhara dil dhadakna permanently bandh hojayega" Preet snapped signing towards his hands which had trapped her. Raj looked surprised at her witty reply and removed his hands. She didn't spare him another glance as she went out. The Varma family had arrived and Randhir's mother gave a gift to Gunjan. Randhir smiled at Preet. Her heart did a crazy somersault. "He's too old" a husky voice whispered in her ear. His hot breath fanned her earlobe, tickling her. Preet stepped away. "Can't you leave me alone?" she muttered furiously. "Not for a second, soniyo". What she wouldn't give to punch that smile off his face!!!!!! Amba claimed Preet's attention and asked her to come stand with her. Amba furiously told her daughter "stay away from him. What if they spread rumours about you having an affair with him and then cancel the marriage? Stay away from him. As far as possible. I don't know what time those crazy people fixed your alliance... If it was left to me, I wouldn't have let a Bajwa come near my daughter... But I am helpless... Bound by dead people's promises... Do you get what I mean? " "Yes mummy" she replied tone lessly. "I am going to see a girl for Sukhi from the neighbouring pind tomorrow. The picture he liked. I want you to come with me. Wear something elegant, not over the top. Something that makes our wealth known but not heavy. They shouldn't think we are trying to overshadow them. They should think they are lucky to get an alliance with us. Sukhi can meet her along with Mannu after I approve". She nodded in agreement knowing this girl will also be from a poor family. Amba could control her daughter in laws by their gratitude in being a Pavanya bahu. "The girl should be either dumb enough to not notice his antics or smart enough to stop it..." Amba sighed. Preet recalled the various incidents where either Amba or Jagan caught Sukhi in the fields spending 'time' with girls. Whenever Sukhi doesn't come home at night she had seen Amba getting irritated, Mannu getting tensed thinking about what will happen if his brother is caught doing something and Jagan faintly amused as he was worse at his time until Amba took control of his life and put a stop to it. Preet sincerely hoped that she will get a smart parchai who will put an end to her brother's various 'adventures'. Meanwhile Raj was befriending his 'enemy'. He was trying to be Randhir's friend and he succeeded. He got himself invited to the parties in the weekend. He looked around to find Preet and found her standing next to Gunjan. His eyes suddenly followed Randhir's eyes and saw that he was also staring at Preet's direction. There was a hunger in his eyes that Raj intensely disliked and feared. The girl brigade started laughing at a joke and Randhir's eyes turned worshipful. Raj felt a sickening feeling in his stomach. He didn't like Randhir's intentions, whatever they maybe. If the feelings were mutual then...he gulped at the thought.

Sakshi was trying to find something interesting in the party. The parties that Pavanyas threw were expensive but different from what she was used to at her home. She came from a relatively modern family. The visit to Pavanya household was never fruitless... Preet had hot and happening brothers. Initially she was interested in Sukhi due to his handsome looks, muscular frame and boyish charm. She always knew she was never a preference but that wasn't what stopped her. An idea of a formidable mother in law like Amba put her off the track fast enough. As she was thinking about flirting with Sukhi for the time being she suddenly saw a tall, handsome guy. He looked in his early twenties and was...'sigh!!!!' simply gorgeous. Sakshi thanked the God that she wasn't related to Preet. It would mean all these eye candies go waste. One cannot flirt with one's brothers... She dragged Preet away from Gunjan. "Who's that guy? He's gorgeous!!!" she whispered to Preet. Usually either Preet giggled with her or gave her an exasperated look when she asked for guy's details. Irritation flicked across Preet's face. "What is it to you?" Preet snapped at her. Sakshi was taken aback. "I was just interested... If you are interested let's check who is he interested in... Besides you can't stop me if he interested... I am an expert in relations and anyway your mom will kill you" Sakshi stated. First time they were arguing about a guy. Sakshi felt secretly delighted, Preet was behaving more like the friend she wanted. "He's out of bounds for you or any other girl" Preet, back to her own self, tried explaining to her with an air of someone who was explaining to an over emotional toddler that one plus one equals two. "Why????" Sakshi pressed. "Because he's Raj Bajwa". "Okay, him being a Bajwa will stop you, but me???". "That's exactly what doesn't stop me. I'm supposed to get married to him and I don't want my best friend perving on him while I am at it.." Sakshi's mouth was a perfect 'o'. "Really, OMG Preet you're sooo lucky... He's soo hot... Oh sorry!!!! Jeeju is so good looking" Sakshi said covering up her interest in Raj and burying it deep. "Why are you so frustrated? I would have been thrilled.. Just look at him... You two will make an awesome pair with sizzling chemistry". Preet rolled her eyes. Sakshi might make him a good pair, she thought. They were quite alike. Both had a flirty side to them. She'll be better off with someone calm and quiet like Randhir. She didn't know if she had anything beyond an infatuation for Randhir and refused to consider it. She needed some time... But they won't give her the time... Why waste your time studying when you can marry a well educated guy and utilise it by providing him with kids efficiently locking him down... That was the village's policy. Preet's throat tightened at the prospect of her education getting stopped... What was the point in all her certificates and ranks if she couldn't get to her dream? She had always dreamed of a job, no a career... Not sitting at home and making roties and waiting for husband to come back home... Ofcourse no use in worrying now... She suddenly felt sick... She hadn't missed how Raj was eyeing her... Of course he wants the marriage soon... So that the bloody pervert can get his hands on her... Suddenly she could see a silver lining... There was someone who would speak for her... Her Knight in shining armour from childhood... Mannu veerji... A brother any girl would kill to have...