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When I was finished, Chandini looked at me as if she had seen a ghost. Her eyes widened in... panic? When her brother said something, she got up from the couch.

"Follow me." I followed her into the room.

She went inside first, then I came in and locked the door behind me. When she heard the sound of the lock, she turned around.

"Why did you lock the door? Please open it," she said in a panic. Why does she always get nervous in closed rooms?

"I wanted to say—" I stopped when she took a step towards the door.

"No! Please, Rudra, unlock the door first."

This was the first time she said my name, and I am not pleased with the situation in which it was used. I noticed she was sweating profusely, her hands shaking, and her trembling.

"Okay! okay!" I said, as I unlocked the door but kept it closed. She then opened the windows and took several deep breaths.

"What exactly did you want to talk about?"

She now appeared to be calm and ready to speak. I took a step forward, but she stepped back.

"Do not move." I said, and her movements halted.

I reached out my hand and gently clasped her cheek, but she flinched. "You said something on the phone?" I asked.

"Well, I said a lot of things. What are you talking about in particular?" she said, gradually leaning back from my touch. I tightened my grip on her, preventing her from moving back.

"Where you used some fantastic words." The realisation struck her.

"I... you... uh... um..." Oh, she is now at a loss for words.

"Do not worry, darling; perhaps you do not remember, and I am just here to remind you."

She was staring at me with wide eyes, almost trembling against my hold. I moved my hand down slowly, wrapping my fingers around her throat and my thumb stroking her delicate skin.

"Shitty person, moron, and what was the other name you gave me? Oh, a piece of crap." With each word, I reminded her and tightened my hold on her, but lose enough for her to breathe.

She grabbed my hand tightly and dug her nails into my skin, tears running down her face.

"You don't—" I was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Chandini, your brother, and the Kapoors are all waiting," said her friend.

"We are coming," I said, loosening my hold. Her footsteps faded after I heard an okay from her friend.

"As I was saying, you do not talk to me like that again. This would be your first and last time; remember that." I said as I rubbed my thumb under her ear. She nodded and took a few deep breaths.

"Words, darling, words," I grumbled. She jerked her head up and looked me in the eyes. Her eyes were wide open with panic.

"Yes, I understand." Her makeup had been ruined by tears, and her neck was turning slightly red from my fingerprints.

I lost it again!

"I... um, please, fix your makeup and t-those neck marks. Then we'll leave together." I stammered and averted my gaze, fists clenched.

She wiped her face and immediately turned to fix her makeup. I closed my eyes tightly after looking at her while she was covering the marks on her neck.

Fuck! You are no less than a monster, Rudra!

We walked out of the room and into their drawing room, where we met everyone. Mr. Sehgal and my parents were talking, and Athwa was eating something with Taara. This boy never stops eating.

My attention was fixed on Chandini. She looked stunning, but not the same as when she first entered the room. Her face had lost its glow, as had the sparkle in her eyes.

I know I am to blame; I should not have held her. I could have just told her, to not speak to me in such a manner. All I've been doing is hurting her, one way or another. Why am I doing this? I now regret doing it.

Chandini kept her face down until her friend nudged her and said something to her, making her smile slightly.

"Chandini, may I please sit with you?" Athwa asked, making her look at him, smiling and nodding her head.

"Athwa, don't call your elders by their names. Apologise now." I said, making my parents glare at me.

"Athwa, sweety, you can call me whatever you want. Do not listen to him; he is a mor-" She looked at me, but she stopped when I raised an eyebrow.

"Umm... Come and sit with me." She smiled at Athwa as she averted her gaze from me.

He walked up to her and sat next to her, holding her hand. Wow, he gets a seat next to her and holds her hand, but I get slapped and called a moron and a shitty person.

He is a kid, and I have not done anything good to deserve to be there or to be close to her. Still, as I stare at them, I can't help but clench my jaw and tighten my fists.

"Shall we begin? What are we here for?" Papa asked, looking at me, and then at Mr. Sehgal. Mom eagerly nodded her head, and Papa smiled at her.

Papa texted someone, and three men arrived with the same baskets, placing them on the table in front of Chandini, who was perplexed. Her friend and brother exchanged a glance.

"Um, sir, what are these things for?" Mr. Sehgal asked.

"These things are important because we are here with a marriage proposal," Mom replied excitedly, and I had never seen her so happy.

"But... I had not said yes to the proposal," Mr. Sehgal said with a straight face, staring at me.

I tightened my grip on the cup of tea, afraid it would break at any moment. My gaze shifted to Chandini, who was looking between me and her brother with a troubled expression.

"Bhaiya, what are you doing?" she whispered.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor, you have not asked properly," he said, looking at Papa and Mom, who relaxed and smiled.

"Mr. Sehgal, we are here to request your sister's hand in marriage to our son. We would be blessed to have Chandini as a daughter. We brought some gifts and would like to exchange rings, in order to finalize this relationship." Chandini looked at me, then at Papa, stunned.

"Sir, it would be an honour to have my sister as your daughter-in-law. It is a yes from me," Mr. Sehgal said.

We stood up, and Chandini stood in front of me with her head down. She placed the ring on my finger without even touching me. It was my turn, but when I tried to hold her hand, she refused. I closed my eyes to relax and put the ring on.

Everyone was happy, hugging and congratulating one another. She immediately stepped away from me, keeping her head low. Athwa went in for a hug, and she let him in with a genuine smile on her face. I clenched my teeth and looked down.

"Chandini, why are you crying? Are you hurt?" said Athwa.

My head shoots up, and I look at her. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at her, concerned.

"What happened, my dear? Did you not like the ring or anything? We can change that." Mom expressed concern, but Chandini moved to her brother and hugged him tightly, a sob escaping her lips.

"She is just sad because she will be leaving soon. Is that right, Chandini?" Her brother spoke up, and she nodded.

"Do not cry; I will be with you all the time. Don't worry. I promise." Athwa said, smiling and showing his dimples, making her laugh loudly.

Her laughter was so soft and alluring, almost ethereal, that it took my breath away. I stilled as something stirred within me. A strange sensation, tinged with serenity.

"Can you laugh again?"

They all turned to face me, and the look on their faces said it all: 'You are crazy.'

Uh...uh...

Chandini glared at me, and I averted my eyes and scratched my head.

•*•~•*•

We went to have dinner and soon decided to leave.

"I have a meeting in the early morning tomorrow. So, Mr. Sehgal, we should take our leave." I said, looking at my family.

"Um... sir, please call me Samay. Now that we are related, Mr. Sehgal makes me feel old," he said, laughing, and I nodded.

"One more thing we should talk about is the wedding date," Papa said, making Chandini stop eating.

"The wedding will take place in the coming week. I apologise for not informing you sooner." I said it with no regard for apologies.

Everyone was watching me with a baffled look on their faces. Taara and Athwa were in their own world, talking.

"Sir, it is too early. We need time for preparations," Samay said urgently, and my parents nodded.

"There is no need for you to be concerned about preparations, money, or anything else, Samay. My sister Muktha will take care of everything, from the venue to the dresses." I said, looking at my watch. I had already told her to begin the preparations.

I can't wait for her to become mine—my wife.

I have some paperwork that I need to finish. Chandini was looking at me with disapproval for what I had just said.

What went wrong here? I did not want them to be concerned with money. I am trying to help. What exactly am I doing wrong?

"Samay, my PA will contact you to let you know about everything," I said as we got ready to leave. "You might as well tell him if you have any requests." He looked as if he wanted to say something but instead nodded his head.

"Darling?" I returned my gaze to her; she was fiddling with her dupatta when I called her. She raises her head and looks at me, her eyes soft.

"Han ji?"

Haye!

"My sister will call you and tell you everything. And if you have any special requests, please let her know." I walked away, my hands clenched at my sides and my heart pounding loudly—all because of her two simple words. 

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