I took a deep breath before pressing the doorbell of my own house.

My maayka.

No... nobody threw me out of my sasural.

This was just the pag phere ritual.

Honestly, I didn't even want to come here. But maa said it was important... and practically forced me to come.

Truth be told, I wanted to come here with Viraat.

With him... I feel safe.

But he didn't call me the entire morning.

So I just assumed he must be busy... and honestly I didn't want to disturb him, by all this what's happening at his home .

His relationship with his Family is already not good . I don't want it to get worse.

After a few moments, maa opened the door.

But seeing me... there wasn't any real happiness on her face.

She just opened the door and walked inside... silently inviting me in.

I was already used to this cold behavior of theirs.

I stepped in and went straight to my room.

Maybe maa was the only one home... because I didn't see anyone else.

As soon as I entered my room, my eyes fell on everything around me.

It had just been a day... yet I missed this room so much.

After all, this was the only place that ever stood by me...

when my own family never did.

I've spent my entire childhood here.

I've cried here... laughed here... lived everything here.

A small smile appeared on my lips as I looked around, emotions filling my heart.

And I sat down on the bed.

I wasn't even hungry.

I bent down near the bed and pulled out a box from underneath. The moment I opened it, I found a stack of papers... but the real thing was hidden beneath them.

My dark romance books.

Yes... I had started reading them back in my late teenage years. These books have helped me deal with stress a lot. They were my escape... my little world where I could breathe freely.

But my family doesn't know about them. Because the day they find out... It might be the day I get thrown out of the house.

I looked at those books and couldn't help but think about how I used to dream... that one day I'd have a partner too. Someone like the ones in those dark romances... someone I'd actually choose.

I was always scared of arranged marriages.

But somehow... I ended up in one.

The only difference is... Viraat is a good man.

And I really want to build a future with him.

Not that I feel *that* way about him yet... but still...

My gaze shifted back to the box. There were only five books left now.

It's not like I've only read these five... I've read so many more. But I had to sell them over time... out of fear.

And it always felt terrible.

I've always wanted to have a collection of my own.

Anyway... I still have a list of all the books I've ever read, carefully saved.

I picked up the last book I was reading and started going through the remaining part... and somewhere between the words and my thoughts... I drifted off to sleep.

🌺

After a while, my phone rang, pulling me out of my sleep.

I closed the book and looked at the screen.

An unknown number. But known to me .

And just like always... my face turned serious.

I picked up the call.

"Hello...?"

🌺

The call ended.

And now... I knew what I had to do.

And I was ready for what was coming next.

🌺

It was already evening, and I had no desire to stay here anymore. So I placed the book back into the box and covered it with the papers carefully... making sure that even if someone checked, they wouldn't find anything.

I glanced at my phone again.

Still no message or call from Viraat.

It means he is still in the operation Theatre.

Yes... we exchanged numbers.

But just numbers. Nothing more.

I picked up the box and walked downstairs, ready to leave for home.

And to eat something too .

But my steps faltered midway.

In the hall... I saw them.

My Father, Brother and Mother.

All three of them were talking about something.

And the moment their eyes fell on me... I froze.

Their eyes were red.

Completely red... with anger.

My Father started walking towards me, fast.

And before I could even react-

*SLAP.*

A loud, stinging slap landed across my face.

My hand instantly went to my cheek as I looked up at him... shocked.

I wasn't hurt... just confused. 'Cause honestly, their slaps hadn't mattered to me in ages.

I glanced at Maa and Bhai... they were glaring at me too, anger written all over their faces.

"Shameless girl... not a single day passed since you reached Sasural, and there you went, pissing everyone off. Showing your That dumb Attitude... flaunting your words..."

His voice cracked like thunder as he yelled.

I got it. I understood exactly what this was about.

I just stared at Papa silently... my eyes saying everything, but my lips stayed shut.

I clutched my box tighter and turned to leave, not saying Anything.

But then Maa grabbed my hand from behind and twisted me around. The box slipped from my other hand and fell to the ground.

Thank god it was locked... otherwise, everything inside would've been exposed.

"Ahh..." I gasped. Maa's grip was painfully tight.

"You rude girl... how dare you ignore your Father and try to leave like this?"

She squeezed my hand even harder.

"Ahhh... let go... please, let go of me!"

I pushed her away with all my strength, and off-balance, She stumbled backward and fell.

Bhai rushed to hold her back, glaring at me in rage. He was Coming towards me in anger but I stopped him .

"Enough! Stop right there, or no one will save you from me," I raised my hand to stop him, my eyes burning with anger.

Then I turned to face Papa.

"Yes... I made them angry. Why should I listen when they speak nonsense to me? They want me to wear Ghunghat... badmouth my husband... they blame me for everything. Why should I obey anyone when it makes me uncomfortable?"

I looked at everyone. Their eyes mirrored my anger... equally furious.

"Listen carefully... I've lived my life the way you wanted so far... but not anymore. From now on, I decide what happens in my life... and no one else. I am not a slave who will obey every command of Your Samdhis!"

I turned to take my box and leave, but Papa's one sentence stopped me in my tracks.

"You are a slave to them," he said... venom dripping from every word.

I snapped at him.

"What?" I asked, confused.

He stepped closer.

"You are their slave, Myra. They bought you... from us."

My expression faltered. A filthy smile spread across his face... as if he had won.

"No..." my lips trembled.

"Yes, my child... it's the truth."

"You're lying..." I screamed.

He chuckled, leaning closer to my face.

"We sold you for 50 lakh... now forget living on your terms. Do as they say... stay as they want... you don't matter to us anymore. You belong to them."

I searched his eyes, desperate for a lie... but there was none. Every word was true.

They treated me like an object... bought and sold me.

A tear slipped down my cheek... but I refused to cry freely. I wouldn't let them see me break.

I stood there, staring at all three of them, then spoke... emotionless, cold.

I spoke about what I always wanted to say,

"I always knew I was unwanted for you. That's why I never got love from you... never felt like your daughter. Your Child.

No matter how many times I tried, I proved myself... it was never enough.

And yet... I never imagined you'd do this to me.

You placed a price on me...? Was I really worth that little to you?"

Their eyes held no remorse.

I took a deep breath.

"Papa... don't worry. After today, I'll never come back to this house.

But remember... one day... you'll regret never giving me love. And by then, I'll be far... far away from you. Remember that."

I said it and ran... couldn't stand to hold back my tears any longer.

🌺

After coming out of the Operation Theatre and assuring the patient's family that everything was fine, I immediately came to my cabin.

I picked up my phone and checked... if there was any text from Myra.

And fortunately... there wasn't. That means... maybe she didn't have any issues. Maybe.

But... what if something had happened to her and she didn't share it with me...?

She is very reserved in this .

Without thinking, I immediately called her. But she didn't pick up.

I called again... still she didn't pick up.

I felt like she was angry with me because it had been so long... I mean, from morning till evening... now it is almost night. So, it was natural for her to be angry.

That's why I called her again, many times... but she still didn't pick up.

Then I called my home, and My mother picked up and told me that she had gone to her parents' house. My mother's voice sounded faint, tired, as if something was wrong.

I asked her but she dismissed it .

Then I called her father, and he told me that she had already left, around 6 p.m.

I looked at the time. It was 7:30 p.m. now.

By now, she should have reached home.

Suddenly, I started feeling weird... anxious.

Where had she gone this late night?

What if something had happened to her?

She must be fine, right?

🌺

I started my car from in front of her parents' house, because last time she had left from here too.

After parking the car, I started asking people around if anyone had seen her.

It was already 8:30 p.m.

And still... there was no sign of her.

I was very scared. But I didn't give up.

I went on every street... every road... every path she could have taken.

Meanwhile, I kept calling her again and again.

But she didn't pick up.

It had started raining, and that made me even more anxious.

And when I thought I might not be able to find her... I suddenly saw hope.

I stepped forward, and with my flashlight, I looked at the ground and saw a broken sandal.

Myra's sandal. The one she had worn for the wedding too.

Until now, all my energy had drained out of me, but suddenly... it felt like she had returned.

I looked ahead. It was a large public park.

I entered, and with the help of my flashlight and the lights installed there, I started looking for Myra.

I called her name, but there was no response.

I kept searching until I heard a faint sound.

A girl's voice... crying.

I went towards that direction, and seeing the scene made my heart clench completely.

Myra. Sitting on a bench. Her knees bent, tied with her arms around them, and she was crying hard... so hard. Her light saree clung to her body.

Unconsciously, I sat on my knees and took a breath of relief.

At least she was fine... nothing had happened to her.

But... why was she crying now? That was what I needed to figure out.

I got up and sat next to her.

When she felt it, she looked at me and quickly, harshly wiped her tears... as if she didn't want me to see them.

And that hurt me.

She straightened her legs and lowered them from the bench.

Her face was now emotionless, but I could feel that she was hiding everything.

Her eyes looked straight ahead. Blank.

"Why weren't you picking up the phone, Myra? I've been calling you... and... and... why are you crying?" I said, with a mix of light anger and worry.

But she didn't answer.

"Myra... I'm asking you something... please answer me-"

"You... you are involved too, right?" she said absentmindedly.

"What?" I asked, confused.

She slowly turned towards me and looked me in the eyes.

And God... I felt aching in my heart. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she had been crying for hours.

Raindrops fell on her face, but they couldn't hide her wet eyes.

"Tell me, Viraat... you are involved too, right? In putting my value?"

Value? Myra's value?

"What... what are you saying?" I was surprised and abruptly stood up.

She looked at me.

And her face had a mocking smile.

She sat there, looking at me with eyes full of allegations.

"How well you can act, isn't it?"

"Trust me Myra... I'm telling the truth... I don't know what you're Talking about," I said, standing calmly so she could understand.

She shook her head.

And lowered her gaze again.

"Go... I want to be alone here," she said.

"No, I'm not going anywhere. You are coming with me," I said firmly.

"I don't want to go anywhere," she said.

"You are coming with me, Myra," I said stubbornly.

And this time, she jerked her head at me. Her eyes full of anger.

"No... I don't want to go to a house... where... where my value was put up for auction." Her body and lips were trembling now.

But my mind... I couldn't think of anything else.

"What are you-" I started.

She suddenly stood up.

"Your father bought me from my family... do you know for how much? Fifty lakh rupees," she said sarcastically, laughing bitterly.

Then she turned away, her back facing me.

"All my life, my family never understood me. Never Accepted me.And now... my in-laws... they also... made me feel like nothing but a Slave.Everyone together... made me feel like I am just an object... nothing beyond that."

Her voice trailed off, becoming almost inaudible.

Her voice was trembling. I knew she wanted to cry.

And anger filled my heart.

I grabbed Myra's hand and pulled her towards me, and she tried to pull her hand away.

"Who told you this?" I asked, my voice was dark.

She looked at me for a few seconds.

"Why are you asking as if you don't know? You also had a hand in putting my value, didn't you, Viraat? Then why the act? Why pretend you don't know? Why are you showing fake anger and Concern?"

Myra leveled allegations at me.

My jaw clenched.

I held her hand tighter, but gently, so that it won't hurt, and pulled her closer. She tried to pull her hand away. But I didn't let her.

"Because I truly don't know about this... just like you don't know," I said firmly but gently and in a pleading tone.

And slowly, she looked at me. Maybe my tone did something to her.

"You're lying," she said, her voice trembling even more.

We were both completely soaked, and the rain was pouring so heavily that it didn't stop for a second.

Meanwhile, Myra was shivering, and I needed to get her home quickly, so she wouldn't fall sick.

I took a deep breath and placed my hand on the back of her head, resting it against mine. She didn't protest. Her hands stayed straight on either side of her body .She closed her eyes. And I did the same.

I whispered to her, softly,

"You are not a thing... not something to be traded, bought, or sold. So don't you dare... even for a second... think that I could ever see you that way."

We stayed like that for a while, eyes still closed, my palm resting softly on the back of her hand.

But then I felt her hands on the collar of my shirt. Trembling. She gripped my collar tightly.

I opened my eyes, but her eyes were still closed. Her face was now twisted, as if she was about to cry at any moment.

She separated her head from mine and, keeping her eyes closed, pressed the back of her hands to her forehead and started crying. Hard.

"I... I am sorry... I... I didn't want to stop myself... but I can't... I can't... not today," she said, unable to control herself.

I said nothing . I wanted her to cry .She needed it.

This time, my hands were at my sides.

Not touching her . Anywhere.

"Myra..." I whispered her name.

She cried even louder.

" I hate Everyone. I hate Everything.Please... don't judge me... please," she

said.

I could never .

We stayed like this for a while when I asked her one thing , the one thing she probably needed the most at that moment.

"Myra..." I said slowly, standing there,

"Do you need a hug right now?"

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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