The dusty corner of the mansion library was lit up by a warm yellow bulb. Udayveer scrawled his nails on the antique leather armchair, tearing open its fragile layers. Shuffling through his tattered photo album, he extracted a washed-out picture of Damini hidden behind a postcard. It was taken around three decades ago at a family function. She sat in the middle of the stage, hands in the air, mid-clapping for a song. He still recalled the day. The smell of jasmine flowers from her clothes, the sound of her anklets.

In their younger days, he planted jasmine bushes throughout the Rana Haveli, hoping to please her. He rejected royal marriage proposals to be with her. Bought jewellery and sarees to present to her after their marriage. After all he did, she broke him by running away with a blaggard, making him the laughing stock of the town. People even questioned his manliness. She didn't leave him for a prince or magistrate, but a mere schoolmaster. The dust of his feet.

Though he married the sensitive, bickering Pushpa Kumari and had two children with her, he never truly got over Damini. He hoped to torment her all her life. The woman died early and left his desire for revenge incomplete. According to hearsay witnesses, her husband and son made a permanent move to another city. He wallowed in despair over not being able to hurt her enough.

Today, the opportunity arose again. Ayushman Singh, her only remaining flesh and blood, walked into his door like an animal into a butcher's house.

He laughed to himself at the serendipity-of all the young men in Sonambar, his daughter had fallen for Damini's son. It had to happen so he could find the scoundrel and punish him for what his mother did. If he killed the boy, Damini's family line would be erased forever. The thought excited him.

Sakshi, his headache of a daughter, was a true specimen. Kind, gutsy, outspoken-everything he hated. He protected her in the mansion, showered expensive gifts and ornaments, arranged her wedding with the most prominent bachelor in Sonambar. Yet, the ungrateful girl sought male company outside the house. She even managed to captivate Ayush. Udayveer himself was surprised to see the boy challenging him in broad daylight. He didn't back off seeing the rifles and swords, such was her influence.

How did Udayveer fail to notice his uncanny resemblance with Damini? The boy was handsome and blessed with a riveting voice, just like his mother. What a pity. He would soon be found dead in a gutter, Udayveer thought with a smile. His palms itched to carry it out. He had to wait only till Sakshi and Hemant tied the knot.

The landline telephone beeped in a coughing ringtone.

"Rana speaking."

"Uday, this is Kushwant. What have you decided regarding that son of Damini?"

"I feel the idiot has strong backup. Let us not do anything until the wedding is over."

"Why wait until the wedding day when we can finish him right now?"

"You know my daughter is stubborn like me. If something happens to Ayushman, she will never marry Hemant."

"My son is a precious jewel, the pride of Sunehra Jeevan Dal. How can Sakshi Bitiya be ignorant of him?"

"She is young and headstrong. Remember, I was like her at that age? I rejected royal families for Damini."

"Worst decision. I regret not getting a chance to shoot Damini for the reproach she brought on my family honour," Kushwant said.

"We can satisfy our anger using Ayushman."

"Well said. I also hope Sakshi learns to be a good wife to my son. He loves her very much."

"Hemant will tune her, Kushwa. You need not worry."

"And don't raise your hand on my daughter-in-law hereafter."

"I was angry about her talking to Ayushman. On top of that, she questioned me about Jeetu! Wouldn't you have done the same to discipline her?"

"Children are foolish. Attack the problem, not the child. When I found out one of the maids had seduced my son, I sent her back to her village and got her killed. The result? Hemant is a proper man and loves only Sakshi Bitiya."

"I understand."

"Promise me you will never hurt her again. If you do, it will cost our friendship."

"This is nothing. I am ready to give my life for our friendship, Kushwa my brother. I won't raise hands on Sakshi ever again."

"I place my trust in you, Uday."

"It will never be broken."

"When can we arrange the wedding?"

"We must a suitable date within the next two weeks."

"Two weeks? You ruined her beauty with your savage hands. Neither will the marks heal that quick nor are the guests blind."

"Ever heard of makeup? I saw with my own eyes how a woman, ugly as a pig, covered her blemishes with thick painty cream. We will do the same for Sakshi."

"Then, we can get rid of Ayush once and for all times."

"Precisely. Wait, I hear someone coming."

"Alright, talk to you later."

As he placed the receiver back in its place, someone knocked on the door. Concealing the photo with longing eyes, he cleared his throat.

"Come in!"

Ranveer emerged inside, arms crossed over his chest. Raking his dishevelled hair, he approached his father.

"What is it?" Udayveer asked.

"Sakshi will be discharged this evening."

"Great!"

"I was thinking something about this Ayushman."

"Go ahead."

"I think he targeted Sakshi to get revenge for his mother's death. He lives in South Sonambar. Why should he ride across town only to conduct classes for Sakshi?"

"Well said, Beta. His only motive is revenge. We shouldn't leave him."

"What do we do, Baba?"

"He doesn't deserve to live. We'll finish Sakshi's wedding within two weeks. She gets married here, and he gets killed at the same time."

"What about the media proof and nonsense he said?"

"We will label it as propaganda by the opposition party."

"What an outstanding strategy, Baba."

"Can I trust you to carry it out?"

"Sure, Baba."

"I hope you don't back off this time."

"I promise. If anyone tries to ruin Sakshi's life, they have to pay!"

Udayveer nodded in delight. "Let's hire the biggest wedding hall in Sonambar. It will be a grand, lavish wedding-the best in our town's history."

"Alright, Baba."

"Start planning everything. From the maang tika and necklace to the bangles and earrings-I want only diamonds for Sakshi. The caterers in the engagement were not up to the mark. Hire someone else this time. Take Pushpa's suggestions too."

"Baba, I feel Sakshi won't agree."

"You think I didn't consider that? I have a solid plan to make her agree. She cannot say no."

•••

Sakshi held Lajo's arm as she entered the Rana Haveli. The smell of fried onions and biryani wafted in the air. To her surprise, Pushpa was seated on the L-shaped sofa, pointing out something to Ranveer from a jewellery catalogue.

"What's the occasion, Aunty?" she asked Lajo.

"Celebration that you have returned, maybe?"

"Saash!" Ranveer beamed at his sister.

Brushing past him with an air of audacity, she made her way to Lajo's congested room under the staircase. People felt safe in their bedrooms. However, for Sakshi, it was a storehouse of nightmares, the place where was nearly raped by a so-called fiancé and strangled by her father. She had a solid course of action-drawing money from her fixed deposit, renting a house away from Sonambar, landing a stable job using a B.Com degree, and forgetting the inferno she lived in. Ayush and Vinnati would help her.

Udayveer followed her, gesturing at Lajo to stay out. Kicking the door shut, he sneered at her.

"How are you, my dear?"

Her bones shuddered. She focused on the wall, turning her back to him.

"As happy as I can be."

"Oh, what's the reason?"

"I'm leaving this place for good."

"Where are you going?"

"That's not your concern."

"Don't give me that attitude! You have nowhere to go."

"I've done by B.Com, I have amazing job opportunities. I need not be dependent on anyone."

"Now I realise why girls should not be educated. They will use it against their own family. Ungrateful wenches!"

She turned around, the spark in her heart blazing like wildfire. "Baba, how can you expect me to stay the same knowing you murdered someone! Jeetu had a family just like you. His little daughter will grow up as a fatherless child. I feel disgusted like bugs crawling on my skin! I'm ashamed to stay a moment in the Rana household. "

"Oh, poor girl. Please adjust for another two weeks. You'll be free from this hell."

"What?"

"You can live a fulfilling life in the Vardhan home."

"Let me guess, you've arranged my wedding with Hemant in two weeks?"

"Brilliant, my dear."

"You can't force me beyond my wish. I don't consent to this sham of a wedding."

"Swine don't realise the value of pearls."

"Thanks for agreeing Hemant is a swine."

"I was talking about you! You don't want the future party leader, you desire a useless scoundrel."

"Scoundrel?"

"Ayushman Singh!"

Sakshi drew in a baffled gasp.

"I didn't have to do a thing. The fool walked into our mansion and asked me to treat you well, or else he'll expose me to the media it seems."

She twisted the end of her dupatta, flustered yet enamoured by Ayush. He gathered the courage to meet her father. How insane could he be for her sake?

"I am not the one to cower in fear. It won't take a moment for me to make him the next Jeetu."

"Baba!"

"Calm down, I won't do that. I know he's your friend and you care about him. Honestly, I'm impressed by his guts. I'll spare his life on one condition, my dear."

Chewing in on her lower lip, she rolled her irises. "What condition?"

"Marry Hemant."

"I'm sorry, that won't happen."

Udayveer burned in disbelief at her new found courage. "Is this how you talk to your father? I've slogged all my life to put food on the table, and you scorn me with this behaviour?"

"My heart always brimmed with fear and respect for you and Bhaiyya. I brushed off your ignorance at Hemant's harrasment. I was tongue-tied when you strangled me. But the night you killed Jeetu—you destroyed the part of me that trusted you."

"What matters most—your freedom, or Ayushman's life?"

She paused, heart bleeding in perplexion.

His lips spreading into a thin smile. With no further talk, he dashed out of the room. Sakshi hauled her limbs over Lajo's flat bed, motes of dust bursting in the air. She dialled Ayush's number, heart racing like a bullet train. Multiple calls, no answer. Maybe he was returning from work. A landline number appeared on her screen.

"Hello, yaara?"

"Ayush, I called you so many times!

"I had a minor accident this evening."

"What are you saying?!" Sakshi knew who was behind it.

"I was returning home after work when a jeep dashed my bike. I fell down with my bike, and my phone cracked."

"Are you hurt?"

"It's okay now."

She wished she could be with him, carress his wounds. "Baba has made a deal with me. If I want you to be alive, I must marry Hemant."

"No way! Refuse it firmly, yaara. I can do something. I will . . . rent my house and get a transfer to Mumbai. We can start a new life there."

"What will your father say?"

"I'm sure Papa will agree. His brother is unwell and he's had his share of bad memories in this town."

"All this won't be possible in two weeks. Baba is planning the wedding in full swing."

"We will stop it at any cost."

"The question is —how? You're not a hero with a dhai kilo ka haath who batters villains."

"Just give me some time, we can figure out a way. You too keep thinking."

"This wouldn't have happened if you didn't show up at my door!"

His voice stirred. "I-I am sorry, yaara. I wanted to help you."

"I can speak up for myself!"

"You can speak, but you don't. You choose to remain silent. Be it Hemant's harassment, your family's toxicity-you endure everything without standing up for yourself!"

His words jabbed her heart like needles. "You know why Baba choked me? I confronted him about something terrible he did. On the day of my engagement, Hemant tried to rape me. I stood up to him without anyone's help!"

She heard his muffled cries. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I couldn't stand the thought of your father hurting you. Now, you're agreeing to marry Hemant. If he was a good man, I would comfort myself that you'll be happy. But he is a disgusting barbarian . . ."

"I hope you have a great life ahead, Ayush. May you become a great singer and find someone better than me. We will meet again at one of your concerts. I'll be cheering, and you won't even notice me in the sea of fangirls."

"Yaara, please don't make a hasty decision. We'll find a way out, I promise."

"I want you alive. Goodbye, Ayush."

Hanging up on him, she switched off her phone. Ignoring the wounds festering in her heart, she straightened her shoulders and stomped to the living room. Udayveer stood at the porch, sipping on scalding masala chai.

"What happened, my dear?"

"I know you caused Ayush's accident."

"I never denied it," he said.

Clenching her fists, she glared at him. "Baba, I agree."

"Agree to what, my dear?"

"I'll marry Hemant."

Udayveer grinned while Ranveer and Pushpa listened in with keen ears. Lajo alone gaped in disbelief.

"I'm glad you chose the right thing."

"Promise me you won't bother Ayush after this."

Patting her cheeks, he gave a half-smile. "I promise, my dear."

"If any of you—" Her hands trailed over her father and Ranveer. "—try to hurt him again, I will be forced to go to the media. I'll show these scars and confess about Jeetu!"

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