Past

The car came to a halt in front of a large apartment complex. Manik stepped out smoothly, walking around to open the door for Nandini. He waited expectantly, but Nandini remained still, lost in her own world.

Her mind was a storm of thoughts — she wouldn't be a Murthy anymore. Instead, she was about to become the wife of a stranger, someone she had barely met, just a handful of times.

Is this really happening? she wondered, her heart pounding. Marrying a stranger — but this isn't like the arranged marriages I've heard of. There's no warmth, no hope, only cold reality.

Yes, arranged marriages often meant marrying a stranger. But this? This was different. This was cold, transactional, filled with fear and uncertainty.

Nandini swallowed hard, trying to steady the growing lump of anxiety lodged in her throat.

How did I come to this? How did my life shrink to just this moment? I'm leaving behind everything — my family, my home, my past. And for what? To save someone else's honor? Her hands trembled slightly.

"Come out!" Manik's voice was sharp, breaking through her spiraling thoughts.

Reluctantly, she stepped out of the car. Manik led the way, opened the apartment door, and walked inside, closing it firmly behind him. He motioned for her to stand beside him, his smirk telling her he was in control.

He acts like this is a game — like I'm just a prize to be claimed. But I'm not... I'm scared, so scared.

Without warning, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, carried her to the bedroom, and gently but firmly threw her onto the bed.

Manik turned, locked the door, and faced her. Nandini, trembling, tried to crawl away, her heart racing with fear.

Before she could get up, she felt his weight press down, pinning her beneath him.

She instinctively covered her chest with her hands.

"Move your hands, Nandu," Manik commanded.

She shook her head, refusing.

"Move them," he repeated, more insistently.

When she didn't comply, he grasped her wrists, pinning her hands above her head. His body pressed against hers, invading her space as he leaned closer. Then he captured her lower lip between his teeth, biting down hard. A sharp cry escaped her lips.

Manik's eyes flickered down to her heaving chest, his thumb tracing slow, possessive circles along her cleavage. His fingers drifted lower, pressing against the cups of her blouse.

Tears welled in Nandini's eyes, her skin crawling with shame and disgust.

How can I let this happen? she thought, panic rising. I barely know him. Why am I here, lying in his bed, letting him touch me like this?

She hardly knew this man, yet here she was — lying in his bed, allowing him to take control. The bitter truth was simple: she was sacrificing herself to save the man who had given her shelter, who had become her protector. The debt she owed weighed heavy on her soul.

I owe him everything... but at what cost?

She closed her eyes tightly, cursing her fate.

Suddenly, Manik's weight shifted, lifting from her. His breath ghosted over her ear as he whispered, voice low and husky, sending chills down her spine.

"Get used to this. From now on, every night, you're going to experience it."

His lips brushed hers in a quick, possessive peck.

He slid down beside her, locking the bedroom door with a final click.

"Come here," he commanded, his voice firm.

Nandini swallowed, numb and scared, but obeyed. He pulled her close, making her lie against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

I'm trapped... but there's a strange comfort in his arms.  Or is it just the desperation to hold on to something — anything?

"Don't worry," he murmured, his voice softening, "we're not doing anything tonight. Just be comfortable."

He kissed her lips again, tender but commanding.

"Tomorrow, you'll complete our unfinished business. For now... get some rest."

Nandini closed her eyes, tears silently falling, as the weight of what was to come settled on her heart.

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