Three Days Later
The entire mansion had taken on the air of a festival. Anay's maternal aunt's daughter, Preeti, was getting married — and the wedding was to be held from their haveli itself. Thakurain was bustling around, overseeing every preparation with excitement.
Anay had recovered and had begun stepping out again, though family functions were never his favorite.
"Advika, just check if Preeti's room is ready… our girl should be arriving any moment," Thakurain called out.
"Yes, Thakurain…" Advika replied and went off to check on the cleanliness and decorations of Preeti's room.
Just then, Anay entered the haveli.
"Amma…" he called out as he walked in.
"Yes, son?" Thakurain responded.
"I left my watch in the room… could you have someone bring it?"
Thakurain was about to go herself when she spotted Advika carrying some items towards Preeti's room.
"Oh Advika, listen…" she called out.
Anay's eyes too instinctively lifted and fixed on her.
"Yes…" Advika paused.
"Anay's watch is in his room, please bring it for him."
Advika glanced at Anay for a brief moment, then turned and walked silently inside.
Thakurain got busy with other chores. Meanwhile, Anay quickly moved towards the room.
Just as Advika came out with the watch, she collided into him.
"You… you're so impatient…" Advika said, startled, holding out the watch. "I was bringing it…"
"I have plenty of patience," Anay said, grabbing her wrist and pushing her gently against the wall, "otherwise I wouldn't have waited so long for one answer."
"Stay within your limits!" Advika snapped in anger.
"Just give me one right — I'll cross all limits," Anay whispered, moving in closer.
"Back off!" Advika shoved him away.
Lifting her chin, Anay said softly,
"What's lacking in me? Tell me… I'll change."
Advika looked into his eyes, then looked away.
"I'm not so bad, am I? That you won't even look at me once? Tell me — what's missing?"
Her face hardened.
"What will you change…? Your blood? That filthy blood that carries screams of so many innocent lives? You want me to give my life to a man who's taken so many? Want me to become the wife of someone who's left countless women widowed? Want me to wear bangles from the same hands that shattered others'? Rule a heart that's made of stone? Look at a face where I see nothing but a killer?"
Anay said nothing. He stood there, silent.
Advika smirked bitterly and shoved him hard, heading out — but Anay grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.
She stumbled right into his chest.
For a few moments, only the sound of their breaths filled the silence.
Staring deep into her eyes, Anay said:
"Yes, I admit… I've done horrible things.
Taken lives, broken homes…
Destroyed the hopes of many women.
But now… I want to change.
Only for you, Advika.
Give me one chance…
And I promise, I'll become exactly the man you want me to be…"
Advika let out a scornful laugh and jerked her hand away.
"Oh wow…
Since when did a vulture want to walk like a swan?"
There was pain in Anay's eyes. But he didn't give up.
In a quiet but firm voice, he said:
"I know… it's hard to believe…
But I'm trying —
Trying to fix every fault you've pointed out.
But if you don't show me, don't explain,
how will I ever know what needs to change?
Yes, I'm a little thick-headed.
I take time to understand things,
I lose my temper easily…
But if you guide me, I'll learn.
Even God gives second chances, Advika…"
"And I'm not God… I'm human."
Advika snapped her wrist free, turned, and quickly walked away.
Anay's voice rang behind her —
"Just listen to one thing, Advika… You are mine.
Even if I have to wait a lifetime for you… I will.
I won't let you belong to anyone else,
and I won't let anyone else take your place.
This heart… this space…
It's only for you.
And it will always be yours…
Even if I have to die for it."
Advika froze for a moment.
She slowly turned and looked back at Anay.
His eyes were filled with pain… and determination. But she said nothing.
She quickly turned again and walked away.
Anay too stepped outside. Standing there was Shrey — who had seen him coming for a while.
Without saying a word, Shrey started the jeep.
Anay sat beside him. Shrey gave him a glance, then focused on the road and drove off.
Silence hung between them…
But within that silence, so much had already been said.
The Next Day
The haveli was buzzing with activity. Preeti's in-laws were coming over for the engagement. All the arrangements were handled by the Sarpanch and Thakurain themselves. Preeti sat in her room, dressed and adorned. Anay had no emotional connection with her, so he hadn't even gone to meet her. He sat quietly in his room, engrossed in some paperwork.
Preeti's in-laws were from another village where the Sarpanch stood to gain a strong political alliance. Initially, they had wanted to get Anay married to the Sarpanch's daughter, but Anay had firmly refused. With no other option, they had fixed Preeti's match instead. Everyone knew Anay's stubborn nature — once he decided something, there was no turning back.
The guests arrived, and the Sarpanch personally welcomed them. Anay remained in his room, unconcerned.
Advika was surprised by his indifference. His sister's engagement was happening, yet he was secluded in his room. But she didn't feel like confronting him… or maybe she was avoiding him altogether.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Advika was preparing tea.
Just then, a girl walked past the kitchen.
Her stride was confident, her eyes proud, and her voice full of authority.
She asked a maid,
"Hey, which room is Anay Thakur's?"
"Small Thakur doesn't like anyone entering his room," the maid replied politely.
"And I'm not just anyone… I'm his future wife — the queen of this house, got it?" the girl said with a toss of her head.
Advika's pace of making tea slowed.
She looked up at the girl.
She was wearing a light pink saree, the blouse was so small that most of her waist was exposed. It was backless, revealing her full back. Her face was beautiful, and made even more so with makeup.
Suddenly, the girl turned to Advika with scorn in her eyes and sarcasm on her lips.
"You tell me — which one is Anay Thakur's room?" she asked in a slow, deliberate voice.
Advika silently pointed.
The girl laughed,
"What, are you mute?"
Then she picked up a cup of tea from the tray and said while sipping it,
"Let me taste it first… they say sharing someone's drink makes love grow stronger, right?"
After a slow sip, she fixed her eyes on Advika —
"You're good at your job… the tea's quite nice.
After marriage, I'll keep you here as a servant."
Advika didn't respond. There was a flicker in her eyes —
She knew what was coming wasn't drama… it was a storm.
She knew Anay Thakur wasn't an ordinary man…
The one who never even allowed a shadow into his room —
and here this 'queen' was walking in with a used cup of tea.
The girl confidently marched to Anay's room and entered without knocking.
Anay was immersed in papers. Hearing movement, he looked up —
His brows furrowed as soon as he saw the stranger.
"Who are you?"
His voice was cold… and laced with warning.
The girl smiled,
"I'm Tanvi… daughter of the Sarpanch from Madhopur… your future wife—"
"What do you want?"
Anay cut her off sharply.
"You didn't come out, so—" her laugh was sweet,
But Anay's eyes had turned steely —
"So you barged into someone's room just like that? Didn't your parents teach you any manners?"
"Tha…Thakur sir…" the girl stammered slightly.
"Say Mr. Thakur,"
Anay's gaze now burned with irritation.
"But Thakur sa—"
"I won't repeat myself…"
Anay growled.
"I just came to give tea…"
"Did I ask for it?"
Anay stood up, his voice now loud —
"No? Then take your tea and get out.
Don't show your face here again."
The girl stuttered,
"But the tea…"
"Get lost!"
Anay's roar echoed through the haveli.
In the kitchen, Advika's hands trembled slightly… but then a faint, unknown smile played on her lips.
Tanvi stormed out of Anay's room, her face burning with humiliation.
She threw the cup on the floor with a loud crash.
As soon as her eyes met Advika's in the kitchen, her frustration boiled over.
"Oh, you're laughing now?" she shouted.
Advika calmly looked up and said in a cold, clear tone —
"If it feels that way, maybe it's your eyes at fault…"
Tanvi's face turned crimson. She stepped forward, furious —
"You're a servant! Not the mistress… who do you think you are? Your worth is nothing!"
Advika replied without a single flinch —
"For now, both of us have the same worth — being human."
"How dare you! How dare you compare yourself to me?"
Tanvi stomped.
"Do you even know who I am? My name is Tanvi Rathore! Soon to become Tanvi Anay Thakur!"
Her face gleamed with arrogance —
"My father is the village Sarpanch. He owns thousands of acres. And you? What do you have?"
Advika stared at her for a moment and replied peacefully —
"Everything you named belongs to your father.
What have you earned on your own?"
Tanvi fumed —
"I don't need to earn anything! My father has it all, and it's all mine! And the Sarpanch himself wants this alliance…
Sooner or later, Anay Thakur will have to agree. He never disobeys his father!"
Advika remained silent for a while, then said with a soft smile —
"Your confidence is admirable…
But convincing Thakur sa is going to be a bit tough."
Tanvi narrowed her eyes and said —
"The things that are tough…
Are the ones that are the most fun."
Advika's eyes darkened with depth —
"Sometimes those very things… can also start a fire."
Tanvi stared at her.
Too be Continued....