Advika struggled to free her wrist, but Anay's grip was so strong that she couldn't move an inch. His fingers were clenched so tightly around her delicate wrist that bruises from the pressure were already beginning to show.
"Let go of my hand…"
"I didn't hold it to let go."
"It's time for me to go home. Let me leave."
Anay looked at her for a moment and then said, "Serve me dinner." Saying that, he let her go and walked towards his room.
Advika looked at her wrist, where the marks of his fingers were clearly visible.
"I hate you, Thakur… All of you Thakurs are the same — ruthless, arrogant, thinking of others as beneath you."
She glanced once towards Anay's room and then walked out.
Neither of them realized that Thakurain (Anay's mother) had seen them that close and stood still, having witnessed it all.
When Advika didn't return for a long time, Anay got up and went to the kitchen himself. Seeing him, all the servants lined up. He glanced around the kitchen, but Advika was nowhere in sight. Just then, a voice came from behind — Thakurain stood there.
"Looking for someone, Lalla?"
"No…" Anay said, walking out.
"Stop, Anay," Thakurain called out.
When he turned, she pulled him into a room.
"What is it, Amma? I have important work."
"And what is that important work? That girl — Advika?"
Anay looked at her blankly.
"Tell me... it's her, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's her. And it will always be her."
"Anay… you're crossing the line… If your father finds out, that girl's life will be in danger."
"She won't get a scratch. If he's the village head, then I'm his son."
"What is it about that girl that you like her so much? There are many more worthy…"
"Amma, I'm saying this once, don't ever say it again. That girl is not just any girl — she is Anay Thakur's love. His first and last love."
"Anay… will you go against your own father for a girl?"
Thakurain's voice trembled with worry.
Anay replied without blinking, "I'll go against the whole world, Amma…"
Saying this, he walked out, while Thakurain sat down on the bed with her head in her hands.
She knew her son's stubborn nature well. Once he made up his mind, no one could stop him.
And on the other side — Sarpanch ji, his obstinate temperament, his need to rule.
He wanted to marry Anay to Tanvi — now his own son had stood in his way.
Dust rose on the muddy path. Advika and Mauli were walking back home from the edge of the village.
The smell of fields filled the air, there was silence in the wind, and rocky dirt crunched beneath their feet.
Suddenly, a jeep sped in and halted in front of them, raising a cloud of dust.
Mauli stepped back in fear, and Advika froze where she stood.
The door opened, and Anay Thakur stepped out, rolling up the sleeves of his kurta.
"Chhote Thakur…" Mauli's voice quivered, her face showing clear fear.
Anay didn't say a word. He walked straight up to Advika and gripped her arm tightly, pulling her towards him.
His eyes burned with rage.
"Since when did you start disobeying me?" His voice was heavy.
Advika stared into his eyes and replied coldly,
"I work in your house… not as a slave.
I have my working hours… I don't work outside of that."
Mauli, trembling, said, "Didi… what are you saying…"
Anay then let go of Advika's hand and scratched his brow.
He turned to Mauli and said,
"Leave."
Mauli looked confused. "But Didi…"
"Get lost!"
Anay's voice thundered, and Mauli stepped back in fear.
Advika immediately stepped forward and said,
"Stop scaring her!"
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Anay calmed down a bit and said,
"Come back… serve me dinner.
Then I'll drop you home myself."
Advika replied even more sharply,
"My working hours are over, Thakur sahib…
So I won't go."
Anay looked at Advika, then at the trembling Mauli.
In Mauli's eyes was the kind of fear one might see in a tiny bird caught in front of a wild beast.
As soon as Anay's harsh gaze landed on her, she instinctively stepped back.
The next moment, Anay grabbed Advika's hand and forcefully dragged her toward the jeep.
"Get in the Jeep."
"Absolutely not," Advika replied through gritted teeth.
"My mind's already a mess… don't push it further… get in the Jeep!" Anay growled.
"If your mind's messed up, go get it treated," Advika said, pushing him in the chest.
Anay lost control. He grabbed her hand again and yanked her toward him.
Looking straight into his eyes, Advika said,
"Why do you keep pulling me toward you… is it pleasure you're after?"
At her burned, seething question, Anay's face flushed red.
And in the next moment… a hard slap.
Advika's face turned to the side. Silence fell.
Then Anay's fists started trembling — with rage, and guilt.
But Advika smiled… with sarcasm, with contempt, and said,
"What happened? It was okay when you were doing it, but now that I said it, it hurt you?"
Anay's breathing grew heavy.
"You see lust in my eyes? Huh?
Peel away this layer of anger and look again…
It's only and only love for you."
Advika shot him a sharp look and replied,
"And in my eyes, there's only hatred… for you."
Anay's fists clenched again…
But this time, he stayed silent.
To be continued.....