Armaan and Rahul lay in bed at the crack of dawn. Rahul was
awake staring at the ceiling above while Armaan continued to sleep. He lay
there thinking; thinking about everything that had happened. His train of
thought was interrupted by loud knocking below.
"Who could it be?" He got out of bed and walked down the stairs;
the knocking getting louder with each step he took. As he approached the door,
the knocking stopped. A folded piece of paper was slipped under the door. Rahul
bent down and picked it up. He opened the door and looked outside; no one. The
street was empty.
He shut the door and turned around looking at the paper in
his hand. Unfolding it, he realized it was a letter. He quickly skimmed over it
and as soon as he finished, he ran up the stairs.
"Armaan!" Rahul shook Armaan awake from his sleep. "You must see
this." He handed the paper to Armaan once he sat up.
"What is this?" Armaan yawned sleepily trying to keep his eyes
open.
"Just read." Rahul directed him while pushing his hands up.
Armaan rubbed his eyes and then started to read the letter.
"Armaan, whatever you must do to prevent the wedding must be
done fast." He glanced at Rahul who gestured for him to continue reading.
"Shilpa's marriage to Vivek has been fixed for the late afternoon of the day
when he returns to the town with his father." He looked at Rahul once again. "That
is this coming week!" Armaan looked back down at the paper. "Please do something
quick. Shilpa is broken. Muskaan." Armaan held his head in his hands after he
finished. "What am I to do!"
"Little brother, our plan. If it is successful, he will never
make it to the wedding." Rahul reminded him.
"We must be more careful now though. If Shilpa is due to marry
him, then she along with her family will be present at the arrival!" Armaan said
exasperated. Rahul gave it a thought before nodding and agreeing what Armaan
had said.
"That is quite true." Rahul sighed. "We must find a way to keep
her as far away from them as possible. Do you know if any of our men will be
disguised as one of them?" Armaan thought for a moment. "If you do, he can be
asked to remain near Shilpa and her family to ensure their safety."
"That is a brilliant idea, brother. However I am not sure if
there will be anyone there."
"We can surely ask." Rahul pointed out. "I am Shashank will
understand if we express our concerns."
"Then it is settled. We shall meet with him." Armaan declared.
----
"Shilpa, my dear, are you not excited for your wedding?" She
lifted her gaze from the ground to her mother.
"Not at all, mother." She gave a cold glare to her and lowered
her gaze once again. Her mother simply shrugged and continued admiring the fine
ornaments being displayed before her. All sorts of charms and jewels were laid
out to be worn by the soon-to-be bride.
"Vivek is such a kind man, sending us these..." Her mother spoke
in a heavenly tone and she held up a necklace. "They must be quite expensive!"
"If you think so benignly of him, why do you not marry him." Shilpa
sarcastically muttered under her breath, not taking any particular interest in
any of the fine jewelries.
"What is that, my dear?" Her perplexed mother turned around and asked.
"Nothing, mother." Shilpa displayed a false smile on her lips
and then looked away. "Mother, this is uninteresting. May I go to Muskaan?"
"You are not allowed to leave the house, Shilpa." She said,
still caught up with all the jewels.
"But it is right down the alley! It is not far." Shilpa argued. "I'll
be back before nightfall." Her mother sighed dropping her hands onto her lap.
"If you must, then go. I still do not understand why you are
being so unpleasant about this wedding." Shilpa stood up and began to walk to
the door.
"I do not understand why you don't wish for your daughter's
happiness." Shilpa coldly said before shutting the door behind her. She stepped
down from the doorway and began to stroll down the alley. It was quite deserted
except for the few passer-byers. She turned the corner and walked into the
shadows approaching Muskaan's front door. But before she was able to reach it,
she felt a tug on her arm and then a hand wrap around her slender waist as she
was pulled into a dark corner behind a wall of crates. She was frightened at
first, but recognizing the man, she relaxed.
"My love!" Armaan gasped before taking her into a kiss. Shilpa
quickly responded back and brought her hands to his face, pulling him closer to
herself. Armaan placed his hands on either side of her waist, bringing her body
closer to him. He felt one hand hold his cheek while the other moved into his
hair. They shared a passionate kiss expressing their love for each other.
Shilpa pulled away, out of breath. One hand rested on his
shoulder, the other on his chest. Her gaze was lowered and she trembled in his
hold as his hands gently rubbed against her waist. Armaan brought his hand to
her chin and lifted her head. He smiled when his eyes captured hers. She smiled
too, but it wasn't the same as before. There was hurt in her eyes.
"I received a message from Muskaan." Armaan said. "You must tell
me," He continued, "will you be present at the arrival of Vivek and his father?"
"Yes, he has invited my family." Shilpa whispered. "I do not
wish to go, however."
"Nor do I wish for you to go." He planted a kiss on her
forehead. "I wish for you to stay here, in my arms."
"I desire the same, Armaan." Her hands wrapped around him and
she rested her head against his chest. Armaan ran his hand through the soft, black
tresses that fell onto her back.
"Shilpa, you must listen carefully." She pulled back with
questioning eyes. "The day of the arrival, a man will be with you. You must make
sure that your family and yourself remain by his side."
"What will be his name?" Shilpa asked.
"Abhi." Armaan answered. "He will keep you all safe."
"Armaan, what is it that you plan to do?" He took a step away
from her and turned slightly.
"I cannot say."
"Do not be so cold, I asked out of mere curiosity." Shilpa stepped
toward him and cupped his face, turning it to herself. "I trust you completely."
She pecked his lips and embraced him once again. He wrapped his arms around her
as well and tightened his hold.
"I must head to Muskaan's now. Mother might get suspicious and
decide to check up on me." Shilpa started to walk away but felt a pull on her
wrist. She turned around to face a smirking Armaan. "What is it?"
"I can at least walk you there, can I not?" He slid his hand
from her wrist to her palm, entwining his fingers with hers. She shyly nodded
as she saw him stop next to her. They walked together, slower than their normal
pace; enjoying each other's presence. When they stopped in front of the door, Shilpa
looked left and right.
"What is it you search for?" Armaan followed her gaze to the left
and right wondering what it is she was looking for. As he turned his head back
to face her he felt her lips on his. Armaan responded back with equal fervor.
She pulled away smiling to herself.
"I was not searching; I was assuring that no one would see me
kiss you." Shilpa looked up at him. "You know how the town would react knowing
I am to be married to another man."
"You are only mine." Armaan declared caressing her cheek as she
closed her eyes.
"And you are mine." Shilpa whispered with a small smile. "I must
go now." She stepped back but Armaan pulled her back. He lifted their joined
hands and held her hand in his. He placed a kiss onto her fair knuckles still
keeping his eyes locked with hers. Shilpa slowly slid her hand out of his. She opened
the front door and walked in.
Right before closing the door she peeked through
the crack between the door and its frame smiling at Armaan. Despite the
darkness from the shadows of the building, he didn't miss the crimson color on
her cheeks.
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