𝟔. 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲.

Two days passed by in a blur after Arush's proposal. I was quite upset, as it was an unexpected proposal. Rejecting him brought a lot of humiliation in college, but thankfully Navya stood by my side through it all. Today, Ria also returned from her trip.

I told her everything about Arush's proposal, but I kept my marriage a secret. It's just a six-month contract, after which I'll be free. I don't think I should tell my friends about it for two reasons: first, everything will end in six months, and I can manage until then; second, that psycho threatened me that no one should know about our marriage.

So, of course, I won't tell anyone because I need to protect my friends' lives and his too. If Navya and Ria found out my marriage, they wouldn't spare him, and if he found out, he wouldn't spare me.

Yes, I need to protect all four of us from each other. I'm trying to find a way to make him kick me out of his house and life, but I haven't found any way yet.

Right now, I was sitting at Navya's house. I didn't mention it, but today Navya told me that Arush apologized for his behavior and now wants to invite me to a party.

There's a party in Bangalore tonight, and he's going to be there. He probably wants to talk to me. I didn't want to go, but Navya insisted, so I had to say yes.

I was lost in my thoughts when a stern voice broke through my reverie. "Navya, Aarini, are you both ready?" Turning towards the stairs, I saw Bhatt Uncle heading towards us.

Mr. Bhatt, the owner of Bhatt Group, is known for his strict personality.

He approached us and said, "If you're going to that party, be careful. Important people will be there." His concern for us was evident.

"Don't worry, Dad. We are adults," Navya replied.

"Alright, let's go then," he said, and walked away.

Navya and I got up from the sofa and followed him.

I was in my room, putting on my black blazer from the bed, when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said, as I continued to wear the blazer.

The door opened, and Kaden, my Russian manager, entered the room. Kaden is a trained fighter and a highly capable manager who had been with me since Russia.

"Boss, it's time to go," Kaden said.

"Hmm, Kaden, I'll be there in two minutes," I replied.

"Okay, boss," Kaden said and left the room.

I put on my watch, picked up my phone from the table, and headed to the party where I would confront my enemies. I spent the entire journey formulating my plans.

When we arrived at the party venue, my eyes widened in surprise. The party was arranged in a large hotel hall, with a massive stage in the center and two bar counters on either side. Above the stage, a chandelier with yellow lights illuminated the space. The theme of the hall was black and red, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere, and large round glass tables for drinks were scattered throughout the hall.

Mr. Bhatt was walking ahead of us, and we followed behind him. He left us at a reserved table and went to meet his business partners.

I was growing bored from sipping soft drinks.

"Navya, I'm getting bored," I said.

"Yeah, like I'm having a blast," she teased, never missing a chance to poke fun at me.

"Shut up, you said it would be fun," I retorted. She had convinced me to come by promising it would be enjoyable, but this party was turning out to be quite boring-at least for me. I never enjoyed parties much; they always seemed dull. I preferred focusing on studying and working.

"It seemed like it would be," Navya said, grabbing my hand. "Come on, let's have a drink."

Was she crazy? Sure, I worked at a bar, but that didn't mean I was addicted to drinks.In fact, I had never touched them.

"No way, I'm not like you. I need to get home," I tried to pull my hand away.

"Oh right, I forgot I came to this party with you," she said, making a funny face.

I couldn't help but laugh at Navya's comment.

Just then, the sound of tapping caught my attention. I looked towards the stage, where a man was testing the microphone.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen," he began. Everyone's attention turned to him.

He continued, "Thank you all for coming here on our unknown invitation. However, I didn't organize this party. I would like to call on stage the person who did. Please welcome one of Asia's top 10 business magnets Mister Vivian Ahuja."

Did I hear correctly? Vivian Ahuja, the man I married? No, no, Aarini, you must be mistaken.

Suddenly, the screech of tires filled the hall. I turned my head towards the entrance.

Three black cars had stopped at the entrance of the hall. Three men emerged from the first car. Oh god, it was Raj, Rahul, and Kaden, Vivian's managers.

Bodyguards started getting out of the third car. When Raj opened the back seat door, my heart raced.

Vivian shouldn't be here.

And yet, it was exactly as I feared. It was Vivian Ahuja stepping out of the back seat. He was dressed in a three-piece black suit, a branded watch on his left hand, a gold eagle ring, and shiny black shoes.

Don't judge me; he's my so-called husband, so I notice every detail about him.

My eyes remained fixed on him, and I didn't realize when he had reached the stage.

My attention broke when the applause for him filled the hall.

"Oh god, he's so handsome," I muttered.

"Aarini, did you say something?" Navya asked, probably hearing my muttering.

I shook my head while still staring at Vivian.

The man on the stage spoke into the mic, "Welcome to India, Mister Vivian Ahuja."

A girl on the stage handed the mic to Vivian.

Looking at the man, Vivian said into the mic, "I appreciate it, Amit." Then, looking at the everyone, he added, "Now I want to introduce my younger brother, Vedant Ahuja."

What? His younger brother?

As soon as Vedant arrived, applause filled the hall. Vivian's announcement had already left me stunned, and now Vedant's arrival added another layer of surprise. I was bewildered.

Another red car pulled up at the gate of the hall. Vedant stepped out, towering at about 6 feet tall, dressed sharply in a grey suit. He looked incredibly handsome. Two bodyguards trailed behind him as he made his way to the stage, walking confidently along the red carpet.

"Oh God, he's so hot." Navya seemed to be smitten by him.

But my heart was urging me to cry. There was a mix of emotions in the air, with another one coming in for the humiliation.

So finally, my younger brother, whom I had called from Russia and for whom this party was arranged, arrived. He walked towards me from the red carpet.

"Has he arrived?" he asked, hugging me.

"No, not yet. No news so far," I replied, my voice barely audible.

"If he doesn't come, then what about the diamonds?" he asked.

I cut him off, "Later. Now enjoy the party."

Vedant took the mic from Amit and looked towards me, saying, "Thank you, bro."

Then, looking at Amit, he said, "Thanks, Mister Amit."

Amit raised a wine glass and said into the mic, "Cheers, everyone. Now enjoy the party."

Vedant and I descended from the stage and walked towards a table. Waiters served drinks on our table.

Vedant lifted a wine glass from the table, took a sip, and asked, "Any updates?"

"Nothing yet, but we'll find out. My eyes are on every person standing here," I replied, taking a sip of wine.

"If he doesn't show up, our entire plan will be ruined, bro," Vedant said.

"This party was organized for a purpose, and that purpose will be fulfilled. He will come," I reassured him.

Then, I heard a knock, and I looked towards the stage. A guy was checking the mic.

He gave a sly smile and said, "Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Mister Ahuja, for inviting us."

What nonsense!

Then, addressing everyone in the hall, he said, "So let's make your party even more special."Saying this, he turned his head and looked at someone. My gaze also followed his.

Fuck Fuck Fuck !!

What is she doing here among these men's?

My Contracted wife, dressed in a red off-shoulder gown, looked stunning.

The off-shoulder gown highlighted her beauty bone, her long black hair touching her waist as if they yearned for it. Her eyes accentuated with kohl, were enough to cast a spell and red lips were adorned with nude lipstick. She wore bangles on her right hand, and a watch on her left .

She looks absolutely stunning.

Every person who came to the party had their eyes fixed on her, looking at her as if she were some exquisite dish, observed through their lustful eyes.

Seeing her, I remembered that she had asked for permission to attend a party today, and this was indeed my party for which she had sought permission.

Why didn't she tell me that she was asking permission to come to this party?

The guy said, "We have a very beautiful lady, a beautiful singer among us, so get ready to hear her mesmerizing voice."

Then, gesturing towards her, he said, "So welcome to the beautiful lady, Miss Aarini." My gaze was fixed on her. She seemed scared, and I could feel the hidden fear in her eyes. She clutched her gown tightly in her fist.

"Come, Miss Aarini," the guy said again.

She was extremely scared; her eyes widened in astonishment. She took hesitant steps and walked onto the stage, trembling.

As the lights dimmed and the spotlight fell on her, her face gleamed like the moon. Her innocent eyes, filled with fear, and trembling lips, ready to sing, made her look like a frightened nymph. And my gaze was solely fixed on her.

"She is so beautiful," Vedant said, looking at her.

"Hmm," I replied .

Yes, she was indeed beautiful.

The guy handed her the mic and stepped down from the stage. She brought the mic close to her trembling lips and started singing.

Tu jo mila, sab mil gaya

Dil ki namaazein jaake

Pahunchi falak se aage

Toh jaake paaya tujhko

Mere rehnuma...

Mujhko mera Rabb mil gaya

Baahon se aage tere

Duniya nahi hai meri

Rakhle yahin tu mujhko

Mere rehnuma...

Her voice was like a sweet melody playing in my ears. I've never been a fan of songs because I'm severely allergic to them, whether they are in English or Hindi. But for the first time, I found myself enjoying someone's singing so much.

Jo naa bhaaye, teri nazar ko

Dekhungi naa main phir woh nazara

Tu jo mile toh, chhod doon khud ko

Tujhme kahin hai mera kinaara

Bas tu hi tu mujhe yaad hai

Dil ki namaazein jaake

Pahunchi falak se aage

Toh jaake paaya tujhko

Mere rehnuma...

Guzri hoon jab se, main tere dar se

Hasne lagi hoon main, khul ke rehbar

Dard se tere rista juda toh

Ab muskuraate hai mere manjar

Haan.. Rabb ki mujhe saugaat hai

The trembling of her lips as she hummed was incredibly beautiful. There was some kind of magic or intoxication in her voice that I could feel, and everyone present at the party seemed lost in her voice, just like me.

Dil ki namaazein jaake

Pahunchi falak se aage

Toh jaake paaya tujhko

Mere rehnuma...

Baahon se aage tere

Duniya nahi hai meri

Rakhle yahin tu mujhko

Mere rehnuma...

After the song ended, she was descending from the stage, adjusting her gown, when a man emerged from the crowd and grabbed her hand.

What I feared had happened.

I wanted to teach him a lesson, even broken all his bones if I could. But this wasn't my problem. She had come here herself, and now she should handle her own problems.

She was trying to free her hand now, but it seemed the man's grip was too strong.

"What's going on there? How can someone behave like this with an innocent girl?" Vedant said, looking towards him. My gaze was fixed on him too.

"I'll break his jaw right now!" Vedant said, walking towards the stage.

If he hadn't gone, I would have definitely gone to rescue her. Because I don't like anyone eyeing my things, and this guy had even touched my wife.

I was extremely scared when this man grabbed my hand and tried to stop.

Trembling with fear, my mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. The man's grip on my hand felt like a vice, squeezing tighter with each passing moment. Panic surged through me as I struggled to free myself, but his hold only tightened, crushing my hopes of escape.

"How soft are your hands, baby doll," the man said, squeezing my palm.

My feet froze in place. Watching his actions, tears welled up in my eyes. This man seemed very rich, and you can't trust such rich people; they don't respect anyone's dignity.

I tried to free my wrist, but his grip was too strong. Hearing his words, people at the party started laughing shamelessly. I felt extremely embarrassed.

"Please, leave my hand,"I pleaded, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. But his grip remained firm, his face contorted with anger as he asserted his dominance over me.

"Why the rush, baby doll?" the man said with a smile, pulling my hand as he descended the stairs from the stage.

I felt helpless, trapped in a nightmare from which I couldn't wake. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I stared into the abyss of uncertainty. Each passing second felt like an eternity, the weight of his presence suffocating me with its intensity.

I had just taken a step when someone came and put their hand on ours.

The man turned back, "Who are you, huh?" he said, looking at the person.

I also followed the man's gaze and turned back to see my brother Aditya standing there.

How and why he came here, I didn't know, but seeing him made tears flow from my eyes.

"Leave her hand," my brother tightened his grip.

"Who the hell are you?" the man said.

"I said leave her hand," my brother glared at him now.

"I won't let go," the man said, anger evident on his face.

And anger blazed in my brother's eyes. Before I could understand anything, my brother delivered a powerful punch to the man's jaw, causing him to release my hand and fall straight to the ground.

It was indeed a powerful punch.

"Are you okay?" he asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Tears streamed down my eyes, blurring my vision. It had been so many years since I last saw him. The last time I saw him was at the orphanage. After that, I left everything behind and started a new chapter of my life.

I nodded and hugged him tightly.

He gently stroking my hair.

"I'm here now, Arini. Don't worry. Stop crying." He tried to soothe me.

"Thank you, Bhai, for saving me." I said, sobbing against his chest .

He placed his hand my shoulder and gently separated me from himself . I looked up at his face .

"Wait, let me give him the punishment he deserves." He said glaring at the man. My eyes widened.

My brother walked over to the man, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him up from the floor. He then landed another powerful punch on his jaw. My eyes widened further.

And my brother?

He continued to rain punches on him until the man was half-dead, lying on the floor.

Kneeling down, my brother grabbed his collar and said, "How dare you touch her?"

Then he stood up and addressed everyone, "You should all drown yourselves in shame. A girl's dignity was being toyed with, and all of you just watched. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Hearing his words, everyone lowered their eyes in shame. He came back to me, took my hand, and said, "Let's get out of here." He pulled me away, and I followed him with unsteady steps.

To Be Continued. . .