Chapter 5
1087 Words
Ishita's POV
The Malhotra mansion looked like a dream.
Rows of fresh marigolds decorated every entrance. Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light across the grand hall. Outside, workers put the finishing touches on the beautifully decorated wedding mandap while photographers tested their cameras.
Tomorrow...
She was supposed to become Mrs. Ishita Kapoor.
Any other girl would have been overjoyed.
But Ishita wasn't.
She stood on the balcony of her bedroom, staring into the night sky. The cool breeze brushed against her face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her heart.
A soft vibration came from her phone.
Baru Calling...
She answered immediately.
"Hello."
"Did your mother agree?" Baru asked anxiously.
Ishita's eyes filled with tears.
"No."
"She slapped me."
"She said I have no choice."
There was silence on the other end.
Then Baru sighed.
"I expected that."
"What do we do now?" Ishita whispered.
"We run."
She closed her eyes.
"Baru..."
"I can't."
"You can."
"If you marry Ranbir Kapoor, you'll never be mine."
"I don't want to lose you."
Neither did she.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I know."
"But love isn't enough."
His voice became more serious.
"We'll need money."
She frowned.
"Money?"
"How do you think we'll survive after we leave?"
"We'll need a place to stay."
"We'll need to start a business."
"We'll need enough money so your family can't force you back."
Ishita remained silent.
"I've thought of everything," Baru continued.
"There's only one way."
"What way?"
"Take a loan."
"In your father's name."
Ishita's eyes widened.
"What?"
"You told me your father signs dozens of business papers every week."
"He'll never notice."
"We'll repay everything once our business succeeds."
She bit her lower lip.
"It feels wrong."
"It isn't stealing."
"It's borrowing."
"For our future."
"For our family."
His words slowly broke down her hesitation.
"If you really love me..."
"...trust me."
After a long silence...
She whispered,
"...Alright."
A satisfied smile spread across Baru's face.
"I'll wait for you."
---
The next afternoon, while Rajesh was busy receiving business associates and wedding guests, Ishita quietly slipped away.
She carried forged documents she had secretly prepared over the past week.
Everything happened so quickly.
A signature.
A few stamps.
Several forms.
Within an hour...
The loan was approved.
The money was transferred.
She stared at the confirmation message on her phone.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
This was the point of no return.
---
That night...
Long after everyone had gone to sleep...
Ishita packed a large travel bag.
She carefully folded a few expensive clothes, some jewelry, and the cash she had withdrawn from the loan.
Finally, she sat at her dressing table.
Picking up a pen, she began writing.
«Mum...
Dad...
I'm sorry.
I know you'll never forgive me.
But I cannot marry someone I don't love.
By the time you read this, Baru and I will already be gone.
Please don't look for me.
I have taken a loan in Dad's name.
I promise I'll repay every single rupee one day.
Forgive me if you can.
— Ishita»
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She folded the letter and placed it neatly on the dressing table.
Without another glance...
She climbed over the balcony railing.
Below, Baru waited in a car with the engine running.
As she climbed in beside him, he smiled.
"You chose us."
She nodded, trying to ignore the guilt in her heart.
The car disappeared into the darkness.
---
Preeta's POV
The next morning...
The Malhotra mansion came alive before sunrise.
Servants hurried through every hallway carrying trays of flowers, sweets, and gifts.
Relatives filled the house with laughter.
Outside, musicians began playing festive wedding songs.
Preeta had been awake since four o'clock.
She helped the decorators, welcomed arriving relatives, arranged gift baskets, and made sure every guest had tea.
Not once did she complain.
Shalu watched her from across the courtyard and sighed.
"You work harder than anyone."
Preeta smiled gently.
"If today goes well, everyone will be happy."
"And that's enough for me."
Just then...
The sound of drums echoed outside.
"They're here!"
"The Kapoor family has arrived!"
Cheers erupted throughout the mansion.
Guests rushed toward the entrance.
Luxury cars slowly pulled into the driveway.
Photographers crowded around them.
Television reporters adjusted their microphones.
One whispered excitedly,
"The wedding of billionaire heir Ranbir Kapoor and Ishita Malhotra is about to begin."
Inside the lead car, Ranbir stepped out wearing an elegant cream sherwani.
His expression remained calm.
His eyes revealed nothing.
Savitri Kapoor smiled proudly.
"My grandson looks every bit the groom."
Neha adjusted his stole with a mother's affection.
"You look handsome."
Ranbir simply nodded.
Meanwhile...
Inside the bridal wing...
Sunita smiled as she pushed open the bedroom door.
"Ishita."
"It's time."
Silence.
She frowned.
"Ishita?"
The room was empty.
The balcony doors were open.
The curtains danced in the wind.
A terrible feeling settled in her chest.
Then she noticed the letter.
Her hands trembled as she unfolded it.
With every line she read...
The colour drained from her face.
"No..."
"This can't be..."
The paper slipped from her fingers.
Her scream echoed through the entire mansion.
Rajesh came running.
"What happened?"
Unable to speak, Sunita pointed toward the letter.
Rajesh read it once.
Then again.
His knees almost gave way.
Before either of them could recover, his phone rang.
It was the bank.
The manager politely confirmed the massive loan approved in Rajesh Malhotra's name and reminded him of the repayment terms.
Rajesh stared at the phone in horror.
His daughter hadn't just disappeared.
She had left behind a financial disaster.
Downstairs, the wedding band played louder.
A servant rushed upstairs, out of breath.
"Sir... the Kapoor family is asking for the bride."
"The reporters are beginning to ask questions."
"If the ceremony doesn't begin soon..."
Rajesh slowly lowered himself into a chair.
His hands shook uncontrollably.
If the truth came out now...
The Malhotra family would become the scandal of the year.
His business would collapse.
His reputation would be destroyed.
And the Kapoor family would never forgive them.
Just then...
A gentle knock sounded on the half-open door.
Preeta stepped inside.
She looked from her father to Sunita, confused by the fear on their faces.
"Ma..."
"Papa..."
"The priest is asking if the bride is ready."
"Is everything alright?"
Rajesh slowly lifted his tear-filled eyes toward the daughter he had spent twenty-four years rejecting.
For the first time...
He saw her not as a burden...
But as his family's only hope.
- Writer
