chap:-10
676 Words
Night Love
By - Eva Talukder
Chapter 10: The Forced Vow
The morning didn't bring any light into Arura’s life. Instead, it brought a nightmare. Early in the morning, the door to her room was opened not by Zayan, but by two unknown women. They were carrying a heavy, blood-red saree and expensive jewelry.
"Put this on," one of them said coldly. "Sir is waiting downstairs."
Arura’s heart sank. "What is this? Where is Zayan? I’m not wearing this!"
"You don't have a choice, miss," the other woman replied.
Arura tried to resist, but she was exhausted. They forced her to dress up. The red saree felt like a shroud of blood. The heavy gold necklace felt like a chain around her neck. When she was finally ready, they led her downstairs to the grand hall of the mansion.
The hall was decorated, but it didn't look like a wedding; it looked like a funeral. There were only a few people—a lawyer, a witness, and Zayan. Zayan was wearing a black sherwani, looking breathtakingly handsome but terrifyingly cold.
Arura: (Her voice trembling) "Zayan, what is this madness? Why are you doing this?"
Zayan: (Walking toward her, his eyes burning) "I told you yesterday, Arura. Today, everything changes. Today, you become mine legally, so the whole world knows you belong to me."
Arura: "I won't sign anything! You can't force me to marry you! This is illegal!"
Zayan: (Smirking cruelly) "In this mansion, I am the law. Look at those papers, Arura. Your mother’s shares, your freedom, your future—everything depends on your signature today."
Arura: "You are a monster! I hate you! I will always hate you!"
Zayan’s expression didn't change. He grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the table where the marriage documents were kept. Arura struggled, she tried to pull away, her bangles breaking and scratching her skin, but Zayan’s grip was like iron.
Zayan: "Sign it, Arura. Don't make me use more force than I already am."
Arura: "No! Never!"
Zayan leaned close to her ear, his voice a dark whisper. "If you don't sign this, Arura, your mother will lose everything by tomorrow morning. I will destroy her and everyone you care about. Is your 'no' worth their lives?"
Arura gasped. Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the red silk of her saree. She looked at the pen, then at the man who was destroying her life. With shaking hands, she picked up the pen. Each stroke of her signature felt like she was signing away her soul.
Once it was done, Zayan picked up the ring. He took her cold, trembling hand and forced the gold band onto her finger.
Zayan: "Now, you are Mrs. Zayan. My wife. My prisoner. My obsession."
Arura: (Whispering) "You will never have my heart, Zayan. Never."
Zayan: "I don't need your heart right now, Arura. I have your life. And that is enough for me."
The lawyer and the witnesses left quickly, feeling the suffocating tension in the room. Zayan turned to Arura, who was now sobbing on the floor, her red veil covering her face.
Zayan: "Stop crying. The wedding is over, but our night is just beginning. Get ready. We are leaving for the other house in the Black Mercedes."
Arura looked up, her eyes filled with pure disgust. She was now married to the man she hated the most. The ring on her finger felt like a brand of fire.
As they walked toward the car parked outside, the sky began to turn dark. Thunder rolled in the distance, signaling another storm. Arura didn't know that the rainy night ahead, inside that Black Mercedes, would be the most intense night of her life.
Zayan opened the door of the car and gestured for her to get in. "Welcome to your new life, Arura. I hope you’re ready for the darkness."
- Writer
