Draped for the Devil

Prologue : His voice dropped again, deeper now. Possessive. Icy. “Tomorrow, Zara…” “You’ll be mine.” “You’ll listen when I speak. You’ll move when I say. You’ll breathe the way I allow.” A cruel smirk laced his tone. “You’ll say no… and still obey me.” “Because by tomorrow…” “You won’t be a girl with choices anymore.” A pause — cold, deliberate. “You’ll be my whore.” Her soul trembled. But the line had already gone dead. ----------------------------------------- It was the Annual Day. Zara was staying in the college hostel since her hometown was far away. A quiet girl by nature, she always kept to herself and spoke only when necessary. Despite her reserved demeanor, she was the pride of the college—its topper. She had secured the first rank in her academics, and that day, she was to receive an award on stage, in front of the entire student body. She was getting ready in a simple red saree, her long hair left loose, cascading gently over her shoulders. The vibrant red contrasted beautifully with her milky skin, making her look effortlessly stunning—even though the saree itself was modest. “Zara… are you ready?” her friend Ananya called out, adjusting her earrings as she walked toward her. Zara turned to her with a soft smile. “I’m all ready, Ananya.” Ananya paused for a second, taken aback by the sight before her. Zara looked breathtaking. Her long, curled eyelashes, the soft blush on her cheeks, those delicate, rose-tinted lips—everything about her was quietly enchanting. “Zara Iqbal…” Ananya breathed, her voice filled with awe. “Just look at you! How can someone look so beautiful in such a simple saree?” Zara smiled again but didn’t say much. Compliments always made her uncomfortable. She never liked being praised for her looks. She preferred to remain unnoticed, her beauty hidden beneath her calm, graceful silence. Ananya continued teasing, her tone laced with playful mischief. “Today, every boy in college is going to fall at your feet. Honestly, if I were a boy, I would’ve abducted you by now—just to adore your beauty and... think my ways with you,” she added with a laugh. Zara’s smile faded slightly as she looked away, clearly uncomfortable. “Please, Ananya… stop it. You know this makes me uneasy. I don’t like such praise,” she said softly. “Let’s just go to the program.” Ananya raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay... I’ll stop. But still, be careful. You never know—you might unknowingly catch the attention of a devil’s eye.” The words, though said casually, struck something deep in Zara. Her heartbeat quickened, and an uneasy chill ran down her spine. That thought alone terrified her. Love. Attention. Desire. She had always stayed away from all of it. Her focus was clear: excel in academics, build a stable future, and support her parents. That was her only dream—not admiration. Not romance. “Zara, come on!” Ananya called, grabbing her hand. Zara snapped out of her thoughts. Without another word, she followed Ananya, their footsteps echoing through the hostel corridor as they made their way toward the college grounds, where the annual function was already in full swing—colorful lights, laughter, and the sound of celebration filling the air. But somewhere in Zara’s heart, a strange unease lingered. Ananya’s words… why did they feel like a warning? --- Zara and Ananya took their seats in the front row, right where the stage was clearly visible. The entire college was brimming with anticipation—and tension. Tight security surrounded the premises, for today’s chief guest was no ordinary man. A billionaire. One of the youngest and most powerful entrepreneurs in the country. Lecturers moved about briskly, holding fresh bouquets, dressed in their finest attire, their eyes constantly scanning the gates. There was an unspoken pressure to ensure perfection. Everything had to be flawless. Before the guest’s arrival, a senior lady lecturer stepped onto the stage, holding the microphone with practiced authority. “Students,” she began, her voice echoing across the open ground, “we request everyone to maintain strict discipline and decorum. Please remain seated when the chief guest arrives, and refrain from using mobile phones. This is a prestigious moment for our college.” As she neared the end of her instructions, a sudden stir swept through the crowd. The sound of engines. Dozens of black SUVs entered the campus, one after the other, forming a protective circle as they halted in synchronized fashion. At the center of them, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz slowly came to a stop. The atmosphere changed instantly. Conversations hushed. Every eye turned toward the car. The door opened—and he stepped out. Aariz Khan. The youngest billionaire in the country. Tall, sharp-featured, and commanding. He wore a tailored black suit that fit him like a second skin. His hair was perfectly gelled back, and though the night concealed most details, the faint gleam of his sunglasses caught the stage lights just enough to make him look even more enigmatic. But more than his appearance, it was the aura around him—calm, powerful, and untouchable—that drew everyone's attention. Even from a distance, Zara felt it. An invisible weight in the air. Like a storm had silently entered the calm. Ananya nudged her with a whisper. “That’s him... Aariz Khan. My God, he looks like he walked straight out of a movie.” Zara didn’t reply. She couldn't. Her eyes were fixed on him—not in awe, but in something else. Something unexplainable. And for a brief second, as Aariz adjusted his cuffs and began walking toward the stage, his eyes swept across the front row. And stopped. Right on Zara. She froze. Aariz’s gaze lingered for a moment—just long enough to feel like time itself had paused. Then, with the same calm stride, he continued walking. But that look… that single glance… left a strange sensation in Zara’s chest. Was it just coincidence? Or had something... just begun? ---