Author's pov:-

After one week

Today, Abhay was going to take his flight to London, and he had no idea what awaited him after leaving.

Arika sat quietly on her small balcony, the evening breeze brushing against her face, when a knock interrupted her peace. She rose and opened the door to find Abhay standing there, his eyes soft yet filled with unspoken concern.

"Bhai, aap!" Arika said, stepping aside to let him enter. Abhay held her hands gently, his warmth grounding her, and guided her to sit on the bed.

"Kya hua meri gudiya... itni udaas kyun hai?" he asked, his tone soft, like he was talking to a little child.

"Main udaas kahan hoon bhai... main toh bahut khush hoon aapke liye. Aapko itni badi opportunity mili hai, wo bhi abroad," Arika said with a smile, though her chest ached.

In this house, only Abhay truly understood her; he was the one who loved her unconditionally.

She masked her sorrow with a brave smile.

Abhay could read her like an open book. He knew she was happy for him, but the thought of months apart pained her deeply.

"Main jaanta hoon ki tu khush nahi hai ki main itne mahine tujhse door rehne wala hoon... tere saath nahi rahunga is ghar mein. Par mujhe pata hai, meri strong gudiya hai tu. Mere bagair rehna aur halat handle karna dono tu kar sakti hai," Abhay said with a proud smile.

"Par... bhai... mujhe aapki yaad aayegi... main akele ho jaungi," Arika whispered, lips quivering.

She could no longer hold back tears, and they streamed down her cheeks. Abhay wrapped her in a tight embrace, assuring her she was not alone. A lone tear slipped from his eye too, but he quickly wiped it away, not letting her see.

"Main hamesha ke liye nahi jaa raha... bas kuch mahine ke liye. Aur wo bhi taaki tujhe ek achi zindagi de saku. Aaj tak tere liye zyada kuch nahi kar paya, par ab mauka mila hai toh main ise jaane nahi dena chahta. Tujhe har khushi dena chahta hoon jo ek bhai apni gudiya ke liye karta hai," he said softly, sadness visible in his eyes.

"Nahi bhai.....aap aisa kyu keh rahe hai, aapne koi kami nahi chhodi hai. Meri padhai ka aadha se zyada kharcha, college ka kharcha, kapde ka kharcha, travel ka kharcha... sab aapne hi kiya. Ye sab toh papa ko karna chahiye tha, par aapne meri zimmedari uthai aur use bahut acche se pura kiya hai. Agar aap na hote, toh aaj main padh nahi rahi hoti, na kapde hote aur na ghar mein koi jagah," Arika said honestly.

She took Abhay's hand and placed a soft kiss on its back, feeling the strength in his palm.

"Aapne sirf bhai hone ka hi nahi, balki ek pita hone ka farz bhi ada kiya, jiska main kabhi mol nahi chuka paungi. Apni wishes ko side rakh ke meri zaruraton ko pura kiya," she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Tu meri behen hai... aur mera farz hai ki teri har zarurat ko pura karu. Acha, chod ye sab, bata tujhe kya chahiye? Main tere liye kya laaun wahan se?" he asked, changing the topic.

"Aap khud ko le aana mere liye, wahi kaafi hoga," Arika said, wrapping her arms around him, resting her head on his chest, savoring every heartbeat.

Abhay nodded, returning the hug and pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Acha, ye kuch paise hai. Tujhe ye kaam aayenge, rakh le. Main har mahine tere account mein bhejta rahunga, thik hai?" he said, handing her some money.

"Iski zarurat nahi hai bhai, mere paas hai," Arika said, returning it.

"Ab tu mujhse jhoot bolegi. Maine jo paise diye the, wo khatam ho gaye hain, mujhe pata hai. Toh chup chap rakho ise... waise bhi is ghar mein koi tujhe kuch dega nahi, isiliye de raha hoon. Mujhe bhi shanti rahegi ki meri Aruu yaha bina paiso ke nahi hai," Abhay said firmly.

Arika nodded. She knew she couldn't lie to him, though all her money had gone toward college fees, books, and fares.

"Toh ab kya, mujhe bye karne bhi bahar tak nahi aayegi?" he said, pouting slightly.

Arika giggled softly. "Aaungi."

Soon, everyone gathered at the gate to bid goodbye. Bags were packed in the car. Abhay took blessings from his parents and turned to Arika. They hugged tightly, savoring every second, reluctant to let go.

"Khayal rakhna apna... time se khana, padhai ache se karna aur koi dikkat ho toh phone kar dena. Main yaha nahi rehkar bhi tere saath hoon," he whispered, kissing her forehead once more.

"Haa bhaiya," she whispered back. Abhay finally turned and got into the car. She watched tearfully as it disappeared from her view, her chest tightening.

The house felt colder the moment Abhay left.

After he left ,Maya ordered Arika to prepare dinner. Arika only nodded and went quietly to the kitchen, feeling the emptiness of the house.

That night

Arika sat on her bed with books when a knock came. She stood,opened the door to find Maya standing there, wearing a disgusted expression as if just seeing Arika's face had ruined her mood.

Without a word, Maya stepped inside.

"Aee ladki, idhar aao," she said sharply.

"Ji," Arika replied, standing nervously in front of her.

"Ye le. Kal isse pehn ke ready rehna," Maya said, handing her a bridal saree, a small necklace with jumkas, and two kangan.

"Ye kya hai, mummy? Ye toh shadi ka joda lag raha hai," Arika said, confused and horrified.

"Haa... ye shadi ka joda hi hai jo tere sasural se aaya hai. Toh kal isse pehn ke ready rehna,"

Maya repeated, her tone cold and triumphant.

"Mera sa... sasural?" Arika stammered, her stomach twisting with fear. She understood what Maya meant, though she didn't want to believe it.

"Kal teri shadi hai... aur humari sukun ki azadi," Maya said, smiling wickedly at the thought.

"Aap... aap mazak kar rahe ho na? Yeh sach nahi ho sakta," Arika whispered, trying to convince herself it was a joke.

"Koi mazak nahi hai... teri kal shaadi hai, wo bhi Shila ke bete Rohit ke saath," Maya said sternly, uncaring of Arika's distress.

Hearing Rohit's name, Arika felt disgusted. She remembered how he had always tried to touch her inappropriately when she was alone, always scanning her body like a trophy. She shivered at the thought.

"Main yeh shaadi nahi karungi," she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice breaking with fear and anger.

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of her realization pressing down like a stone.

Tomorrow, her life would change forever, and she had no say in it.

The silence screamed louder than her cries. Tomorrow wasn't just a wedding - it was a cage.

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