Aditi's POV
The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the village as I walked along the familiar path back from the market. My heart was still racing from my earlier encounter with Balraj Thakur. I could hardly believe what had happened; a man of such power and wealth had taken an interest in me. But the thought of him made my stomach churn with a mix of fear and confusion. Why had he approached me?
As I reached home, I found Anay sprawled on the floor, engrossed in a comic book. I sighed, but my mind was elsewhere. "Anay, can you help me with dinner tonight?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the thoughts of Balraj. He looked up, his eyes wide with excitement. "Can we make pasta? Please, di!"
"Alright, pasta it is," I smiled, grateful for my little brother’s enthusiasm. As we cooked together, laughter filled the kitchen, momentarily pushing aside the memories of the strange encounter. But as I stirred the sauce, my mind wandered back to the man in black who had invaded my thoughts.
Balraj’s POV
I sat in my lavish office, the city lights twinkling outside the window like stars. My mind replayed the encounter with Aditi over and over. Her frightened eyes, the way she had looked down, the way she had run away… it frustrated me. I had never been one to chase after anything, but with her, it felt different.
I glanced at the note my PA had handed me earlier, detailing Aditi's life. A girl with no family but a little brother, working hard to make ends meet. A fire ignited in me; I wanted to pull her out of her mundane existence and show her the world she never knew. But I also wanted her to be wholly mine.
There was a knock at my office door, and my PA entered, a look of concern on his face. "Sir, there are rumors about you getting married. The villagers are talking."
I smirked. "Let them talk. I will make it official soon. Prepare for my visit tomorrow. Aditi will know my intentions."
The following morning, I dressed carefully, donning a crisp white shirt and tailored trousers. I wanted to make an impression. My heart raced at the thought of seeing Aditi again. I would show her that I was not just a man of power but also a man of action.
Aditi's POV
The next morning was like any other, filled with chores and the sounds of the village waking up. As I stepped outside to fetch some water from the well, I noticed a group of villagers gathered, whispering excitedly. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the sleek black car pull up. My breath caught in my throat as Balraj stepped out, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on me.
I felt my pulse quicken. What was he doing here? I turned to run back inside, but it was too late. He was already approaching me, his tall frame casting a shadow over me.
"Aditi," he said, his voice smooth like silk. "I’ve come to speak with you. May I have a moment?"
I glanced at the villagers, who were now watching us intently. What could he possibly want? My heart raced with a mix of anxiety and intrigue.
"Uh, okay," I stammered, swallowing hard as I stepped back, trying to create distance while also being unable to resist his presence.
Balraj smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes. "I want to make you an offer. It’s time for you to leave this life behind and embrace something greater."
Something greater? The words echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.
"What do you mean?" I asked cautiously, my voice trembling as I tried to maintain composure.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I want you to marry me."
I froze, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me. My heart raced, and my mind was a storm of confusion and disbelief.
"Marry you?" I echoed, hardly able to comprehend his words.
"Yes," he affirmed, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart flutter against my will. "I know it’s sudden, but I am serious. I will provide for you and your brother. You will never have to worry about anything again."
Before I could respond, the murmurs from the crowd grew louder, and I felt panic rising within me. I couldn’t just leave everything behind.
I took a step back, shaking my head. "I... I need time to think."
Balraj's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a charming smile. "Take all the time you need, Aditi. But remember, I will not be the only one who wants you. You are special, and I will not let anyone else have you."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked back to his car, leaving me standing there, overwhelmed and uncertain.
As I watched him drive away, questions filled my mind. What did this mean for my life? Could I truly leave everything behind for a man I barely knew?
And most importantly, what were the consequences of rejecting a man like Balraj Thakur?
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a sense of foreboding settled over me. This was only the beginning, and I had a feeling my life was about to change in ways I couldn't even imagine.
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