I can't marry him, Avi... I love someone else. I know it's too late, but I was scared. After marrying him, I knew I'd only cry... die each and every second. I'm sorry. I know my little sister will handle everything. Please take care of Father. I can't do this. I'm sorry.

— Your Pallavi"

Avni stood there, clutching the letter, her hands trembling.

She should’ve been relieved that her sister had escaped this madness — and she was, a little — but now she was trapped in a mess from which there was no escape. Sitting in her sister's place was never her choice, but fate had cornered her. And now... she was kidnapped.

Her mind flashed back to her childhood — after their parents' separation. Her mother had never let her visit this village. After her mother's death, she came here, seeking peace... family... maybe love. But now she understood why her mother kept her away.

A tear escaped her eye as she saw her father — on his knees — begging for her life.

“Guru, dekh ise jaane de... yeh toh yahan kabhi aayi bhi nahi. Ise kuch nahi pata... jaane de ise. Main apni bacchi se bohot pyaar karta hoon... please, ise jaane de...”

(Guru, please let her go... she’s never been here before, she knows nothing. Let her go. I love my daughter... please, let her go...)

Guru ignored him like stone. His cold gaze fixed on Avni. Then, he gestured to the table.

"Apun ke paas time nahi hai. Beti se bol, sign kare jaldi..."

(I don’t have time. Tell your daughter to sign — fast.)

He took another casual bite of an apple.

"Abe ae, khana nahi bana kya? Subah se kuch khaya nahi apun ne..."

(Hey, didn’t anyone cook? I haven’t eaten anything since morning...)

Soori chuckled from behind.

“Ae buddhe, chup kar yaar! Apun ko bhi shauk nahi hai shaadi karne ka. Par bhai ke chakkar mein karna pad raha hai. Tujhe pehle sochna chahiye tha — bhai se panga lene se pehle. Apun ki zindagi barbaad kar di tu ne.”

(Shut up, old man. I’m also not thrilled to marry. But I have to because of bhai. You should’ve thought about it before messing with him. You ruined my life too.)

Guru turned to Avni, his voice sharper now.

"Aur tu... yeh TV serial chal raha hai kya? Jo aise slow motion mein sab kar rahi hai? Jaldi kar, warna apun tere baap ke khoon se sign karwaega!"

(And you… is this a soap opera? Doing everything in slow motion? Sign it fast — or I’ll make you sign using your father’s blood!)

Her hands trembled. She picked up the pen — then shook her head.

“Mujhse nahi hoga…”

(I can’t do this...)

Guru sighed and without warning, fired a bullet straight into her father's hand. Blood gushed. Her father screamed in pain. She jumped in shock.

“Tum pagal ho kya!? Woh mar jaayenge!”

(Are you insane!? He’ll die!)

All of Guru’s men instantly pointed their guns at her.

Guru remained seated, still chewing calmly.

“Apun bhi wahi keh raha hai — woh mar jaayega. Apun ka time waste mat kar. Agar apple khatam hone se pehle sign nahi kiya, toh apun usko khatam kar dega.”

(I’m saying the same thing — he will die. Don’t waste my time. If you don’t sign before I finish this apple, I’ll finish him.)

She looked at him — tears flooding her eyes. But she knew she had no choice.

With trembling fingers and a heart as heavy as stone, she signed the marriage papers.

“Unhe jaane do... maine sign kar diya.”

(Let him go... I signed.)

Guru smiled darkly, tossing away the apple core.

“Arey... taali bajao sab! Apun ki shaadi ho gayi hai!”

(Hey… clap, everyone! I’m married!)

Everyone clapped and laughed. She stared at the door as it slammed shut in her face.

She remained still — eyes glued to that door — hoping... maybe her father would return... maybe this was just a nightmare.

She rushed toward the door, banging, pulling, pushing — but it didn’t budge. She was locked in.

---

“Yeh ladki Reddy ki chhoti beti hai... bachpan mein hi iski maa ise le gayi thi sabse door. Aur ise sabki nazron se bachane ke liye Reddy ne ek fake car accident plan kiya tha... sabko laga maa-beti mar gaye.”

(She’s Reddy’s younger daughter. Her mother took her away long ago, and to protect her, Reddy faked a car accident to make everyone believe they were dead.)

Sanjay Deshmukh turned to Guru, watching his expression.

Guru frowned. He didn’t care for family dramas — but this... this was different.

“Agar Pallavi nahi bhagti toh... apun ki shaadi usse ho jaati?”

(If Pallavi hadn’t run away... I would’ve married her?)

Sanjay nodded.

Guru dropped into the chair, stunned.

“Matlab... apun ki shaadi toh pakki thi!?”

(So this wedding was already fixed!?)

Sanjay  nodded again. Guru looked like he’d been slapped.

“Bhai, apun hi kyun? Sahil bhai se aapka jhagda hai, par woh toh aapka beta hai. Apun ki shaadi uski dulhan se karwa di?”

(Why me? Even if you have issues with Sahil bhai, he’s still your son. And you married me to his bride?)

Sanjay got up, walked to Guru, and patted his shoulder.

“Sahil baccha hai... abhi chacha ke kehne pe sab kar raha hai. Reddy koi mamooli aadmi nahi hai. Aur tu... tujhpe mujhko sabse zyada bharosa hai. Apne khoon pe bhi nahi.”

(Sahil’s still a kid, blindly following his uncle. Reddy isn’t an ordinary man. And you... I trust you more than even my own blood.)

“Woh ladki marni nahi chahiye, Guru. Reddy ki kamzori hai woh. Aur humne usko zor ka jhatka diya hai — samajh ja.”

(That girl must not die, Guru. She’s Reddy’s weakness. And we’ve just hit him where it hurts — understand that.)

Guru blinked. Nodded.

Sanjay smiled and pointed to the window.

“Ab jaa. Teri shaadi ka jashn mana rahe hain sab log.”

(Go enjoy your wedding celebrations.)

Firecrackers exploded in the sky. Guru rolled his eyes.

---

Guru spotted Soori and Jai going downstairs with a liquor bottle.

He immediately called Soori.

“Ghar pe kaun hai?”

(Who’s in the house?)

“Tum dono ke alawa koi nahi rahega, bola tha maine!”

(I told you — no one else should be there!)

He disconnected the call and ran toward the main gate.

He stormed into the house.

As expected — Raghu and a few other men stood in front of the room with a beer bottle in hand.

“Bhabhi... aap bahar toh aayiye. Dekhiye, hum kuch nahi karenge…”

(Sister-in-law… please come out. We won’t do anything…)

“Bhabhi, aap sharmaiye mat. Hum Guru bhai se bhi acche hain…”

(Don’t be shy. We’re better than Guru bhai…)

“Bistar par…”

(In bed…)

— they all laughed maniacally.

Guru walked in.

Silence.

The men stepped back. Guru slowly approached Raghu and patted his shoulder.

Still clueless, Raghu chuckled.

“Ruk, toh Guru ke aane se pehle darwaza khol de... warna—”

“Warna?” Guru repeated.

Raghu froze. Turned around slowly.

“Warna?” Guru repeated — louder, colder.

“Woh bhai... Bhabhi se bas milna tha ek baar…”

(We just wanted to meet sister-in-law once...)

CRACK!

Guru’s fist smashed into Raghu’s face. Blood splattered. Guru grabbed his collar.

“Agar tujhe apun ne apni biwi ke aaspaas bhi dekha na... toh kuch dekhne layak nahi rahega tu!”

(If I ever see you near my wife again… you won’t be able to see anything — ever!)

He shoved him aside and turned to the rest.

“NIKLO SAB! Aur yeh sab bhi le jao!”

(GET OUT! And take all this trash with you!)

The men scrambled, running away like rats in a flood.