HIS RUTHLESS REDEMPTION

Chapter 4. The Reluctant Groom

Abir, along with Mishti and Vishamber, arrived at Maheshwari Sadan, the ancestral home radiating an air of solemnity. Gently, Abir laid Mishti on her bed, her face pale and expressionless.

Rajshri, rushing into the room with evident distress, exclaimed, "Hey Baalgopal! What... what has happened to my daughter? Why is she unconscious, and Abir beta, you are injured as well? How did all this occur?"

Vishamber, his face a mask of concern, explained the harrowing events in detail while Kuhu, with trembling hands, sprinkled some water droplets on Mishti's face. Gradually, Mishti began to regain consciousness, her eyelids fluttering open.

Abir, his voice tinged with anxiety, asked, "Mishti, what happened? Are you alright?"

She slightly nodded in affirmation, her eyes still dazed.

Vishamber interjected, "Mishti has always been terrified of gunfire and fighting since childhood. That’s why she fainted, and now I’m certain it was Aayan."

Abir added, "Yes, because he mentioned Nishant’s name."

Vishamber continued, his voice heavy with worry, "But we couldn’t see his face..."

Suddenly, Mishti's phone rang, its shrill tone breaking the tense silence; it was a call from Nishant.

Abir, his jaw clenched, instructed, "Put it on speaker."

With trembling fingers, Mishti answered the call and activated the speaker mode.

Mishti, her voice shaky, said, "H...h...hello..."

Nishant's voice, cold and menacing, responded, "Hello, sweetheart. You escaped today, but for how long? What belongs to Nishant will remain as his. Aur agar mujhe woh cheez nahii mile toh mein mangta nahii, cheen leta hun. And who was that boy with you? Don’t play games with me, or I will make sure you regret it. You have 24 hours. If you can stop me, then try."

" I'll get you by hook or by crook, darling! Stay safe."

The call ended abruptly. Vishamber sank onto the sofa with a thud, and Mishti’s eyes filled with tears, her body trembling with fear.

Vishamber, his voice cracking, lamented, "Nishant never lies. What are we going to do now? My child... what will we do now?"

Abir, trying to stay composed despite the turmoil, said, "Uncle, control yourself. Before Nishant reaches here, we need to hide Mishti somewhere safe."

Vishamber wiped his tears, approached Abir, and held his hand with a desperate plea.

Vishamber: "Abir, you once said I could ask you for anything. Do you remember?"

Abir, nodding solemnly, replied, "Yes, I did. What do you need? What can I do for you?"

Vishamber, his voice trembling with urgency, said, "Then marry my daughter. Please, Abir."

Everyone in the room was shocked. Abir pulled his hands away, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Abir: "What are you saying? This is... it’s impossible."

" I can't marry her "

" But you promised me "

" Yes, sir I know I do but how can I..."

Vishamber, tears streaming down his face, pleaded, "Please, do us this favor. We want to send her far away, and as her father, I believe only her life partner can protect her. Who else would be a better partner than you?"

Abir, conflicted and overwhelmed, said, "But, Uncle, how can I marry her? I can’t do this..."

Vishamber joined his hands in front of Abir, his desperation palpable.

Vishamber: "Abir, I beg you. For the sake of Mishti’s safety, marry her. You promised to help, and this is the only way."

Abir, feeling the weight of his promise and the urgency of the situation, closed his eyes, lost in a maelstrom of thoughts. After a while, he looked at Mishti, who was silently crying, and reluctantly agreed because of his promise.

Vishamber’s eyes filled with tears of relief as he hugged Abir, who was not happy with this arrangement but felt he had no choice.

Vishamber: "Nishant gave us 24 hours. I want the wedding to happen today, in secret, so no one finds out."

Mishti and Abir nodded in agreement, their faces marked by a mix of resignation and determination.

---

Vishamber headed towards his room, trying to manage everything when he met his wife's, panicked eyes.

Vishamber placed a hand on her shoulder "Mishti’ ki maa, I never thought we would have to arrange our only daughter’s wedding like this."

Rajshri wiped her tears, her heart heavy with sorrow, as Mishti hugged her parents tightly, seeking comfort.

"Humhare bachii kii suraksha humhara phela Kartavya ha jii "

----

After a while, Rajshri and Kuhu helped Mishti get ready. Mishti’s bridal attire was simple yet elegant, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Her eyes were downcast, lips calm with a mix of shyness and nervousness, her face carrying the grace of getting Abir along with the tragedy of her situation.

Meanwhile, Abir, dressed in a simple yet dignified outfit, approached Vishamber.

Abir: "Uncle, you know I have no family, and with the wedding being so rushed, I want to invite my one friend."

Vishamber: "Yes, call him. And I think Nishant hasn’t found out yet, otherwise, he would have reacted."

Abir: "Don’t worry, he won’t find out."

After that, Abir called his friend, explaining the urgency and the secrecy required.

As the final preparations were made, Kuhu arrived with Mishti. She looked stunning in her bridal attire, her eyes reflecting a blend of fear and determination, her lips trembling but set in a firm line. Abir was lost in his thoughts, grappling with the weight of the situation when suddenly someone came running inside the house, sweating and breathing heavily. The person placed a hand on Abir’s shoulder, breaking him out of his reverie.