Rockstar Agni Sabharwal was to marry Nisha, his childhood friend and long-time girlfriend, in two days. Agni is a well-known name in the music industry. While Agni was preparing for his wedding with Nisha, on the other hand, he gets caught in a scand... Rockstar Agni Sabharwal was to marry Nisha, his childhood friend and long-time girlfriend, in two days. Agni is a well-known name in the music industry. While Agni was preparing for his wedding with Nisha, on the other hand, he gets caught in a scandal with Pratigya. To save Pratigya's life and his family's honor, Agni has to marry Pratigya. How will he maintain his marriage with Pratigya while carrying Nisha's love in his heart? And what will happen to Nisha, who will be waiting to become his bride, but what will she feel when she sees Agni with Pratigya? How will Pratigya feel when she sees Agni yearning for his love right in front of her eyes? To find out, read "Agni-Pratigya."<br />
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Today, the entire city of Mumbai was buzzing with just two topics; from the media to the front pages of newspapers, everywhere the same thing was being discussed: first, that the live concert of the rockstar Agni Sabharwal would be held last night at Hotel Paradise; and the second topic of discussion was that on the second day, Agni Sabharwal would marry his fiancée and long-time girlfriend Nisha Bhasin.
Agni and Nisha were childhood friends. As they stepped into the threshold of youth, both felt an attraction towards each other; gradually, this attraction turned into love. Both their families also maintained good relations with each other; therefore, none of them objected to the relationship between Nisha and Agni.
But Agni wanted to do something in his life first, achieve a position. Yes, the Sabharwal business was there, with him; but that business was not his own, it was the hard work of his grandfather and father. Agni wanted to do something on his own, something that would make the world recognize him by his name alone, not by his father's and grandfather's names. The only talent Agni had was his voice, and Agni made that his weapon.
Starting with small concerts, Agni carved out a unique identity for himself. Today, Agni was one of India's top 10 rockstars. Tickets for his concerts sold for lakhs; in fact, his tickets went on advance booking even before they were released. And why wouldn't they? There was magic in Agni's voice!
In front of Agni's studio, a crowd of millions was gathered; everyone was yearning for a glimpse of Agni. Girls stood with photos of Agni and boards bearing his name in their hands.
Just then, a convoy of three cars arrived, from which bodyguards emerged. The staff there was also trying to control the reporters and Agni's fans, but they were not listening to anyone.
The media lights were constantly falling on the car, and the girls' infatuation for Agni was clearly visible.
The bodyguards quickly covered the car, and one bodyguard opened the car door.
Wearing denim jeans, a black shirt, and a leather jacket, with sunglasses on his face, a 26-year-old young man stepped out of the car.
6 feet tall, hair gelled, a diamond cuff in one ear, his brown eyes hidden behind sunglasses; but the guitar locket worn around his neck was enough to tell them that their superstar stood before them. But the real enchantment was something else; the dimples that appeared on his cheeks when Agni smiled…
Oh my! Millions of girls would have laid down their lives for those dimples.
Agni smiled, waved at his fans, and as he did, all the girls started screaming. Reporters and media personnel were bombarding him with questions, but the bodyguards were escorting Agni inside.
As soon as Agni reached inside the gate, a fan shouted loudly, "I love you Agni! If I don't get you, I will end my life!"
This voice reached Agni's ears amidst the millions of voices, and he stopped before reaching the door.
The bodyguards started requesting Agni to come inside, but Agni stopped them with a gesture. Agni turned and took off his sunglasses.
Agni looked at the crowd with his brown eyes, and as soon as Agni took off his sunglasses, the entire crowd screamed loudly upon seeing him.
Agni looked towards the girl from where the voice had come. He looked at the girls with a smile and said, "Babes, 100 Agnis will come and 100 Agnis will go, but your life is very precious. Please, don't put your life at stake for anyone. You love me? I really love you. Obviously, Agni exists because of all of you. If I didn't have your love, your support, perhaps I would never have reached this point. That's why my fans are the first priority in my life."
A reporter asked Agni, "Agni ji, on one hand, you say you love your female friends very much, and on the other hand, you are breaking their hearts by getting married?"
Agni said with a laugh, "No, I am not breaking anyone's heart; rather, my heart is with all of them. But as far as my marriage is concerned, that is my family matter, a part of my personal life. Obviously, I love my fans, but I can't marry everyone, can I! But still, even after marriage, my fans will remain my first priority."
Another reporter asked, "Agni ji, your wedding is in two days, and your concert is tomorrow; how will you manage both things together?"
Agni replied to the news reporter's question, "I don't have to manage both things. The concert date was decided a year ago, so I cannot change it. And the wedding date was decided by the stars and the priests. And in my house, no matter how big a businessman someone is, the ladies of the house run things. For now, the head of the family in my house is my grandmother, and my grandmother says that the wedding should happen on this date, and for me, my grandmother's words are as firm as a rock."
Before any other reporter could ask more questions, the bodyguards intervened and, with a gesture, said, "No more questions!"
With that, Agni raised one hand, brought it to his lips, and blew a flying kiss towards the girls.
That was all it took for the girls to go wild, and they started trying to push through the crowd. Seeing them do so, the bodyguards quickly opened the door and took Agni inside.
Agni had gone to his studio. Obviously, his concert was tomorrow; he had a lot of work, and his family was handling all the wedding preparations; he just had to wear the sherwani and sit in the mandap.
Meanwhile, Agni's interview was being telecast on TV. With mehndi on her hands and a twinkle in her eyes, 23-year-old Nisha was watching this interview.
After Agni's interview ended, Nisha stared at the TV and said, "Oh, prioritizing fans first! Just let the wedding happen, and I'll take revenge for all the trouble you've caused me before the wedding! I've waited a month for one meeting with you! First, you made big promises, 'Nisha, I'll do this for you, I'll do that for you,' and when it was time to do it, my fans come first? Hmm…"
Saying this, Nisha's face fell; but Nisha's mother, Rajni ji, standing at the door, saw Nisha and started laughing and said, "What's the matter, Nisha? Why are you angry with son-in-law?"
Nisha looked at her mother and said, "Mom, you are my mother, so don't take his side unnecessarily! That crazy guy is working even the day before the wedding! Do you know, ever since our wedding was fixed, he hasn't met me even once! He only talks on the phone, and that too only about work! 'Nisha, did you eat?', 'Nisha, you were unwell yesterday, did you take your medicine?', 'Nisha, the sun is very strong outside, why are you going out?' He only says all these things! That crazy guy!"
Rajni ji comes forward with a smile and starts looking at the mehndi on Nisha's hands, which was almost dry.
Rajni ji says with a smile, "Daughter, he's a rockstar; he has so much work! Yet he takes time out from his work to talk to you, and you are getting upset with me like this! Daughter, if you get upset like this before the wedding, how will your life be after the wedding?"
Nisha is about to say something when Rajni ji's phone rings. Rajni ji looks; it's a call from Sabharwal Mansion.
Quickly answering the phone, she says, "Yes, sister-in-law… Okay… Yes, alright… No, her mehndi is just drying, we are about to leave for the haldi ceremony after this…"
Rajni ji hangs up the phone and looks at Nisha, saying, "It was your mother-in-law's call; she was asking when we are leaving for the haldi."
Nisha makes a face and says, "We will leave, but I don't know if that crazy guy will arrive or not!"
Rajni ji slaps Nisha on the head and says, "Talk with some manners! He is your future husband! He is no longer your childhood friend, with whom you could argue and fight anytime; he is your husband; you should respect him; talk to him with love and respect. And yes, show a little less of your tantrums; you are getting married; you are going to become a daughter-in-law in someone's house."
Nisha says, "But Mom, I don't feel like I'm becoming a daughter-in-law there at all! I mean, I've been there so many times, met them too; that's why I'm not feeling the wedding vibe! And talking to Agni with respect makes me laugh! But I did try; to call him 'aap' (a respectful pronoun); we both laughed for a while; I just can't say 'aap' for him!"
Rajni ji hits her head; where is she trying to understand her crazy daughter! But she was happy that Nisha was marrying Agni, and she was going into a family she knew well.
On the other hand, at Sabharwal Mansion…
The head of the house was Guddi Sabharwal; her husband, Pradeep Sabharwal, had passed away years ago.
After his father's demise, the business was taken over by Pradeep Sabharwal's son, Mohan Sabharwal. As high as the Sabharwal business reached, their identity was equally significant, and Agni had added greatly to this identity.
Mohan ji had never stopped Agni from doing anything; he knew that like his name, there was also a fire within him, a fire to achieve something; therefore, he let Agni do what his heart desired. Today, when someone told him that he was the father of rockstar Agni, Mohan ji's head would swell with pride that the world knew him by his son's name.
Mohan ji's wife was Veena Sabharwal; stylish, tip-top, and a resident of modern society, Veena Sabharwal, who liked everything to be high-class. First, her husband's huge business, and now her son's big name; Veena Sabharwal had a golden reign in society.
But as modern as Veena ji might have been for her family, she loved them just as much, and her life was in Agni.
At society parties and kitty parties, many girls' mothers had tried to woo Veena so that she could match her daughter with Agni; but Veena ji knew very well that Agni only loved Nisha; hence, she would suppress such talks before they could even begin.
Veena ji would have her first cup of coffee branded, and her collection of sarees was such that once a saree was worn, she wouldn't touch it again.
The Sabharwal family was very happy that their only son was finally marrying the girl of his choice. As much as the Sabharwals were renowned, the Bhasin family also had a similar name and prestige in this city.
Nisha's father, Mr. Joginder, and Agni's father, Mr. Mohan, often went together to business parties; they were also very good friends.
Sabharwal Mansion was decorated beautifully; outside, the media was gathered, taking pictures of the house from different angles. The garden was entirely decorated in yellow, as today was the haldi ceremony.
The car belonging to Nisha's family stopped in front of the porch of the Sभरवाल mansion.
Joginder ji and Ragini ji got out of the driving seat and the passenger seat respectively.
Nisha came out, opening the back door. At that moment, Nisha was wearing a Patiala suit. Her hair was open till her waist, her eyes had kajal, a bindi on her forehead, and mehndi on her hands enhanced Nisha's beauty.
Nisha entered the Sभरवाल mansion with her family. A servant quickly called out, "Malkan, the guests have arrived."
Guddi, who was sitting on the sofa at that time, looked towards the door, and a smile appeared on her face. Mohan ji and Veena ji were in the room at that time; a servant went to call them.
Guddi ji stood up with the support of her walking stick and, smiling, scolded the servant, "Oh, idiot! These are not guests; they are members of this house."
And then, taking Nisha's face in her hands, she said, "And this is the future daughter-in-law of this house, the bride of my Agni."
A smile appeared on Shiksha's face, and she bowed down to touch her grandmother's feet. Her grandmother also placed her hand on her head and blessed her to be happy.
At that moment, Mohan ji and Veena ji were coming down the stairs.
When Nisha saw them, she went to touch their feet. Mohan ji stopped her and said, "No, Nisha beta, till yesterday, you came to this house as a daughter. Then we didn't let you touch our feet, so just because you become a daughter-in-law, your relationship doesn't change."
Veena came forward and hugged Nisha. Nisha also placed her hand on Veena's shoulder.
Veena took Nisha's cheek in her hands and said, "You look very pretty, don't let anyone's evil eye fall on you."
As she said this, Veena applied a drop of kajal from her eyes behind Nisha's ear. Then, both families hugged each other and sat on the sofa.
They were discussing the rituals to be performed at the wedding. A little while later, Veena said, "Ragini, everything else is fine, but I will regret one thing."
Ragini ji asked, "What do you regret?"
Veena said, "That I will never get to eat food cooked by my daughter-in-law. My daughter-in-law doesn't know how to cook."
On hearing Veena's words, Nisha's face fell. She really didn't know how to cook.
But Veena lightened the mood and said, "Nisha beta, after the wedding, I will be a very strict mother-in-law. I don't say you have to cook all the food, but help me in the kitchen, because mom and Agni don't like outside food at all, and they don't like food cooked by anyone else."
Nisha smiled and nodded her head, "Yes, Aunt Ji, I know."
A servant came and told them, "Malkan, all the preparations for Haldi are ready."
Ragini looked at Veena and said, "Veena, where is Agni? He has to apply Haldi first, and then Nisha."
Veena looked at Ragini and smiled, "That's true, but this boy has been missing since morning. He has a concert tomorrow, and he's preparing for that."
Joginder ji said, "He's preparing, that's okay, sister ji, but the wedding rituals also have to be performed."
Mohan ji took out his phone and said, "I'll call him and see."
On the other side, at Rockstar Music Company...
Agni was sitting on his music station in the music studio.
He was sitting on a high chair, holding a guitar, and wearing headphones, playing a tune.
Some people were working on many systems on the other side of a glass wall, mixing the tunes created by Agni.
The music room was completely closed. No one could hear or make a sound there. Agni was completely engrossed in creating his tune.
Agni's friend and assistant, Ronit, was standing outside with a phone in his hand.
Ronit saw that it was Agni's phone and Mohan ji's number was flashing.
Ronit got scared and looked at Agni, but Agni had his eyes closed, completely engrossed in his work.
Ronit first went outside and came to a quiet place, then picked up Agni's phone and said, "Uncle ji, I'm Ronit. Agni is a bit busy right now."
Mohan ji said in a stern voice, "Ronit, no matter how busy he is, tell him to come home within half an hour. His Haldi ritual has to be performed here, and he's missing. Everyone is here, and all the guests are about to arrive. What answer will I give them?"
Ronit said fearfully, "Uncle ji, as soon as he's free, I'll tell him that you called. Don't worry."
Ronit came back and saw that Agni's recording had ended, and he was taking off his headphones and coming out of the cabin.
As he came out, the music director and producer went to congratulate him and praised his work.
At that moment, Ronit came to him and said, "Agni, there have been two calls from home. Uncle ji is very angry. Your Haldi ritual has to be performed, and you're missing."
Agni looked at Ronit in surprise and said, "Haldi ritual? I don't understand anything."
Ronit hit himself on the head and said, "Oh, you idiot! Your turmeric ceremony is due, you'll be marinated, and only then will you be roasted on low heat."
Agni playfully tapped Ronit on the forehead and said, "Will you ever improve!"
Agni told Ronit to hurry up. Ronit informed the music director about the rest of the work and left.
Ronit and Agni were heading towards Sabharwal Mansion. On the way, Agni turned the car and took it in a different direction. Ronit, surprised, said, "Hey man! Why did you turn the car now? Which route are we taking home? Uncle is already angry with me, it seems you intend to beat me to death today."
Agni looked at Ronit with a laugh, but he didn't stop his car and continued in the same direction. Agni's bodyguard's car followed his. After a while, all the cars stopped at a mall entrance.
Ronit said to Agni, "Do you want to shop? Are you going crazy? Let's go home quickly! Because if I'm late in taking you home, I'll be beaten so badly that the turmeric you're supposed to apply as a ritual will be applied to me as medicine."
Agni took out his mask and sunglasses from the dashboard and said, putting on the mask, "My family will melt seeing my face, but there's a fire waiting for this Agni there. She won't melt so easily."
From the way Agni spoke, Ronit understood that Agni was talking about Nisha.
Agni refused to let the bodyguards come and went inside the mall with Ronit.
He quickly went into a jewelry shop and selected a very beautiful pair of earrings for Nisha.
Due to Agni's sunglasses and mask, his face was not revealed, otherwise, a crowd would have gathered in this mall by now.
Ronit was getting the billing done at the cash counter, and Agni was searching for something else. Seeing flowers in another shop, Agni headed towards that shop, but before he could move towards it, he bumped into someone.
Agni's sunglasses fell off his face. He quickly caught them in his hand and, putting them back on, looked at the person in front of him.
Anger flared in Agni's eyes because standing in front of him was his music rival, Shubh Saxena.
Before Agni arrived, Shubh was the number one rockstar in this industry, but Agni had snatched Shubh's position. He not only became number one but also maintained that position.
Shubh was still working in the music industry, but his recognition was diminishing, and he was not as famous as Agni anymore; in fact, he had only a few fans. Everything that once belonged to Shubh now belonged to Agni.
Shubh and Agni always met at music events and music parties. There was only a professional rivalry between them; they did not interfere in each other's personal lives, but today Shubh's intentions did not seem good.
Although Shubh was no longer as famous, he was still a celebrity, so he had also kept his face covered.
He glared at Agni and said, "Congratulations!"
Agni said sarcastically, "Since when have you started being happy about my happiness?"
Shubh said, "I don't care about your happiness at all. But you know, one should know about an enemy's happiness; who knows, this might be the time when we can strike the enemy."
Due to their masks, their facial expressions were not visible, but the intensity of the atmosphere could be felt from their words.
Hearing Shubh say this, a smile appeared on Agni's face, and looking at Shubh, he said, "You know, you are the real reason for my success. If you hadn't chosen to be my enemy and tried to defeat me, I would never have been able to surpass you in the desire to win."
Shubh glared at Agni and said, "You deliberately scheduled your concert date for when my music album was supposed to be released, didn't you?"
Agni said, "Firstly, I have nothing to do with your work. I didn't know you were releasing your music album on this date. And anyway, my concert dates and all my work are handled by my PR team. They just confirm the dates to me, so I didn't know your music album was also due for release. What difference does it make if my concert happens? If your music album is good, people will naturally be drawn to it. I don't force anyone to attend my concert, nor can you make your music album a hit by paying for it. It's all in the audience's hands."
The audience can do anything they want; they can lift me from the ground to the sky, and you from the sky to the ground.
Shubh glared at Agni and said, "Watch... one day I will throw you down so hard that the same audience you are so proud of will spit in your face."
Agni, maintaining a confident smile on his face, said, "My fans love me very much; they accept all my mistakes, so I'm not worried that they will ever look down on me... because my fans are not two-faced like you."
Agni looked at Shub with a dangerous gaze and left.
Shub and Agni had received their degrees from the same music college. They had started their musical journey together, and they had also begun getting work in the industry together.
But when Shub saw Agni getting ahead of him in the race, he manipulated and bribed people to his side.
Agni also had money, but he wanted to get ahead through his hard work. It took Agni some time, but his hard work paid off, and whatever position he holds today is due to his own efforts.
Although Shub achieved success through the power of money, he couldn't savor the taste of success for long.
Agni left for the Sabharwal Mansion with Ronit.
In the Sabharwal Mansion,
Nisha stood in the guest room. She wore a yellow lehenga and floral jewelry.
Nisha looked very beautiful at that moment. And why wouldn't she, it was her Haldi ceremony today and her wedding tomorrow. The bridal glow on her face, which had been shining for many days, shone even brighter.
Although Nisha was happy in her heart, she was speaking ill of Agni with a slight anger on her face.
Nisha, tearing a piece of tissue paper in her hand, stared at a picture of Agni and said to him,
I can't even get properly angry with you, I love you so much. But your actions make me angry. Our wedding is in a day, and I haven't spoken to you or seen you since morning. Do you know how restless I am feeling?
Just then, a hand came around Nisha's waist, and a breath spread very intoxicatingly on her neck.
Nisha knew this touch very well. Her eyes closed, and both her hands automatically went to her waist where Agni's hand was at that moment.
Agni embraced Nisha from behind, exhaling his hot breath on her neck and said,
Your restlessness has reached me too, that's why I couldn't stay away from you for even a day.
Nisha took a deep breath and said, "Agni..."
Agni hid his face on Nisha's neck and said, "Hmm..."
Nisha said anxiously, "Why do you keep leaving me repeatedly? You know I can't stay away from you for too long."
Agni released Nisha and, holding her by the waist, turned her towards him. Agni's handsome face was in front of Nisha, and Nisha's beautiful, glowing face was in front of Agni. Agni liked Nisha in every form, but in this bridal glow, she was captivating him.
Nisha's hands were on Agni's shoulders, and Agni wrapped his arms around Nisha's waist, pulling her closer and said,
Do you think I leave you of my own will? My heart knows what it goes through every moment I am away from you. A moment's distance from you takes my life. I can't bear this distance anymore, that's why I'm getting married as soon as possible, to you. Do you know how many girls' hearts were broken outside the office this morning? But how do I explain it to them? Only one girl rules my heart.
When Nisha heard Agni's words, the smile on her face deepened, and she quickly hugged Agni's chest. Agni also held her tightly in his arms. Their love was blossoming to such an extent that both were immersed in the colors of their affection.
A little later, Nisha and Agni came out. Everyone in the hall was waiting for them. Agni said, "I'll be ready in five minutes."
Mohan Ji nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, go quickly. The Haldi ceremony is about to start anyway. All the guests have arrived outside."
Agni nodded and, glancing at Nisha, walked towards his room.
The Haldi ceremony was to begin at the Sabharwal family a little later, but before that, a car stopped in the porch.
Seeing the car arrive, the bodyguards quickly came out and opened the car door. The servants also started quickly taking out the luggage from the trunk.
A woman alighted from the car. She wore a white chiffon saree with a golden border. She had gathered all her hair into a bun. Her age was around fifty.
Simplicity on her face and a spark in her eyes. A thin gold bangle in one hand and a ladies' watch on the other. A small diamond stud worn in her ears suited her personality.
Just then, a man emerged from the other side of the car. He looked to be around thirty years old.
He wore a simple white shirt and pants. Fair complexion, dark eyes, and a lock of hair falling on his forehead. He looked quite young.
The woman and this young man stood aside as the servants took out their luggage. As they took a step forward, a child's voice called from behind,
"Papa, I want to be carried."
It was 8:00 AM.
Avani ji sat in the hall, distressed, explaining to a maid about breakfast. After thinking for a moment, she got up from her place and walked directly towards Jia's room. She knocked on the door, but there was no response other than deep silence from inside. She opened the door and went in. She looked for Jia everywhere but couldn't find her. She went straight to the balcony, pulled back the curtains, and opened the door.
Bright sunlight entered the room. As she turned, her eyes fell on Jia, who was lying on the floor under the bed. Blood was flowing from her hand. Her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly went to her and patted her cheeks, saying, "Jia! Child, open your eyes! What happened? Get up, look at me!"
She was screaming as she tried to lift her. Blood was flowing from Jia's hand; it was clear that her hand had been cut a short while ago. She was still partially conscious.
Agni, emerging from the study room, heard the loud scream and rushed into Sidh's room. His gaze fell directly on Jia, lying on the floor. His eyes hardened. He moved forward expressionlessly, picked Jia up in his arms, and walked out directly.
Aarav, who was sleeping, quickly went to get the car upon seeing Jia in this state and opened the door. Agni, sitting in the car, yelled, "Who drives this slowly? Drive faster!" He was gently pressing Jia's hand to stop the bleeding.
Jia had fainted. She had cut the veins in her hand. She had become alone and helpless; her life was ruined. The last hope of living was also gone. She no longer had the desire to live nor the fear of dying; she had wanted to end her life.
A little later, they were at the hospital. Her hand had been bandaged. The doctor stood in front of Agni and said in a nervous voice, "We have bandaged it. She will regain consciousness in a while. She is mentally depressed and very weak. So, please take good care of her. I have made her diet chart." Saying this, he quickly left.
Agni looked at the prescription in his hand, walked towards Aarav, and then directly entered the ward.
Jia had been admitted to a VIP ward. Agni entered the ward directly. His gaze fell on Jia, who was staring at the ceiling. He stood in his place and stared at Jia. Jia was staring at the ceiling. Dark circles had formed under her eyes; the radiance of her face was gone. Her face had become pale; it was as if her body had no life left. She lay on the bed as if lifeless.
Agni had been close to her for the past week. He didn't care what Jia was doing, eating, or drinking. He just wanted to fulfill his needs, which he did every night. Only they knew how many times he had subjugated Jia in this past week. Only they knew how many times Jia had tried to stop him. Agni approached her with quick steps and, pressing her jaw, said in a deep, angry voice, "You have such a strong desire to die, don't you? Fine! I will show you hell while you're alive. If you try to cut your veins again, I will kill you with my own hands!"
Jia, looking at him with empty eyes, shaking his hand, smiled and said, "What more can you do than that? I didn't take the life of your love, understand? And about killing, why are you killing me slowly by making me suffer? Just kill me all at once; it will hurt less."
A smile spread across Agni's face. He said with a crooked smile, "I will kill you, I will kill you very soon, but before that, you have to endure the pain, right? And yes, a woman feels the most pain when her husband is getting married for the second time. After family, a husband is her only support. Won't that be so wonderful? We are both married, and you will fulfill my every desire, but you will never get the status of a wife, nor that happiness. Prepare yourself; I will give you this good news very soon." Saying this, he flicked her face and, pressing her hair firmly, said, "No one will be worse for you than me, my beloved."
Jia, calming herself, turned her face away. She said nothing, but looking away, she said, "I am also eagerly waiting for the day you will ride the horse." Saying this, she closed her eyes.
Anger spread across Agni's face. His veins bulged; his face turned red, and his eyes became black. He pressed Jia's cheeks and angrily said, "Open your eyes, idiot! I need to talk to you! Get up!" Saying this, he pulled his hand back.
Just then, the sound of the door opening made Agni move away from Jia and, without looking at Aarav, he left, saying in a cold voice, "Take care of her, and if she does anything crazy like this, call me directly." Saying this, he left without stopping.
Aarav placed Jia's medicine on the table and gently held her hand, saying, "Just as it's not in anyone's power to come into the world, it's also not in anyone's power to leave it. We can't do anything about grandmother's departure, but you can't ruin your life like this. If God takes one thing, he fills your lap with thousands of joys. So why don't you understand this? Since when have you started doing such childish things?" He brought her hand to his lips.
Aarav and Jia were childhood friends. Their friendship had grown with time. If Aarav hadn't gone with Agni, their friendship would still be at a different level. After looking at her for a while, he left to get coffee.
People often blamed the in-laws for the demise of a daughter.
With Pihu's arrival, the house gained a different kind of vibrancy. Everyone was very happy. The turmeric ceremony in the garden was conducted very well.
First, turmeric was applied to Agni, and then with the same turmeric, Nisha was also applied.
It was nighttime. Everyone had dinner and retired to their rooms. Tomorrow was Agni's concert, and the day after tomorrow was their wedding.
Everyone was busy with the preparations for tomorrow and the day after, but unaware of these preparations, Agni and Nisha were cherishing their moments of love.
In his room, Agni sat with one leg crossed over the other, looking at Nisha's face on the laptop placed to his right. Nisha, lying on her stomach in her room, was looking at Agni's face on her phone screen.
Both were just gazing at each other, but neither was saying anything. Breaking this silence, Agni said, "Say something..."
Nisha replied with a smile, "What should I say?"
Agni said, "...Say anything. I even like it when you scold me."
Nisha said, "I don't want to scold you."
Agni laughed and said, "Okay, fine, don't scold. At least say some loving words."
Nisha looked at Agni intently and said with a smile, "I don't know how to say loving words."
Agni sighed and said, "See! You don't know how to say loving words... that's what you need to learn."
Nisha, her face flushed with shyness, said, "I don't want to learn anything. You are a very bad teacher."
Agni laughed and said, "Hey, I'm not that bad a teacher. Just try learning from me. I'll teach you very good lessons, you'll remember them a lifetime."
Hearing Agni say this, Nisha's face turned red with embarrassment, and she buried her face in the pillow, saying, "Agni, please don't tease me..."
Seeing Nisha blush like that, Agni started laughing and then said to Nisha, "Listen, I really want to see you."
Nisha, still blushing, said, "Yes, you are looking at me."
Agni said, "No, not like this. I want to see your face right in front of me, holding you in my arms."
Nisha shyly replied, "You know, after the turmeric ceremony, the boy and girl can't meet each other until the wedding. So, control your emotions. The wedding is the day after tomorrow. You can gaze as much as you want after that."
Agni insisted, "Come to the roof for just five minutes... I really want to hold you in my arms. And who knows what happens the day after tomorrow? What if something happens that day, and I can't even talk to you properly, let alone hold you?"
Nisha said in surprise, "Why are you saying that? Nothing like that will happen the day after tomorrow... We are getting married the day after tomorrow, and only our wedding will happen... After that, no power in the world can separate us."
Agni says, "...Hey, we'll see about the day after tomorrow. Come now, right now it feels like the power of the whole world is preventing us from meeting."
Nisha started laughing and said, "Such impatience isn't good, sir. Please wait a little."
Agni said restlessly, "...I hope the wait doesn't become a test. I can't live a moment without you, let alone two days."
Both were enjoying each other's company on this beautiful journey of their love, and they didn't even realize when they fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.
The next day, there was a buzz in the Sabharwal mansion right from the morning. Naturally, the wedding was tomorrow, and guests and relatives had started arriving.
There was a media presence outside the Sabharwal mansion, but the security had them under control.
Wedding preparations had begun in the garden. Since the wedding was tomorrow morning, the event managers wanted to complete all the work on time according to their schedule.
Agni left as soon as morning broke, as he had his music concert that evening, and he had to prepare for that too.
Ronit and Agni were currently in their studio preparing for the night's music. The Hotel Paradise had also become a hub for the media, as the concert was scheduled to take place there at night.
Nisha's designer lehenga had arrived at the Sabharwal mansion, and Nisha was trying it on to check its fitting.
She already had the diamond-studded jewelry set, which she was supposed to wear at the wedding.
Akshat had brought Agni's sherwani. Agni had complete faith in Akshat's choice, so he approved the sherwani without any fuss. He knew his brother would select the best thing in the world for him.
All the women of the house were busy with some rituals, and all the men were busy with preparations.
After overseeing all the work here, Akshat was going to Agni's concert.
Everyone wanted to go, but how could they go with the wedding preparations?
The evening arrived in no time. Agni, in his BMW car, under security escort, reached Hotel Paradise.
Akshat also arrived there through the rear entrance. The venue was so crowded that there was no space to even stand.
People were eagerly waiting for Agni's arrival. Agni was getting married tomorrow, and for all of them, this concert was a gift, from Agni on his wedding.
After a while, the stage lights dimmed, and Agni appeared in the center of the stage, his guitar in his hands.
He was wearing a denim jacket. He looked stunning in a black shirt and black jeans.
The girls were swooning at the sight of him. They were climbing over each other, trying to reach Agni, but the bodyguards held them back.
Agni picked up his guitar and began his concert.
The two-hour concert was being broadcast live.
The Sabharwal family was also watching the concert together. Agni's concert was live on TV, and the melody of Agni's songs filled everyone's ears. At this moment, smiles were on everyone's faces.
Naturally, since the concert was at a hotel, security was tight, but the hotel staff's duties had also increased significantly.
There were so many guests that all the staff had to work overtime to fulfill everyone's requests.
After two hours, the concert ended. Agni came to the green room and collapsed onto a chair. Ronit quickly handed Agni a bottle of water. Agni opened the bottle and drank all the water in one gulp. Naturally, he had been singing for two consecutive hours; his throat was starting to hurt.
Akshat sat next to Agni and, turning up the AC temperature, said, "Rest for a while."
Just then, Agni's phone on the table rang. Agni saw it was Nisha's call. Agni picked up the phone and, handing it to Akshat, said in a very weak and muffled voice, "Brother, I don't have the courage to say anything. You talk."
Akshat could understand that Agni's throat was hurting, so he wouldn't be able to speak much. He took the phone and, going outside, said, "Nisha, the concert has ended. Agni is resting. I'll have him call you in a while."
Nisha said, "Okay, fine. But Jijaji, tell him to drink warm water; it will help his throat pain."
Akshat, laughing, said, "Yes, I'll tell him."
The organizer had arranged dinner for Agni and his team at the hotel itself.
All the composers, directors, and other musicians were having dinner at the restaurant, while a VIP suite had been booked for Agni.
Agni, Ronit, and Akshat all went to the suite. As soon as they reached the room, Agni dropped onto the bed with a thud. He didn't even have the energy to get up for dinner. He was truly exhausted today, but Akshat lifted him up and said, "Have dinner first, and then you can rest."
A waiter brought a food trolley to their room. Ronit served dinner to Akshat and Agni. The three of them sat and ate dinner. After that, Ronit said, "Dude Agni, tomorrow you'll be married, and after that, I'll have to ask Nisha for permission even to meet you."
At Ronit's words, both Agni and Akshat started laughing. Akshat said, "Well, that's bound to happen. Naturally, how long will Agni keep taking you around with him? It's a good thing he agreed to marry Nisha. Otherwise, sometimes Nisha and I would even suspect you two."
Agni burst out laughing, and Ronit glared at Akshat and said, "What, Brother, you're teasing me too? Hey, I was just saying that our friend will be embarking on the path of marriage tomorrow, and after that, he'll go his own way. First, there will be a wedding, then children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren. And this young and handsome friend of mine will grow old one day."
Agni stirred his spoon in his plate and said, "So what do you want? For me to stay young my whole life? Well, that's just not possible. It's against nature."
Ronit said, "Yes, I know, it's against nature. Anyway, who will take care of you in old age... Nisha will take care of you. I'm just saying that while you have your youth, live these days to the fullest. And besides, these are the days that we'll remember later."
Akshat said, "Say what you want to say, clearly." Ronit said, "Hey Brother, I'm saying that tomorrow is his wedding, and we only have tonight. So why not have a bachelor party?"
Agni and Akshat were both surprised and looked at Ronit together. Ronit, with an innocent expression, said, "Hey, don't stare at me like that, guys. Your eyes scare me. How has this innocent child managed to scare me."
Akshat narrowed his eyes and said, "You, innocent? My brother has also been spoiled by your company."
Agni started laughing and said, "By the way, Brother, Akshat is absolutely right. I mean, after tomorrow, I'll have to ask Nisha for permission to go everywhere. Why not have a small party tonight?"
Akshat glared at Agni and said, "Absolutely not! Mother has strictly ordered me to bring you straight home after the concert."
Agni said, "Yes, Brother, we'll go straight home from here, but... what harm will two drinks do to anyone? Come on, Brother, after all, after tomorrow, I'll have to ask Nisha for permission even for this. Can't you do this much for me?"
Akshat finally gave in. Naturally, Agni held a very important place in his life. He had been very close to Agni since childhood. To Akshat, Agni was like a younger brother.
Even after Kiran arrived, Agni received the same love and affection as his younger brother.
Akshat fulfilled every wish of Agni, big or small; so how could he not fulfill his brother's request to throw a small party today?
He said "Okay" and called security to ask them to make arrangements.
The three of them reached a club in Hotel Paradise. In the noise of the club, no one could hear anything, and in such a crowd, no one wanted to see anyone.
Intoxicated people were lost in their own world; for those dancing on the dance floor, the world was meaningless.
Agni, Ronit, and Akshat all went towards the bar counter and ordered a drink each from there.
There was a different glow on Agni's face today; tomorrow he was going to get his love forever.
Today's concert was broadcast live all over the world. Agni's popularity was becoming famous worldwide after this concert.
The joy of his success was evident on Agni's face; while in some corner of the same club, someone's eyes were irritated by Agni's smiling face.
Sitting in a VIP section of the club, Shub Randhawa's eyes were pricked by Agni's smile like an arrow.
While Agni's concert became famous worldwide today, Shub's music album was also released today; but his music album only reached a limited number of people. Even half of the money he invested in this music album could not be recovered.
The music producer scolded Shub a lot for this and even threatened legal action against him. Shub was very agitated today; anger was boiling in his eyes. He had come to the club to calm his anger and frustration and was drinking there.
Even while drinking, his mind did not calm down, but then his gaze fell on Agni sitting at the bar counter, talking with a smile. Seeing Agni like this, Shub blamed Agni for his failure and in one gulp finished the entire bottle.
Shub was fuming with anger. Looking at Agni in anger, he said, "My album flopped because of you today! Because of you, I had to listen to that two-bit producer, who didn't have the guts to stand in front of Shub Randhawa! He threatened me with court, and you are responsible for all this, Agni Sabharwal! You snatched my happiness, my identity, my fame! How can you be so happy and relaxed after snatching so much from me? You will have to pay for it. You too see how it feels when a person's fame falls to the ground in an instant."
In the hatred he harbored for Agni, Shub had become completely blind; he didn't even realize what he was doing right or wrong.
Shub took out his phone and called someone.
After a while, a man coming out of the club area approaches the VIP section and says to Shub, "Sir, there's no stuff today."
Shub looks at him with an arrogant look and says, "I don't want your nonsense! I'm telling you to do one thing, do it."
The man slyly said, "I'll get paid."
Shub says with a crooked smile, "You'll get double what you're thinking; but my hand should not be involved in this work anywhere."
The man said with a devilish smile, "The work will be done, sir."
On the other hand, Agni, unaware of any conspiracy, was celebrating his victory today.
Akshat was sitting at the bar counter drinking, and Agni and Ronit had gone to the dance floor. Both were dancing with each other.
No, they were just friends with each other; but both of them preferred to stay away from girls. Because Agni was still okay, he was a rockstar, a superstar; it was natural for girls to be crazy about him. Girls would flock to Ronit just to get to Agni through him. That's why both friends, staying away from girls, were dancing with each other.
Just then, the man who was talking to Shub comes to the bartender.
He signals the bartender, and the bartender leaves.
Akshat's entire attention was on Agni and Ronit at this time, and he was slowly enjoying the drink in his hands.
After dancing, both Agni and Ronit got tired, so they came back and sat at the bar counter.
Ronit looks at the bartender and says, "Who are you? Wasn't some other guy standing here?"
The man says, "Sir, the shifts keep changing here. Tell me, which drink do you want?"
Ronit tells the man the drink and then starts talking to Akshat. Everyone's attention was on the conversation at this time; the man was standing at the bar, pouring drinks from different bottles.
When he sees that no one is paying attention to him, he secretly takes out a pill from his pocket and drops it into a drink.
He places the drink on the counter, and the drink into which he had mixed something is handed over to Agni.
The three of them pick up their respective drinks and finish them, toasting each other.
As soon as Agni finished his drink, the man at the bar counter nodded in affirmation, looking towards the VIP section.
Just then, the bar manager arrives and says to Agni, "Hello Agni, I'm very happy that you came to our place."
Agnay was talking to the manager normally. The manager was discussing an event with Agnay, but due to the loud noise, Agnay couldn't understand anything.
The manager called him aside and told Agnay that he wanted to discuss something very important with him.
Work was always Agnay's top priority, so he came out of the club with the manager.
Outside the club, Agnay was talking to the manager about an event. Agnay said he liked the manager's proposal, but he would provide all the information later; his team would consider it.
The manager said "okay" and left. As Agnay was turning towards the club, he suddenly felt dizzy.
Agnay held his head and was about to fall when the same man who had offered him the drink caught him.
The man looked around to see if anyone had noticed, and when he was satisfied that no one had, he lifted Agnay and moved away from there through a corridor path where the guards couldn't see him.
The man took Agnay to a corner of the corridor where Shubh was waiting.
Agnay was almost unconscious. When Shubh saw him in that condition, he wanted to kill him, but then he thought that torturing was more fun than killing. With that thought, a devilish smile appeared on Shubh's face.
With the man's help, he left Agnay in a room and told the man, "Bring the stuff."
The man looked at Agnay and said, "Sir, I'll bring the stuff, but this man will go crazy. And if he doesn't find that thing in his madness, he'll start tearing himself apart."
"He'll hurt himself in all this commotion."
Shubh said slyly, "That's what I want. I want him to hurt himself, to tear himself so much that the wounds on his body become a part of his existence."
Then Shubh looked at Agnay and said, "Isn't his wedding tomorrow? If I don't take out his respect procession on his wedding day, then my name isn't Shubh Randhawa."
The man took out a small injection and syringe from his pocket and gave it to Shubh.
Shubh filled the syringe with medicine and immediately injected it into Agnay's body.
Agnay was unconscious, but he still felt pain in his body, and he groaned slightly. The pain was clearly visible on his face.
A devilish smile was on Shubh's face, and anger towards Agnay was clearly visible in his mind.
Shubh saw that Agnay's phone was ringing. He took the phone out of Agnay's pocket and saw that "Bhai" was flashing on the screen. He cut off the call and switched off the phone.
He kept the phone on the side table and left the room with a sly smile on his face.
Meanwhile, at the club, Akshat's call was cut off, and now his phone was switched off. He had called Agnay several times, but after one ring, the phone was switched off.
Akshat and Ronit both were worried about where Agnay had suddenly gone. They went to the manager, and he told them that he had talked to Agnay and then come to his cabin. He didn't know where Agnay had gone after that.
Akshat and Ronit looked at each other. They also checked the VIP suite where he was staying, but Agnay wasn't there either. They asked Agnay's team, but no one knew where Agnay had suddenly gone.
Then someone from their team said, "Maybe the boss went home."
Akshat and Ronit looked at each other, thinking how he could have gone home and why he hadn't told them? They were all going to go home together.
Then the organizer said, "Agnay sir was planning something for Nisha Ma'am, some surprise. I think that's why he left early and didn't want to tell you people."
Ronit looked at Akshat and said, "Bhai, we think we should go to the mansion and find out because Agnay often plans such surprises for Nisha and doesn't tell anyone about it."
Akshat nodded and sent the whole team home. Akshat and Ronit came to the Sabarwal mansion, but a fear was dwelling in his mind. He felt that something was going to happen.
Meanwhile, an hour later, Agnay regained consciousness. As he regained consciousness, his head was very heavy, as if someone had placed a mountain on his head. Agnay somehow sat down, holding his head, but then his body started to move strangely. He felt as if thousands of ants and thousands of needles were pricking his body. Every hair on his body was burning like a furnace.
Agnay's mind was out of balance. He scratched his hair violently. What was happening to him? His body was burning like a furnace, and he didn't know why he was feeling so restless. He stood up, stumbling, and started to tear his body with his nails. He was wearing a jeans jacket that felt like an enemy to him.
Agni first took off his jacket and threw it in a corner. He was in a shirt and jeans, but he was feeling very restless. His own body felt like an enemy to him. Why had he suddenly started feeling so hot?
Staggering, he went into the bathroom, holding onto the wall for support. He turned on the shower, but even the cold water couldn't quench his burning heat.
He took off his shirt, throwing it into the corner of the bathroom, and ripped off his vest. Agni was gasping for breath, his eyes red like embers.
Standing under the shower, he was scratching himself. He didn't know what he wanted, only to be freed from this fiery heat.
Just then, there was a stir in the room. Agni was in no state to think or understand anything; the commotion in the room meant nothing to him.
But suddenly, the bathroom door opened. Agni looked at the door with his half-open eyes. A girl, about 22 years old, in a white shirt and skirt, with a black badge on her shirt.
Agni could vaguely see the form of a girl, but he couldn't recognize her.
Then he heard the girl's voice, "I am sorry sir, but this room is not booked under anyone's name. How did you get here?"
Agni walked out of the shower to the bathroom door, where the girl was standing with her face turned away because Agni was only in jeans; his upper body was completely exposed, and his muscular chest was bulging.
Without any warning, Agni grabbed the girl and pinned her against the wall. The girl was startled for a moment and looked at Agni with frightened eyes, then the next moment her eyes widened in surprise and she exclaimed in shock,
"You are Agni Sabharwal, aren't you, The Rockstar...?"
But before the girl could say anything else, Agni grabbed both her hands tightly and placed his lips on hers.
As
The next morning, Sara Mansion was beautifully decorated for the wedding. The media had been covering the wedding since morning. Every newspaper and every news channel in the country was discussing this wedding. The makeup artists and designers had been appointed beforehand, so they arrived on time.
Akshat came out of his room, and Ronit came out of his. They both reached the living room, where Dadi said, "Akshat, where is Agni? Hasn't he gotten ready yet?"
Akshat replied, "Dadi, he must be sleeping. I'll go wake him up now." Dadi nodded. The rest of the family members were preparing for the rituals. The mandap was ready in the garden area, with guests on one side and media personnel on the other.
Akshat went into Agni's room and said as he opened the door, "Agni..."
The room was empty. Akshat was a little surprised. He knew Agni was supposed to spend time with Nisha, but he couldn't have stayed with Nisha all night, could he? He must have returned.
Akshat looked around the room in surprise. He thought Agni was in the bathroom. He went towards the bathroom and opened the door, but there was no one in the bathroom either.
Ronit came from behind, carrying Agni's sherwani, and said, "Groom-to-be, come on, get ready."
But then Akshat said, "Ronit, Agni is not in the room."
Ronit, surprised, exclaimed, "What? Not in the room! If he's not in the room, then where has he gone?"
Akshat said, "I don't know where he's gone! Whether he even came home last night..."
Akshat said this nonchalantly, but then both of them looked at each other in surprise and said together, "It's not possible that Agni didn't come home last night, and we both were just thinking he must have come home, and was with Nisha."
Akshat said, "Let's ask Nisha once."
Just then, Pihu came there wearing her frock suit and said to Akshat, "Papa, I want to wear a lehenga like Masi. Masi promised me yesterday that she would make me wear a lehenga, but now she herself is wearing a lehenga and has made me wear this frock."
Akshat and Ronit were both surprised by Pihu's words. Akshat got down on his knees and asked Pihu, "Pihu dear, Papa will get you a lehenga! First, tell me, when did Masi tell you she would make you wear a lehenga?"
Pihu said, "Last night, Masi was sleeping with me in my room. That's when she said she would make me wear a lehenga, but Masi didn't keep her promise. She wore the lehenga herself and made me wear this frock."
Ronit and Akshat were both stunned. This meant Agni had not come home last night, because Nisha was with Pihu.
They quickly took out their phones and tried to call Agni, but his phone was switched off.
Ronit said, "Brother, Agni is probably still at the hotel."
Akshat said, "But we spoke to the manager. He said Agni is not with him."
Ronit said, "Brother, I feel like there's some problem. In such a big hotel, it's not necessary that Agni would be with that manager. Anyway, Agni has more rivals than fans. Something seems wrong. His phone has also been switched off since last night, and he has suddenly disappeared. We should go and check the hotel once."
Akshat quickly left with Ronit, but as soon as he entered the garden, his eyes widened in surprise because Nisha was standing there with her friends at that moment. Makeup artists had come for Nisha, but still, her friends were helping her get ready.
Nisha saw Akshat and came to him, saying, "Jiju, where is Agni? Has he gotten ready or not?"
Akshat didn't know how to answer Nisha's questions. Ronit was also stunned.
Akshat told Nisha, "Don't worry, Agni has gone out for some work. We'll bring him back in a little while."
Upon this, Mohan Ji and Veena angrily said, "Is this boy mad? If he had some work, he should have informed someone, shouldn't he have gone? Who knows where he's gone, he hasn't been seen since morning. It's his wedding today, and there's no news of him."
Nisha looked at them and said, "Uncle-Auntie, please calm down. He must have gone for some work, otherwise, Agni wouldn't leave such a wedding."
After that, Nisha looked at Akshat and said, "Jiju, please bring Agni back quickly."
Akshat nodded and left with Ronit.
Meanwhile, in the hotel room, Agni's eyes slowly opened. Many noises were bothering his ears. He left his world of sleep and entered the real world, his head feeling heavy.
Holding his head, he sat up on the bed, but the noise in his ears still pricked him like an arrow.
Agni was still a bit sleepy, but even so, he woke up with his half-closed eyes, and then he realized that it wasn't noise, but the sound of someone crying.
Agni sat up holding his head and slowly tried to ignore the noise, but then he looked to his right because the noise was coming from that direction.
And looking in that direction, his eyes widened in surprise.
A girl was crying in the blanket early in the morning. Agni was surprised to see her and exclaimed, "Who are you?"
The girl, who was sobbing with her face buried in her knees, looked up at Agni's voice.
Agni saw that a girl was sitting on the bed with him. She was petite, with a small, round face, a long nose with a nose ring, and dense eyelashes that blinked over her dark eyes. Her lips were trembling slightly.
But when Agni's gaze fell on her condition, his heart skipped a beat. His sleep and intoxication were gone in an instant. He was trying to understand who this girl was sitting on the bed with him, crying as she looked at him.
Now Agni's attention turned to his own condition. When he saw that he was also naked, covered only by a blanket, with half of it wrapped around the girl.
Agni clutched his head tightly. He couldn't understand what had happened to him. Agni quickly looked around the bed and found his jacket and pants lying there.
He quickly pulled out a towel from the side table drawer, wrapped it around his waist, picked up his clothes, and rushed into the bathroom.
Agni was frustrated when he entered the bathroom. He couldn't understand what had happened to him. His head was throbbing so much that he couldn't even do anything. But the girl was on the bed with him, and her condition had become like this. Had he done this?
Agni's condition was terrible. He looked at himself in the mirror. The marks on his neck and face revealed the truth of the previous night.
Agni was terrified and said to himself, "This can't be happening, it's a lie, it's not true, it's all a lie, I must be having a bad dream, and I'll wake up from this dream after a while."
Agni was very frightened. He had never let Nisha get this close to him before, nor had he ever gone this close to Nisha. Because he and Nisha liked each other within their boundaries. They had never even kissed. Nisha had said that she wanted her first kiss as a trophy after marriage.
The person who had never kissed his girlfriend before was now on a bed with a girl.
This thought made Agni shiver. He turned on the tap and started splashing water on his face. But now he was convinced that he wasn't dreaming, this was all real, and the girl was really out there. Who was she?
Now Agni was getting angry at the girl. He thought that this girl must have been sent by one of his rivals, and this was a plot to defame him.
Agni stormed out of the bathroom, his anger boiling over. The girl was standing by the bed, wearing her clothes, but her face still showed despair and tears.
Agni shouted at her angrily, "Who are you? What are you doing here in this room with me? Tell the truth! How much money did you get, and who's the pawn you were sent by? Tell me the truth, and I'll give you double the amount they paid you, but stop this dirty game!"
The girl listened to Agni's words in amazement, but she didn't have the strength to say anything. She just listened to Agni's threats and trembled with fear.
Agni looked at her clothes and guessed that she was a waitress.
Agni glared at her angrily and said, "You're a waitress? You should be ashamed! How low have you fallen for a little money?"
Agni was shouting very loudly. The girl stood trembling. She didn't have the courage to say anything. She just stood there.
Only air came out of her mouth. Her gaze was fixed on the ground. She didn't look up at Agni or answer any of his questions.
Agni looked at her with disgust and said, "I couldn't even imagine that girls like you exist, who can stake their dignity for a few bucks."
Agni looked at her as if she was not a human being but something very dirty that would make Agni dirty just by looking at her.
Agni looked around and saw his phone on the side table. He quickly picked it up and turned it on, but it didn't turn on. His phone was switched off, so Agni quickly turned it on. As soon as Agni turned it on, the name 'Bhai' flashed on the phone screen.
He quickly picked up the phone, and Akshay scolded him, "Agni, where are you right now? You know there's a big problem at home. You disappeared at night, and we thought you'd be at home. Where are you?"
Agni glanced at the girl, who had her eyes fixed on the ground, still crying.
Agni said, "Bhai, there's a problem. Please come here quickly."
Agni hung up the phone and looked at the girl, saying, "How much money were you paid? Because of what you did today, you will never be able to live peacefully."
"You know it's my wedding today, and because of you, my self-respect has been questioned. I will never forgive you for this, and girls like you don't even deserve forgiveness, yuck!"
Agni said this and took out his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He saw there was about 10,000 in cash. He took out the money and threw it on the bed.
The meaning of Agni's action was clear. He was paying the girl for her services.
Agni walked with quick steps to the room door and flung it open. But the next moment, the camera flashlights and the reporters' voices stunned him. The girl was equally surprised. As the reporters rushed in all at once without any warning.
They confined the girl and Agni in a room. Agni tried to cover his face. But the girl stood there as if stunned. She had no sense of what was happening. What was happening so suddenly?
One reporter said, "Mr. Agni, today is your wedding, and you are in a hotel with a girl the night before, what clarification will you give?"
Another reporter said, "We heard you do drugs? But here, something else is going on. Do you have any answer for this? Is this the only girl you spent the night with, or do more girls come to you?"
Agni, moving his face away from the camera, said, "Turn off the cameras, all of you, turn off the cameras. Who gave you permission to enter? Turn off the cameras, all of you!"
Agni couldn't handle the reporters. He would hide his face at times and push the camera away at others. But then Akshat and Ronit entered, accompanied by two or three bodyguards. They quickly assessed the situation and took action.
Ronit and Akshat quickly moved Agni aside and, with the help of the bodyguards, got him out of the room. But the reporters' accusatory questions continued to reach his ears.
When Akshat and Ronit heard the reporters' questions, they were also stunned. Ronit's gaze fell on the girl standing in front of the camera, whose picture the reporters were constantly taking.
Ronit signaled to the hotel staff outside. The hotel staff quickly entered and pulled the girl along with them. The bodyguards, along with Ronit and Akshat, covered Agni and quickly moved towards the exit.
But it was too late. The arrow had already been released from the bow. Reporters only wanted sensational news for their channel's TRP. Last night, they had received information that Agni Sagarwal used drugs and was found in a hotel room in a drugged state.
That's why the reporters were waiting outside Agni's room for him to come out. But they didn't know that today they would strike gold, the Agni Sagarwal scandal.
Agni Sagarwal spent a night with an unknown girl. Agni Sagarwal's colorful lifestyle, such headlines were being splashed across the media at that moment.
Akshat was driving. Ronit was sitting next to him, and Agni was in the back, holding his head.
Akshat shouted angrily, "Tell us what you were doing there!"
Agni replied angrily, "I don't know, brother, what I was doing there. I don't even know how I got there or what that girl was doing there. I don't know anything!"
Ronit said to Akshat, "Brother, calm down! He is very distressed, let's talk when we get home."
Agni, with his eyes closed in the back of the car, tried to force his mind to recall what had happened last night. He was piecing things together, when suddenly something hazy appeared in his mind.
"Sir, please leave me. Sir, I am a poor girl. Sir, please don't do this, I will be disgraced. Sir, please don't do this. Sir, please leave me, I won't be able to show my face anywhere. Sir, have mercy on me. I am a poor girl, from a very poor family."
Along with these words, a blurry face played in his mind. Suddenly, Agni's eyes snapped open, and he said in a heavy voice, "Brother, stop the car!"
Akshat slammed on the brakes, and when the bodyguards behind saw the car stop, they also stopped their cars.
Akshat, looking at Agni with surprise, asked, "What happened?"
Agni got out of the car. It was an empty area with just the highway and fields visible in the distance. In fact, Akshat had chosen a longer route to avoid the media.
Agni stood by the roadside, holding his head, his eyes filled with pain.
Akshat and Ronit also got out. The bodyguards were about to get out, but Akshat gestured with his hand, signaling them to stay inside.
Akshat came to Agni and said, "What happened Agni, why are you so upset?"
Agni's eyes welled up with tears. He looked at Akshat in surprise and said, "Brother, that girl was begging me for mercy. She was groveling before me, and I... with her..." As he said this, Agni's composure broke, and he hugged Akshat and started crying.
Akshat patted his back, trying to console him. But he understood the meaning of his unspoken words.
Agni was crying like a child, clinging to his brother's neck and saying, "Brother, what have I done? I didn't want to do this. Brother, I didn't do it intentionally, it was a mistake, I don't know who did it.
But I made a mistake, brother. That girl was begging me in front of me and I didn't listen to her. Brother, forgive me, please forgive me!"
Akshat had an idea that Agni didn't do all this intentionally, but there was a conspiracy behind him. He knew his brother very well. His brother could never do such a thing.
He had never misbehaved with his girlfriend, and many girls were Agni's fans who could go to any extent with him. But Akshat knew that Agni would never cross his limits. But today, seeing him cry like this made Akshat feel very bad.
Akshat looked at Ronit and said, "Ronit, find out what is behind all this. I think it's not as simple as we think!" Ronit nodded his head.
Akshat separated Agni from himself and took his face in his hands, wiping away his tears with his thumb and said, "Don't cry, I told you you didn't do anything. It's not your fault, it was an accident and you didn't do it intentionally, did you?
Look, I'm telling you to keep it like this, don't take it home, I'll calm the media down! This news won't be published. And let's go home, today is the wedding, Nisha is waiting for you!"
Agni looked at Akshat with his petrified eyes and said very helplessly, "I won't be able to look Nisha in the eye. I've strangled her love, her trust, brother, I won't be able to look at her!"
Akshat says, "Don't talk like children, Agni, try to understand. Your wedding is just a few hours away, and the girl you love is waiting for you? And you're not going to marry her just because of a mistake? What's the sense in that? That's stupidity, number one stupidity! I'm also saying, Agni, let's go home!"
Agni shook his head and said, "I don't want to go home, brother, I don't want to go home. I won't be able to face mom, dad, grandma, and Nisha, brother, please!"
Agni folded his hands and said to Akshat, "Please, brother, take me somewhere else for a while where I don't have to remember any of this. Please, I want to forget the sins I've committed!"
When Akshat saw Agni folding his hands like this, he moved forward and held his hand and hugged him.
After all, he had raised Agni like a child, how could he let him be alone?
He consoled Agni and said, "Okay, if you feel like being alone for a while, that's fine. We'll take you to the office, calm your mind completely, and you can relieve all the stress you have. You like music, don't you? Go there and listen to your favorite tunes and get rid of all this negativity. You didn't do anything intentionally, it was an accident."
Akshat then looked at Ronit and said, "Call home and tell them that Agni's health is not good and he will come at the time of the wedding. He was very tired after last night's concert."
Ronit nodded and took out his phone and started calling. Akshat sat Agni back in the car and sat on the driving seat.
Ronit also sat beside Akshat and said, "What happened? Did someone say something?"
Ronit said, "Aunt is very angry and says it's not the right way, you are a grown-up and should understand your responsibilities and says that Agni should be at Sagarwal Mansion before 4:00."
Akshat started the car but went alone with Agni and Ronit. He had refused to let the bodyguards come with him, so all the bodyguards went to Sagarwal Mansion.
Akshat was driving the car towards the music studio.
Agni was sitting behind, holding his head and remembering the accident that happened last night. How he had forced a girl...
That girl was begging him so much, begging him in front of him. But Agni didn't listen to her, and even this morning, he had spoken to her in a very bad way, and she hadn't uttered a word.
Agni was getting angry with himself for what he had done. He wanted to go to a room alone and slap himself 10-15 times.
Akshat's car stopped outside the music studio. They got out and quickly went inside because the media had already arrived. Ronit took Agni inside, but the questions were still echoing in his ears, and the media's absurd questions were making his mind worse.
Agni went straight to his cabin and sat on the sofa, holding his head.
The scene from last night was flashing before his eyes. He remembered everything vaguely. Only one thing was clear: the girl's face. But it was the same girl who was present in the hotel room this morning.
Akshat was continuously explaining to Agni that it was all an accident, but only one demon was riding Agni's mind - he had done wrong, he had done very wrong to that girl.
That girl was begging for mercy, but I couldn't do anything against my bestiality.
Agni was holding himself responsible for all this. Ronit also tried to make Agni understand, but due to his guilt, Agni couldn't understand anyone's words.
About an hour passed. The house had received 10 calls. Ronit had been giving the same answer to everyone for so long - that he would arrive before the muhurat, but Agni's condition didn't seem like going home at that time.
Akshat had used his sources to suppress this news.
Akshat and Ronit were still trying to convince Agni when they heard someone shouting outside. Some girl was shouting very loudly. She was not only shouting but also abusing Agni. There was not a single drop of moisture in her words; it seemed that if Agni was in front of her, she would hit his head.
Akshat and Ronit looked at each other in surprise. Agni could also hear the voice, but at that time, his mind was occupied with old things.
Both Akshat and Ronit came out of the cabin and went towards the entrance, where the guard had stopped a girl. Ronit saw that she was a 22-23 year old girl, wearing a light yellow colored suit-salwar and having her hair tied in a ponytail.
She pushed the guard and tried to come inside and said while shouting in anger, "Will stopping me do anything? I will go to the media, I will go to the court, I will even go to the Supreme Court! If I don't make your boss breathe the air of jail, then my name is not Shalu!"
"Your rockstar, who talks about love and respect for girls in his songs, what happens in real life? In real life, he is a very cheap person! He ruined a girl's life and didn't feel ashamed of doing it. The news of his marriage was coming in the video, what happened to those people? Is one girl enough to live? And you make a poor girl a victim of your lust!"
Akshat and Ronit came towards her and said while looking at her angrily, "Hello madam, you are talking about my brother, talk with decency?"
The girl, who had told her name as Shalu, looked at Akshat with anger and said, "Decency...? After what your brother did, you shouldn't even expect decency! And the way I'm talking, I have shown a lot of decency because that person is equal to having a black face and sitting on a donkey."
Ronit came forward and said while looking at the girl angrily, "What rudeness is this! I will file a police complaint!"
The girl said with more anger, "Yes, call the police! I also want to see how much more you people can do with money! You have ruined the life of an innocent girl, now I also want to see how much help the law of this country provides to you people!"
The girl shouted while looking at Agni, "You have ruined my friend's life! You are the real culprit!"
The girl abused Agni and said, "You are a cheap person! You are a very cheap and low person! A person like you does not deserve to live in society! You do not deserve to live in the world! You people do not understand poor people, do you? You took her to your room last night, did you understand her like your own?"
The girl abused Agni while pointing her finger at him.
Agni had guilt etched on his face. He said softly, "Look, what happened was just an accident. It all happened by mistake, I apologize for it."
Shalu said angrily, "An apology? You are apologizing? Do you think your apology will fix his life? Do you think your apology will stop the defamation he has suffered? Do you think your apology will restore his honor!"
Ronit quickly stepped in front of Shalu and said, "Look madam, Agni made a mistake. He did not intentionally take your friend to his room. It just happened by mistake. Tell us, what can we do to rectify this? Some compensation, whatever you say!"
Shalu took two steps back and, gesturing towards Agni with a look of utter disgust, said, "What shameless people you are! You weren't ashamed to say that you are putting a price on a girl's honor?"
"Do you even have any idea that because of your actions, that girl was forced to take her own life, and you are weighing her helplessness in terms of money! You should be ashamed and die!"
Agni pushed Ronit back and stepped in front of Shalu, saying, "Look, I know I made a mistake and I regret it, but believe me, I did not do this intentionally. Now you tell me, what can I do to rectify this mistake?"
Shalu looked at Agni with anger and said, "Rectify the mistake? How will you rectify it? You have covered up your mistakes by the name of rectifying them, but this one mistake of yours has ruined that poor girl's life!"
"How much does one of your concept tickets sell for? Yes, for 50,000. Your one ticket sells for 50,000. Do you know what that girl's salary is? 5,000."
She used to clean utensils at that hotel for 5,000. She used to clean the floors there. Do you know why? For the treatment of her disabled brother.
She was a proud girl. She would save every penny to get her disabled brother treated, and what did you do? You shattered her pride in one night.
You ran away from there hiding your face out of fear of the media in the morning, but do you know what happened there after you left?
Agni, Ronit, and Akshat stare at her in surprise. The girl says, "That girl's name is Pratigya. Pratigya is my friend, and this morning when you left Pratigya alone in that hotel room and ran away hiding your face out of fear of the media, Pratigya had to face those media's mocking questions."
**Flashback 2 hours earlier.....**
Agni's people had taken him away from there, but the media was still present. They were continuously questioning Pratigya.
"Madam, tell us, how many times have you provided service to Agni Sabarwal? Does Agni Sabarwal come here every night with a new girl? What is your rate? Do you work as a call girl here based on status!"
Pratigya was trembling with fear from all these questions. Then the hotel staff came and dragged Pratigya away from there. They took Pratigya to the laundry department where the hotel manager and Pratigya's department manager were present.
They glared at Pratigya in anger and said, "Today our hotel has been defamed because of you. Today your one disgusting act has ruined our hotel's reputation!"
Pratigya's entire face was red from crying, but she still gathered her courage and said, "Sir, I didn't do anything. Sir forced me and locked me in the room..." Pratigya started crying profusely.
The manager said, "Don't show us these crocodile tears! Agni Sabarwal is not an ordinary name, every girl dies to spend a night with him. You don't have anything special that he would keep you with him. You must have done something yourself?"
The hotel manager, looking at Pratigya's manager, says, "Get this girl out of here! If this trash stays here, the hotel's reputation will be further damaged!"
Pratigya's manager, looking at Pratigya, says, "Pack your belongings and leave!"
Pratigya said crying, "Sir, please don't do this. Don't fire me. I am a very poor girl, sir, I really need this job. My brother is disabled, sir, he cannot walk. Have mercy, don't fire me!"
Pratigya was joining her hands and falling to her knees, but the manager, in front of his hotel's reputation, did not see the tears of that helpless girl. They threw Pratigya's belongings outside the hotel gate and... asked the female staff to escort her out.
The female staff were taking Pratigya away, but Pratigya struggled, freed herself, and pleaded with folded hands in front of the manager, "Sir, at least give me my money. It's my hard-earned money, sir, I really need that money. Give me my salary!"
The manager looked at Pratigya and said, "Salary? What salary? The hotel's name was ruined because of you, our business is on the verge of collapse, and you are worried about your salary! And anyway, you pleased Agni Sabarwal, he must have given you something, right? He's such a rich person, he wouldn't have sent you empty-handed?"
The manager looked around. There was no one nearby, and the female staff were also at a distance. He leaned towards Pratigya and said, "By the way, if you please me, I'll give you double of what Agni Sabarwal gave you? You should have told me earlier you were interested in these things, then I would have transferred you to a place where you could earn money and have fun!"
And saying this, that cursed manager was placing his hand on Pratigya's shoulders.
Pratigya shrugged her shoulder and said to the manager, "Sir, I am not that kind of girl."
The manager said with a sly smile on his face, "Oh! I am not that kind of man either. I am married, I have children, but you know, I am bored of eating home-cooked dal, I feel like having some biryani. This hotel is very clean. This kind of work is not done here; but there is another hotel, if you say, I can talk to them for you, the salary there is also very good and whatever extra you get, that's on top."
And with this, a devilish smile appeared on the manager's face. Pratigya knew what this manager was talking about, so she said nothing and quietly left from there.
What could she argue with that manager? She had already gotten herself fired from the hotel. If she argued more, he would have dragged her onto the street and insulted her.
Pratigya stood at the bus stand with her luggage. After a while, a bus arrived. Pratigya got into the bus and headed towards her home. Pratigya reached a simple neighborhood in Mumbai.
But as soon as she entered the neighborhood, a woman shouted, "Sonu's mother! Look, that girl is here."
Pratigya stared at the woman in surprise. Then three or four more women arrived and looking at Pratigya, their eyes widened as they started saying...
"Oh! Isn't this the same girl who lives as a tenant in that room?"
"Oh! Yes, this is that immoral girl. I heard she does dirty work in hotels."
"Of course! I saw it on the phone. This morning she was found in a hotel room with some big shot."
"Oh, the boy she was with in the hotel room is no ordinary man. He's a huge rockstar. My daughter also listens to his songs. They charge very expensive tickets, and she was in a hotel room with him."
Another woman said, "I used to think she was so decent. She is getting treatment for her sick brother."
"How was I to know that this girl brings money by doing wrong deeds?"
Pratigya looked at them and said in a choked voice, "Look, I haven't done anything."
Just then, a stout woman, who was wearing a nightie and chewing paan in her mouth, pushed her and said, "Go on, you immoral girl! You are dirtying our neighborhood. A girl like you doesn't even have the right to live in society. You people should stay outside. For you, there are brothels, so go and die there."
Then two or three more women came forward, and one woman said, looking at Pratigya, "Of course, if a girl like you stays in the neighborhood, our neighborhood will be spoiled, and our daughters will be negatively affected."
Another woman said, "Oh sister, the one she was with is a rich boy. What shortage of girls would he have? She must have trapped him with her charm. She must have shown off her allure."
Pratigya stood in front of them and said, "You people are misunderstanding. I haven't done anything like this. I went there by mistake."
She was saying this when one of the women, pulling Pratigya, said, "A girl like you has no right to live here."
And she smeared mud from her hand onto Pratigya's face.
The second woman grabbed Pratigya's hair and shaking her, said, "A girl like you pollutes society. Aren't you ashamed, not even once, doing this. Why didn't you just drown and die."
Two or three more women were pulling Pratigya badly in the same way, causing the neckline of her suit to tear slightly, and her dupatta was lying in the dust somewhere on the ground.
They had snatched and pulled Pratigya's hair, messing it up, and smeared mud on her face.
Just then, from a second-floor balcony in the same neighborhood, a door opened, and Shalu came out, her eyes wide with surprise at the scene below.
She quickly started coming down the stairs when her mother stopped her and said, "Stay right here, girl. Where are you going? If you go to save her, you will be considered just like her."
Shalu shook her mother's hand and said, "As a mother yourself, you can think like this. I never imagined it."
Ignoring her mother, she quickly ran downstairs. Those women were shaking Pratigya.
They had left no stone unturned in humiliating Pratigya. Now all the people in the neighborhood had come out of their houses. Even men were standing on the parapets, watching this spectacle.
Shalu quickly pushed aside the women and went to Pratigya, draping her shawl over her, as those women had disheveled Pratigya's clothes.
Shalu looked at those women angrily and said, "You should be ashamed... Being women yourselves, you don't know how to respect another girl."
One woman said, "Oh! What respect should she get? She has come after throwing her honor away."
Shalu glared at that woman in anger and said, "If she has thrown her honor away, what does that have to do with your household? The honor was hers, the respect was hers, she should be the one to feel sad, but more than that, you all are acting like moral guardians of society."
She helps Pratigya up. Pratigya was not in her senses at this time. She was completely devastated. Her whole body had gone numb, and the women had beaten her so much that her face was swollen.
Shalu escorted Pratigna to her rented room door and opened the door to seat her inside. She was giving Pratigna water when a woman came and said,
"Shalu, tell this girl to vacate the room quickly. If she stays here, no other tenant will come to my place, and my reputation will be ruined. People will say that I do something wrong, so tell her to leave as soon as possible."
Shalu glared at the woman and said, "Yes, she won't stay in your room. Take this room with you and go upstairs. Now, get out of here."
The woman stormed out of the room. Shalu first locked the door and then sat beside Pratigna, cleaning her face with a wet cloth.
Shalu said, "Pratigna, what's this? What have you done? You know that people in society won't let you live."
Pratigna looked at Shalu with black eyes filled with tears and said helplessly, "I didn't do anything, Shalu. I swear on my brother's life; I didn't do anything. I asked Agni Ji to leave me alone, but I'm a very poor girl, and he didn't listen to me."
Pratigna's desperate face and tears in her eyes expressed her truth, even if nobody else noticed, but Shalu did.
After cleaning Pratigna and making her wear clothes properly, Shalu asked Pratigna to rest for a while and stepped out of her room. However, as she was heading towards her home, some contractors of the society, people pretending to improve society, were saying near the stairs that if Pratigna didn't leave from there, they would set her house on fire.
Shalu's eyes widened in surprise. How heartless is the world? They talk about big things in movies. They talk about women's honor, women's protection, but in real life, it doesn't happen. If something wrong happens to a girl, the blame is given to her. She is held responsible for the fault. If she doesn't take her own life, people force her to do so.
Shalu thought for a while, entered her room, and picked up her mobile to see today's headlines.
Although Akshat had prevented this news from going viral using his sources, he couldn't stop it from spreading on social media. By the time the news was deleted from all news channels and media, it had already spread like fire on social media.
Shalu was watching a video where it was clear that as soon as the camera opened, Agni tried to hide his face, and Pratigna was being asked questions filled with slander. Shalu's mind heated up as she watched it, and she got up in anger, thinking that if this happened because of Agni Sagarwal, then why should Pratigna suffer alone? He should also suffer.
With this thought, she took a lock from the drawer and quickly went downstairs. She opened Pratigna's room door, peeked inside, and saw Pratigna sleeping. Perhaps the incidents of the day had exhausted her, and she fell asleep.
She locked Pratigna's room door from outside. If she hadn't done it, people would have entered her house, and God knows what would have happened to her.
Then, Shalu directly went to Agni's music studio.
Shalu told everything that happened to Pratigna after Agni left her room.
Akshat and Ronit felt bad about the way a girl was misbehaved, but Agni's guilt was visible on his face. He seemed to hold himself responsible for it. His face had no emotion; he stared at the ground.
Shalu glared at Agni, showed him a finger, and said, "If anything happens to Pratigna because of you, remember that you will be responsible for her death."
Akshat informed that he would inform the police, and they would help that girl. Ronit also said that he knew an NGO that helped such girls and would inform them. They would try to ensure that nothing happened to her.
"If something still happens to her," Agni said, and both Akshat and Ronit were surprised. Agni looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, "Even if you all do so much, and something still happens to that girl, will I be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life? A innocent girl's life was ruined because of me. Will I be able to live in peace knowing that? I don't know what's wrong or right, but what was wrong happened, and it was not my fault or hers, then why should she alone bear the burden of this mistake? The fault was done by both of us, wasn't it?"
Akshat looked at Agni in surprise and asked, "What do you want to do?"
Pratigna was sitting with her back against a wall in her house. She had bent her knees and buried her face in them. The voices coming from outside made her tremble.
A man shouted outside, "You shameless girl! Listen one last time; if you don't leave here, we'll burn you to death. A girl like you doesn't deserve to live anyway."
Another man chimed in, "And what's not to say? Girls like her are a blot on society. They do dirty work themselves and also make society dirty."
"Sonu! Go, bring the kerosene oil quickly and pour it at the door; we'll see if this girl doesn't open the door. She'll either die inside the house or outside... but today, her death is certain."
The boy took a bottle of kerosene oil and moved towards Pratigya's room, sprinkling the oil around her house's threshold.
One man wrapped a cloth around a wooden stick, lit it with a lighter, and said, "Today, everyone will know what punishment society gives to girls like her who spread filth in society."
As he spoke, he threw the burning stick towards Pratigya's house.
The stick flew through the air towards the kerosene-spread area, but suddenly, it stopped in mid-air. Everyone's eyes widened in amazement as they saw Agni holding the stick.
The girls' eyes sparkled with excitement and surprise upon seeing Agni. Agni Sareen was present in their humble neighborhood.
Agni glared angrily at everyone. About 15-20 men stood before him. Agni looked at them with anger and said, "If there's someone here who considers themselves the custodian of society, let them come forward and stand before me. I want to see who's responsible for taking on the task of reforming society."
Upon hearing Agni's angry tone, people began looking at each other. Akshat and Ronit arrived, accompanied by police and bodyguards. They surrounded the house and Agni. Everyone had guns, and they appeared to be trained bodyguards. Their presence terrified everyone.
Ronit stood with Shalu. Agni looked at Shalu and said, "Open the door."
Shalu quickly moved forward and unlocked the room.
Agni, Shalu, and Ronit entered the room.
Akshat stood outside with the guards, police, and security, keeping an eye on the angry mob with sticks and hockey sticks. He ensured they couldn't do anything.
Agni, Ronit, and Shalu entered the house and found Pratigya crying, her face buried in her knees. She trembled with fear, her body shaking violently.
Agni felt terrible seeing this. He thought about how he had caused this situation for a simple waitress.
Shalu rushed towards Pratigya, supporting her. Pratigya lifted her head, saw Shalu, and burst into tears, hugging her tightly. Her body shook uncontrollably. Panicked, she began sobbing, "Shalu, save me; I don't want to die. People will kill me. Shalu, save me..."
Shalu comforted Pratigya, holding her close.
Ronit felt terrible seeing Pratigya's condition. Agni was consumed by guilt.
Shalu gently separated Pratigya and cradled her face in her hands. "Pratigya, why are you panicking? I'm here. Look, I've come. No one will harm you now. Calm down and see who's here..."
Pratigya listened to Shalu but remained fearful. She turned towards the door and saw Agni standing there, her eyes widening in surprise. She stood up quickly, her body still trembling with fear. She joined her hands and begged Agni, "Sir, please don't beat me. I haven't done anything. Sir, I'm telling the truth; I haven't done anything."
Pratigya's face was red and tear-stained. Agni felt terrible. Although it wasn't entirely his fault, the simple waitress before him was also largely innocent.
Agni stepped forward and said, "Don't be scared; I won't do anything... and see, what happened was an accident."
Pratigya listened, still fearful.
The people outside shouted, "This girl is having an affair with her boyfriend in her room. See, this shameless girl couldn't get enough of hotel rooms, so she brought her boyfriend home."
Their words pierced Agni's ears like arrows. He looked angrily towards the door, moved quickly, and grabbed Pratigya's hand. Pratigya's breath caught, and her eyes widened in surprise. Without hesitation, Agni pulled Pratigya out of the house.
Agni had come to his bodyguards with a vow. The bodyguards had surrounded the house. As they saw Agni come out, they became more alert and increased the perimeter to keep the locals at bay.
Agni came to his bodyguards and looked at the people in the neighborhood, saying, "Don't you people feel ashamed of slandering a girl's dignity like this? You must have daughters-in-law and daughters in your homes, but still, you can't respect a girl's dignity?"
Suddenly, a man stepped forward and said to Agni, "Wow, great orator! You give this speech on stage to fool people, because the world doesn't run on your speeches, it runs on respectable people. And this girl gave her dignity to you last night... anyway, I heard in the news that you're getting married today. Go celebrate your wedding... the people in this society will see what to do with this girl."
Agni glared at the man and said angrily, "It's people like you, who act as custodians of society, that make girls unsafe even today. It's people like you who make girls feel insecure on the streets... it's people like you who keep evil practices alive in society. You people should be ashamed to be a part of this society."
Another man came forward and said to Agni, "Wow, great sir! You're the son of a rich father. You can keep 10 girls with you for a night with your money. You catch one and leave her, catch another and leave her, and marry someone else... and why do you care so much? You've already used her, enjoyed a night with her. Now what happens to her is her fate. What's it to you... who's she to you, your wife?"
The man had said these things with shameless laughter, and the men standing with him started laughing too.
Agni's blood was boiling. He wanted to go forward and throttle the man, but there was truth in his words... Agni didn't care about Pratigya. If he left Pratigya here and went away, these people would still come to trouble her... today, tomorrow, or the day after. They would still make her life hell.
Pratigya's eyes were filled with tears that wouldn't stop. People could think so badly about her...
Agni thought for a moment. The laughter of those people was piercing his ears like a broken glass.
They were laughing and saying, "You've already used her. If someone else uses her, what will happen to you... anyway, girls don't matter to you people. Who she is or where she's from, that doesn't matter. She's not your wife, so why do you care so much? And anyway, what this girl did, she can't be anyone's wife for the rest of her life."
Agni's mind was shattering as he listened to those people's words. Suddenly, his phone in his pocket started vibrating. Agni had his one hand tightly holding Pratigya's hand. He took out the phone from his pocket with his other hand. Nisha's name was flashing on the screen. When Agni saw Nisha's name, he suddenly came to his senses.
His eyes welled up with tears, and he slowly looked at Nisha's name, closed his eyes, and said to himself with a sense of guilt, "I'm sorry, Nisha! Forgive me." And with that, Agni cut off Nisha's call.
Agni pulled Pratigya to one side. The bodyguards had surrounded Agni and Pratigya and had their guns aimed at the locals so that they couldn't stop Agni.
Akshat, Ronit, Shalu, and all the people from the neighborhood were standing there. No one understood what happened next. They were all stunned, and Akshat and Ronit's eyes were wide with surprise.
Agni pulled Pratigya towards a small temple in a house in this colony. There was a photo of Mata, and kumkum and sindoor were placed in front of her.
The next moment, Agni picked up the sindoor in his fist and applied it to Pratigya's forehead.
Pratigya's entire face and head turned red with sindoor. Her eyes were wide with shock. She looked at Agni with surprised eyes, but Agni held her hand and went back to those people, looking at them angrily and saying, "So, who was talking about my wife's dignity? What were you saying, that who is she to me? My wife is mine."
Akshat and Ronit were stunned, and Shalu... she didn't faint, but her condition worsened. All three of them were watching Agni's actions with shock. Pratigya wasn't in a state to say anything. Her mind wasn't working after hearing the humiliating words from so many people. But Agni's actions took her breath away.
