Sunday morning....
The sun had been shining for hours, but Sanchi was still asleep.
After working overtime the previous day, her body desperately needed rest.
A loud noise suddenly disturbed her sleep.
She buried her face deeper into the pillow, trying to ignore it.
But the noise continued.
With an annoyed groan, she finally got out of bed and walked toward the living room.
The moment she stepped outside...
She froze.
The entire house was decorated beautifully.
Flowers.
Lights.
Decorations.
Everyone seemed busy preparing for something.
Confused, Sanchi looked at her mother.
"Mom... what's going on?"
Her mother smiled brightly and walked toward her.
"Sanchi, your engagement is this evening."
For a second...
Everything around her stopped.
"What...?"
Her voice barely came out.
"This decoration is for your engagement ceremony," her mother continued happily.
The color drained from Sanchi's face.
Her heartbeat became erratic.
"Whose engagement?" she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
Her mother laughed.
"Yours, of course."
Sanchi felt the ground slipping beneath her feet.
"With whom?"
The answer came immediately.
"Kabir ..."
The moment she heard his name...
Her world shattered.
"No..."
She took a step backward.
"This can't be happening."
Her mother frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"How can my engagement be fixed so suddenly?" Sanchi demanded. "Why wasn't I informed?"
Before her mother could answer, a powerful voice interrupted them.
"Because the decision has already been made."
Sanchi turned around.
Her father stood there with a stern expression.
"The engagement is tonight."
His voice left no room for discussion.
"And your wedding will take place next week."
Sanchi's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"We received confirmation from Kabir's family yesterday," her father continued.
"Everything is finalized."
"No!"
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"Papa, please... I don't want to marry Kabir."
The room fell silent.
"I can't live with him."
Her voice shook as she continued.
"You can choose anyone else. I'll marry whoever you want... but not him."
For the first time, pain became visible in her eyes.
"Please, Papa."
But her father's expression remained unchanged.
"Your marriage will happen with Kabir."
His voice became colder.
"And that's final."
Sanchi felt her chest tighten.
"This marriage is important for our family's honor."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"I don't want any drama from you."
The conversation was over.
Just like that.
Without another word, Sanchi turned around and ran to her room.
The moment the door closed behind her...
She collapsed onto the floor.
The tears she had been holding back finally escaped.
One after another.
Endlessly.
She cried until her entire body trembled.
Why was nobody listening to her?
Why did everyone keep deciding her future?
Did she not have the right to choose her own life?
A sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
Sanchi quickly wiped her tears.
She opened the door.
"Mahi..."
The moment she saw her best friend, all her emotions broke free again.
Without saying a word, she pulled Mahi inside and hugged her tightly.
And then...
She cried.
Harder than before.
Mahi's face immediately filled with concern.
"Sanchi, what happened?"
After calming her down and giving her some water, Mahi finally managed to get the full story.
From Kabir's proposal...
To the forced engagement...
To the wedding planned only a week away.
By the time Sanchi finished speaking, her eyes were red from crying.
"I don't understand, Mahi."
Her voice cracked.
"Neither Kabir nor my family is listening to me."
More tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Don't I have the right to make decisions about my own life?"
Mahi held her hand gently.
For a moment, she remained silent.
Then she spoke softly.
"Right now, creating a scene won't help."
Sanchi looked at her helplessly.
"Then what should I do?"
"Get through the engagement first."
Mahi's voice was calm.
"After that, we'll find a way."
"What if we can't?"
"We will."
Mahi squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"But today... don't do anything reckless."
Sanchi lowered her eyes.
Because deep inside...
She knew she was running out of time.
And somewhere else in the city...
Kabir Raichand was already preparing for the engagement.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Because unlike Sanchi...
He was absolutely certain.
Soon...
She would belong to him.
— End Of Chapter 4 —