Prologue

"I want Diya with me."

I felt like my heart skipped a beat when I heard his words from the other room. I recognized his voice; it was him. He's finally here to take me with him. A glorious smile was carved on my face while tears of joy welled up in my eyes. After all this time, I will finally be with him, and that's all I've ever wanted in my life.

"Have you lost your senses? If not, get out of here. And if so, please allow me to kick you out."

Next, I heard a voice filled with hate, and it was none other than my older brother's. I don't know why he hates him and why he hates me. Why doesn't he want my happiness?

"Daksh, be quiet. Let's not forget who he is."

No, Mom, not you, please. I wanted to leave this place, stand beside him, and tell him that these people are not worth talking to. Let's walk away from here. But I couldn't. Mom had locked me inside this room and threatened me that if I made a single noise, she would harm Dad. I can't let anyone harm Dad.

I looked at Dad with teary eyes. He was lying in the corner of the room. I ran towards him and hugged him as I cried. I knew he could hear my cries, and his eyes expressed that. But I wished to God that someday he would be able to caress my hair while I cried in his lap. God, please make Dad recover soon.

"So, tell me. What's the deal?"

I heard Mom's voice. Her voice was full of scorn. I somehow left Dad's embrace and sat down beside him. I didn't want to trouble him, but I wanted to listen to whatever they were talking about.

"Mom, there's no need to know the deal. I'm not letting this man take my sister away."

"You're just a kid, and I haven't allowed my kids to make any decisions."

"Mom!"

"Shut up, Daksh. Let me talk now."

"Fine."

The more I listened to their voices, the more curious I became. I wanted to know what was happening, and more than that, I wanted to be with him, leaving all of them behind. I love him.

"Do you know you're only five years younger than Diya's father?"

"Yes, I know, and I don't care."

He doesn't care? I couldn't help but smile at his words. I know one thing in this world, and that is that he loves me the most.

"But we do care. First, we're not filthy rich like you, so we can't avoid the consequences of our actions. We can't bear the wrath of society. And second, she is my daughter, and you're a man who is twenty-two years older than her."

"I don't care, I want her."

"What if we don't let you have her?"

"Then I have my own ways."

"What ways?"

I could sense my heart beating rapidly with his words. What other way does he have? I don't want to consider any other way. This is the most right way — to fight for the girl you love in the most honest manner. There can be no other way than that.

Oh, how wrong was I. How could I not know that his next words would shatter my heart into millions of pieces?

"I will give you two crore rupees if you give her to me."

"What? You want to buy her?"

"If that's what you people think, yes."