Shree took the water from the big tub and started washing the plates and bowls while wiping her sweats. Her little hands did her job effortlessly as she tried to complete the task as fast as she could. After that she had to go to her school.

"Shree, do it fast. They are coming"

She heard her aunt yelling at her from inside making her nod a little.

Her aunt never left a chance to shout or yell at her. They were letting her study till now because she used to do all the household chores of her family. Her mother died while giving birth to her and her father died in a deadly disease. The small house was made by her father but after he died, her uncle took it and started staying there with his wife. He had no child, so Shree became the one for them. The innocent girl used to think they loved her but she was actually a golden goose for them.

She was busy in her own business unaware of someone watching her each and every move. A pair of eyes were constantly staring at her body from top to bottom which she didn't notice. Even if she did, she wouldn't understand why the person was staring at her like that.

Lust was clearly visible in his eyes as he licked his lips. Her pallu moved a little from it's place making her cleavage visible to those lusty gazes.

Shree took the dirty clothes and kept them in the water when she saw a figure coming near her. She looked up to get a better view and came to see a man. He was older than her uncle wearing a white dhoti and white kurta approaching her. She mistook him as his uncle's friend but in reality, he was their landlord.

"Idhar aa mere paas" (Come near me)

The man ordered as she got scared a little.

She immediately washed her dirty hands and went near him.

"Naam kya hai tera?" (What's your name)

He held her shoulders and asked.

When she didn't look up, he grabbed her jaw making her face up a little so that he could get a better view of her face.

"Shree" She responded without a word as she was scared as hell.

She could understand from his voice that the man wasn't good.

"Bohot sundar naam hai!" (Beautiful name)

His hands moved downward from her shoulders to her palms feeling her skin under him.

Shree shook her body a little being uncomfortable under his touch.

"Malik" Her uncle, Mahendra came from behind and stood in front of him lowering his head.

"Who is this girl?" The man none other than Bhupender Singh, their landlord asked him.

"She is my niece"

"I like her" Bhupinder smirked and then continued. "Vyah karna chahte hai isse" (I want to marry her)

"Malik" Mahendra was shocked for a moment hearing him.

They were not even his match how could he say that.

"Do you have any problem?" Bhupinder glared at him as he denied immediately.

"But Malik you're so rich. How can I pay the dowry?" Mahendra lowered his head.

"That's why I'm marrying her. You don't need to pay any dowry. Instead I'll give you Rs. 1000 if you give her to me"

"Thousand rupees?" Her aunt, Lata got shocked hearing the amount.

He wanted to pay a thousand rupees for this girl who had nothing. Was he mad?

Shree was confusingly gazing at them standing a little away. She couldn't hear what they were talking but their serious faces making her suspicious. Curiosity killed the cat as she stepped forward towards them.

"Tell me your decision"

Mahendra and Lata looked at each other for sometime and then at the man.

"We don't have any problem with this marriage, Malik"

A smirk appeared on Bhupinder's face as he looked at the little girl standing in front of him.

"Three days later, I'll come to marry her. Get ready for the marriage"

"Ji, malik"

Mahendra nodded as he left from there.

Lata immediately came near Shree and cupped her face.

"Finally you gave us some happiness"

Shree looked more confused hearing her aunt.

"What was he telling?" She asked Lata confusingly.

"You're getting married"

Shree was shocked for a moment listening to her aunt.

"With whom?" She asked instantly.

"With him"

Lata's words made her uncomfortable a little not because she didn't want to marry but the man wasn't seeming good to him and most importantly, he was so old.

"But kaki, he is so old" She raised her question as her aunt glared at her.

"He is going to be your husband. Fit this in your head" Lata warned the little girl as she got scared.

Shree nodded with tears in her eyes accepting the alliance. She didn't want to get beaten by her for rejecting the alliance.

"Now go and wash the clothes first. Then start preparing for the marriage" Her aunt said making her frown.

"But my school?"

"Didn't you hear? Your marriage is in just three days. Don't need to go to school"

Shree nodded again without a word and started going outside.

"Where are you going now?" Lata asked her as she turned back.

"Radha ko batane ja rahe hai" (I'm going to tell these to Radha)

She uttered and left the place.

◉✮◉

Three days passed quickly, Rishiraj put his glasses on and entered the classroom holding his notebook and a chalk. He was wearing a cream coloured shirt and white pants looking handsome as usual usual.

As soon as he entered the classroom, all the students greeted, no shouted in unison as he greeted back with a smile.

He was looking carefully at all students to take note of the students who missed his important mathematics class. He was going to report it to their parents but suddenly his eyes fell on the corner bench where the particular girl was missing for continuous three days.

His fists clenched in anger. He knew very well who the girl was. Why couldn't she ever be a little focused on her studies? If things went like this she was going to fail in her board exam. Why couldn't she understand the simple things?

He needed to be more strict with her, he reminded himself and then focused on the other girl who used to sit beside her always.

"Radha, where's Shree?" He asked with a little anger in his tone.

"Uska vyah ho raha hai. Aj hi" (She is getting married today)

"WHAT?" Rishiraj stood up from his place shockingly.

"Yes"

"With whom?" He asked coming out of his shocking state.

"Bhupinder Singh"

He got another shock hearing the name of the person.

How could they? How could they marry the little girl off to a man who was older than her father? She wasn't even adult? And that man was worst than anything. He had already married five times before and now was going to marry that little girl? How her family could be this much cruel?

No, No! He couldn't let this happen. Her life would be destroyed after marrying him. He needed to do something to stop this marriage before it became too late.

Without any further word, he left the classroom making the students confused at his behaviour.

•••

This story is uploaded in my Wattpad account too.