Rishiraj was walking without any care while she was facing difficulty to walk as fast as him with that heavy ghagra and jewelleries. On top of that, he was six ft. tall and had long legs. That's why it was easier for him to walk fast which her short legs couldn't match.

"Dhire chaliye na" (Please walk slowly)

Shree voiced out folding her arms om her waist.

He looked back hearing her soft voice and saw her breathing heavily while running towards him. He shook his head and stopped his motion.

She caught his arm coming beside him and he started walking slower than before matching her steps.

"You did well beating that old man" Shree laughed hardly remembering the incident.

"Dusht admi" (Bad man)

She blabbered a little loudly but didn't get any response from him.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To watch a movie" His voice was coated with sarcasm.

"Cinima dikhane?" (To watch a cinima)

Her face shone brightly hearing the word 'Movie'.

"It's cinema" He corrected her as she hit her forehead.

"Ha wohi wohi, bohot din ho gaye hume dekhe hue. Abhi kya wohi ja rahe hai hum, master ji?" (Okay, okay. I didn't watch a film from long. Are we going now)

She looked at him excitedly.

Rishiraj huffed seeing her excitement and then focused on her.

"Hum tumhe apne ghar le ja rahe hai, Shree. Aur abh tum wohi rahogi aur wohi se apni siksha puri karogi. Tumhare gharwalon pe hume koi bharosa nehi hai. Hum jante hai agar hum tumhe waha chhod ate to woh log fir tumhe bech dete" (I'm taking you to my home, Shree and you'll complete your education from there. I don't believe your family anymore. I know, if I would have left you there, then they will again sell you to someone else)

He confirmed his thoughts making her frown.

"Firse padhai?" (Again study)

Shree scrunched her nose with a disgusting face.

"Par hamara to vyah ho raha tha na fir kiyun padhai kare hum?" (But I was going to get married then why should I study now)

"It was going to happen but didn't happen" Rishiraj glared at her making her shut her mouth.

"Kya aap firse hamari pariksha lenge?" (Will you take my test again)

"Hmm"

A cute pout formed on her lips hearing his answer as she glared at the road.

"Walk fast" Ordering her, he took fast steps while she remained struggling matching his steps.

◉✮◉

Rishiraj entered the room with her as she looked at the house.

"You live here alone?" Shree asked roaming her eyes everywhere.

"Hmm"

"Apko dar na lagta itne bade ghar mein akele?" (Don't you feel scared staying here alone in this big house)

"Akele insan ko kisi cheez ka dar nehi hota. Nahi apne shatruon ka, nahi apne mitron ka" (The one who is alone in this world doesn't fear anyone. Neither he fears his enemies nor his friends)

He said while arranging his books on the shelf and clothes inside the almirah making place for her.

"You will stay here in this room. I'll take the other room" He arranged the bed and was about to go to the next room when she stopped him.

"But what should I wear?" Shree puffed her cheeks and pointed at her ghagra.

She couldn't stay wearing these things. Rishiraj thought for sometime and opened his almirah. Then pulled out a dhoti for her.

"Wear this for now. I'll bring some clothes for you tomorrow. There's a washroom outside this room" Handing it to her, he disappeared from her sight.

She took it and went inside the washroom. Then removing her ghagra and jewelleries, she wrapped the dhoti around her little body like a saree.

Coming outside the washroom, she started to think how she would pass the time when her stomach started making different sounds in hunger.

Shree slowly stepped out and went towards the direction of his room. She pepped her head a little in search of him when her eyes fell on the couch. He was sitting on the couch wearing a black kurta and white pajama. His legs were spread in front and a book was in his hands.

'Should I ask him?' Her mind spoke in confusion.

'Agar firse hum par gussa kare to?' (If he gets angry at me again)

She blabbered to herself and then decided to make the food on her own.

Shree searched for the kitchen in the whole house and finally succeeded to find it. Her eyes fell on those beautiful containers and the plates as she stared at the big kitchen in amazement. The whole kitchen was so beautifully decorated.

Taking some rice from a container, she put some water in a bowl.

"Par hum khana pakaye kis mein?" (But where I'll make the food)

She looked around the kitchen trying to find the oven to make food but she wasn't getting anything. All the things here were so different from her home which she never saw in her whole life.

"Shree"

The sudden call broke her thoughts making her gasp. She immediately put the bowl back and turned to face him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Woh hum ghar dekh re they, Master Ji" (I was watching the house)

"I told you to study, did you forget?" Rishiraj asked sternly as she shook her head negatively.

"H_hume bhook lagi thi" (I was hungry)

She lowered her head fidgeting with her fingers. He looked at her form and huffed.

"Go to your room. I'm coming with something"

Shree immediately nodded and ran inside. He took out a bowl and started making dinner for them. His thoughts started roaming around all the incidents. Yes, he broke her marriage with Bhupinder Singh for now but he was sure, that man would come again.

Rishiraj saw lust in his eyes which were telling the whole story. He was going to play more dirty this time. Well, Nothing was new for him. He already destroyed so many lives and his tortures were growing day by day but Rishiraj was helpless to do anything. All the villagers were blinded by the superstitious beliefs and under the threats of Bhupinder Singh.

After making rice, dal and sabzi he took them towards her room.

"Sit here" He ordered her, placing the food on the table.

Shree sat on the chair comfortably and started eating hurriedly without a word. She was so hungry that she forgot him standing opposite to her. He took a seat and started eating his own food.

After completing the dinner, they both went towards their respective rooms.

Rishiraj took off his kurta and laid on the bed placing his arm under his head. His mind was a mess thinking about the upcoming scenes which were about to happen when suddenly he heard a knock on the door. He got up from the bed to open the door and came to see her.

"What happened?"

"Kya hum yaha niche so jaye, master ji? Hume waha dar lag raha hai akele mein" (Can I sleep here on the floor? I'm scared to sleep there alone)

She spoke nervously making him sigh. 

"Come inside and sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the floor" He wore his kurta and started placing the bedsheet on the floor as she frowned.

Shree looked at herself and then at the bed.

'Hum itne mote hai kya ki master ji ko niche sona pdh ra hai? Par hanare ghar mein to hum aur kaki itne chhote se charpai pe do jan so jate they' (Am I so healthy that Master Ji is sleeping on the floor? But me and aunty used to sleep on a little cot at home without any problem)

She remained looking at him confusingly but got scared when he suddenly switched off the lights. Shree widened her eyes and immediately laid on the bed closing her eyes.

••••