Shree woke up from her sleep the next morning rubbing her eyes. Clearing her vision she roamed her eyes around the room to get a clear view when she remembered last night's incidents. Her eyes fell on the floor where he was sleeping but it was empty now. 

"Master Ji" She got down from the bed searching for him everywhere but he was nowhere.

'Where is he?' She went outside to search for him but didn't get his view.

A little pout formed on her face when her eyes fell on a neem plant. She took a little branch of it and started brushing her teeth till he was coming.

After washing her face, she came inside again and sat on the couch waiting for him. Her face shone brightly seeing him entering the house with lots of bags.

"Aap hamare liye bazar se kuch lane gaye the?" (You went to the market to buy some gifts for me)

Shree ran towards him excitedly and started to search in those bags. She used to do the same when her father used to come from the market after buying something for her like bangles, jhumkas when she was a child. After her father died her uncle and aunt never left any chance to taunt her saying, she was greedy for expecting so much from them.

Rishiraj was surprised by her behaviour. She was looking so excited to open those bags but sadly, he didn't bring anything for her. It was just vegetables, fruits and some other necessities.

"Isme bas khane ka saman hai" (These are only foods nothing else) He clarified making her face fall. 

She lowered her head and blamed herself for behaving like that. How could she forget it was only her father who loved her and cared for her none else. Only if her father were there, he would bring so many things for her.

"Hume maaf kar dijiye" (Forgive me)

Saying so, she went inside the room.

Rishiraj didn't know what was wrong with her. Why did she suddenly behave like that? He needed to have an explanation which he would surely get.

Leaving the things in the kitchen he went inside the washroom to take a shower again.

After wearing the clothes, he slowly went inside her room and came to see she was sitting on the bed. Her eyes were staring at her lap while tears were flowing from her eyes.

"Shree" He softly called coming towards her as she looked up with those beautiful innocent eyes.

"What happened?"

"Hume baba ki yaad aa rahi hai" (I'm missing my father)

Clearing his doubt she wiped her tears and again focused on her lap. He didn't know what to say to console her as she remained crying.

"Umm, now have your breakfast. You're hungry" He made his tone soft as much as he could.

Shree nodded getting up from the bed without a word.

◉✮◉

After breakfast Rishiraj went to buy some clothes and books for her giving her some problems to solve while she remained playing with the pencils and pens making imaginary houses for herself.

Suddenly Shree heard some shouts coming from outside as she ran towards the window to check what was happening. Her eyes widened seeing that old man and her uncle with all the villagers. 

"Woh dusht admi firse aa gya. Abh kya kare hum" (That bad man came again. Now what should I do)

"Shree, come outside right now!"

She panicked hearing this and immediately sat on the bed getting scared as hell.

"Master Ji kaha hai aap?" (Where are you master ji)

She murmured to herself and remained gazing at the door to check on Rishiraj.

"If you don't come out, we will break the door of the house"

Shree heard them yell again as she clutched her clothes tightly but suddenly the door was broken with full force and everyone entered inside forcefully making her gasp loudly. Mahendra grabbed her wrist tightly and started dragging her with him outside the house.

"Please leave my hand. I don't wanna marry that bad man" She tried to free herself from her uncle who didn't even give any ears to her pleas.

Bhupinder Singh chuckled seeing the scene. How did this little girl think, she could run away from his clutches. He needed to show her his power just let this marriage happen once.

In the meantime, Rishiraj appeared the scene with some books and clothes. His eyes fell on the scene and his blood boiled.

Leaving everything behind, he rushed towards them and grabbed Mahendra's hand to stop him. Then he harshly pulled her behind him by removing her from his grip. His eyes were blazing fire as he glared at all those men.

"You all entered my house without my permission, I accepted but if you all think about taking her from here forcefully without my permission, you'll see the worst" Rishiraj warned after tightening the grip around Shree who was trying to peep her head from the little space between his broad arm and waist but because of his height it was getting difficult for her to watch what was happening in front of them.

'Arey, ye Master Ji itne lambe hai ke hum to kuch dekh na paye' (Master Ji is so tall. I couldn't see anything)

She pouted but still tried to peep her head.

"Why do you want to keep her here with you, master?" Bhupinder interrupted them coming in front.

"Because I know very well, if I let her go from here, they will marry her off to you which I won't let happen" Rishiraj growled looking straight in his eyes.

"So, what's the problem with that? I have everything like wealth, looks, money. She will get everything after marrying me. What does she need more?"

"The thing which a bastard like you can never give to her"

Bhupinder clenched his jaw hearing his insult but calmed himself down. He needed to make a good impression in front of the villagers.

"This girl is just 16 years old. She needed to complete her education at this age. She is just like a little flower. Don't ruin her innocence like this" Rishiraj requested them and tried to make them understand the depth of the situation by putting his point.

"What will she do after educating herself this much? She already studied enough. She will have to marry a man today or tomorrow. Then she will have to take care of her husband and the babies. A girl should never study much, it only brings destruction into the family" One of the villagers said as he sighed.

It seemed like he was talking with the stones till now. These people and the society would never understand how educating a girl was important just like a boy.

"Shree, enough is enough! Don't waste our time" Mahendra told her but she shook her head in denial.

"She won't go anywhere"

Bhupinder smirked seeing Rishiraj protesting.

"Don't tell me you have other plans with her, Master!"

"What do you mean?" Rishiraj glared at him.

"You want to keep her with you as your kept"

As soon as the word came from the mouth disgust ran through Rishiraj's spine.

"How dare you say something like that?" Rishiraj yelled but his smirk only grew more.

"I said the truth that's why you're burning" Bhupinder Singh laughed making him clench his jaw.

"I'm not a bastard like you"

"Then marry her!" Bhupinder tried to trap him.

"I won't" Rishiraj gritted his teeth.

"Why?"

"That's none of your business"

"Why do you have a problem in marrying her, Master? Or accept that you want to keep her here as your kept" The man shouted taking the attention of all the villagers who also nodded with him.

"How dare you say something like that?" Rishiraj yelled pushing him on the ground and punching his face directly.

"Either you have to marry her or else we will marry her off to him" The villagers came in unison yelling at him.

Rishiraj looked at all of them stepping back a little and at the man on the ground who was smirking at him. Then his vision diverted towards those innocent eyes which had a hope in them.

He knew if he stepped back today then none would be able to save her. Her life would be destroyed. That man would make her his sex slave and would treat her like a shit.

"I will marry her!" He declared giving shock to everyone.

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