Academic Struggle and Public Humiliation
The rush of Sonia's memories continued:
Age 14: Sonia was studying, struggling to keep up as her brother Avinash tried to teach her, while also studying for his own college courses.
"Bhai, please stop, I'm tired," Sonia pleaded.
"Sona, your exams are coming," Avinash insisted gently. "We just need to study enough for you to get passing marks."
Just then, a 16-year-old girl named Kiran walked up and snatched Sonia's book. "She's a loser, nothing else," Kiran sneered at Avinash. "Brother, why are you wasting your time?"
Avinash grabbed the book back and stood up. "Kiran, stop this and leave immediately. Or I'll tell Grandmother you're troubling me." Kiran stormed away.
A Forced Marriage
The memories shifted to just a few months ago:
Sonia was dressed in a red bridal outfit. Avinash and her mother, Kavita, stood beside her. Facing them were two people: a man and a woman.
"Bhabhi Ji, listen carefully," the man stated coldly. "Either your daughter marries today, or she drinks poison. Which do you choose?"
Avinash was furious. "Why should my sister marry him? He was here to marry Kiran, who ran away from her own wedding!"
Sonia, acting like a frightened child, clutched Avinash's hand.
The man, who was their father's brother, Amit, spoke again. "Listen, nephew, your sister needs to marry today." The woman standing next to him, Amit's wife Jaya, urged them, "Everyone is waiting. Let's go."
Kavita and Avinash were left with no choice. They reluctantly agreed to let Sonia marry, though both brothers, especially Avinash and Arjun, felt she was too immature to handle the role of a wife.
Sonia, Avinash, and Kavita went through with the ceremony.
On the Way to the Oberoi Empire
Soon after, they were on a plane. Sonia sat quietly, nervous because this was her first time flying and her first time alone without her brothers. Next to her, her new husband sat, engrossed in work on his tablet.
As the plane began its takeoff, Sonia's hand started shaking. Her husband noticed this and gently placed his hand over hers to comfort her. Sonia looked up at him. He looked back at her, momentarily captivated by her innocent beauty, but quickly removed his hand and focused on his work, trying to distract himself. Yet, he continued to watch Sonia from the corner of his eye.
A notification interrupted him. He checked an email that immediately sparked a hidden flicker of anger. The mail was from Kiran. It read: "Sorry, I am not ready to marry you now. Just give me some time, and I will return, and we will marry." It was the same message she had left when she ran away from the wedding.
The Oberoi Villa
Sonia and her husband arrived at the airport and traveled by car to the Oberoi Villa.
Sonia's husband was Abhay Oberoi, 25, a famous, powerful Asian businessman known in the business world for being ruthless, angry, and heartless. His company, Oberoi Empire, was one of the biggest in Asia.
As the main doors of the Villa opened, a lady-Abhay's mother, Amrita-stood waiting with a welcoming plate for her new daughter-in-law. Abhay's entire family stood behind her, ready to welcome Sonia with apparent happiness.
Sonia was immediately scared and hid behind Abhay, which surprised him. Knowing Sonia's child-like nature, he smiled internally, though he kept his usual stern expression.
"Sonia, what happened?" Abhay asked gently.
Sonia looked at him with an innocent expression and whispered, "I am scared. I want to go back to my brother, Avinash."
Abhay simply replied, "Don't worry. I will protect you." Sonia nodded, and Abhay took her hand softly, leading her to face the family.
The entire family was surprised. Abhay never spoke to strangers and was known for his calm, silent, and often angry demeanor. Now he was speaking so nicely to Sonia.
The Oberoi Family
The family members present were:
Grandmother: Mrs. Lakshmi Oberoi
Father: Mr. Vikram Oberoi
Abhay's Uncle: Mr. Akash Oberoi
Abhay's Aunt: Mrs. Meena Oberoi
Abhay's Little Brother: Dev Oberoi
Abhay's Little Sister: Siya Oberoi
Two Little Cousin Brothers: Rohan and Rahul Oberoi
All were genuinely happy that Abhay was finally married. Abhay's family treated Sonia kindly. Abhay himself seemed to spoil her like a child, listening to her wishes, never letting her do any housework, and treating her like a Queen.
Abhay was also informed about Sonia's health-specifically that she was a premature child with a delicate constitution-by his secretary, Rajat.