Their Marriage

Khushi's POV:

I arrived at the hospital and attended to my emergency case. The surgery was successful. I felt happy and relaxed. I was in my office at the hospital when, suddenly, the police burst through the door.

"We came to arrest you, Dr. Khushi," the inspector said, shocking me.

"What are you talking about? Why am I under arrest?"

"Due to your negligence, a patient has passed away and his wife lodged a complaint against you."

"Impossible. The surgery was successful. How did this happen?"

"Madam, please do not resist. You can prove your innocence in court," the policeman said.

They arrested me. Abhi tried to get me out on bail, but nothing worked. I was in remand for 15 days. After that, they somehow proved that the patient had died due to my negligence, and my medical degree was revoked and I was ordered to pay three hundred thousand rupees as compensation to the patient. I was in shock over all this as I couldn't understand what had happened. Abhi somehow paid the amount, and I was released from jail. My phone rang; the call was from an unknown number.

"Hello, who is this?"

Someone laughed loudly over the phone.

"Who is this?"

"How are you, Dr. Khushi? Oh, sorry. I forgot that you are no longer a doctor. Are you happy? I told you that I would get my revenge."

"Shajan?"

"Wow! What a smart girl. You know me so well."

"Are you behind all this?"

"Right again!"

"Just to hurt me, you killed someone?! How cruel! How could you do that? Don't you know the value of a life?

"I can and will do anything to hurt those who go against me. I love to crush people like you under my feet. I promise that there will be no more happiness in your life. More is yet to come. But, until then, enjoy your tears. This is the happiest I've been in a very long time," Shajan said.

"You can’t hurt me and take away my happiness. I will reopen the case and prove my innocence."

I hung up the call and cried. I couldn't bear the thought that a person had been killed because of me.

***

Fifteen days later, it was time to get married to Abhi. Everyone in both our families was celebrating the occasion and was busy making arrangements. I got a call from Shajan demanding that I meet with him, and I immediately left without informing anyone.

"Gorgeous! You make such a beautiful bride," Shajan said.

"Shut up. Why did you ask me to come here?"

"So I could get what I paid for," Shajan said, indicating my body with a gesture that flowed from my temple to my chin. I clenched my fist. I couldn't bear it.

"What nonsense are you spouting now?"

"I will get to the point. When I had you arrested, I thought it was a great punishment. But after speaking to you, I realized that it would not take away your happiness. I want your happiness. And everyone says that happiness lies in true love. So, if I marry you, I will take away your chance at true love. Then I can truly teach you a lesson by making you my maid. That will be your lifelong punishment."

"What? Why would I marry you? I would rather die than marry you," I said.

"You have no choice, baby. Because it's not you, but your family and your beloved Abhi, who will die if you don't marry me," Shajan said.

He showed me a video of how his men had placed bombs throughout the entire wedding hall. He then pointed out his men, who were stationed strategically inside and outside the venue. I didn't know what to do. I begged Shajan to leave my family and Abhi alone.

"If you agree to marry me, then nothing will happen to your family. I am marrying you to make you my maid, not my wife. If you serve me and obey my orders, your family will be safe. I promise you that. Now, are you ready to marry me?"

I nodded and married him. Then we both walked into the wedding hall. My family and Abhi were all shock to seeing that I had married Shajan.

"Khushi, where were you? We have been searching for you. What happened? Did Shajan force you to marry him?" Abhi said.

"No, I married him willingly."

"Stop it. My daughter would never do something like that. She has a good reason for everything she does. Tell me, Khushi, why did you marry Shajan without informing us?" My dad, Vignesh, said.

I was surprised at the faith they still had in me. I would lose everything because of Shajan today.

"Because I knew you wouldn’t accept my marriage to Shajan. I've actually loved Shajan for a long time."

"It's your life, and you can make your own decisions. But now that you've hidden your love for Shajan and eloped with him, we have nothing left to talk about. Leave us. From today on, I only have two daughters. My eldest daughter has died today."

"I expected this. However, before marrying Shajan, I already decided that I had no family. Shajan is my family now. He is my whole life. I am not the least bit worried about all of you," I said. I didn't want them to doubt this marriage and get themselves killed.

My mom, Neeraja, slapped me and demanded that leave immediately. Shajan took me to his palace. Then he left for his office, ordering me to stay in the room until he came back and forbidding me to talk to anyone. I nodded and sat on the bed in the room, thinking about how horrible my future here with Shajan would be. Shajan, my love turned enemy.