Dr Bharat was standing near a bed in the emergency ward of City Hospital. Anger and distress were clearly visible on his face.

He was wearing a white coat and holding an injection in his hand. He was staring at the girl lying in front of him who had been admitted to the hospital under various pretexts for the past week.

Sometimes stomach pain, sometimes severe headache. But the test reports always came back clean.

Dr. Bharat was famous throughout the hospital for his abilities and principles. He had understood this drama.

He jerked the needle in the air and, grabbing Rashmi’s arm, said sternly, “Straighten your arm or I’ll leave you here.”

Rashmi’s face had turned pale and she lay curled up, her eyes wide open with fear.

She extended her arm with a trembling hand. As the needle tip touched her skin, she screamed, “Oh, it hurts.”

Doctor Bharat looked at her angrily and said with a sarcastic smile, “You’ve just been injected and you’re screaming.

How will you handle it tomorrow when your husband comes around? Men these days are completely inconsiderate, and no decent man would accept a frivolous girl like you.”

Hearing Doctor Bharat’s words, Rashmi’s face flushed with shame and anger for the first time.

Tears welled up in her eyes. But Bharat showed no pity. She immediately calmed down and said, “What do you mean?

What do you want to say? Do you think my illness is a drama? I think you might have got a fake degree.

If you were a real doctor, you would never have said this to me. You inject me with such force as if you think I am an animal and not an innocent girl.

Are you a veterinarian? Since he did not get a job in the animal hospital, he has come here to trouble innocent humans.

That’s why I did not get any benefit from your treatment. Sometimes stomach pain starts.

Sometimes the legs start hurting and sometimes the brain starts bursting. When Rashmi said this with innocence on her face, Doctor Bharat got angry.

Such a capable doctor came with a degree from abroad and she was telling him so.

Bharat said shut up. Absolutely silent. I know your reality. Beware of anyone who doubts my abilities.

You are calling me a veterinarian. I will inject you in such a place that you will not be able to tell anyone.

I don’t know what he is thinking and why he has camped here. He spoke in a harsh voice as he packed his things.

If she doesn’t leave the hospital by this evening, I will ask the security guard to push her out.

This is a hospital. This is not some free inn where you have sat down to eat free food.

Saying this, Bharat was about to turn away when an idea came to Rashmi’s mind.

She remembered the evil words of her stepmother Vimala which she had said to some leader on the phone that the girl is ready to become a flower.

Just keep my money ready. Rashmi knew that if she left the hospital today, both her respect and life would be lost.

He had only one way to escape. Very nasty and dangerous. Bharat was turning away when Rashmi made her decision.

He immediately broke the button of his shirt himself. Made red marks on my calves with my nails.

As if someone had pulled my legs. There were also scratches on the neck as if someone had grabbed it tightly.

Then he started shouting with full force. Is there anyone to save? Save me. This doctor is doing dirty things to me.

Please someone help me. Doctor Bharat, please stay away from me. Don’t touch it. What harm have I done to you?

Just said why am I not getting cured by your treatment? If you like me then marry me with respect.

Don’t ruin my respect like this on the hospital bed. For God’s sake, leave me alone.

Doctor Bharat was completely shocked. He was looking at the girl who had ruined the bed by jumping around and had also ruined her appearance.

He came near him and started shaking him by the shoulder. But the very next moment Rashmi pulled him with her legs and made him fall on her.

As if Bharat was really doing something wrong. Her scream silenced the entire room.

Bharat’s feet froze there. He stared in shock at the girl who had fallen on top of him.

He said, “What nonsense are you talking?” But Rashmi wasn’t about to stop. She fell off the bed and cried, “Doctor Bharat, under the pretense of giving me an injection, was poking his finger into my back instead of the injection.

He’s rude. He has evil intentions. Save me!” Within moments, a crowd gathered. Nurses, ward boys, and relatives of patients all surrounded Bharat.

Bharat’s face went pale with anger and disbelief. “This girl is lying. I didn’t even touch her!”

Bharat tried to reason. But the emotional crowd wouldn’t listen. An elderly grandmother stepped forward and grabbed Bharat’s collar.

“Aren’t you ashamed, Doctor, she’s like your daughter, and you’re spreading this filth in the hospital?”

Rashmi sat in a corner, shedding fake tears. However, her heart sank with fear.

She knew she was accusing an innocent man. But to save her own, she had to risk the honor of another.”

The crowd’s anger was growing. And it came to blows. Just then, the hospital director arrived and tried to calm the situation.

But the crowd was adamant that they would file a police case. The doctor would be sent to jail or he would have to pay for his honor.

Marry this girl right now. Otherwise, we’ll ruin not only your medical license but also your life.

Someone from the crowd called out, and everyone else supported him. Bharat felt as if he were in a nightmare.

He was a renowned doctor in Mumbai, and today, because of an ordinary girl, he was being publicly disgraced.

He looked at Rashmi, who was hiding her face and crying. Bharat’s eyes held so much hatred that it wanted to burn everything down.

Bharat had only respect, which he had earned with great difficulty. He came to Rashmi, grabbed her by the shoulders, shook her, and said, “What is your enmity?

What do you want from me? I never could have imagined that a girl could stoop so low.

Tell me, where are your family? I will leave you with them and teach you a lesson.”

How you ruined me in front of the entire hospital. Who are you? Why have you come to create chaos in my life?

All the senior doctors pulled Bharat away from the girl and said, “Doctor Bharat, enough is enough.

You can’t mentally harass this girl. You better admit your mistake. Otherwise, if you get fired from this hospital, you won’t get a job anywhere.”

Bharat was helpless. “Okay,” he said through gritted teeth. “If that’s what you all want, I’ll marry you.

I admit that I misbehaved with this girl.” The director and staff called a priest to hush up the matter.

In the same corner of the emergency ward where the chaos had just happened, the wedding took place.

Soon after, the wedding took place. But the sternness in Bharat’s tone clearly betrayed his anger.

Rashmi’s heart was pounding. She couldn’t believe she had escaped from the clutches of leader Vikram Chaudhary and landed in the captivity of Doctor Bharat.

Immediately after the wedding, Bharat held Rashmi’s hand so tightly. I felt like I would break your wrist.

Come with me,” he ordered, and, pushing through the crowd, brought her out to the parking lot.

The rain was pouring down heavily, as if the sky itself was crying over this mismatched relationship.

Bharat pushed Rashmi into the front seat of the car, and, driving himself, the tires screeched, the car raced through the streets of Mumbai.

The entire journey was deathly silent. The only sound was the rain and the wipers.

Rashmi sat huddled in a corner, frightened, watching Bharat furtively. Her jaw was clenched, and the veins on her forehead were bulging.

For the first time, Rashmi felt like she had stepped into a lion’s mouth.

But then, remembering her stepmother Vimala’s face, she thought, a lion’s anger is better than a vulture’s ravages.

After half an hour, the car stopped in front of a beautiful but deserted house in a well-to-do area of Mumbai.

Bharat got out of the car, opened Rashmi’s door, and pulled her out by the arm.

Come inside. The voice was cold and harsh. Rashmi, drenched in the rain, dragged herself after him.

The house was clean and modern inside, but there was a sense of emptiness about it.

As if no one lived happily there. Bharat led her straight to his bedroom, pushed her inside, and closed the door.

Rashmi’s clothes were wet from the rain, and she was shivering with cold. But Bharat showed no mercy for her condition.

He slowly approached her. Rashmi recoiled in fear, until her waist was pressed against the wall.

Bharat placed one hand on the wall to block her path and held her face up with the other.

There was a stern look in his eyes. “What did you think? You’ll make a scene in front of the entire hospital.

You’ll disgrace me, and I’ll garland you with flowers.” Rashmi’s tongue clung to her lips.

She couldn’t speak. Bharat suddenly let go of her arm and threw her onto the bed.

Before Rashmi could even recover, Bharat bending over, he bit Rashmi’s leg so hard over her trousers that she screamed.

This was no ordinary spanking. This was the first instalment of Bharat’s revenge. A wave of pain spread throughout her body.

Bharat straightened up, raised his finger, and said threateningly, “Remember this pain, because now your real punishment begins.”

I will give you such a life that you will beg for death, but will not get it.

I know girls like you from good. You came to the hospital to trap some rich doctor and make him dance to your tunes.

But congratulations. You have come across Dr Bharat who will shatter all your dreams.

What you did to me in the hospital, you forced into my life. You haven’t seen my anger yet.

Rashmi was really scared now. She was trembling like a leaf on a tree branch swaying in the wind.

He was so afraid that this man might kill him in anger. Saying this, Bharat came out of the room and locked the door from outside.

The sound of the latch being clicked hit Rashmi’s heart like a hammer. She sat on the bed and started caressing her leg.

Where Bharat had pinched, there was now a blue mark. Tears started flowing down his cheeks.

But these tears were not just of pain, but also of a strange relief.

Rashmi inspected the room. It was a comfortable room. There was a soft bed and most importantly, she was safe here.

Thank God. She said softly, “This is prison, but it’s better than the cell where my stepmother sold me.”

Rashmi remembered how Vimala had made her life hell after her father’s death. Rashmi’s family already lived on very little money.

Her father ran a small shop. After his departure, the family struggled to make ends meet.

Rashmi was responsible for all the household chores. From morning till night, sweeping, mopping, washing utensils, and washing clothes.

Even then, they couldn’t get enough food. They had to wear torn, old clothes.

When the neighborhood girls went to school, Rashmi would watch them through the cracks in the door and lament her fate.

Then came that fateful day when she overheard Vimala talking on the phone. Vimala was talking to Vikram Chaudhary, a prominent Mumbai politician.

The girl is young, and you’ll get whatever you ask for. Just have a new mobile phone and 1.5 million rupees in cash ready.

That very night Rashmi ran away from home and took refuge in Mumbai’s City Hospital.

She had nowhere else to go, and she didn’t know any relatives. She fell on the way to the hospital, injuring her leg.

She also had scratches on her hand, and so she was admitted. She was getting free food, but her stomach had been upset by unnecessary medication.

The doctors were treating her differently. Dr. Bharat seemed like a simple man. But little did she know that in her foolishness, she had ruined Bharat’s reputation and how he would take revenge.

She knew Bharat considered her deceitful and immoral, and perhaps she was right, because what Rashmi had done was something no respectable girl would do.

But in the struggle to protect honor, the rules of morality are often trumped. Rashmi got off the bed and sat on the carpet.

She couldn’t find the courage to sit on the bed. She felt as if this bed didn’t belong to her.

The night grew darker. Hunger and she was terribly thirsty, but no one opened the door.

She cried, her head on her knees, and even fell asleep on the carpet. It hadn’t been long since she’d driven the car on the streets for no reason.

When Doctor Bharat arrived home, he found Rashmi lying on the carpet, shivering with cold.

Seeing her on the floor, Bharat felt something. He moved forward, wanting to pick her up and put her on the bed or give her a blanket.

But the next moment, remembering the incident at the hospital, hatred welled up in his heart.

He stepped back, saying to himself, “This is your status. This is what you deserve.

Stay here. I won’t show you any mercy.” With that, he left the room.

When Rashmi opened her eyes the next morning, sunlight streamed in through the windows. Her body was stiff and her leg still ached.

She turned the doorknob, hesitantly, and to her surprise, she found the door open. Perhaps Bharat had opened it that morning.

Rashmi slowly stepped out. The house was silent. She went towards the kitchen, there was the aroma of coffee.

Bharat was sitting at the dining table, having breakfast. He was wearing a white shirt and grey pants and working on his laptop.

As soon as he saw Rashmi, his hands did not stop. Neither did he look up.

Rashmi said good morning to him with great difficulty. Bharat did not reply. Rashmi stood there.

After some time, Bharat threw the coffee cup and said in a cold voice, “There are some rules of this house which you should know now.

He was still looking at the screen. First rule, you are my wife only on paper.

In reality you have no status. No more than a prisoner. Second rule: You will not cross the threshold of the house.

You won’t use the phone or contact anyone. The third most important rule. Now he raised his eyes and looked at Rashmi.

His eyes were sharp. There is no need to come in front of me.

I hate your face too. Go and eat whatever is left in the kitchen. Don’t step into my room again.

Your place is the guest room. Rashmi bowed her head silently. This silence of hers further infuriated Bharat.

He thought it was some new trick. Don’t you have a tongue? He suddenly roared.

Rashmi immediately shivered. Yes, I understood. He said in a low voice. Bharat pushed the chair and stood up.

He said, why is your tongue not working now? Yesterday in the hospital she was screaming and asking what all did I do to you?

She used to bother me in the hospital. What she was saying was that I am a doctor of animals.

I have a fake degree. At that time your tongue would not stop. Then why have you become silent now?

Oh I get it. Who has succeeded in his purpose. She wanted to reach my house.

I was thinking that I will treat you like a queen. But you are no more important than a maid in this house.

Now stay away from my sight and beware if you enter my room or touch any of my things.

Saying this, he picked up his coat and went out. Rashmi breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the door close.

He was hungry. He went to the kitchen and saw that bread and eggs were kept there.

She quickly made her breakfast and ate it, wondering how long she could endure this hatred.

But then I convinced myself that this hatred is temporary. At least here no one is looking at him with bad intentions like leader Vikram Chaudhary’s men used to do.

On the other hand, when Dr. Bharat reached City Hospital, he felt as if he was entering a battlefield.

Where every eye was raining down on him like an arrow. Everyone from the reception to the ward was whispering.

He was passing through the corridor. Then he heard two nurses talking. I heard that Doctor Sahib got married overnight.

That too from the patient who was accused. The other nurse laughed and said, all men are the same.

Be it a doctor or anyone else. They take advantage whenever they get the opportunity.

The poor girl was helpless. Bharat’s ears turned red. His respect, which he had earned through years of hard work, was destroyed in an instant.

He went into his office and slammed the file down on the table. All this happened because of that girl.

He said to himself, I will not leave her. He ruined my life. He could not concentrate on work the whole day.

Rashmi’s face and the scene of everyone spitting on her kept replaying in his mind.

When he returned home in the evening, his mood was worse than in the morning.

He felt like venting his anger on Rashmi. When he opened the door of the house, it was pitch dark inside.

This girl doesn’t even know how to turn on the light. He grumbled and angrily walked towards the lounge where the sound of soft sobs could be heard.

Bharat’s steps stopped. He reached out to turn on the light but suddenly stopped.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw a corner of the lounge where a faint streetlight streamed in from a window.

Rasmi was crying with folded hands. She was hiccuping and was praying in a trembling voice.

Oh God, you know I am not bad. Do you know why I told that lie?

Forgive me God. I had no other option. I am guilty of that doctor. I have ruined his reputation.

But you are a witness, aren’t you? I ran away to save my honour. God, please put mercy in their hearts for me.

I am very lonely. I have no one. Bharat stood there like a stone. Rashmi’s words were echoing in his ears.

Why did I tell that lie? This meant that she was actually lying and Bharat was innocent.

He should have been angry to know that. But the pain and helplessness in Rashmi’s voice dampened Bharat’s anger.

The girl whom he considered cunning and deceitful. At that time she was pleading before God, testifying to her holiness and feeling the burden of her sin.

For the first time, Bharat felt a strange confusion. If she was that bad, she wouldn’t have regrets.

She could do anything for money, as she thought. But this girl was praying for her honour.

Bharat quietly took off his shoes so as not to make any noise and walked slowly towards his room.

He did not let Rashmi realise his presence. Coming into the room, he sat on the bed and held his head with his hands.

What is reality and what is fiction? He began to ask himself. If she was helpless then why did she trap me?

And if she is a cheater then why is she asking for forgiveness from God alone?

Doctor Bharat who was an expert in finding diseases by dissecting the human body. Today I was failing to solve the mystery of a girl’s pain and condition.

There was a strange silence in the house that night. Rashmi cried herself to sleep in the prayer room and Bharat remained awake staring at the ceiling of his room.

For the next few days, a strange tension and silence hung over the house.

Rashmi would roam around the house like a shadow and would lock herself in her room before Bharat arrived.

But the storm in the hospital had not yet subsided. On the third day, in the afternoon, when the OPD was at its peak and Dr.

Bharat was busy seeing patients. Suddenly there was a noise in the corridor outside. A sharp, high-pitched woman’s voice filled the entire floor.

I want to meet my doctor son-in-law. Get out of the way. I’ll see who stops me.

Bharat’s forehead became wrinkled. As soon as he raised his head, the door slammed open and a fat, strong woman wearing a brightly coloured suit and with a betel leaf in her mouth entered.

It was Rashmi’s stepmother Vimala, whose eyes clearly reflected greed and deceit. Bharat stood up from his chair.

What is this insolence? Who are you? Vimala dramatically hit her chest while adjusting her dupatta.

Wow, look how innocent you are acting. Hey, I am your mother-in-law. Vimala, you kidnapped my innocent daughter?

Did you take him away from the hospital? I was not ashamed. Vimala’s voice was so loud that the patients and staff standing outside gathered at the door.

Bharat’s face turned red with anger. He raised his hand to call security. But Vimala hit the table and said, beware of calling anyone.

If you push me, I will call the police and tell them that you are forcibly keeping my daughter.

I will file a kidnapping case. Bharata calmed himself down by taking a deep breath.

He understood that this woman had come to create a scene and his reputation had already been ruined.

He could not bear the infamy any more. He gritted his teeth and said, “What do you want?”

“Why have you come here?” Vimala’s eyes sparkled. He lowered his voice and came closer and said softly, “Look, Doctor, it’s a simple matter.”

Rashmi is my daughter. I have a right on that. I had finalized his relationship, that is, the deal, somewhere else.

You interfered. Now either hand over the girl to me or he pointed towards the money with his fingers.

Did you understand? Everything has a price. Bharat’s mind exploded. He remembered Rashmi’s sobs and prayers that he had heard that night.

Oh God, you know I ran away to save my honour. Bharat realised for the first time that the drama that Rashmi had performed was to escape from the clutches of this woman.

That girl was not greedy but this woman wanted to sell her. Intense anger replaced hatred within Bharat.

But this anger was not for Rashmi but for this cheap woman. Get out of here.

Bharata thundered. There was such a threat in his voice that Vimala immediately stepped back.

You will not get a single penny and if you come to this hospital or my house again, I will tell the police everything about the deal you were doing with leader Vikram Chaudhary.

A case of human trafficking will be made. Bharat had shot this arrow in the dark.

But Vimala’s face turned pale. She knew that the doctor was an influential man. If the matter gets revealed then she will get into trouble.

Okay, okay, I am leaving. But remember that unlucky girl will not let you live peacefully.

She hurried out, muttering. Bharat collapsed on the chair. He held his head. He was deeply regretting his misunderstanding.

What all did he not say to an innocent girl. He was considered deceitful, immoral and inferior.

Whereas she was just a helpless girl who was sold by her own people.

That evening when Bharat reached home, there was no arrogance in his gait which was usually there.

As soon as he entered the house, he called Rashmi. The voice was not harsh but it was definitely heavy.

Rashmi came out of the kitchen scared. He had a bowl of flour in his hand and fear on his face.

Perhaps today again some new punishment is going to be given. Yes. He said fearfully.

Bharat went closer to her and looked at her face for a few moments.

Where innocence and fear were mixed. Did your mother come to the hospital? Bharat said simply, almost causing Rashmi to drop the bowl from her hand.

His colour had turned white. She had come to pick me up. Please doctor sir, don’t hand me over to him.

She will kill me. She will sell me. I will live as a maid in your house but will not go there.

Rashmi folded her hands while crying. She was trembling. Bharat was heartbroken. He felt deeply ashamed of his behavior of the past few days.

He unknowingly extended his hand and pulled down Rashmi’s joined hands. I have driven her away Rashmi and she will never come back.

There was a strange softness in Bharat’s voice which Rashmi had never heard before. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?

Why did you tolerate my rudeness? Rashmi said with downcast eyes. You don’t believe it.

You never take me for granted after what I did in the hospital. Bharat became completely silent.

She was telling the truth. His prejudice was so deep that he would never listen to her.

Go and serve the food. Bharat finished the conversation and went to his room. But that night the atmosphere of the house had changed.

The clouds of fear were clearing and were being replaced by an unknown relief. But nature still had to strengthen their relationship further.

That very night the weather changed and it started raining with a strong storm. The streets of Mumbai were flooded and the wind was so strong that the windows were shaking.

Bharat, who was already suffering from mental stress, caught cold. Around midnight his body started aching and he was lying in bed.

He was gripped by high fever. He could not even make a sound of asking for water.

Rashmi, who was awake in the guest room, heard the sound of Bharat falling from his room.

She woke up with a start. At first I was scared that Bharat might be breaking something in anger.

But then came the sound of groaning. Rashmi held her sheet and timidly walked to the door of Bharat’s room.

The door was open. Bharat had fallen off the bed onto the carpet and was shivering.

Rashmi’s compassion was awakened. She ran to him. When I touched his forehead, it was burning.

Doctor sir, you have a very high fever. Rashmi said worriedly and with great difficulty supported him and made him lie down on the bed.

Bharat was unconscious. He tried to open his eyes but the weakness was too much.

Water, he said softly. Rashmi immediately put the glass of water to his lips and then came back from the kitchen with cold water and a towel.

Rashmi sat at his bedside the whole night and kept cold strips on his forehead.

She checked his temperature repeatedly and kept praying in her mind. Bharat would sometimes mutter in his unconscious state.

Rashmi was unable to understand, but she was so relieved that this man would not trouble her anymore.

I don’t know what time of the night it was when after placing the bandages she herself went to sleep.

He regained consciousness when he felt a hand crawling over his body. He felt a tickling sensation against his heartstrings.

At first I thought it might be a dream. But as soon as he extended his hand towards his chest, he felt a shock.

Her eyes opened as she was lying next to Bharat. Bharat’s hand was now moving on her body.

She blushed with shame. She said in a panic, “What are you doing?” She tried to hold Bharat’s hand and put it down.

But Bharat, now in his sleep, started moving his hand on her legs. Then he muttered, “I need some peace.

Reduce my pain. Please give me peace. My fever will not subside like this. Help me.

She brought her face close to his ear and listened to his words. Then Bharat held her by the waist and pulled her very close to himself.

Rashmi’s breath got stuck in her chest. He now muttered, “What are you doing?

You have done something dirty under the pretext of giving an injection. Do you know what happens when a husband does this or that to his wife?

And you will know when I do it to you.” Saying this, he started dominating her.

Rashmi felt her breathing stop. Bharat’s hot body had drenched her in sweat. She said, “Please, you are not conscious right now.

You should not do this. Please, if you come to your senses, you will be angry at me.

You will understand that I did all this myself. But Bharat had now become uncontrollable.

He started dominating her and started leaving his touch on her body. Rashmi, who was writhing in his grip, had now become helpless and had surrendered herself to Bharat.

He had made her his own even while she was in a fever. Out of fear, Rashmi separated from him the very next moment and immediately got down from the bed and sat down.

She was afraid that if Bharat remembered in the morning, he would get angry at her that this bad girl had deliberately done all this to him while she was in fever.

He was also feeling pain in his body. It was morning when Bharat’s fever subsided and he fell into a deep sleep.

Rashmi, too, exhausted, fell asleep on the carpet with her head resting on the edge.

Bharat’s eyes opened when the bright rays of the sun came into the room.

His head was heavy but his body felt light. When he turned, his hand hit something soft.

He was shocked to see that Rashmi was sleeping unaware with her head beside him.

There was tiredness on her face and her scarf had slipped from her head.

Bharat’s eyes were fixed on her innocent face. This was the same girl whom he had called a shallow girl.

Bharata felt disgusted by what he had said and remembered the moment when he had thrown her on the bed.

Then he said so many harsh words. He thought to himself that he wasn’t human at that time.

He slowly moved his hand closer to Rashmi’s head and wanted to touch her hair but stopped suddenly.

Rashmi probably woke up due to his movement. She opened her eyes in a hurry and seeing Bharat awake in front of her, she immediately straightened up and started adjusting her dupatta.

Are you okay? Has the fever gone down? She asked nervously and started to get up.

Bharat did not stop him. But his tone wasn’t ice. I am alright. You sat here all night.

Rashmi lowered her eyes. Yes, you had a very high fever. How could I leave you alone?

This simple sentence touched Bharata’s heart. Thanks. Bharat said in a low voice. This one word was a big thing for Rashmi.

She started looking at him in surprise. Go and take rest. You must be tired.

Bharat said softly. Rashmi shook her head and left the room. But for the first time, flowers of happiness bloomed in his heart.

He thought that maybe now their strictness would soften and indeed that is what happened.

Bharat’s behavior changed over the next few days. Now when he came home, he would not open the door loudly nor would he find fault with the food.

One evening when Bharat came home he had some shopping bags in his hand.

He called Rashmi. When Rashmi came, she kept the bags on the sofa. This is for you.

He said this without looking at Rashmi. You had no clothes and few essential items.

Look at it. Rashmi was surprised and started opening the bag, it contained some beautiful light colored suits, shoes and a new mobile phone.

Rashmi had tears in her eyes. He wore old torn clothes all his life. He lived by wearing the clothes taken off by his stepmother Vimala.

There was always a shortage of money in the house. Today, for the first time, someone had bought new clothes for him.

This is all for me. He asked in disbelief, yes. And for? Does anyone else live in this house?

Bharat tried to suppress his smile and said, “Come and have dinner with me at the dining table.”

No need to hide in the kitchen and eat. You are my wife, not a maid.”

He said this with such ease that Rashmi’s heart skipped a beat. Hearing the word “wife” from Bharat’s mouth was nothing short of miraculous.

There was silence at the dining table that night, but it wasn’t the usual toxic silence.

Instead, it was a calm, conciliatory silence. Bharat personally put vegetables on Rashmi’s plate, and Rashmi took a bite with trembling hands.

She felt as if she were eating the most delicious food in the world. Time passed, and the ice between them melted.

Bharat wouldn’t apologize verbally, but his actions proved he had changed. He took care of Rashmi, tended to her small needs, and sometimes even engaged in light conversation.

The fear in Rashmi’s heart slowly transformed into respect, and then love. She began to like Bharat’s serious face.

She would wait for him to come home and even cook delicious meals for him.

There was still one test left. Rashmi still didn’t leave the house. She was afraid of people.

She thought they would call her a bad woman. One pleasant evening, Bharat came home early.

He told Rashmi to get ready. “Get ready. We’re going out.” Rashmi’s hands and feet went cold.

“But what will people say outside, Doctor Sahib? Everyone knows me. They’ll talk about her being that girl.”

Fear flashed in Rashmi’s eyes. Bharat came closer, put his hands on both her shoulders, and stood her in front of the mirror.

“Look at me,” he said, looking into Rashmi’s eyes. “People’s job is to talk.

But for me, the only thing that matters is who you are.” He paused for a moment and said the sentence that filled Rashmi’s soul with joy.

“You are Doctor Bharat’s honor, and no one in this city of Mumbai dares to touch my honor.

Anyone who looks at you with a wrong eye will have to deal with me.

Go, get ready. I’m waiting.” I am here.” Tears welled up in Rashmi’s eyes. But they were tears of joy.

For the first time, someone had shown her such respect. She wore the pink dress Bharat had brought.

When she got ready and came out, Bharat’s eyes were fixed on her. Even in her simplicity, she looked absolutely beautiful.

Bharat opened the car door and helped her sit. He drove her to Mumbai’s most expensive restaurant, where the light and atmosphere were like a dream to Rashmi.

Initially, Rashmi was hesitant. She would be intimidated by the people sitting around her. But Bharat confidently took her hand and handed her the menu.

“Order anything you like.” The calmness in Bharat’s eyes convinced Rashmi. While eating, Bharat asked her for the first time about her past life, about her childhood, about her dreams.

Rashmi explained that she had wanted to study further, but circumstances prevented her from doing so.

There was no money at home. Her stepmother never allowed her to study. Her dreams had been buried in childhood.

Now, permission was given. Bharat smiled and said, “You should get yourself admitted.

I will teach you. Rashmi felt like sitting right there at Bharat’s feet. This man, whom she considered a tyrant, was actually a diamond, hard on the outside but soft like wax on the inside.

On the return journey, a beautiful romantic song was playing in the car. Rashmi looked out of the window where the bright lights of Mumbai city were running behind her and she felt that the darkness of her life was now left behind.

After that day, she was feeling happy thinking that thankfully Bharat does not remember anything about what happened between them that night.

But tonight when they returned home, Bharat pulled her by the arm and made her face him.

She said nervously, do you need anything? He held her hand and placed it in front of him and said, what did you do to me that night?

Many colours came and went on Rashmi’s face. She started saying, what does mean?

What night are you talking about? Bharat deliberately brought a stern look on his face and said, I am talking about that night when I had high fever.

What did you do to me that night? Tell me I remember everything well.

You were close to me. She was forcibly pulling me closer to her. And the way you placed your hand on my thigh.

As Bharat was speaking, Rashmi started nodding her head in the name. The next moment she said, no, nothing like that happened.

I am telling the truth. I swear I’m saying it right now. I didn’t do anything to you.

You yourself came close to me. You said, put an end to my fever. End my suffering.

Saying this you first stroked me here and then placed your hand on my thigh and after that you.

Only then did she realize she had spoken too much. She immediately put her hand to her lips and turned her face away in shame.

This is what Bharat wanted to hear. A wave of pleasure ran through his body.

He suddenly burst out laughing. He said this while turning Rashmi’s face towards him. Yes, then what happened?

Tell me. But Rashmi said I am telling the truth. I didn’t do anything to you.

Please believe what I say. And Bharata, removing his hand from her face, suddenly placed his lips on her forehead.

He said, “I know I didn’t want to do all this. But I don’t know what happened to me that night with the fever.

I really needed a wife at that time. But I couldn’t even mention those moments to you again.

Will you let me relive those beautiful moments?” Rashmi’s face fell in embarrassment. She said, “I am your wife.

Do whatever you want with me.” But Bharat said, “No, not like this. I can’t get close to you unless you’re willing.

And I’m sorry for that night too.” But Rashmi immediately said, “No, don’t say sorry now.

It was your right, which you took from me.” Bharat took her in his arms and brought her to the bed.

He talked to her for a long time, running his fingers through her hair, and then, as the night faded, they began to shower each other with their love once again.

After claiming his rights twice, when Bharat approached her for the third time, Rashmi’s condition worsened.

She said, “Please, Bharat, stop it. I can’t take you anymore. I can’t even get up and leave.”

Hearing her words, Bharat leaned in to her lips. Then he said, “Okay, fine, whatever you say.”

He held her in his arms and fell asleep right there, and Rashmi felt that peace was about to return to her life.

She had fallen in love with Bharat. However, she still feared Bharat’s anger. Bharat would return home from the hospital, and Rashmi would be waiting by the door, her eyes fixed on him.

She was now convinced that her days of misfortune were over, and she was now in a safe place.

But fate might not have liked their peace. That pleasant evening, spent in the lounge, drinking tea, while Bharat was sharing university admission information with Rashmi.

Suddenly, the sound of a police siren outside and a loud knock on the door disrupted the atmosphere.

Rashmi spilled her tea cup and her face turned pale. Who is it? Her voice was trembling.

Bharat consoled her and got up and walked to the door. As soon as he opened it, he was stunned by the sight outside.

A police car with its flashing blue and red lights was parked in front of the house, and some thug-like men stood at the gate, and Vimala was standing there, screaming, “This is that house!

This cruel doctor has imprisoned my innocent daughter in this house. Get my daughter out!”

Vimala’s voice was so venomous that the lights in the surrounding houses flickered on, and neighbors came out.

Police Inspector Vikram, who was with Vimala, stepped forward and tried to push Bharat inside.

“Doctor Bharat, we have received information that you have kidnapped a girl and are forcibly keeping her here and abusing her.

We have to search the house.” Bharat blocked Inspector Vikram’s path with his strong arm.

Instead of fear, there was such anger on his face that even Inspector Vikram was forced to stop.

Where is the warrant, Inspector?” Bharat’s voice thundered. And on whose information are you trying to enter the house of a respectable citizen?

This woman, who is herself the biggest fraud in her area, is even more furious.

She shouted from behind the policemen, “See, Inspector, how you’re accusing me? I’m a mother.”

A mother’s heart ached for her daughter. “Rashmi, oh Rashmi, come out, my child. Look, I’ve come to take you.”

Hearing Vimala’s call, Rashmi, who was hiding behind the lounge curtain, trembling, found it difficult to breathe.

Her old fears were back in her sight. She felt that Bharat would be unable to do anything.

The police would take her away, and Vimala would throw her into the same hell she had fled.

Her legs buckled in fear, and she collapsed on the carpet. Bharat turned to see Rashmi’s condition worsening.

His heart ached. He knew that if he weakened today, Rashmi would die alive. He extended his hand to Rashmi and said in a loud voice, “Come out, Rashmi.”

Rashmi looked at Bharat with frightened eyes. There was such confidence in Bharat’s eyes that drew Rashmi like a magnet.

She stood up and walked with trembling steps to the door. As soon as she came out, Vimala, shedding fake tears, rushed towards her.

“My child, what has this cruel man done to you? Come to me.” Vimala tried to grab Rashmi’s arm and pull her, and Rashmi screamed.

But the next moment, a strong hand grabbed Vimala’s wrist. It was Bharat’s hand. He jerked Vimala’s hand away from Rashmi’s arm and pulled her close.

He wrapped his arm around her as if she were a strong wall. “Beware if you try to touch her again.”

Bharat’s eyes were filled with intense anger. He looked at the crowd, where many people had gathered, and said in a loud voice, The girl is not a kidnapped prisoner.

She is my wife. No power in this world can take her away from here without Ms.

Rashmi Bharat and her consent. Inspector Vikram said with a sarcastic laugh, “Anyone can forge a marriage certificate.

Doctor Sahib, the girl’s mother says you kidnapped her. The girl herself will testify.” Inspector Vikram turned to Rashmi, who was standing with her face buried in Bharat’s chest.

“Daughter, don’t be afraid. Tell me the truth? Were you brought here by force?”

Rashmi’s throat was dry. She wanted to speak, but words failed. Bharat squeezed her shoulder.

“Speak, Rashmi, don’t be afraid. Let this decision be made today.” Rashmi raised her head.

She looked at Vimala, whose eyes were threatening, and then at Bharat, whose eyes were protective.

She took a deep breath and held Bharat’s hand tightly. “This is my husband.” Rashmi’s voice was soft at first, but then grew stronger.

“I am going to marry him of my own free will. I’m with you, and this woman,” he pointed at Vimala.

“This isn’t my mother. This is my stepmother who wanted to sell me. Doctor Bharat didn’t kidnap me, but gave me shelter.

He saved me from that vile woman.” Vimala’s face turned pale. She blurted out, “She’s lying.

The doctor taught her that. Inspector, arrest this doctor.” Bharat, with a sarcastic smile, pulled a folder from his pocket, which he’d probably prepared in advance.

“You’ll be arrested now, Vimala.” Bharat handed the folder to Inspector Vikram. “Inspector sir, this is the recording of phone calls between leader Vikram Chaudhary and this woman.

There’s also evidence of bank transactions. In which she was negotiating a deal for my wife for 1.5 million rupees.

I collected all this from a private detective last week so I could shut her up today.”

Inspector Vikram looked at the evidence and then looked at Vimala, whose face turned pale.

“Evidence” They were so sure there was no room for denial. The inspector’s demeanor changed immediately.

He pointed at Vimala. “Handcuff her! A case of human trafficking will be filed.” As the police approached, she began screaming.

“No, no, this is a lie. Rashmi, save me! I raised you!” But Rashmi hid her face in Bharat’s arms.

The police dragged Vimala and her goons away, and the crowd dispersed. Bharat closed the gate and locked it.

Rashmi was still trembling. Bharat embraced her. “It’s over, Rashmi, it’s over. You don’t need to be afraid anymore.

She’ll never come back. Rashmi burst into tears. These tears announced the end of the fear that had been ingrained in her for years.

Bharat helped her inside and sat her down on the sofa. He then gave her water and sat beside her.

“I told you, didn’t you, that you would respect Dr. Bharat?” Yes and no one can look at my honor with evil eyes.

Rashmi raised her head and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with gratitude and love.

You did so much for me. That proof, that’s all. Bharat smiled and wiped her tears.

I am a doctor. It’s my job to investigate, Rashmi. When you prayed that night, didn’t you?

I knew right then that something else was going on, and when I investigated, the truth came out.

I was just waiting for the right moment. The room became peaceful. The storm outside had subsided, and the storm inside was also turning into calm waves.

Bharat got up and brought the first air box from his room. Rashmi stared at him intently.

Bharat took her hand and began applying medicine to her wrist where Vimala had dug her nails.

His touch was so gentle that Rashmi couldn’t believe it was the same hands that had hurt her that first night.

After applying the medicine, Bharat closed the box but didn’t let go of Rashmi’s hand.

She lay on the floor. But he sat down on his knees, while Rashmi was sitting on the sofa.

Bharat was now shorter than Rashmi. It was a sign of his ego crumbling. “Rashmi,” Bharat said with sincerity and remorse.

“I want to make a confession to you today and apologize.” Rashmi sadly put her hand over his mouth.

“No, Bharat, please don’t apologize. You are my savior. You saved me.” Bharat gently removed her hand and held her in his.

“No, Rashmi, let me tell you. This burden weighs so heavily on my chest.”

Her eyes welled up with tears. “The words I said to you in the hospital were just the needle pricks, and then the way I treated you on the first night of our marriage, throwing you on the bed, humiliating you.

I am ashamed of that pain. I became a monster. I mistook your helplessness for cunning.

I mistook your innocence for deception. While you were only fighting to save your honor.

Even as a doctor, I couldn’t recognize a human being.” Bharat’s voice choked. “Will you forgive me for the cruelty I inflicted on you?

Will you give me a chance to heal the wounds I inflicted on you?”

Tears welled up in Rashmi’s eyes, falling onto Bharat’s hands. She bent down and kissed his forehead, signaling her heartfelt forgiveness.

“Bharat, the day you called me your honor, I forgot everything. You gave me a life I never dreamed possible.

For a girl who grew up with financial constraints, this home, this security, this respect, all of this is nothing less than a dream.

You haven’t imprisoned me, but have given me the safest place in the world. I have no complaints against you.”

Bharat smiled and kissed Rashmi’s hands, got up, and sat next to her. “So, from today on, there are no prisoners in this house.

From today on, we are equal life partners.” He held Rashmi’s face in his hands.

“From tomorrow, your university…” The preparations will begin. You can become a doctor or whatever you want to be.

I will always stand by you like a shadow. Rashmi placed her head on Bharat’s shoulder.

She felt as if she was finally breathing a sigh of relief after years of fatigue.