Married To A Stranger

PAST IN ITALICSContent property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

A few months after she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Gagana received a court notice regarding parental rights. Rajat filed a case against her for withstanding his rights as a father to meet his beloved daughter. According to him, Gagana and the whole Thakur’s family restraining him from meeting his daughter. So, he filed a case to gain sole custody of Sreesha.

Years passed, Gagana finally won the case. She got the whole custody of Sreesha producing a few pieces of evidence against Rajat. Some evidence was natural, but some were framed by Jayanth Thakur. It pissed Rajath more and he became aggressive. He started plotting against everyone around Thakurs. Even though Thakur’s security was impenetrable, several attempts were made to kidnap Sreesha.

At this point, all the family was in stress mainly Yamini, who was heavily pregnant. Her doctor suggested to take her somewhere where she can be free of stress, so there will not be any complications while giving birth.

So, Jayanth and Gagana suggested to Jaykar to take Yamini to some remote area, where they will be away from all the stress and dangers. Gagana requested Jaykar to take Sreesha with him, so she can be safe with them.

After a few days Jaykar, Yamini and Sreesha were moved to a village they adopted, with a doctor and a nurse in tow.

A three years old Sreesha who was too excited to meet her cousins was pacing along the corridor along with her uncle imitating his every move. Anyone could say she was a carbon copy of Gagana Thakur in intimidation, but her mischievous was taken after from Jaykar. At one point, after losing the patience she ordered the nurse who was rushing in and out of the delivery room to let her in or she would have to face the Queen’s wrath.

Jayanth couldn’t help but laugh at her antics, while Gagana was trying not to laugh. Sreesha was already spoilt rotten by her uncles and someone must be stern with her. Yamini is completely another case. Sometimes Gagana wonders Yamini loves Sreesha more than her.

Jaykar threw a dirty look at Jayanth for laughing at the situation, but he knew he was at the fault. He was the one who taught Sreesha of her being a Queen. And that a Queen demands what she wants but never ask.

“I de-demand to let me in” he heard Sreesha says trying to act intimidating. He scooped her in his hands and held her close to his heart. Her presence always calms him down. After taking a deep breath, he explained to her that the twins didn’t arrive yet and that she can meet them soon.

Thankfully, the room was soundproof so she couldn’t hear her aunt’s screams on the other side of the door. Yamini recovered well after their move and she wanted to stay there for the delivery as there were no other complications. So, Jaykar had to oblige. In the years after their marriage, they somehow fall in love with each other. He became almost clingy from the very moment Yamini became pregnant. He calls himself a proud lovesick puppy.

“It is a boy and girl, Jaykar, congratulations,” the doctor said coming out of the room. Jaykar stormed into the room with a huge grin on his face with Sreesha still in his arms.

It is time she meets her cousins ‘Ritej and Esha Thakur’.

Sreesha was standing away from the cradle with a huge frown on her face, while everyone was showering the infants with all their love and attention. Jayanth, who was observing Sreesha all the while asked her what happened.

“He’s so t-tiny” she commented scrunching her nose, pointing a finger at Ritej AKA Tej as she refers him.

Jayanth hummed asking her to continue.

“How can he protect me when he is so t-tiny?” she demanded her uncle in her baby voice.

Everyone laughed at her question except Jaykar. He facepalmed himself when his sister raised an eyebrow at him.

“He will grow up soon to protect you, princess” Jaykar said leaving his wife’s side for the first time after entering the room.

“Then who will pwo-pwotect her. She’s tiny too” she asked pointing her finger at Esha who was sleeping peacefully unlike Tej who was wide awake and staring at Sreesha.

“She will be our little princess. Every one of us should protect her including you” Gagana explained to her daughter smiling at the way how sreesha analyses everything.

“But I am the pwincess” she said, stomping her foot on the floor.

Smiling, Jayanth lifted her and carried her near the cradle saying “Yes, you are a princess now, but one day you will be the Queen. Then, it will be your duty to protect everyone under your care. And our little princess will be under your care so what is that means?” he questioned her.

“I’ve to pwotect her” Sreesha answered innocently.

“Yes, we protect who we love. Whatever may be the circumstances, we should not abandon the ones we love or the ones that come under our care. Always remember that. Okay, my dear little Queen?” Jayanth asked Sreesha, who nodded at him.

She may not understand every preaching her uncles give her occasionally, but it is their way to prepare her for what awaits in the future.

Two years later, everyone was awake by utter chaos. The little princess of Thakur was missing while Sreesha was found unconscious with her toy gun held tightly in her little hands.

Jaykar who woke up later than usual and found his wife still sleeping. He didn’t think much about it and went to check on the kids in the nursery but couldn’t find either Sreesha or Esha. He thought they both must be with either of his siblings, who returned to check on them the before night but turned out the girls were not with them either. That is when the hell broke loose.

They turned the whole house upside down to search for the missing children and found Sreesha unconscious on the porch with her toy gun held tightly in her hand. Jayanth knew something was wrong immediately when he looked at the gun in her hand. He was the one who gifted it to her saying it will help her protect her cousins. He tried to alert the security, but no one answered the phone.

Gagana was sobbing holding Sreesha against her chest, while Jaykar yelling for help.

Jayanth ran towards the security and found each one of them passed out on the floor unconscious. They were all drugged. He cursed under his breath and ran towards the house and found Yamini sobbing in Jaykar’s arms. He then ran to check on Ritej (TEJ) and sighed in relief when he was sure he is unharmed.

He called for help from local police the very minute but deep down he knew who did it. He knew from the moment he woke up late that something was terribly wrong. He was not someone who sleeps peacefully. At least not after what happened to his wife and their unborn child. He’s been trouble sleeping for years now.

He ran his fingers through the hair in frustration. He sent his men to find Rajat Verma.

It’s been hours and Sreesha didn’t wake up.

He sprinted into action when he heard Sreesha wailing in her mother’s arms. She was trying to run somewhere but was held back by the doctors who were looking after her.

Jayanth reached her carefully and signalled the doctor to let go of her. She sprinted into her uncle Jaykar’s hands and tugging his shirt to gain his attention. Jaykar, who was in his own world until now, glanced at her with a lost look in his eyes.

“I no want to be Q-q- queen” she uttered and started crying. Jaykar took her in his arms and held her close to him like always.

“Why?” his voice was hoarse. Anyone can barely hear his voice.

“That bad man took the little princess and said I am the reason”