Author’s POV:

Amrita stood at the window of her small, modest room in the village house, looking out at the vast stretch of green fields that led to the thick forest beyond.

Just a day ago, she had graduated from college with honors. She should’ve been celebrating, feeling the rush of freedom and the excitement of new beginnings. But instead, all she could feel was the weight of chains tightening around her.

Her parents, ever the traditionalists, had decided it was time for her to "settle down." And their choice of a husband? Rohan.

The name made Amrita’s stomach churn.

Rohan was a brat—reckless, spoiled, and nothing like the kind of man she wanted in her life. But her parents couldn’t see it. To them, he was the perfect match. He had money, influence, and a name that held weight in the village. What they didn’t see was the arrogant smirk on his face, the way he treated people like pawns, and how he couldn’t understand the meaning of respect, let alone love.

Amrita’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

Her mother, Naina entered, her face beaming with pride, a hint of anxiety hidden beneath her smile. “Amrita, darling, your father and I have made the arrangements. Rohan is coming over for dinner tonight. It’s time for you to start preparing yourself for this new chapter in your life.”

Amrita’s heart sank. “I don’t want this, Mom.”

Naina’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “You don’t understand, sweetheart. This is what’s best for you. He’s a good match. You’ll see.”

Amrita wanted to argue, to shout that she didn’t care about Rohan’s wealth or status, that she wanted something real—something raw, like the wildness of the forest that surrounded the village. She didn’t want a life of comforts and controlled expectations. She wanted adventure, freedom, and a chance to carve her own path.

But all of that was out of her reach, buried beneath the weight of her family’s expectations.

gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “This is how things are done. You’ll learn to love him. In time, I promise.”

Amrita forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She couldn’t bring herself to even pretend.

As the evening drew closer, Amrita dressed in a simple but elegant sari, trying to keep her emotions in check. She went through the motions of preparing for the dinner, but her mind kept drifting back to the idea of marriage to Rohan. What if she could run away? What if she could escape this life and find something else—something different?

Just then, the sound of a car pulling up to the front gate made her stomach tighten. She glanced out the window, seeing the familiar black car that belonged to Rohan’s family.

He was here.

Amrita took a deep breath, trying to brace herself for the evening ahead. She couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste in her mouth, knowing that her life was about to be decided for her—by people who didn’t understand her.

As she stepped out of her room and descended the stairs, she saw Rohan in the living room, lounging on the couch with a bored expression, his feet casually resting on the coffee table. His unruly hair and expensive clothes screamed arrogance, and his gaze flicked up lazily when he noticed her entering the room.

“There she is, my future wife,” he said with a smug grin, his voice dripping with entitlement.

Amrita’s fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to remain calm.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” she muttered under her breath, though she knew he probably didn’t even hear her.

She walked past him without sparing him another glance, heading toward the kitchen to help her mother with the dinner preparations. Rohan followed her like a shadow, clearly unbothered by her lack of enthusiasm.

“I’m really looking forward to our wedding,” he said, his voice suddenly closer to her ear. “You should be too, Amrita. It’s going to be perfect.”

Amrita’s stomach turned as his breath brushed against her neck. “We’ll see about that,” she replied coldly.

She wasn’t sure how long she could keep up the charade. The idea of marrying Rohan was suffocating her, but she wasn’t sure how to break free. Every escape felt impossible—until something changed. Until someone came.

Unbeknownst to her, a storm was brewing just beyond the village, and soon, her life would be swept into it.