Author’s POV:

Amrita sat under the shade of the large banyan tree, staring at the sparkling new ring on her finger. Her engagement to Rohan had been quick, expected, and—if she was being honest—unwanted. She’d tried to smile, tried to go along with the crowd’s excitement, but all she could feel was a suffocating sense of inevitability.

“Amrita, you okay?” Meera’s voice cut through her thoughts, and Amrita looked up to see her childhood friend standing next to her, eyes full of concern.

“I don’t know, Meera. It feels… wrong. Like I’m just supposed to live up to everyone else’s expectations,” Amrita admitted, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the ring. “I never wanted this.”

Meera frowned, sitting beside her. “I know you didn’t. But what’s really bothering you? You’ve always known this day would come.”

Amrita hesitated before speaking. “I feel like I'm trapped in a life that’s not mine, like I'm not in control. I didn’t even have a say in my engagement.”

Meera placed a hand on her shoulder, offering her a comforting smile. “I get it, Amrita. I really do. But this is the way it is for many of us. Sometimes, we don’t get to choose. But there’s a way to make it work.”

Amrita shook her head, her frustration rising. “I don’t want to make it work. I don’t want any of this.”

Meera’s gaze softened as she looked around, then lowered her voice. “Speaking of things that are changing—did you hear about the commandos? They’ve arrived in the village.”

Amrita frowned, confused. “Commandos? What are they doing here?”

Meera shrugged. “I’m not sure, but my brother says they’re here for some kind of operation. Military stuff, you know? They're taking a tour of the village later today.”

“Interesting,” Amrita murmured, her mind wandering. Commandos, huh? It wasn’t the kind of news that made her feel any better, but she couldn’t deny the curiosity in her.

Meera stood up, brushing off her dress. “Anyway, if you ever need to talk, I’m here. But maybe you’ll find your way through this. Just don’t let Rohan get too much into your head.”

Amrita nodded, still feeling that inner conflict, but she smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Meera. I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

After his grueling exercise session, Arjun wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind focused and calm. The mission ahead was still fresh in his mind, but the thought of a village tour intrigued him. He needed to get a lay of the land, assess the environment, and maybe find out more about the people he was supposed to blend in with. It was all part of the plan.

Arjun adjusted his gear and made his way toward the village, where he would begin his unofficial reconnaissance. He had been briefed on the task ahead, but seeing the place firsthand was always better. As he walked through the village streets, he observed everything—the narrow pathways, the rustic homes, and the villagers who went about their daily routines with quiet focus.

He wasn’t expecting much excitement, but his instincts told him to keep his eyes sharp. These kinds of operations never went as planned, and with the mafia’s influence, there was no telling what he might encounter.

As he passed by, his eyes fell on a group of women gathering by a well. Their conversation was light and filled with laughter, but his focus remained on his mission. Today, he was just another person in the crowd, blending in, watching.