Married To A Stranger

Standing at the edge of the stairs Tej started eavesdropping his parents’ conversation. He knew it is not the right thing to do and that his sister would pinch his ear if he gets caught. But hearing his sister name piqued his curiosity. Being thirteen, he wanted to know everything that goes around him.

“We can’t hide her anymore” he heard his father say.

Hide who? He thought, tapping his chin with a finger.

“Why? We have been doing just fine” He heard his mother saying.

“He found us. If he takes her away from us, there is no way we find who we have been searching for” Jaykar said rubbing his forehead.

“What? We have been so careful not to get caught!” his mother half yelled.

“Sreesha” he sighed.

“What about her? She knew nothing” she mumbled.

“She is the topper in her tenth grade. Her school published her picture in all newspapers. Did you forget that she looks exactly like her mother?”

‘But Di looks nothing like mother. They both are polar opposites.’ thought Tej, innocently.

“I should have been careful. I should have let her study in-home or not study at all.” He heard his father say.

“We can always move out of this place. We can go far away so no one can find us.” His mother said with a slight tremble in her voice.

“They are already trailing behind us. Everyone is being followed including Tej”

I am being followed. Why? Tej thought excitedly.

It is so thrilling for him. It made him think that he is an action hero who is being followed by villains.

“What should we do now?”

“Get her married” his father said without blinking.

“She is barely 15!” his mother half yelled. His father did not utter a word. His face was blank as usual.

“That is my final decision” his father stated nonchalantly.

What the hell is his father saying? Get his sister married at 15? It is illegal. He will complain to the police and they will save his sister.

“How can you be so heartless? She is still a child. Would you do the same if she is our daughter by blood?” his mother yelled, tears forming in her eyes.

“It is already decided-” Tej did not hear anything after that.

Would you do the same if she is our daughter by blood? He heard his mother clearly say.

His mind went blank making him stumble back a little. He knew he heard something he shouldn’t. He knew that his father would skin him alive if he was caught eavesdropping.

A lone tear escaped his eye. Di is not his sister?

Tej did not know how to take the new-found information. So, did the only thing he always does. Run.

After what felt like hours, he found himself in an abandoned place all alone. He collapsed in front of the door and started crying. He cannot believe what he just witnessed.

Why is his father being so cruel?

His sister is the one who loves him the most. He knew she was being treated badly at home, but he did not find the answer until now.

Now he knew the answer.

With all the pent-up frustration, he punched the wall repeatedly until it started bleeding.

“You should not let your anger rule you, boy” he heard a man saying behind him. He stiffened.

Everyone is being followed including Tej.

He remembered his father saying. what does this man want from them? He can’t be a kid and let his father ruin his sister’s life but for that to happen he needs to escape this mountain of a man.

“W-What do you want?” Tej asked the man, stuttering a little. “Why are you following my family? Are you trying to harm us?” he asked clenching his jaw.

“I am here to make sure you are okay, boy. Why do you think that I am following you?” the man countered.

“Don’t try to act smart. My father knew you are behind us. What did he do to you? Did he take money from you and not paying back? If that is the case, I will work for you for every rupee he took from you. Don’t trouble him anymore” he said looking at the man straight into the eye.

“Are you saying that you will give up everything to save your father? Do you love him that much?” the man inquired.

“I will do anything for my sister” he stated instead.

“Sister? I never asked you about your sister” the man said nonchalantly.

“He is planning to get my sister married to get rid of you. I am sure he will sell her to some old man to get money and clear your debt. I will not allow that. I will fight all of you if needed. I will save my sister” he pledged, looking for some weapon just in case.

Instead, the man laughed and hugged Tej.

“Do you want to save your sister?” Tej nodded determinedly. “Then work with me. I can protect her from everything that happens outside the house but… you must protect her from inside. Can you do that?” the man asked Tej.

Tej looked at the man like he had grown horns. He was so afraid that he will be either kidnapped or killed for talking to that man like that instead, he was offering his help.

“Why are you helping me?” he asked looking at the man in the eye. He needs to know if he is lying or not.

“I have my own reasons” the man stated.

“I want to know why” Tej demanded.

“Let’s just say, I would lay my life to protect your sister from all the evils of the world. It is my duty. I am her protector. Will you be one for her too?” the man countered.

“I will. But…” the man cut him off saying “As I said, I will protect her from outside. All you must do is Protect her from inside. Let it be from your father or mother or yourself. Be her shadow” he said.

His phone rang interrupting their conversation. The man answered and smiled a little.

“You need to go back soon. Your sister is looking for you everywhere, all alone roaming on the roads crying” the man said patting his shoulder.

“She is trying to protect me from father’s wrath again,” Tej said with a small smile on his face.

“She got that protective nature from her mother” the man smiled faintly.

“Really?” Tej asked absentmindedly.

“What did you just say? I never told you she was not my own sister” Tej asked sharply.

“You don’t have to. And she is your sister no matter what. You remember that alright? Come with me, I will drop you where she is now. So, you both can go home” The man said showing his car.

“How do you…”

“I have my men following her. Your father is a fool to think that he can hide from us. Remember one thing clearly, Tej. Don’t be a coward like your father.” He said opening the car door to let me in.

Why am I trusting this stranger so easily?

“No one should know you are helping me. Clear?” Tej nodded.

“What is your name?” Tej asked the man.

“Vinay” the man smiled.

“How can I contact you if there is an emergency?” Tej asked again.

‘This boy is one of a kind’ Vinay thought.

He gave his number to him and asked never to call from the same number twice.

Vinay dropped Tej, just around the corner of where his sister is standing and left.

“You better protect my sister or pray to god to save your own life” Tej mumbled to himself walking towards his sister.

Sreesha stunned to find him in front of her. She slapped him first and then hugged him, crying.

Blood or not, the love in between them two is unconditional and pure.