Arjun Sahu was a simple, straightforward young man from a lower-middle-class family who had studied only up to graduation. That day, obeying his senior officer, he should never have gone to meet Shreya.
Somehow, the planetary alignments seemed cursed; from every direction, life was throwing nothing but troubles at him. Arjun had come to meet Shreya, the beloved of his battalion senior, Captain Raghav Chauhan, to resolve a complication in their relationship. There was no deceit or greed in his heart—only the pure thought that if truth were placed where there was confusion, the matter would clear itself. He wanted to reduce the bitterness growing between two loving hearts.
This kind-hearted man wished to speak plainly, remove the misunderstanding that had arisen between two people in love, and bring about their reconciliation. But destiny, it seemed, had written an entirely different script for him.
Shreya belonged to the same district as Arjun. Raghav had made them speak to each other once or twice before, and it was because of Raghav that the two knew one another. Talks of marriage between Raghav and Shreya had been underway, but bitterness had developed between their families over some issue, leading Raghav's parents to reject the proposal.
When the relationship failed to gain approval, Shreya had blocked Raghav's number. For the past few days, he had been extremely distressed. When he learned that Arjun was going home on leave, he earnestly requested him to meet Shreya once and set everything right. Arjun could not refuse.Unable to turn down Raghav's plea, Arjun too wanted to make every effort to reunite two separated hearts. Thus, he agreed to act as a mediator.
Raghav wanted him to mediate between them and ask Shreya directly: whether she wished to take the relationship forward or not. Her family had already given her an ultimatum regarding marriage, and Raghav wanted to hear her final decision. Their online romance had lasted a full two years, creating a deep emotional bond that had not broken even after the blocking. Shreya was right in her own place—if she had to move on by forgetting the relationship, taking that step was only proper. It was not natural to build new ties without breaking the old one.
Raghav had asked Arjun to meet Shreya, speak to her clearly, understand her state of mind, and then advise her to take an appropriate decision. If she wished to keep the relationship, she should talk openly; otherwise, she should convey her decision clearly. Her family would not wait much longer. If she got married elsewhere someday, the tension between both families would only increase. Although her blocking him had already made her decision obvious, Raghav's heart was unwilling to accept it.
Long-distance relationships always face difficulties, so he wanted to hear it from her own mouth.That day, when people saw Arjun talking with Shreya, they jumped to the wrong conclusion. The moment they spotted the two of them conversing together, rumours began to spread like wildfire. The entire neighbourhood was soon abuzz. Family members and the self-appointed guardians of society reached the spot and started whispering among themselves.
Shreya stood with her eyes lowered and said to Arjun, "My heart is clear, but it seems very difficult for my voice to reach anyone."These were just a few words, yet the people eavesdropping in the alleys turned them into a complete saga. Slowly, the story spread like fire."Look, Shreya is whispering something with an unknown young man.
Why were they standing alone for so long? What were they talking about?""It is clear now—there is something going on between them. That's why they are laughing and chatting so much.
"No one tried to listen to their actual conversation, nor did anyone offer any advice. They simply passed judgement, which was unacceptable to both.
They were told in front of everyone that they must get married—something neither of them was prepared for. But no one listened to their protests.
Arjun tried desperately to explain, "I have come here regarding someone else's relationship. You people are misunderstanding me." But his voice was drowned out by the noise of the crowd.
Shreya, with tears in her eyes, also pleaded with everyone and tried to make her point, but they had already declared both of them guilty at first glance."We are innocent. Do not bind us with such false accusations." But the so-called responsible people had closed their ears. They declared, "We have seen the daughter talking alone with an unknown young man. This is a small town; it is now a question of honour. What is the use of explanations? The honour of our neighbourhood will only be saved by marriage."In no time, the situation spiralled out of control. Some people from the crowd beat Arjun severely and even recorded the entire incident as a reel. Surrounded by so many people, the frail Arjun could not fight back and was unable to do anything in his defence.
Life had brought them to a point of no return. Near the Durga Mata temple, their marriage was forcibly solemnised. A video of the entire episode was made and went viral.
Arjun kept screaming at the top of his voice, "There is no love relationship between me and this girl!" But no one heard his plea. "I had only come here to help. Everything has gone in vain."Without a decorated mandap, weeping and trying to save themselves from further humiliation, both reluctantly exchanged garlands. Then, amid the chanting of mantras, the self-styled social reformers forcibly applied sindoor in Shreya's hair parting with Arjun's name.
In this manner, against their wishes, they became husband and wife in the eyes of society. Outside, people danced as if it were a celebration, but amid all that noise and clamour, a deep silence descended upon the hearts of Arjun and Shreya.
His throat had gone hoarse from shouting. He kept thinking, "Was this my destiny?" Must one pay such a heavy price for trying to help someone and speaking the truth?
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