The smell of branded cigars and foreign liquor drenched the stale air inside the Rana Mansion. A cacophony of deafening music mingled with roaring laughter. The living room brimmed with prominent men in fine silk garments. Their wives huddled in a cramped bedroom, boasting about their husbands' newly-acquired wealth and possessions.

After exhausting the hottest topics for gossip, the women turned their attention to the apathetic young girl peering out of the window. The pale moonlight highlighted her soft features, showering her in its abundant glow.

"Sakshi dear! Come join us!" the bossy Kalpana shouted at her. Married to the district minister Kushwant Vardhan, she demanded that everyone must obey her.

"No thanks, Aunty," Sakshi said, not caring to turn around.

Kalpana fumed at the girl's attitude. She was determined to control her. "I heard you are pursuing a degree. Is that true?"

"That's right, final year of B.Com."

"Waste of time!" Kalpana said. "Educated women let their husbands and children starve. You must learn cooking."

"Cooking is one of my hobbies. And it's a basic skill everyone must know... educated or not."

Kalpana forced a smile. "You're smarter than I thought. Now I see why my Hemant likes you."

Sakshi cringed. A shiver ran down her bones.

Hemant? What the hell is Kalpana saying?

"Why are you quiet, dear?" Kalpana asked.

"Since you mentioned Hemant's name, she's feeling shy to talk!" One woman said, making all of them burst out laughing.

"Excuse me, everyone," Sakshi whispered and trudged to the door.

"Where are you going?" Kalpana asked.

"For some fresh air."

Sakshi rushed to the balcony. She leaned onto the railing with blurred vision. A sharp pain hammered her skull as she thought of Kalpana's words.

That scoundrel likes me? Maybe his mother was joking. This can't be true.

An owl's distant hoots and the cool breeze slowly calmed her nerves. Trying to distract herself, she twisted the heavy gold finger ring gifted by her father. It was shaped like a lion's face, with emerald stones as eyes.

The sudden slapping of shoes on the floor grabbed her attention. As she turned around, her muscles froze.

"H-Heman--"

The muscular bug-eyed man leered at her. "Hey, beautiful!"

His breath reeked of alcohol. Just like her father.

"I have good news! Our parents are planning our engagement!"

Sakshi's panic shot up. "Hemantji, you must go downstairs. The party will be over soon."

"Let's have own party here. You and me, alone..." He whispered the last word and leaned closer.

Fear gripped her heart. She turned around, lunging toward the balcony door. Blocking the way with his huge frame, Hemant grabbed her waist.

"Let GO!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, startling him.

Shoving him aside, she sprinted down the stairs, not daring to look back. Her steps faltered as she bumped into another tall figure. But this figure didn't scare her.

"Bhaiyya! (brother)" She sighed in relief, hugging him tight.

Ranveer Rana, her older brother, smiled softly. "What's the matter, Saash? Kalpana Aunty scolded you again?"

Tears rimmed her bold eyes, but she refused to cry. "Hemant said... is it true?"

"Said what?"

"That Babaji (father) is arranging my wedding with him."

Ranveer laughed. "My dear sister!Babaji won't do anything without asking you."

Though vague, his words gave her hope. She nodded and scratched her head.

Should I tell Bhaiyya about Hemant?

"Want to tell me something?" Ranveer asked, as if reading her mind.

Today is Maa and Babaji's wedding anniversary. I don't want to spoil it.

"I'm going to bed now."

"The dinner party will be happening soon. Baba's friends will want to see you."

"Tell them I'm not well. I feel feverish with this terrible headache."

Ranveer frowned and placed a hand on her forehead. "Shall I send for the doctor?"

"I just need a tablet and some sleep."

"Fine then, I'll tell Baba. Good night," he said, tousling her hair.

"Night."

Sakshi retired to her secluded bedroom in the first floor-- her nest. The walls made her feel safe since childhood. Shutting the door, she repeatedly checked if it was locked. Needles of pain pricked her head and feet.

Hemant's shadowy memories tormented her again and again. His claws grabbing her waist... This was not the first time. If she married him, it would never be the last time.

Taking a tablet, she painfully drifted into sleep while screams and shattering noises echoed downstairs.

•~•♛•~•

The next day, broken beer bottles, cigarette butts, smashed cakes, and bloodstains littered the living room. Half the day went with the housekeepers cleaning the mess.

As evening settled in, Ranveer paced in the rose garden, talking over the phone. "Idiot! Get it done today. Or else you will be done... once for all."

His frown drowned seeing his little sister. "Saash."

"Where's Babaji?"

"It's something you shouldn't hear."

"Then I must hear it!"

"The amazing Kushwant Vardhan is going to appoint Baba the party's Vice President! Keep it a secret, okay?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief

Ranveer tapped her shoulder. "Aren't you happy?"

"Why did Kushwant Uncle make this sudden move? Is it because his son Hemant--"

"Nonsense! You think too much. Get inside till the cleaning is done."

She nodded and retired to her room. Ranveer had assured her that no decision regarding her marriage would be taken without asking her. There was nothing to worry.

Later that night, Udayveer's jeep wheeled into the gate. A tense feeling settled in her chest hearing it's horn. Her sweaty fingers held a small paper. An invitation to 'The Sonambar Fair' which happened once a year.

Her best friend had told her many colourful stories about it. For once, she wished to experience it herself. Taking a deep breath, she headed to meet her father. His thunderous growls grew louder as she neared his room. His voice resembled a starving wild animal.

"Fracture every bone in his body!

Show that stray dog his place."

Her heart hammered in her chest. She never understood how her loving father could be so cruel to someone. As she turned away, the jingling of the anklet bells betrayed her presence.

"Sakshi?!" He shouted.

In the shadow of the moon, Udayveer Rana leaned on his armchair. He puffed a stuffy cigar that made Sakshi's lungs burn.

His lion-like eyes glared at her. "What do you want?"

"Nothing." Her voice was like a kitten.

Scratching the scar on his jaw, he patted the sofa. Trembling, she nodded and sat down.

The ruthless man had vanished, and her caring father was back. He showed a warm smile. "What is it, princess?"

"Please don't mistake me. I'm not happy with you becoming the Party Vice President. It's... a violent path."

He laughed. "This is not violence. When playing chess, what do you do to your enemy?"

"I remove the enemy coins?"

"In the same way, I remove my enemies from my path."

A dull shiver ran down her spine. She diverted her mind to what she actually wanted-- his permission.

"We have our district's annual fair tomorrow."

"I know that, princess."

"Remember my best friend Vinnati?"

"That spice shop girl?"

"Yes. She is setting up a stall too!" she said.

Udayveer raised a brow. "So what?"

"I wanted to go--"

"You know it's not possible."

"Only once, please."

"If my rivals spot you, they will kill you." His tone was cold as ice.

"I never go out anywhere other than college. No one will recognise me."

"Things are critical now. The elections are near."

"But I want--"

"Another word, and I'll stop you from college!"

His scream cut off the last strings of her hope.

Last week, her best friend was bursting with excitement. She remembered Vinnati's words- 'You must come, Sakshi! There will be giant wheels and fun rides, stalls, food, and games!'

Other girls had visited the fair countless times. Sakshi could only admire its pictures in the newspaper.

"There! I was looking for both of you." Ranveer barged into the room.

"What is it?" Udayveer asked him.

"Lajo Aunty has prepared dinner. All of us are waiting for the two VIPs to come," he said with a smile.

"I'll eat in my room," Sakshi said.

"What's the matter, Saash?"

"Your dear sister is stubborn to go to the fair... even if it costs her life!"

"Want something from the fair? I can buy it for you."

"Vini is putting up a stall. And there are shops, games and fun rides. I want to go at least once."

Ranveer snorted. "Fun rides are for kids, not a 22 year-old grandma."

Sakshi shot a tiger-like stare. Why did he always have to pull her leg?

He grinned and turned to Udayveer. "Baba, Sakshi can go to the fair."

She gasped in shock.

Udayveer sighed. "Ranveer! Don't you care about her safety?"

"The place is safe with families and children. I'll drop Sakshi in the morning and pick her up after a while."

"What if my enemies see her?"

"Sakshi will completely cover her face."

Udayveer thought for a while. "You are responsible for her safety."

"Her safety is my priority, Baba."

"Alright, she can go."

Sakshi's heart fluttered. "Thank you so much, Babaji!"

Ranveer beamed at his little sister's smile.

"Thank you, Bhaiyya," she said, hoping that her dream would soon become a reality.

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