"Please don't do this, dad. I promise you, we will never meet each other. Please dad." A young and beautiful girl is begging her dad. She held his feet and began to apologise. She looks like a princess of a big kingdom while her dad, a merciless king.

Her dad doesn't even look at her and asks the maids to throw her out of the room. The girl is crying so hard but the king shows no mercy to her.

"Please, dad." She tries to negotiate with her dad once again but to no use. She is held by some female servants and there is a man who is covered in blood.

The king says something to him and suddenly…

Mira shouts in her sleep. Her eyes glistened with tears. Once again, she saw the same dream. Her mom came rushing to her room.

"Mira, what happened? Sweetie, are you alright?" Looking at a devastated Mira, her mom hugs her and tries to calm her down.

"He…he will...kill him." She continuously blabbers while crying.

"You are fine. No one's gonna kill anyone. Calm down, Mira." Her mom caressed her back.

She saw this dream for the first time when she was six years old. After that, she saw some parts of it but not very often. But now, from the past 2-3 months, these dreams are regular.

She always sees a girl wailing in front of her dad for a man. The clothes of those people suggest that they are some noble people. The girl is the princess and the man for whom she is wailing is her lover. The girl's father scares Mira the most. He is a king and shows no mercy even to his own daughter.

The problem of these dreams is that they immensely affect her. She thinks as if they are real people who are related to her and she has gone through all this. She feels bad for the man who was drenched in blood. She always see their blurred faces in the dream but they seem so familiar as if she knows them closely, or she has been with them.

These things confuse her in a different way. A sense of desperation takes her strength away every time she sees those vicious dreams.

“Yes mom, I'm fine.” She said to her mom and got up from the bed.

“Are you done, Mira?” Her mom’s voice startled her. She was busy texting her best friend. But after her mom's scream, she stood up.

“Yes, mom. Coming in 5 minutes!”

Miraya along with her family members are going to Country A. Her father's childhood friend is not well and he wants to meet them all. For the past week, her dad has been so restless after hearing about him. They were besties from childhood. But then as her dad told her, they both got busy with life and responsibilities and eventually lost touch. But, they met again, an year back when Neil Malhotra, her dad's friend, came to India for a business meeting.

Neil Malhotra is a famous man now. He is a billionaire. Several years back, Mr. Malhotra went to Country A and built a huge business empire there. He lives with his wife and a son. Miraya's parents are not that rich, but they are happy with whatever they have.

“Come on, Mira. We will be late because of you.”  Her elder brother, Mihir shouted this time.

"Hey, come on. She'll come. Why are you both shouting at her?" Her father said, eyeing them.

"Sorry, Dad. How can we forget that screaming at your little princess is forbidden!" Mihir laughed and they all looked at the stairs, waiting for Miraya.

"Indeed." Mr. Kashyap replied.

"So, I came to grace you guys with my presence. And yes, Mihi Bhaiya (brother)  I'm not a little princess but a grown up now."

"OH yes, how can I forget, you turned 18 yesterday. Now you're just too old." Mihir said, annoying Mira.

All of them smiled looking at Mira who was pouting. She rolled her eyes at him and ran towards her dad, quickly hugging him. Her father hugged her back and they went outside and settled in the car.

During the whole time, Miraya was unexpectedly very quiet. She is a chattering box, but today she didn't utter a single word. Her father was already sad, so the whole car drive was silent.

Miraya was in deep thought. She felt sad but didn't know why. She asked herself why she was so sad, but couldn't figure out the reason for it. Looking outside from the window, she felt as if she was leaving her city forever and it didn't feel right!

'Why am I feeling so sad?'

'Why does it feel that I'm leaving my city forever?'

'Why!!!!!???'

She ignored the annoyingly sad thoughts and put the earphones on her ears and started listening to the songs. She thought it would divert her mind but to her surprise, it didn't help her either. Her mother sensed that something was bothering her. She looked at her and asked her what happened.

"Nothing maa. I'm fine." She answered her mother's queries.

"Maybe she is afraid of getting on the plane." Mihir laughingly added. He just can't stop himself from pulling her leg. That's his favourite habit.

"Dad…" Mira whined like a small baby, a little annoyed by her brother. Her brother always irritates her like this.

They reached the airport and after a long flight, finally reached Country A. Little did Miraya know her life was about to turn upside down.

A driver was waiting for them outside the airport. Mrs. Malhotra and her son were supposed to come and welcome them but they couldn’t make it. Mr. Neil’s doctor called them and told them to come at once to the hospital and hence they were both rushed to the hospital.

The driver took them to a huge home a few miles from the airport. Mira looked outside from the window and was awestruck looking at the giant mansion in front of her. This house was so big and beautiful, nothing compared to the houses she has seen in those TV Series.

The housekeeper Ms. Julia along with the other servants helped them with the luggage and showed them their rooms. Mira’s father wanted to meet his friend but was nervous to see him in a weak state. When they were younger, anyone who saw them thought they were brothers because they were inseparable and always together.

Mrs. Rhea Malhotra, now the wife of Mr. Neil Malhotra was also their friend. Three of them went to the same school together. She called Mira’s dad to inform him that Neil was okay now.

After some time they reached the hospital and walked towards the room in which Neil was present. The door opened suddenly and a beautiful middle-aged lady came out. She looked tired but still looked pretty.

“Rhea, how are you?” Mira’s dad greeted her and she looked at him. A slight smile appeared on her lips. Mira looked at her with fascination. She already became a fan of Mrs. Rhea Malhotra.

“I’m fine, Manav. Finally, you came. It’s been so long. Neil misses you so much.”

She then looked towards Lekha, Mira’s mom, and hugged her. She looked sad, Lekha understood it and hugged her warmly.

“Oh god, is she our little Mira! Look at you. You’re all grown up. You still look like a fairy, sweetie.”  She said, quickly pulling Miraya into a warm embrace. Mira blushed hearing praise from the goddess itself.

After a quick get-together, they went inside. Neil was sitting on the bed, surrounded by different machines. Manav saw Neil and he felt his heart clenched. It was painful for him to see his childhood best friend like this.

“Hey, Manav!!” Neil was all cheered up seeing him and adjusted himself on the bed. There were tears in Manav’s eyes. Mira looked at her brother, both of them were shocked. They’ve never seen their father this vulnerable. He was always strong. But today, something different happened. They understood how precious their friendship was.

They hugged each other and even cried.

“I’m fine. Look at me. I’ll be good after some days, I assure you, Mr. Kashyap.” Neil said, teasing Manav.

“You better be, Mr. Malhotra.” And they both laughed. After that, Lekha, Mihir, Mira all went to greet him. When Miraya went to greet him, Neil very lovingly looked at her and caressed her hair with his hand. She felt similar to how her dad used to caress her head. She felt very comfortable with the Malhotras.

“Mira beta, how are you? What are you doing?” Neil looked towards Mira, who was sitting quietly on the sofa near him, eyeing her brother. Mihir and Mira can never stop fighting and this was the proof of it.

“I’m good, uncle. I just finished my 12th class exams. And now I’m waiting for the result.” She answered calmly, ignoring her brother.

“OH nice, beta. You’ve always made your parents proud. You’ll do it again, we are sure of it.” Neil said but looked a little sad and then smiled so as no one see him like this.

“Where is Reyansh, Neil? We haven’t seen him since we came.” Manav asked Neil.

“He accompanied his mom here, but then went to the office. Since I’m not around, he has got quite busy,” Neil smiled a little bit.

“Well, he is just as capable as his father,” Manav replied with a smile. Neil’s eyes shine while talking about his only son, Reyansh Malhotra, the heir of the Malhotra Corporation. He was both a strategic thinker and capable of detailed execution, perfect to become a businessman.

And then they all talked for a bit. Rhea’s phone rang and she took it.

“Okay, Ray. Take care.” She ended the call and sat with Miraya again.

“Ray is busy. I’ll stay with you today.” Rhea said, looking at Neil.

“There are so many nurses looking for me here, Rhea. You should go home with everyone and take a rest.” Neil tried to assure her.

“You don’t have to worry, Rhea. I’ll stay with him. We have a lot of catching up to do, anyway.” Manav smiled at Neil. Neil tried to send him to the house with others as he knew Manav would be tried, but he failed to persuade him.

All of them, except Manav, reached home and went to their respective rooms. Miraya got up in the middle of the night and looked for water. She went outside of her room and went towards the fridge in the kitchen. She took a bottle of water and gulped the water. Suddenly, she heard a voice and got frightened.

A man, quite a tall one, was walking towards another room. She didn’t see his face as his back was turned to her. His features were strong and masculine. He looked elegant in the suit even from the back. Her legs were completely frozen at that place, continuously staring at him.

Suddenly, the man looked back. She was so nervous as she turned and ran towards her room. She reached her room and locked it. Lowering her gaze, she blushed even deeper.

‘Oh god! What was I doing there???? And yes, who was he? He doesn’t look like a thief. He can be someone from Neil uncle’s family, a well-wisher, or a friend maybe. He looked so handsome from the back and wasn’t much old. The guy with an amazing back.’

‘Hell, what am I thinking!! Stop Mira.’

She thought and kept fighting in her thoughts. She was mesmerized by the man she just saw. Just thinking about him makes her face heat up. She cupped her cheeks with her cold hands and smiled like an idiot.

‘Why did I run? I haven’t even seen his face. I would’ve if I didn’t make a total fool of myself by running from him.’

‘Stop Mira, just stop thinking about him.’

She wanted to stop her thoughts, but could not. ‘The man with an amazing back’, as she called him, was all in her thoughts. Finally, she crawled to the bed and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

At the hospital, Manav looked at Neil who was in deep thought.

"What happened, Neil? You want to tell me something?" Manav completely surprised Neil.

"You get me always." Neil smiled at his friend. Friendship like this is very rare to find and he felt so lucky to have him as his friend.

"So tell me, what's the matter? You know you can tell me anything."

"Yes, there is something, Manav. But I don’t have the courage to tell you or ask you about it."

Manav looked back at Neil who looked nervous. He patted Neil's shoulder and asked him again.

"Okay, but you have to promise me something. You will listen to me calmly before making a decision. Deal?"

"You're scaring me, Neil. Say it." Manav responded coolly.

"Manav, you know about my condition. But you don't know one thing. I'm not good." He paused for a second looking at a fully scared Manav.

He continued, "My condition is untreatable. I don't...know how much time is left. Only you and Rhea know this now. Even Reyansh doesn't know."

Manav stood up from the chair. He searched for words but was completely blank. He thought after all the treatment, his friend will be fine. Here, with the best of doctors around him, his condition was untreatable. A sudden fear clustered in his heart, thinking about all this.

He gently patted his shoulder. "You'll be fine." Manav managed to say this. He felt as if someone squeezed his heart.

"You know it's not possible. But there is something else I want to talk to you about. As I said before, please try to understand me." There was much more sadness in Neil's voice this time.

Manav nodded and sat again on the chair which was near Neil.

"I want to see Reyansh getting married...to your daughter, Miraya."

Manav was listening to everything patiently. But after hearing the whole thing, he was shocked. He was already struggling from the previous shock, and now, there was another one waiting for him.

"Manav, say something." Neil looked at Manav with a nervous expression. Manav was again left speechless. He just stared at Neil's face. Finally, he moved a little in his chair.

"Neil, I understand what you are going through. But Mira is a child. She turned 18 yesterday only. How…" He wanted to say something else too but couldn't find the right words.

"Manav, Mira is just like a daughter to me. I'll take care of her. We all will. She can do anything she wants to do. Also, she can do her studies at the best colleges here. It's just that she is going from one house of hers to another one."

Manav was still not satisfied. How could he be? Mira is his little princess, his source of happiness. He remembered how he refused to send her to his cousin's house for 2 days as he would've missed her. He can't afford to live without her even for 2 days, let alone forever. He knows she has to leave him one day, but this is too early. She is still a child according to him.

"But Neil, she is a child. Marriage is still a huge responsibility." He tried to persuade him.

"That means you don't trust me. She is not a child anymore. I know she is young but she can manage anything. And other than that, we are always here for her. She will be so happy here. I'll guarantee you that." He sighed in completion.

"I trust you, Neil. Okay, let's do one thing. After some years, we will think about this." He knew it would be difficult for him even after some years to let her go but still, he negotiated.

"But I'll not be there at that time," Neil said with an extremely dull face.

Manav sighed again. He knew it was very difficult for Neil to cope up with his condition. If the best doctors in the world can't do anything, no one else can. But still, how can he say yes to this demand of him? He has no right to snatch his daughter's dreams from her. He knows negotiating with Neil will not bore any fruit. As stubborn he is, he will keep on asking him all day. He also knows his friend, how much he loves and cares for Miraya. She will be happy here with all of their love. They will give her anything she desires.

The room was completely silent. Both the friends were nervous at the same time. Neil feared that Manav would say no to his proposal. Manav feared how he would be handling the situation afterward.

"Okay, but I've to talk to everyone first." After a long time of thinking, he said hesitatingly.

"Of course of course. Thanks, Manav." Neil hugged Manav tightly. Neil was so happy that his eyes shone. Seeing him happy, Manav was happy too but there was sadness inside his heart.

"We'll become in-laws now!!" Neil said excitingly.

Manav was still wondering how to break this news to his family. The night went peaceful for Neil. On the other hand, Manav didn’t sleep a wink. The thought of his princess taking away from him was too much for him.

At the hospital:

“Dad, NO..” He almost screamed.

A tall man walked towards Neil and adjusted the pillow behind his back. The man was extremely good-looking with a sharp face, surrounded by a cold aura around him. His black eyes were as deep as the ocean, with a tinge of sadness in them. He has killer looks with devilish charms, no one could endure.

Rhea was sitting beside Neil. He looked at both the men with sorrowful eyes. Tears were already in her eyes, but she was trying to hold them back.

“You should tell him everything, Neil. He deserves to know.” she put her hand on Neil’s hands and squeezed it lightly as if giving him courage.

“Ohh, so there is something more you haven’t told me. Dad, what is it?” Annoyed by his parent’s secrets, he asked, flipping his hair back.

“Ray..” Neil paused for a second and then told everything to his son.

Reyansh stood rooted to the spot after hearing everything. No words came out of his mouth. His mother let go of her tears and started crying. Seeing his mother in such a condition, he hugged her but still didn’t utter a single word.

“Dad, we will find other doctors. Nothing will happen to you.” After hesitating for a bit, he finally managed to say something.

“You know it all, son. I’m with the best doctors in the world.” He paused for a second and then continued, “Take it as your father’s dying wish, please do as I say. Miraya is a very good girl. She is the best for you. You’ll look perfect together.”

Ray was tongue-tied, at a loss how to respond or what to say.

“But dad, marriage? It’s too early. I don’t think I’m ready. I don’t even know her.” he tried reasoning with his dad.

“It is early, but not for you, for Mira. You have a whole life to know each other. I thought we had to convince Mira for this. But even you are doing this. Son, please give her a chance. Think about it and yes, I will not hear no for an answer.”

Reyansh wanted to say more but he knew how stubborn his dad could get. So he dropped the idea and went outside to meet his father’s doctor.

At home:

Miraya’s POV

“Mira, come. Dad is calling you.” Mihir Bhaiya told me. He looked weird, a little gloomy. Maybe he is up to something!

I jumped from the bed, held bhaiya’s wrist, and went towards the room. Mom and dad both were sitting on the chairs. Mom signalled us to sit beside them on the chairs. Dad looked tired as if he hadn't slept last night and mom’s eyes were watery. What on earth has happened?

“Dad, is uncle fine? Why do you all look so sad?” I looked at them with curiosity.

“Yes, Mira. He is totally fine.” Mom looked sad while replying.

“Then what happened, mom. You look sad.” I felt sad too. They are hiding something from me.

“Mira, there is something we need to talk to you about.” Dad didn’t look me in the eyes.

“Yes, dad. What is it?”

“What do you think about…..studying here?” Hesitatingly, dad completed. Mom looked at him with questionable eyes.

“It will be good, but I will miss you,” I said honestly.

“Ohh…..” dad was hesitating to tell me or maybe ask me something. It was the first time it happened. It feels like he has something in his mind which is disturbing him.

I was sitting beside dad, so I bent towards him and put my head on his shoulder.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’m not going to leave you. I will complete my studies in India. There are so many good colleges there. I've also given the entrance examination. I'm positive about the result. Why would I study here?”

Suddenly, mom started crying leaving me confused. What has happened to everyone today? What do they want? I will not study here, I told them now. Dad looked away from me and I looked at him and then mom, a little scared. But the way my mom was continuously crying, I sensed there was something else.

“Mom, Dad there’s something else. Tell me, what is it? Why is mom crying, dad?” This time I was scared.

“Actually, there is something Neil asked me and I…”  he left the sentence in between, making me worried.

“He wants you...to….m..marry his son, Reyansh as soon as possible.” Dad immediately looked down, avoiding eye contact with me.

I felt like laughing. Is it a joke or something?

With this thought, I looked towards them, they all looked sorrowful and dejected. Everyone looked so serious, so it’s not at all a joke. This is way too serious than I can even think.

“What?”

“Dad, this is absurd. What did you say to him? You said no already?” I was hoping dad would’ve refused him already. Maybe dad was feeling bad as he had refused his best friend.

Dad looked at me with pitiful eyes and responded again with hesitation, “I said I’ll talk...to you.”

“Well, there is nothing to talk about dad. I can’t marry him. I’m too young for marriage. Wait, is this why he called us all here? There are so many girls in the world. Why me? And yes, why so soon?” I said all in one breath.

Dad looked a bit annoyed. I think it's because of my questions. But then he explained to me everything about my uncle's medical condition. But still why me of all the girls? Sadness spread inside my heart and I couldn’t help feeling bad for my uncle, aunty, and their son.

But still, I will not marry anyone. I know I was being selfish but this was the first time I wanted to be. I always did what my parents asked me to but this is way too much. Dad looked at me with regretful eyes, waiting for my answer.

“Dad, I will not marry him or anyone.” I can’t marry any stranger that too now. I’ve to complete my studies. From my childhood, I wanted to become an interior designer.

I said and walked out of the room. Mom called me, but I ran towards my room.

The next day, we all went to the hospital. No one looked comfortable. Dad told Neil uncle about my decision. He and Rhea aunty were there looking at me. I looked down to avoid eye contact. Just standing there alone was sending a chill down my spine.

“Mira, come here.” Rhea aunty called me and signalled me to sit beside her. She put her hand around my shoulder lovingly and looked at me, while I was looking down.

“Mira, I think of you as my daughter. I know you must be feeling that we are forcing you. But just think about it once with a cool mind. You can do anything after marriage. There will be no restrictions from our side. I promise you that. You can follow your dreams.” I still looked down.

‘Don’t stay silent, Mira!! Come on, you can’t marry someone like this!’  I thought.

“Aunty, I respect you and uncle a lot. But how can I marry someone I never met and that too this early. I know you will let me do everything. But still, it's marriage. And it doesn’t feel right.” I was becoming so nervous that my hands were sweating. I excused myself and got out of the room.

For the whole day, it went like this. They were literally forcing me into this marriage. I have always been a good girl my entire life. I always listened to my parents and made them proud. I was always the topper in the school with an excellent track record in other curricular activities except for sports, I was really bad at it.

But now, when for the first time, I made a decision and want them to support me, they’re not even listening to me. Instead of it, they are giving their ‘reasons’ to how this is good. My mom stopped talking to me in the evening. They’re now torturing me.

Did they forget I’m still their daughter? Are they fed up with me? Am I no longer needed?

At night dad came to me while I was standing on the balcony. After talking to him, and yes, again on this topic, I understood there’s no way I can escape this marriage. Dad hugged me but he didn’t ask me what my answer was. Maybe they’ve decided it already.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I tried to be strong, but nothing helped. I let the tears flow down my cheeks. I sat on the floor and looked outside.

The full moon shone brightly in the sky. Such irony to my present condition.