Marriage

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The golden light dimmed, and once again, Aryan found himself in a perplexing situation and environment.

This time, the circumstances were stranger. Before he could fully process the grief for thought of his mother lost, whom he had seen peacefully asleep just a couple of hours ago.

'What's happening? Why am I tied up here? Where am I?' he discovered he was tied to a chair in a dimly lit room, unfamiliar to his memories. 

Examining his surroundings and his own, he discovered that he now inhabited the body of an aged man. A beard adorned his chin, and the muscles in his hand could be flexed, signaling a significant departure from the physique of a college student.

He sensed lingering pain in his body, though it wasn't as intense as previous situation. Attempting to move his right leg, he found a response, but it was limited, indicating a compromised situation.

Attempting to call for help, he realized no sound escaped his mouth. Just as he was pondering the situation, similar to before, he heard movement nearby.

 ~music~

Abruptly, the dark room illuminated with light from an external source. A glimpse revealed a vibrant, decorated space beyond the room, accompanied by faint party music.

Four robust figures, clad in black uniform from head to toe, entered the room one by one, with the last person shutting the door. The group leader, marked by a significant scar on his face and hair gone bald, addressed the empty air before him, "Lock the door and switch on the lights."

"Yes, boss." The man, who stood near the door replied in straight, confident manner and executed the instructions.

Once more, darkness enveloped the room before it was illuminated.

'who are all these people, I'm pretty sure I've no connection with them at all'

Aryan's thoughts scattered in every direction, but reality snapped back into focus as he noticed the self-proclaimed boss approaching him.

"You're a lucky dog, you know." smacks The man with the massive build and the distinctive scar, delivered multiple smacks to Aryan, as Baldy laughed loudly, "ha... ha"

'Ah...Ah' 

Aryan was in pain, but not a single sound escaped his mouth.

The Baldy turned serious suddenly and seized Aryan's hair, causing him sudden pain, and delivered a series of slaps.

"If it weren't for the young master's orders, your body would be at the bottom of the ocean."

Even though these words sounded like a bluff, his determined eyes and serious demeanor conveyed that he might have actually done it.

He released Aryan's hair, and soon after delivered a hard kick to the stomach.

'Ah... ah'

'WHY? what was that for... I have not stolen any thing in my life or killed any body, you know'

Despite the frightening situation, Aryan remained unafraid, but was in pain. His eyes reflected anger, and the confusion surrounding the circumstances only intensified his frustration and anger.

The so-called leader, Baldy noticed the expression on Aryan's face and didn't like it. He was about to hit him more but was stopped by his fellow gang members. After calming himself a little, Aryan sat motionless, with a blank face, as he couldn't do anything in this situation.

The Baldy stepped back a bit, calmed down, and replied, "Wait till all this is done. I will show you HELL!"

He turned back, and shouts loudly at his underlings, "Hey! Bring that phone here. *tuu" spits.

"Yes, boss, right away." There was a determined sound heard in the room, and Aryan maintained the blank face and motionless posture.

Underling frisked his pocket and pulled out his phone and handed it to the leader, who dialed a few numbers, initiating a ring.

*phone rings*

~chatters~

*click "Hey! Dummy, I'm busy. Keep it short. Did you get him or not?" 

As the phone connected to the other side, amid the loud music and chatter of people, a deep and irritated voice resonated.

"Yes, ha.. ha *laughs. Young master, we've captured him and secured him here. He won't disrupt the function, rest assured, task completed." The Baldy's aggressive demeanor swiftly shifted into a more subservient and appeasing attitude.

"GOOD! Do your task well, and this time the bonus will be hefty," the person on the phone said casually. "Okay, now put him on the line."

As Aryan witnessed the unfolding events, he found himself speechless. 'What have I gotten myself into? Who is he, and what's his grudge against me?'

"Hey! Dog here. Young master wants to talk to you, it seems." Baldy seems to gain his confidence once again, he put the phone on speaker mode and placed it in front of Aryan.

"..."

"..."

There was deathly silence in the room for couple of minutes, as no one spoke on either side, anyway Aryan can't speak (for some unknow reason) , and silence broke as person on other side spoke first.

"LISTEN TO ME VERY CAREFULLY. I SPARED YOUR LIFE FOR MY SISTER'S SAKE. IF SHE HADN'T AGREED TO THIS MARRIAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR LIFE, YOU'D BE DEAD BY NOW. SO, BE PATIENT UNTIL THIS MARRIAGE IS OVER. OKAY?" *line got disconnected.

The message in the warning was quite clear; its tone carried both anger and unrest. However, Aryan couldn't comprehend the reasons behind it.

Baldy casually tossed the phone to his underlings and retrieved a cigarette from his pocket. Lighting it up with a theatrical flair, he spoke, "Finish him off, but make sure he stays breathing."

As Baldy sauntered towards another chair near the door, Aryan's expression shifted to one of disbelief, and he began cursing the so-called GOD, who seemed to be at the center of all these troubles.

Aryan struggled against the confines of the chair, a mix of confusion, fear and anger clouding his thoughts.

'How did I end up in this situation? I don't know these people, and yet, I'm entangled in some strange story of theirs?'

Feeling utterly powerless, Aryan couldn't make sense of the bizarre narrative being discussed around him.

'Please... someone... anyone, help me or just loose these restraints, I'll die fighting.'

"Mmmm... mhhhmm"

Three underlings encircled Aryan, and as Baldy prepared to take his seat.

*BNAG* *BANG* *BANG* sounds from door erupted.

The sudden loud banging on the door diverted everyone's attention. Baldy, maintaining his stern demeanor with a cigarette in hand, signaled his underlings to investigate the disturbance at this untimely hour.

As the underling cautiously opened the door to see who was banging, it was forcefully kicked open. Two young men, their faces covered with scarf, stormed in wielding baseball bats.

*smash* *smash* The front attacker fiercely flung the bat at the underling, rendering him unconscious instantly. Witnessing their comrade fall, the remaining two were stunned by the sudden assault. Before they could retaliate, the other underling's head was brutally struck open, leaving him incapacitated on the ground.

Together, the attackers faced the remaining underling, successfully subduing him. Aryan, still tied to the chair, observed the chaos as a mere bystander.

Baldy, thrown off guard by the turn of events, threw his cigarette down in frustration. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"..."

Silence met his questions.

"Do you know who you're messing with? Once I find out who you are, I'll make sure you pay!"

The attackers didn't allow Baldy to finish his threat. They launched a fierce assault, deflecting a bat aimed at Baldy's heart but striking his legs, causing him to collapse in agonizing pain.

"Ah...ah"

"I'll not leave you guys. I'll find you and make you regret—"

Baldy's words were cut short as the attackers rendered him unconscious as well.

The sudden turn of events left Aryan speechless. Before he could process the situation, the attacker lunged towards him, swiftly removing the scarf that concealed his face. To Aryan's surprise, he resembled his friend Musruf Al-Farsi, has playful nature and carefree demeanor, but mid 20s version

As Musruf revealed his identity, Liam appeared behind him, wielding a baseball bat in a defensive stance, and he also looked little grown up with that body of his.

"Aryan, come on, let's get you out of here," Liam said.

Aryan, still trying to make sense of the situation, couldn't believe his eyes. The attackers were none other than his friends, Liam and Musruf. Questions raced through his mind – 'How did they end up here? What's happening?'

Musruf urged his friends, saying, "Come on, my ride is waiting outside to pick us up. Let's go, run!"

Aryan and his companions followed Musruf, with Liam supporting Aryan as they hurried outside, attempting to move quickly despite Aryan's handicapped leg.

~bright lights all around, grand party atmosphere~

When Aryan arrived outside, opulence surrounded him. Everything exuded grandeur, from the lavish decorations to the intricate designs. Guests adorned themselves in designer suits and fashionable party dresses.

While it appeared as a carnival to everyone else, an inexplicable ache tugged at Aryan's heart, as if someone were pulling at its strings. His eyes constantly scanned the vast crowd, searching for something or someone amid the grandeur.

Liam, noticing Aryan's distress, wanted to say something, but remained silent and attempted to usher him out swiftly. The curious eyes of the elegantly dressed crowd followed them, viewing them almost like characters in a circus. Aryan's torn and bloodstained clothes contrasted starkly with the glamour of the event.

Musruf pulled out his phone and said, "We're almost there. Come quickly."

Liam, concerned about his friend's condition, sighed helplessly as they reached the back entrance of the building where cars were parked.

As they reached the parking lot filled with luxurious cars, Aryan's gaze was drawn not to the fancy vehicles, but to a big screen situated a bit farther away. Though the details were not entirely clear, his eyes were fixated on the screen, displaying the ongoing event inside the building. Amidst the crowd, two figures were prominent— one in a finely tailored groom's suit, radiating a formal elegance, and the other, a veiled woman adorned in a bridal dress, resembling an angel gracing the earthly realm.

'Who is she? Why does my heart ache upon seeing her like this? Is this my first time seeing her, or is there a connection from the past?' Aryan was immersed in his own thoughts.

Amidst the elegant and luxurious cars in the parking lot, one vehicle made a squeaky sound as it swiftly approached and came to a halt in front of them. This car looked so neglected that it seemed no one would take it even if it were offered for free—faded colors, a rusty body, and an overall like junk on four wheels.

As Nyla Rossi stepped out of the driver's seat, kicking the door shut, she greeted them with a playful tone, "Rufi, please do me a favor and throw this junk in the junkyard next time."

Nyla's style was a blend of ruggedness and charm. Her short, well-maintained hair framed a face adorned with glasses that accentuated her sharp, intelligent eyes. Dressed in comfortable yet stylish attire, she exuded confidence and a sense of self-assurance that matched her tomboyish demeanor.

Nyla noticed Aryan lost in his emotions, as if he were losing someone dear to him. Her face turned somber as she approached Aryan and embraced him from behind, murmuring, "Ary, you poor soul! It makes me want to cry too... she was good per..."

Liam interrupted her, saying, "This is not the right place to talk now. Let's first get out of here." He gently guided Nyla and Aryan towards the car, taking the front seat while Musruf settled into the driver's seat.

Aryan snapped back to his senses and as he was pulled inside the car, he couldn't take his eyes of the screen.

"WA... WAIT!"

Aryan shouted with heartfelt urgency.

Once again, the golden orb materialized, casting its radiant light across the surroundings and drawing Aryan into its swirling vortex.

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