Pacing in the small room, Swapnil kept replaying the recent events in his head. How could he have done that? What was he thinking when he kissed Meera? He couldn't imagine what she must think of him now. Their marriage had only been legal so far…
But then, he remembered the rituals performed just a while ago - now their marriage wasn't only on paper.
He slumped onto the charpoy (cot), memories flooding his mind. The way he had been taken to the river, forced to bathe under the chanting of sacred tribal hymns. Then, following the complete tribal rituals, he and Meera had been married - again, this time with customs older than any civil code.
Meera. How different she looked dressed as a bride. He had never imagined a bride would come into his life like this. After a girl had once walked out of his life, he'd never allowed another entry to his heart.
But Meera… she had somehow broken that wall. From the moment he saw her dressed in those sacred colors, all he could think of was getting her out of here safely. He was sure Sameer would find them soon, storming in at any moment. But where was Meera? Why hadn't she come into the room yet?
Had Timbak told her everything - what he had just told Swapnil?
He replayed that conversation again. Timbak had entered after the ceremony with a plate of fruit.
After making sure no one was around, he said, "Swapnil sir, I need to talk to you. I know this isn't the right time, but this is urgent."
Swapnil had shot him an irritated look. "Whatever it is, say it and leave. I need to see Meera. I won't let any harm come to her."
Timbak looked him in the eye. " This marriage will not be accepted here until it is physically consummated."
Swapnil stiffened. " What do you mean? Be clear."
"I don't know what kind of relationship you two share, but in our tribe, marriage isn't real unless the couple shares physical intimacy. If tomorrow morning the women find out that nothing happened between you two, they'll give Madam a chance to choose another man - or force her to. And the Sarpanch's son won't rest until she becomes his wife. If you want to protect her - and yourself - you must do what is expected to do at first night of a marriage."
Swapnil grabbed his collar. "The police could arrive any moment. I'm a senior manager in a reputed company. If my phone is off for even fifteen minutes, they'll know. Security could be here anytime. And when I leave, this entire tribe will pay for how they treated Meera and me. Remember that."
Timbak bowed his head. "Madam is safe and resting in the women's quarters. I'll leave now. But remember what I said."
And just like that, he had left. But Swapnil had been too lost in thoughts of Meera to even notice how much time had passed.
Just then, laughter outside the door snapped him out of his thoughts. The door creaked open - Meera stepped in - and then someone shut the door from outside.
Without thinking, Swapnil pulled her into a tight embrace. His racing heartbeat made Meera realize just how worried he had been. But she needed him to realize something more - that matters right now.
"I'm absolutely fine. Safe and sound. Now let me go - unless you plan to kiss me again...." she teased as she sat on a bamboo chair.
Swapnil closed his eyes. Of course. Here he was, worried sick, while she had her usual sass intact.
"Why are you quiet now? Weren't you promising love back there?" Meera said with a smirk that reminded Swapnil of her father, Mr. Patel.
"I did what I had to - for both of us." he said firmly.
"Liar. You were taunting me about knocking on doors and all that back in the cabin too." she shot back.
Why did Swapnil expect rationality from Meera and Sameer? Their minds raced everywhere but logic - especially since Meera had entered their lives, making every moment feel like a movie full of action, excitement, and surprises. And he was proud of himself that now he doesn't have to explain about the kiss, if he didn't make that decision at that time. They would have been definitely dead by now.
"I wasn't taunting you. I was putting on an act, so they'd believe we were truly married. That tribal chief already knew we were faking it."
"Of course he did. Because it was a lie. And like every time today also, you proved you're the best liar." Meera said, rising.
"Oh really? And what about you? Didn't you say, 'I love this man deeply'? Marriage hadn't even settled in, and you already changed your tone in two hours."
"You should be grateful..." Meera said, walking closer. "It was me who refused to annul the marriage. Imagine if we had - what would've happened today?"
"You'd be married to that rhino of a man, and I'd be locked in a cage." Swapnil glared back.
"You still don't know me well enough. My father would shake cities if I didn't answer his call for once. My phone's been off for hours now, do you really think he's done nothing?"
Swapnil paused. She was right. If her phone had been dead for that long, there must already be search operations underway.
He smirked. "So we're being searched in the jungle? Great. Hope they find us soon."
"This still doesn't excuse the fact that you kissed me...." Meera said suddenly.
"That kiss didn't mean anything." he brushed off.
"Oh, it meant something. It means you're attracted to me. Don't deny it. You kissed me."
"It was just situational. That's all. Anyway, did Timbak say anything to you?"
"No, but I spoke to his wife. According to them, physical intimacy is the only thing that makes a marriage real. If we don't do it, tomorrow they'll marry me off to someone else and kill you."
"I'll be fine. The police will come any moment now."
"I'm not worried. I know my father." Meera said, setting down confidently on the bed.
Her confidence irked Swapnil. "And what if he's late? What then? You'll still live, but I might die..." he said, moving closer and pinning her hands above her head.
"If you touch me, you'll die too. Either way - I win." Meera said without trying to pull away.
"How so?"
Meera pulled him closer. "If the tribe kills you, I'll be a widow. If my father kills you for touching me - I'll be a widow too." She pointed at the sacred thread tied around her neck.
" How can you win in that situation?" Swapnil asked.
" My father..."
Before Meera can complete, the door flung open.
Two policemen walked in with Sameer behind them. Their eyes widened at the sight before them - Meera lying on the bed with Swapnil hovering inches from her. Both scrambled to stand and straighten their clothes.
"Mr. Swapnil, are you alright? We've been ordered to secure your safety. Please come with us."
They were escorted safely to the police station.
Later, Swapnil reported to his senior. "Yes sir, Meera and I are
fine. The police have taken control. I'll give a full report in the morning."
The commissioner apologized. "We regret the trouble. Please rest. We'll record your statement tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Meera was on the phone, furious. "Why can't you understand, Dad? There's no network here. That's why the phone was off! Yes, I heard the helicopter - was that your doing? Please call them back. I won't come until I finish this assignment and return with an official report. No, I said I'm not coming."
She ended the call and stomped her foot.
"See?" Swapnil whispered to Sameer. "That's why I call her and her dad arrogant. No value for money."
"Shut up. You don't understand what it's like for a father to be away from his daughter. You'll know when you have one. And don't think I've forgotten what I saw back there - we'll talk later." Sameer said.
After thanking the police, they all returned to the hotel. Meera slept the entire ride back with her head on Swapnil's shoulder. He gently laid her on her bed and turned to leave.
But just then, someone tugged at his shirt.
Meera stirred from her sleep. "Where are we? We're back at the hotel?"
"Yes. Just got here," Swapnil said, freeing his shirt from her grasp. "Get some rest. I'll be in Sameer's room."
"But…"
"We're just one wall apart. Sleep now. We'll talk tomorrow." And with that, he walked away.
When a boy and a girl are made to play husband and wife, they remain the same people - but their circumstances shift.
A bond written on paper had now begun to write itself into their lives.
No one knew the truth. But what would happen when they did?
Would Mr. Patel accept his only daughter's accidental marriage?
Why was Swapnil still trapped between his past and present?
And what was Meera really feeling?
Every new phase of this relationship would bring new questions.
Let's see what tomorrow holds.