Suraj Sriwastav

Drama Romance

5.0  

Suraj Sriwastav

Drama Romance

LOVE LOCKED - Suraj Sriwastav

LOVE LOCKED - Suraj Sriwastav

4 mins
1.1K


“Will you marry me?” Raj Singh Rathore was on his knees, holding up a huge diamond solitaire ring and looking up at her with his eloquent eyes full of expectations.


All around them, a pin drop silence ensued as all the diners in the chic roof top café overlooking the distant snowy mountain peaks sensed a moment of reckoning. After all, it is not every day that you see the only scion of a royal family proposing to his future queen in a public place.


Shalini Singh was blushing pink to her gills. She was not expecting a marriage proposal and Raj’s sudden romantic gesture had caught her unawares. As she took, the diamond ring from his hand the café erupted in impromptu clapping and cheers for the intended couple. 


The whole of last month had been a whirlwind romance that had literally swept Shalini off her feet. There was no peace since Raj had turned up unexpectedly at her humble middle-income group-housing colony in his flaming blue Lamborghini. They had been childhood friends once before he had left for foreign shores for higher studies. Although he was an NRI looking after his family business in Europe, now he was visiting his home in the hill station town to join the campaign for his father’s re-election to the state assembly.


“I need some time to decide,” said Shalini placing the sparkling ring on the car’s dashboard.

They had to leave the café quickly as too many strangers came up to congratulate them.

After all most people in this small hill town wanted to be on the good books with the wealthiest blue-blooded and a seasoned politician family to boot.

“Sure, take your time,” Raj was crestfallen but did not show his annoyance.

Patience and poker face was one of the qualities he had learned in his course of business studies. 


As soon as the news of their public courtship flashed, the media went to town. While click happy paparazzi haunted their outings, some malicious members of the Fourth Estate were prompt to label her a gold digger. High society bachelorette belles who were hoping to bell the proverbial tomcat in matrimony flashed their sharp claws in annoyance.


Soon Raj’s mother, a stout silver haired dowager summoned Shalini to her sprawling penthouse. Nineteen-year-old Shalini was nonplussed to see premium jewelers, haute couture outfitters, a professional photographer and a wedding planner in attendance. The prospective mother-in-law was eager to take her under her wings. She only wanted the best and costliest for her daughter in law. Shalini herself had never associated love with so much lucre. Her feelings were very strong for Raj but at the same time she was overwhelmed with the grand plans Life seemed to have destined her for.


“Do you have a passport?” was the first question put to her by Raj’s father the fiftyish but flamboyant Bada Saheb as he took a pull on his gold spouted hookah.


“I don’t actually,” Shalini demurred. Foreign travel had never crossed the mind of the small town girl who had just appeared for her plus 2 Boards and a couple of entrance exams.


“Never mind, I’ll arrange it in tatkal mode,” Bada Saheb knew how to pull strings to get things done. Clearly, Raj’s parents envisioned her settling abroad with their heir in New Zealand. It took her a while to escape the tailors and other wedding pros.


“Congratulations! You have made it,” her high school teacher mom was waiting for her at the door. She shoved her smart phone in her daughter’s face. The results of CLAT were out. Shalini had secured a rank in the top hundred in the Common Law Admission Test. Now Shalini was eligible for admission in the integrated five years B.A. L.L.B. course in any premier Law College in India. Her dream of becoming an advocate and fighting for the rights of women seemed possible now.


“No use of it now,” her grouchy old father shouted, “Better you prepare for the grand marriage.”

As usual, her dad was looking for shortcuts. The proposal from a royal Prince Charming had opened up myriad political and business possibilities for him. His sole aim in life was to get rid of her ASAP.

“We’ve booked the Hilton Hotel’s grand banquet room for engagement,” Raj announced as soon as they met the next day.

“Please keep this. I cannot accept your proposal,” Shalini was blunt as she returned the diamond ring to the shocked Raj.


“But why?” he was too stunned to be angry.

“I want to pursue my career as a lawyer here. My country and my friends need me. Please understand.” Shalini tried to explain.

Raj was inconsolable at first but had no choice but to move away.

She had tossed and turned all night before arriving at this tough decision. She had no regrets breaking the lock which love wanted to put on her. The golden cage was beckoning but she would sing her own song and fly in her own skies. 


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