A shark and a gold fish

•││Prologue││•

I pushed through the heavy gates of his enormous mansion. Alas! It was nailed down with the fetters. I was adorably draped in a maroon saree. Suddenly a voice stopped me, "Are you Ms. Sharma?"

I was aghast to know how his watchman was aware of my identity. I chose not to struggle. But with the confident movement of my arms, my pallu flew with the wind, forming an arc in the air on its own accord with excellent finesse. This is what the skies wanted, but I was indifferent.

He was on a green couch waiting for me when I reached. I noticed his gray hair. His back was facing the main door, when he lit his cigar and blew the dense fog into the air, as if to pretend of being unaware of my presence, but he prove me wrong by calling my name, as if he knew I will be there.

I choked, and my sore throat was not helping at all. He proved me wrong as always and puffed the cigar to manage his craving.

"Bravo! Ms. Sharma, you are welcome in to the ocean of the business sharks." but he didn't spare me a glance or the antique clock hanging on the wall. When completed he said, "You're on time". He was as particular as always.

I shut my eyes tight when he behaved as if it made no difference, but it was unbearable to me.

"I was always in the ocean, but my presence amounted to that of a tiny goldfish. The sea was dangerous, but I slowly learnt to embrace happiness and my presence felt beautiful. It was not insignificant anymore." A hot tear kissed my cheek when I answered him.

He spun around to look at me and I could say he was skimming my heart out from the soul.

He looked easy in my eyes. He observed me keenly and uttered, "Almond-shaped beautiful eyes but puffy red with tears, why so?"

"None of your business", I expressed myself straightforwardly.

He came to the point that mattered, "Are you ready to accept my offer? Yes, of course, you are." He arrogantly answered the question himself.

I licked my lips, mustered the strength to walk towards the man while wiping my tears, "Yes, I am ready to marry you, Mr. Bajaj."

Mr. Bajaj kept the cigar in the ashtray. I was disgusted with his triumphant smile. I swallowed back my tears, "What will you gain by marrying me, Mr. Bajaj?"

"Anurag Basu loves you unconditionally", he stated, as he tied his cobalt blue gown's belt. "Aaj kal duniya mein aise unconditional love bahut rarely dikhai deta hai aur rare cheezon ko apni collection mein rakhna meri bahut buri aadat hai." Was he trying to be witty ? because his humor did not appeal to me in anyway.

I looked down with disgust.

"I will fulfill your ambition some other day because today I need to accomplish the promise I made to myself." He did not let me finish. Before I could complete he leaned in towards me, "Hmmm....ziddi to aap bhi kam nahi, after all, you are goldfish, member of the ocean."

"Who you can easily hunt, with the power and money Mr. Shark?" I asked sarcastically. He smirked and lit another cigar "Go, every minute is precious."

I look down and finally stopped him from leaving, "Mr. Bajaj! I have to share something"

"What's that?", he was irked and drew in a long drag from his cigar.

I ignored his preferences related to addiction.

"I'm pregnant, with Anurag's child."

He replied as if nothing bothered him. "That's fine, I will give him my name."

"But... But he isn't aware that he has a child." I kept my eyes shut as a tear rolled down my cheek.

"I will tell no one, anything else?"

I was aghast seeing his nonchalance at something I thought would shake the ground for him namely the prospect of my unborn child. He was my fiance now who had no problem with me sleeping with another man. How easy it was for him. All he cared about was money, power and his ego for which he could crush any person like an ant under his shoe. Rishab Bajaj was a disgusting man. I had seen it with my own eyes.

However, who knew he had to make my destiny! Was it my fault or was it written in my stars? I, Prerna Sharma, the person with great self-esteem, sold herself today. The only thing she had was sold for some pennies. But why?

Was it destined for to me, or was it planned?

I loosened the grip over my body and was wobbly in my feet, and knelt down.

"Ma...."

but did the sky hear me?