It was the next morning. Both of them lay wrapped in each other’s arms, their naked skin pressed together, still warm from the night before. Urvi woke first and gazed at her husband, peacefully asleep. A soft smile spread across her face. She couldn’t resist and gently kissed his cheek, her fingers tenderly caressing it.

Slowly, she slipped out of the bed. Her body ached—a reminder that it was her first time, even though Sahastra had been gentle. She moved towards the washroom, freshened up, and then carefully draped herself in a floral chiffon saree. After completing her skincare routine, she adorned her forehead with sindoor. As the red powder touched her hairline, a deep sense of belonging and love blossomed inside her.

Though their marriage was yet to be accepted by anyone, and only the two of them lived together quietly, Urvi wanted to perform the pehli rasoi ritual traditionally. She went to the kitchen, set up the small ceremony and prayer, and then began preparing breakfast. She made aloo paratha, aloo gobhi sabzi,raita, and ensured there was kheer—the one thing she knew Sahastra loved most.

Just as she was plating the dishes, she heard Sahastra’s voice calling out anxiously, “Sparsh! Sparsh!”

Startled, she turned. “Kya hua? Main yahi hoon.”
["What happened? I’m right here."]

He rushed toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Mujhe laga tum kahin chali gayi, mujhe dara diya tha tumne. Bata ke jaana tha na? Aur yeh tum itne subah-subah kitchen mein kya kar rahi ho?”
["I thought you had gone somewhere, you scared me. You could’ve told me! And what are you doing in the kitchen so early in the morning?"]

He raised his eyebrows playfully.

Urvi smiled softly. “Woh, aaj pehli rasoi hai meri. Main chahti thi aapke liye kuch achha banau.”
["Today is my first cooking ritual. I wanted to make something special for you."]

Sahastra chuckled and replied, “Kya zarurat thi iski? Yahan tumhe koi kuch nahi bolega, baby. Yahan bas hum dono hain.”
["What was the need for this? Here, no one will say anything to you, baby. It’s just the two of us here."]

Urvi’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Lekin mujhe aapke liye kuch karna tha. Aapne mere liye itna kuch kiya, main aapki bohot abhaari hoon. Mujhe kisi ne kabhi aise mehsoos nahi karwaya.”
["But I wanted to do something for you. You’ve done so much for me. I’m so grateful to you. No one has ever made me feel this way."]

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she spoke.

Sahastra pulled her close, cradling her gently. “Nahi, rote mera baccha. Ab main hoon na tumhare paas. Hum dono hain ek dusre ke liye. Ab tum akele nahi ho, idhar dekho.”
["No, don’t cry, child. Now I’m here with you. We are here for each other. You’re not alone anymore, look here."]

He lifted her chin to meet his eyes and playfully pinched her nose.
“Aise nahi rote, mujhe tumhara rona pasand nahi.”
["Don’t cry like that, I don’t like your tears."]

He softly wiped her tears away, holding her close like he would never let go.
After finishing breakfast, Urvi began tidying up the plates. As she moved toward the living room, she reached for her office bag and began packing her files.

From behind, Sahastra, still sipping his tea, raised an eyebrow.
"Tum bag kyun pack kar rahi ho, Sparsh?"
["Why are you packing your bag, Sparsh?"]

She smiled, tucking in her diary.
"Aaj orphanage jaana hai… kuch paperwork pending hai."
["I have to go to the orphanage today… some paperwork is pending."]

Without warning, Sahastra walked up behind her, his presence warm and magnetic. His hand gently found its way around her waist, resting there for a moment before his thumb began slow, circular strokes — gentle, knowing.

Urvi gasped softly, the sudden intimacy making her spine arch ever so slightly. He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"Aaj office jaane ki zarurat nahi, Mrs. Tripathi..."
["There’s no need to go to work today, Mrs. Tripathi..."]

He chuckled softly.
"Aapke boss ne chhutti di hai aapko. Boss ki nai-nai shaadi hui hai, to boss apni biwi ke saath samay bitana chahta hai."
["Your boss has given you the day off. He just got married, and now he wants to spend time with his wife."]

Urvi turned around and laughed, gently hit his chest.

Sahastra didn't reply. He simply leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss that was soft at first, then deepened with every heartbeat. His hands held her close, wrapping her in warmth. Urvi melted into it — trusting, smiling, surrendering.

Just then, the sudden ringing of Sahastra’s phone sliced through the silence. He groaned and pulled back, forehead resting against hers.
"Kya timing hai…"
["What timing…"]

He checked the screen and frowned.
"Party office se call hai."
["It’s from the party office."]

Answering the call with a sigh, his expression changed quickly.

"Kya?" he asked sharply. "Kab hua yeh? Kitne log…?"
["What? When did this happen? How many people…?"]

Urvi’s brows furrowed with concern. Sahastra ended the call and looked at her, regret clouding his eyes.

"Amethi ke office mein blast hua hai. Kuch kaaryakarta ghaayal ho gaye hain.."
["There was a blast at the Amethi office. Some workers are injured..."]

He held her hands tightly.

"I don’t want to leave you, Sparsh… but I have to go. This is an emergency."

She nodded, squeezing his hands back.

"I understand… go. And please take care of yourself."

Sahastra kissed her forehead one last time, then turned and left with one last look over his shoulder — a silent promise that no matter how far duty called him, his heart would always remain with her.

Sahastra had left, but Urvi felt a gnawing restlessness inside her.

Blast at the Amethi party office?
Was her family behind it?
The question drilled through her mind like a ticking time bomb.

She needed answers. And she knew exactly who could give them.

Without wasting a second, she rushed to her room, flung open her suitcase, and tossed aside her clothes. Hidden underneath was her secret phone—the one no one knew about. She pulled it out with trembling fingers and switched it on.

As soon as the screen lit up, a series of missed calls from Sakshi flashed.

Her heart sank.

She dialed back.

Sakshi answered instantly—her voice like ice.
“Yaad aa gayi Maharani ji ko humari?”
[“So Her Majesty finally remembered me?”]
The mockery in her tone sliced right through Urvi.

Urvi flinched. “Aisi baat nahi hai… woh… kal main busy thi. Sahastra mere saath the.”
[“It’s not like that... I was just busy yesterday. Sahastra was with me.”]

Sakshi let out a slow, venomous laugh—sharp, cruel.
“Kamaal hai tu… maan liya tujhe. Apni maa se bhi badi randi nikli tu.”
[“Incredible. You’ve outdone even your mother. You're an even bigger whore than she ever was.”]

Urvi’s breath caught. Her eyes welled up.

"Do mahine mein hi usse apne jaal mein phasa liya. Agar teri maa zinda hoti, toh tujhe dekh ke garv se marti."
[“Two months, that’s all it took for you to trap him. If your mother were alive, she’d die of pride seeing what a lowlife her daughter’s become.”]

Urvi’s lips trembled, but before she could reply, Sakshi spat more poison:

“Toh, kaise rahi teri pehli raat uske saath?”
[“So, how was your first night with him?”]
“Pehli raat hi thi na… ya suhagraat se pehle hi sab kuch ho gaya tha?”
[“It was your first night, right? Or did you fuck him even before your wedding night?”]

Each word was a dagger. Urvi’s throat tightened with shame.

Sakshi sneered, her voice laced with mock disgust.
“Chal, tera personal matter mujhe nahi jaan’na. Ab asli baat pe aate hain.”
[“Whatever. I don’t care about your personal filth. Let’s get to the real reason I called.”]

“Bata, kya pata kar paayi tu usse?”
[“Tell me—what did you find out from him?”]

Urvi hesitated. “Main… main abhi tak unse uss baare mein baat nahi ki…”
[“I… I haven’t spoken to him about it yet…”]

The silence that followed felt lethal.

Then, Sakshi snarled, rage bursting through.
"SALI RAND!"
[“YOU FUCKING WHORE!”]
"Bistar garam karne mein itni busy thi ki jis kaam ke liye gayi hai, wahi bhool gayi?”
[“You were so busy warming his bed you forgot the damn job you were sent for?”]

Urvi’s voice cracked under the weight of fear and desperation. “Ek baat poochhni hai…”
[“I need to ask you something…”]

Sakshi stayed silent.

Urvi swallowed hard.
“Woh jo Amethi party office mein blast hua… kya uske peeche aap logon ka haath hai?”
[“The blast at the Amethi party office… was your group behind it?”]

There was a pause. A cold, loaded silence.

Then Sakshi replied, slow and ominous:
"Tujhe kya lagta hai… kaun hoga?"
[“Who do you think did it?”]

“Baaki samajhdaar ko ishaara kaafi hota hai.”
[“A hint is enough for the wise.”]

Urvi’s blood turned to ice.

That was it. Confirmation without confession.

Her hands trembled. Her throat tightened. A chilling shiver ran down her spine as she realized the horrifying truth—they did it. Her own people.

Her breath became ragged.

She had been raised by these people. But now she saw them for what they really were.

Monsters.

And she was now part of their web.

Sakshi’s voice snapped her back:

“Agar tujhe lagta hai ki tu Sahastra ko apne jaal mein fasa ke apni zimmedaari se bhaag jayegi, toh tu galat hai.”
[“If you think you can seduce Sahastra and escape your responsibility, you’re dead wrong.”]

“Do minute nahi lagenge mujhe tera raaz kholne mein.”
[“I won’t even need two minutes to expose your truth.”]

“Soch le… jab usse pata chalega tu kya hai, woh kya karega?”
[“Think. When he finds out what you really are, what do you think he’ll do?”]

“Dhakke maar ke nikaalega tujhe.”
[“He’ll throw you out like garbage.”]

“Angraj ji bhi nahi bachayenge.”
[“Even Angraj ji won’t save you.”]

"Mar jayegi tu. KUTTIYA.”
[“You’ll be finished. DEAD, BITCH.”]

Urvi stood there, shaking, drowning in the weight of every word.

Because she knew—every word might be true.

Sakshi’s voice hardened:
“Kaan khol ke sun. Agar tune jaldi hi information nahi diya… to ulti ginti shuru kar de.”
[“Open your ears. If you don’t deliver us something , your countdown begins.”]

Just as Sakshi was about to hang up, Urvi managed to whisper—
“…Ji.”
[“…Yes.”]

The call ended.

And with it, whatever peace Urvi had left in her soul.

She sank to the floor.

Eyes wide. Heart shattered.
She had never felt more helpless.

She was living a lie.
Tangled in love, loyalty, and terror.

And now… she wasn’t sure which would destroy her first.
__________________________

It was evening, the door creaked open and Urvi stood there, heart pounding. Sahastra stood on the threshold, his jaw clenched, his eyes dark with fury. The moment their eyes met, she instinctively stepped aside, giving him space. He stormed in, his footsteps echoing like thunder, and collapsed onto the couch with a frustrated sigh.

Urvi swallowed hard. Something was very wrong.

She quietly fetched a glass of water and walked over to him. Her hands trembled slightly as she extended it.
"Paani," she said softly. ["Water."]

He took it without a word, gulping it down in one go. His hands ran down his face, heavy with the weight of what he'd seen.

"Sab theek hai?" she asked carefully. ["Is everything okay?"]

Sahastra shook his head, his voice rough with exhaustion and rage.

"Kuch bhi theek nahi hai, Sparsh." ["Nothing is okay, Sparsh."]
"Do kaaryakarta badi hi buri tarah ghayal hue hain. Unke parivaar walon ko rote dekh dil toot gaya." ["Two of our party workers are seriously injured. Seeing their families cry broke my heart."]

He paused, fists tightening.
"LSD(Angraj' party) ko main chhodunga nahi. Mujhe yakeen hai, mujhe pata hai yeh hamla uss madarchod Angraj ne karwaya hai." ["I won’t spare LSD. I’m sure this attack was orchestrated under motherfucker Angraj’s orders."]

Urvi’s breath hitched. Her insides knotted with fear—but not for herself. For him. For what she was hiding.

He noticed her stiffening. Slowly, he reached out and held her wrist gently.
"Daro mat, Sparsh. Mera gussa tumhare liye nahi hai." ["Don’t be afraid, Sparsh. My anger isn’t for you."]
"Jab mere logon ko takleef hoti hai, toh main aapa kho deta hoon. Par tum meri jaan ho, meri apni ho." ["When my people are hurt, I lose control. But you... you're my life, you are my own."]

With that, he tugged her gently onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, his breath warm, his body heavy with fatigue.

Urvi’s hands instinctively rose to his scalp, her fingers weaving through his hair, massaging gently. He closed his eyes, letting her calm soothe his storm.

After a moment, he murmured against her skin,
"Parso ek rally hai Sharanpur mein." ["There’s a rally day after tomorrow in Sharanpur."]

She pulled back a little to look at him.
"Aap jaa rahe ho?" ["Are you going?"]

He shook his head.
"Nahi. Kal papa ke saath rahunga. Farmers bill par discussion hai." ["No. I’ll be with dad tomorrow. We have to discuss the farmers bill."]

Urvi nodded. She rested her head on his shoulder, but her heart was pounding. Her body was next to his, but her mind was spiraling.

The guilt was corrosive.

She knew what she had to do.

But every passing second made her choice harder. Because she wasn’t just betraying a man—she was betraying someone who trusted her with his heart, his rage, his brokenness.

And that was the cruelest part of all.

As Sahastra rested against her, breathing slowly returning to normal under her soothing touch, Urvi gathered her courage again. Her voice came out soft, careful.

“Yeh jo farmers bill hai… kya usme kuch khaas baat hai?”
["This farmers bill… is there something special about it?"]

Sahastra lifted his head slightly, meeting her eyes. A flicker of determination lit his exhausted face.

“Haan, Sparsh. Yeh bill game-changer ho sakta hai.”
["Yes, Sparsh. This bill could be a game-changer."]

He gently guided her hand into his and sat upright, his tone shifting to one of a leader, a man carrying the burden of many.

"Look… the aim of this bill is to remove middlemen and give farmers direct access to the market. A digital procurement system will be built, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to mandis (wholesale markets) or corporates—and they won’t be paid below the Minimum Support Price."

Urvi nodded, her eyes wide with attention.
"And?"

"Another important clause is land leasing reform. Now small farmers will be able to lease their land legally without risking ownership. It’ll reduce the fear of corporate farming and give them new income sources."

"And there’s a new Agricultural Infrastructure Fund—₹3000 crores—for cold storage, warehouses, and farm-gate infrastructure."

He paused, eyes narrowing with focus.
"If we implement all this correctly, our party's rural vote bank will become solid. If done right, we can easily win the upcoming elections."

Urvi's expression remained neutral, absorbing every single detail. But inside her mind, something churned. Every word, every figure, every clause—she stored it.

Not for strategy.
Not for debate.
But for survival.

Sahastra leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.
"Tumhe bore to nahi kiya maine?"
["I didn’t bore you, did I?"]

She forced a smile, her heart aching.
“Not at all. I love listening to you."

She said it truthfully.

She did want to know everything.

But for reasons he could never imagine.

Later they had their dinner and departed to their bedroom. Both Sahastra and Urvi changed into something more relaxed. Sahastra slipped into soft cotton pants, choosing to remain shirtless—his presence warm and grounded, the soft light brushing against the contours of his chest. Urvi, on the other hand, wore a delicate satin nighty in a deep wine hue that flowed gently around her like liquid silk, its straps resting lightly on her shoulders.

Just when Urvi was applying the moisturizer, Sahastra couldn't control himself and went toward Urvi and brushed his fingers on her shoulders. Urvi flinched with the new sensation. She looked in the mirror only to see her husband already staring at her. The heat was too hot to handle, Sahastra held her jaw and turned her. They kissed each other passionately. Sahastra's hand met with the thin sleeves of Urvi's nighty. Delicately he removed her sleeves. His fingers brushed with her arms, making her breath heavily.

Now Urvi was just in her lingerie. Sahastra kissed her backbone, feeling the warmth of his lips, Urvi's moaned. He slowly removed her bra and panty. He leaned to kiss her perky breasts. He kissed her cleavage then took one of her nipple inside his mouth. His one hand kneading her left left breast and the other hand kneading her ass. Urvi was moaning heavily. He soon discarded her panty. Although they had sex, yet the feeling was very new to her. Her whole face became red and her body emitted heat. Sahastra in a swift motion discarded his pants and boxers. He took Urvi on the bed and made her lay on bed. Sahastra leaned in and started kissing her body like a dedicated devotee. He kissed every inch of her, relishing every moment. Soon he reached in between her thighs. He spread her thighs and kissed her clit.

"Ahh!" She moaned. Lost in pleasure, unknowingly, her fingers tangled in his hair, guiding him closer into the core. Sahastra smirked sensing his effects on his wife.

And the next second he started sucking and licking her folds. He mouthed her clit, Urvi couldn't control herself and came.

He took two of his fingers and spat on them. With great precision he inserted them inside her. Urvi felt a sharp pain, she winched. Sahastra knew it was necessary if they were to have sex. He had to stretch her. He started to gently pump his finger in and out inside her, while kissing her neck.

"Ahh,dard ho raha hain." ["Ahh, it's paining."]

"It will feel good baby. You are very tight, give it some time jaan."

Soon the pain turned into pleasure. He increased his speed and Urvi couldn't control herself. Her eyes rolled, she bit her lower lips and came undone. In no time Sahastra, smeared her cum on his dick and inserted it in one go.

"Ahh! umm." she yelped.

He started pounding inside her, slowly at first. He let her adjust to his size, soon when she became comfortable, he started ramming inside her with speed.

"Sparsh ahh, tum pagal kar dogi mujhe. This is heaven. God you are so fucking tight." [Sparsh ahh, you'll make me go insane one day. This is heaven. God you are so fucking tight."]

"Ahh! Ahh! You are stretching me. It...It feels so good."

"Yes baby, this does feel good."

Sahastra's head rolled backwards with pleasure. He took his thumb and started massaging her clit in a circular motion.

"Ahh! faster, I....I am about to cum."

He increased his speed, groped her boobs with one hand, the other hand busy playing with her clit.

"Come with me jaan. Ahh! come with me."  He moaned

Just when Urvi had a mind-blowing orgasm, she felt his dick twitch inside her, the next second he pulled out his dick and ejaculated on her breasts.

Both of them were panting heavily now.

Sahastra leaned in and kissed Urvi, slow and hungry, pouring every unspoken word into the warmth of her lips. She responded breathlessly, still high on the closeness, on the safety his touch gave her—even if only for now.

Afterward, as she lay in the quiet hum of their togetherness, he slipped away to the bathroom. She heard the water run, then felt the soft press of a damp towel against her skin.

He cleaned her gently, then himself, saying nothing. His silence was full of care.

Sliding back into bed, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, her back against his chest. He kissed her hair, exhaled, and let the stillness take over.

Urvi closed her eyes, sinking into him—but inside, guilt twisted sharp.
In his arms, she felt safe.
And that safety made the truth unbearable.

Morning light filtered softly through the cream curtains casting a golden hue over the quiet room. The air was filled with the faint clinking of cutlery against porcelain as Urvi and Sahastra sat across from each other, sharing a quiet breakfast. There was a stillness between them—peaceful, yet fleeting.

Sahastra folded the last bite of paratha and looked up from his plate. “I have to go to meet dad, it's an important meeting, saare important party members ayenge,” ["I have to go to meet dad, it's an important meeting, all the important party members will be present,"] he said, voice calm but resolute. “There’s a meeting about the new farmers’ bill.”

Urvi paused mid-sip, but she didn't say anything.

Sahastra saw it immediately. A faint smile touched his lips, sad and knowing. “I know what you're thinking,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Yes, my father has severed all ties with me—like I’m a stranger. But I still have responsibilities. Not just as his son, but as his party’s successor.”

He stood, walking toward the window, arms crossed as he looked out. “He may not accept my marriage, may never accept you. I defied his wishes when I married you. And I won’t apologize for that. But abandoning him now—abandoning the legacy he built, the party that depends on me—that’s not an option.”

Urvi’s eyes softened. She could hear the heaviness in his voice, the crack beneath the surface.

“I didn’t do anything wrong by marrying you, Sparsh. I’ll never believe that. But he’s an ambitious man, and I’m his successor—whether he acknowledges me as a son or not, doesn't matter. He may reject me as a son, but he still sees me as his heir. I have to keep the dream alive, for the people, for the party… for him.”

She nodded slowly, heart tightening. He wasn’t just her husband—he was a man carrying the weight of an entire political legacy, trying to balance love, responsibility, and a father's rejection.

Soon after, Sahastra kissed her forehead, whispered, “I’ll be back by evening," he with that.

Urvi stood in silence for a while, his words echoing inside her. Then, without another thought, she walked to her room, locked the door, and pulled out her secret phone. Her fingers hesitated over the screen—only for a moment.

She dialed Sakshi.

The line clicked.

“There’s a rally in Saharanpur tomorrow,” she whispered. “And the bill—they’re discussing the farmer reforms. It’s serious.”

Sakshi didn’t say a word. She cut the call immediately.

__________________________________

The next day, chaos erupted.

The peaceful rally in Saharanpur turned into a nightmare. Protesters swarmed the streets, angry and misled. Flyers were distributed with twisted versions of the bill. Rumors spread like wildfire—“They’re selling our land,” “They’ll kill MSP,” “It’s corporate slavery.”

The farmers, once calm, turned into a sea of rage. Stones flew, barricades were broken, tear gas filled the air.

The damage was devastating.

Sahastra watched the news in disbelief, his face pale as the reporter declared:
“Unrest spreads across Saharanpur—sources claim misinformation around the farmers’ bill led to violent protests. Even the party’s loyal constituencies have turned hostile.”

His hands trembled as he turned off the screen. His political career—his father’s legacy—was on fire.

And Urvi stood alone in the kitchen, eyes fixed on nothing, heart pounding with guilt.

She had struck the first blow.

And she knew… the war had just begun.

_______________________________

Back at the party headquarters, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Leaders and strategists paced nervously, faces etched with disbelief and frustration. The calm, controlled image they’d worked so hard to maintain was shattered overnight.

“How did this happen?” a party stalwart  barked. “How did such sensitive information leak out before the rally? Who betrayed us?”

Whispers circled the room like poison. Eyes darted suspiciously, alliances subtly shifting. The party’s trusted inner circle was suddenly fractured by doubt.

Sahastra clenched his jaw, his mind racing. “This wasn’t a simple leak,” he said coldly. “Someone intentionally twisted the facts to create chaos. This is sabotage.”

A party MLA spoke up hesitantly, “But who would do this? To us? From within?”

Murmurs grew louder. Fingers were pointed, names tossed around—but no one had answers. Every accusation was met with denials, every claim with suspicion.

The party that once stood united now found itself grappling with paranoia and betrayal. The enemy wasn’t just outside—they might be inside.

Sahastra’s gaze hardened. This was more than a political crisis—it was a war for survival. And the battlefield was dangerously close to home.