[On the Road – Skand and the girl are walking quickly]
Skand (thinking):"What have I done in the heat of the moment?I bought a slave — and that too, a girl!If Uncle or Mom sees her, what am I even going to say?"
They reach a blacksmith's shop.
The girl (thinking):"Why has he brought me here?"
Skand whispers something to the blacksmith.The man nods and immediately removes the black iron shackle from the girl's ankle — a symbol that she was a slave.
The girl (thinking, shocked):"What… what's happening?He just broke the seal of my slavery...No one has ever done that for me.Young master… why did you…?"
Skand (calmly):"Listen, I can't keep you with me.You're free now. You can go wherever you want."
The girl (confused):"Then… why did you buy me?"
Skand:"Because that fat man was going to buy you…and make you his concubine.I couldn't let that happen.Besides… you're still a child."
The girl (thinking):"He's… such a kind man."
Skand turns and starts walking away.But the girl starts following him.
Skand (irritated):"Ugh! Why are you following me now?"
The girl (smiling):"Because you bought me."
Skand (frustrated):"Where's your home? I'll drop you off — just stop following me."
The girl (sadly):"I don't have a home…My own family sold me for a few coins.I'm following you because… you're the first good person I've ever met.Most people buy slaves to use them.You bought me and set me free.Please, young master… let me stay with you.I'll do any work you ask.If you leave me now, someone else might capture me again."
Skand (thinking, looking at her innocent face):"Poor girl… life has been so cruel to her.But you'd never know it from her expression."
Skand (gently):"Fine, you can stay.But you'll have to work hard. I don't run a charity."
The girl (smiling brightly):"That's fine, I'll do anything!Oh, and… my name is Divya."
Skand:"That's a beautiful name.Anyway, I still have a few things to buy."
[At Home – Skand enters with Divya]
Uncle and Skand's mother were waiting for him.
Uncle (noticing the girl):"Skand… who's this?"
Skand:"Uncle, from today… she's part of our family too."
Uncle:"What do you mean?"
Skand explains everything — what happened in the market, Divya's past, and why he brought her home.
Uncle:"Ohh… you did the right thing by bringing her here."
Divya (nervously, bowing slightly):"Namaste…"
Mother (gently):"Don't be scared, dear. Think of this as your own home."
Uncle:"Don't worry, Bhabhi. She'll adjust slowly."
Uncle (thinking):"Hmm… looks like Skand likes her — maybe that's why he brought her home."
Uncle (to Skand, pulling him aside):"Come here for a moment."
The two move to the side to talk about business,while Divya and Skand's mother start doing chores together.
Uncle (excited):"We made a lot of profit today!Our product is really catching on."
Skand (smirking):"Just wait… we're only getting started."
Uncle (in a low voice):"By the way… she's a pretty girl.I'd happily accept her as my daughter-in-law."
Skand (blushing, flustered):"Uncle! There's nothing like that between us.You're getting the wrong idea!"
To be continued…