After paying for the dresses and arranging for them to be sent to his house, Priyank gently took Priya’s hand as they left the shop.
“What else do we need to shop for now?” Priya asked, her voice laden with exhaustion.
Forced into a marriage she didn’t want, forced into shopping for items she had no interest in, Priya felt drained from trying on dresses alone. She had no energy left for anything else.
But she knew she had to comply with Priyank’s wishes, or else face his unpredictable behaviour, which she dreaded.
“The most important thing now is wedding rings. Couple rings are crucial,” Priyank replied, leading her away from the clothing section and towards the jewellery department.
Priya’s mind raced as she tried to process his words. She understood the significance of the rings, but the thought of wearing one felt suffocating. This marriage wasn’t her choice, and now she was expected to wear a symbol of it?
If she couldn’t successfully escape before the wedding, she would be forced to wear that ring everywhere she went, a constant reminder of her unwanted commitment.
It made no sense to her, and she couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread that washed over her.
Priya couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration and helplessness. The idea of being bound to Priyank through a wedding ring felt like another layer of confinement in an already suffocating situation.
As they approached the jewellery section, Priya’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
On one hand, she understood the significance of wedding rings and the expectations that came with them. On the other hand, she resented the idea of being forced into yet another aspect of this unwanted marriage.
Deep down, she knew that wearing the ring would symbolise her submission to a life she hadn’t chosen for herself. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that she would be carrying the weight of this commitment on her finger every single day.
But for now, Priya pushed aside her apprehensions and followed Priyank into the jewellery store, steeling herself for yet another compromise in a series of compromises she never wanted to make.
‘Can I refuse?’ Priya silently questioned herself, the desire to resist bubbling up within her.
‘No, you can’t,’ her conscience replied sternly.
Despite her inner thoughts, Priya began to entertain the idea of planning her escape.
She couldn’t fathom spending her life with someone as intimidating and oppressive as Priyank.
He was a threat to her peace of mind, and she was determined to distance herself from him.
As they stepped into the jewellery store, Priya’s attention was drawn away from her thoughts and towards the dazzling displays of luxury surrounding her.
She had never set foot in a jewellery store before, big or small, due to their financial constraints.
But now, seeing them all before her, a flicker of excitement ignited within Priya.
Though she had no enthusiasm for the shopping excursion itself, the chance to experience something new before her inevitable demise held a sliver of significance.
“Is anyone here?” Priyank called out when he noticed the absence of staff.
Glancing at Priya, he could tell she was taken aback by the upscale environment, indicating she likely hadn’t frequented places like this before.
It struck him how far her life was from affording such luxuries, considering they couldn’t even afford a TV.
But as Priya would soon be his wife, Priyank was determined to provide her with everything extravagant and beautiful, even beyond her wildest dreams.
He wanted to fulfil her dreams and introduce her to a world she may have never imagined.
As they waited for assistance, Priyank couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride
He wanted to give Priya the world, to shower her with luxuries she had never known.
‘I’ll make you all happy,’ Priyank silently vowed to himself.
“How can I assist you?” Two employees, a man and a woman, approached them.
Upon seeing Priyank, they immediately recognized him from his previous visits.
He had bought jewellery for his mother before, and they were the ones who had assisted him.
Even if they were new employees, everyone knew about Priyank-the young billionaire, powerful and mysterious. While his wealth and health were common knowledge, the path he took to achieve his success remained a mystery.
“I’d like a couple rings for me and my soon-to-be wife,” Priyank replied, leading Priya to the nearby sofa where they both sat down.
The employees nodded in acknowledgment, quickly fetching a selection of couple rings for Priyank and Priya to choose. Priyank carefully examined each option, considering their design and quality, while Priya observed quietly beside him.
She glanced at the sizable stones adorning the rings, feeling uncomfortable as she took in the exorbitant price tags attached to them.
She couldn’t shake off the feeling of discomfort as she looked at the expensive rings. The price tags on them were staggering, enough to support her orphanage kids for years. Just one ring could cover a big chunk of a child’s education costs.
Seeing Priyank splurge on such luxuries for their wedding made her uneasy. Despite his wealth, she wished he’d be more mindful of how he spent his money, especially on things that seemed unnecessary.
“Which one do you like, Priya?” Priyank inquired, turning to her. He had already made his selection for the dresses, so he wanted the wedding rings to reflect her preferences.
The forced nature of their wedding, he still wanted her to have a say in the decisions.
He didn’t want to feel like he was making all the choices alone; he wanted her to be involved in the process.
“You’re asking me?” Priya couldn’t hide her surprise at his words, struggling to relate them with the man who had been so controlling during the clothes shopping.
He hadn’t once asked for her opinion there, even though she wasn’t particularly interested.
Yet, she found herself liking the dresses he had chosen much more than any others she had tried on. It was still hard to believe.
“Yes, sweetheart, it’s for our wedding. I want to wear whatever you choose, so tell me which one you like,” Priyank said, smiling at her reaction. He understood why she was surprised.
In choosing dresses, he wanted to have the final say to ensure she didn’t choose anything too revealing. But with rings, there were no such concerns, making it easier for him to let her decide.