Married to Hate

Khushi's POV:

I was getting ready to leave for the hospital. I put on my favorite full-length blue dress and a little make up. Then I went to pick out a wrist watch from my collection of wrist watches. I am fond of watches and I purchase them whenever they catch my attention.

"Are you ready to perform the pooja, Khushi?" Mom asked me.

"Yes," I said, and Mom called everyone in the family for the prayer.

My mom, dad, and sisters, Vidya and Varsha, joined me.

After finishing the prayer, I accepted blessings from my parents.

"Dad, I'm leaving for the hospital. Bye," I said and hurried off to work.

I was proud to be a cardiologist at the famous Shajan Specialty Hospital. I was proud because I got the chance to save the lives of many people. Only a doctor has the capacity to save this many lives. I was filled with happiness whenever I saw the joy on my patients' faces after I completed a successful surgery.

When I got to the hospital, I checked the surgeries scheduled for that day. I had three. I sat down and meditated for a while to remove any negative thoughts from my mind and maintain my inner peace. Then, I went into the operation theater to start my first surgery of the day.

Shajan's POV:

By the time I woke up, the servants had arranged everything for my morning bath. I took a very relaxing and soothing soak in the tub, with scented candles and a slow music to set the mood. The fragrance of the candles filled me with peace, and the music helped shut the doors of my heart, which often tried to be emotional for no real reason.

When I was done, I dressed in a cream-colored suit, my favorite one. It had been made with the best fabrics by a famous fashion designer just for me. I paired it with my branded watch and shoes. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled proudly. I was very happy with the money I had earned. Then, I went downstairs to have breakfast.

One of the servants stood there at the bottom of the stairs as if waiting for me.

"Sir, my mom was admitted to the hospital. Her condition is very serious. Please allow me just two days off, as there is no one to take care of my mom. Please, sir," she said.

I couldn't take this kind of emotional drama. A long time ago, I turned my back on all these frivolous emotions. Now tears had no power to melt my heart. Instead, they just stoked my temper. Relationships were bullshit, useless to humanity, and love was meaningless. The only thing I loved and respected in this world was money. Money could work miracles.

People respect and love you if you have money. If you don't have money, everything you do looks like a big mistake. If you're rich, however, you can run the world and make your own rules.

"Don’t you know that I never do anyone any favors without getting something in return?" I said, leering at that girl seductively.

"Sir, I am not that that type of girl," she said.

"Are you sure? I know that type of girl well, and I can usually recognize her." I shrugged. "You have two options: Stop talking nonsense and get back to work. Or go to the hospital and visit me tonight," I said.

These girls love to seduce men with tears and emotions. Many girls claim they are not 'that kind of girl,' but I don't understand what the big deal is. Whether you seduce and manipulate a man for the security of marriage, or you do it for money, it's all the same. Prostitutes just have a more realistic outlook on their money troubles, yet these girls badmouth such women to try to prove that they are better than them.

"Sir, please."

"That's it, you're fired. And since you've wasted so much of my time this morning, your final pay will be deducted accordingly. Get lost. Now," I demanded in a firm tone, and the girl fled my house.

I went to the dining room and ate my noodles. My phone had already received many messages and calls over the course of that morning. I checked for the messages and calls that had the most potential make me successful and increase my profits.

Then, I went to the office and began signing contracts. The day soon became night without me even noticing. I loved being this busy because being this busy made a person successful. And I was also able to forget some of my past pain and heartbreak.

I got back home late at night, around 2 am. My room was quiet and dark. I switched on the light and grabbed a wine bottle. I sat on my bed and drank the whole thing. I remembered the face that destroyed my happiness long ago. Their laughter made me angry. I threw the empty bottle, and it smashed to pieces against the wall. I wished I could break that person into pieces just as easily.

I wanted to see that person helplessness, in tears and in pain. I wanted to crush that person's life under my feet without mercy. I wanted them to feel that death was better than living but that even death was out of their reach without my permission. This was not just a thirst for revenge or hatred. This was what that person deserved.

I drank three more bottles of wine, all the bottles ending up as broken as the first. Then, I dozed off due to the effects of the wine, dreaming of the day I could destroy that person's happiness once and for all.

Khushi's POV:

I was checking the case file of a patient when someone put their hands over my eyes from the back. I smiled as I knew who always teased me this way.

"Ah, if it isn't my sweet enemy, Abhiram," I said.

"Man, Khushi, you never lose," Abhi said.

"Yes, I can't lose if my Abhi is with me," I said, holding his hands.

"Stop it, Khushi. I didn't do anything to deserve that. You're always a winner because you never give up on anything and destroy every hurdle in life. And that's why I love you, Khushi," Abhi said.

"I love you too, Abhi," I said, remembering all he had done for me. Abhi was a great friend, one who would do anything and everything for those he cared about. I had never met anyone else who would sacrifice so much for their friends.

"Just one more month before we get married."

I smiled, looking at him, hiding the pain in my heart.

"I miss him," Abhi said.

"It's better to forget those who will never come back. You did all you could, and we can't do anything more than that. Let's wait for time to work its healing magic," I said.

"You're right, Khushi. But I don't think there will be any going back after we get married. Our marriage will break him, and healing will be nearly impossible."

"Only if he can understand our decision and his mistake, can he be healed," I said.

"You still think that only he is at fault and you didn't do anything wrong?" Abhi said.

"I didn't do anything wrong, but the situation and consequences made it a mistake that can never be corrected," I said, and tears formed in my eyes.

"I can understand, but I don't think he will ever be able to, not after our marriage. Anyway, as you said, let time help him heal. Come on, let's go home. I will drop you," Abhi said.

We were driving home when, suddenly, I saw a car hit an old lady and continue on as if nothing had happened. I recognized the person who was driving the car. How could someone be that cruel and emotionless?

"Abhi, stop the car. Let's take her to the hospital."

"Ah, always the good Samaritan. You can't help but stop when you see someone in need," Abhi said, and I glared at him.

Without another word, Abhi stopped the car. We took her to the hospital and admitted her. I told Abhi to take care of her and went to the police station to file a report. I gave them the license plate number, and the police looked it up in their database.

"Do you know whose car it is?" the inspector said.

"Yes, it's Shajan's car. He is the culprit," I said.

"Do you know him?"

I knew him more than anyone else. Our past encounters were still in my heart, though I tried hard to forget them.

"Yes, I know him. He has no mercy, no emotions, and will do anything for a profit. He doesn't deserve to be called human," I said.

"Madam, he is a very wealthy and powerful man. Don’t risk your life. He will not let it go if you file complaint against him," the cowardly and corrupt inspector said.

"I am not scared of Shajan. Are you scared to arrest him?" I asked.

"Watch your language. I'm warning you for your own good."

"Thank you so much, but please file the complaint," I said.

Having no other option, he filed the complaint against Shajan. When he arrested Shajan and brought him into the station, Shajan saw me waiting there.

"Your complaint is worthless. I will be free in an hour. But this time, I'm not letting you off the hook so easily. You will pay for this," Shajan said.

"God helps those who stand for justice."

"I could buy off God if I wanted to. And it would be worth it to get back at you. I will make sure you regret this," Shajan said.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," I said.

"That's right, all you can do is wait, because there's no way you can stop me from getting my revenge," Shajan said.

I went home, and when I told my family and friends, everyone was worried for me.

"I will try not to worry. I know that my daughter always does the right thing. I am proud of you, Khushi," Dad said.

"Thank you, Dad," I said.

Then, I got a call from the hospital saying that there was an emergency. They told me that I needed to perform surgery immediately or a person's life would be at risk. I rushed to the hospital.