5. Deal!

Author's POV 

"Mira?"

Durga entered Mira's room and looked around. She noticed that she had kept her room clean and colourful, small cute things which will make her room look alive. Many of them were red. 

Durga feels really bad that Mira loved the colours so much and now she is living a colourless life. She still remembers how much she hated white colour, that she refused to wear the white anarkali suit for the dance performance. She asked them to give her red colour but it was against the theme. 

She always fights for what she wants, not caring if she is going to win or not, the thing is she never gives up before fighting.

Mira came out of the washroom while drying her long hair.

"Durga Di?" 

Durga smiled at her.

"मीरा, तुम्हारे बाल कितने लंबे और अच्छे हो गए हैं... बहुत खूबसूरत लग रहे हैं" (Mira, Your hair has grown so long and healthy... It's looking really beautiful.)

She looked at her hair in awe. 

"और मेरे बाल देखो, इनको गिरने से फुर्सत ही नहीं है" (and look at my hair, they can't stop falling.)

Mira smiled at her hair, she indeed has the longest and thickest hair in the entire family. 

"Thank you!"

"कल जो भी हुआ, तुम ठीक हो ना?" (Are you okay after whatever happened yesterday?)

Durga asked softly. 

"क्या फर्क पड़ता है?" (Does it matter?)

Mira tossed the towel on the bed and grabbed the comb. She doesn't expect anything from her family now, she has lost faith in them. 

"मैं करु?" (Can I?)

Durga took the comb from her. She made her sit on the chair and started combing her hair. 

"तुम्हें याद है तुम कैसे मेरे पीछे भागती थी तुम्हारी favourite hairstyle के लिए" (Do you remember how you used to run behind me to make your favourite hairstyle?)

She chuckled. 

Mira just stared blankly in the mirror.

"तुम्हें माँ ने भेजा है?" (Did Maa send you here?)

Durga smiled guilty when she asked.

"तुम मेरे कमरे में कभी नहीं आती" (You never come to my room.)

Durga never comes to Mira's room because she doesn't like to see how she is living now. It hurts her.

"Mira, I was worried about you... I know you are not well."

She sighed.

"I am perfectly fine..."

Mira smiled bitterly. 

"तुम्हारा गुस्सा बढ़ता जा रहा है, बच्चा" (Your anger is getting out of your hands, kiddo!)

Durga caressed her head. 

"क्योंकि मैंने उसको थप्पड़ मारा?" (Because I slapped the man?)

She frowned.

"You don't care about what he did to me?"

Durga sighed.

"उसने सिर्फ तुम्हारा हाथ पकड़ा, इतना गुस्सा क्यों? " (He just grabbed your arm, Mira... Why were you so triggered?)

Mira frowned at her when she said that. 

"सिर्फ़" (Just?)

Durga sighed.

"It's not just about Damon... I have noticed how you avoid male touch, you don't let any man stand near you."

She knelt in front of her.

"कुछ हुआ है क्या, मीरा?...तुम्हें पता है तुम मुझे बता सकती हो" (Did something happen, Mira?... You know you can tell me, right?)

Mira stared at her blankly and sighed.

"I just don't like it, you don't have to think otherwise... And also because that old lady creates a fuss when she sees any man around me... I just don't want the drama..."

Durga nodded.

"Thank God! I was worried... But please be careful, I heard Baba saying that if the deal gets cancelled then he will kill you."

"अभी जिंदा हूँ?" (Am I alive?)

She chuckled bitterly and Durga could see the pain in her eyes. 

Durga looked at the picture of Mira's husband on the wall.

"You loved Kabeer so much, didn't you?"

She still remembers how Mira fought with everyone to marry Kabir, she didn't even fear Yashraaj that time.

Mira looked away to hide the pain in her eyes.

"शायद उसने नहीं किया, वरना इतनी जल्दी छोड़के नहीं जाता" (But he didn't, or else he wouldn't have left so early.)

Durga's eyes watered.

"भाग जा यहाँ से. कहीं दूर चली जा, जहाँ पे ये लोग तुझे ढूँढ़ नहीं पाएँगे और तुझे जैसा जीना तू जी सकती है।" (Escape from here, go somewhere far from these people where they can't find you and live your life the way you want.)

"We can't live life just with hopes and dreams... पैसा लगता है, जो मेरे पास नहीं है" (Money is required which I don't have...)

She sighed. 

Durga rested her head in Mira's lap.

"Rudra will give you your share of property then you can go wherever you want... He is not like Baba."

Mira's bitter smile widened.

"The old man has my shares with him, not Rudra... He won't give it to me... He doesn't want to give my shares to me...पर कितने दिन जिएगा, कभी ना कभी तो मरेगा ना... उस दिन free हो जाउंगी... पैसा भले ही ना मिले but I want to see his painful death." (But how long is he going to live, he will die sooner or later and that will be my freedom... Even if I don't get the money, I want to see his painful death.)

"You have become so harsh, Mira!"

Durga looked at her worried. 

"They made me like this!"

She took the comb from her and started combing her own hair.

"Forget about me!.. how's your life going?..."

Durga sighed.

"शादी के लिए लड़के देख रहे हैं, रोज नये फोटो भेज रहे हैं" (Baba is looking forward to getting me married... They are sending me pictures of new men everyday.)

"At least they are asking for your choice"

She scoffed. 

"But I don't want to get married, I want to explore the world... I want to do something of my own. Create my own identity, live on my own conditions..."

She exclaimed. 

"At least you fought for yourself, I can't even do that... I am so scared." 

"Then find a good husband"

Mira suggested.

"और वो बाबा जैसा निकला तो?" (And what if he turns out like Baba?)

Durga shook her head.

"Nightmare!"

Mira could understand her fear.

"I wish I could just run away from here... But I don't have money either and they will kill me if they catch me."

She shook her head.

"Yesterday, I saw a beautiful mini dress... I purchased it but I don't know where to wear it. Actually, I can't wear it at all...  I can just keep it in my closet and look at it from afar... Life is so sad, Mira... What to do?"

"मुझसे पूछ रही है?" (You are asking me?...)

She mocked her.

"Tara is so lucky... Her fiance is so cool and open minded... They are shifting abroad after marriage... I don't know what's going to happen to me."

Durga huffed.

Mira's stomach churned knowing that once her sisters get married then she will be alone in the house and it was a scary thought.

"Whatever, let's see! I am going to the market... Do you want something?"

Durga asked. 

"Red Roses?"

Mira replied. 

"I'll buy a big bouquet for you..."

Durga kissed her head and walked out of the room. 

Mira looked at Durga as she disappeared behind the door, 

no matter how much she loves her sister, she can't share everything with her. 

She sighed and decided to take a walk in fresh air. She went to the temple to sit there peacefully in a windy place which will also dry her hair. 

She walked out and halted when she saw Damon at the same place where she slapped him. Her eyes darted towards his feet and noticed that he had taken off his shoes before entering the temple. 

His back was facing her and she has never seen a built man like him in person. He was handsome and she knows that he is aware and the arrogance is there because of it. She could still feel his grip on her neck and it made her realise that he is equally strong as he look.

Damon breathed in the fresh hair. It smells like the girl in white saree whom he met at the same place yesterday. She was close and her scent was just like the wild wind. 

He opened his eyes and turned around just to see those beautiful big eyes throwing daggers at him. The plump lips were set into a thin line and the little nose was flaring with anger. Her damp hair was falling beautifully on her delicate shoulders. Long lashes covered her eyes like curtains when she blinked. 

But for some reason he didn't like the white colour she was wearing. It's irritating him since he has seen her, white doesn't suit her at all. 

Mira ignored him and walked towards the other side of the temple which is not visible from the palace. She knows that this view is visible from many rooms of the palace and she doesn't want anyone to see her with Damon. 

Damon looked at her when she walked towards the other side. 

He smirked and followed her. 

Mira frowned when she felt the presence behind her. She turned around and saw Damon. 

"एक थप्पड़ काफी नहीं था?" (One slap wasn't enough?)

She gritted. 

Damon looked at his translator watch and chuckled at what she said. 

"Forgot the afterwards?"

He mocked looking at her neck.

"You are so overconfident, aren't you?"

She closed her eyes and tried to control her anger. She decided to walk away from him and avoid the drama but Damon blocked her way. 

She frowned at him and stepped back before his body could touch her. He leaned against the temple with folded hands. 

"Doesn't have a comeback?"

He raised his eyebrows amused. 

"तुम्हें जवाब देना जरूरी नहीं समझती" (don't feel necessary to give you replies...)

She spat. 

"You will feel it necessary, Mira..."

He challenged her with a smirk. 

"Last night was a demo, you will regret what you did."

"Ego इतना कमजोर था कि एक थप्पड़ में टूट गया?" (The ego was so fragile that it shattered with just one slap?...)

She scoffed.

"I expected better from the Spanish mafia!"

He chuckled.

"I love this attitude... It will be fun to see you losing it..."

Mira smirked. 

"I'd love to see you bowing in front of this attitude, Mr. whatever your name is... You have messed with the wrong girl!"

He laughed at the way she addressed him.

"Will see! let's see who cries and gives up first!"

He challenged. 

"I want to see how women fight"

"Be careful! Some women might show mercy but an already destroyed woman can destroy you in the worst way."

She mocked and walked away. 

Damon was thrilled with the fire in her eyes and words. He was not interested in a stay here but now he was going to enjoy his stay. 

He walked back to the palace and Madhan led him towards the meeting room where Yashraaj was waiting for him. 

"They need this deal more than we do!"

Yang said while walking with him.

"We are at an advantage here!"

Damon agreed with the mischievous smirk and entered the meeting room. 

Yashraaj and Uday greeted them and offered seats. 

Damon sat like a boss in front of an old man and crossed his legs. 

"Are we expecting someone?"

"No, let's start!"

Uday declared. 

"First of all, I am extremely sorry for whatever happened yesterday... Mira is childish, she sometimes does things out of impulse. I am sure there must be some misunderstanding otherwise she is a really good girl."

Yashraaj tried to cover up. 

Damon is clever enough to understand that the old man doesn't like Mira, but he played along. 

"I understand... Let's talk about the deal now!"

Yashraaj nodded.

"Mr. Damon, I did approach your brother for the alliance but to be honest I am not very assured about the benefit we are going to get from it after last night..."

"Security, Investment, protection and expansion of business in the Spanish market."

Damon declared.

"Anything else, Mr. Thakur?"

"I am sure that I'll get these from you and you'll get these from us but your father, Mr. Damon... He was not a man of his words and to be honest he doesn't have a good reputation in India."

He said and Damon raised his eyebrows. 

"I was very confident about this deal till last night but Mira's mistake has forced me to think twice about it... I know Delgados hold grudges and I don't want my entire family to suffer because of that one slap..."

Damon nodded in understanding. His father does have a bad reputation and that's what they want to change. 

"Mr. Thakur, he is a dead man... His rules are gone with him... Rafael is a man of his words and if he wants alliance with you then there is no going back... I know you are scared because whatever happened last night, and yes! I was furious but I feel this thing shouldn't affect the business."

Yashraaj sighed in relief. 

"I am glad to hear that, Mr. Damon but I need assurance from you, that you won't make Thakurs regret whatever happened last night!.."

Damon smirked. He was going to the exact point where he wanted him to go. 

"I understand your concern, Mr. Thakur... What do you want me to do to give you assurance?"

He asked. 

"Something which will bind us together... Where you can't break the alliance even if you want to..."

He requested.

Damon smirked and leaned back in his chair. 

"Then there is only one way!"

Thakurs looked at him curious.

"What?"

"Marriage alliance!"

Damon declared and Yang's eyes snapped towards him in shock. 

"It will secure your place with Delgados."

Uday and Yashraj looked at each other.

"You are Christian, Mr. Damon... We don't give our girls outside our religion!"

"I am not Christian, Mr. Thakur... We don't follow any religion... We are atheists" 

He replied. 

Yashraaj thought for a second, he wanted the deal at any condition to secure Rudra's position in the business. It was his golden opportunity, it will join his name with most feared family forever. And Damon's assurance solved his problem about religion. 

The old man was happy. 

"Great!.. it's an excellent opportunity for both our families... Let's do this!"

Damon smirked in victory. 

"Ask Durga if she is ready!"

"You don't worry about that... She won't disrespect the decision..."

Uday assured and Damon nodded.

Yang was in complete shock, he couldn't understand why Damon was doing this. 

Last night he said that he is not interested in marriage and Durga is not his type then why he suggested to get married with her. 

He was going to have a detailed discussion on what's going on in Damon's mind.