That night, Sasmita couldn't sleep.
Her stepmother's words kept echoing in her mind.
"Tomorrow, guests are coming."
She knew what that meant.
Marriage proposal.
Her chest felt heavy. She wasn't ready. Not mentally. Not emotionally.
And somewhere deep inside… her heart had already started reserving a seat for someone else on this "love train."
Next morning, the house looked different.
New curtains. Snacks arranged. Her stepmother unusually sweet.
"Wear that pink saree. Don't argue," she ordered.
Sasmita quietly obeyed.
By afternoon, a white car stopped outside the house.
Three people entered.
An older man in his late forties. Gold chain. Expensive watch. Sharp eyes that didn't feel kind.
Sasmita felt uncomfortable instantly.
"This is Mr. Mahesh," her stepmother said proudly. "Very rich. Owns multiple properties."
Mahesh looked at Sasmita from head to toe.
She lowered her eyes, feeling disturbed.
"She is simple," he said. "That's good. I don't like modern girls."
Her hands trembled.
Inside her room, she quickly picked up her phone and opened Facebook.
One message.
Sasmita: "They came."
Within seconds—
Srikant: "Who?"
Sasmita: "Proposal."
There was no reply for almost a minute.
Then—
Srikant: "Say no."
Her heart beat faster.
"I can't. My stepmother won't agree."
After that message…
Silence.
Downstairs, Mahesh was laughing loudly.
"If everything is fine, we can fix the engagement soon."
Sasmita felt trapped.
Suddenly—
A black luxury car stopped outside her house.
Everyone turned toward the window.
Her stepmother frowned.
"Who is this now?"
The door opened.
Srikant stepped out.
Black suit. Calm expression. Powerful presence.
He entered the house confidently.
"Sorry for the interruption," he said politely. "I'm here regarding a marriage proposal."
The room went silent.
Her stepmother's face lit up immediately.
"Oh! For my daughter?"
Srikant's eyes slowly shifted toward Sasmita.
"No," he said calmly.
"For her."
The air felt heavy.
Mahesh stood up angrily.
"Who are you?"
Srikant smiled slightly.
"Someone who doesn't lose what belongs to him."
The words sent a shiver through Sasmita's body.
Belongs to him?
Was that… love?
Or something deeper?
Mahesh looked irritated.
"You think money impresses me?"
Srikant stepped closer.
"I don't impress. I replace."
The confidence in his tone made everyone uncomfortable.
Her stepmother quickly changed her attitude.
"Actually… we were just discussing. Nothing fixed yet."
Sasmita stood frozen.
Everything was happening too fast.
Before leaving, Srikant looked at her and said softly—
"Trust the train."
Then he walked out.
Outside, two black SUVs were parked behind his car.
Men standing near them respectfully.
Mahesh noticed.
And for the first time… fear appeared on his face.
Inside the house, tension exploded.
"Who is he?!" her stepmother shouted.
Sasmita had no answer.
Because even she didn't fully know.
But one thing was clear—
This love train was no longer simple.
It had entered dangerous