Five Weeks by Shruti Omar (any book recommendations .txt) 📕

Everyone had their eyes bawled out, jaw dropped and Mr. Maurya gasped, calling her name but she sprinted upstairs to her room and locked herself inside. She thumped her fists on the door in anger and bit on her lips to curb her sobs.

*****

Three hours passed by since she was packed in her room, pacing back and forth and chewing her lips for the anticipated news. She knew her father; he would call this marriage off and it made her restless. She was so alert to perk up ears on slightest noise outside. Mr. Maurya hadn't returned yet and she was totally flummoxed with the ensuing news.

Sighing deep, she sat on the bed and picked up the family photograph on nightstand. She traced her palm over the glass. It was captured on her eighteenth birthday. Her father and she were giggling while her mother was moping because she was tired of telling Anahita to stand straight and she was always sticking her tongue out. Memories pasted smile on her face and ironically, tears spilled down. She hugged the frame closer to her heart and cried out. She said everything she couldn’t say to them. She chipped sorry, she asked them to believe her and she told them that she loved them. At once, her phone buzzed and she picked up to see it was Mukund calling her. She attended the call and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Hey baby…Did you succeed?" His joyful voice came.

"Half done," she replied, dangling her legs.

"What happened?"

She explained him the whole episode, occasionally receiving his fondles. "I'm waiting for dad to come and you know what I've this strong intuition that...it's all finished."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine Anu." Mukund consoled on the other side.

"But Mukund, you don't know my father. He will deflagrate me but won't cheat anyone for my good or for anyone's good. I'm sure dad will call off this wedding but what if he doesn't, I will be home arrested for the rest of my life." She bantered, dropping her shoulders.

"A man can alter his morals for his loved ones and you are his daughter. Trust me, your dad will definitely not do anything that would defame you and calling off this marriage will bring lots of accusation over you and your family. So relax! The marriage is on."

She gaped at her phone as if gaping at him. "How'd you know this? How can you be so confident about it?"

"I've seen this world and I know how it works baby. Anyways, just relax I'm sure you are getting married tonight." 

She rubbed her face, exhaustively. "This is all because of you and your shitty job. I wouldn't have to marry Yuvraaj, Only if you had come to station on time."

"I am sorry baby but you know that I didn't have any choice." He apologized.

"It is okay but promise, you'll come soon. I mean if you are thinking of leaving me then I can-" She was beginning to give him earful when he intervened. "Yes yes I know, if I am thinking of leaving you then you will lodge FIR against me. Don't worry I'm not thinking of it." He chuckled making her smile.

"I'm hanging up because if that bitchy sister of my dad finds out that I'm talking to you. She might rumor it as I'm pregnant with your child." She joked lightly and tears fell from her eyes. The jibe hurt but she wasn’t going to cry over it. What is done is done.

"Take care and remember I love you. Okay! Bye." He reminded and cut the call, making her sigh. She stared at the photo frame again. “I'm sorry dad, I'm sorry mom but I can't just ruin my life only because you guys want to keep your words. It's my life and I will live it in my way. I know my decision has ruined my relationship with you guys and you have to face a little humiliation but it's nothing comparative to what I have to deal with all my life."

Tears pricked her eyes again and she hugged the frame, lying on the bed. "I am the worst daughter, I accept it but I will not live with a person whom I don't love. I wish you could be a little understanding."

She wiped her tears as she heard footsteps. Then there was a knock at the door. She flung the photo frame aside and padded to open the door. Her mother didn't bother to cast a glance over her and moved past her with the big salver in her hands. Anahita furrowed her eyebrows at the salver.

"What is it?" She asked following her mother. Mrs. Maurya didn't answer and called in the beauticians inside who were still unnoticed by Anahita. Taking her chance, Anahita removed the cover off the salver. The salver had Yellow Nauvari Saree, scintillating jewelry and Mundavalya.

"Get her ready and you have just thirty minutes for it." Mrs. Maurya commanded the head girl and began to move out.

"Wait a sec…mom!" Anahita leapt to grab her forearm, ignoring her glower. "Why thirty minutes?"

Mrs. Maurya freed her hand and walked past her but Anahita blocked her way, standing before the door. “I know you're angry but will you please tell me why have you asked them to adorn me in thirty minutes? Where is dad? What's going on?"

"Don't you know what's happening since you're the one who is the reason behind it?" Mrs. Maurya hissed at her. "You are getting married now. Now do me a favor and get ready."

"But, mom isn't the marriage scheduled in the evening? Why now?"

"Have you left any option for us? Rumors like these spread like forest fire. What if they call off the wedding? Do you want to embarrass your dad more than you've already done?" Mrs. Maurya glared her.

"Mom please do not blame me as if it were my entire fault. Didn't I beg you to meet Mukund? Didn't I request dad numerous times to at least try to understand me?" Anahita sniped, crossing arms belligerently.

"Mukund Mukund Mukund! This is all you chant day and night. What the hell does this guy has done to you? I'm afraid if whatever Misti said, was true." Mrs. Maurya fumed, making Anahita flinch. She clenched her jaw in anger.