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

“What?” Anahita made squint eyes, crinkling her forehead.

“I agree that this marriage means nothing to you but for my family, you will abide by everything,” he maintained, the coldness of his voice fetched the coldness of glacier. “And, this is not a request. It’s an order.” He punctuated his words, griping her chin tightly between his finger and thumb. Anahita opened her mouth but he shushed her, “No words. Go inside the bathroom, change into nightwear and come downstairs like an obedient sunbai (daughter-in-law).”

She again opened her mouth and he butted in, “And, if you dared to challenge me, I will kill you.”

She narrowed her eyes, watching him in disbelief and he nodded, “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t take no as an answer. You did what you wanted but from now on, you will do as I say.”

She pinched the back of his hand and freed herself, yelling. “I am not your fucking slave.”

“Anahita, there is one thing you should know that I don't appreciate this language. I am warning you not to curse except times in our bedroom." He gnashed his teeth together, losing his already gone cool. Anahita pressed her lips in a line and planked her fists in her waist, “Or what?”

Yuvraaj closed the distance between them, making her retreat until her back hit the wall and slammed a palm near her face. His stooped to her eye level and scared the shit out of her. “You won’t want to know.”

She averted her eyes from him and he stepped back, giving her space to move but she remained rigid to her place. He snapped his fingers before her eyes and motioned his hand towards the bathroom. “Go!”

“No.”

"Fine then." he shrugged, dragging her to bathroom and pushed her under the shower. She squealed in surprised palter of cold water over her and he shoved her in the tiled wall, holding her hands over her head. Water cascaded over them, paving path from their contours to their length. Anahita was dripping to bones under his predator gaze and grudgingly looked down at their feet. Yuvraaj dabbed her chin in dense grip, forcing her to look at him. He looked… prowler. “Though for five weeks but I am still your husband, so talk to me with respect. Now, don't force me to do something with you we both regret since I am aware how much you hate me."

He stepped away from the shower and wiped his face, "I will hang your clothes right outside the door, you can take them once you're done."

Anahita flared her nostrils, hugging herself and gaped at him. He was about to leave and flexed to her, “One more thing – if you're planning to not come out, you should know that it is my room and I know how to unlock the door. So think wisely before playing smart." He took the towel and padded out, drying his hair. He huffed, keeping his hands on his waist. He really had gotten a wife whom he had no idea how to deal with.

*****

The day embarked on a busy note for Anahita. The swarm of relatives hoarded at their home from remote areas just to get a glimpse of her face and she was tired of greeting them. Being a daughter in law was not easy. Though she had met most of his relatives many times before their marriage but she was tasked to greet them with a veil scratched over her face. A freaking scratch over her face in freaking hot summer!!! She huffed. Besides, she failed to understand the use of the veil when everyone had seen her already.

Even though, she followed all the rituals not because she was afraid of Yuvraaj but only because she didn't want to hurt her mother in law who doted on her. The guilt was there in that after her parents now she was cheating the couple who was just like her other parents. Mrs. Prakash was always very keen to have her that she introduced her to her friend circle and bragged about her beauty, wits and nature. The more she was adored, the more she felt the guilt creeping on her chest but she handled everything with a smile.

“Vehini,” Gitika knocked on the door with a smile. “Can we come in?”

“Sure,” Anahita reciprocated her gesture and allowed the beauticians to parade inside her room. She totally adored Gitika. She was humble, modest and loving unlike her brother and she clicked with Anahita beautifully. In fact, except Yuvraaj, everyone clicked beautifully with her.

"Mom has asked us to get you ready quickly before guests start appearing.” Gitika informed, providing her a beautiful saree. Anahita peeked inside the bag and touched the silk material. It was a very beautiful green saree, beaded with stones and heavy embroidery. She loved it and Gitika helped her to wear that.

The door barged open and Yuvraaj came inside, unclasping his watch. He halted in his steps to see them in his room and enquired, “What’s going on? Why are you all here?”

“It’s not only your room, dada.” Gitika rolled her eyes and he yanked at her hair, making her wince. She rubbed her scalp, glaring at him, “We are helping Vahini to get ready."

He nodded, dashing inside the wardrobe and emerged out with a packet in his hands. He swung it to Anahita, “Wear this,”

She caught the packet on time and turned it down, revealing a navy blue designer saree. It was custom made because of its intricate work of golden thread and delicate designs. She knew it was tastefully picked because it matched the color of his Sherwani. Gitika hesitated, looking at her handiwork on Anahita, “But, Dada, she is ready."

“I don’t care. Make her wear this because she is my wife and she will wear what I want.” He announced proudly before sprinting out. Anahita clutched the saree in her hands, groaning inwardly. Torture begins!!!

Girls huffed in defeat and with that, the saree got layered around Anahita. She had to get her makeup done again, matching to the new attire. Everyone admired her on the reception. Yuvraaj had worn a maroon Sherwani that complimented her dress. She rolled her eyes when everyone praised them; their fathers were the happiest people on the planet earth and strolled around, puffing their chest out. Her father still gave her cold shoulder and so did her mom but she was so tired that she remained unaffected. Her agenda was to deliver fake smiles, fake nods and plastic poses before camera.