Her happiness felt like a knife twisting in my chest. The door creaked open. Even before I turned, I knew who it was. Pa.
“There are so many preparations to do for the wedding, Kav,” he said in a sweet, practiced tone. “We don’t have enough time, my dear. If you two are done with your chit-chat, come with me.” He turned to Kirti, placing a hand on her head and running his fingers through her hair. “Kiki beta, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing good, Pa,” she replied with a smile.
“That’s good,” he said, smiling back. But his smile didn’t reach his eyes. He took my hand gently. “You take some rest. I’m borrowing Kav for a few hours for wedding preparations.”
“Okay, Pa.”
The moment we stepped out, he dragged me down the corridor and locked Kirti’s door behind us. Then he turned, glaring at me.
“You haven’t told her everything, have you?”
“I’m not as cruel as you, Pa!” I snapped, meeting his glare with the same fury. “You’ll pay for every single penny you’re squeezing out of me, Kirti, and Saurav.”
“Mind your language, girl!” he shouted. “I’m doing this for you and Kirti. Can’t you see? Your life will be settled, and Kirti’s too. He’s rich, Kav...rich enough to feed our ten generations. What’s wrong if he gives just one percent of it?”
“Then why didn’t you just ask him for money?” I cried, tears spilling freely. “Why force him to marry me? I can’t marry him!”
He suddenly grabbed my forearm, squeezing so tightly that sharp pain shot through my bones.
“You will marry him,” he hissed. “And if you don’t want me to… start preparing for Kirti’s funeral.”
“Pa—”
Before I could say another word, he shoved me away and walked off. I stood there alone, shaking, my arm throbbing, my heart shattered knowing that I had just traded my life for my sister’s breath.
_______
Chapter 6
SAURAV
"I never thought you would ever get married," my father said while adjusting the collar of my sherwani. His fingers were steady like he was fixing a business deal instead of helping his son get ready for his wedding.
He caught my eyes in the mirror. His gaze was sharp, unreadable, almost unforgiving. “But I’m glad you’re finally taking responsibility for your mistakes."
The words hit harder than I expected.
"You still believe that I tried to rape her?" I asked, my teeth clenched so tight my jaw hurt. A bitter laugh threatened to escape, but I swallowed it. “I never thought you could think so low of me. Sometimes I wonder what I’ve ever done to deserve this much… distrust from you."
"I don’t hate you, son," he replied calmly. "But I hate the way you keep putting yourself in situations like this. Do you remember Tanya’s case? She attempted suicide because of you. And now Kavya." He paused, his expression hardening. "It wasn’t the first time you played with women. Your mother..."
"Dad, please." The word came out rougher than I intended. I clenched my jaw and glared at him through the mirror. My hands curled into fists at my sides. "Don’t bring Mom into this,"I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And stop using her as a weapon every time you want to prove a point."
My chest felt tight. I shut my eyes and counted slowly...one… two… three… all the way to ten...trying to cage the anger clawing its way up my throat.
"Saurav…"
His voice softened. He reached out, maybe to place a hand on my shoulder, maybe to say something human for once. I shrugged him off roughly.
"We gotta be going."
I didn’t wait for his reply. If I stayed another minute, I might say something I couldn’t take back. I walked out of the room and headed downstairs. The hotel hallway smelled like expensive perfume and fresh roses and lilies, probably chosen to impress guests rather than celebrate a marriage.
Downstairs, a few relatives were already waiting. Some smiled awkwardly. Some stared openly, curiosity burning in their eyes.
Of course they were curious.