Redemption

Chapter 2

Samaira

I entered my sister's room. She was studying, sitting on her study table, and had headphones on. That's why she didn't notice me entering her room. I always find it weird how someone can concentrate on anything when they are listening to music. I ran towards her and pulled her headphones from her ears abruptly.

She turned towards me with an angry look, but after seeing my crying face she sobered. And asked me'' What happened di [sis]? Why are you crying? Did Dad do something?'' concern laced her voice. She stood up, took my things from my hands and made me sit on her bed, and sat beside me while rubbing my back gently trying to console my bitter crying.

After some 20 minutes later, when I finally calmed down, I told her the dreading news. She was shocked and couldn't believe that Dad could do this. Then I told her how rudely Dad cut me off when I tried to retaliate. ''I don't want to get married Dimpi. What if he is like father only I can't spend my whole life like mom. I hate feeling helpless in front of Dad and I don't want to feel helpless in front of my husband too.'' I cried more, thinking about the possibility of him being like Dad and a doomed future.

''Di what if he isn't like Dad at all? What if he respects women and understands them? Not every male in this world is like father?'' Dimple tried to console me. But I know better than to believe these lies. I don't have that many lucky stars. Everything in my life goes wrong.

''But what about my studies? What if he refuses to let me study further? You know how much Mom has begged Dad for my Master's admission. And now only one semester is left. And he is doing this. He could have waited for this year to be over. But no, he has to prove me wrong every time. O God, Exams are in a month for my third semester.'' and now I was panicking, pacing the floor in front of her bed and mumbling continuously.

''Di stop okay.'' my sister shouted, cutting my rambling and stopping my pacing effectively. ''There is nothing you can do and you are going to get ill with all this overthinking. Let's take one step at a time. Okay'' she started again '' Right now let's have the pizza which you brought to my room. I nodded my head, relaxing for the time being. Let's take one step at a time, as Dimpi said. After having our dinner, I slept with my sister only with a new disturbing thought that my mom didn't even peek in my sister's room or cared to know about my state.

I woke up the next day with a raging headache due to my restless sleep and crying. I got up and got ready for today's hell. I didn't wake my sister as she also didn't get much sleep because of me last night. As I was getting ready, a thought crossed my mind that I would be free from this prison after marriage.

I wouldn't have to beg that excuse of a man and not look at my helpless Mom, but I would definitely miss my sister. I would not even have visited this place if it was not for my sister. After getting ready, I went towards my sister to wake her up and after telling her to get ready, I made my way downstairs to have some breakfast and to have a look at the drama that was going to unfold today.

No one approached me at the breakfast table, even Mom wouldn't speak to me. She won't console me, won't ask me how I was. No, nada. Okay, then, I guess I am alone in this war. After having breakfast, Mom spoke to me for the first time after the dreadful news, but it was not about me, it was to inform me that my dress had been sent to my room and beauticians would arrive at 5 in the evening as the function would be taking place at 7.

That's it. With that, she turned her back to me and made her way toward the backyard to take a look at the preparations. Leaving me numb at my place, I can't believe she is the same mother who will not stop crying if anything happens to Dimpi or me. I can't believe she just turned her back on me when I needed her the most. I wanted her assurance that my future wasn't as bad as I thought it to be. I guess that's what you get for trusting anyone in this world. Betrayal. I was hurt more than ever. My Dad's announcement didn't hurt me as much as my Mom's behavior is hurting me.

With tear-filled eyes, I made my way toward my room, locked the door, and laid down on my bed. I don't want anyone with me right now. Not that anyone cares, but still just for safety measures. With my depressing thoughts, I fell into a deep slumber. A loud knock on my door made me wake up from my sleep. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked at the time it was 5.

That must be the beauticians. I got up from bed and unlocked the door for them to enter and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. After making me ready, they left my room while I was sitting there and looking at myself in the mirror. The beauticians for sure did a great job but all in vain. As make-up can't hide the sadness in my eyes.

There was another knock at my already open door and there stood Mom and my sister Dimpi. I rushed towards my Mom, hugging her tightly, letting all my pent-up frustration, anger, hurt, and sadness be visible to her. She pushed me back a little to look at my face, but what she said left me feeling a lot more hurt.

''I am sorry Bache [kid] I couldn't do anything. I am sorry.'' I hugged her once again. It wasn't her fault, it was my Dad's fault. He was the one who should be apologizing to me, not her. I consoled her. I imagined how hurt she must be feeling as she couldn't do anything for her beloved child.

After what felt like an eternity, I hugged my Mom but our peace couldn't stay for long as my sister's phone started ringing. After attending the call, she told us that Dad was calling us downstairs its almost time. We made our way downstairs with a heavy heart. None of us were happy except for the Devil himself.

I was taken to the backyard and they made me sit beside him. I couldn't take in my surroundings as I was feeling numb. But my trance broke when my mom nudged me and showed me a ring which I had to put on his finger and that was the first time in the whole evening. I looked at my surroundings and gasped.

Our backyard was looking so beautiful with white lilies and red roses everywhere and the tables were covered with white and golden and that's the color of the theme. Everything is white and golden. I have to give it to this man. Money can definitely buy you anything.

My Mom nudged me again, making me look at her again and then at the ring in her hand which I had to put on my future husband's ring finger. And that's when I looked at him for the first time in the whole night, he took my breath away, his deep brown eyes were like chocolate shining with lights coming from the chandeliers above us, his well-defined nose, sharp jaws complimenting his looks and the well-trimmed stubble making him more handsome.

His pink lips were thinned in a straight line, clearly showing displeasure. Which made me hurry and put the ring on his ring finger not to make him disappointed in me. Woah, where did this thought come from? Why do I care if he is disappointed in me or not? I shouldn't care? After that, he made me wear my ring and all the guests present there started clapping.

Oh God, what is this situation here? I am getting engaged and I don't even know the name of my future husband. After exchanging the rings, they made us sit again on the decorated sofa and guests started to come on stage to give their congratulations. In what felt like an eternity, a boy younger than my husband came smiling from ear to ear and said

''Hello Bhabhi, [sister-in-law] I am Varun your devar [Brother-in-law]. You look gorgeous. I must say bhai[brother] must be having a hard time controlling himself'' making me blush. And his brother cleared his throat and glared at him. We didn't exchange a word till the end of the function.