Kashvi-

The whole house looked lively,  kids were playing around,  delicious aroma of sweets and desserts filled the whole house and relatives chattered around.  The engagement preparation was going on with full swing, everyone was happy. After all,  marriages, festivals and occasions were the only rare occurrence when life seemed easy and joyful,  apart from the daily chores and work,  entertaining and capturing memories with one another.

" Ahhhhhh! " Just then a shriek from upstairs made everyone go quite .

Rolling my eyes, I walked upstairs to the source where I saw Deepti standing across the mirror, grabbing her hair and glaring at no-one.

" Why did you shriek!? " Rushant Bhaiya (elder brother)  , my cousin asked his sister and she just groaned loudly.

By now,  my mother,  brother ,badi ma and all the cousins surrounded the doorway, looking at the drama girl who was going to get engaged within next two hours or less.

" My hair, " she said, " they aren't done yet. " Badi maa smiled and walked towards her, "Awe, wait my bacha ( my kid)  the stylist is on her way, " she said placing her hand on Deepti 's shoulder but she pushed it away.

" I'll sue her, " she yelled.

She was always like this,  badi maa always over -pampered her and because of that she always acted like kids. God knows,  how her husband is going to deal with her? Reesha rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand, " Di,  let's go downstairs, "  I nodded and followed her out.

Reesha was younger than everyone in the house but she was far more better than Deepti and more mature.
" You look pretty, by the way, " she commented looking at me.  I was wearing a black long skirt and beige crop top with a black dupatta which had  golden dangling pearls around the border.  My dark brown hair were sprawled around my both shoulder reaching out to my waist and I did just a little bit of makeup. Overall,  it all suited my curvy but tall figure.

" You look beautiful too, " I complimented Reesha and she grinned big. She was wearing a long red gown,  which was simple yet elegant.
We sat around the garden looking around at the decorations, "  She's finally getting engaged, " Aryan stated and took a seat near us.
" I'm just wondering how her groom is like! " Swati , my maternal cousin exclaimed and Vinay who was more a friend than cousin ,nodded.

No-one knew who her would be fiance was because we were all out for a movie when they paid us a visit. The only person who met them were our elders and Deepti.  When we asked her how he looked,  she just smiled big and said, " He's handsome and Richie rich," Immature as always.
No-one said anything else , we just knew that his name was Danish.

As far as I've heard from the elders, her marriage alliance was fixed by our late grandfather to get a business deal with his best friend's grandson . For years , our elders kept this as a secret which got exposed to us only few days back when the groom's family had contacted our bade papa.

To be honest we were all a little impatient to see him!!

We sat there,  laughing and talking around half an hour when my phone ringed .

" Hello! "
" Kashu,  come here right now! " I heard my father say on the call. (kaa-shu)

Hanging up the call,  I walked towards the house looking around for him.

" She's here, " my mother said as I made my way inside the house.

" They are here and being the elder one after Deepti, you will welcome the Singhania family, " Bade papa said sternly and I nodded.

He was the head of  our family and the most strict person. According to him,  everyone should be disciplined and obey his rules or you regret it. No one ever raised there voice in front of him. Not even my own father . The respect we gave him was undoubtedly too much.

Walking towards the main door,  I walked out  with my brother and elders  , there were two cars parked.  An elderly man with his stick stood there with a beautiful girl around Reesha's age and a guy  older than her  .  A beautiful lady,  like my mother stood with another guy.  Since I was standing at the back,  I couldn't see their faces clearly.

" Hey!  I'm Rahul,  Danish's friend and this is Advika, his sister, " the guy was wearing  a kurta, his hair gelled and he looked really well.

" And this is Sameer, " another boy said glaring at Rahul, " You didn't introduce me! "  A smile broke out on my face as I nodded at them, " I'm Kashvi  Deepti's cousin sister! " I introduced and looked ahead for the groom.  " That's Danish Bhai! " Advika  said pointing towards the guy who touched  feets of elders. As soon as his eyes met mine  , my smile got replaced with utter shock.

What the hell was he doing here!!!! 

He glanced at me and turned away quickly .

He dared to ignore me!  Not that I was interested either. Instead,  I felt so happy that he didn't remember me.

Wait a minute,  Danish ! Deepti's fiance

I always considered Deepti lucky, in every freaking way.
Her parents loved her unconditionally, she was always pampered and cared.
She was beautiful, with her model like body and most of the guys in college drooled over her.

But who would have thought,  that her faith would chose a guy for her exactly like her. The guy did not even have basic human decency , what was the point of looking good.

Not that I knew him, but our first meeting left a great impression.

It was the same guy, I had almost crashed my bicycle into his car. He didn't even had in himself to come out and check whether someone was hurt or not.

I knew that I didn't do ethical thing,  but he needed to be irritated for his attitude and  it was so funny to do that!

" Kashvi, " I heard my badi maa call my name, turning around I nodded at her. " Go and serve this to groom and his family, " she ordered handing me a tray of sweet fancy liquids.  Cursing my faith,  I walked slowly towards them.

" Hey!  Kashvi,  thanks, " Sameer said followed by Advika.

The elders were not here,  walking towards the couch slowly where Danish and his friend Rahul was seated I smiled sweetly . Rahul returned the smile but that wasn't what made my heart beat rapidly  , it was the man sitting next to him who had the familiar icy stare on me as I handed him his drink. I wished he didn't remember me.

" I must say if you are this beautiful then your sister must be definitely pretty, " Rahul commented smirking and I just bit my lower lip smiling.

If the guy was trying to flirt with me I was definitely not looking forward to it.

" She's my cousin sister and yeah she's really beautiful   " I stated and he laughed a little when Sameer asked me playfully,

" He just complemented you and you just made out the comparison part? "

" Oh, " I smiled shrugging, as my eyes met the groom.  He rolled his eyes which made me wonder again

What exactly is his problem? Does he remember me?

Walking away,  I ran into Vinay who was helping my mother with some gifts and stuffs . " What's got you so pale? " he asked and I sighed, " Remember the man whose car I punctured few days back? " He remembered and grinned,

" What about him? "

" He's here, " I said and he laughed instead of saying anything which made me glare at my best friend.

" You got yourself in this! " he exclaimed and walked away as my mother called him.

Stomping my foot like a brat,  I kept the tray on the table and turned to go upstairs when two hands grabbed my wrist tightly and before I could register who it was , I was pressed against the wall near the staircase.  The same coal black orbs were in front of me and the firm grip of his rough hands on my wrist made me squirm. I could smell his intoxicating addicting perfume which was definitely expensive.
We just had an arm distance between us,  the loud chatters could be heard but I was sure no-one would actually see us like this because of the decorations ,the dark curtain acting as a barrier.

But if someone would have walked from upstairs they would see and our position wasn't going to help at all from creating a wrong image in another person's mind. Realising this,  I tried to pull away from him but he just kept glaring at me,

" Leave my hand, " I said but my voice was too low as if it was lost somewhere.

" Why?  So you can run again? Just like the day you did after pulling that stunt in front of me " he gritted his teeth. 

He's demeanor was definitely intimidating and all I wished  to run away again . From him.

" Look,  I didn't do it on purpose it was just an act on impulse, " I tried to explain but his grip on my wrist tightened which made me hiss.

" I don't care girl, but you dared to damage my car, "

" I was hurt too, "

" It was your mistake that you couldn't ride a bicycle carefully, there is something called breaks! "

" And you couldn't even show some humanity? " I glared back at him.

" I didnt even hit you and do you have any idea what would've happened because of you!  I would have lost my deal, " he stated and I rolled my eyes at him

" And how does it concern me? "

" You got lucky because I didn't lose otherwise you would be paying for it, but you still are going to pay for it" he warned,

" Excuse me? "

" You are excused, " with that he left my wrist and backed away.  A weird feeling washed over me and I knew a part of it was fear.

How did he even managed to do that!

Looking at my wrist I glared at them,  where his touch was few minutes ago. They were red due to the impact, mentally cursing him for giving me bruise  I pulled myself away from the wall.

I knew it already,  he wasn't a wise man!

My phone ringed and a wave of fear again washed over me as the screen flashed with ' Bade papa'( Father's elder brother)

" Hello, " I tried to sound calm but his next words made my calmness go down in drain.

" Come to Deepti's room right now!  She's not here, " running upstairs I saw my parents, bade papa,  badi maa,  Rushant Bhaiya ( elder brother)  , Reesha and groom's mother.  They all turned towards me and I looked around,  Deepti was indeed missing.

' This is so not good, ' my subconscious told me.

" Do you have any idea about her whereabouts? " Bade papa asked in a hard voice and I lowered my gaze, " No , "  I answered slowly.

"  I am asking you both for the last time, " he shouted at me and Reesha. 

" We don't know anything dad, " Reesha was in tears by now and I was sure if he kept scaring us like this, I would cry too.

Glaring at her, he yelled in her face, " I'll kill you both if you don't tell us now."

Grabbing my hair tightly,  he gritted his teeth at me, " Tell us now. Kashvi " Tears formed in my eyes, " I really don't know,  I swear, " I said afraid he would hit me.

"  Don't be angry on them,  Mr. Chahal, " the lady, groom's mother was watching all the drama and thought to interfere. She held a look of disappointment in her eyes as she looked around.

" We are really sorry Mrs. Singhania,  we are really ashamed of our kids, " and with that sentence, that bade papa  said,  a tear escaped my eyes.

He was always the strict one in the house and the eldest.  The respect we all had for him and the way he held his head high was a pride.  No-one ever dared to go against him ever, not even my own father . Being in the good books of him was like the most hardest thing to do . But today his head was low due to shame .

Deepti was his own daughter and she was his biggest reason to be proud of because she always followed his path and he always expected us ( my other cousins and me and my brother)  to be like her and Rushant Bhaiya.  She was a spoiled brat but still she was a good girl in his eyes and to him she was sincere and disciplined.

Today,  when he let his head low, it wasn't just him who was affected but  everyone was beyond disappointed. Except me . I always knew he had spoiled Deepti a lot , I was just surprised that she went to this limit.

" Mr. Chahal,  it's not your mistake, " Mrs.  Singhania said as she held his hands and I looked at her brightly.  At least she understood us .

" But there are so many guests how are we going to face them? " he asked.

" If not the elder one then we'll get our son engaged with the younger daughter of this house, " she stated confidently and my eyes squinted and I turned to look at Reesha who started at me with same expression.

Reesha was too young . What did she mean by elder one?

" We have so many guests and business partners,  the media might be there too, " she reasoned, " so we can't let our image ruined . It's good for both of us."

Rich people and their issues.

Bade papa turned towards me and I shivered as the room felt silent.

" I'll tell my son, Danish, " she said and left.

Danish. 

Oh yeah,  the guy hated my guts and I hated his attitude.

Walking toward me, he kept his hand on my head and for a second I thought he was going to hit me but he gently patted my head.

" Get her ready within next fifteen minutes,  " he ordered before leaving and my breath knocked out.

This can't be true!

" if not the elder one we'll get our son engaged to the younger daughter of this house"

They meant me.

Why me?

Why the hell me!!! God

What did I ever do wrong to you! 

" Kashu Di, " I heard Reesha say as she walked closure to me and I noticed there was no-one around and everyone left the room.

" Why did she do this Ree!!!  Why!?  " tears continuously flowing down my eyes, " She was so happy about this.Why would she betray us!?  And why I am paying for her mistake! " I said loudly sitting on the bed trying to stop my tears.

Walking towards me slowly, she grabbed my hand and placed something in it. It was a crumpled paper, " What's this? " I asked confused.
Rubbing my tears, she sighed as she rubbed her own tears away.

" She left your answers. "

Opening it fastly, I tried to flatten it and stared at it for seconds.

It was her writing.

Dear Papa,

I know you might be hating me by now and I know that I deserve you to hate me. I did a big mistake Papa and I can't even ask for forgiveness. I didn't want this marriage in the first place  but I didn't have in me to refuse you. I know you will never accept me after this.
I'm pregnant  Papa.  I'm so sorry  , please I'm so sorry.  I know you won't accept my child but I can't let you kill him. I want to raise my child as the independent woman you have made me. I'll be the mother and father both to my child.
I'm so sorry Papa  ,tell maa (mother)  I will miss her and others too.

I'm so sorry Papa.

- Your daughter

Deepti

What the fuck!

Does she not even know who the father is? Or he didn't accept the child?

She got pregnant!

" Hell!  Where is she Reesha?? " I asked Reesha throwing the paper away.

" I don't know Di,  I really don't know... Half an hour ago she was here only, all ready for her engagement, "

" She is pregnant, " I sobbed looking at Ree, " She has no-one,  not even her family. Why didn't she tell us at least! "

I was in a problem,  not even a problem but a trap but she was having it worse than me.

' You are in this problem because of her! ' my subconscious said.

' Yeah!  But I'm a human, what she did was partly right ' I retorted.

If bade papa would have found out the truth while she was here, he would have killed her and I'm sure he would have done that exactly.  One way or another he would have disowned her.

God!  Just let her be safe.

" Kashvi, " I heard my mother call and turned around.

" You aren't ready yet! " she exclaimed, not a little amount of worry on her face that her own daughter was unexpectedly getting engaged.

I wanted to say something. Scream in refusal but Ree cut me off.

" Give us few minutes, she'll be downstairs, " Ree said as she took a tissue and started wiping it on my face, my mother nodded and walked out.

" Di (sister)  are you really going to do this? " she asked with concern.

" Deepti did a mistake but I guess since she's all alone, she already paying for it," I explained, "  Everyone is already hurt enough, and you saw your father's face minutes ago. I really don't want to see him and  disappoint him. He won't let me get away anyway "

I applied the makeup again on my face and gave a final touch up.

" Let's go, " I said turning towards the door when her hand stopped me by my arm.

" What about your life? " she asked sadly and I gave a humourless laugh.

" When was it even fair Ree? " I asked and she just looked down. Patting her shoulder I directed her to walk out.

Women in Chahal family were like sacrificial lambs. The daughters of this house were educated so that the reputation of family remained intact and they served as a potential bride. Our mothers were restricted to indoors and household chores. They had no life. And when Rushant bhaiya got married and Palak bhabhi came to this house , Bade papa killed her wishes and dreams of being an architect saying women belonged to kitchen as long as their man earned enough.

" Here she is! " I heard Rushant Bhaiya say and then he approached us.

" Smile, " he warned as he took me towards the man who had scared me minutes ago.

I wanted to scoff , "Mera janaaza nikalne jaa rhe aur hasu bhi mai hee"  but I refrained myself.
He wasn't shocked at all which meant one thing that he knew the truth.

I glared at him and then smiled sweetly.  The bitter kind of sweet because that's what he deserved.

" Bro! " Sameer beamed happily as he handed his brother the ring.  The way he grinned at me made me feel as if he was so happy for me to be his sister-in-law.  Rahul just smiled and his sister Advika, well she just had this bored look.

Everyone just had a look that said let's - just-get-done-with-this.

" Bachhe (kid)  start, " the elderly man said smiling which wasn't fake at all. He genuinely looked happy.

Grabbing the ring,  that my brother Aaryan gave me I stared at it for a while.

The ring Deepti was supposed to hold, the place she was supposed to stand and the man she was supposed to engaged.

But fate and her choice were something else.  She didn't cowardice from the situation, she just chose her way.

It wasn't her fault I was here,  I tried to convince myself as I put the finger on his finger. Everyone clapped around.

He grabbed my wrist  , the same way he did earlier but it wasn't tight and rough.

It was  gentle but firm, sliding the shining ring on my ring finger he left my hand.  I glanced at the ring which was a bit tight around my finger.

" We'll get your size, " he said and I nodded as I turned around.

This is how I got engaged. To a stranger.

After touching everyone's feet and getting there blessings,  I excused myself away from the crowd.

I stared at the ring, which made me feel weird.  It made me feel trapped and all I wanted to do was throw it away.

I didn't want all this drama,  I didn't want to marry, I didn't want to be caged and I didn't want to be a wife for most.

I wanted my marriage to happen at my terms not like this.

Trying to take out the ring,  I pulled it hard as hard as I can.

I hissed in pain, when it came off but left marks on my finger as the blood came out due to frictional force.

Crying into my pillow,  I fell into a deep slumber.

.......................................................................................

Author's note :-

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Song  of the day- More than you know

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