*Satvi Pov*
“Good morning!” I said cheerfully climbing down the stairs.
I saw that Karthik is at the dining table, and I smiled at him before taking a chair beside him. Dad smiled and then said, “Did you have enough rest?”
“Yeah! I still have the headache, but I am just trying to ignore it. I saw that my alarm is not set so I got up late.” I replied pouring myself water.
“Breakfast is ready.” Leela said smiling entering the dining room but her smile left the face for a few minutes, and then again, she smiled.
I frowned but brushed off before smiling at her back. She placed the bowl on the dining table before sitting beside Dad.
“I am feeling so hungry.” I said and saw that it looks really yummy.
“Where did you learn to cook, Leela? It is so delicious.” I said, sighing in content.
“Of course Karthik…” She trailed off immediately and silence embraced us.
“So you learned everything from me to teach my sister. I don’t know how you both bared each other. I hope there were no accidents in the kitchen at that time.” I said jokingly after a few minutes not wanting to affect the time I missed showing itself in front of me.
“Yeah!” they three mumbled awkwardly.
I didn’t stress them to explain the awkwardness because I fear to even know anything from them. I need to prepare myself again, which I already did before coming downstairs, but I should try again.
“So, are you getting late for college?” I asked her, hoping to make some conversation.
“I stopped going to college last year, and I am studying now privately.” She replied when Dad and Karthik tried to pass the question.
I choked on my food but controlled it after drinking some water. I slowly nodded and asked, “Why?”
“I am helping dad in the business as much as I can along with Karthik. It is now really solid with three of us. I know you must be angry with me for giving up study...” She started saying, but I cut her off shaking my head.
“I am not angry, dear. Why would I be? If you are delighted with this decision, then who am I to say anything to you? You are major, and you can do anything you wish.” I said smiling at her.
“You are not joking, right? You always push me not to take my studies as a joke.” She said frowning.
“Yes! Because you have something to do better with it as you are studying. Now if you know what you want to do in life, I would say to do your best with it. I really don’t have any say in it, and I will be with every decision of yours as you are my little sister after all.” I said smiling at her.
“Oh Satvi!” she said and before I scold her again like every time for calling me by my name, she got up and rushed towards me.
“I missed you.” She said hugging me, and tears burned in my eyes while hugging her back.
“I missed you so much this whole year.” She said sobbing.
“Shh… now I am here right? Don’t cry.” I said, brushing her tears away with my good hand.
She nodded smiling and went back to her place. I glanced at Dad and saw that he is brushing his tears away.
“Please! I really hate these tears ok. So stop this opera right now.” I said and they three laughed.
I felt like I didn’t miss the year with them at all. It was how we were every time and there are no changes to that. I smiled with satisfaction with a hope that I can get back to my life.
I washed my hands when we heard the door bell ringing. I stopped them from getting up and walked towards the door to see who it is during this time in the morning.
I opened the door only to come face to face with the nightmare I had yesterday in the middle of the night. I just couldn’t forget his angry face and his shouting, which was aimed at me no matter how much I tried.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him with my hands trembling, which are holding the door knob.
“Let me in.” he said in a demanding voice, and I did without thinking.
I frowned at my stupidity to do what he asked feeling such fear inside me. I glanced around and saw the old vase which looked like my own protective device.
I immediately held it in my hands and followed him hiding it behind myself. I would have hit him but saw that Dad is not quite surprised seeing him.
They all got up and walked towards the living room after washing their hands while I still stood near the couch end opposite to the chair where he is sitting down.
“Dad! Do you know him?” I asked him calmly as he sat on the couch along with Leela while Karthik sat at the other chair.
“Yes! Sit down here, Satvi.” He said gesturing at me at the space on the couch where I am standing.
I nodded sitting down but only after placing the vase on the table in front of us. That guy looked at me with a raised eyebrow while I shrugged, not caring about it.
“I want to talk to you about your marriage.” Dad said and immediately my hand went to my head where there is no hair, which I am trying to forget from the time I woke up, and I must be looking ugly too, which is not a good state for any wedding ceremony.
“Is it important, Dad? And that too in front of strangers.” I asked him and glanced at that guy a little before looking back at Dad.
“It is! Please understand and accept with my decision.” He said, and I saw that he is tired.
“Ok! But I just have to tell you something though. You need not to choose the groom for me.” I said and glanced at Karthik.
“I really like you Karthik, and I don’t think anyone would be better as my husband than you. I know I never expressed my feelings, but I just hope there is a chance for us.” I said boldly because I realized that I don’t want to miss another moment in my life after knowing that I missed a lot.
“I will come some other time.” The stranger said, getting up and left the house without letting anyone say anything.
Everyone sat still and I just hope I didn’t do anything wrong by saying these words. He closed his eyes and then opened them shaking his head.
“I am married!” he said and I sat stunned, thinking a few times that it is another joke of his.
I gulped when I realized that he is telling the truth. I took a deep breath and asked, “Who?”
“I am his wife.” I heard a reply, and my face moved within a second towards her.
She married him? How can she do that when she knows too well how I feel about him? I shared my feeling with her, and she is quite simply saying that she got married to him.
“Please tell me you are joking.” I pleaded with her.
“No! We got married ten months before.” She said with coldness like she doesn’t care what I am feeling.
I got up to my feet, wobbly and asked the next question, hoping I get it positive even though I know it sounds selfish of me.
“Was it arranged?” I asked them directly.
“No! It is a love marriage. We loved each other before tying the knot.” She replied, and both Dad and Karthik stayed quiet.
I nodded numbly and turned to rush out of here feeling complete suffocation. I tried to take deep breaths, but I couldn’t breathe, feeling confused as I don’t even know what to feel.
I ignored their calls and rushed outside the house opening the door and ran towards the gate and turned only to get collided with someone who is talking on the phone it seems.
I didn’t care about anything and just cried in this stranger’s arms. I hugged him tightly throwing away the cautious mind and decided to bear with the result later.
I don’t care if I get slapped by this person, but for now I want to cry, and I want someone to hold me. Surprisingly, the stranger hugged me back and soothed my back while I clung to him.
After a few minutes, I realized what I am doing, so I released myself from his arms and covered my face feeling embarrass to even look at the guy.
“I am very sorry! I am really sorry.” I said, shaking my head.
“It’s ok!” he replied coldly, which felt too familiar, so I slowly removed my hands from my face, and I realized that I got myself in the situation where I get to see his cold and harsh face, which will definitely not improve my nightmares.
Kill me now! I thought groaning, but suddenly swayed feeling a severe headache like yesterday in the hospital.
And once again I got myself in his arms, but this time I get into an unconscious state before I could protest about his arms around me.
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