Worst Family.

"Prakruthi!! COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY." Mom screamed from downstairs, clearly sounding serious. I just came back from office and this is what I get to deal with, I mean 'Let me just freshen up.' I thought without voicing it out loud and scared to offend them.

I just grumbled under my breath and changed my office uniform to Lilac plain long sleeved chudidhar and rushed for my bedroom doorknob, coming downstairs to meet my not-so-welcoming-family.

What would you expect from a family which has a best reputation when it comes to strict and unloving nature in the house, but to neighbourhood and the whole locality we looked like the ideal family and how it should actually be in every household.

And my parents are one of the one- third people in India who are heavily back-minded. They were seated on dining table and dinner was served early.

Mother motioned her eyes to me and the chair next to my sister but opposite to her. Everyday I had my dinner late to avoid them and their cold demeanour. Guess today was unavoidable.

I sat down quietly and served myself Tomato Sambhar and white rice, with Green gram palya, Fried- onions and Fried- unriped Banana slices onto my plate. I had already washed my hands as I was mixing the rice and sambhar with my fingers.

Finally Father decided to break the silence he was sitting at the middle of the table. "Prakruthi, you are getting engaged tomorrow." My father casually stated as if it wasn't that much of a news. I stopped my hand in mid-air as I was about to put the first portion into my mouth.

It wasn't even 'going to' or 'will get engaged' as if he was firm from the start this was already set up, as I would marry that person.

No it was as if I should marry the person whoever he shows and he didn't even wait for my consent. My parents were searching for an ideal guy for me but the last thing I wanted was, to be informed one day before the engagement.

"You should have at least told me a week prior." I voiced my thoughts calmly and as soft as possible with firmness.

"We have a traditions, Prakruthi. Unlike other people who goes out before marriage." Mother reminded me about the main tradition of Indian marriages.

The bride and the groom would not meet each other until the day of marriage when the sacred knot was going to be tied. "Your father initially thought it was bad to go with engagement and meet them, but your grandmother persisted him, it was better to introduce your fiancé before hand. Be glad we didn't follow the old tradition of meeting only when you were getting married." My mother said callously.

That was lot of words engaged in just 1 minute, when was the last time she spoke to me like this. Probably when I lost my lunch box in my 10th grade of my school, as I forgot to bring my lunch box to home which I left on the class desk the same day, and it was missing the next day. I received an earful from her and my father landed few beatings with belt.

Not a happy memory to remember.

All I said was "Ok." To her answer and resumed eating.

I didn't care much as I know the only ever person paternal grandmother, would never let my father marry me to some drunk bastard, without house and piling debts. My grandmother doesn't live with us as she lives in the big old house of her late husband and currently she was the owner of it and my father was the only son they ever had, their daughter was in foreign living a rich life and she was my paternal aunt.

The rest of the dinner went quitely and even my ever talking chatterbox sister completed her dinner in silence.

She didn't provoke me this time, I mean there was always one or two things she would comment on to rile my anger. This was new as if someone put a silencing spell on her.

Weird, very weird. I felt ominous feeling inside me, I believe my grandmother. She would make sure to make me get married to happy big family. Which I would escape from this hell. Right?

I went to my room after finishing up my dinner, mother didn't stop me neither did my father.

I went to my room and locked the door to change into grey baggy pants and grey sweatshirt. The facade I had to put in front of them, soon my blue chudidhar was on floor and I had changed into my comfy ones. I braided my hair loosely and prepared to go to bed.

The door knocked as I was about to off the lights, I sigh tiredly and got up after few seconds.

I opened the door to find Gaanavi Srinivas alias my sister with a box and cold expression.

"You must be happy." She said as her lips curved up into sinister smile as she continued, "You are finally leaving us behind, thinking about freedom? Is that what you think?" Her voice drop with venom, she could literally take a role as a villainess in Indian serials. And she would literally do good at it.

No my whole family would do good at acting to the point of recieving of Oscar awards.

I remained my calm personality, I was seeing the last of her drama and this is not going to affect me.

"What do you want?" I ask impatiently lacking any warmth in my tone. I didn't even want to put a facade, as people in this family are already rotten.

"Impatient are we?" Her grin grew disgustingly big. "Think again Prakruthi. You are just going to live a horrible life and I'm gonna make sure to keep my word. Father has found a man who doesn't lack dominance. Your mother- in- law will never allow you to go to work darling." She continued as if she can hear my thoughts. "Grandmother doesn't know it cause she's blind and is partially deaf. She thought it would be good to marry you off to her friend's grandson in reality, she doesn't know what they are."

I cleanched my fists until they turn light brown. I gritted my jaw but didn't say anything.

"Oh Prakruthi, dear Prakruthi." Gaanavi sang in mocking tone.

"You seem to have recovered from your breakup with Aarav. Now that's amusing considering the money he had, he could have bought you a line of Dior and Celine bags or is it because he got bored of you." I said coldly and was satisfied to see her face twitch in anger, as she grit her teeth. The tables turned instantly.

Her face instantly calmed down as she she took a deep breath and hands me the box "Don't you dare to breath out this to parents you Ugly moron, I only came here to deliver your dress."

She turned to leave but stopped and turned back to me "You always have looked more perfect than me but I could get you back with my parents. Don't worry after you leave, my parents are thinking of transferring house assests and treasures in my name and not ruppee would be given to you. I'll make sure of it." Her last sentence was more bitter.

I close the door my thoughts are all over the place and my eyes involuntarily scanned the mirror.

I am 175 cm tall with light chocolate brown skin, black almond eyes, black long thick curly hair(not completely curly but just wavy and I never cut my hair, to keep my hair ready for marriage they say) and my waist was slim but my thighs were thick in (American standards). My insecurity was height as most people prefer girls with 160 ~ 169 cm tall. I'm the oldest daughter of Srinivas family. I'm 25 years old and I work in robot- technology engineering company. I have neither friends or boys as I was isolated, firm and downright wanted to make my parents proud of me.

But they like Gaanavi more, my younger sister who is 3 years younger than me.

As a eldest sister and daughter people mocked my brown skin, round nose and my hair nest.

It wasn't that bad. The eyes are the only thing I like about myself.

I was not their cherished daughter because Gaanavi was more fairer, I mean she has such a delicate milk skin with black cat eyes, pink lips, 168 cm height, black sleek straight hair and very petite figure. I remember most of the Desi aunties complimenting her and try to match with boys by the time she was 20 years old. She loved being in spotlight and compliments only made her proud and boast herself like a peacock.

Desi aunties were shock on the other hand to know that I and my sister were siblings, they wouldn't think twice to comment harshly how different we look apart as Gaanavi made sure she sugarcoated them with words, were as I was polite and curt with my answers. Society and beauty standards are always hard to ignore wherever you go.

Gaanavi was epitome of perfection were as I was secluded spoke less barely had any friend, no I had none as I hate people's fake faces behind their goody masks.

My body was numb I felt nothing; the only person I ever had was Dadi (or my partenal grandma). She always loved me more as I was her first grandchild and eldest one in the family.

I miss her and I'm concerned about her health after hearing Gaanavi's words.

I off my lights and fell asleep thinking about tomorrow, I didn't even want to open the box to see the dress.

••••••

I woke up hastily as my door was being banged from past 4 minutes. I wiped my eyes with the back of my right hand and I make an annoyed frown. I looked at time it was still 4:45 am in morning.

Oh shit! I forgot to wake up at 4'o clock in morning, just great lord heavens.

I'm dead today.

I hurriedly pulled the blankets of me and get the door. Rhema our housemaid stood in the door way.

"You are not ready miss?" Rhema with round figure and mid 30s looked at me with disappointed but not surprised.

I pressed my lips and said "Sorry I overslept I will shower as soon as possible."

"Okay I will help you with the makeup." Rhema says with a kind smile which I didn't return in turn but frowned.

"Mrs. Srinivas told me to get you ready in 30 minutes." Rhema spoke casually, I am shook only 30 minutes. Oh god.

"Fuck."