Surprise

2 months later

My life was not any less fucked up. As always, luck was nowhere to be found. I know everyone says those who work hard don't need luck, but that's bullshit. What are you going to say when you are left behind just because of one shit or when, while giving an exam, you fail a subject by one mark? It sucks. Luck rules everything. I thought I would get a job at a prestigious school as a teacher, but out of 10, nine got selected, and I got left out. Wow, my life. I salute my life for that. It always found a way to show me how pathetic I was.

My parents started to talk about my marriage, but I couldn't bring myself to tell them I didn't want to, because I knew even if I said I didn't want to, it wouldn't matter. They would force me anyway, and if the devil knew I was getting married, he would definitely come for me, but the weird thing is, it's been 2 months, and he's nowhere to be seen. Maybe he forgot about our marriage. It's better if he forgets. I can live in peace.

"Yeah, peace with your parents around you," The girl inside me said, rolling her eyes.

I went home to find a car parked outside the house, and deep down, I knew whose car it was. It had been two months with no contact, and suddenly, ugh. I didn't want to go inside; instead, the thought of going somewhere else came to mind so I didn't have to face him, but I could be wrong. Anyone could have the same car as him, so I went inside, and there he was talking with my parents. I mentally hated myself for walking inside.

There were two more people I had never seen before, a woman and a man. That man was wearing a Dhaka topi. I stood at the door and thought of leaving, but that bastard immediately looked at me as if he knew I was coming right then. I was about to say hello, but I concluded that I should do Namaskar. They looked like a traditional type of person. I assumed they must be his parents. He smiled at me, but ignoring him, I went to my room.

I freshened up, and many thoughts came to mind. Why was he here? Did he tell my parents about our deal? Ugh, they're going to kill me. Mom told me to come outside for some time. I didn't bother to step outside, and she called me again, so I went out, not willingly, and sat on the couch.

I knew he was looking at me, but I ignored him. My parents told me why they were there. I thought he would show them the papers and tell them everything, but he didn't. Did he come to ask for my hand? After two months, really? He cleared his throat, and I looked at him.

"Do you say yes to the proposal?" My mom eyed me, wanting me to say yes, but I remained silent.

"If you don't mind, I want to talk to her ....a-h-h alone," he asked my parents in a hesitant tone.

"Drama devil," I thought.

Yeah, sure, sure," my dad replied.

I gave him a look and went to my room. He followed me. I walked inside the room, not bothering to look at him, and He closed the door. He stood watching my every move but didn't say a word. Getting tired of his presence, I looked at him and crossed my arms.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked annoyed by his presence.

"I think you know why," he said in a low voice, not removing his eyes from me.

"No, I don't. Care to explain?" I glared at him.

He stayed quiet, looking at me, then slowly came towards me and whispered.

"I came back to take what's mine." He said it with a smirk on his face, and my hands fell down.

Mine? Is he fucking serious?

This got me angry, and I slightly pushed him.

"I don't belong to you." I almost shouted.

"I guess now you remember about our deal," he smiled, and I rolled my eyes.

"I am not some type of thing or object you came here to claim," I said, throwing daggers at him. It took everything in me to not hit him.

"Say yes, or I will have to force myself to take you without your permission."

"And how are you going to do that?" I crossed my arms.

He smiled and said, "I think you forgot about our marriage papers."

"Get out!" I snarled.

He looked at me for some time, muttered something under his breath, and left.

I was so angry with myself. If I hadn't tried to kill myself that day this would have never happened. I am such a foolish bitch. I have always done things to ruin my life. I went outside and said yes. My parents were more than thrilled, but Prarthi looked at me with question-filled eyes. She had just come shopping, and she knew how much I despise relationships.

Both of our parents went outside. My sister went to her room, shaking her head, not believing what I said. Before going outside, he looked at me and winked. How dare he? I mouthed fuck you, but instead of leaving, he came toward me and whispered.

"Whenever and wherever you want." I balled my hands into a fist. It took everything in me not to kill him. I stood there glaring at him, and he left.

After they left, I went towards the balcony and got lost in my thoughts. I didn't notice when Prarthi came and stood beside me.

"Are you sure you are happy?" Prarthi asked.

"Yes, I am," I answered, not turning to look at her.

She eyed me, not believing my words: "Why do I feel like something is wrong?"

Everything is wrong

I stood silent.

"Look at me," she demanded.

I calmly looked at her and shook my head. "Nope, nothing is wrong. You always wanted to see how my marriage looked, and now it's happening." I looked at her, trying to smile but failing.

"I can't believe this," she said, shaking her head.

"Look, I am happy, ok? Finally, I did something to make our parents happy,"

"But they are not going to spend the rest of their lives with him. Anything you do, they will never be fully happy, and we both know that."

She was right. Whatever I do, they will never be satisfied and happy, but maybe for some time, I can make them happy.

"I know," I whispered, "But this is what I want. He seems nice, and if I don't marry him, they will force me to marry someone else. It's better If I choose my life partner now."

"Hmmm. You are right. If you want this, then OK with me," she said, hugging me.

One of the reasons I was alive was because of my sister. She was always supportive, and she loved me. She always stood up for me, even if she had to go against my parents. I never told her about him, how I got married, or how I tried to kill myself. I couldn't; it could have hurt her.

Now that I have said yes, I have to live with him after getting married in front of everyone. I don't want to, but I don't have any choice. I couldn't let my parents know that I was already married without their knowledge. They would have killed me, but maybe not. As greedy and selfish as they were with me, I doubt they would have been angry. He was rich, and they would perhaps have forgiven me if I had told them I was already married to him.

I don't know what is there for me tomorrow. I mean, of course, our engagement is tomorrow. He wants everything to happen fast and in a private ceremony. Who is he, and what does he want from me?