Chennai, year 2013.

Her Payal rung as she ran through the veranda towards the culprit of her now wet saree.

Varto Ave.
(Let her come)

She whispers under her breath angrily, as she struts home. Ready to give a big speech to her amma on how her Little sister, emptied a bucket full of cold water on her for God knows what purpose and ran away laughing as if it was the most funniest thing ever.

It wasn't.

As she entered her home she could see her dad watching the news on his chair, as usual. With Ruby just besides him looking like a scared kitten.

Sighing she shakes her head at that, all the anger leaving her body at that Idiotic masum face.

Walking to Rachel she pulls her from besides her dad, giving her a towel playfully as she chucked it to her chest

"Go get your clothes changed now, and if you do it again you'll get one from my hand this time,"

Saying this she playfully glares at her and watched a sly smile pull up Ruby's face while she held her ears.

"sorry akka, aana it was by mistake le, I was aiming for Carlo haa."

"Aha! I know how much of by mistake it was. Now go and wipe yourself I need to help amma and change my saree too because of you" She muttuered squinting her eyes as ruby.

Going to her room she changed into a maroon cotton saree with a patt border. Those were her favourites, always comfortable and beautiful. She then rushes to the kitchen to help her mom.

Entering the kitchen she could feel her palms sweating and throat drying as she sees the back of her mom, who was currently washing the vessels.

Well her mom wasn't all sunshine, but yeah she was still her mom. Marie loved her even though sometimes she was just too hurtful and manipulative. But she was her mom atlast.

She thinks hopelessly.

"Mumma Give me, I'll do it,"

Her mom turned and glared at her

"Very fast you came le, what timepass you were doing out now haa. Nothing you do just sit full day, I have to do all work. Useless, go and atleast put food for your dad"

"Yes muma"

Taking a deep breath she blinks her tears away not letting her them fall she nods her head and starts plating the food. It was always like this since that incident, the taunts, the insults and the disgusted looks it had become a constant reminder.

She goes out and sees her dad is already looking at her with a knowing look but she doesn't say anything and gives him the plate and tries to leave.

Her heart was squeezing in her chest by her mom's words, it always does and then the  ignorance of her father.

"Marie"

She heard her dad stoping her and she turned. He singled her to sit besides him and she did.

Before her dad could speak Carlo barged through the doors all wet. She took her chance and got up to go, rather than sitting and listening to her dads monotonous tone which was reserved only for her.

Walking to Carlo she knew who it was. again.

"Rachel isn't it ?"

Carlo nodded looking pissed and ready to pounce on the little Jerry.

"Only if I find her, I'm not leaving her akka"

He said angrily as his eyes searched here and there for her.

Shaking her head tierd of Rachel's behaviour she hurriedly gave him a towel knowing he gets sick soon.

"Take and dry your hair fast I'll get you a hot tea okay" looking at him with worried eyes she left to make a hot ginger tea for him.

Rachel's going to get a earful this time, knowing Carlo gets sick she still did it. This time it's not anger but disappointment.

Stiring the tea in the kitchen she couldn't help but think, why her dad suddenly wanted to talk to her.

He never did.

All she got from him was a nod, a no or a yes and nothing.

But he wasn't always like this, there was a time he wouldn't let mom shout at her, he used to pick her up on his shoulders and pamper her. she was his favourite but suddenly he wouldn't even look in her eyes.

Her eyes blurred reminiscing the old days. But she shook her head and wiped her tears checking the tea was done she poured it in the glasses taking it out.

"Carlo take this, drink slowly it's hot. Do you feel sick"

Handing the glass to him she checked his forehead, sighing in relief when she finds the temperature normal and sits down with her own glass.

But her hands jerked when all of a sudden her dad's voice echoed through the house calling for everyone.

She exchanged a look with Carlo knowing it's something very tragically important and rushed to the hall where everyone were already seated.

Carols mom dad with her mom and Aruna athe sat on the sofa, then there was her dad who looked at her with a expression she cannot decipher. When did she ever could.

Rachel stood beside her and Carlo, confused too.

"Marie has gotten a marriage proposal from Mumbai. He's coming tomorrow. I have already told a yes to him"

No. no.

Not so far, her dad didn't just tell her, that he just accepted a proposal for her.

And from a different state that she's never been to, or thought of, a place so far away and he didn't even ask her.

Not like he ever did. Marie thought bitterly, but she still hoped that atleast he cared for her. That one day, he'll change. That He'll tell her the reason of his ignorance, or he'll atleast have a reason alone.

But it seems he just wants to get rid of the burden at last.

And there she was, with her bleeding heart, numb eyes. So hurt because she cannot think of a day away from them, Away from Carlo, Ruby or Perri-appa and perri-amma. From her once loving dad and mum.

Her mind was a mess, in loss of any hope.

Yet her soul felt unusually so calm.

Maybe because she was finally getting away from them, even when she willingly couldn't leave
Her mumma and appa or the village despite everything.

...

Words translation-

Perri-amma and Perri-appa- elder mom and elder dad

Mom's or dad's elder sister and her husband are called that In India. 
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That's that and I hope you like it, more drama to come lol. This idea was also based on a typical tamil joint family (my family) *cough cough*

Love y'all

-Anji