Note:

Chapters 1,2, and 3 will be in first person. After that, the chapters will be in third person.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

-Thomas A. Edison

Chapter One: The News

Riya's POV

   "RIYA!"

   I looked up from my knees, startled. It was my mom. I didn't want her to see me crying.

   "Coming mom," I hollered as I got up from my bed. I went to the restroom attached to my bedroom and splashed water on my face. Squirting a little face wash, I massaged my face and rinsed the gel off. It took less than a few seconds to find an unused towel, and as I was wiping the last droplets off, I heard my mother call out again.

   I ran down the stairs as quickly as I could manage. There she was, sitting on the sofa, like a royal queen.

   "What's up, mom," I huffed, placing my hands on my bent knees, panting.

   "I've looked at a couple of alliances and found one that's extremely good. Judging by your gloominess the past three weeks, I take it that you've broken up with your boyfriend. Good for you, Riya. Now don't get angry, but the guy's family is coming next week, and I expect you to be ready by then."

   "Mother," I gasped, looking at her in shock. "I told you I needed time," I said, quite annoyed. I should be mad, but my mother has always warned me before. I braced myself for words she was going to repeat for the hundredth time.

   "I told you, Riya, that I wasn't going to tolerate any of this nonsense. I did say that I would accept him wholeheartedly if he fit all the conditions. He fit only one."

   I groaned. Aakash was fortunately, the same religion as me. But there was one slight problem.

   Caste.

   I thought it wouldn't matter that much. After all, when you are in the same religion, how much difference will there be between the castes? Not very much. But apparently, that minute difference was a deal breaker to my mother.

   It was upsetting that I had no one to back me up on my case. My mom had my dad wrapped around her little pinky. Obviously, my younger brother would have no say. And my grandparents? They were a totally different story on the whole. 

   On other aspects of parenting, I couldn't have asked for better parents. I had so much of freedom that girls from usual conservative families didn't have. I wouldn't have been allowed to talk to any guy, go out with my friends on a regular basis, and worst of all? I would have been married and have two kids already.

   I shuddered to even think about that. I was only twenty-four. I have so much more to experience in this life than to give everything all up for my future husband and children.   

   I'm a little more than average looking girl, and I'm short and proud. Aakash used to say I was the perfect height for him. Stop thinking about what he used to say, I scolded myself. He's no longer in your life.

   I felt my eyes starting to sting. "Mama, if you have nothing else to say, may I leave?"

   My mother looked annoyed. Ha, I thought. She hates being called mama for some reason. I still loved my mother to bits, but sometimes, I couldn't resist annoying her. You might think I'm being a bit too calm after a break-up, but trust me, I've been cooped up in my room, bawling my eyes out, and checking my phone every minute to see if he had emailed.

   I worked in AHT, a business company. It doesn't pay so well, and I wasn't enjoying what I did. So that's why my mom is in a hurry to get me married. It was my fault. She gave me an ultimatum three years ago. Either I do something worthwhile with my life or she'll take control of it. 

   She has got this whole thing about society. Okay, not really. That's just something I tell myself to make me feel better. But truth be told, I know she's doing this out of goodwill. Maybe we have different opinions on what's good for me, but I know she always means well.

   My father urged me to do a couple of certifications and apply for a job. I guess I would have to do that after getting married if I didn't want to be dependent. My brother is currently doing his third year in college. There's not been a single day where I haven't told him not to study.

   "Stop calling me that," my mother snapped. "And yes, I do have something else to say. I expect you to be well behaved. Don't embarrass me by being yourself. Also, I think you know by now that I will not let you marry that boy. If you still have hopes, squash them. Or, you may leave, but I'll disown you."

   I sighed. "Okay, mommy."

   "Here, take this envelope, and check out its contents when you are by yourself."

   I took the envelope and dragged myself to my room. I wasn't the least bit tempted to open it, so I threw it on the desk, and fell flat on my bed and started kicking and whining.

   Aakash was always the one I went to whenever I felt restless, upset, angry, or stressed out. He made me the happiest person on earth and I knew I could never love anyone as much as I loved him. You might be wondering why I didn't stand up to my mother in this case.

   My parents have done everything for me. They've brought me up, fed me, giving me everything I could ask for. It was my duty to make them proud of me and bring them happiness. By doing something disgraceful, like running away, or forcing them to let me marry Aakash, it would definitely upset and disappoint them. And I wouldn't be able to take it. I know losing Aakash was definitely the hardest thing I've ever been made to do, but I would be drowning myself in guilt every single day I spend with him.

   But having to get married this quick? It had only been THREE WEEKS since the breakup. That wasn't fair. I was going to ask for time, but my mom's old words kept ringing in my ears. 

   "I'd warned you of this so many times. Don't you dare ask me for more time. You weren't supposed to get involved with any boy, let alone for SIX YEARS," she said, sternly.

   I screamed, kicked, punched, whined, and cried some more. Nothing worked, so I sat down to write in my precious diary. I'd recorded every single detail of my life in it. Right from the time I got into a relationship with him, to this date. It was the first gift my ex, Oh, how it hurt to call him that, gave me. He told me to treasure it, and write every single beautiful thing I'd come across in life.

   Soon, he bought one for me every month, and I, instead of writing only good stuff, wrote about every single thing that happened to me.

   Aakash anticipated what was going to happen the following weeks, and sent me twenty-four brand new diaries, a few days before he broke up with me. I'd asked him why he gave me those, but his reply wasn't satisfactory. I understood only later why he'd done the deed.

   After writing into my diary, I sat down and typed him an email. I told him what was happening in my life. I'd been typing emails for the last three weeks in fact. Starting every email with an I love you, and ending every email, with a wish to patch up again.

   Today, however, I begun with an I love you, but I didn't sign it with my signature wish. Instead, I modified the wish to, "I wish we can be friends again."

   Aakash never replied to a single one of those emails, but I could tell he read everything. Our love was inexplicable. We were the couple who didn't have to express to each other what we felt, or wanted. We understood each other completely, and best of all, we were the closest of friends.

   So when he left, I didn't only lose the love of my life, but also my best friend.

   Looking back at the desk, I saw the envelope. It was quite fat. Finally feeling a bit better, I got up from my bed and took the envelope. I heaved a sigh before starting to peel off the tape.

   My future was determined. I have to put up with it.

   My fingers trembled as I opened the envelope, and took out the photos. My destiny was awaiting.

   I squeezed my eyes, and sent a prayer, hoping that my future husband would, at least, be easy on the eyes.

   Turns out, that was too much to ask for.

So that brings us to the end of the first chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! Please vote and comment! Would love to know your thoughts! 

And thank you SO much for stopping by to read. You are assured of a unique read and a couple of laughs in the process.