◇DIVYA◇

I've had a very long bucket list right since childhood- Witness the Aurora, Solo travel, Have morning coffee with the view of eiffel tower-

But surely sitting in the bridal room, all dolled up to be wedded off to GOD KNOWS WHO wasn't a part of it

I looked in the mirror and took in my appearance. I was Dressed in an annoyingly flashy bright red lehnga that might as well be used to stop the traffic at signals, 

Which by the way wasn't my choice at all, i have taste duh.

i could fell the burden of the Gold and diamond jewelleries i was addorned with- and along with it came the weight of the expectations of my family.

Damn, how i wish this is just another absurdly vivid dreams that i had in my office when i took a nap after i was completely drained of energy to work further.

My gaze drifted to my hands, the alluring scent of henna hit my nostrils, throwing me back on the harsh ground of reality. This is real, Divya. You are getting sold in an abominable arranged marriage by your own family.

The chunni was neatly added on to cover my head as the last final touch for my look and i heard the voice of my mother who must've arrived while i was busy in my own world.

"How beautiful my daughter is" she voiced, a ghost of smile dancing on her lips as she inched closer "But the most important shringar is still missing"

The makeup artist who stood at my side was startled at this and scanned me once again while mom now stood behind me, our eyes looking at each other through the mirror. "Smile" she explained and kissed my forehead while it took every ounce of self control i had in me to not burst in tears and once again beg her to not get me married.

An ironic smile made its way to my lips as chuckled. The sheer irony of my dreams to be a free bird and my reality, Fate does have a great sense of humor. The bangles, which in any other situation I'd have swooned over were now nothing but a cruel symbolism of shackles to me in which i would be binded soon....

And forever.

I forced a beautiful smile which almost made me believe it was real as my mom visibly took in a sharp breath at it. She stumbled back and couldn't stand looking me in the eye anymore. She turned on her heel, heading straight for the door and out towards the venue.

A scoff left my mouth and i clenched my fists till my knuckles went white, trying to steady my breath and push all the thoughts out of my brain, still smiling .

Inhale. Exhale.inhale.exhale

Yea. You can do it Divya. I sighed. If only he was here. If only my brother was here, I'd have never been pushed to the cliff like this. Aditya Desai would never, even in his worst nightmares allow any girl to be sold like a bargaining chip for some shitty family business, let alone his own sister whom he raised like she was his life.

But he wasn't. And he won't be.

I would bet my whole yearly package on it cuz there are ninty nine point nine nine percent chances he doesn't even know what havoc our pujya pitashree has brought down on me.

Suddenly, something sparked in my brain, and i looked at the mirror meeting my eyes. No! Dammit! I couldn't do this to myself. I couldn't do this to all the dreams I've had about my life. My hardwork, my brother's wish that his sister will always be successful and happy- i couldn't let it all go down the drain.

"Can u please give me a moment to myself?" I politely asked all the makeup assistants and servants in room who were kind enough to leave the room.

Getting on my feet, tossed the damned chunni aside, removing the accessories i had hastily and called Isha, the only one who had been nagging me to come back to senses and choose myself over everyone for this one time

One ring.two ring.three rings.

She answered it at the third one and i immediately spoke before she did "I agree! I'll RUN AWAY" and although i couldn't see her, I'm sure she had a smirk of victory plastered over her face.

"I'll be there in 10" she didn't even try to mask the excitements her tone and i could hear the rustle and sounds of footsteps as she scurried around her apartment and i hung the call.

Well. The game is on.