Anya Shastry was late, which was a rare thing. The girl who was punctual, who never took leave unless it was mandatory, had been late.

The peon stared at the lean, short girl who was rushing towards the administrative office, her shawl swaying in the cool breeze. To add to her dismay, she was wet as it had been raining heavily.

"What happened to you?" the peon Sharat asked, amused. "I missed the bus" Anya pantingly replied, entering the office.

Shefali wasn't pleased, "What the hell Anya!" she exclaimed the moment Anya settled in her table "you know what day is it?"

"Yeah, Monday" Anya replied casually to which she glared all the more "it's graduation day silly!" she interjected "psychology students are getting graduated today and the programme starts at sharp 5".

"Oh no!" Anya groaned. First the rains,then the late entry and now this "I totally forgot about it". Shefali stared at her in dismay "do you know how much work is pending?"

"I know and I'm sorry to put you though so much trouble" Anya apologized like it was her fault. Shefali shook her head in irritation "fine!just get the things ready".

This was nothing new to Anya as she ran back and forth across the auditorium, holding the list with her. Since the time she had joined the university as an assistant clerk, she was always busy.

Whenever her work was done, there was always others' work to finish since she was too polite to say no to anyone who would crumple their projects onto her.

"These are the list of candidates who are going to graduate" Shefali shoved a handful of papers into her hands "make sure the mementos are ready".

Anya nodded and started running her errands. By the time the ceremony had started, she was exhausted. She approached Shefali who was busy with the other staffs "I have to go home" she said softly.

"What? But it's only starting, and I need you" Shefali exclaimed. "I know, I'd already told the dean I'll be taking leave for few days" she sighed deeply "my cousin's wedding".

Shefali remembered "oh yeah" she nodded "fine, when will you be back?" Anya smiled "I'll be leaving tonight and will  return in three days".

After saying goodbye to her colleagues, she left the campus with a heavy heart. She didn't want to take leave, she didn't want to go home. The reason was simple; she didn't want to attend the wedding.

"Maa" she called out as soon as she reached home "I'm home". Sarita came out of the kitchen across her daughter "oh thank God you're early!" She said in relief "we didn't start packing yet".

Anya sat on the sofa nearby "I'm tired maa" she groaned "can't we go the day after? There's still two days for the wedding".

Sarita glared at her "you mean, enter my sister's house like a guest?" Anya gulped, her mother was touchy when it came to her only sister and her family.

"I don't feel..welcome there" she yawned, feeling tired. "Nonsense" snapped her mother "of course you are! You just allow yourself to dislike their family".

"You know I don't!" Anya was appalled  "I feel like a stranger there". Sarita took a seat next to her daughter "set aside your insecurities and enjoy the wedding, like a real sister would do".

"You know I'm happy for my cousin!" Anya snapped "I just wish.. she were a little nice to me". Sarita ignored the last sentence and carried on with her work in the kitchen.

Anya let out a loud yawn and collapsed on the bed. It wasn't the first time her mother ignored her comment on her cousin. According to her mother, Riya was a perfect girl, who obeyed her parents. If she was a little mischievous, that was because her parents pampered her. Anya had to agree whether it was true or not.

"She's a little kiddish, unlike you who gets upset over silliest of things, that's not her fault you know" her mother would say whenever Riya pulled her leg or teased in front of others.

"She said I have bushy eyebrows and a very bad dressing sense, how's that kiddish tell me" Anya would snap. "That's okay, she likes to joke around, you don't have to take everything seriously, life would be difficult for you" her mother would advise her instead.

For years, Anya found herself hating the visit to their aunt's. And now again, the moment had come, much to her horror.

Reluctantly, she started packing her dresses, keeping all her personal belongings in the trolley bag. "Anu!" Her mother called out from the kitchen "don't forget to keep the red lehenga!"

Anya fumed slightly but kept the dress anyway. Her mother would not leave until everything was done the way she wanted them to. "And the pink anarkali too, it suits you" Sarita yelled once again.

"Why don't you do the packing for me then?" Anya hissed angrily. "I can't!I'm preparing laddoos and pedas for them!" Sarita said in an excited tone.

Anya couldn't remember the last time she'd prepared sweets or laddoos for that matter. "Smells delicious!" She seethed with sarcasm. Sarita was back in the room "we're going there, whether you like it or not, so you can keep on annoying me with your sarcasm or you can choose to join me in the festivities, feeling happy for me and my sister" there was pain her voice, Anya noticed.

She hugged her mother "I'm sorry maa!" She smiled "I just...whatever... lets go. I won't even complain further". Sarita gave a bright smile "fine! Help me fry then".
             
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They reached the city around seven in the evening. Taking all their luggage with them, they walked across the street when someone called them from behind. It was Jaydip, the driver.

"Saab sent for you" he said grimly and took their luggage. They reached the parking lot where the Volkswagen was parked.

Anya looked out of the window, as they drove past the buildings and the skyscrapers. She liked the view, but missed the calm serene part of her native town. Compared to her small miniscule town, this was huge.

"It's so beautiful at night!" Sarita exclaimed, beside her. "Yes it is!" She echoed. They reached her aunt's house, or mansion more like.

It was a beautiful house with a large garden, consisting of various plants and shrubbery since her uncle's favourite hobby was gardening. He had imported varieties of flowers and plants, there was even a small greenhouse which Anya loved more than anything.

"Finally!" Exclaimed her aunt Devika hugging her younger sister "I'm so glad you all reached safely!" Sarita embraced her "I know didi! The journey was a bit tiring but everything was good".

Devika turned to her niece "oh look at you!" She smiled brightly at Anya "you've become even more beautiful". Anya smiled back "you're kidding badi maa!"

"Where's my darling niece? The beautiful bride?" Sarita looked around. "She's upstairs in her room, talking to her friends. Why don't you meet her?" Devika ushered them.

Anya forced herself to be sweet and went along with her mother. "Choti maa!" Squealed Riya as she hugged her aunt. Anya couldn't help but a pang of jealousy when she saw her mother get so close to her cousin.

"Hey!" Anya said, hugging her, "how you've been Anu?" Riya gave a dazzling smile, her face glowing with happiness. "Yeah, great!" Anya said, smiling "so..er..how's the wedding preparations going on?"

"Oh gosh! It's so frustrating, nothing seems to be over. I just finished my sixth round of shopping and jewelry. I still feel like something's amiss" Riya shook her head "it's so tiring!"

Anya nodded, "come on!" Riya took her hand and led her to her gigantic wardrobe "check out these!"

Inside it were different dresses of all colours. Lehengas and salwar suits adorned the hangers. "They're lovely!"Anya remarked, meaning it. Riya grinned "got all the way from Delhi, custom made you know" there was a tone of flattery which Anya couldn't miss.

"It's worth all the time and energy" Anya said, while going through her jewelry which was mostly diamonds. Riya was really lucky, Anya couldn't help but think  sometimes; she had a dream life with great parents who pampered and spoiled her, surrounded by beautiful things. She couldn't ask for more. And now she was getting married to a guy who was well settled and very rich.

"So what's happening with you? Are you still working in that same uni?" Riya asked. Anya nodded "yep, till I find a new job, that's my saving grace".

She kept the jewelry back in the locker inside the cupboard when she caught sight of something pink. "What are those?"she asked, pointing out.

"Oh that!" Riya giggled "Victoria's secret!" Anya stared at her in confusion "who's she?" Riya burst out laughing "that's a brand silly! Those are lingerie" she whispered in her ear.

Embarrassed, Anya could only nod; this wasn't the first time she was being tagged as ignorant. "So what about your studies? Weren't you planning to persue a degree in psychology?" Riya asked as they came back to sit in the bed.

Anya went to say that she wanted to when they were interrupted "she can't" her mother joined them "I'm planning to get her married".

Anya frowned at her mother "what's the use of studies? I think she'd had enough". Anya didn't reply to that "if she wants to persue her studies, you should let her!" Devika had joined them too. She gave a friendly nod at her niece who looked delighted.

"I can't didi, I..." Sarita went on but her sister stopped her "leave it to me" she looked at Anya "when's the next batch starting beta?" She asked kindly.

"After three months badi maa" Anya answered, her heart lifting a little. Maybe it was a good thing coming here, she thought happily. But she couldn't miss the strange look on her cousin's face while her mother glared at her.

She didn't care, she was going to graduate too, just like those students whom she would see in a jealous way. Now she would get to fulfill her dream, she thought.

Little did she know life had different plans for her ...