His Little Bride

Fu*k ||22||

Karthik's Point of View

Red.

I hate women in this color with each and every cell in my body! For other people it might depict love, romance, warmth. But to me, it depicts agony, rage and some instances from past which shakes up my entire system! In the worst way possible.

Taking a sip from my glass, I looked at her, standing in front of me, wearing that fu*king color... Red.

I hated it.

I hated whatever that was doing to me. I hated how my eyes were fixed on her and I could not help myself feel any better. She was unknowingly, challenging me, making me stand face to face with that one day, which entirely changed the meaning of living for me.

"Karthik! Come here, son!" Dad called me, enthusiastically.

I took my eyes off her and looked at the men I was standing with.

"Excuse me gentlemen" Saying, I gulped the remaining content in my glass in one go and walked to where Mom, Dad, and Mira were.

"May I have your attention ladies and gentlemen!" Dad's voice blared in the hall as he spoke on the mic.

I know where this is going.

Damn it!

"As you already know, this year's party is special"

I looked at Mira who was looking at dad with a small smile on her lips. Her eyes shining twice as good as they usually do because of the spotlight that was falling on us.

"And so, the rituals have also changed. Every year, I and Kajal were the ones who would start the dance. But tonight..."

And suddenly, she looked at me. The smile fading off of her face.

"Tonight its gonna be a little different. Tonight, my dear son Karthik, and beloved daughter in law, Mira, will start the dance. I can't express how happy I feel to pass on this tradition to my children"

Two years. That's how long it had been since I am struggling to keep my sanity. Struggling to not act on situations as I desired. Struggling to not let the wall, which I've build around myself, get shattered. But moments like these, make me want to run away from my life, to seek a single moment of peace that I can get.

"Karthik, Mira, go on. The dance floor is all yours" Dad said and patted on my shoulder to make a move and take Mira to the dance floor.

I lazily took two steps, and forwarded my hand in front of her.

"I am not good at dancing... in front of so many people" She whispered to me, looking around. All eyes were on us.

"Just... follow my lead" I said and started walking to the dance floor, not exactly knowing that what was happening to me and where all this will go.

I looked at her, walking beside me.

I wanted to scream. But what, I didn't know. My anger was only increasing, but at what, or whom, I couldn't decipher. Blinded by confusion and haze, feeling totally out of control, I wanted nothing more than to drink myself to total unconsciousness.

I put my hands on her waist and her hands went to me shoulders, and we started moving. Slowly. I could tell she was still anxious of so many people watching us and cheering for us.

"How long before they join us?" She asked.

"Not long"

"I am sorry. I am not... used to all of this" She said, maybe embarrassed for her nervousness.