MY ENDLESS LOVE FOR YOU.

CHAPTER-5

"Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

JYOTHIKA

There was a point in life where it feels-could it get worse than this?

"Jyothi,"

I jerk from my trance lifting my gaze, I find concern itched on my eldest brother's face.

What exactly was the reason for his concern? Was it my red-rimmed eyes from an entire night of crying or was it the dullness on my face? Was it the way I was disappointed and felt helpless because of my own family? Maybe all of it.

He averts his eyes in guilt for not fulfilling the first responsibility that any sister would expect from her elder sibling. Protection. Though glancing one by one at all of my three elder brothers who were present in my room, I wondered if they ever respected the meaning of Rakhi I tied them every year. It was one time of year I never missed returning home no matter how bitter I felt with Appa and my brothers.

After all, they locked me in my room for the last two days treating the only daughter of this family like a prisoner. Maids brought my meals, knowing Appa, it was obvious he won't allow anyone to soften their hearts for my condition. Especially, since Prithvi demanded to meet me and him.

My heart pinched for the umpteenth time thinking of the hours he was outside in relentless rains, screaming, banging, pleading- doing everything just to see me, to be heard.

He didn't know, that everyone living in this house has the mastery to disown, to ignore skillfully whenever they wanted. For their selfish priorities.

I mean they didn't take much time to toss my dreams, my expectations, my pleads- someone who was born in this family, shown to be greatly cherished in front of everyone for the past twenty-four years, why will they bat an eye to some stranger like him?

Satya ettan crouches in front of me, the position might seem to comfort someone, though his scornful gaze gave away his intention.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush like Shay ettan here, so hear me carefully. One, as Appa had already made it clear, complete all the rituals today without making a fuss. Second, you better be mindful that this family's pride is at stake. Don't do anything reckless, I won't tolerate a scratch on our family mainly on Appa's name. Got it?" he warningly raises a finger.

I simply look at him. Not making any other gesture.

Shekar ettan, my second elder brother, scoffs indignantly, marching up to the chair I was sitting on, "I can't understand what the fuck is all the drama is about! If her ignorant rebellious attitude wasn't enough of a headache to deal with, her Romeo was screaming, creating a ruckus outside of our premises since yesterday. I suggested Appa just kick him out of our village but he didn't want to create a scene. All of this nonsense is because of you! What kind of life did you live in the city, huh? Being disrespectful to your elders, raising open objection to your marriage, and some idiot who dares to demand the right in our land to meet you! I'd have broken his bones if Appa didn't stop me!"

Hearing his yelling, Amma along with my ethathi rushed inside, frowning in nervousness at the scene. I stood up when Amma gave me the same look, she's been giving since the night Appa announced his final decision. 'To accept silently whatever was being ordered.'

And I'll, for now. That doesn't mean I was going to keep my mouth shut and tolerate everyone's bullshit.

"You should be grateful for heeding Appa's advice, ettan." he took a step back seeing my cold gaze, hearing the eerie edge in my voice. Moving my gaze to everyone present in the room, "None of you has any right to question my choices when not even once you took the mere effort to understand me, to see how I was living, dealing with everything in life. If you think I'm going to regret or ask for forgiveness for my decisions then you're highly mistaken. And I don't know what is going to happen today but one last time I'd request- don't do anything that I couldn't find in me to even forgive my own family,"