Maya

Chapter One

My alarm usually wakes me up at five o'clock in the morning. That's the time I would get up for, whenever I am on my way to university. But today is Sunday. To my misfortune, I have to stay at home. I really hate being here. My brothers are all so irritating, except for Vikram. He is the only one who is somewhat bearable. When it comes to Raj and Rohit, I'd rather run away. These two are the most toxic and Raj is the king of toxicity. Rohit is just his follower and dad worships his sons.
He never wanted a daughter. According to him girls can't run businesses, they only know how to be a housewife.

Yes, the mentality of my dad is very old fashioned. And my mom, also has this mindset. But, she and dad both run a business together. Pretty paradox if you ask me. Although why should I care? I literally begged them to let me do something in life. PhD it is then. Raj, Rohit and Vikram are the heirs' of the Rathore Industries.

My life hasn't been easy at all, everyone in my so called family likes to lay rocks on my path. Different types of hurdles just to slow me down. They never miss any opportunity to make me feel all alone. To their misfortune I'm not entirely alone. There has always been one special person in my life. Dev Malhotra. Dev and I were friends ever-since kindergarten. Our friendship grew stronger and Dev got to know about my family and their behavior. He has always been an amazing anchor for me. I appreciate him a lot.

But of course, my family, except for Vikram, hates him. Why? Because he is my friend and the cherry on top he is a boy. My father lives up to traditions and to his values. Women and men can never be friends. There always has to be something stronger than friendship between them. That something is called love. I don't know what love is, I never understood it and I never felt it. In fact, how can one feel something they don't even know what it is?

Sometimes when I hear father and my brothers talk about their business affairs, I realize how many mistakes they make while planning a new strategy to profit. But, I'm not allowed to talk. Sometimes it gets too much, that I do speak up and then I get to hear: „You don't know anything about business, just focus on your PhD and leave the important stuff to the men." I don't know why I'm this stupid to give them bonus chances of stepping on me.

Dev thinks I'm confident, but if you'd ask me I'm neither. I'm something in between.

"Maya! Breakfast is ready!", I hear mother call out.

I'm not hungry, but I also know that if I don't eat now, I won't get anything later. This house, this family has very strict rules, which can be bent on my brothers of course, but not all the time. It's either eat or die. I know that sounds extreme, but that's the vibe I'm getting when living here. I have planned to move out, but not even that will be easy. Father has whole control over my life, which means, I can only move out once I'm married.

I freshened myself up and got changed. I stop at the last step of the staircase and take a deep breath.
I walked to the dining table and sat down. I then saw Raj, Rohit and Vikram tag along one by one. Getting themselves seated as well. Rohit looks drunk. Vikram looks sleepy and Raj looks stern like he is. And my bad luck, my drunk brother sat opposite me, now I have to smell his alcohol breath. None of us siblings are even allowed to smell alcohol let alone think about it. If Father finds out, then I'd love to see him getting slapped for once. He and Raj are one unbreakable duo, but I swear to god Rohit is the worse. Raj is arrogant and Vikram. Um..no words for him. He sure is something I just don't know what.

Mother came from the kitchen with a cup of chai in her hand. She sat down as the maid hurried to serve the breakfast. I can see the eagerness of Vikram to eat right now, but he got a glare from mother instead. Father hasn't arrived yet, which means, no one eats, drinks or talks without him being there.