Siblings who had solace in the presence of each other, get trapped in the web of fate and luck, embark on their saga how they battle through the game of destiny called life, shielding each other from any problem hurled towards them.
This twenty seve...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
White marbled floor clouded with chiffon curtains in rose gold spread messily on it. Bright flowers, bunches of leaves scattered around. Stairs led to the stage set up in the middle of the hall, cladded in uniforms, a few helpers of the event organiser climbed on the iron ladder, they fixed the extra lights and decorative ornaments on the wall and on the window panels.
Baskets of rose petals kept ready to shower on the two individuals who were ready to perform union of becoming one soul. The manager monitored them with an iPad clasped in her hand its pen tucked in her ear, she looked for it in her pockets, slapped her forehead when found it.
Happiness escalated to everywhere and everyone. With wrinkles on my forehead and eyes glossy, I could not feel an ounce of it, my heart heavy with sadness and heavier with guilt. It was my only brother's engagement today and I was traipsing with utter grief surrounding me. They had a word in Hindi for people like me, 'Manhoos'. And they did call me that, not in front of me but definitely once I turned my back. They call it spreading bad luck when someone acted woefully in occasions of happiness. Was I wrong when they called me that when our mother died? Perhaps not. Am I wrong now, that cannot be happy on my sibling's wedding? Definitely yes.
I cannot help it. Every time I think of how he will be married soon, something like a bullet pierces my heart. It shatters and hurts. I cannot breath. I try to relax my face and plaster a smile on my lips so no one calls me unlucky and jinxed. I cannot explain them how much is this hurting me nor that they would ever understand it.
Bhai and I were leaving for our penthouse, when Aunt Leela stopped me, "Roshni, listen here darling," she called for me. Schooling my expressions I turned to her, "are you going somewhere?"
I flicked on my phone, "yeah, to get dressed. It's almost the time," for his engagement to take place. My heart clenched at the thought.
"You can get ready here as well, right?" She vividly threw her hands around. I shook my head, prior to I could reply her, she added, "I have gotten yours and Agastya's room ready."
A humourless chuckle escapes my lips, she did not understand it. "No aunt, I have my luggage over there," I stare into her brazen eyes, stoic facial expressions unwavering, "I'll just get ready and be back." She nodded wordlessly agreeing. I pass her a smile and turn my feet away from her.
This hundred plus rooms estate seemed small to her, and abruptly it got enough rooms when my brother took me away from her. She was delighted and she even said, "ab kitni jagah hai iss kamre me, samaan rakhne ke kaam ho jaayega," my room was never used it was kept clean and tided up. Aunt Mridula locked our rooms, she did not let anyone else use it, it was opened when we arrived, we never used the rooms again.
("There is much more of space available now, can be used to keep the things.")
I patted my eyes with the back of my hands, I awaited my older sibling to come. I loved hiding my tears from him, as much I showed my tears to him. He never said that but he's guilt ridden that he did not take me earlier from this home under-covered hell.
