The Unwanted Bride

11 - A Promise

Typed: 10/12/2023
Chapter 11: A Promise

Author's POV:

Yug left his room shortly after being scrutinized by his wife's eyes, daring him to try and divorce her. Unlike other married houses, his guests had already left his property. They had a small intimate wedding, with only a few of his friends and their family and some expected families that attended from his side. Most of them are local residents, so they'd already left. The others were staying with his parents.

"Bhai," Harsh called out upon noticing his brother's tensed face. His whole body radiated less anger and more deception. Deception he'd fallen victim to. Had Khushi deceived him? He was sure by his reaction that she hadn't, then who had?

Beside Harsh were their parents ready to leave. His father stands tall at an old age, matching Harsh's concerned expressions. He passed his house keys to his wife, motioning her to go downstairs where their guests were waiting. She didn't move, equally worried about her son.

"What's wrong, Yug?" Asked his panicking mother.

He points his index finger towards his bedroom door, "that's not Khushi." His tone is heavy and wrapped brusquely. "That's not the Khushi I had in mind." Another concise but clipped statement out of his mouth.

Harsh stills, his body failing to move. His posture was curt, body unflinching, expression on the verge of losing his patience. "It's not funny." He warns his brother. "It's been a long and stressful week, Bhai. Go inside." For the first time in his life, Harsh felt gruff towards his brother.

Their father agreed with his younger son, "now's not the time for pranks, Yug." He shakes his head, "we're already getting lat—"

"That's not Khushi!" Yug's howling. He's loud enough for Khushi to hear. She stays in their bedroom, staring at her sister's face. She's not angry at anyone but herself. Why didn't she try harder? Why did she refuse to meet Yug after he tried numerous times to meet her?

She'd asked Pihu, casually, about a new customer. She was referring to Yug because he told her over text that he went to a café, waiting for her outside Court. She was sure he wouldn't lie but she wanted another person's point of view on him.

"Yeah, this young man did come. He kept staring at the Courthouse. Not once did he take his eyes off." He was so sincere she told her and Khushi believed it too. Yet, yet, she couldn't bring herself to feel the emotions again. To look forward to a specific day. To dress up, and to be in a happy mood, all of which were controlled—and influenced because of him.

She didn't like how influential he'd become in her life. She hated the power he had, so she made it clear that they were to meet at the altar. And they did.

This is all my fault. This is all my fault. My fault. My fault.

So, she stayed inside. Watchful but vision blind. The room felt darker than midnight.

"What are you saying?" His mother is no longer gentle but hissing. She looks back as if worried one of their relatives is around. She comes closer to her son, standing in front of him so he hears her loud and clear. "This is the Khushi whose marriage proposal we too—Yug, listen, I don't know what you're saying but now is not the time."

He sneers at his mother, astonished by her advice and reaction. "Now is not the time? Then when is it, Ma? After we've been married for a year?"

His father shakes his head, "Yug, tomorrow. We will talk about this tomorrow. We've got guests downstairs, they cannot find thi—" his face turns in disgust, "—this nonsense of yours."