The Best Mistakes

45. Kayra

“Hurry up and close the windows or it might ruin her hair,” one of the girls who’d arrived to get me ready, said to the other. It was ten in the morning and for the past four hours these girls had crowded my room with the excuse of helping me to get ready and hadn't let me move an inch from my seat in front of the mirror.

I had two more hours till the engagement and each passing second felt like I was breathing on a ventilator. I was looking nowhere like a bride who was getting engaged in two hours. No enthusiasm, no emotions, no glow. I glanced in the mirror.

A dolled up corpse was a more suitable term to define my current appearance. In fact, I looked more colorless than a dead body. But I had to give this to the makeup girls, they tried hard to conceal everything under the makeup. But too bad, my pain still flashed in my eyes and was very much noticeable to everyone.

“You look beautiful. Let me just put this necklace on you, wait-” The girl said, who'd introduced herself when she first came in but I was too numb to pay attention to anyone. I just sat there and let them do anything they wanted. I didn't say anything about the outfit, makeup or hair, everything was pre-decided for me.

Indeed, I looked beautiful but less alive. Uneasiness spread through the entire room when I didn't react nor said anything. Mint lehenga with golden thread work and heavy gold and pearl jewelry adorned my face and neck. On any other day, this would've made me happy because I rarely look good in outfits but now looking at myself like this tightened my chest.

My earrings felt too heavy and the nose ring irked me but I had to wear them. That's what I was supposed to do. I looked too pretty for my life to be doomed, just like a sacrificial lamb.

There was a light knock on the already open door but I didn't bother checking who it was. No one's arrival could save me now. But all the girls in my room hurriedly left and I finally glanced to see who it was.

It was Maa, who was gesturing to them to leave me alone with her. After all the girls left, she sat on the chair beside me. I didn't look at her nor said anything. Maa was the only one whom I couldn't truly hate, no matter what. And she was the one, in front of whom I couldn't keep my composure. I was scared that if I looked at her, I might end up breaking down.

But she had no plans to show me mercy. She took my hand in hers and gently caressed it as always she did whenever I was upset and she consoled me. But too bad, consoling me wouldn't change anything.

I glanced at her from the mirror and a painful smile was plastered on her face. She was gazing at me with both loving and apologetic eyes. Maybe what I said yesterday must've made her realize everything. She opened her mouth, only to close it again.

She sighed. “You look so beautiful, my baby.” I turned towards her. She was still caressing my hand and the moment I turned to look at her, her gaze fell down.

“I'm sorry, honey. I couldn't be a better mother to you.” Her hands trembled and a tear fell on my hand. I bit my lips to contain my own tears. What use was the apology now?

Words didn't come out of my mouth. Once again, I felt like if I opened my mouth I might end up crying. She finally looked up at me and wiped her tears. A new look of determination flashed on her face, which made me confused. “There's not much time left till the ceremony. As much as I am happy to see you all dolled up, I hate to see you like this-” She cupped my face with her other hand.

“So, give your mother a chance to make things right-” My brows furrowed at her words, while she held my both hands tightly and whispered, “Run away.”

My eyes widened at her words. Hearing this from Maa was more surprising than the run away itself. I couldn't say anything as my mind went blank. “Run away. I'll handle the rest here, so please-” She got cut off when the girls from earlier barged in.