The Broken Heart Syndrome

CHAPTER 11

RHYTHM

The sun has set, it is around 7:00 p.m. when we find our way back to my uncle's house. I hear laughter coming from the living room as we enter the flat, everyone stops and stares at me as I enter the living room.

I look at my father as he stares at me. "You are going to say yes, right?" he asks. Nothing about me, where I was or how I'm feeling. I just stare at him some more till it becomes uncomfortable. Not answering him, I go right into my designated room. I want to sleep, and I don't want to talk to anyone right now.

I am out as a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.

***

The first thing I hear are the chirpings of the birds and feel the gentle breeze coming in from the window. Stretching my arms out, I yawn and slowly open my eyes. Gathering in my surroundings, the reality comes crashing down on me which makes me let out a small gasp.

I look to my right and my mum is already staring at me with tears in her eyes.

"Don't." I croak out.

Hugging her in my arms I say, "I will be fine I promise."

After a little while she asks, "What did he say yesterday when you shouted something at him during the meeting?"

Another thing I have to lie about. I reply, "We were talking, and he said dowry and before he could say anything else, I jumped up and started shouting and he was going to say that he didn't want dowry." Mom laughs a little at this.

So, I add, "He also said that he would take care of the wedding expenses. She gasps and exclaims in a hush voice, "No! your father arranged this marriage. So, he should arrange the expenses."

I sigh, "As much as I want to see him sweat, fulfilling all the demands, he can never do it to their satisfaction, Mom. They are millionaires and billionaires they can afford it so, just let them. You both just concentrate on enjoying it."

And I add waggling my eyebrows, "Start making a list, we get to spend a lot of money of rich people." she gasps again, this time loudly smacking me on the arm. "Oh Hush! you little devil, that's a man's hard-earned money."

I roll my eyes and my brother grumbles from the other side of mom, "Stop giggling like little girls and let me sleep." and we just giggle some more.

I don't come out of the room till 4 O'clock in the evening. Mom brought me all of my meals in the room, and we had a lot to talk and think about. Father tried to come and talk to me twice, but mom and Rohan stopped him both the times.

It is evening snacks time when I come out of the room, I have already changed my outfit for today's 6 p.m. meeting. Everyone stops talking as I enter the dining area.

After a beat of silence, my mum calls, "Here, take your Chai, biscuits and some bread and go sit with your brother."

I take everything and go to where my brother is sitting near the balcony door facing the dining area. My aunt asks after a while, "How are you feeling beta? Your mom says that you had a headache."

I look at mom gratefully and she just gives me a small smile.

"It's fine." I say concentrating on my snacks.

I don't want to make any type of conversation with anyone. I just don't want to hear it. My eyes meet with my cousin's across the room. She has apology and regret written all over her face. I look away from her. I don't want to hear it.

I know we are second cousins, but I thought we were at least a little loyal to each other. This is the reason why I am only close to just one of my cousins. He is my mom's sister's son.

I close my eyes as soon as I think of Jay.

Shit.

I would have to lie to him too and before all that I will have to tell him about my marriage.

Double shit.

I share everything with him, he is like my other sibling.

One thing at a time, Rhythm. One thing at a time.

After a solid 20 minutes, my father has finally lost his patience I guess, "Are you going to say yes or not?" he demands from the dining table.

Turning my glare at him, I stare at him for a few seconds as I snap, "Are you going to accept it if I say no?"

"Why would you do that?" he asks like he can't understand why I would ever say no to a marriage at 22.

"Because I don't want to!" I erupt. "Because I don't know him. Because you never asked if I ever want to get married!" at this point I am yelling. "Because you are selling me to a stranger for God knows what! Or maybe you found the Jackpot you were looking for your whole life." his eyes widens as I take a step forward.

"Yeah, you think I don't know that this is the easiest money you have ever made. Tell me what did Mr. Singhania offered you huh? Money? A seat in his 'political party'? A promise to help you do your 'social work' that doesn't makes a penny to feed your own family? Tell me what he has promised?"

This is the first time in my life I have ever raised my voice at my father, but this is my last-ditch effort to see if he still cares somewhere deep down in his heart. I myself can't believe that my naive heart still expects to see if he cares for us, but I only see resentment and loathing in his eyes.

I hate those red eyes.

"You will do this because I say so and because this is good for you and your family." he says ignoring me all together.

I let out a dead laugh and walk out of the room. I don't know why I am still trying with him.

Mom and Rohan follow me to the front door I turn around and say, "I am going out for a walk."

"I will come with you." offers Rohan.

"No, I need to be alone right now. I will call you when my meeting with Mr. Adams is over." I say backing out of the door.

In a lower voice I add, "I will say yes to him but don't tell anyone right now okay."

They both nod sadly.

Taking the lift, I hurry out of the building. It is just 4:30 so, I take a taxi to the place where I have to meet him. I walk around the place for a while, calming myself down. Around 5:15p.m. I decide to go to the restaurant early and wait for him to come.