METANOIA

Chapter 3

He was there. Mansoor Malik, Chairman of Grace Group of Hotels and, regrettably, my father. The man who built a hospitality empire, a real estate mogul who wielded power like a scepter. Success had hardened him, transforming him into a self-absorbed monument, an egomaniac who ruled his world with an iron fist.

Our eyes met, a clash of ice against ice. His gaze darted past me, probably assimilating where I am coming from.
"Are you coming from Samaira's room"? He asked in the same stern voice which he uses every time he talks to me. Suddenly his demeanour changed and he looked furious,

"I asked you a question," he bellowed, his face contorted in fury.

The instinct to cower was overwhelming. But silence wouldn't shield me, it would invite the storm.

Taking a shaky breath, I summoned my voice, meek though it was. " Yes ," I mumbled, my eyes glued to the floor.

Steeling myself, I dared to look up. His eyes, icy blue glaciers, held a firestorm of rage. A thick vein throbbed on his temple as he jabbed a finger in my direction.

"Don't you dare," he snarled, his voice a low growl, "don't you dare fill Samaira's head with nonsense! This marriage is more than just you, it's about the business, the family, my legacy!

A legacy you clearly have no respect for, you ungrateful, juvenile brat!" His words lashed out like a whip, stinging with a familiar pain.

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill. His next words were a fresh wave of pain. "I don't know why I waste my money on such an ungrateful and mannerless child," he said, shaking his head in disappointment.

"And why aren't you dressed for the event yet? Do you want to embarrass me in front of our guests, like you always do? Go to your room," he barked again.

I couldn't take it anymore. Tears spilling down my cheeks, I bolted towards my room, my mom standing there, a silent statue once again, unable to confront the storm my father brewed.

Slamming my door shut behind me, I let out a sob that wracked my entire body.

After an hour of choked sobs, I pulled myself together enough to send a brief, vague text to Samaira - "Something unexpected came up, can't make it to the engagement" - hoping the brevity would suffice, and I wouldn't have to elaborate on the turmoil that was still swirling inside me.

Then I dialed Sonia. "Hello!" Sonia's voice chirped through the phone, bright and bubbly despite the concern I could practically sense.

"Sonia," I croaked, my voice hoarse from crying.
She seemed to understand my silence and said

"Just hold on, Mahab," Sonia said, a hint of urgency creeping into her voice. "Angelina and I are coming to get you."
"Angelina," I muttered, a small smile tugging at my lips. Sonia called her sleek Mercedes that, a fitting name for such a luxurious car.

"Why is this house so damn big?" I grumbled under my breath. All I wanted was to reach the parking lot without being seen by anybody.

I sneaked down the stairs, hoodie pulled low over my face. Then, I practically flung myself into Angelina's passenger seat.

Sonia slammed the car into gear, and the gravel crunched beneath the tires with a sound like popping firecrackers.

Friday night life exploded into existence! Sonia, with the driving finesse of a runaway stallion, pulls up to a house throbbing with music.

Eric's graduation party was in full swing. Even from the car, I could feel the infectious energy and hear the joyous pandemonium spilling out the windows. Popular crowd sprawled across the front yard, foyer, and even the threshold, each clutching a beer can like a lifeline.

Clapping my hands over my ears against the sonic assault, I plunged into the throng with Sonia by my side. A familiar face breaks through the crowd - Janet who joined us both with a radiant grin "Can't believe we're graduating in four weeks", she screamed ecstatically over the music and took Sonia and me in a bear warm hug.

Eric, another cornerstone of my friend group - the dependable fourth tire to our car, if you will - materializes through the throng. He shouted a greeting over the music, his voice barely audible. "Hey, the terrific trio!" he hollers, extending a beer can to each of us. "Thankyou" I mouthed.
Yes I needed alcohol in my system to forget about everything and lost in my oblivion.

I popped the tab on my beer can with a decisive flick of my wrist. The metallic hiss was quickly drowned out by the cheers erupting around me. I downed the entire can in one go, I slammed the empty container on a nearby table. A determined glint replaced the hurt that I felt earlier.

"Yes!" Janet roared with excitement, her voice barely reaching over the pounding music. She hoisted my hand in the air, declaring me the victor in a silent challenge the crowd had clearly witnessed. A circle swiftly formed around us, the pulsating music replaced by a rhythmic chant of "Chug! Chug! Chug!" that vibrated through the air.

My eyes quickly darted across the vastness of the room, scanning the bodies pressed together like Sardines, desperate to spot Ethan and there he was by the dancefloor with his arm casually wrapped around his girlfriend Veronica, the witch.

Eric, ever the competitive one, appeared beside me, a bottle of beer clutched in his hand. A playful smirk danced on his lips as he met my gaze. The challenge was clear - a battle of gulps disguised as a friendly game. The crowd roared in anticipation, their energy feeding the growing fire in me.

I grabbed the bottle Eric offered, a glint of defiance mirroring his own. With a deep breath, I readied myself for the next round, the cheers morphing into a pounding beat in my ears. Chug! The game was on.