POTION OF LOVE

12. 𝐁𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥

"Kya matlab uski shadi hai!" I yell at the top of my lungs, my sister flinches in surprise clenching the cushion against her chest. I let out a sharp exhale, my brain was still unable to process the news she had just given.
[Translation - What do you mean it's his wedding?]

"Jasmine, Calm down okay?" Sonia says through the screen gesturing to calm down. I scoff and hold the screen of my laptop bringing it close to my face "Calm down? My brother is getting married and I had no idea about it and now you tell me about it? Seriously?" I rant out, my head already pounding due to the anger I am feeling

Sonia opens her mouth to say something more but stops herself, she knows how absurd this whole situation is. I keep the laptop back on my bed and sigh letting my shoulders lump down. I am sitting on the furry carpet of my room beside the bed

It was a random day when I was preparing for my finals and suddenly my cousin, Sonia, called. She is my paternal aunt's daughter and very close to me. She is still young and gonna complete her 10th soon. After coming to Sydney for my studies, as still maintained contact through technology

But today was different as she video-called me with a huge surprise. Announcing about my brother's sudden marriage. I didn't know when he got a girlfriend, when he got engaged and when did they even fix the dates? Just a week ago I talked with him and he acted like his usual boring self!

I was so sure that he didn't even have his first kiss yet

I thought my brother was a cold, boring human who had no interest in things like 'love', 'dating'

And here I am listening about his marriage

I knew he didn't like wasting time but did he seriously skip all the steps?

I glance at the screen to see my mother sitting beside Sonia with a smile on her face. She is wearing a saree and her hair is tied in an elegant bun, I could see the gajra in her hair looking as beautiful as ever. She keeps smiling for us, no matter how hard the situation gets

My father is the chairman of the south post of the royal crest. My mother is responsible for his financial advisor and also our home's main pillar

"Mummy, kya hora hai yeh. Kya aap logo ne Bhai ki arrange marriage fix kardi?" I ask her.

She sighs, I can see the confusion and hesitation on her face. "Karne Wale toh the lekin veer ne suddenly announce kar diya ki usko koi pasand hai aur woh usi se shadi karega" She explains.

[Translation 1- Mummy, what is happening? Have you people fixed an arranged marriage for my brother?
2. They were going to do it, but Veer suddenly announced that he likes someone and will marry that person]

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, that's not how my brother is. He is almost entering his 30s and for 5 years both my parents have been nagging him to get married. As much as our parents are open-minded to let us date after 18 only. Veer had no interest in finding love and was single for his whole life. Once in the heat of the moment, he said that Papa could arrange someone for him because 'he doesn't like wasting time on useless things'