Just a wife

8. Sneaked out

SANJANA

Nervously I strode around the room. I've never pulled something so daring in my entire life.

"Don't do this, Sanjana. It's not the right thing to do," Saba, with her fearful voice, urged as I stood before the towering, ornate mirror wearing one of her black Abayas and niqab. She had everything in her luggage as she was meant to leave for her in-law's house the day after my wedding ceremony.

'No one will be able to recognise me in this' I thought in my mind. Never had any idea that I would have to take such ways but it is what it is. I refuse to waste six months of my hardest work.

"We still have time. Think twice. My heart is telling me that it's not right," Saba urged, shaking my shoulders and pulling me back from my chain of thoughts.

"And, what they are doing to me. That is right?" I questioned back.

Forcing me into a marriage, stopping me from attending the university even for an hour- all against my will. Saba cast her eyes down. She knows who is right and who's wrong here, she is just scared for me. But I boosted her saying, "Don't worry. I'll come back before the ladies from the parlour come. And God forbid if I'm a little bit late .. just in case .. don't let anyone know that I am missing. The parlour ladies do not know me personally. So, cover up for me. I'll be back within an hour."

Saba feebly agreed with me but did not utter anything to stop me from sneaking out. None apart from Saba can reckon my situation better. I still vividly remember the day, she had to get married right after our graduation. The life I'm living right now was her dream before mine. She was the one to search the best universities for an MBA and explain the career benefits of this degree and all. But fate unfurled in such a tragic way that she could not pursue her dream after making me passionate about it.

I had nothing on me except my phone, and I quietly sneaked out of the floor, reaching the ground floor with confident steps. I was asked by a security guard if I entered the venue by mistake or was one of the guests, and I excused myself by saying yes. He was utterly confused as he had not seen me anytime soon but I hastily walked out of the main exit before others could contribute to his scepticism.

I checked the maps on my phone last night. Luckily I was nearby. So, with no intention to waste any time I quickly booked a cab and reached my university within twenty minutes. Hurried steps brought me to my room inside the last block of the girls' hostel. I took off the veil and Abaya I had borrowed from Saba and put them in a handbag and then grabbed my student ID card to reach the HOD's office.

Everything was running smoothly ... just according to my plans. Even Mrs Sharma was present and not occupied with anything when I knocked on the door asking for permission to enter.

"Sanjana, you should have been more careful. I believe there must be some problems otherwise I've never seen you this insincere. But I'll have to cut two points from your credit to be fair to every student," Mrs Sharma kept speaking while I signed the tabulation sheets of each subject.

I nodded quietly.

Losing two points is better than wasting a whole semester. That would create a more negative impact on my future resume. If I study harder I'll definitely make up for that two points.

Reporting back to the hostel, I was purely confused about how I should go back inside the banquet. Should I enter how I left? Who cares! My work's been done. I'll go inside just like this. The parlour ladies would arrive anytime in the afternoon. I should just rush back to the venue.

I went inside my room to collect the handbag and a few necessary items like my laptop and staff but I encountered Amaya sitting on my bed, crossing her legs.