The Right Kind of Wrong

1. The Wedding Day Escape

The sun rose on the day that was supposed to be Savi's wedding day, flooding her room with harsh light that felt all wrong. The soft, delicate fabric of her bridal lehenga lay spread across the bed like a heavy cloud, shimmering gold and crimson threads that represented everything she despised. She stared at it, her stomach churning as dread washed over her.

Savi took a deep breath, her heart racing. She had been raised to believe this day would be filled with love, laughter, and promises. Instead, it felt like a funeral march. The lavish wedding preparations that adorned every corner of the Chavan house only amplified her growing panic. Ornate flower arrangements decorated the entrance, the aroma of incense and fresh marigold petals mingled with the sweet scent of traditional sweets being prepared in the kitchen. It was a spectacle designed to trap her, a gilded cage.

In the small mirror on her vanity, she saw her reflection—red lipstick on her lips, kohl lining her eyes, and the intricate henna on her hands. But the face staring back at her was not the joyful bride everyone expected. It was a girl suffocating under the weight of expectations, shackled by her grandmother's iron grip.

"Badi Aaji, you can't do this!" Savi whispered to herself, her voice trembling. The thought of marrying someone she didn't even know felt like a betrayal of everything she had ever wanted. She needed to escape, and time was running out.

As she fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta, the door creaked open. It was Ashwini, her grandmother, who always stood between Savi and Bhavani's control. Her face was lined with worry, but her eyes sparkled with determination.

"Are you ready, Savi?" Ashwini asked softly, stepping into the room. "The guests are arriving, and Vahini is on edge."

"Ready?" Savi replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not ready for this at all. I can't go through with it, Aaji."

Ashwini crossed the room and took Savi's hands in her own. "You don't have to. Isha ma'am and I have a plan. We can get you out of here before the rituals start."

Savi's heart raced at the thought. "What if we get caught? Badi Aaji will never forgive me."

"She will never forgive you for any of this, even if you go through with the wedding," Ashwini replied firmly. "This is your chance, Savi. You have to take it."

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Savi's heart dropped. It was Isha, her professor and mother-like-figure, who had been in her corner since day one.

"Are you two ready?" Isha's voice was calm, but her eyes held urgency. "We need to move quickly. The pandit is here, and the ceremony will start soon."

"Isha ma'am, what if they notice I'm missing?" Savi asked, her voice trembling.

"They won't," Isha assured her. "Bhavani ji will be too busy making sure everything is perfect. Just remember: the train station is only a few blocks away. I'll meet you there," and she leaves.

Savi took a deep breath, a mixture of fear and excitement swirling within her. She glanced back at her wedding dress, a symbol of everything she wanted to leave behind. "Okay. Let's do this."

"Good girl," Ashwini said, pride shining in her eyes. "You're brave, Savi. I've always known you were meant for something bigger than this life."

Savi nodded, her resolve hardening. "I want to be an IAS officer. I want to change lives, not be stuck in one."

"Then let's go," Isha said, her voice a blend of urgency and encouragement. "Time is of the essence."

With a final glance at the bridal attire that symbolized a life she didn't want, Savi slipped on her sneakers beneath the lehenga. It felt rebellious and liberating at the same time. She could feel the adrenaline surging through her as they moved toward the door.