BOOK 1 OF THE UNEXPECTED SERIES
In a world where tradition clashes with modernity, Vaidehi is a modern-day princess bound by society's rigid expectations.
Saransh, a brooding prince with a shadowed past, one he's not keen to reveal. Despite his nobl...
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"Marna main teriyan bahan ch chann ve, Sohn tere pyaar di main chakki hoyi ae"
I sway, singing the song with my hands in the air, feeling the music thump through my chest, louder than the racing of my heart. I know what you must be thinking by the lyrics being sung— the famous girl crying over this song at Diljit Dosanjh's concert. But don't worry, that's not me, at least not tonight.
And this? This isn't even a concert where I might lose my voice screaming names. This is just our college fest where the DJ has decided to treat us with some Punjabi bangers, breaking the monotony of our quiet lives here in Panna, Madhya Pradesh. Ain't no concerts happening here dude.
I glance around at my friends, their faces lit up by the glow of the stage lights. Rhea's hair bounces as she dances beside me, her laughter mixing with the music. I quickly fish my phone out to capture this moment— the strobe lights, the laughter. But as soon as my eyes fall on the screen, the cold hand of reality grips me squeezing out every bit of joy and colour from my face.
45+ missed calls from Maa.
My heart stutters, and the laughter around me gets muffled. I am so dead today. I swallow and a painful jolt spreads chills down my spine.
I take a look at my watch and it's only 8:30 pm. But nonetheless panic floods my chest as I quickly bid farewell to my best friends, pulling them in a hug. "I have to leave early", I tell them, and they don't question it, knowing damn well how conservative my family is.
I weave my way through the crowd of people dancing and swaying to the my music, my jealousy biting hard. They get to enjoy their lives the way they want, no restrictions, no constant hovering. I envy them, I wish I could be like that- free. But that's not my life, and it never will be.
As I near the parking lot, my mother's voice rings in my mind, sharp, laced with the tone that I know very well— the one that's more than just angry. It's the one that says, "How could you do this to us?"
I swallow hard, the taste of guilt bitter on my tongue and look around for my car. I fumble with my phone to call the driver but I spot Yuhaan instead, my elder brother, leaning casually against his car, smoking. He notices me immediately, stubbing out the cigarette because he knows I'm allergic. Even from a meter away, the remnants of smoke make me cough, my throat tightening. He waves me over, popping open the car door.
Without meeting his eyes, I slide into the passenger seat, keeping my gaze fixed on the dashboard. The silence stretches, thick and heavy, until Yuhaan breaks it.
"You look so pretty, choti. Maa's going to hate it," he says, half amused.
A dry chuckle escapes me. "Of course she will. She hates everything I do."
