The Two Fates [Published On Amazon kindle]

Chapter 1.

Anya Shastry was late, which was a rare thing. The girl who was punctual, who never took leave unless it was mandatory, had been late.

The peon stared at the lean, short girl who was rushing towards the administrative office, her shawl swaying in the cool breeze. To add to her dismay, she was wet as it had been raining heavily.

"What happened to you?" the peon Sharat asked, amused. "I missed the bus" Anya pantingly replied, entering the office.

Shefali wasn't pleased, "What the hell Anya!" she exclaimed the moment Anya settled in her table "you know what day is it?"

"Yeah, Monday" Anya replied casually to which she glared all the more "it's graduation day silly!" she interjected "psychology students are getting graduated today and the programme starts at sharp 5".

"Oh no!" Anya groaned. First the rains,then the late entry and now this "I totally forgot about it". Shefali stared at her in dismay "do you know how much work is pending?"

"I know and I'm sorry to put you though so much trouble" Anya apologized like it was her fault. Shefali shook her head in irritation "fine!just get the things ready".

This was nothing new to Anya as she ran back and forth across the auditorium, holding the list with her. Since the time she had joined the university as an assistant clerk, she was always busy.

Whenever her work was done, there was always others' work to finish since she was too polite to say no to anyone who would crumple their projects onto her.

"These are the list of candidates who are going to graduate" Shefali shoved a handful of papers into her hands "make sure the mementos are ready".

Anya nodded and started running her errands. By the time the ceremony had started, she was exhausted. She approached Shefali who was busy with the other staffs "I have to go home" she said softly.

"What? But it's only starting, and I need you" Shefali exclaimed. "I know, I'd already told the dean I'll be taking leave for few days" she sighed deeply "my cousin's wedding".

Shefali remembered "oh yeah" she nodded "fine, when will you be back?" Anya smiled "I'll be leaving tonight and will  return in three days".

After saying goodbye to her colleagues, she left the campus with a heavy heart. She didn't want to take leave, she didn't want to go home. The reason was simple; she didn't want to attend the wedding.

"Maa" she called out as soon as she reached home "I'm home". Sarita came out of the kitchen across her daughter "oh thank God you're early!" She said in relief "we didn't start packing yet".

Anya sat on the sofa nearby "I'm tired maa" she groaned "can't we go the day after? There's still two days for the wedding".

Sarita glared at her "you mean, enter my sister's house like a guest?" Anya gulped, her mother was touchy when it came to her only sister and her family.

"I don't feel..welcome there" she yawned, feeling tired. "Nonsense" snapped her mother "of course you are! You just allow yourself to dislike their family".

"You know I don't!" Anya was appalled  "I feel like a stranger there". Sarita took a seat next to her daughter "set aside your insecurities and enjoy the wedding, like a real sister would do".

"You know I'm happy for my cousin!" Anya snapped "I just wish.. she were a little nice to me". Sarita ignored the last sentence and carried on with her work in the kitchen.

Anya let out a loud yawn and collapsed on the bed. It wasn't the first time her mother ignored her comment on her cousin. According to her mother, Riya was a perfect girl, who obeyed her parents. If she was a little mischievous, that was because her parents pampered her. Anya had to agree whether it was true or not.