The Two Fates [Published On Amazon kindle]

Chapter 2.

Anya kept herself busy the next day. As it was the sangeeth night, there were lot of preparations to be done. Flowers were being decorated on the walls, and the ceiling was adorned with colourful chandeliers.

And there were lots of guests pouring in. Anya had to take their sniding comments but she kept quiet just for her mother.

"What about you dear?" An old lady, probably her uncle's relative asked her as she passed by "when are you trying the knot?"

Anya gave a fake smile "very soon aunty". The lady nodded, without any pleasantness "heard about your father, cancer was it?"

Anya had to control her anger "it was cardiac arrest actually". The nearby ladies looked up to listen intently "that's equally bad, he must have died very painfully" the older lady gasped "to lose a father at a crucial time can be very painful".

"We're managing okay" Anya replied, wishing she could evaporate from the spot. "So much money spent for the surgery, they should have revived him" the older lady wouldn't stop.

Anya smiled faintly "excuse me"
and walked away without waiting for the response. How much was she going to take? She couldn't stand one bit here.

"Anu!" Her mother came searching for her, finding her in one of the bedrooms "what are you doing here? I want you to start packing Riya's clothes in the trolley bag".

Anya wiped her face and nodded silently. "What's wrong Anu?" Sarita asked, noticing her daughter's changed expression. "We don't belong here maa!" Anya cried on her shoulders "I want to go home!"

"Oh God!" Her mother patted her "fine! Tomorrow night after the wedding rites, we'll go straight home". Anya looked at her mother in disbelief "really? What about badi maa?"

"I'll tell her you don't have leave" Sarita smiled at her "but two days you have to ignore people and be happy, can you do that?" Anya nodded, feeling a lot better now. "Okay, wash your face and go start packing" her mother said.

Anya went to her cousin's room, slowly unlocking the door. It was beautifully decorated with imported furniture and dimly lit scented candles.

There was a photograph kept on the cushion table. Anya took it and saw that it was Riya with her fiancee Laksh. It was probably taken during their engagement, she thought as she saw the happy couple smiling widely at the camera.

There was something written on the corner in italics. Raksh, Anya read, slightly snorting. They even made a shipping name, she thought amused.

She looked at the groom, he was very good looking with a small dimple flashing on his right cheek. He looked nice to her.

"Anu?" Riya came behind her while she opened her cupboard "what's up?"

"I...maa asked me to pack your things" Anya smiled at her, keeping the photograph back on the table. "So how's he?" Riya asked, sitting on the huge king size bed.

"He's great!" Anya said, feeling awkward that Riya caught her watching the photograph "you look good together". To her surprise, Riya didn't look as cheerful as she had expected.

"Yeah he's okay though" she winced. "What's wrong Riya?" Anya couldn't help but ask. Riya smiled suddenly "nothing, did you see the watches yet?"

"You sounded different when you spoke about him, is everything alright?" Anya asked again. Her cousin might have been a snob, but Anya still cared.

"Anu" Riya called her "I don't know, sometimes I feel he's...different". Anya stared at her, unable to understand "what way?"

"He acts possessive and demanding, like he owns me" Riya said "he even forced me to...you know" he eyes were downcast.