The Two Fates [Published On Amazon kindle]

Chapter 3

The atmosphere in the living room was tense. The sangeeth ceremony had been cancelled and the guests were asked to decline politely. Slowly, a few people who had been present left the house and only the family members were left.

"What exactly happened Anu?" Devika was glaring at her niece who looked like she was about to cry.

Anya found it difficult to open her mouth, given the circumstances. There was nothing more to tell; Riya was missing and she was pretty sure her fiancee had something to do with it.

"I told you badi maa!" Anya groaned helplessly "she asked me to wait for her. I tried calling her after sometime but her cell's switched off, I searched for her in the entire mall".

Sarita looked at her daughter in anger "how could you let her go alone? Did she tell you where she was going?"

Anya knew she had to tell the truth, there was no point hiding when Riya was in danger somewhere. "She said she was going to meet Laksh" she said finally.

"What?" Devika burst out "but why?" Anya looked down "I...don't know..she wouldn't tell me". She couldn't tell the truth now. Once her cousin came back, she would probably explain them everything.

"Her phone's still off!" Her uncle Anoop came near them "I asked her close friends, no one knows where she went".

"We should ask Laksh, he would know something" Sarita suggested. "Yeah you're right, if she went to meet him, he would definitely know what happened" Devika said, walking towards her bedroom.

Sarita stayed where she was, still glowering at her daughter "I can't believe you were so irresponsible!" Anya stared at her "you're blaming me?"

Sarita shook her head in despair "I know you're not being honest with us". Anya caught her tears falling out "I just went with her, because she wanted me to, I swear I don't know where she disappeared".

They waited for her aunt who was on the phone with Laksh while her uncle had gone to the police station to file a complaint.

"I called him" Devika was back and her expression showed that it wasn't good news "he said he didn't go out of the house the whole day as he was busy in the preparations".

"What?" Anya felt like she was stabbed and the pain was excruciating "that can't be! Riya said.."

Her words were cut short "shut up Anu!" Devika hissed "I can't take any more lies". Anya looked at her aunt whom she had deep admiration and love, now blaming her for everything that had happened.

"I swear badi maa, he's probably lying!" Anya cried in silence. "His parents said too, do you think everyone is lying?"

Anya shook her head in horror. How was it possible..unless Riya had lied to her. Anya gasped, thinking of the possibility. Riya had her fooled; she was never going to meet him, she wanted to elope or escape from the wedding. She couldn't face the reality of marrying a guy who didn't respect her so she took matters into her own hands.

"There's something I have to tell you" she spoke softly as there was nothing left to tell. They all looked at her in puzzlement.

"Riya...didn't want to marry Laksh" she said slowly as each head turned towards her in amazement. "What the hell?" Blasted her uncle "how's that possible?"

"She confessed to me last night" Anya explained "she said he was...different than what she had expected and she wanted to call it quits. She said he was.."

Devika approached her with a murderous look on her face "Enough is enough Anu!" She yelled "I didn't expect this from you". "I swear I'm telling the.." she didn't let her go on "Laksh was her choice, she chose him, when they met in London after their post graduation, you know that right?"