"What do you mean I was gifted to you?"
"It is not good to eavesdrop but you heard it right. You are a gift that was forcefully imposed on me."
"Y-You... are.... lying..."
"Am I? You know what? Gift is a very fancy term for you. 'Trash' suits you be...
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I was waiting for my friends when mom came in my room. She sat beside me on the bed and took my hands in hers. She didn't say anything and just stared at me like I would evaporate if she blinked.
"I love you, Reyna," she said and gave my hands a gentle squeeze.
"I love you too, ma," I replied.
She let out a huge breath and blinked her eyes to avoid the unshed tears from falling down. She quickly wiped her eyes and I also got emotional. I hugged her and she patted my back soothingly.
"We only want the best for you, beta. We won't hurt you," she said in a low voice.
"I know, ma but isn't it too soon? I want to get a job and see the world. I won't get to do that if I got married," I whined.
"Who said you won't be able to do that? I will talk to him and his family. I have already started planning out everything and I know your dad won't say it but he really loves you, Reyna."
I backed away a bit from her and crossed my arms across my chest. I shut my eyes close and focused on the centre of my eyes. It helped me from not going back in the past memories. Mom didn't disturb me and let me be before I opened up my eyes again and looked at her.
Tears were rolling down her cheeks and she had placed a palm on her mouth to not make any sound. She always cried silently; like silence was her best friend.
"Don't cry, ma. I don't like to see you cry."
"Then please say yes to this marriage, beta. I am not forcing you or anything. I am just always worried about you and thinking about who will take care of you after us. You are my precious baby, na? Won't you fullfill your mamma's wish?" she asked as she wiped her tears.
"But ma, I don't know him. He is so rich and famous. He belongs to a completely different world. We are no match." I played with the pallu of her saree.
"How dare you belittle our Reyna?"
Mom and I turned to see Upasana and Keerti who were standing in my room's doorway. They both entered the room and plopped down beside me on either side. They were supposed to come in one hour but they took two hours to arrive here and wouldn't stop complaining that they didn't get to meet Yuvaan.
I rolled my eyes at them. They and their fangirling. They consoled mom and assured her that they would talk to me and she didn't need to worry about me.
"And you Reyna. What do you mean you are no match for Yuvaan Raichand? Though I am a bit of jealous but I will let you have him," Keerti joked and mom slapped her shoulder playfully.
"Ya, man. At least tell us how this whole thing happened? How did Yuvaan Raichand came to your house and asked for your hand for marriage? Aunty, you tell us," Upasana asked excitedly.
"Well, I don't know much but Reyna's dad informed me about it yesterday. I wasn't sure and didn't believe him but when Yuvaan himself came today, all of my doubts got cleared," mom explained.
