Hope

Welcome! (Not)

Ananya finally arrived to the new city, the city of dreams, where she would be starting her new life, at a new place, with a new family. She wasn't excited, but was still looking forward towards what this new future had in store for her.

When she entered the house, she looked around to see how big the house was and to her surprise, her expectations didn't really meet with the reality that was in front of her, because according to Rahul's aunt, the family was very well to do, but what she saw, left her in utter shock. The house only had two bedrooms, a hall combined with living area/dining area, and a small kitchen, with a small lawn. This house was at least three times smaller than her own house, and she thought to herself that if the house only had two bedrooms, then where did everyone else sleep?

Interrupting her thoughts, Sanaya came to her and offered her help to get changed and settled. She took Ananya to her room, which she shared with Rahul, Vidhi and Vidhaan, but since Vidhi and Vidhaan used to accompany their parents to their foreign trips, and Rahul was mostly engrossed in his job, she had the room to herself. As Ananya started to change her clothes, Sanaya decided to have a conversation with her.

"Ananya, there are some things that you need to know about this family. I need you to get familiarised with our family equation and how things works in this house", Sanaya said.

"Sure, go on",

"First things first, always try to steer clear of our step mother, she isn't exactly a nice person and it is almost impossible to have a conversation with her unless she wants to talk to you",

"Wait, stepmother?", Ananya gasped and sat on the bed processing what she just heard.

"Umm yeah? I thought you already knew about all that?",

"Hell no! Your aunt just painted a very fancy picture in all our minds about how great everyone in this family is, how well-to-do all of you are and how this would be my best shot at happiness!", Ananya half yelled.

"Okay, I just thought I would tell you about how things worked in the family since its obviously complex but I guess I'll have to start all over, from the very beginning", 

And then Sanaya explained how Ishika, Avika and Rahul were her real siblings where else Vidhi and Vidhaan belonged to the stepmom. She explained how the stepmom gets different groceries for everyone. They were not supposed to even touch the expensive rice or butter, and could only eat the stuff which was of lower quality, because everything "good" would first go to her kids and husband, then her, and then Sanaya and others, could have the leftovers.

She explained to Ananya why her father re-married, why he went to abroad, and why was their living position like this. And she instructed Ananya to not cook anything unless Sanaya is there to guide her because stepmom would just explode if she came to know that she used something she wasn't supposed to. Also, unless she can afford, hide and eat fruits by herself, forget about even looking at them because they were way off limits for the "outcasts". 

Ananya couldn't believe whatever she was hearing, and she could just feel tears brimming in her eyes and terror growing in her heart. She already sensed that something was wrong, but she thought that once they'll get to know her, she wouldn't have to face the hardships again. That maybe, if her mother-in-law took a liking to her, she would stop being so mean to her and her parents but boy was she wrong.

Sanaya could see that Ananya was beginning to get scared so she tried to calm her down. 

"Its okay, it's not all that bad as it appears. We have our moments of happiness too, and the best part is that Rahul has already rented out an apartment for the both of you, so you wouldn't have to keep up with this all the time. At least you'll be able to sleep peacefully at night", she rubbed Ananya's back and Ananya returned a bleak smile.

"Okay then, as soon as you're ready let me know, I'll come and get you, long day ahead. Everyone would like to meet you so make sure you look happy, okay?",

Sanaya left the room, leaving Ananya and her thoughts alone. Ananya wanted to cry her heart out. She missed her loving parents, she missed her home. She was among a bunch of strangers where no one specially liked her, and she knew that her life would only become living hell soon, but she somehow managed to gather the last shreds of courage and prepared herself to step out and greet everyone politely.

When she got ready, she walked out of the room where all the guests and neighbours were waiting to see her and meet her, she couldn't find Rahul anywhere. Sanaya told her that everyone wants to meet her and not Rahul so he has no business being here, maybe he went to the apartment to get everything ready and gave her an understanding nod. She then sat on a couch where everyone would come and greet her one by one and compliment her looks, telling her how beautiful she was.

Ananya couldn't really bear all the artificial compliments given by the guests and the facial expressions that her stepmother had on her face and just wanted for all of this to end so that she could go to her actual house, to where Rahul was. Finally, the events came to an end and it was now the stepmother's turn to put on a show for Ananya to see.

She had already been spreading rumours about Ananya ever since the wedding got fixed that the girl would be very cunning since she is so educated, she would wrap Rahul around her fingers and would try to rule the house. She would be very rude and the house culture wouldn't be good enough for her. She wouldn't know how to cook, and would always boast about her qualifications. Stepmother went as far as to instigate Rahul that he would never be good enough for Ananya since she would any day earn way more than he does, given her qualifications, and then she will always look down on him, treating him exactly like how he deserved, nothing.

As Ananya prepared to pack her things in order to go with Rahul, the stepmother commented,

"What are you even packing? Its not like you brought heaps of gold and diamonds from your home",

Ananya stayed silent, it's okay, it's okay, it's going to be okay, she kept repeating in her head.

"Oh? So I can't even expect a response from you now? Tell me? What exactly are you packing?",

"Uhm, just my clothes that I changed when I came here and arranging some of the things I'll need for the night", she hesitantly replied.

"Really now? And what exactly do you need? You're trying to seduce my son already? Trying to get on his good side so that you can kick me out of his life yeah? Is that what you're planning?",

"No, it's nothing like that, I was just looking for my comfortable clothes so that I don't have to empty my whole suitcase over there", Ananya explained.

"Yeah sure, as if you are that innocent and made of pure white silk fabric. Also, keep your back talk to yourself, I will not tolerate it in my house", stepmom stated.

Ananya almost had her share of insults and comments, she just wanted to leave as soon as possible and was waiting for Rahul to return and take her with him.

Just on cue, the doorbell rang and Sanaya opened the door. It was Rahul. Ananya could feel her smile creeping up on her face, but Rahul didn't look that happy, he just stated,

"If you're ready then we'll leave. We'll come here tomorrow early morning",

He told his stepmother to which she just shrugged and commented on how Ananya is a princess anyway, she might as well hurry up to her castle and then Rahul and Ananya both left.

Ananya finally took a breath of fresh air and as soon as she was starting to get a little comfortable with Rahul, she found out that Rahul's cousin brother will also be staying the night with them at his place.

Ananya was again left shocked, surprised and confused. She thought that this was supposed to be their night, the very first one, what business would his cousin have with them, staying at their apartment. She couldn't bring herself to question Rahul so she just nodded and kept quiet.

When they reached the house, it was a one bedroom apartment with a hall and a small kitchen. Rahul instructed her to keep her things in the bedroom while he sat with his cousin in the living room.

She changed into something comfortable and was about to hit the bed when she overheard Rahul saying, "I hate her".

Somehow Ananya knew that he was talking about her but again, she couldn't bring herself to question him, so she just sobbed herself to sleep, hoping for a better tomorrow.