CHAPTER 3

It feels weird to come back to the place you were born in after a very long time. It’s almost frightening – you don’t know what to expect and for some unknown reason, you feel like pushing yourself to impress people you don’t even know. Maybe that’s the thing about families. You want to shine in their good books even though you don’t know or even like them.

And that feeling alone terrifies me to an extent I can’t fathom.

After three tiring hours of drive, we arrive at the place at least Ananya and Meeta call their home – a white mansion that bathe in all it’s glory in the sunlight and truly gives off the vibes of the White House. The garden looks lush green with beautiful beds of roses growing in some sections and a grand fountain stands in the middle. The sight is sweet to my eyes.

I truly feel like a damn millionaire.

It is funny actually what a place could do to you.

I get out of the car, stretching my legs unladylike since I don’t spot my parents or chachu waiting for us in the entrance. Don’t blame me, I need to cherish these moments of utter freedom sometimes. It’s good for my health or I will go insane.

I adjust my kurti and then, look towards Ananya who simply stares at the building with a serious expression on her face. I might be close to her but I do not read minds. I just hope that she tells me what is going in her mind – hiding her feelings within herself is going to do her no good.

I sigh, we need to have a talk again.

She walks to me, spotting me stare at her, with a smile on her face.

“I don’t know what I am going to do now, but all I want you to do is please be quite around my parents. I know you hate this entire idea of the wedding and would very much like to say whatever is in your mind but this is done. There is no other option. I love you, sis, but our rebel ways end here. And today. I just want you to know that…if you ever find a way to get the hell out of all of this drama please do. You have potential so don’t waste it by getting married to a stranger. Pursue your dreams.” She says.

I am shocked – in the moments when I should be comforting her, she is returning the favour to me. I know what she means, she wants me to run away in the opposite direction as soon as I get a window. But what she doesn’t know is I am scared to do it. I have nowhere to go. My monthly salary at Blue Roses might be good enough but all my life I have lived with my parents. This change will terrify me. And as soon as I leave, they will snatch away my job since it was given to me by them.

How am I ever going to survive if I run away?

“Okay! Let’s go in!” Meeta announces behind us and we nod at her.

As I walk into the mansion it’s grandeur sends chills down my spine – how can something so beautiful harbour such ruthless family or say, people?

The marble floor shines against the light and the walls are beautifully decorated with paintings that look very expensive. Statues and flower vases spread in different portions of the room. An enchanting chandler hung on the ceiling – sunlight bouncing on through it and dancing on the walls of the entrance. It looked amazing.

Then, I heard the voice of my parents and like every other time, my entire body went on high alert. It was completely natural of me – I have to skip to a completely different personality when I was around my parents.

We look up to see our parents walking down the staircase – talking about something we couldn’t comprehend.

I couldn’t feel happy after seeing my parents. The smile simply didn’t form on my face as they grinned back at me. Like I said, there was something unnerving about this entire deal that I couldn’t get passed by. Maybe it was just my nerves.

“Namaste, chachu and chachi.” I greet my chachu and his wife.

They simply nod and smile in reply, so I guess they have more to discuss with Ananya than me. I turn to my parents, smile still not appearing on my face so I had to fake it.

“How are you, papa and ma?” I ask them.

“Very well with everything that’s going on. Your father’s sugar level too came out quite good last week and if he keeps up he can shamelessly enjoy all the sweets at the wedding. There are some good times ahead.” My mother replies.

“That’s great.” I reply, not knowing what to say. More than anything, I want to get out of here.

I just want to lie down on the soft bed that awaits me and sleep into oblivion.

I swear, I need my beauty sleep more than anything. I don’t care about the wedding – sleep is my top priority.

“Now, you girls get ready. The Jhakars will be there in an hour. Your mother has added new clothes to your wardrobe, so wear them. And be on your best behaviour. Both of you.” My chachu orders.

Great. It hasn’t been even ten minutes in this house and the boundaries have already started constructing. What’s next? Not allowed to talk anymore?

“Yes, papa. Sanaya, after me.” Ananya tells me.

In the mist of all this I had even forgotten about Meeta who, I don’t know how, had disappeared after greeting chachu and my parents. Great, the two of us are left to deal with the fire, alone.

Ananya takes me upstairs – most probably her room. Even though there are plenty of rooms in the mansion for sure, I and Ananya had decided to share her room, mainly because I hate sleeping in the dark alone. It just creeps me out and there is nothing I can do about it except of course, sharing the bed with someone else.

She opens her room – one of many in the line of exotic looking rooms. As I enter, I am left speechless.

The room looks extravagant - with baby pink walls and white marble furniture. The bed itself is king-sized with silk bedsheets that gives the entire room the feeling of a queen chamber.

I check the washroom attached to the room - it is bigger than our hostel room itself. With black marble tiles and a tub it is fit for a princess.

The princess here being Ananya. And maybe me.

And when Ananya opens her closet to bless my eyes with the most beautiful looking wardrobe, filled with the best of clothes from the most reputed brands I have only one thought going in my mind.

Maybe, staying here wasn't all.