Chapter 3

• "Sir, you...calledt?". I asked, stuttering.
• "Sit," he said, pointing towards the opposite chair. I sat, and he sat opposite to me.
• I looked down, rubbing my sweaty palms as I was getting nervous in front of him.
• "So your mother told you to marry me, huh?" He asked, and my eyes shot up as I looked at him, then looked down, nodding my head.
• "So what is your decision?" He asked, and I still looked down, rubbing my sweaty palms.
• His hard voice and his glare at me were making me nervous.
• "Sharanya, you don't need to get scared of me. I won't eat you," he said, and my eyes shot up at his handsome face.
• He said to me, "Take a deep breath and calm yourself," and after taking a deep breath, I started ranting. God help me in my mind.
• "My mom is forcing you, right? There are some other reasons. " He still questioned me. I was tongue-tied. I fisted the side of my skirt and stood up, trying to gather some confidence.
• I have to do this for Maa.
• "No.. no one is for..cing me.. sir, I am ready for this marriage." I said, stuttering a little bit while his expression was worth watching.
• I had to do this after what had happened in the morning.
• "Huh what?" He also got up from his seat, and my heartbeat quickened as he took two steps towards me.
• "I know you are lying. Listen, sharanya, if there is any problem, then tell me. I'll help you. You don't need to do this forced marriage I discovered you excelled in your 12th exam and desired to study in a good college; I will assist you in gaining admission to one of the best colleges. Don't ruin your life like this," he advised. I could feel the honesty in his tone while I tried hard not to cry in front of him.
• "At the very least say something," he grumbled.
• I gulped the lump which had formed in my throat, and looked at him. "You don't need to take tension about me, sir. I am ready for this marriage. If you don't want to marry me, then you can say no to lekha mam." I said in a go and turned to leave, but he was fast. He caught my wrists, jerking me towards himself.
• "You are spoiling your life in your own hands, Sharanya," he said while I was struggling to remove my hand from his clutches.
• "Leave me," I said, but his hold tightened around my wrist.
• Damn, it was so painful it would surely leave marks.
• "Let go of my hand", this time I shouted. "If you are having a problem marrying me, then just go and say this to your mom about it because I don't have any problem marrying you." Wow, from where I got this courage to shout at him..he was shocked and his grip loosened around my wrist. Run Sharanya Run.
• I ran out of the terrace, crossing the staircase. I ran out of the store and straight away went to my small home.
• I was done with all this. I need to calm myself down first.
• Why this complicated life, God?
• "Sharanya baby, are you home?" I heard mom's voice. She was sitting on the bed silently.
• "Are you fine? Is your head aching anymore? " I asked, cupping her cheeks.
• "I am fine. Sit with me for a while," she said, and I nodded, sitting beside her.
• "Are you sure about your decision?" She asked me
• "I am 100% sure, mom," I said with a fake smile plastered on my face.
• "Don't do this for me, Sharu.. don't ruin your life," mom said, her eyes welling up."You have so many dreams, Baccha, please don't destroy everything for me."
• "Mom, don't cry, please, it's not good for your health," I said, wiping her tears.
• I tried to sound enthusiastic.
• "From when you started thinking about a luxurious life and luxury things, Sharanya, stop lying to me. I am your mother." she scolded.
• "Ughh maa, leave all this, I am so hungry. Let's have lunch," I said, trying to divert the topic.
• ____________________________
• It's already 1.am night. I tried to sleep, but sleep was far away from my eyes. I said yes to this marriage. I knew this marriage would be my destruction. I was helpless. Now Neil would hate me or more than hate me.
• Yesterday I was sure in my decision that I wouldn't be going to marry him, but today everything changed.
• Flashback..
• I came out after taking a shower and started wiping my hair, humming softly. Mom went out to buy some groceries.
• Just then, I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to find Lekha ma'am.
• When I said, "Mam..you're" seeing her, I became nervous.
• "At least let me in," she said, and it gave her the place to step in.
• "You don't want to marry Neil because he is already married, right?" She asked, and I looked here and there.
• "Here, see this," she said, and handed me a few papers.
• My eyes widened as it was the divorce papers of Neil Sir and his wife, and it already had their sign.
• "I made them sign it, though they didn't know about it," she said, and I looked at her.
• Sharanya, you just have to marry him and nothing else. You'll be getting all the luxury and everything, but this marriage will be a secret, "she said," and I still shook my head no.
• "Why are you doing this, mam? "They didn't even know that you made them sign these papers," I muttered.
• "What is your problem, Sharanya?" "Lekha mam said, and before I could respond, Mama intervened."
• "Lekha mam you here." Mama was amused, seeing her. I took the carry bags from mama's hand and placed them aside.
• Lekha ma'am told Maa that she wanted me to marry Neil, sir, and then I heard Ma's painful voice as she sat on the bed, clutching her head.
• "Maa maa, what happened?" I asked, and she looked up, making my eyes widen as her nose was bleeding.
• I quickly took the handkerchief off and wiped the blood, and she passed out.
• Shit, now what to do?
• God help me.
• "Maa, wakeup maa." I patted her cheeks, but she didn't reply.
• I sprinkled some water on her eyes; still she didn't respond.
• "I will help her Lekha Mam said, "Just say yes, she will be fine. I will do her treatment in one of the best hospitals."
• "I don't need your help," I said to her, and picked up my phone to call the doctor.
• "No doctors will help you," Lekha Mam said, smirking.
• I called the doctor, and as she said, no one was ready to come and check on my mama.
• "Say yes, Sharanya, if you want to save your mother," Mom said again.
• Now I have no choice left. I had to say yes if I wanted to save my mother.
• "I am ready for it," I said, and tears escaped from my eyes.