‘How could you do this to me?’ I demanded. ‘I’ve told you I’m not interested in getting married. And yet, you tried to ambush me like this? You know what? I’m glad I didn’t come.’
‘You’re twenty-five, Ananya! People are starting to talk—’
My pulse spiked. ‘Let them! This ismylife. Stop making decisions for me. I’m not a child.’
A moment of stunned silence. ‘You’ve changed. Mumbai has made you selfish.’
‘No,’ I ground out. ‘It’s made me realise that I can choose my own life. And a forced marriage is not it.’
Maa hung up without a word.
I was shaking with anger when I walked back into the living room.
How could she do this to me? Set me up like that and make me the villain?
Jai searched my face. ‘Everything okay?’
I pressed my lips together, nodding as I dropped onto the sofa and grabbed my laptop.
‘You’re upset,’ he murmured, sliding it out of my hands. ‘What happened?’
Our gazes met.He’s not going to give up.
‘Maa and I … argued.’ My throat felt tight. ‘My cousin Seema’s wedding was this weekend. I was supposed to go back home for it.’
His eyebrows furrowed.
‘But then this meeting came up, and I knew you’d want me to come along, so I didn’t tell you.’
‘You should have told me anyway,’ he said gently. ‘We could’ve worked something out.’
‘They set up a meeting for my marriage with someone.Behind my back.’ The words left a bitter taste on my tongue. ‘I’m glad I didn’t go.’
Maa and I loved each other, but we often clashed. I just didn’t expect this from Papa and Bhaiyya. The betrayal stung. ‘And the worst part is that they’re doing this because of “log kya kahenge”.’ My eyes prickled.‘They care more about what other people think than their own daughter’s happiness. It’s ridiculous.’
I expected judgement. Questions. But Jai was free of both, as always.
‘I’m sorry they did that.’ He gently brushed a lone tear off my cheek. ‘It’s manipulative, and they shouldn’t treat you like that.’ His voice had an edge I hadn’t heard in a long time. ‘You deserve better.’
‘Damn right I do,’ I mumbled, dragging in a trembling breath.
A faint smile formed on his face. ‘There you are.’ He watched me in a way I couldn’t quite interpret. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here. But I hate that you felt like you had to choose. Next time, just tell me. I could have done it myself.’
I arched a brow. ‘And risk Dadiji saying no?’
‘I would have figured out a way to make her say yes.’ He shrugged, his mouth quirking up. ‘I’m a charmer.’
‘Try convincing Dadiji of that.’
‘Please. I’ve convinced tougher critics than her.’
‘Like who?’
‘You,’ he said without missing a beat.
A laugh bubbled up my throat. I breathed a little easier.
Jai’s phone buzzed. A message notification from Sharanji.
