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She looks away before meeting my gaze while her fists clench and unclench. The action makes me push aside my annoyance and really observe her. I notice the bags underneath her eyes and the stress lines bracketing her forehead. It’s a telltale sign of distress, and I become concerned.
“What’s going on?” I probe softly.
Soft brown eyes—the exact replica of mine and our mother’s—meet mine, and her head tilts sideways as she explains, “I need you to marry first so I can marry Aryan, Bee. I want to start a family with him, and I can’t unless you do. Papa will never agree to my marriage until the eldest daughter of the family does. Don’t even think of cajoling me, because we both know it’s the harsh truth.”
I’m stunned into silence. I didn’t see that coming from a mile away.
Unfortunately, she’s also right. Our father would be absolutely against it. If he allows her, we’ll be the center of hot gossip among our extended family. It’s a sure fire way to make him go ballistic.
“Why so soon, though, Ari? You’re still young,” I can’t help but argue weakly.
“Aryan isn’t,” she confesses in a torn voice. “His parents are pressuring him and I can’t lose him, especially when I want the same. He can only hold them off for so long before he has to make a choice.”
My heart hurts at her dilemma and my hands sweat as I desperately think of a solution. I more than anyone understand the pressure, but still, I can’t just agree.
Because firstly, it’s insane. And secondly, who the hell am I going to marry?
It certainly won’t be the man my parents pick. They wouldn’t know the first thing about what I’m looking for in my partner. Though, they might say otherwise.
At the same time, I also can’t stand in the way of my sister’s happily ever after. Is that why she’s been distancing herself from me all this time?
“Ari.”
Closing the distance, she sits down beside me and takes my hand in hers. Squeezing it desperately with tears shining in her eyes, she pleads, “I know I’m being completely selfish for asking a lot from you, Bee, but please think about it. I’m not saying you have to do it right away. Just don’t be so closed off to the idea because, who knows, maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams. I still believe the part of you that always yearned for love is still inside of you, no matter how hard you try to bury it.”
It’s my turn to look away, because her words hit too close. Was I that obvious? I want to deny that it isn’t true. I want to say she’s wrong and that I don’t have my heart closed off. But it’ll be a big fat lie.
The truth—my past—is an even harder pill to swallow.
Because no matter how hard we try, we could never let go of our past. It always has a hold on us, whether happy or painful, big or small. It shapes you into who you are, and so has mine.
I gave my heart to someone with my whole being, only for it to be carelessly thrown aside. Ever since then, I’ve been guarding the broken pieces. It took me months to finally let go, enough to cherish the other good things in my life. I learned my lesson and it was ugly.
Love is a curse and heartbreak is its penance.
Until today, my decision never bit me in the ass and had me wishing differently. I’m not okay knowing it’s affecting Arya, whom I can’t bear to hurt. I can’t be the cause of her heartbreak. It’s the one thing I despise the most.
So even though I have no clue on how to help her, I still nod and smile encouragingly. “I’ll give it a thought. I promise you’ll get your wedding like you’ve always dreamt, Ari.”
Jumping in excitement, she stands and wraps her arms around me while chanting, “Thank you, Bee. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She pulls back and the blinding smile on her face has me in a chokehold. It’s the one I haven’t seen in years pointed at me. She always brought out my elder sister's instincts to protect and love her unconditionally. Now, I must find a way to not break my promise.
Even if I have to sacrifice my own future.
Chapter Two
BIANCA
ROSA: We’re going out.
ROSA: Wear something sexy.
My best friend’s texts came just at the right moment. I desperately needed the biggest distraction I could find after the bomb my sister dropped. So without any questions asked, I said yes and went into my closet to pick my most daring dress.
I want to forget that I have a big decision to make ahead of me. A decision that will change my entire world. Something I’m far from prepared for.
