No Choice: You Were Always Mine

Akshara looked at the smiling devil in front of her, for some reason she felt her breath being s.u.c.k.e.d out of her. Samaiya always looked scarier when she didn't explode immediately out of anger.

Akshara thought of ways to appease her steaming sister, she could see the anger coming to low boil.

"Why do I have to let my mouth run without thinking. There is a saying, think before you speak, why is it so hard for me to follow." Akshara thought aloud, not realising that everything that she was thinking was being said clearly through her own mouth.

"Yes, even I want to know. Why is it so hard to think, for you?" Samaiya replied to Akshara's thoughts, in a cold tone.

Akshara gasped in surprise, "How do you know, what I was thinking? Impossible."

Samaiya felt even more annoyed at her sister's antics, her temper increasing. "Do you think it's cute, acting like a muddle head? FYI you were saying everything aloud moments ago so…"

The fear in Akshara grew, realising that her sister had reached the peak of her anger. "NO, I don't think I'm cute. I'm sorry about what I said, you were almost disowned, sorry."

Samaiya looked at her baby sis who was looking extremely cute as she pouted. "Oh' kay, I forgive you."

Akshara knew from the tone of her sister, the translation was, 'I'll take my sweet time to take my revenge.' Akshara sighed, she wished her sister was more normal and would just scold and shout at her, looks like she will have to be on the lookout for one of her sister's scheme.

Samaiya saw how easily Akshara got lost in her own thoughts. Seeing the distracted lady in front of her, an idea emerged in Samaiya's head. There was one thing that her sister hated so much that at times it would bring her tears. Samaiya lifted her hands slowly and walked slowly towards her sister.

Noticing her sister inching towards her, Akshara was awoken from her thoughts. She failed to dodge the first attack of tickles her sister gave her.

"Ahhh, stop I'm sorry. Hahaha, let me go! I hate you!" Akshara started squealing.

It was already late into the night, loud thumps and bangs were heard from the walls. Samaiya did not want to start a fight with her neighbours, she stopped tickling her sister.

Akshara was on the verge of tears, but thankfully Samaiya had stopped the torture.

The two girls spent their night gossiping. More like Akshara imagining how her sister would behave once she gets married.

Samaiya went to work with sweets in toll, she was getting married and would be telling her colleagues. Samaiya went to her boss' room first.

'Knock-knock'

"Come in." Her boss' voice was heard.

"Sir, I had something to discuss with you." Samaiya said as she entered the office, there was Indian classical music playing in the background.

"Tell me, what did you want to talk about." A deep voice said.

"I will be getting married; the date hasn't been set yet." Samaiya said, with a smile on her face.

"Oh congratulations, you will have to give everyone a dinner." Her boss said, cheerily.

"Of course, please take these sweets."

"Oh, thank you, my wife and children will enjoy it. Now back to work…"

Samaiya and her boss discussed about work, and the research they were doing.

From work, Samaiya directly went to her parents' house. Ishaan and his father would be coming to officially ask for her hand in marriage. They would also bring a Panditji to set the dates for the wedding and other ceremonies.

Samaiya entered her room, she changed into a Kurta. She didn't feel the need to wear a Saree but thought it would be respectful to wear at least traditional clothes. The Kurta she wore was a cream almost nude colour, with a bright splash of red and orange in the print. It came right below her knees, the slits at the side came up to her waist. There was big embroidery prints at the edge of her kurta, and at the end of her sleeves. The kurta was lined with the same colour as the print. She paired it with a simple red legging. She tied her hair into a bun, completing her look with a dangling pair of earrings.

She heard the doorbell ring, from the 2nd floor she saw that Ishaan had already come with his father. Her sister was seating them in the living room as her father started a conversation. She noticed Ishaan's wandering eyes, looking for her. This brought a small smile to Samaiya's lips.

Mr Agarwal saw the agitated man sitting in front of him, looking around.

"Do you like our house? You seem to be very engrossed in looking around the house." Mr Agarwal said, he decided to tease the man that was stealing his daughter from him.

"Huh." Ishaan was stumped at the question he was asked.

"Agarwalji, he likes a certain occupant more. He is probably looking for her." Mr Singh, Ishaan's father gave a boisterous laugh.

Samaiya saw Ishaan in an uncomfortable position, 'Time to save the day'. She thought to herself, as she walked down the stairs.

Ishaan finally saw the person he wanted to see for a long time. It had already been two days since they saw each other, he missed her, he was surprised at how she occupied most of his thoughts.

"Leave him alone daddy, is it necessary to bully him?" Samaiya spoke up at her father's weird habit.

"Why can't I? I'm your father, I need to test him, to see if he will be a good husband," Mr Agarwal said righteously.

"Ha-ha, it looks like she is defending her husband already." Mr Singh said, chuckling.

This made Samaiya blush, it looks like that today would be a day of endless teasing from her parents and future parent.

1. Ji- used as a respectful way of addressing someone.

2. Pandit- in Hindu culture, a saint, who performs various rituals. Like a Father in Christianity.