It was quiet in my room. My face was lying flat on the edge of the bed while i sat with my legs swayed to one side on the floor. A tear trickled down my cheek, from my eyes which didn't even blink.

The pain of separation from Jasprit and the fear of the union with Abhi seemed to make my heart rattle.

I go to the bathroom and vomit.

Shefali rubs my back as I sit back on my bed.

"Shanaya. If you don't mind me saying, I think it's best to forget him." She says softly.

I don't respond.

"The way he broke the hug, how he left... I don't think he wanted to be in a relationship anyway."

I had never thought of this. Perhaps he's making up an excuse to get away from me, to find a new victim, a new girl. He's bored of me, my situation, my problems, my burdens. My responsibility. Perhaps he's a coward trying to run away from Abhi. All sorts of things came into my mind.

I sigh. "I think you might be right."

"Shanaya. You can't travel alone like this. You need someone to help you. I can't trust you like this. I'm coming with you to India."

Before I could say anything, a person stepped into my room.

"No need for that Shalu." The male voice boomed.

Abhi. Fuck.

"What do you want?" Shalu runs up to the door quickly, trying to shut it before he could come closer however he pushes her to the side, coming towards me.

"Perhaps a peaceful flight back to India. First class." He says huskily, holding up two boarding tickets.

I try to snatch it out of his hand, but he ends up grabbing my wrist.

"Not so fast, darling. We have a 9 hour flight to do all sorts of things tomorrow." He looks at my wrist and strokes it. I wince at his touch, fearful of whether he might whip out a knife and cut me.

"Shanaya?" My mom's voice could be heard behind the door.

I use this opportunity to fling my wrist out of his grip and run to the door, and see my mom.

"Mum!" I say, hugging her.

"Abhi dear, have you packed your bags?" She asks him, with a tone of worry in her voice.

"I will soon, Aunty." He says all sweetly.

"Okay. You all can leave. I need to talk to you Shanaya." She steps into the room.

Shalini and Abhi step out, and I see Shalini quickly lock her door through the doorway.

"Beta." She takes my hand and we sit down on the bed.

"I know you're not happy."

I look away, afraid to cry. We sit in silence.

"You know I - I didn't sleep with anyone, mum. I just said that so dad would change his mind." I whisper.

She looks like she's crying. "I know."

"I'm so so sorry. I cannot even marry my daughter to someone of her choice. Please forgive me if you can." She takes my hands and gives them a kiss.

I suddenly think of Abhi's abuse and open my mouth fast to tell her, until a knock interrupts me.

My mum opens it and there's my dad, the last person I want to see.

"So we're ready?" He says enthusiastically.

Me and mum exchange looks.

"Yes." She says. 

"I need to talk to you about Abhi." I say quickly.

"Not now not now, me and your mum are going for dinner with his parents. Later." My dad paces out of my room quickly with my mum at his side.

I try to run after them. "But listen - he abused me!" I cry. In vain.

The lift had already gone.