I rushed towards the washroom and tried to stop the running tears. My parents can't know. Karthick can't know. Nobody can know.

I tried to assess the damage Veer has already done. I felt shortness of breath and felt excruciating pain when taking a big breath. Definitely a cracked rib.

Bruises had already started to appear. Few nail scratch marks in my waist where he put his hand to hold me tight in position.

Veer's disgusting smile came to my mind. I remember how he enjoyed my pain and every tear that escaped my eyes.

How did I end up in this situation again?

How long can I hold his abuse this time?

I am fearing this is just a start and he is nowhere finished with me. I have to be strong – for the sake of my family.

I took the paper towel nearby and rubbed away the smudging kajal. Just as I finished. There was a knock on the door.

"Just a minute" I said and tried to fix my face somewhat. My body felt sore. It hurt even to take few steps to the door.

I opened the door and saw the least expected person. I tried to walk past him but felt a tug at my wrist. For a moment all I wanted to do was throw myself into his arms and let him protect me from the monster. But I can't do it. I can't be selfish. Remember my whole family in on the line?

Aatharva pulled me back into the washroom and locked the door. I can't break down now. I have more skeleton's than dresses hanging in my closet. I can't let him know that.

I need to push him away.

"What are you doing?" I hissed. He took predatory steps towards me and I walked back to hit the platform.

"What the f*ck you are ..." He walked to me and kept his forefinger over his lips signaling to keep quiet. I kept my hand on his chest to stop him from leaning towards me more.

His other hand came close to my face. I flinched back. He looked hurt.

He would never physically hurt me. I know. It was a in-voluntary response.

Aatharva lifted my chin and made me look at him. I am afraid that he could see through me.

"You looked happy outside" He said and I could faintly smell alcohol.

For a minute I pictured this scene would be different.Nada.

He was here because of his overwhelming pain / jealously of seeing me with someone not because he found me acting different.

Nothing changed same old Aatharva innocent of not knowing what really is going on with me and drowning in his own pool of self-pity and pain.

"I am feeling HAPPY Aatharva! It was not an act." I corrected his sentence wiping the tears away and moved apart.

"So you are back with your multi-talented doctor boyfriend, I see" He said with a smirk. I felt like a bucket of freezing water was dumped on me.

"What do you want from me now?" I said directly jumping into the matter. I can't hold much longer with him throwing hurtful words at me. He swayed and moved around. I could see how pained he was.

"Come with me" He said and my eyes widened.

"Oh now you want me to runaway with you. Leaving all this behind?" I asked and he looked pissed.

"Then what is the course of action - you will marry me?" I asked and laughed.

"Yes if that what you want-A legal paper stating we are together"

"See this is the difference between us. Your poor thoughts on marriage and realationship is what pushed us away in first place. God how did I even develop feelings for a guy like you?" I yelled.

"True I don't care about a sheet of paper validating us. But I care about the person I am still in love with." He said.

"Love? GOD! Don't pull jokes Aatharva. This is not the time. You were always scared of commitments what changed overnight? You are feeling jealous? If so drink some more alcohol and get over me"

I said.

"Don't do this Aakrithi" Aatharva called my full name that happens only he is desperate for something. He pulled me into a hug.

"Even if I marry you, you can never make me happy. Is that what you want?" I asked and he released the hug. My heart hurted so much. I walked out of the washroom with a sad smile and broken heart.

***

Then I spotted the squad five members in the garden. I walked to them.
"Look who is engaged the little brat of mine" Cheered Ashok.

"I am happy that she can no longer rule our asses!"
Aishwin chimed in and yearned a smack from me.

"Now who would call in middle of nights just for a tub of ice cream?"
Chided Karthick.

"I literally hate you guys!"
I gloated.

"Aww...come here you little Krithi don't whine like a baby"
Shiva said and gave me a big hug.

"You're happy right?" Shiva cried and looked at me.
I guess I should be.

But before I could answer him I was dragged by the girls.

"Yay! I am so happy for you Krithi" Diya chuckled and gave me a cheek kiss.

"Show me your ring Krithi...don't be shy!"
Karunya said with a glass of wine in her hand.

"That looks great!" Aadhira pipped in.

"Don't lie Aadhira that does not look like a engagement ring that looks like he got that from a dollar shop. There are so many beautiful designs for my girl why this? He has a very bad taste.." Karunya said and all the smiles went down.

"Karunyaaa!"
Aishwin called her name in a warning tone.

Karunya sometimes can be truthful as hell. She would seem like a rude person but deep under down she is a pure angel.

"Aishwin it's fine"
I said and smiled genuinely.

"Come here.." Suddenly Kayal dragged me out. A few metres away from the squad.

"Did you see Aatharva? He is here" Kayal whispered.

"Yah I did " I gurgled.

"He looks like he ate horse shit from yesterday" Kayal said.

"I don't care Kayal. I am trying to move on from him, can we not speak about him again?"
I seethed. She passed me a sad smile and walked back to Shiva. Shit I was rude!

***

Soon it was time for the royal affair. The Engagement dinner.

Lalit Doss my future father-in-law got the microphone from the working staff as everyone started to sit in their allotted seats.

Lalit Doss is an state minister for Transport and a business magnet in Thoothkudi. The rumour says that he will contest in for the chief-minister position soon. He owns a textile industry, Hospital and many pharmaceutical drugs production units under the name DOSS.

Today his only son VEER is getting engaged so he has invited leading industrialists and politicians around the country.

He first thanked everyone for their presence and making this function significant. He even went a step ahead calling few names of his investors in his business and thanked them personally.

"Why is my little birdy quiet?"

Veer's question brought me back to reality. His hands slowly traced over my thigh in seductive manner. I tried not to struggle. If I did he would try to do more than tracing.

"Where is your lover boy huh? Busy with another girl?"

He passed me a glass of wine taunting me. He enjoyed every minute of it. I could see in in his eyes.

My future father-in-law was praising about his son supererogatory.
His great son Dr.Hariveer is one of the best internal medicine specialist in the country. Blah..Blah..Blah.
Feels like my head would burst out anytime soon with the bullshit I am hearing. I felt immense pressure on me.

God I can't have a meltdown today give me more patience.

Once the speech was over the guests were served dinner.

"Can we finalize on the date for wedding falling next week?" Lalit Doss asked.

"Lalit I think Aakrithi needs some time before the .."
Before dad could finish his sentence mom was like.

"Ahaan, Doss brother I also thought about the same thing. Next week Friday is an auspicious day I consulted a pandit and confirmed the same." My mom interrupted my dad.

So it was set. My wedding is in 7 days. My mother went ahead and discussed about booking halls, catering team and photographers.

Honestly it was nothing I didn't expect knowing our company is in verge of dying and we need the merger soon.

***

Next day morning by 9 a wedding planner named Mindy was standing at my door to discuss further about the dress, cakes and wine preference. All I wanted to do a tiktok video with a famous song influencers use these days 'And it went like...'

11 am- I have already tried million dresses and mom didn't like a single one.

1pm- I have ate like 7 flavours of cake and mom was not satisfied with any of them.

4pm- Have tried like 100 footwear and mom could not find that one perfect Cinderella pair of heels for me.

8pm- The makeup artist has tried 14 different hairstyles and Mom was not yet pleased.

10pm- I reached home and crashed into my bed. I can't not even think of what they are planning for me tomorrow.

Just then a message arrived.

Veer: Birdy we have a pre-wedding photoshoot tomorrow. Pack some naughty dresses for me, will you?

My blood drained. I need to escape. At the least for temporarily.

There was a knock on my door. I sat straight and wiped my tears out.

"You didn't sleep yet baby?" It was dad.

I covered the distance and hugged him tight. I let my tears out. My sobs were compelling.

"I don't want to go through this" I said and he hummed.

I wanted to say I didn't want this marriage. Veer was the one who broke me. He harassed me. Abused me. But I could not. I won't.

"I know baby. I found you a gateway" He said and I looked at him confused.

"Here is the flight ticket. Pack your bags and leave Coimbatore. I will manage everything here" He said.

"How did you know?"

"I have known for a long time" My dad said confidently. 

*** 

I am taking a break for a week. My internals are approaching I need to concentrate on the them. Sorry.