Ameeya's POV

"Did they reach?" Asked Nishit as he impatiently looked at his watch.

It was already 10 PM and "they" were supposed to reach by 8:30. As I tapped my recently manicured fingers impatiently at the polished glass surfaced, I could hear the impatient murmurs of the servers. I wondered if they would drive us out of the sports club. I hate people who would come late. And then waste others' time. But again, already a lot of time had already been wasted.

Hell, seven most precious years of my life were already wasted. Those years when I could have completed my higher education and followed my heart in writing? Those years when I could have stayed with papa (instead of marrying an abusive jerk) and fetched some more time with him until God took us away from him. Those years when I could have simply not  agreed to my parents' whims of marrying early. Those years when my in laws tortured me mentally while my husband refused to accept me as his wife after papa took his last breath. Already a lot of time had been wasted. Would it matter if it would take a few more hours?

Nishit, my younger brother hurriedly gave an order of tea to save us the embarrassment of not ordering anything. He excused himself to pick up call of my anxious mother. While he was away, the past painful months of my life flashed like a jolt of lightening, while the tears accompanied silently, dampening my cheeks which were already so used to getting drenched. Hardly three months had passed and I was subjected to the new torture.

"Mum, I don't want you to put any pressure on Ameeya. We have already made a mistake of marrying her with that barbarian. Now we need to give her some time."  I could hear my brother whispering into the phone, his voice as coherent as it could be. I heaved a sigh of relief. Agreed that I was a "divorcee". Agreed that the society was already judging me. Agreed that my education was incomplete and my life looked dark. But at least my family supported me. All my uncles and aunts stood by my side like rock.

"I got a call. They are here." Nishit tried to feign excitement as I got up and we went towards the entrance of the club. Since we were members, the guests would be allowed only with our permission.

In front of me, stood my cousin sister happily walking with her husband. And a tall gentleman with the face of serenity. That was Anant. The guy I was supposed to "see" for another arranged marriage....