Anya kept herself busy the next day. As it was the sangeeth night, there were lot of preparations to be done. Flowers were being decorated on the walls, and the ceiling was adorned with colourful chandeliers.

And there were lots of guests pouring in. Anya had to take their sniding comments but she kept quiet just for her mother.

"What about you dear?" An old lady, probably her uncle's relative asked her as she passed by "when are you trying the knot?"

Anya gave a fake smile "very soon aunty". The lady nodded, without any pleasantness "heard about your father, cancer was it?"

Anya had to control her anger "it was cardiac arrest actually". The nearby ladies looked up to listen intently "that's equally bad, he must have died very painfully" the older lady gasped "to lose a father at a crucial time can be very painful".

"We're managing okay" Anya replied, wishing she could evaporate from the spot. "So much money spent for the surgery, they should have revived him" the older lady wouldn't stop.

Anya smiled faintly "excuse me"
and walked away without waiting for the response. How much was she going to take? She couldn't stand one bit here.

"Anu!" Her mother came searching for her, finding her in one of the bedrooms "what are you doing here? I want you to start packing Riya's clothes in the trolley bag".

Anya wiped her face and nodded silently. "What's wrong Anu?" Sarita asked, noticing her daughter's changed expression. "We don't belong here maa!" Anya cried on her shoulders "I want to go home!"

"Oh God!" Her mother patted her "fine! Tomorrow night after the wedding rites, we'll go straight home". Anya looked at her mother in disbelief "really? What about badi maa?"

"I'll tell her you don't have leave" Sarita smiled at her "but two days you have to ignore people and be happy, can you do that?" Anya nodded, feeling a lot better now. "Okay, wash your face and go start packing" her mother said.

Anya went to her cousin's room, slowly unlocking the door. It was beautifully decorated with imported furniture and dimly lit scented candles.

There was a photograph kept on the cushion table. Anya took it and saw that it was Riya with her fiancee Laksh. It was probably taken during their engagement, she thought as she saw the happy couple smiling widely at the camera.

There was something written on the corner in italics. Raksh, Anya read, slightly snorting. They even made a shipping name, she thought amused.

She looked at the groom, he was very good looking with a small dimple flashing on his right cheek. He looked nice to her.

"Anu?" Riya came behind her while she opened her cupboard "what's up?"

"I...maa asked me to pack your things" Anya smiled at her, keeping the photograph back on the table. "So how's he?" Riya asked, sitting on the huge king size bed.

"He's great!" Anya said, feeling awkward that Riya caught her watching the photograph "you look good together". To her surprise, Riya didn't look as cheerful as she had expected.

"Yeah he's okay though" she winced. "What's wrong Riya?" Anya couldn't help but ask. Riya smiled suddenly "nothing, did you see the watches yet?"

"You sounded different when you spoke about him, is everything alright?" Anya asked again. Her cousin might have been a snob, but Anya still cared.

"Anu" Riya called her "I don't know, sometimes I feel he's...different". Anya stared at her, unable to understand "what way?"

"He acts possessive and demanding, like he owns me" Riya said "he even forced me to...you know" he eyes were downcast.

Anya couldn't believe it! The guy who had such a sweet smile could be a monster, she thought wistfully. Even her mother was charmed by him "he's such a gentleman Anu!" Sarita had cheered, once she was back from the engagement "didi is very lucky to get such a respectful son in law".

Anya wondered if they knew his real colours "why don't you tell your parents? Did he molest you?" She asked, fearing for her cousin.

"Not like that, but he suggested we be...intimate" Riya explained "but I didn't want to, not before marriage".

"Oh God!" Anya gasped "you have to tell badi maa, you must!" She held her hand. Riya shook her head, "so I've decided to meet him and call off the wedding".

Anya didn't know what to say, she could never realize how her cousin must have felt "did he agree to meet you?"

"Yes, therefore you must help me Anu!" Riya groaned "you have to come with me".

Anya shrugged "but how are we getting out? There are so many people here".

"I have a plan, don't worry" Riya smiled at her "everything will be fine. Are you with me?" She extended her hand.

Anya thought about the risks involved, she wanted to help her cousin "okay" she nodded.

            ◇◇◇◇◇◇
"But why do you want to go now?" Devika wasn't relenting "in the midst of these functions?"

"Please mama" Riya pleaded "I need to go to the salon now, there's this last minute make over. Besides, Anya is coming with me, aren't you? She glanced at her cousin. Anya gave a small nod, her heart pounding faster.

Devika glared at her "haven't you had enough of curling and straightening?"
"It's okay didi" Sarita intervened on her behalf "let them go, anyway the sangeeth is in the evening, they'll come back soon".

"Yeah of course!" Riya beamed at her aunt "we'll be back very soon". Devika looked uncertain but nodded "I want you home within an hour".

They left along with their driver, Riya looking excited but Anya wasn't. She kept glancing at her cousin "aren't you scared? You're just going to break like a thousand rules!"

Riya laughed "I know!" She shrugged "trust me, I am nervous, it's just I feel so light breaking my engagement you know, it feels so right now".

Anya wasn't so sure "what if he doesn't take things so easily? There are so many obligations tied around both of you". Riya stopped smiling "would you rather I married that chauvinist abuser?"she snapped.

"No of course not!" Anya hastily added "what I mean is, just make sure you don't break your parents' heart".

"I won't!" Said Riya, gazing out of the window "they'll understand". They didn't speak further till they reached the shopping centre.

"Wait on the parking lot!" She informed the driver "we'll call you once we're done". The driver nodded and drove away as they walked towards the entrance.

"Anu!" Riya called out "I'm..going to meet Laksh, I'll be back after sometime, I want to be alone with him...it wouldn't be nice if he sees you with me". Anya clapped her shoulder "yeah, I understand, I'll wait for you in the food court".

Riya hugged her "actually why don't you go to the salon and get hair spa done? We wouldn't actually be lying now, isnt it?" She winked.

Anya smiled "alright". She made her way towards the second floor, onto the salon while Riya walked towards the other end giving a thumbs up sign at her.

Anya felt relaxed after the hair spa treatment, the massage clearly had calmed her senses. After almost an hour had passed and Riya hadn't called, she realized with apprehension.

She called her number but to her utter dismay, the phone was switched off. Panicking now, she tried calling again and again but in vain. She called their driver, asking him if Riya had already been there.

"Memsaab's not here" the driver said "badi memsaab called me, she asked to hurry up". Anya hung up, feeling anxious. Where was she? She roamed the mall, trying to find her cousin but there was no sign of her, not even on the food court or the Galleria.

Three hours had passed and still there was no sign of her. What might have happened to her? Anya thought, as fear crept to her. What if he did something to her? She could hardly breathe.

After what seemed to be an eternity, she walked back to the parking lot where the car was parked. "Where's choti memsaab?"the driver asked, confused.

"Um..she's left already.." Anya blabbed, sitting on the backseat "let's go".

She couldn't believe it! Riya was missing and she was all alone. Maybe she's already left home, Anya hoped. Please let her be home, she kept praying fervently as they reached the gate.

"Where the hell have you been?" Devika rushed to her, "and where's Riya?"

Anya could feel her heart bouncing out of her chest "she...isn't...home?" She somehow stammered.

"No! Where is she Anu?" Devika was looking at her in astonishment "weren't you with her?"

Sarita joined her, staring at her daughter in pure shock "Anu!" She glowered at her "where is Riya?"

Anya was trapped.