Aadhya's pov~

Aadhya mam, wake up, please!" A gentle voice calls out to me.

"Please wake up," someone keeps urging, but I can't seem to open my eyes.

"Aadhya, wake up this instant!" a louder voice breaks through.

"Yes, yes, I'm awake!" I respond, sitting up in bed to find my mom glaring at me.

There are four people in my room, all staring at me as if I'm an alien.

"Why are you shouting?" I ask my mother.

"What time is it, Aadhya?" she retorts, more like a taunt than a question.

Oh no! It’s already twelve in the afternoon.

"You have a wedding coming up, and you're still sleeping in? Are you planning to do this at your in-laws’ house too?"

In that case, I simply won't get married.

"Well, actually, Mom, I was working on a book last night, which is why I was up late." Just a flat-out lie—I'm not working on any book at the moment. I'm stuck in a writer's block, and frankly, I'm lacking the motivation and inspiration to write.

"Oh, whatever. But do you remember they're coming over today?" my mother asks.

"How could I forget?" I roll my eyes.

Today marks the beginning of my downfall. They will be here any moment to discuss my marriage, effectively sealing my fate.

Seriously, God, I didn’t mean for my life to end like this.

But I am determined not to let this happen, and I will do everything I can to stop it before it begins.

"Behave, Aadhya," my mom says as she leaves my room.

That’s all I've ever done: "behave."

"Mam, would you like us to bring your breakfast here?" one of the house helpers asks.

"No, I’ll eat later. You guys can go now."

"Okay, mam," they reply and exit the room.

So today is the big day. Let's see how this unfolds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING"

Ladies and gentlemen, be prepared to meet one of the most chaotic yet composed characters in my life.

"Don’t shout bitch," I reply.

"Fuck you are getting married, but wait a minute why the fuck you are getting married? Is someone forcing you? Just give me the name and see how I stab him in his heart" and that's guys my best friend 'Zoya Ansari'.

A criminal lawyer and a total badass who doesn’t hesitate to make your life a living hell if provoked.

"They're just coming over to discuss the wedding, and I'm pretty confident I can end this before it even starts."

" Wait why do you want to break the marriage? So you are against it ?" she asks.

I explain everything from the beginning.

"Look, I don’t think your mom is entirely to blame. Sure, it's not right to pressure you, but she did give you a choice, didn’t she? Just meet the guy; it’s not a big deal." She's trying to reason with me.

"But you don’t get it; I’m not ready."

"Babe, no one’s telling you to get married right now. Just meet him; what’s the worst that could happen?"

"Yes, they’re coming today, and I wanted you to be there too."

"Sorry, but you know I’m currently in Delhi for a case. I’ll wrap up as soon as possible and the first thing I'll do is meet you."

"You better, or I’ll bury you six feet under."

She laughs, "I can’t believe my baby is getting married."

"No, I'm not getting married. It’s just a meeting."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. It’s already 5:30. Aren’t you getting ready?"

"Oh Shit! Okay, bye, I’ll get ready."

"Bye," she replies, and I hang up.

I rush to put on a beautiful black anarkali suit with oxidised earrings and minimal makeup since we’re not going anywhere.

I love doing makeup; it's therapeutic for me. I can't stand those who say, " oh my god so much makeup blah blah blah" like bitch I am not forcing you to do makeup just shut the fuck up and let me enjoy.

"Aadhya, are you ready?" my mother calls from downstairs.

It’s past 6:10; I think they have arrived.

"Yes, I’m ready!" I shout back.

"You can do this, Aadhya," I whisper to myself while looking in the mirror.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I descend the stairs, I see everyone gathered in the living room. I head towards them when someone suddenly halts me.

"Mam, your mother asked us to give you this," she says, holding two trays.

Ah, the classic arranged marriage drama.

Fuck it, I am not gonna do this nonsense.

But then I saw everyone busy in making snacks and only the didi who called me is holding both trays of snacks and tea.

"Okay, hand me the tray," I say, and she obliges.

With the tray in hand, I make my way into the living room.

"It's so lovely to see you all again," my mother’s syrupy voice reaches my ears.

I can’t help but roll my eyes; it’s exhausting to be this fake.

However, as I observe the scene, I see my mother genuinely laughing, and for a moment, I remember the mom who used to enjoy my jokes, play with me, and spend time with me.

"Oh dear, why are you carrying that heavy tray?" Kabir’s mom said and someone from the sofa comes forward, taking the tray from me.

I can’t distinguish many faces since there are five people in the room. The only ones I recognize are Kabir's parents.

"Hey aunty," I greet her with a hug. Ruhi Verma, the beautiful, sweetest and kindest soul to ever exist, and i have a good bond with her as she has always been close to my mom.

"Hey, bacha, how have you been?" she replies, embracing me in return.

"I'm doing well," I smile at her.

"Hey uncle" i greeted his father, "hello beta" his father the famous 'Rajveer Verma' greeted me back taking me in a fatherly hug.

Everyone settles into their places, and Ruhi aunty motions for me to sit beside her.

"So," my mom breaks the silence, "how’s life treating you, Kabir?"

Finally, I’ll find out who Kabir is.

"It's going well, Ishi," the guy who helped me with the tray responds.

Good gracious! Is that really Kabir? My heavens, he has changed so much over the years.

I can hardly believe that he is the same Kabir I once knew.

I keep staring in disbelief, struggling to reconcile this new version with my memories.

"I guess our bhabi is impressed with your looks, brother."