My Life is a Soap Opera

5. Bride switcheroo

Fuck. I'm such a horrible daughter.

I shook my head. No, there was nothing wrong with standing up for myself.

I focused down on the floor as Ritwik led me upstairs.

What the hell is he upto? Everyone is staring.

As much as I tried to ignore the stares, it was really hard to do. It's as if no one had the basic decency to wait to  gossip after we were out of earshot. Once we reached upstairs, we found several people hanging out there. Especially in the room that was chosen to be the dressing room. So many of them blatantly stared at us that I wanted to hide my face in my hands, but I couldn't. I had stuff to hold. So, I braved it and looked straight ahead like the man in front of me.

He seemed to have finally found what he was looking for. It was a room that was almost empty save for my aunt, uncle, my cousin brother, my grandparents and my father. So basically, not empty at all. It just looked empty from the outside.

My eyes met my father's and he just stared at me like he didn't recognise me. After a few moments he's eyes widened slightly as he made the connection. We stared at each other. And I hoped. Like a complete fucking idiot, I hoped that my dad would finally say something. That he'd finally grow a spine and tell everyone that his daughter wasn't property that could just me given away like that. But of course he didn't. Why would he? It wasn't just that he lacked a spine, it's the fact that he never liked me. That he never wanted me.

My mother's words came back to me.

He doesn't care. He doesn't care what happens to his wife or daughter. You know he'll say yes anyway. He never wanted you. I'm the one who did everything for you.

"Is there a room that's empty? I need to talk to my wife." Ritwik's cold and calm voice sent an icy chill through my spine.

My relatives looked at each other. Then suddenly someone I never expected to speak for me spoke.

"This is not the time, baba jibon . This is not her fault, you know. She only agreed to this for us. To save our dignity. Please, don't misunderstand her." My grandfather spoke up. His eyes got watery as he held Ritwik's hand.

My situation with my grandfather was a little weird. I despised him for the trauma and problems he caused in my mother's life but at the same time he was probably the only who was somewhat genuine. He caused those troubles because he genuinely had good intentions. A lot like my own mother. That's why I loved them despite everything.

Ritwik being the polite man that he is, flashed a charming smile and spoke gently. "I just want to talk to her and clear a few things. I don't plan on hurting her in any way."

With shaky hands my grandfather pulled him into a hug and he let the old man pull back first. My aunt then tried to speak. "Son-"

"Please leave us alone for a while." His voice was back to being cold.

My relatives took the hint and began to leave. I hoped my dad would turn around and at least look at me once. But of course he didn't. It was my aunt who turned around.

To glare at me.

That bitch.

As soon as they left, Ritwik locked the door. My eyes widened a little. It wasn't that I had never been in a locked room with the man. It was the fact that I had been that bothered me. I quickly blocked out my thoughts.

I'm definitely about to start my period.

I quickly opened the period tracker app on my phone and found out I was about start it in 3 days or so.

Fucking great.

"What the actual fuck just happened?" Ritwik whisper screamed.

"The ol' bride switcheroo..."

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Bashor Raat = It's the celebration that takes place after the wedding. Most of the younger and middle aged members of both the families gather together to dance and sing and joke all throughout the night. Close friends are also a part of this.

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baba jibon- a way older family members may refer to the son-in-law.

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As some readers may have figured out, the characters are supposed to be Bengali (people from the State of West Bengal in India) and speak Bengali. So, that's why some words are in italics because I have no clue what those things are called in English or because I feel like translating those words to English make them loose their impact. I'm actually trying to write the story as if it all happens in English. So yeah.

Byeee.