Vows Of Serenity

10.

We would chill and sneak out late at night for long drives and would have our time hogging street foods during summer. We were super cool, the other cousins were always envious of our bond and would try to fit in but they never could.

He was my favourite cousin, and I would pour out my heart in front of him, but this changed after that particular incident. The night that changed everything, after which overnight Nani took me along with her to Mumbai and since then Dhruv and I never had encounters. We would rarely meet or talk on the phone but I think our bond wasn't tainted or vanished as I thought.

"What's all this happening Lasya, hm? Kya ho raha hai? Raina kaha hai, aur yeh teri shaadi? yeh sab kya ho raha hai?", even though filled with questions and doubts, he had his tone calm and composed. He knew how afraid I was of loud noises and him being so soft and controlling his voice made me feel bad for keeping the truth away from him

[Translation: What's all this happening Lasya, hum? What is happening? Where is Raina, and this is your marriage? what is all this happening?]

"It's complicated Dhruv, all I request you to do is, at this moment please trust me", I replied when I heard someone scoffing behind me.

"Trust you? You aren't trustworthy Lasya. You proved that you are an Agarwal, someone one can never be reliable on, like father like daughter", Bua's voice was filled with disbelief when she purposely emphasized the word trust, trying to make me feel small.

"Mom, please", Dhruv insisted sounding down with his mother's behaviour. She scowled at her son and then glared at me, "You are just like your father Lasya, so venomous and impudence"

She snarled, looking at me so hatefully. Niharika Agarwal, now Niharika Rastogi aka my paternal aunty was an insidious and shrewd lady. Born as the youngest sibling to her five older brothers she was always bitter and sour towards them. Because of the obvious discrimination, she undergoes being the only daughter born after five sons.

She was never given the same treatment as her brother which added more to her hatred. But hell broke when her father before his death did not give her the equal share of his property and family wealth.

Since then she had sworn to make Agarwal's life a living hell and be rebellious towards their every decision, something which I would have admired in her if not for her venomous tongue.

"Please don't create a scene here, Mom. You have already embarrassed me enough, remember the threat the Mehrotras have given us, specially Moksh", Dhruv hissed at his mother and added the last sentence in a hushed whisper before dragging her away ignoring her protest.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Did my in-laws threaten the Agarwals? The question loomed over my head and still confused I walked towards the room which was allotted to me. I was in dire need of fresh air and some rest since these heels were killing me.

My family was barbaric, my uncles, my father, my cousins, and everyone but the women in my family were something else.

The Agarwal women were proven to be more vicious and cunning than the men. They were manipulative, had their ways with words and what lay beneath the flashy expensive outfit and wealth were cruel and power-thirsty monsters who wouldn't think twice before skinning you alive for the throne.

I walked through the hallway when I heard voices coming from near the elevator. My ears perked up as I was nearing the area and I heard my father and mother arguing over something.

I stopped at a distance and hid myself behind the wall. Peeping, I tried to ears drop on their conversation. My father glared at my mother like she was the filth under his shoe. He had my mother's wrist clutched in his tight grip. From her expressions, I could tell that it was hurting her beyond what she could endeavour.