Ananya's pov
I was sitting in the car on my way back to home in Mumbai in deep thought. I am a chief programmer and the main decision maker in the haynes cooperation. The company produces video games, softwares and now we are stepping into network security as well. I had been living in Seattle ever since I was 14. This wasn't my choice, this was a compulsion. When my mother passed away I was just 12, she died in fire broke out. But I don't remember how. I had seen her dying in front of me, but I was just 12 and according to doctors my brain couldn't handle such a trauma and I lost my memories.
All I remember is that my 12 years old self calling for help, crying so that someone would come and save her and there is fire all around. The tragedy was so dark and immense and it took a toll on me and that's why it's difficult for me get them back. The chances of me getting them back is almost null.
After that Pa, who's actually my maternal uncle took in my custody and decided to raise me as his own daughter. But ever since mom's death I had been having nightmares and panic attacks about it and I have grown a phobia to fire. I am a pyrophobe.
When Pa brought me home for the first time I was scared as hell and didn't mingle with any one in the family. Shori his elder son was so happy when he was told that I am his sister and he became my big protective brother. His name is actually Shorya though. It took me a lot of time to adjust with them, but slowly slowly I started warming up to everyone. Ritesh the younger son is 4 years younger than and Shori is just 6 months older than me.
But then again when has my life been so easy. Something had to happen. So my grandmother happened. My mother married to a man who my grandparents didn't like so they disowned her. After few months of marriage she got pregnant with me and then she found out that my father was using her for money, and since her family had disowned her he left us. My mother couldn't come back to her family so she shifted to Dehradun and then raised me there till I was 12. After that a fire broke out in our home and she died, Pa adopted me.
My Ma, Jahnvi Bajaj, pa's wife had raised me like her other two children and since I am the only girl in the house, she loves me more. But my grandmother didn't like me, and when I came to live with them I always had a trouble sleeping because of my nightmares. My mother had made a ballerina music box for me and I used to sleep with that box because it's melody kind of soothed me when I was scared.
Since my grandmother wanted me to go out of the house, she once threw all of my belongings out of the house along with the box and it broke. Pa tried to repair it but he couldn't. That was the worst day of my life, it was the only memory that I had of mom and she broke it. After that my nightmares got even worse and Pa decided that I can't stay here peacefully so he sent me to Seattle.
Shori and Ritesh were heartbroken along with Ma and Pa but they knew I could never get better here so they adjusted. I had been gone through many therapies, psychologist and psychiatrist for my treatment but nothing works. I still have nightmares about my mother's death but the treatments had reduced my panic attacks and now I can at least go near the fire, if it's not too big.
My family called me all of a sudden demanding that they are missing me a lot and since my condition has been better I should move back to India. Though I was reluctant at first, but Ma insisted and used her mother card that she knew would always work on me so I agreed to shift back to India. And right now I am on my way back to home.
My family knows that I am coming back, but not the time, it's a surprise for them. The car turns into the familiar alley way which is not at all familiar now. It's all changed and nothing is same. But I can't complain, it's been like 7 years since I came back. Last I came here when I completed my graduation. I always avoided coming back here, courtesy to my grandmother's immense love for me. Note the sarcasm.
The big door opens and the driver parks the car out of my house and I enter my home as the nostalgia hits me strong. The gardener uncle looks at me when he was watering the plants and takes a double take when he realizes that it's me. I chuckle at his reaction and press a finger on my lips silently asking him to keep quiet which he does eargerly.
I press the doorbell waiting for the door to open. The moment door opens Ma takes a double take before bursting into tears and holding onto me like her most precious treasure. She cries for the unknown length of time holding on me as everyone in my family huddles at the door, everyone smiling brightly when they see me. My releases me when Pa tell her to let me breathe which she does, but not before peppering my face with kisses. I missed her.
After that Pa holds me his broad chest kissing me softly and telling me how much he loves me and missed me. Then comes Shori who does the same but twirls me in excitement. Ritesh follows next then we all proceed to sit in the living room, when everyone has got their hugs from me. But Pa is still unsatisfied so he tucks me under his arm as I sit beside him.
We all catchup with each other as Ma claims that how she is never letting me go back to Seattle and would keep me here in India.
"Ana dear, you are turning 27 now, when do you plan on settling ?"
Ma asks and I stiffle a groan. Same question she has been asking me past 3 years except everytime she uses different words.
"Ma, you know I am not interested in marriage." I tell her in a soft voice, Pa asks her to drop the topic but today Ma is not having non of it.
"Oh come on Anand, don't you start supporting her in this. We aren't getting any older and she is 27, it's high time she finds herself a suitable partner and gets married."
Ma say in a serious tone, and all of my happy mood deflates as I realize that she is not going to drop the topic. All the excitment and happiness that I was feeling since I had come back vanishes into the air.
"Ma, you know what I feel about marriage." I complain softly trying to make her understand my point of view.
"I know, but not every marriage turns out like your parents. Look at me and Anand for example. We have been married for 31 years Ana. You have to let go of your past and move on, honey."
She say sofly with a sad smile and I simply nod, making a lame excuse that I am tired so I am going to rest.
Ananya's pov I groan softly into my bed trying to control my emotions, like I do every time when the topic of marriage comes. I know that I have to get married someday to a man, but I don't want to end up like my mom. I hate commitment. All of my past relationship didn't stay for long, because eventually the guys get tired of my commit-o-phobia and end the relationship. But even before I enter into the relationship, I already tell them that I don't commit. In the start they all agree believing that they can change my mind, but end up changing their own. I don't know but whenever I enter into a relationship, I can't bring myself to love that person. I do like the guy and all, I do feel attracted towards him, but I can't get that emotional connect with him. I simply freshen up and then rush out of the house, so that no one would notice that I am going out. I make my way to my love, my bike hop on it and ride myself to the office of my best fri
Veer's pov "I have found a girl for you and I believe that she is perfect." Nani told me and I controlled the urge to grunt. Since she has figured out that there is no way in hell I am getting married on my own and get settled she has made it her life mission to see me settled and have her great grandchildren. Like if she just wants great grandchildren I don't have to marry right? But when I suggested her the same thing even though I was joking she took it seriously and now wants to me to get hitched. Since past 6 months she has gone through so many girls and their families but hadn't found the girl that compliments me yet. "Nani, I don't want to marry." I say but her one glare was enough to shut me up. "Veer, just because your parents didn't had a happy marriage doesn't mean you won't be as well. I want you to be happy with your wife and children before I die." Yeah right. She played her death card now, knowing f
Ana's pov To say I was pissed would be an understatement. Mrs. Oberoi sadly watched her grandson stomping out of the house, if it wasn't for Rudy holding me than I would have lashed out at him more. No one spoke, no one dared to, because they could tell from the tension hanging in there that I was pissed. I took deep breathes and then looked at Pa, his eyes told me that he too didn't want this. Why can't Ma understand that I don't want to get married ?. Ma looked guilty and when she noticed that out of all people my brown orbs were fixed at her she opened her mouth to speak. But before she could utter another word, " I know you want the best for me, but this was a low blow Ma." I stated my tone polite but message clear. I left the dining room and went to my room to shower and then sleep. I had had enough of bull shit and I simply wanted to sleep. I changed into my pjs when I heard a knock on my door. Rudy entered in, knowing full well that I
Veer's pov We got ready to join the function at Ananya's place and Nani was very muc excited to go there. According to her she was going to convince Ana for this marriage and soon when we would get married she would be able to see her great grand children. I neevr wanted to get married and Nani's constant nagging was getting on my nerves. Even Rudra said that his ship was sailing, he was so excited and he could already see his both best friends in the wedding hall, sharing the sacremental vows. We arrived at the mansion and I was greeted with Mr' Bajaj and his eldest son Shorya Bajaj. We had signed the deal with their company, not because I was interested in his sister, because I had seen his proposal, it was realy great and Shorya Bajaj was a renowed businessman in the industry. He had taken over his father a few years back and had expanded the empire in almost the entire Asia. We entered the house and unknowingly my eyes wandered over the hall to and then my
Ananya's povI closed the door behind me with a soft bang, and was about to dwell myself in the agony when someone knocked. I knew it who it was, at least that's what I thought but to my utter surprise there stood the person I was least expecting to come to me."Mrs. Oberoi." I acknowledged my tone curt yet polite, seriously I was in no mood for any of this marriage shit and the last thing I wanted to do was to snap at the old woman."How are you dear?" Her voice held one thing that I hated.Pity, sympathy."I am fine. Just need some rest." My tone was firm, a clear disguised statement telling her to back off so that I could spend some time alone, but fate had other plans."I heard what your grandmother said." Tone laced with pity and I controlled the urge to snap."Mrs. Oberoi, I appreciate your concern but the last thing I want is pity from you or anyone for that matter. So I suggest you giv
Ananya's pov I woke up to a massive headache, and found it hard to even open my eyes. Standing in the front of the mirror I took in my appearance, my eyes were puffy, cheeks were stain with dry tears and skin was pale. I looked horrible, as if I had just lost the love of my life. But technically my situation was like that only, Ma wanted me to find the love of my life so that I could live a happy life, which was far from what I wanted. As I took the medicines, the moments from last day came rushing down in my mind. And I realized how rude I was to Mrs. Oberoi. Yes she pushed me to my limit, but still it didn't justify my behaviour towards her. I shouldn't have been disrespectful towards her. I made a mental note to apologise to her later. I got ready to leave for the office, not my office, I could do my work from home. I was going to meet Shori at his office. It had been quite a time since I had a chat with my brother. I went to his
Ananya's pov. It would be an understatement if I said I was pissed. I was furious. How dare he?. The nerve of that bastard. Who the hell does he think he is ? He is very wrong if he thought I would get scared of him and agree to anything that he has to say. The hell I would. He might be able to dominate others but not me. From what I could understand, was that he was furious as to what I said to his Nani. It was understandable, what was not was that he can't threaten me like that. No way in hell I would marry that, he might me a good man according to Rudy but for me he is an arrogant asshole, which I strongly dislike with my every being. On my way back to home I was greeted by an overjoyed Ma. The reason was, she had found the perfect man for me and is sure that I would like him and we would get married. A big part of me was shouting that run woman, you aren't not the one to have a married life. Run before you screw up your or someone else's life.
Ananya's pov. "Sweetheart what do you think of this dress ?" Ma asked me for the umteenth time and I didn't have the energy to say anything, so I just nodded. it was half past ten and Ma was excited for the lunch date I had with Veer and I was too. Not for the date, but I was waiting for him to stand me up. and I knew he would because I made sure of it. My plan was simple I was going to put Veer in a badlight, and would show him as a bad guy for me and then Ma would deny for this alliance. As simple as that sounded it was difficult because Veer was a persistent man, and that was what scaring me. I didn't want to get married to him. But I just couldn't speak at all. By then Ma had made my room a god damn boutique and my every single dress that according would work for a date was on my bed, my sofa. My whole room was a mess. Not like it wasn't before, because I am a messy person, but this was another level of it. Ma hones