Forced Marriage

Sunlight entered the room through the curtain and fell on the man’s face, disturbing his sleep. He turned his face to the opposite side, but his bad luck, his phone started ringing. He put a pillow over his ear to stop this irritating noise, from reaching his ears. But nothing helped, so he picked up the call and said in a sleepy voice:” Hello.” 

“Hello, Ahaan.” He opened his eyes with a jerk hearing his girlfriend and now fiancée Alya’s voice. Before Alya could speak, he said:” I am sorry, Alya. I know this is my fault. I know I am late but I was practicing till last night.” 

Before he could speak further, Alya interrupted him and said:” Stop it, Ahaan. I don’t want to listen about your useless music. It’s been more than one hour, I was waiting for you and here, you are still sleeping. Now stop talking about your useless music, and come fast.”

Ahaan felt bad when Alya said his music was useless, still, he composed himself and said:” I am sorry. I promise I will spend the whole day with you. After shopping, we will watch a movie. After that, we will go to your favourite restaurant.”

A smile appeared on Alya’s face hearing his words, he knew how to uplift her mood.  She said softly:” Okay, come fast. I am waiting for you.”

Ahaan swiftly cut the call and hastened toward the washroom as he had to fight many battles before meeting Alya as his father must be angry at him for waking up late as usual. He sighed tiredly thinking about all the taunts he will be going to hear from his father. He hurriedly emerged from the washroom, after finishing morning chores. After changing his clothes, he walked out of the room. 

He took a deep breath to gain courage and entered the living room, as expected he heard his father’s voice, dripping with sarcasm” Here, comes the king.” Ahaan halted in his tracks, hearing his father’s voice. 

His father continued taunting:” Son, why did you wake up so early? You should just sleep.” His father was busy taunting him when his elder brother Dhruv entered the living room with a file in his hand. 

Ahaan sighed, he knew his father’s next few dialogues, and he would praise his favorite son. As expected, his father started praising his elder son:” Ahaan, you should learn from your elder brother.  Wake up early in the morning, go to the gym, and then the office. He took all the responsibility of the office on his shoulder. When was your age, he had already started going to the office and here you are still roaming idly and playing with your stupid guitar. Consider, it’s your final warning, after marriage you have to join the office to earn for you and your wife”. 

Not wanting to hear more lectures from his father, he answered yes and rushed outside to meet Alya.