Ch-13
Laya sat on her bed as thought about the things that happened to her. Her mother-in-law looked like a devil. She can remember those evil mothers-in-law from that kind of telugu serials. As for her father-in-law he looked kind but powerless in front of her mother-in-law. As for the groom… he looked like a perfect jerk or maybe not.
From what her mother-in-law said…. She stopped the segment due to her absence but she didn't do the same during her son's absence. She can imagine her life in her in-law's house. A sneer formed on her lips at the bitter life she was going to have. She was fretting whether she should trust her brother or not or run away.
If she has a mother or father or a brother who are related to her biologically, she would not have to go through this situation. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about this. Who would support her from now on? She would be given with respect based on the dowry she takes. And adding to the point she takes 1/3rd portion of shares, money and everything from Pasupuleti's family. Indeed, she was a walking jackpot, who would refuse her?
'You are an orphan!'
'She is a bad omen!'
'She should be dead!'
'She is a burden to rise!'
The haunting voices started getting louder. She closed her ears to get rid of those voices but she couldn't do it. They never left her. As seconds passed, they turned louder than before.
"NO! I AM NOT AN ORPHAN!" She screamed.
'Then why are they marrying you off?' those mocking voices retorted at her.
"No! I am not an orphan! Everyone loves me! That's right… Everyone loves me," she mumbled. Laya doesn't know what else she should say to convince them. But she knew she was losing with the word battles she was having with them.
"Laya! What happened?" Arjun came into her room the moment he heard her scream. He was worried that she would get a panic attack. Laya doesn't have any problem but she starts getting scared when people look at her and ask her many things. To her, standing in the middle of many people was a big task. But she recovered pretty well with the help of doctor's treatment. But again, the doctor informed that she might get them back if she gets another shock in her life. He was worried that she would have to face those fears and demons in her life again. Arjun was marrying her off to his friend because of his uncle.
"You are not an orphan, Laya. Big brother is there, right?" he said as he hugged her and patted her back.
"Y-yes," she replied in her shaky voice.
"They said I am nobody. They said… they said… you don't want me anymore and that's why you are sending me off," she continued as she shivered.
Those haunting voices didn't slow down. When she was five… everyone pointed at her and scolded her for being bad luck to everyone. They said she was a killer. Her mother died when she gave birth to her and her father died when she was only five. People pointed at her saying that only she wished him when he left the house. But she didn't get those things as a little kid.
But when she was fourteen her brother died in an accident while he was driving his bike. He was in Hyderabad studying business major.
That was the major stroke for her. Everyone pointed their fingers at her again. They cursed her for the bad luck in the house. They said she was a bad omen. But she didn't kill her family, nor did she murdered them. But why was she getting pointed to everything? What has she done to be pointed out like this? Everyone calls her a bad omen? Even though she was a human, didn't they know she would get hurt too. After her brother's death she locked herself in her room. Abhinav and Arjun helped her get out of her trauma. Her peddananna made her feel like she was his daughter but, in the end, he was not her biological father. If he was, he wouldn't have agreed to this marriage.
"They are liars. Okay? Brother was there for you. You are not an orphan. After your marriage you will have your own family," he said to her, caressing her back. Laya felt soothing as he caressed her back like that. Slowly she drifted into her sleep.
Seeing her sleep like a kid, Arjun got up from his place and left the room. He asked his youngest aunt to help Laya change the clothes.
Sitamma came to Laya's room to help her change. After she was done changing, she left the room.
Durga took back the served plate to the kitchen when she saw Laya was sleeping.
In Arjun and Durga's room….
"Arjun, can't you cancel this marriage alliance?" Durga asked to remove all the jewelry on her except her nuptial chain around her neck.
Arjun was looking at his hot wife, who was wearing a thin white nightgown, as she did her skin routine.
"I can't," he said directly, making her pause her actions.
"I am afraid she won't be as lucky as me," Durga said.
"You mean… you are lucky to marry me?" he said to her with a smirk as he met her through the mirror.
A blush creeped on her cheeks when she heard his words.
"Tha-that-that…" she started but no words came out.
Arjun got up from his position and picked her in bridal style before throwing on the bed.
"Arjun… kids!" she almost yelled but she controlled the pitch of her voice.
"They were sleeping with mom and dad. Don't worry," he said as he hovered over her.
"What about Laya's situation?" she asked as she tried to hide from him.
"Trust your husband," he said before capturing her lips.
Soon… the room filled with the love-making atmosphere.