" I never saw you in a dress. "
He suddenly commented. I pushed my palms near the fire seeking for warmth. I smiled. My eyes fixed at the flames as I replied.
" I don't usually wear one "
I put my warm palms over my freezing cheeks.
" oh yeah? Then what's the occasion that made you wear one today ? "
" it's not the occasion . It's my mom who made me wear this ."
" And why she made you wear this ? "
He asked, while putting some more woods on the little bonfire.
" cause we're were going out for lunch with one of dad's colleague's family and my parents didn't wanted to get embarrassed because of their dear daughter who wouldn't hesitate to go there wearing baggy jeans and sweater."
" I don't find anything wrong with wearing what one is comfortable at. "
" But my folks care for their image more than my comfort. "
He nodded understandably.
" well , I am surprised that they took you out with them though. It's really rare .you would often mourn that they never take you out with them to restaurants to eat. "
" I agree."
" Did you have fun? "
He asked . I looked at him for a second then looked back at the flames.
" yeah "
I replied with a scoff .
" what's with that scoff? "
He asked offended. I shook my head .
" Nothing "
I said.
" Do they remember that it's your birthday today or forgot like always ?"
He asked as he warmed his palms .
" They don't forget. They just ignore it "
I caught him looking at me for a while before he looked down.
" Are they planning to ignore your eighteenth birthday too ? "
" surprisingly no. It's the opposite I think. Maybe they were waiting for this day since my birth . "
" Really? Do you think they planning a surprise for your birthday? "
He asked smiling at me. I returned the smile with a sad one.
" They are planning something....but it's not a surprise. "
" you mean you know what are they planning? Tell me what is it ? "
He asked excitingly.
" A birthday party , today at the evening. "
" wow! That's great ! Aren't you gonna invite me? "
" ofcourse you're invited, Neel. Infact you're the first one I want to see at the party. I will need you there."
I said with forced giggles.
" why don't you look happy? "
He asked confused.
" Is there anything to be happy? "
" it's your eighteenth birthday. Your parents are giving a birthday party . What is there to not be happy? "
" why should I be happy of becoming an adult? "
" because there are many advantages of being an adult. "
" there are disadvantages too. "
" like? "
" being an adult means more pressure, more stress and... being an adult means you're legally old enough to get married and here comes another pressure. "
I looked at him as his smile fell. He became serious. I looked away , scared that he would read the sadness in my eyes.
" Am I missing something, Neha? "
" what are you talking about? "
I asked nervously as I looked at the bonfire.
" To be honest. I can't seem to believe it. They went straight from forg- I mean ignoring you birthdays to throwing a birthday party at your eighteenth birthday. And now you saying these nonsense isn't helping me. Tell me. Is there anything you aren't telling me?"
a frown was drawn on his face. I took a deep breath . Closed my eyes and bit my lip . When I opened my eyes l looked at the opposite side .
" it's not only a birthday celebration. There is gonna be double blast. "
" what do you mean ? "
I heard him asking. I exhaled. My throat hurted. I gulped a lump. Managed a smile as I looked at him.
" Do you know what my gift from my parents for my eighteenth birthday is ?"
I asked him . He didn't replied as he waited for me to finish.
" They are marrying me off? "
I laughed...in pain. A tear slipped from my eyes.
" after the cake cutting, I am going to be engaged."
When I heard nothing in reply from him , I moved a gaze at him . His face was blank. There was a silence for some seconds before he spoke.
" Tell me this was a joke . "
" I wish it was , Neel. I wish it was . The family I had dinner with are my soon to be husband and in-laws. "
" what the fu*k!"
He cursed. He rested his forehead on his palms. It was a big bomb that I threw at him all of a sudden. I knew it would take some time for him to digest all the information. I looked at my lap.I sniffed as I wiped the tears. I put a smile before looking at him.
" Don't fu**ing show me this fake smile!"
He roared. His eyes red .
" Neel , calm down . I accepted what destiny has planned for me . "
" Are you insane? Have you lost your fu**ing mind!? You're only 18 for God's sake!why did you said no to the proposal !? "
" Do you think they will listen to me ? What I want and what I don't doesn't concern them."
" you can't just give up like that ! It's about your life ! "
" I am tired . Am tired of fighting ,Neel . I surrendered myself to god now. It's up to him what he want to do with me and my life. "
" what about your career? Do you even know the man you're going to get engaged? "
" I don't know . I don't know him . I saw him first today . "
" what about you wanting to be a writer? "
" the writing in me died the day I lost my honor. "
" you didn't lost your honor . "
" But my mom and dad thinks that. They think no one will marry me if people knows that I got raped and lost my virginity. That's why they are in a hurry to marry me off and get rid of me . "
" It's not like that. The one who will love you won't ask about your virginity before loving you. "
" No one loves a trash . "