Warrior - Chapter One

TRIGGER WARNING: topics/themes of rape is covered in this story. If these trigger you, please be advised and proceed with caution.

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Weddings... I hate them.

Well maybe not exactly weddings themselves - I love the partying and the music - but the unions....

Perhaps saying that I hate arranged marriages would be better... yes, that would be more correct.

I hate arranged marriages. Whoever invented the concept, may they rot in hell for all eternity. 

"Khushi?"

Snapping me away from my curses and at the couple in front of me who got sucked into this arranged nonsense, I turned my attention to my mother. She gestured me to follow her to our table and I obliged.

One more second staring at those fools, and I would've lost it.

As I followed behind my mother, I noticed from the corner of my eyes how various aunties were beginning to mutter amongst each other. This was no surprise, this had become normal now. And as always, I ignored their pathetic asses, and continued to follow behind Amma.

I didn't pay much attention to the happenings of the wedding. Who did what and who gave what performance, I didn't care one bit. It was all a stunt after all, just a show. Do you really think this is a happy wedding? Yeah right, convince me otherwise! All I see is a circus show before me, and this isn't the first time I've seen it.

It's just absolute nonsense.

"Oh hello, Khushi!"

And cue the part where an aunty thinks she can antagonize me! Let the dramebaaz commence!

Looking up, I saw not just one aunty, but a partner-aunty in tow.

This should be fun.

"Why hello aunty," I smiled over-sweetly, rising up from my chair.

I could see my mother from across the room - who had stepped away several minutes ago - catch the sight of us, and her features screwed up.

Better get this over with quick before she tries to stop me.

"How are you dear? I didn't think you were going to be here."

"Oh trust me aunty, I didn't want to be here. But Amma says socializing is necessary and spending time with family is important, so here I am."

"Of course, of course, that is true. After all, that is all you have now, just your family."

And so the first poke has been struck. And, ah, what's this? Her partner is giving me a look-down while trying to cover her stank face? The games truly have begun, eh?

I gave a very sweet, over-the-top smile. "Why of course aunty, of course I only have my family now. When your husband tries to rape you and you send his disgusting ass to jail and divorce him, of course all you have left is your family."

And just like that, silence surrounded us. You would think that I had yelled at the top of my lungs, thus the whole party hall silencing, but no, that wasn't the case. As usual, silence fell over like dominos being knocked over, one by one shutting up as they felt the stun of silence next to them.

Not that I cared.

The two aunties before me were stunned. I don't know why this comes as a surprise to them - you would think that given all the gossip that aunties do, you'd think they'd learn their lesson but no - every event an aunty just has to come up to me and think they can be some hot shit and try to make me look down. But I serve them their shit right back, stripping them of their clothes and dignity, and slapping it right back into their hands.

Metaphorically speaking on the clothes thing though, I have yet to ever do that.

Anyways, time to continue the show.

"Oh what's this aunty? It seems you and your friend have lost those very sweet smiles and- ah! What's this? Even the look of evil intentions have left your eyes," I pouted.

Both glanced from each other to the people around us, embarrassment starting to take over them.

Lovely!

I clicked my teeth. "Oh, I guess I ruined your plans to make me feel and look low," I fake-sympathized. "If it helps to make you feel better, you wouldn't be the first ones who have failed," and I smiled over-sweetly once more.

Just then Amma appeared by my side. "Khushi-"

"Oh look, even Amma has come to join the fun! How fun! So, what were you lovely- sorry, sorry, wrong word to use here. What were you evil aunties going to say next?"

The two women gaped at me and I just blinked at them once.

Do not mess with me bitch, I'll give it right back to you.

"Is this the respect you've taught your daughter, Garima," aunty fumed at my mother.

Oh sure, the typical drag-your-mom-into-this-shit move.

How classy.

"No aunty, my mother and my father have taught me how to respect people very well. But you see, my parents also taught me to respect good people and not low, disgusting people like you," I smiled.

Both aunties gaped at me once more, their eyes ready to pop out - oh how I'd like to do it for them.

Amma placed her hand on my arm. "Khushi-"

"How dare you," the pathetic aunty squealed.

Did I mention she looked like a pig too? It's no wonder she squeals like one.

"Oh I dare to," I said, moving Amma's hand away and moving closer into aunty's face. "Just like how you dared to come up to me with a pathetic attempt to embarrass my family and I, I dared to put your pathetic bitch-ass and your dumb minion in your places."

The two gaped like they were fishes out of water.

"Now get out of my face before I really embarrass you, auntyji," I smirked.

The two huffed and tried to muster up words, but failed miserably. Instead, they stomped away, and the smirk remained on my face. People looked from the departing aunties to me, but I didn't give a damn.

Amma made me face her. "Do you have to do that every time we go somewhere? It's hard enough as it is," she hissed.

"Amma-"

"No, I don't want to hear anymore of what you have to say! When will you ever learn?!"

When will you ever learn?

Disappointed, I grabbed my purse and left, not even caring to stop when my little sister called out to me. I simply went straight to the car and drove off - Payal had her phone, she could easily call the driver and get them home. But I couldn't care about that right now, I couldn't care about anything. 

All I had was my disappointment and horrible memories. 

"Get over here you bitch!"

And they'll never leave me.