Page 99 of Hateful Games

I become restless, anxious, and suffocated as though I’m trapped in a cage.

I’ve been kept locked up my whole life.

Now, I’ll be replacing one glass prison for another.

Not for forever… I vow.

My mind wanders to Nova. I wonder what kind of husband will he be? Is he going to punish me behind closed doors for ending his bachelor life completely? Will our vows be sacred to him? Do I even want him to be loyal?

After today’s display at the mehndi, dare I imagine he’ll be as possessive as Dash is for Bianca? Because sometimes, Nova’s eyes mirror the same dark foreboding look. Or was it a figment of my imagination? I try and fail not to obsess over it as the elevator arrives for the three of us.

As the car descends, Bianca questions, “Who has the ring?”

“Jasmine has it,” answers Iris. “She and Aunty Lily are waiting for us. The Muhurat for the ring ceremony will be starting soon.”

I hold back a snort at the mention of Muhurat.

According to Indian tradition, it’s the auspicious time where the stars align favorably to do a ceremony, with the hope of bringing prosperity in the couple’s life.

No power in the universe could my marriage work.

Yet, we’re all pretending otherwise.

Tonight, we’ll be having the ring ceremony, as per my family’s tradition, followed by dancing. The whole day was jam-packed with one ritual after another. I lost count of how many times I had to smile and say namaste to my relatives. Half of whom I couldn’t even remember.

The elevator glides to a halt and immediately, I’m swarmed by Mom and Jasmine holding an energetic Suhana. My niece keeps trying to reach the pin on Jasmin’s head while she keeps batting it away.

“Can I please hold her?” asks Iris.

“Of course.” Jasmine smiles as she hands Suhana over. She’s miraculously a kid who gels with everyone. “Or else she’ll ruin my hair before the function even starts.”

“You look stunning, love,” praises Mom with teary eyes. “I’m going to be a crying mess tomorrow.”

“You already are, Ma,” I can’t help but tease.

Her arms wrap around me in a bear hug that takes me by surprise. The weight of it hitting me in the face that it’s been years since we’ve hugged. Did the distance become so wide that I forgot what her touch felt like? Have I unknowingly been pushing her away?

Forgetting everything that’s happened the last couple of years, I hold her tighter.

I need her strength if I’m going to survive the next few months.

“I love you, my baby girl,” she whispers. “I’ve been waiting and praying to see you as a bride. But you’ll always be my daughter first.”

“I love you too, Ma.”

Brushing a wayward tear away, I pull back. Right then, the wedding planner arrives, dressed to perfection and with her clipboard.

“It’s time for the entrance, Miss Kapoor,” Tamana informs me. “Except Rosalie, the rest of you should go inside. Everyone is ready.”

“Slay, Ro,” says Bianca, smirking.

Iris steps forward and whispers, “Remember, by hook or by crook.”

“I love you both,” I murmur, squeezing their hands. They turn and head for the ballroom, leaving me standing with a calm Tamana, who keeps checking her watch. Her assistant arrives to inform us that the photographers and musicians are all set.

“You ready, Rosalie?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

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