Katha :- his forced bride

“Han Papa… I… I love him,” I said, and a lone tear escaped from my eye. The next second, a hard slap landed on my face. I flinched and placed my hand over my cheek, then looked at the person who had slapped me. It was not my mother. It was not my father. It was my own grandmother — the one I used to play with, the one who was my comfort place. Kaki said, “Arey, main toh bolti hi thi ladki jaat hai, mat padhao itna. Kahin muh kaala kar diya toh dekhne layak nahi rahenge. Lo, kar diya. Mujhe toh mere bachon ki fikar ho rahi hai.” (I always said she is a girl, don’t educate her so much. What if she brings shame? Now see, she has done it. I’m worried about my own children now.) I looked at her, then Maa came towards me and said, “Kahan kami reh gayi thi hamari parvarish mein, Katha, jo tumne yeh din dikha diya?” (Where did we fall short in raising you, Katha, that you showed us this day?) I shook my head. Papa said only three words— “Please, chali jao.” (Please, leave.) I bit my lip, nodded, looked at them one last time… and stepped outside. --- I was sitting on the sofa while the whole house was decorated with flowers. I was dressed in heavy jewelry and red bridal clothes. My head was covered with a large veil. Tears rolled down my eyes when I heard— “Do you, Katha Thakur, daughter of Shubham Thakur, accept Shahmeer Khan, son of Ibrahim Khan, in Nikah with the agreed Mehr of one lakh?” I looked at my hands when someone from behind whispered— “Qubool hai bolo.” (Say ‘I accept’.) I gulped and pressed my nails into my palm, trying not to cry. “Q… Qubool hai.” (I… accept.) I closed my eyes. As soon as I finished, he grabbed my hand and started moving somewhere. “What are you doing? Leave me!” I shouted, hitting his chest weakly. Through my veil, I saw the mandap. “No… no… please…”