###Chapter 23

Chapter 23


Anthonia POV

We all walked into the house tiredly.
Especially me...

Father sighed sitting on a couch, so did Step-mom and her children.

Mother had already headed for the kitchen area.

"Com'on Anthonia.. let's go up" Krishi urged and I exhaled.

" Hold on.. "I said and walked off towards the kitchen to meet Mum.
There, I found her with the family cook.

"Namaste Shaan" I greeted the cook with a light wave.

Mum was busy filling up four glasses with water.

I quickly took the jug from her and emptied all the glasses by gulping down their entire content except one.

"Anthonia.. no!" Mum shrieked and I scoffed gulping away.

I carried the remaining glass of water and placed it on a small tray.

"Mother, you are no one's slave. You are free to serve your husband not a w*tch... "I said and walked out obviously leaving her stunned.

I arrived the sitting room and gave Father the water tho I still abour a tough hate for him.

He took the water gulping with great satisfaction and I took the glass back from him when he was done then turned to leave.

"Hold on Anthonia.. where is our water?" Step-mom suddenly asked and I scoffed.

" If I am not mistaken, you know the way to the kitchen. You ain't my Father nor my Mother so I can not serve you. Ask your children to do it" I sneered and I headed on.

" My goodness! Did you see that!?" I heard Step-mom shriek and I rolled my eyeballs.

" I think she is right" Father bluntly replied and a light smile crept up my lips and vanished as fast as it came.
*
*
*
*
"It is strange that we did not get to see your groom Anthonia. I wonder how he looks like" Krishi said arranging my bed pillows as I gazed out to the stars through my window.

"Am certain your groom would be so handsome like the popular Bollywood actor" Krishi added with a giggle as I rolled my eyeballs.

" Come on Anthonia. Time to sleep. Remember your wedding rites starts tomorrow" She said and I exhaled then moved away from the window heading for the bed as I got atop it quietly.

Krishi drew close to me and began to slowly caress my hair.

I knew Mother and Krishi are trying to act all happy for me but I know deep down that they are sad like me and feel so helpless to do anything other than to dance to the tune of the devil.
*
*
*
Morning;
*
I alighted the stairs to see alot of decorations has been done.

Lights and flowers were all over the place and Mother tried to make sure that everything was perfect.

Of course it has to be perfect...
Her 18 years old daughter is about to get married and she will be left all alone while her daughter would move over to her husband and in-laws place.

She had to make the moment special.

I glanced down at my phone.
No calls yet.
Am certain the news about my marriage is all over school.
I just can not bring myself to go to school.. for now.
The attention... everything would be too much!.

My henna ceremony is by tomorrow evening.
It is a traditional ceremony which is totally compulsory.

It is a situation where someone draws a beautiful pattern on the bride's palm.
I have drawn lots of henna's before but much simpler... this time, it would be massive and this time,my future groom's name would be hidden in it and he has to find it right after the henna is drawn and already dry.

If the henna remains black after being washed and does not clean off, then it is a good omen.
Well, none of all these matters to me...None.
*
*
*
Location; U.S
*
Writer POV

He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a grunt.

"F*ck!.." He cursed.

Everything felt so st*pid to him..

Everything!

The door opened and He looked up to see her walking in.

Diya...

He let out a low scoff and drank from his bottle as she kept her bag aside and no sooner, he felt her palms crawl up his back.

"You seem tensed my love.." She cooed and hugged him from behind.

" Share your worries with me.. "She purred and snaked her way before him so I could clearly see the full package she had brought.

Yeah.. She is such a b*itch.. his b*tch...

"Forget about it Diya.. let us focus on now" He groaned in a rough tone and she smrinked cupping his face before going on a tip toe and claiming his lips.
*
*
*
Location; India
6pm
*

Anthonia POV

I was seated before my mirror all dressed up in a blue saree which had my stomach exposed and so were my arms and back as the saree hung on my shoulder.

Numerous blue bangles adorned my wrists and I had long earrings on with a neckwear to match.

I could clearly hear the loud drums beating from downstairs.

Gosh!

It's really happening..
My wedding preparations....

The room door opened as Krishi and Kaeya walked in both beautifully dressed in sarees but Krishi had a wedding necklace and vermilion to show that she is married.

"Com'on now Anthonia.. it's time to draw your henna" Krishi notified and I exhaled slowly getting up on my feet while holding my saree in place then released it.

"Let's go" I sighed and they led the way as we made an exit out of the room.

All gazes turned to me as I alighted the stairs escorted by Krishi and Kaeya.

The mansion was so full tonight.
Children danced and ran about happily while few single ladies were not left out of the fun.

There was not a single male in the sitting room according to tradition.

I was made to sit on a big sofa with no place to lean on.

I could see Mother going about trying to make sure things are all in place.

Step-mom and Nathasha were having henna drawn for themselves likewise few others.

My henna artist sat beside me and took out a magazine showing me different patterns and styles of henna art to choose from.

Tho none of these mattered to me, I still wanted a pretty pattern.

"Hey!" I heard someone hail and I looked to see Janvi as she secured a space to sit beside me.
She really has a pretty smile.

"Gimme that. I will choose a nice pattern for you" She offered taking the magazine from me and began to glance through it and finally settled for one.

It was a flowery pattern but waaay too complicating.

Janvi stayed with me for a little while as the pattern drawing began and left to go join the dancing girls including Krishi and Kaeya.

They all seemed to be excited..for my sake.

Nathasha POV

I smrinked glancing at the henna bowl with me.

The real henna bowl....
The henna being used to draw Anthonia's pattern is mixed and would not end up being nice as it would would wash off easily.

I took the real henna which is with me now and left the fake one for Anthonia.

Why?

If the henna get washed and it fades, it would be a huge disaster as it is not a good sign for an upcoming bride henna to wash off.

I chuckled lowly.
Well..if that happens,the family would begin to feel odd about it, as if Anthoniamight be some sort of bad luck to them.

Watch out Anthonia...

Anthonia POV

The henna artist was done soon enough but not totally.

"What is the name of your husband to be Miss?" She asked and I noticed people around me darted their gazes to my direction.

Do I even know if my supposed groom is a clown?

Mother who had heard the question began to mutter something to me.

Huh?

I squinted my eyes trying so hard to read her lips to a furtile attempt.

Janvi sat my by the henna artist and whispered something to her.

The artist nodded and began drawing as Janvi switched to my side.

"Your henna is pretty lovely" She cooed and I smiled.

" I sure do have quite a taste" She further said and I chuckled nodding.

" Of course". I affirmed.

"Oh! I feel so lucky! Soon...I will have a gist mate. My mansion is super huge and boring I tell you" She exclaimed and I laughed softly.

But what name did Janvi tell the henna artist?

I glanced at my palm to see that the artist was already done with her work.

I couldn't find the name.
Wow!
This artist must be pretty good at her work.

The dancing continued as the Mothers around were singing and beating drums while the girls danced.

"Com'on Anthonia..join us.." Janvi urged pulling me to their midst as I tried protecting my henna as they danced around me.

Not as if I can not dance, am great at it but... ion feel like.

My henna soon got cleaned and everyone was amazed at the end result even I myself.

I could not comprehend how I felt within.

The henna..it didn't fade!
It didn't!

Everyone around cheered happily and Mother gave me a big smile which I returned.


Nathasha POV

My henna art faded a bit but Anthonia's henna art did not fade.

I scoffed glancing at the bowl.
Of course it is the pure henna am with, so how on earth did it happen?

I glanced at Anthoniaspitefully as she was laughing... happily.

You escaped this one Anthonia.. you can never always be lucky.