Bhavika

23 years old

"Mummy pleaseeee" I join my hands infront of her.

She glares at me and then shakes her head.

"Theek hai par akele nahi jayegi tu. Shashank ko saath leke ja" my mother says and my 10 year old brother, Shashank gives me that evil smile of his.

(Ok but you won't go alone. Take Shashank with you)

"Done" I say picking up my dupatta and holding my brother's hand so he doesn't make me late. As soon as we are out of the house, I slap him on his head.

"Kya haii!" He says pulling my dupatta which I wrapped around my neck to go along with my jeans and top.

(What!)

"Jaldi chal" I command him.

(Move faster)

We are going to a temple. It's about 2 kilometers away from my house and no rickshaw goes there so we have to walk. That's why my mom was not sending me alone.

She doesn't know how many times I have gone there alone. It's my favorite place. So quiet and peaceful.

During this time, that temple doesn't have much visitors. If I go late, it'll be filled with devotees. I like to be first and have one on one conversations with Ma.

This area is kind of secluded as it doesn't have any houses but there are series of temple here.

Today is different, many black cars are parked in a row. As I reach the temple, I push the gate to enter. This place has an amazing aura.

I climb the stairs and my brother follows me. I notice many people in the temple next to this one. Hmm what's happening? I'll look into it later on. Might get some good tea to tell Avni, my bestfriend.

Standing infront of Ma's murti, I close my eyes and start talking to her in my mind.

Ma dekho, 23 saal ki hogyi hoon. Still unemployed. Meri degree se acchi naukari mujhe mil nahi rahi hai aur government exams mujhse clear ho nahi rahe. Toh please ya phir toh meri lottery nikalwa do ya phir ek millionaire handsome man bhejdo meri life mei, jo mere haath mei apna black card dede. I know it's very lalachi of me par aap toh samjhti hona mujhe. Ekdum books jaisa pati miljaye. So please apni kripa barsao mujhpar.

(Ma see, I am 23 years old and still unemployed. With my degree, I am not getting a decent job and I am also not able to clear government exams. So please either let me win a lottery or send a millionaire handsome man in my life who hands me his black card. I know it's very greedy of me but you understand right. May I get a husband just like the male characters I have read in the books. So please bless me)

I open my eyes and see her smiling. It's as if she's saying tathastu. I salute her and look around for my brother. Where did that brat go?

"Shashank!" I shout his name. I look around in the whole temple but there's no one.

I go downstairs, still no one. If something happened to him, my mother will literally kill me.

As I look on the street, I hear him shout "Didi!!"

He just called me 'didi' that means he is in trouble. I turn around to see him being held my two men who have gun in their hands and it is pointed at my stupid brother. These men look decent, why are they behaving like gali chap gunda (rowdy)

"Excuse me bhaiyas! Aap kya kar rahe ho? Mana yeh zubaan thodi zyada chalata hai par aap isse gunpoint par kaise rakh sakte ho? Trauma hojaega bacche ko" I explain to them standing near him.

(Excuse me bhaiyas! What are you doing? I know he talks a lot but how can you put him on gunpoint? He will have trauma)

"Aree bhabhi ji hume yeh nahi, aap chahiye" one of them says politely adjusting his kurta.

(Oh bhabhi ji we do not want him, we want you)

OMG DID HE JUST CALL ME BHABHI JI?! SLAYYYY BHAVIKA.

"Bhavika!" Sharmila aunty comes to stand beside those two goons. I don't know her that well but have seen her in this area many times. And from her cars, I know she is rich. I usually do some small talks with her since she gives me cute granny vibes.

"Aunty inko dekho yeh kya kar rahe hai. Lagte toh acche ghar se hai harkate dekho bacche ko bully kar rahe" I complain to her.

(Aunty look what they are doing. They look like they are from decent household still they are bullying a kid)

"Wo mere liye hi kaam karrhe hai" Aunty explains and I nod. "Bhavika tumhe mere pote se shaadi karni hogi"

(They are working for me) (Bhavika you have to marry my grandson)

"Kyaaa" I say but it doesn't sound that dramatic so I repeat it two more times. "Kya Kya"

(Whatttt) (What what)

"Haan. Uski dulhan mil nahi rahi aur uski aaj ke aaj shaadi hona bohot zaroori hai"

(Yeah. We can't find his bride and it is very important to get him married today)

I look at my brother and then at goons. Do I even have a choice?

"Aunty unki photo dikhana" I say.

(Aunty show me his photo)

"Zaroor beta" she opens her phone and shows the picture. JACKPOT HE'S HOT. What? Don't judge me.

(Sure)

I control my smile and make a sad face.

"Ab apne bhai ko bachane ke liye mujhe yeh balidaan dena hoga." I say and go to the temple where the wedding is happening.

(Now to save my brother, I have to do this sacrifice)

THIS IS MY WATTPAD MOMENT.