Chapter 33

After 15 days... Moon has started focusing on her mental health. After That incident, she talked to a therapist to move on with her life. Geet can now walk and talk like chapar chapar. She always did, and now I've also started writing a book, but since I always have free time, I tried to focus on doing something like washing my own clothes.

Geet came into the bathroom.

"Why have you made so much foam? What were you doing?"

"I'm playing! (Yelled) Can't you see? I'm learning how to wash clothes from YouTube."

Geet tried to control her laughter but couldn't and started laughing.

"Why do you need to learn how to wash clothes?" she asked, still laughing.

"Just keep laughing! Don't support me!" I said, pouting.

"But how did you do all this? The whole bathroom has turned from blue to white. I feel like I'm in the sky! Means it's cute! you created lots of clouds here!"

I got angry and said, "This is all your fault!"

"Mine? What did I do?"

"That day, didn't you say a perfect wife washes clothes, makes tea? I don't know how to do any of these!" I said, pouting.

Geet held my hand and led me out of the bathroom first. "You don't need to do all this. I was just having fun."

"Oh, Fuck!" I said, putting my hand on my head.

"What happened now?"

"I was learning how to make tea. I thought by the time I finish washing the clothes, the tea would be ready."

I ran to the kitchen, and Geet followed me. But what had happened? There wasn't even a drop of tea left in the pot, and the pot was burnt. The fire alarm started going off too.

Geet called and had the fire alarm turned off.

"Just leave all this! You can't do it!" Geet said, laughing, and then started attending to phone calls. Meanwhile, I looked at Geet angrily.

"Let's see how I can't do it."

Chipsy came to me, coughing, "Sis, what did you do? My throat is burning! Who told you to go into the kitchen? The whole house is filled with smoke!"

"Nothing happened! Don't act so dramatic."

"Ohh! Is Payal getting angry?"

I said, frustrated, "Yes, because I don't know how to do even a single household chore."

"So what's there to be sad about? If you don't know, just accept it. You're the world's worst cook. someone might die after eating your food."

"Whose side are you on? Instead of helping me, you're making fun of me!" I said, even more frustrated.

Ranjeet came into the kitchen to get some water. "What is this! What's that terrible smell?...Fart? Who did this?"

Chipsy and Geet both heard him and started laughing loudly. Ranjeet asked, "Tell us honestly, who has an upset stomach?"

Chipsy then said, "Payal did this..." (Ranjeet started laughing, and then Chipsy clarified) "My dear sister is learning how to cook."

Ranjeet said, "Payal, don't do this! Someone might cause cancer after eating your food."

I stormed off angrily. Everyone is against me as if I've blown up a pressure cooker. I just burned a pot, and it only turned a bit black—I mean, a little more than a bit. But I did wash the clothes, although all I managed to create was foam in the machine. I didn't understand what went wrong! I'm bad at everything.

Geet came over to me. I was sitting by the window, feeling sad, watching a red dot move around. The window was open.

Geet hugged me from behind.

"Why do you need to do all this? You're perfect the way you are."

"No, I have to do it! I'll make tea right now, and you try it and let me know..." (Geet immediately started coughing.) "What?!" I asked angrily.

"Nothing! I'm just happy that you're doing all this for me. My beautiful wife is working hard to become a good wife in our marriage."

"Everyone does this! It's nothing new! But you—you always sweet-talk me and make me feel like I'm on top of the world."

Just then, Earth noticed the red dot and quickly moved away from the window. A gunshot was fired, piercing through the TV.

Geet asked, Scared. "Is everything okay? They've found my location. It seems like he's here."

Earth asked, "Who is here?"

"Nothing, just tell me how your coding is going?" Geet forced a smile as she spoke.

I said, "We need to inform Bloodsucker. Call her & Ranjeet."

Earth is learning coding and has always wanted to create her own app. Ranjeet, after seeing the bullet hole, said, "It seems there was a shooter here. Close the window and alert security."

We all sat in the room. Moon came running from her therapy session, scared by the sound of the bullet hitting the TV.

Chipsy said, "Moon, nothing happened! Calm down, someone just fired a shot."

A bodyguard came in and said, "We killed him. He was shot as he was firing, We'll be more careful next time."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Moon received a call from Bloodsucker, who said, "You all need to get to India quickly. It will be safer to change your location. There's a secret door behind you—use that."

We all packed our bags, booked tickets quickly, and left for India. The journey was full of fear, with everyone's hearts pounding. We could be attacked at any moment. But we finally made it to the airport and, after many hours of travel, reached India. Bloodsucker's cars were there waiting. We got into a bulletproof car and headed to my house, where Ranjeet assured us that he wouldn't let anyone in. He called his gang, and security tightened.

As soon as my mom saw me, she said, "You finally came! I missed you." She gave Asshirwad (blessed) Geet and hugged her, saying, "Will you all come to your Masi (aunt's wedding)?"

Ranjeet said, "Stop being scared! Nothing will happen as long as I'm here. Do what you need to do." He seemed frustrated with that killer, his anger so intense that it felt like he could blow up the entire world.

Ranjeet's gang accompanied us. Ranjeet and Chipsy were sitting together.

"If you keep acting like this, I feel like one day you'll start committing domestic violence against me," Chipsy chuckled.

Ranjeet asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"This serious look of yours. Can't you smile?"

"Will you stop talking like a girl? What do you mean by smile? Guys behave like this!" Ranjeet said angrily.

"Are you going crazy or what?"

Ranjeet's old personality sometimes brings out the old Ranjeet in him.

"So sorry, I didn't mean to say that," Ranjeet apologized.

"It's okay!" Chipsy didn't pay much attention.

We arrived at my Masi (aunt's) daughter's wedding—my sister Raveena!

Raveena saw me and said, "Payal, you came! I've heard so many things about you—how you refused to get married to a handsome guy like Ranjeet. Are you gay now? Tell me, is it true?"

Ravina isn't homophobic. she just doesn't have a clue about what's right or wrong because she was taught by her toxic mom, my aunt. She's the perfect girl—good at studies, modest, never talks to boys. Ye wo nari hai, jisko kahte bimari hai (Yes, she's that woman. Yes, she's that sickness.) I mean her mom.

Raveena's fiancé, Prem, walked into the room—a tall, handsome, and wealthy man, with a presence that made everyone turn their heads.

Prem approached Raveena, "Raveena, what are you doing here? I've missed you so much."

Raveena smiled and introduced him, "This is my soon-to-be husband... his name is Prem."

Chipsy couldn't resist a joke, laughing as she said, "What, Prem? Like Selmon bhai? Is that you?"

Raveena laughed along, "Yes, he's my perfect husband." Just then, Ranjeet entered the scene, greeting everyone.

Moon and Earth also joined us, and I introduced them, "Raveena, this is Moon and Earth, my friends, and Geet is my..."

Before I could finish, Raveena interrupted, "Wait! Ranjeet, your mustache? I used to have such a crush on you because of that!"

Chipsy struggled to contain her laughter, whispering to me, "She'll get me in trouble with that comment."

Raveena noticed and asked, "Get in trouble? But why?"

Geet quickly stepped in, "Raveena, let it go! We're all tired; let's rest."

The wedding was taking place at a grand palace in Udaipur. The bright lights and loud music were little heavy for Geet, who hadn't been in a crowd for days. Moon felt the same way, while Earth, Chipsy, and I were enjoying ourselves. Ranjeet, as usual, was on high alert, serious and focused.

In night, after freshening up, we all gathered for dinner. Everyone was sitting together, gossiping and having fun. Raveena, noticing me, pulled me aside and asked, "Why are you always with Geet? Is she just your best friend?"

I hesitated, "Not exactly..."

Raveena leaned in closer and whispered, "I don't trust her."

"Why not?"

"When you were dancing, I saw her winking at you and even blowing a kiss. It freaked me out. I don't think she looks like crazy person."

I chuckled, "Doesn't your fiancé do stuff like that for you?"

Raveena blushed, "Well... he does a lot, but what does that have to do with anything? He's my soon-to-be husband."

"And she's my wife."

Raveena's eyes widened in shock, "Huh? Is that even possible?"

"What do you mean, possible?"

"A girl and a girl? Is she... trans?"

"No."

"Then what do you do together?" Raveena asked, her curiosity and innocence making her sound like a child.

"Nothing has happened yet... we're still figuring ourselves out."

"What does that mean, 'figuring yourselves out'? She's giving you time? ....hmm ...That's good... I wish Prem was like that. He jumped straight to the last step, and I didn't like it at all, but when did my opinion ever matter?"

"Why didn't you say no?"

"Who asked for my permission?" Raveena said, lowering her gaze.

I sighed, "Raveena, are you a child? Let me go teach that guy a lesson."

"No! He's my husband."

"Soon-to-be... he looks good, but you don't like him?" I asked.

"I do... that's why I'm marrying him. But you and Geet have it right. It's easier to be with a girl. A girl understands all your problems. Maybe all guys are same."

"It's not like that. Ranjeet understands me well too."

"Then should I marry him instead?" Raveena asked seriously.

"No, no! You're just confused! Ranjeet and Jay are a thing."

"Huh? Your whole family... you're all so lucky. And I'm cursed."

"Don't stress about it! If he gives you too much trouble, just tell me. We'll deal with Prem together."

Raveena grabbed my hand, "No, sister, tell me... is it always this scary when you're getting married? The sindoor, the rituals... I'm not enjoying any of it."

I didn't want to break up another marriage, but what could I do? My sister was in trouble. What would you do if you were in my place?

All that has happened to me over these past few days made me think that going to the wedding would be a break. Sitting at home for so long, we all became fearful and anxious. This wedding might be able to fix everything. I thought I'd feel better, but after hearing what's being said here, something doesn't feel right. It's like the deep secrets of the family are starting to come out.