Today was my result day, and I visited the nearby temple to pray for my future. When I returned home, Amma was watching TV. Janani had gone to her work, and Appa was in the backyard cutting wood. Akash was playing games on Amma’s mobile when it suddenly started ringing. She answered, and it was Priya, who informed us that the results were out—and I had secured school first.
I immediately logged into the website and saw that I had missed only 10 marks in total. Amma hugged me tightly, and for the first time, I saw her truly happy. She called Appa and informed him about my results. I silently thanked God. Now, we only had to collect my certificates from school for college admission.
I haven’t spoken about college since the day I was rewarded with those two slaps. Whatever it takes, I will never go back there.
A week later, Amma, Appa, Akash, and I went to Grandma’s place. Janani couldn’t get leave from her company, so she stayed back in the village. I packed only one set of clothes for myself—I didn’t want to give anyone a reason to make me stay back here. Once I collect my certificates, I will leave this hell.
I was ready when Priya arrived with the monster and Kavitha aunty. Priya and Kavitha aunty hugged me, but when the monster came near, I instinctively moved back and held Amma’s hand tightly.
We all went to school, and I avoided the monster at all costs. A huge hoarding displayed the school results, and my photo was right on top. For the first time in a long while, I felt proud of myself. My parents stood beside me, beaming with pride. I met some of my classmates, and the teachers, Principal, and staff congratulated me warmly. Soon, we collected the certificates.
Back at home, I showed my certificates to Grandma. She blessed me and gave me five hundred rupees for myself.
“Priya wants to join engineering college. What about you, Meera? We shall buy admission forms for both of you,” Kavitha aunty said, and suddenly everyone’s eyes turned to me.
“I haven’t decided yet, Aunty. I’ll go home and think about it. I’ll let you know. But you can go ahead with Priya’s admission,” I replied, and my parents immediately understood my intentions. Their sharp glares told me everything.
“She’s just a little girl; she doesn’t know the world. So, we shall decide for her. We would only do what is good for her,” Father said, and I almost scoffed. He spoke as if he had ever done anything good in our lives.
“We can’t afford an engineering college, but I know someone who can sponsor her studies. She’s a bright student, and she has scored excellent marks. People would be ready to help her. I’ll talk to him, and we can get her admitted into the same college as Priya,” the monster said.
My hands began trembling at the thought of what could happen if he succeeded in his plan.
I will become a plaything for him and his son for the next four years. And on top of that, he could sell me to someone else for money, pretending that he got my admission done for free. No… no… no. I won’t let this happen. I can’t be a plaything. I’d rather stay home forever.
“Meera, what are you thinking? Didn’t you hear your uncle? You stay back for the admission process,” Amma said, and I immediately shook my head.
“Amma, let him first find a sponsor. We can return later to meet the sponsor and complete the admission process. But for now, please let me stay with you all for a few days. Please, Amma—only for a few days. Once I come back here to join college, I won’t be able to meet you all for months, maybe even years,” I pleaded, and Grandma supported me.
“She’s right. Let her stay with you all and return later for the admission. Let Dheeraj find a sponsor in the meantime,” she said, and everyone agreed to her words. I thanked God silently and decided I would convince Amma once we returned to the village.
Later, we were all in the hall when the monster walked by, talking to someone on the phone. Within minutes, he called out to me, asking for water. I froze, hesitating, but Amma glared at me.
“Didn’t you hear him, Meera? Go give him water.”
I picked up a bottle from the fridge and walked outside. I handed it to him without meeting his eyes and was about to leave when he stopped me.
“I know what you’re planning, little Meera. I’ll make sure you come back here for admission—because I still hold the card to your sister’s wedding. And if you dare to reveal anything, remember this: I’ll make your whole life hell. If I notice the slightest change in your mother or father, then consider that as your family’s last day. I have men in your village. They can mix poison in your father’s alcohol anytime. I can do anything—so keep your mouth shut.”
I swallowed hard, fear gripping my chest, and just like that, all my plans to expose him died instantly. I walked back inside, where everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves, while I stood in the corner like a cursed soul.
That same evening, we returned to the village, and I shut myself away, refusing to talk to anyone.
Two days later, a prospective groom was invited to meet Janani. She didn’t say yes or no—she simply walked out to work.
That evening, the groom’s family arrived. He looked decent, but he had studied only up to school and owned a mechanic shop. Janani was dressed beautifully in a saree, but her face showed no interest.
Both families seemed happy. The groom liked Janani and said yes, but no one bothered to ask Janani for her opinion. I returned to the room and saw her removing her bangles.
“Are you happy, Janani? Do you like that man?”
She looked at me as if I had grown two horns and turned her attention to her phone, which had started ringing. She glanced at me once, and I understood—it was my cue to leave the room. I walked out, closing the door behind me, and saw both families already fixing the wedding date and discussing the arrangements. The groom hadn’t demanded anything, which pleased my parents, but his parents insisted that the wedding expenses be shared at least.
Once the groom and his family left, Amma called Grandma and informed her of everything.
“The groom looks good. He owns a mechanic shop in town, earns well, and didn’t ask for dowry. He’s okay with whatever we give Janani, but his parents want us to share the wedding expenses, at least to some extent. Seems like the boy really likes Janani,” Amma said and smiled at whatever Grandma replied. She cut the call and turned to my father.
“Your mother, sister, and Dheeraj brother will visit this weekend to discuss the wedding, and we shall visit the groom’s home as a family,” she said. They were happy that Janani would be married, but I was terrified of what the monster would do this time. I dreaded the day he would be here.
Three days passed in a jiffy, and everyone had already arrived. Amma and Grandma were happy, their eyes often lingering on Janani, who stood like a statue.
I hid myself in the kitchen, preparing lunch. They all got ready and left to the groom’s home. I was folding clothes when I noticed Janani, busy on her mobile. She didn’t look happy—something was definitely off. She entered her room and shut the door, and I could hear muffled noises from inside, like she was arguing with someone.
She never came out. I waited until everyone returned. By evening, they came back looking cheerful.
Amma called Janani, and she walked out, yawning.
“You’re lucky, Janani. The groom is handsome, runs a mechanic shop, and is very responsible. He’ll take good care of you, and your life will be secure. The wedding is fixed for three months from now,” Grandma said excitedly. But Janani stood there in silence.
She walked out to the backyard with her mobile, and I returned to the kitchen to prepare tea.
Meanwhile, Amma and Grandma were discussing the wedding with Kavitha aunty and the monster. Amma pulled out a notebook and began writing down the arrangements and expenses. I heard her say they needed at least four lakhs for the wedding. She suggested borrowing one lakh, Grandma promised to give another lakh, but they still needed two lakhs. I walked out with tea, and the monster was waiting outside. I told Akash to serve him, but Amma glared at me.
Reluctantly, I walked out. He smirked—this was his plan all along to get me alone.
“Your sister’s marriage is fixed in three months. I’ve already found a sponsor for your studies. Come back if you want this wedding to happen, or your sister will remain unmarried forever. Think wisely, Meera. You’ll get to study, your sister will be married, and your family will be settled.”
He walked back inside, leaving me standing there, numb and lost.
That night, Grandma, Kavitha aunty, and the monster left. I stayed awake, and I noticed Janani was awake too.
One week passed, and both Amma and Appa were stressed about arranging the money. They asked Janani to apply for a loan, but she refused. Appa and Amma fought often about the wedding expenses. Their phones were always charged, expecting the monster’s call.
I secretly used Amma’s phone to look up colleges. There were two nearby, and with my marks I could get into any of them. I would just need to pay the initial fees and then apply for scholarships later. But how could I convince Amma and Appa to pay even that much?
One afternoon, Amma was washing vessels when I entered the kitchen.
“Amma, I need to apply for college admission. Shall I go buy the admission form?” I asked cautiously.
Amma stopped, turned, and glared at me.
“Are you kidding me, Meera? We’re struggling to arrange money for Janani’s wedding, and you want us to worry about admission? Why don’t you listen to your grandma? Your uncle is finding a sponsor. Wait until we hear from him.”
She turned back to the vessels—discussion over. I couldn’t press further. She was already in a foul mood.
Another month passed, and finally Amma received a call from the monster. She handed me the phone which I received with trembling hands.
“Meera, I found a sponsor. He wants to meet you this week. I hope you’ve thought about my words. Your parents don’t have much time to prepare for Janani’s wedding. Their hopes rest on me—and my answer depends on yours.”
My hands shook as I cut the call. Amma looked at me anxiously.
“What happened, Meera? What did he say?” she asked, and Appa leaned forward curiously.
I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to join engineering, Amma. I want to join law college. It’s already late, but with my marks I can still secure a seat. The fees are less, and I’ll apply for scholarships. Please… let me decide my future.” I said it all in one go, bracing for a slap. But instead, they stood frozen.
“You’re a selfish girl, Meera. You could just obey him and all our problems would be solved. But no, you have to think only of yourself,” Amma snapped.
“Why doesn’t he give money for Janani’s marriage if he truly wants to help us? What does my education have to do with him paying for the wedding?” I shot back, my voice shaking with anger.
Without waiting for their reply, I shut myself inside the room. From there, I heard Appa screaming, then the sound of Amma crying. When I peeked out, I saw Appa storm out while Amma sat sobbing. Later, I overheard her on the phone, pleading with Grandma to talk to the monster.
After the call, she turned to me, her teeth clenched.
“I’ve spoken to your grandma and uncle. They agreed to arrange money for Janani’s marriage. Your father doesn’t earn, so don’t expect me to pay your fees. Be ready to go back to your grandma’s house if you want to study further,” she said coldly and walked away, leaving me stunned.
They had it all planned—to take money from the monster, get Janani married, and send me back to hell.
But everything changed that night.
Janani never returned home.
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