~ALMOST LOVED~

When she reached her house, something instantly felt off. The air was heavy — too quiet, too formal. All the family members were gathered in the living room, their expressions unreadable.

Aanya paused at the entrance, forcing a smile. “Good evening,” she greeted softly.

Her father, Dheeraj, gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, but Ritika, her stepmother, didn’t even lift her eyes. As usual. That silent dismissal was something Aanya had long grown used to, yet it still cut deep.

She quietly sat at the edge of the sofa, fidgeting with the corner of her dupatta. A strange uneasiness settled in her chest — like something was about to happen.

And then, breaking the silence, her step-grandmother smiled warmly.
“Congratulations, beta!” she said with a hint of excitement.

Aanya blinked in confusion. “For what, Dadi?”

The old woman chuckled softly. “For your marriage, of course! You’re going to get married, aren’t you?”

The words hit Aanya like a lightning strike. “What… what did you just say?” she stammered. Her heart skipped a beat.

Dheeraj looked at her calmly. “Yes, Aanya. You’re getting married.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Married? Dad— what are you saying? I don’t even know who he is! When did this happen?”

Before Dheeraj could respond, Ritika’s sharp voice cut through the room. “You are getting married, Aanya. Don’t argue about the decisions your elders make.”

“No, I’m not!” Aanya’s voice cracked as she stood up, her pulse racing.

Ritika rose to her feet too, her expression hardening. “Enough! You’ll do as we say!”

“I said I’m not!” Aanya shouted back, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and helplessness.

She turned to leave, desperate to escape this nightmare. But before she could take another step, Ritika grabbed her wrist tightly.
“You’re not going anywhere!”

“Let me go!” Aanya yelled, trying to free herself.

When Ritika’s grip tightened, Aanya’s patience snapped. She shoved Ritika’s hand away with all her strength.

And then—

SLAP.

The sound echoed through the house like thunder.

Dheeraj’s hand had struck her.

The room went still. Aanya’s face burned from the sting, but the real pain spread somewhere much deeper — a silent ache in her heart.

Everyone froze. Ritika looked away, hiding a twisted satisfaction in her eyes, while Dadi lowered her gaze in shame.

Aanya stood there, motionless, tears threatening to fall. She looked up at Dheeraj — the man she still called “dad,” the man she had once believed would protect her.

“Why?” she whispered brokenly. “Why would you do this to me?”

Dheeraj’s jaw tightened, but no words came out.

Aanya’s chest heaved as she stepped back, her voice trembling. “You didn’t even ask me once…”

Aanya walked out of the house, her eyes blurry with tears. The  air felt cold against her burning cheek. She didn’t know where to go — her mind was blank, her heart aching.

She stood at the traffic signal, headlights flashing past her. The world moved on as if nothing had happened.

With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
“Di…” she whispered shakily.