My Sister Stole My Fiancé on Diwali
Chapter 6: Judgement Day
When I returned to the Singh house, I didn’t rush to see my father or Dadi. I knew now—no amount of bowing and scraping would save me. But soon, Aunt Sunita took my hand, her voice low and urgent. "Bow your head when you should, beta. If something happens to you..."
She choked up. I only nodded. "Don’t worry."
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"Touch Dadi’s feet!"
I bent down, my forehead nearly grazing the cold marble at Dadi’s feet, but the old woman only frowned deeper.
"I’ve heard everything. No matter what excuses you have, you failed to take care of Priya," Dadi scolded from her high chair, her face hard as stone.
"Family shame should never be aired in public. But you—rather than protecting your sister, you put her in an impossible situation. You’re sisters. Priya was in trouble, and when your brother tried to save her reputation, you only thought of yourself. Truly improper!"
"If I don’t discipline you, what will become of this family? How will I face our ancestors?"
The heavy smell of sandalwood pressed in on me, the framed photo of my late grandfather seeming to judge me from the wall. Outside, a koel called—a taunt in the silence. My knees ached on the cold mosaic, but the deeper pain was knowing: no matter how much I humbled myself, it would never be enough for this family.
As Dadi’s verdict echoed in the silent room, I realized—if I wanted justice, I’d have to take it myself.
