Monty stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection, his heart sinking into the depths of despair. Dressed in an elaborate bridal outfit, adorned with heavy jewelry, and his face covered in layers of makeup, he looked nothing like himself. His identity, his freedom, had been stripped away in a cruel twist of fate. He wanted to scream, to run away, to fight back, but he knew he couldn't. His father's ironclad grip on the family's honor left him powerless.
Just then, the door creaked open, and his mother, Lalita, entered the room. She walked in angrily, mistaking him for his sister, Preeti. Her eyes burned with disappointment as she scolded, "Have you lost your mind, Preeti? How could you think of running away? Do you have any idea how furious your father is? He will never forgive you! And that girl—he won't spare her either."
Monty's breath hitched as he turned to face his mother, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. His voice trembled as he whispered, "Maa… it's me… Monty."
Lalita froze, her eyes widening in shock. She took a step closer, scrutinizing the person before her. Her own son stood in front of her, yet she had failed to recognize him. Her hands trembled as she touched his face, her voice cracking. "Monty…? My son?"
Monty nodded, the weight of his helplessness crushing him. "Yes, Maa… It's me. I had no choice. Father has forced me into this. I am to take Preeti's place until he finds her."
Tears streamed down Lalita's face as she cupped his cheeks. "My poor child… What have they done to you?" She pulled him into a tight embrace, sobbing into his shoulder. "If only your sister had the same loyalty, the same strength… We would not have been in this situation."
Monty felt his mother's pain, but his own suffering was unbearable. He swallowed his sorrow and whispered, "I never disobeyed Father… and I won't start now. If this is what he asks of me, I will do it."
Lalita pulled back, shaking her head. "No, Monty. This isn't right. This isn't fair!"
"Nothing about this is fair, Maa," Monty said bitterly, wiping his tears. "But I can't change it."
Lalita looked at him with helplessness, knowing she couldn't save him from this nightmare. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and whispered, "Just one night, my son. Hold on for one night. Your father's men are searching for Preeti. By tomorrow, she will be back, and you can be free."
Monty nodded, though his heart clenched at the uncertainty.
The wedding ceremony began, and Monty was led to the mandap, where Romi, the groom, stood waiting. Monty kept his eyes down, afraid of being discovered. He felt suffocated under the heavy veil, the scent of incense and flowers making his head spin.
As he approached, Romi looked at him curiously. There was something odd about this bride. Her posture, her hesitation—it was unlike any bride he had ever seen. Still, he brushed aside his doubts. The wedding had to go on.
The priest chanted the sacred mantras, and Monty mechanically followed the rituals, each vow feeling like a chain tightening around his soul. When Romi placed the mangalsutra around his neck, Monty's heart shattered completely. He had never felt so trapped, so powerless.
The wedding was complete.
The moment of departure arrived. Monty sat in the wedding car, his hands trembling as he clutched the edge of his bridal lehenga. Lalita bent down, whispering into his ear, "One day, my son. Just one day. Hold on."
Monty nodded weakly, his throat too tight to speak.
As the car started moving, Romi sat beside him, watching him closely. He noticed the silent tears streaming down Monty's face. He sighed and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to him. "I know leaving your family is hard, but you need to be strong. You're an adult now—you have to live with your husband."
Monty stiffened at Romi's words. His hands balled into fists as he turned his head sharply, glaring at Romi with fire in his eyes.
Romi raised an eyebrow, amused. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Monty's silence was unnerving. Romi chuckled, shaking his head. "Listen, don't give me that look. This marriage is just a deal. I don't care about you, and you don't have to care about me. Let's just play along, alright?"
Monty felt anger bubbling inside him. How dare he? How dare Romi dismiss this as a mere deal when Monty's entire existence was being crushed under its weight?
Romi noticed the storm in Monty's eyes and smirked. "You know, for a bride, you sure have a lot of fire in you. Just don't forget your place."
Monty turned away, staring out of the window. He felt like a prisoner being transported to his doom. How long could he keep up this charade? How long before everything crumbled around him?
As the car drove into the night, Monty silently prayed for a miracle. Anything to end this nightmare.
Little did he know, the true storm was yet to come.