chapter 19
"Jinman!" Jian whispered in shock.
She looked towards her Omma, who was not showing any sign of recognition. Of course, her Omma didn't know how Jinman looked...as she has just heard his name.
She then looked at her Onna, who was....scared. Of course, he would be, just like she was.
'What does he want? Is he here to kill me...us? I knew this would happen. Ari was right. Oh, Lord Suviran! forgive me for throwing my family into such a fate!' Jian thought.
"Kyriosol Mr. Heman." Jinman greeted her Onna in typical (Bhagavat culture.))
Her Onna didn't know what to do. So, he also said a low 'Kyriosol'.
"Did...did we do something wrong?" Her Onna asked. Jinman understood his fear and fought to not chuckle.
"No uncle. I actually came to return Jian's phone. I forgot to give her back." He said casually.
Jian's Onna looked at his daughter in disbelief. He realized now, that his daughter was lying to him. He was furious and....hurt. Jinman saw his discomfort and decided to elaborate.
"Please, don't scold her for getting home late. Actually, we were stuck in the traffic and this is why we were late." He said.
Jian lowered her head in disbelief. 'Why is he telling everything!' She cursed.
Jinman felt the tension in the house and decided to leave.
"I think... I should go now. It's very late. Good night uncle. Bye Jian." He said specifically to her.
She raised her eyes to meet his and lowered them quickly.
'Why Jinman, why?' She cursed, again.
Jinman left and Jian's Onna closed the door. When he realized what just happened, he turned around to face his daughter. He looked at her as if she betrayed him.
"Onna, I can explain..." Jian started defending herself.
*SLAP*
Jian's hand involuntarily came towards her cheek. Realization hit her like a bullet.
'My Onna slapped me! He slapped me for no reason. It wasn't my fault!'
Jian's brother and Omma came to protect her from her Onna's rage.
"EXPLAIN WHAT?" He asked angrily.
Tears started forming in her eyes and she couldn't control them. It was the first time her Onna had slapped her since she turned ten. Her throat caught her voice and it was difficult for her to even breathe.
"Let me talk to her, Ni( A/N: In Kalyndo,a wife usually does not call her husband by her name and vice-versa. They call each other by their first child's name or by simply saying, Ni. It's not compulsory though.) I am sure she has reasons." Her Omma said.
"DON'T come in between us. You may be her Omma but I guess you failed in your duties. I will show her what she is doing. So, you were with your friends?" Her Onna asked angrily.
"O-o-onna....I...I was a.about to t.tell y.you." She tried to speak, but he beat her to that.
"WHEN? WHEN WERE YOU ABOUT TO TELL US? I NEVER KNEW I WOULD BE SEEING THIS DAY IN MY LIFE. MY DAUGHTER IS SPENDING NIGHT WITH A CRIMINAL!" He said, disbelief evident in his voice.
"No, Onna. You d.dont understand. He threatened me. I didn't have any ch.choice." She said.
"Stop lying, Jian. I thought my daughter would bring fame to my family. I thought she was working with respect. But, no! God knows, for how long you were cheating on us!"
"No Onna. Please don't say this."
"Why not, Jian? Did I say anything wrong? Tell me, is it not true that you were there with that Jinman Karan?" He asked.
She remained quiet.
How could she explain to her Onna, when he wasn't even trying to understand. How could she explain the long story of their meeting and the other things that followed! He wouldn't understand and she knew it.
"TELL ME!" He demanded.
"I was." She said with a shaky voice.
"Why didn't I die before seeing this day?" He said desperately.
"Onna, please don't say this." Jian sobbed more. Her brother came to her and tried to soothe her.
"I am sorry, if I hurt you. I....I will do anything you say....but...but please don't hate me." She cried.
"You are getting married." Her Onna announced.
Jian snapped her head to look at her Onna. Was he serious? She can't marry, especially with all the responsibilities of the family. She knew no man would take responsibility for her family if she gets married.
"N..no Onna! I can't marry. What about Jaxon?" She tried to reason.
"I am still alive Jian! I know what to do, better than you." He scolded her to which she lowered her head.
"You are getting married. That's final. I don't want people to know that you are in connection with a criminal. What if somebody finds out and nobody approves you for marriage. No, I can't let that happen. You are getting married. Soon." He announced.
Jian lowered her head in defeat. She can't fight with her Onna.
His decisions were the final ones. And now, she had to marry whomsoever her Onna approves.
'But who am I getting married to?' She thought.
She wanted to ask him about his choice, but the age-old shyness came over.
"I will talk to Arisu's parents and fix a date as soon as possible," He said.
Jian looked at her Onna in confusion: Was he serious?
"Onna! What are you s.saying?" She asked nervously.
"You are marrying Arisu. His parents had already asked for your hand in marriage but I was the one postponing it. I thought you weren't ready for marriage. But, now I believe, you are more than ready. And....If I see you denying or....running away, I swear Jian, you will never see my face....alive." He threatened her.
"You don't have to do anything like that, Onna! I will marry anyone you say." Jian said in a straight voice. She didn't want to hurt her Onna anymore.
Her Onna then left the room without even looking at his daughter. Jian hugged her Omma tightly and cried hard.
"Omma, it's not my fault. He f.forced me to go with him. He always does that. If I don't do as he says, he will kill me. He has a gun with him always and if I go against his will, he says that he will shoot me. I don't want to die, omma." She cried and babbled.
"Shh! I trust you, Jiji! Your mother trusts you." Her Omma supported her. Jian straightened and looked at her Omma in disbelief.
"You trust me?" She asked.
"Of course I do, Jiji! I am your mother. I know you will never do such a thing."
"Why Onna doesn't trust me then?" She asked desperately.
"He trusts you too. It's just that...that the situation is bad. He is a father and he is afraid for you. He is concerned, Jiji! And I advise you to do as he says. He wants the best for you, Jiji. You know that, right?" She said.
"Yes, omma. I know. But....but how can I marry Arisu? We are best friends! He doesn't even love me. How will the marriage work if there is no love?" She asked.
"I guess, you need to talk to Arisu about his feelings. Okay!" She advised.
"Okay." She replied.
"Now go to sleep. And tomorrow, we will fix a date for your marriage." She said.
"Was this pre-decided?" Jian asked suspiciously.
"Kind of." Her Omma said and left the room as well.
"Jiji, if you want I can help you with that person. I will fight him." Jian's brother said as his brother instinct got switched on.
It irritated Jian. She was too depressed to talk funny.
"You pay attention to your studies and nothing else. UNDERSTOOD?" She scolded him.
"Why are you getting angry at me? I am just helping you." He said with puppy eyes.
He was right. Jian had no reason to be angry at him. But, how could she explain to him, what she was going through? How could she marry Arisu when he doesn't even love her?
But the biggest question was, will Jinman allow this marriage? He had clearly expressed his desire of marrying her, and he had always been possessive about her. What will he do if he finds out about her marriage thing? The thought only scared her to bones!
Now, only tomorrow will decide what happens!
'I never knew my life would take this turn! It was going so simple and happy! Why God! Why did this Jinman Karan come into my life? Now even my Onna hates me! I hate him. I hate him with my life!'