It was a call from a multinational company.
For a moment, Sia didn't understand what was happening. The assistant manager was calling her for the position of Boss's Assistant's Assistant. Her mind went blank.
Then she remembered—months ago, she had casually applied for job interviews. She had never thought she would actually get selected. She had filled the form almost for fun.
Now, listening to the male voice on the other end, she froze.
"Hello? Miss Sia? Are you there?"
"Yes, sir."
"You need to come for the interview within the next fifteen days. Your application has been selected for the next round. I'm calling to confirm your availability."
"Will you be able to attend the interview?"
"Ah… sir, I'll call you back in half an hour."
"Alright, but please hurry. There's only one vacancy. Also, selection for the interview round does not guarantee a job."
"Thank you. Have a good day."
The call ended.
Sia sat down on the bed, stunned. Her thoughts raced.
For the first time in months, she saw a ray of hope.
I can go to another state for a job.
I don't have to depend on anyone.
But then reality hit her.
What about the wedding?
It's so close. Uncle and aunty will never allow me to go.
Even if they agree… will my husband allow me to work?
She didn't even know him. His thoughts. His values.
And yet, she was about to marry him.
What should I do?
She glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes had already passed. Time slipped through her fingers like sand.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
And a memory crashed into her mind.
She and Arjun were on his bed. He lay beneath her, smiling. She looked at him like she had never seen anything so beautiful before. His lips. His sharp jawline covered in a light beard.
She leaned down and kissed him.
Arjun smiled, then suddenly pulled her under him, kissing her brown, delicate neck.
"Stop it, Arjun," she laughed.
"Oh, Sia baby," he said teasingly. "You started it."
Then Arjun's phone rang.
It was a call from a company.
He spoke for a few minutes before hanging up.
"What happened?" Sia asked.
"I got an offer," he said proudly. "HR position."
She hugged him tightly. "Wow! Congrats! I'm so happy for you."
She kissed his lips warmly, then hesitated before speaking.
"Listen… I was thinking about applying for a job too. It would be good for me."
Arjun's face hardened.
"Why do you need a job?"
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, why do you need to work?" he asked. "Don't I give you whatever you want?"
"Yes, but earning your own money feels different," she said softly.
His expression darkened.
"There's no need. What am I here for? I'll earn enough to keep you happy."
Then his face changed again, lighter now, mocking.
"And stop thinking such stupid things. Who will give you a job? You're not even qualified."
He laughed.
That day, in a rush, she had filled the application form.
She came back to the present.
Her reflection looked serious now. The wounds Arjun had given her were deeper than she had ever realized.
She picked up her phone and redialed the number.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I am available for the interview."
"Thank you, Miss Sia, for your confirmation."
The call ended.
But her mind was still restless.
How will I go?
It's in another state.
If I'm gone even for an hour, uncle and aunty panic.
Going without informing them is impossible.
And the interview didn't even guarantee a job.
What if I fail?
I'll have to come back.
I'll have to marry a stranger.
A prisoner for the rest of my life.
Her eyes grew heavy. Tears fell onto her hands.
A knock sounded at the door.
Nisha walked in.
Sia quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile.
"Hey, Nisha. You're here suddenly. What happened?"
"Nothing," Nisha said gently. "I was just worried about you."
"It's good you came," Sia said. "I need to talk to you."
"About what?"
"My application got selected for a job interview."
"Oh my God, congrats!" Nisha smiled. "But will your family allow it?"
"No. They won't."
"Then what will you do? How will you attend the interview?"
"That's what I'm thinking. It's in another state."
"You've never been there. You don't know anyone," Nisha said worriedly. "Maybe you shouldn't go."
"But Nisha," Sia whispered, "this is my last chance to be free."
Nisha sighed. "Let's see what we can do."
The door opened again.
This time, it was her grandmother.
"Sia, we have news for you."
Lost in thought, Sia assumed it was good news.
"Your wedding has been preponed."
Sia smiled faintly. "So when is it now?"
"On the 15th of April."
Her heart dropped.
The date was closer. Much closer.
Now, going for the interview was impossible.
She forced herself not to cry.
"We went shopping for your bridal lehenga," her grandmother continued. "We didn't take you. Brides don't go out until the wedding."
Nisha quietly said goodbye and left.
Sia didn't even want to look at the lehenga. She knew she would hate it.
I'll be the first bride who couldn't even choose her own lehenga.
She walked into the next room where all her relatives were seated. She gave them a weak smile—if it could even be called a smile.
"Sia didi, look at your lehenga!" Neeraj said excitedly. "It's so beautiful."
She hated the colour. The design. Everything about it.
But she said nothing.
"Go, Sia beta," her aunty said. "Try it on. See if it fits."
She went into the bathroom to change her clothes.
As she wore the lehenga and looked at herself in the mirror, a voice rose inside her.
I have to go for the interview. No matter what happens.
Either I get selected…
Or I will never come back.
For the first time in days, her reflection looked calm.