"Kya matlab uski shadi hai!" I yell at the top of my lungs, my sister flinches in surprise clenching the cushion against her chest. I let out a sharp exhale, my brain was still unable to process the news she had just given.

[Translation - What do you mean it's his wedding?]

"Jasmine, Calm down okay?" Sonia says through the screen gesturing to calm down. I scoff and hold the screen of my laptop bringing it close to my face "Calm down? My brother is getting married and I had no idea about it and now you tell me about it? Seriously?" I rant out, my head already pounding due to the anger I am feeling

Sonia opens her mouth to say something more but stops herself, she knows how absurd this whole situation is. I keep the laptop back on my bed and sigh letting my shoulders lump down. I am sitting on the furry carpet of my room beside the bed

It was a random day when I was preparing for my finals and suddenly my cousin, Sonia, called. She is my paternal aunt's daughter and very close to me. She is still young and gonna complete her 10th soon. After coming to Sydney for my studies, as still maintained contact through technology

But today was different as she video-called me with a huge surprise. Announcing about my brother's sudden marriage. I didn't know when he got a girlfriend, when he got engaged and when did they even fix the dates? Just a week ago I talked with him and he acted like his usual boring self!

I was so sure that he didn't even have his first kiss yet

I thought my brother was a cold, boring human who had no interest in things like 'love', 'dating'

And here I am listening about his marriage

I knew he didn't like wasting time but did he seriously skip all the steps?

I glance at the screen to see my mother sitting beside Sonia with a smile on her face. She is wearing a saree and her hair is tied in an elegant bun, I could see the gajra in her hair looking as beautiful as ever. She keeps smiling for us, no matter how hard the situation gets

My father is the chairman of the south post of the royal crest. My mother is responsible for his financial advisor and also our home's main pillar

"Mummy, kya hora hai yeh. Kya aap logo ne Bhai ki arrange marriage fix kardi?" I ask her.

She sighs, I can see the confusion and hesitation on her face. "Karne Wale toh the lekin veer ne suddenly announce kar diya ki usko koi pasand hai aur woh usi se shadi karega" She explains.

[Translation 1- Mummy, what is happening? Have you people fixed an arranged marriage for my brother?

2. They were going to do it, but Veer suddenly announced that he likes someone and will marry that person]

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, that's not how my brother is. He is almost entering his 30s and for 5 years both my parents have been nagging him to get married. As much as our parents are open-minded to let us date after 18 only. Veer had no interest in finding love and was single for his whole life. Once in the heat of the moment, he said that Papa could arrange someone for him because 'he doesn't like wasting time on useless things'

His words, not mine

At least that's what I know

Or maybe he was dating someone in secret? And couldn't hold it when Papa was deciding on an arranged marriage?

"Aap log ne dekha hai? Kya papa aur bade papa man gaye?" I ask in curiosity. Even if my father would agree with no hesitation for his children's happiness. I know that my uncle would try to cause conflicts and my father never goes against his older brother

[Translation - Did you all see it? Did Uncle and Dad agree to it?"]

Typical Indian Aadarsh aur Sanskar

[Translation - Ideals and Traditions]

Sonia claps her hands and takes her phone closer to her face  "That's the thing! Bade papa ne to Rai ka pahaad khara kar diye. Woh toh bahut gusse mai the par jese hi bhai ne humari hone wali bhabhi ka naam liye, sab ke hosh ud gaye"

[Translation - That's the thing! Bade Papa (uncle) made Rai's mountain out of it. He was very angry but as soon as bhai took the name of our would-be sister-in-law, everyone was stunned]

[ Idiom- Rai ka pahad banaana = creating a storm in a teacup]

With Sonia's nature, she is the biggest party person even with the whole bombshell dropped by Bhai. She is the most excited to get an Indian wedding as this is the first in our generation

"Kyun? Kon hai humari hone wali Bhabhi?" I ask sarcastically

[Translation - Why? Who is our future sister-in-law?]

"Mira Oberoi "Sonia's words make my eyes go wide "Mama was able to convince Bade Papa that this marriage will bring both love and support to the families. Her name is very influential.."

Mira Oberoi? That word sends a Shiver down my spine. I remember seeing her at one of the parties when I was in India. She looked like a very friendly person but she was a top-notch businesswoman. Not like other billionaires who inherited it from their families. Mira is a self-made billionaire

At a time when Bhai was a new face to the business industry, he had a tough competition with Mira for many aspects.

Then why is he suddenly marrying his business rival? To escape the arranged marriage situation or do they have a relationship?

I know Bhai won't tell all of these to our family. Even if he does, this will somehow go to our uncle who wants nothing but our family's downfall. He owns all the franchises of Royal Crest in the north but everyone knows he wants more

I need to ask my brother directly

"We have met Mira today, she is nice and seems to be happy about this marriage. The wedding preparations have already started and they set the date to the end of March for all the ceremonies" my mother says, dropping another bomb. I gasp and slam my hands on the bed making the laptop rock

"What do you mean! My exams are there and Sonia's finals too why-" Before I could say more, my mother cut me off "We know, you can wrap up things and come back after graduation. That was the plan right?"

I sigh and settle back down. I know that was the plan but I don't wanna pack everything and leave as soon as I graduate. I made a new family here, especially friends and leaving like that makes my heart Clench

I thought maybe I could stay here for a couple of months and go back to join my father's business but now it seems impossible

My mother notices my expression and takes the phone from Sonia's hands "I know you have many things there but this is a big occasion for our family. Afterwards, you can of course go back to Sydney for vacation. Aur tumhe maloom hai, pheli baar veer ne kuch chaha hai. Uski Khushi hai is mai, Jasmine"

[Translation - And you know, for the first time Veer has wished for something. He finds happiness in this, Jasmine]

Damnit

That's true, my brother doesn't demand anything. Since childhood he took whatever he was offered without any complaints, it didn't matter if it was good or bad. He was the one who supported me to study in Sydney

That's why I always felt that Liam and Veer have similar personalities. How selfless and caring they are for their loved ones

It's okay

I can do that much for my family, it's been ages since I have seen them and a bit of an Indian wedding will bring everyone back together. And like my mother said, I can always come back to visit my family here too right?

Still, a part of me feels weird about this whole situation

I put a small smile on my face while looking at her "Haan, mai aaungi-" a sudden knock interrupts me. I turn and glance at the door as there's a second knock "Who is that?" My mother asks

[Translation - yes, I will come-]

"Oh! Maybe Aunt Lia, I said I would make her talk to you in one minute" I say and mute the mic on the call. My mother and sister nod as I get up and walk towards the door to open it

When Sonia's call came, I informed Aunt Lia about it. She likes talking to my mother about random stuff and they have a great bond too!

With a level of excitement, I open the door only for my whole excitement to crash down on the floor including my jaw. A choked breath escapes my lungs as I find Lucas standing in front of me

Half naked

The water was still dripping down his body and the only thing he was wearing was a towel wrapped around his waist. My throat feels dry as my eyes flicker across his face, his wet hair pushed back revealing his forehead. The water droplets gliding down his face and neck

I couldn't help but stare, her eyes tracing the outline of his muscular physique, made even more apparent by the water on his skin. I have seen his abs before yet I am still staring at them. The towel clung to his hips, emphasizing his lean build and the v-cut-

Wait

What am I doing?

What the hell did I just think about?

I let out a small groan and looked at him, my hands gripping the doorknob trying to neutralize my expressions. That's when I notice his furious expressions, his eyes narrowed and a frown covering his forehead.

His skin was lightly shining for some reason. When I look closely I identify that instantly. That's the glitter I poured in his shampoo weeks ago to take revenge on him for making me stuck in the Library

But to my luck, the whole time he didn't come to his home and stayed at that studio. I even forgot about it! Or else I would have replaced the shampoo, who knew he would get it today only to use it

"This is your doing?" He clenches his teeth while stepping closer to me and I automatically move back. I raise my hands in defence "Look, I can explain-"

A gasp escapes my mouth when he grabs my wrist and swings me with a force that I am pinned against the wall. It didn't hurt me yet I was surprised and my eyes closed in defense.

When I slowly open them, Lucas stands in front of me with his hands on either side of my head. He scoffs, his eyes boring holes into me "You ain't even denying it? You seriously did this ridiculous prank?" He snaps, I haven't seen him this angry for something

Yes we fight many times and do so many things yet he never acted like this

I gulp at the sight in front of me. The way his body is slightly pressing to me, making my heart race and legs weak. I shouldn't be thinking like this-

But what should I do when he is openly showing off this!

That damn body!

I groan and close my eyes unable to stand this anymore. He suddenly holds my chin and tilts my head, I know his height is towering over me. Completely hiding me "eyes open" he orders and I do it

Since when did I start listening to him?

I can understand why, his hair is shining with glitter and it's even on his chest and shoulders. A bit of redness around his skin maybe because he tried to scrub it off

"I know that wasn't right! But I did it long ago, I didn't think you would use the shampoo today" I say, I can't believe I am admitting that I am wrong. I could sense his hot breath on my face and the scent of the shampoo

That closeness is making me dizzy

Or maybe I am just hungry

He scoffs again, this time leaning more closer than ever. His blue eyes getting darker and sharper which makes my breath hitch

"Doesn't change the fact that you intended to pull this glitter mess. Do you know how bizarre it is?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes "Yeah but you deserved it! You stole my library card and made me clean your room, then made me help in the library all without my consent so you deserve it!" I taunted while poking my index finger at his chest trying to push him away

He glares at me and pins my wrist above my head making me squirm "Stop it!" I demand in annoyance, even though I wish he would stop and move away because I can't breathe

Like seriously

But will I ask him nicely?

Of course not-

"Okay, You could have done anything but messing with my-"

"Di, yeh kya ho raha hai?" Sonia's voice makes me shake out of the situation. My eyes widened remembering that I just muted the call but the video is still on. I quickly push Lucas away and he stumbles backwards while holding his towel

[Translation - sister, what is happening?]

My eye meets Sonia's horrified one, her mouth is slightly open and her eyebrows are joined together trying to understand what's happening. While my mother has already left

Did they see it? Oh my God-

THEY SAW THAT?

"I am not done talking!" Lucas interrupts me while holding my wrist again, preventing me from walking towards the laptop. I glance back at him "Shut up!" I snap and yank my hand away from him "Are you crazy? Why would you even do that?" I asked while gesturing to his previous tornado-like behaviour

"Yeh aapka boyfriend hai kya?" My head snaps back to Sonia as she asks. This time she is covering her eyes with her hand because of that fox's unwanted display. "No-" I groan in frustration, it's no use even if I speak as my laptop is on mute.

[Translation - is he your boyfriend]

"After what stunt you pulled?" Lucas begins to speak but I ignore him. Stomping my foot forward I unmute the call and open my mouth to speak

"Yes, I am," Lucas says, completing his sentence. Sonia's hand drops down and she looks at me, her eyes almost popping out of her socket. I shake my head in denial but there's no use as she throws her phone while calling out to my mother "Mami!!!"

[Translation - mami = mother's brother's wife]

I sigh and sit on the floor with my legs crossed and slam my hand against my forehead.

Because the phone was on mute when Sonia asked if that one was my boyfriend, Lucas completed his sentence just after I unmuted it. She misunderstood that he answered her question

She won't stay quit

This is gonna circulate to my whole family

Lucas steps forward and stands behind me with his arms crossed on his chest. Even after the chaos he caused in my family, he is flexing his muscles "What?" He asks in annoyance

I look up at him, my eye twitching at the building frustration inside me "Nothing" I say with a forced smile making him confused

"Absolutely nothing!" I yell in anger

How many bombs have been dropped