"No maa, no way." Reeva's voice trembled with fury as she confronted her mother's audacity. How could she? Even after all these years... Reeva's heart ached with the bitter realization that her family always favored boys over girls. But despite her longing for familial affection, she found herself continually overlooked and undervalued. "Why is it," she wondered, her voice choked with emotion, "that even the pet dog in our family has a status, but not me?"

As hot tears streamed down her cheeks, Reeva grappled with the familiar sting of rejection. This was nothing new to her. Countless days had been tainted by the weight of her family's patriarchal beliefs. And she knew she wasn't alone. In a society steeped in gender bias, countless girls like her endured similar struggles.

Reeva Desai, the eldest daughter of Sathyanath Desai and Reena Desai, had always fought to defy the limitations imposed upon her. Despite the odds stacked against her, she refused to let her dreams be stifled by societal expectations. From a young age, Reeva excelled in her studies, driven by a fierce determination to prove her worth in a world that often dismissed her simply because of her gender.

Working tirelessly, she juggled part-time jobs to support her family while pursuing her education. Despite facing financial hardships and constant discouragement, she earned a scholarship for her Bachelor's in Business Administration at Mumbai University. Her academic achievements were a testament to her resilience and tenacity, but the scars of her familial struggles ran deep.

Reeva's journey was marked by countless obstacles, but with each challenge she faced, she emerged stronger and more determined than ever to defy the limitations imposed upon her by society. Her story was not just her own—it was the story of countless girls who dared to dream in a world that often sought to crush their aspirations.

Reeva always dreamed of standing independently, in a position where no one would look down on her. Her dream job was in the competitive yet marvelous world of business. Perhaps it was the constant bickering and struggles with her family that fueled her passion for negotiation. But her talent as a negotiator only seemed to alienate her further within the family. She was always relegated to the end of the line—the outcast. Whatever her brother didn't like, or all those secondhand goods, always found their way to her. Even her parents' affection felt secondhand.

After high school, Reeva begged to keep studying, but her family wouldn't hear it. They said it was her duty to help her younger brother Adwik with his education instead. It hurt like hell. Adwik Desai, the typical spoiled-to-rotten child of the family, was the one who took everything for granted. He was just two years younger to her, but act like her great ancestor.

It took her grandparents stepping in to finally get her parents to agree—but only if Reeva paid her own way. It was like a slap in the face. Still, Reeva refused to give up. She worked hard and managed to snag a scholarship. But even with that success, the sting of her family's favoritism lingered, leaving her feeling angry and betrayed.

In the present scenario, Reeva had carefully set aside her scholarship stipends and work bonuses for future plans. However, her mother and brother had their eyes set on that money, intending to invest it in their 'baby brother's' business venture.

"We've raised you, provided for you, and now you're being ungrateful," her mother erupted. "It's your responsibility to support the family. What's wrong with giving your brother the money? He won't squander it like you. He'll make something of himself within a year."

"Maa, he's just two years younger than me," Reeva argued. "If I could get through college without your help, if I could stand on my own without anyone's support, he can do the same."

"Ah, always talking back and disrespecting your elders," her mother scoffed. "Do you think any decent boy will marry you with your attitude? How did I give birth to such an ungrateful child?"

"Maa, am I not your daughter? Why... why am I not loved? What did I do to deserve this treatment? Is it because I'm a girl? You should have just gotten rid of me when I was born, or abandoned me. My life would have been better..." Reeva struggled to speak through her tears.

"You ungrateful girl!" her mother snapped. "Maybe I shouldn't have given birth to you. You enjoyed all the privileges that should have been your brother's, and yet you speak to me like this."

"Yes, the privileges," Reeva mocked bitterly. "Daily lectures about how a girl will ruin the family, constant reminders about the cost of everything from clothes to food, the endless arguments and manipulation at the dinner table, and being treated like the family's maid and your son's personal servant. Yes, my life was truly privileged."

As she listened to her mother's words, Reeva's heart sank with a bitter realization. 'I'm a fool to think things could ever change,' she thought ruefully. 'Hoping for kindness from these blood relatives is like hoping for sunshine in a storm. Perhaps being alone would be a lesser burden than enduring their constant cruelty.'

As Reeva sat in her room, her thoughts consumed by the hurtful exchange with her mother, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching sent a shiver down her spine. The door creaked open, revealing her father's imposing figure standing in the doorway.

"What's all this noise about?" he barked, his voice thick with authority.

Reeva swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. "Nothing, Papa," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him. "Nothing? You call this nothing?" he growled, gesturing angrily at Reeva.

Before she could react, his hand shot out, striking her across the face with a resounding slap. Pain exploded through Reeva's cheek, and she stumbled backward, shock etched on her face.

"You dare to speak back to your mother?" her father thundered, his voice echoing off the walls.

Reeva's eyes burned with unshed tears as she struggled to find her voice. "I-I'm sorry, Papa," she stammered, her words barely audible.

Her father's expression softened slightly, but the underlying anger remained. "You will learn to respect your elders," he warned, his voice cold and unforgiving. "Or there will be consequences."

As Reeva trembled in fear, her brother Adwik appeared in the doorway, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like someone needs to be put in her place," he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Stay out of this, Adwik," Reeva's father snapped, his gaze turning to his son. "This is none of your concern."

Adwik shrugged indifferently. "Just saying, Papa," he replied, a hint of smugness in his voice.

Reeva's mother entered the room, her expression a mixture of anger and disappointment. "This behavior is unacceptable, Reeva," she admonished, her voice laced with frustration. "You will learn to obey your parents and respect your brother. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

Tears welled up in Reeva's eyes as she listened to her mother's words, the weight of their expectations crushing her spirit. But deep down, a flicker of defiance burned within her—a determination to break free from the chains of their patriarchal oppression and forge her own path, no matter the cost.

Reeva slipped into the kitchen in search of an ice pack, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions.

As she caught her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and frustration. Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind—"A woman can't go against a man's strength." How true those words seemed now, as she grappled with the harsh reality of her family's expectations.

With a bitter snicker, Reeva dismissed the notion that she was powerless against her parents' authority. So what if they held all the cards? Even if they resorted to violence, even if they threatened her life, she refused to surrender her hard-earned money for Adwik to squander. The very idea of investing in his whims and fancies was ludicrous—did he even understand the first thing about business? Yet here he was, arrogantly going to roll her money to play with.

Reeva's gaze fell on a framed photograph on the mantelpiece—a picture of her family, smiling warmly at the camera. The photo showed their simple life, reminding them of their middle-class status. It froze a happy moment, amid their daily struggles.

In it, Reeva stood with her parents and brother, all smiling. The contrast with the current tension was stark, highlighting the growing distance between them.

Just as Reeva was about to retreat to her room, ice pack in hand, she heard the murmur of her parents' voices from the living room.

The thin walls of their modest home offered little privacy, their conversations carrying easily from one room to the next.

Reeva, ever the opportunist, sharpened her ears to eavesdrop on their discussion.

"Husband, did you look into the proposal I mentioned?" Reena's voice quivered with excitement, her eagerness palpable.

"Yes, I did. Your cousin Malini's family has risen in status, thanks to their son Harshad Mehta," Satyanath replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "

"He's taken over the family's real estate business and made a name for himself. He's a promising young man with a bright future ahead."

Reena's voice dripped with envy as she remarked, "Who would have thought that Malini, after eloping with that Nithesh, would find such success? Their luck has certainly turned. Who would have thought that Harshad would take an interest in our daughter and propose marriage? It's a stroke of luck from our ancestors."

"But I've heard rumors about Harshad's habits. Spending all his time in clubs and such," Satyanath interjected, his concern evident.

"What habits?" Reena scoffed dismissively. "He's under a lot of pressure running such a big business. And besides, what problem can't be solved by marriage?"

"But what if he doesn't change after marriage? What about Reeva?" Satyanath's voice wavered, his uncertainty creeping into his words.

"If she can't change his habits after marriage, then it's her failing as a wife," Reena declared, cutting him off before he could voice any further doubts. "She should consider herself lucky to have such a proposal. It's not every day a girl like her gets a chance like this." Reena’s speech was full of righteousness as if she was speaking about some stranger and not about her own daughter.

Satyanath fell silent, his resolve seemingly solidified by his wife's unwavering confidence.

Just separated by a door, those words were thunderous, falling into Reeva's heart like a bolt of lightning. 'Harshad Mehta, the prince of nightclubs, a womanizer who changed girlfriends like clothes, an arrogant scoundrel, and worse still, a notorious criminal, accused of having ties to organized crime... how ?

Reeva thought, feeling a storm brewing within her.

As she stood there, lost in thought, another face overlapped with her memories. It was the face of Riya Mehta - Harshad's younger sister, and Reeva's self-proclaimed nemesis. The voice that echoed through her mind was laced with venom, cutting deep into Reeva's soul. "You're nothing but a pretty face, Reeva. What makes you think you can conquer the world with your meager charms?

Even a servant in my house earns more than you and looks even better than you."

The sound of those words still lingered, like a fresh wound that refused to heal. Reeva clenched her fists.

She have heard stories of the destruction that came with getting too close to the likes of Harshad, yet now she is going to be yet another story.

How in the world did he knew about her?

Asking hand in marriage?

She scoffed, it's not that simple as it seems.

After absorbing the weight of her parents' conversation, Reeva retreated to her room, the ice pack forgotten in her hand. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pondered her options, her mind racing with possibilities. How could she escape this suffocating crisis?

As Reeva entered the dining room, the familiar scene greeted her—a spread of homemade dishes adorning the table, her mother bustling about, and her father engrossed in the day's newspaper. It was a scene that played out like clockwork, yet beneath the surface, tensions simmered.

"Adwik, darling, would you like some more gravy?" Reena cooed, spooning an extra helping onto her son's plate.

Adwik grinned, nodding eagerly. "Yes, please, Mom. And can you pass me the butter as well?"

Reeva watched silently as her mother lavished attention on her brother, a pang of resentment gnawing at her heart. It was a familiar sight—one that reinforced the stark contrast between her own treatment and Adwik's.

As she began to eat, Reena cleared her throat, her gaze fixed on Reeva.

Reeva looked up, her heart pounding in her chest. She had a sinking feeling she knew what was coming.

"Reeva, do you remember Malini aunty? She's your mother's third cousin. You may not know her well; she got married way before you were born. Now her family is in very high social status. She has two children; the elder one is Harshad Mehta, a handsome and good boy. He's looking after his father's real estate business. The younger child is Riya Mehta, around your age.

Now, Harshad happened to see a girl somewhere outside and was so captivated by her that he went home and was adamant about marrying her. Malini and Nithesh were so worried; how could they know the girl's family or her origin? They spent so much time searching, and finally, they found her. Reeva, it's you, dear.

Malini was overjoyed when she found out it's you. We had lost contact with them years ago, and now because of you, our family has reconnected. They have asked for your hand in marriage. It's truly a blessing," Reena explained, her excitement evident in her voice as she finished speaking in one breath.

' Oh, Maa, how convenient that the word 'eloped' magically transformed into 'married' now. And where did this sudden concern for family connections come from? Reeva thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes mentally.

It's almost impressive how seamlessly she spins her tales, painting me as the knight in shining armor who's come to rescue our family's lost honor. If only she put half as much effort into actually listening to me as she does into crafting these melodramatic narratives.'

It would be a lie if she says the behaviour of her so called family didn't hurt her.

Reeva's heart pounded with fury as her family's words cut through her like a knife. She couldn't believe they were so willing to sacrifice her happiness for their own convenience.

"Absolutely not, Maa! How dare you even consider such a proposal without consulting me first?" Reeva's voice trembled with righteous indignation.

Reena attempted to placate her daughter. "Reeva, calm down. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. Harshad comes from a respectable family, and he's willing to marry you despite your... well, despite everything."

"Despite everything? What's that supposed to mean, Maa? My 'shortcomings' as you so delicately put it?" Reeva's eyes flashed with defiance.

"You know what I mean, Reeva. You're not exactly the most obedient daughter. And your insistence on pursuing your own career instead of focusing on marriage—well, that's not exactly what society expects from a girl," Reena retorted, her tone tinged with reproach.

Reeva's father, Sathyanath, intervened with a steely gaze. "Watch your tone, Reeva. You will do as your mother says."

"Or what, Papa? Another slap across the face? I won't be silenced by your violence anymore!" Reeva's voice quivered with suppressed rage.

Adwik, always eager to chime in, mocked his sister. "Look at her, acting all high and mighty. You're nothing but a burden on this family, Reeva. If it wasn't for us, you'd be out on the streets."

"I'd rather be on the streets than spend my life tied to someone like Harshad Mehta! You all think you can control me, but I won't let you dictate my future!" Reeva's words rang out with defiant resolve.

Reena's patience wore thin. "Enough, Reeva! You will marry Harshad, and that's final. If you refuse, you can say goodbye to your so-called independence. We'll cut you off completely."

"Fine! Cut me off! I'll find a way to make it on my own, without any of you holding me back!" Reeva's voice trembled with defiance.

Adwik sneered at his sister's defiance. "Listen to her, Papa. She's just a stubborn little girl who doesn't know what's good for her."

"And you're just a spoiled brat who's always gotten his way!" Reeva shot back, her voice dripping with contempt.

Sathyanath's voice boomed with finality. "You're making a big mistake, Reeva. You'll regret this decision for the rest of your life."

"Maybe so, Papa. But at least it'll be my decision—not yours, not Maa's, and certainly not Harshad Mehta's," Reeva declared, her eyes blazing with defiance.

As a last pursuit, she tried to explain once more, even if all the hope was extinguished.

"Have you even thought about what kind of person Harshad is? He's known for his reckless behavior and womanizing ways. I won't marry someone like him!"

"Nonsense, Reeva! You're just exaggerating. Harshad is a respectable young man from a good family," Reena retorted, dismissing her daughter's concerns.

"Respectable? He spends all his time in clubs, gambling away his family's wealth. Do you really want me to marry someone like that?" Reeva's voice rose with frustration.

Sathyanath's patience wore thin. "Enough, Reeva! We've made our decision, and you will marry Harshad whether you like it or not."

"But it's my life, Papa! Don't I get a say in who I marry?" Reeva's voice cracked with emotion, pleading for understanding.

Adwik interjected with a smirk. "You should be grateful for this opportunity, Reeva. Not every girl gets a chance to marry into such a wealthy family."

"I don't care about wealth, Adwik! I care about love and respect. Something Harshad knows nothing about," Reeva shot back, her words laced with defiance.

As the tension simmered, Sathyanath announced, "Tomorrow, Harshad Mehta's family will be coming to formally meet you, Reeva. It's a big day for us."

Reeva's resolve remained unyielding. "I don't want to meet him. I've told you before, I don't want this marriage."

Sathyanath's voice hardened. "Enough, Reeva! This is final. You will meet them and show respect. It's for your own good. That's it! You're grounded until tomorrow's meeting. You will do as we say, or face the consequences."

As the door clicked shut, Reeva's heart sank. Locked inside her own home like some kind of prisoner, she felt a surge of frustration mixed with determination. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. With a defiant flick of her hair, she squared her shoulders, ready to face whatever came her way. They might have locked her in, but they couldn't lock down her spirit. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she whispered to herself, "Game on."