MAYA

the vanity mirror, a stranger stared back at me. A bride in red. A soulless doll. With a heavy sigh, I began removing the endless pins from my dupatta, loosening the choker, the jewelry. Only my anklets and bangles remained. The door clicked open. Shut with a thud. My heart stopped. I grabbed my dupatta, draping it over my shoulders. He strode toward me, his eyes burning. In fury, he yanked my hair back. Pain seared my scalp. "Why the fuck did you remove this?" he roared. "Don't you know you have to wait for your dear husband?" His voice dripped with psychotic pleasure. "Oh? Were you too desperate to be fucked by your husband?" In one swift motion, he yanked the dupatta away and shoved me onto the bed. I crawled backwards, fear clawing at my chest. Within seconds, he was half-naked, towering over me. He grabbed my leg, dragging me under him, his entire weight crushing my fragile body.