Chapter 4: In Two Days

The wedding was in two days. Preparations were in full swing as everyone in the house was getting ready.

Anya returned home from college. She opened the front gate and stepped into the house.

Anya: Mom, I'm back!

Mother came out from her room, smiling.

Mother: Welcome back, Anya.

Adi also came out of his room, looking at her.

Adi: Oh, you're back from college. How was the day?

As Anya entered her room, she replied lazily—

Anya: Same as usual. Mom, I'm tiredddd…

Mother: Yeah, yeah, go and change first. I've got some good news too.

She glanced upward, hinting at something.

Anya, catching on, turned curiously toward Adi.

Anya: Don't tell me you've officially become the groom, huh? Huh?

She poked fun at him, grinning.

Adi: Shut up and go to your room.

He pinched her ear.

Anya: Let go of me, brother! You're no fun.

(turns to mother)

By the way, mom—who's the girl?

Mother: Her name is Sophia. She has a brother. And—coincidentally—she turns out to be Adi's college friend. It was her late grandfather who sent the proposal. The wedding is in two days.

Anya: Huh? In two days?

She turned sharply to Adi.

Anya: Why are you in such a hurry, huh?

Adi: It's not me. Tsukiyo sis is coming in two days, so mom decided it'd be best if the wedding's set then, so she can attend.

Anya: Sis? Sis is coming? That's great!

She smiled.

Anya: Alright, I should start my preparations too.

She glanced at Adi again.

Anya: Should I, huh? BROOM?

She laughed and ran into her room.

Adi: Hey, you—!

Mother: Now, now, stop.

(pauses)

Okay, Adi, listen… almost everyone knows now—except him.

Adi: Don't worry. I'll tell him myself.

Mother: I think… it's better this way.

Adi: Yeah.

Nighttime, at a cafe. Adi, Karin, and Shin sit at a table.

Shin: Why are we suddenly meeting here? Is there a problem, Aditya?

Karin (to the waiter): One cold coffee.

Looks at Adi

Karin: Adi, what will you take?

Adi: Huh? No, I'm good.

Karin: Okay, so you're also taking cold coffee.

Shin (confused): When did he say that—

Karin (narrowing her eyes): Shut up, Shin, will you?

Adi: It's fine, Shin. I'll take cold coffee.

Shin: Okay, then I'll also—

Karin: That's it. Two cold coffees.

Looks at Shin

Karin: You want something else? Do as you please.

Shin: Why are you—

Adi: You two, stop. You're not kids.

Karin signals the waiter to leave.

Shin (adjusting his glasses): Okay, I'm sorry. What's the matter?

Adi: No, it's just... I have a problem.

Shin: What prob—

Karin: What problem, my boy Adi?

Adi: You know I took the day off today, right?

Shin: Yeah, so?

Adi: And now I want another day off. In just two days.

Shin: Huh? Why? That's suicide, you know?

Karin: That's impossible.

Adi: I know Aryan will never give me another leave. Not for years maybe.

Karin: Forget it.

Shin: That's right. Just forget it. But why do you want another off?

Adi says it casually

Adi: Oh right, I didn't tell you—it's for a wedding.

Shin (smiling): Okay, whose wedding?

Adi: Mine.

Karin and Shin freeze. Silence.

Adi: What happened?

Karin slams both hands on the table, furious.

Karin: Yours?! Wedding?! In two days?!

People in the cafe glance their way.

Shin: Calm down, Karin!

Karin pushes Shin aside.

Adi: What are you doing?! Calm down!

Karin: You're telling me to calm down after saying that?

Adi thinks: "What's wrong with her? Did I say something wrong? I have no idea..."

Adi: Hey Shin, what's up with her?

Shin: Don't tell me you didn't even realize yet?

Adi: Realize what? Just tell me!

Shin: Your wedding… and you're telling us now? When there are only two days left? That's why she's mad.

Adi thinks "I didn't realize they'd be mad just because I didn't tell them earlier…"

Adi: Okay, Karin, I'm sorry—but just listen to me—

Karin: Huh? You want me to listen to you? Why would I?

Adi: Because the date was fixed today, and I met her today. I didn't wait for tomorrow to tell you guys. You really think I wouldn't tell my best friends about this?

Karin slowly calms down, looks at Adi, then sits down.

Karin: Really?

Adi: Yeah. I'm not lying.

Shin also sits down.

Shin: Then it's okay, right?

Looking at Karin

Karin: Hmph. Not yet. First tell me everything.

Adi: Okay, listen…

— Adi explains the whole situation

Karin: So that's how it is…

Shin: And you want time off for your wedding?

Adi: But Aryan won't give it to me.

Karin: He just wants to mess with you. He'll use this as another reason.

Shin: Still, you have to ask. It's important. He might say yes.

Adi: You clearly don't know him, Shin, if you're saying that.

Karin: Go for it. First thing tomorrow morning.

Waiter returns with the order

Waiter: Here's your cold coffee.

Karin hands one cup to Adi

Karin: Take it. And go for it. Good luck.

Shin: Yeah. Good luck.

Adi thinks "You guys say it so easily… but it won't be that easy for me. Like Karin said, Aryan's just waiting for a reason to mess with me. What'll happen tomorrow…?"

Adi came home, opened the gate, and looked up the stairs.

At the top step stood a guy around his age—long hair brushing his neck, dressed in pants, a shirt, and a loosely tied tie—heading to his room.

Adi: Hey! Wait, Rian!

Rian paused, glancing back over his shoulder with those sharp eyes.

Adi: Got a minute?

Rian: What?

Adi exhaled.

Adi: I just wanted to tell you something.

Rian: I don't want to listen.

He turned and walked into his room.

Adi (thinking): Hah… knew it. Guess I'll have to go in.

He climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.

No response.

Adi: Hey, just open the door. It's important. Got it?

The door opened.

Adi looked in. It was a small, simple room with a single bed.

Rian: Yeah? What do you want?

Adi: I'm here to tell you about my wedding. It's in two days. Thought I should tell you—since you're my cousin, and—

Rian: Done? Now get the hell out.

He moved to shut the door, but Adi caught it with his hand and pushed it back open.

Adi: Who told you to close this?

Rian: You picking a fight?

Adi: I'm not here for that. I came to inform you—as family. And yeah, it was Mom who asked me to. I wouldn't have—

Rian: There's no "family" for me in this world. Not after my parents died. You all mean nothing to me.

His voice was cold.

Adi: I know. It was just formality—for Mom's sake.

Rian: I'm done. Get the hell out of my sight, stranger.

Adi: Yeah, I'm going. My eyes are rotting looking at you... stranger.

Rian slammed the door.

Adi turned and walked back down the stairs.