A brief knock on the door arose me from my deep slumber.

I widened my eyes as the door opened without my permission.

Aiinata stood outside the door "Get up.Elder Kurona is asking for you.The party is about to start.Do change, that is if you have anything decent to wear."

With that she slammed the door.

I blinked at the door.What is wrong with her.?

Seriously.

Is this what I am to look forward to for the rest of my days here.?

Shaking my head from the morose thoughts I freshened up and wore the dress Ma had stitched for me herself.It was an elegant light blue dress gown covering me up and flaring at the waist to my ankles with elegant dark blue stones.Ma always said the gown complimented me.

I looked in the mirror to find light blue eyes staring back at me from an oval face which was free of any marks.My black hair was hanging down straight ,to my waist.Some might call me beautiful I guessed but I always found something wrong with my face like my eyes which looked too big for the small face or the upper lip which was too fat in my opinion.Or may be it was my nose.Did it look too sharp.?

I am going to be late.With a wry twist of my lips I gathered my hair and tried to settle it in a graceful side french braid falling over my left shoulder.I was excited.May be this day won't end so bad after all.I'll meet Aeran. Of course I'll try talking to him even when I know he'll just ignore me but at least I'll get him to look at me properly once.I'll get one of his smiles today.For sure.

May be I'll be lucky enough to gain a few friends as well despite the cold reception.

And after a few minutes I was ready to go.

Heaving a great breath I walked down the stairs to the empty hall which was decorated with flowers albeit empty of people.I looked around at the chairs surrounding the great table,a big feast prepared and waiting for the guests to arrive. Granna sat at the head chair and seeing me beckoned me closer.

"Well young lady,I must say you are a sight for these sore eyes.You look real pretty."

I blushed at the praise.If Granna found me pretty surely I won't look out of place here.And maybe Aeran will finally see me.

"The blue really suits you.Come join me.The others would be coming soon.I hope your day was not bad.You liked the room.?The view out of Aeran's room is really something.It was my room before I was too tired to go up on the stairs and I always enjoyed the morning sun through that balcony."She smiled whimsically.

I looked down confused and slowly the realization came. Granna didn't knew that I was not staying with Aeran.I didn't even knew where his room was.But how could have I told her that.Seeing the peace and content on her face I couldn't break her illusions. So I kept silent.

It's already 7.Where is everyone.? I thought to myself.

I was starting to get nervous.So many people will be arriving today.I'll get to meet everyone.It was huge chance for me to win them over.I really hoped Mother Nature will grant this small mercy and everything will go well.Who knows may be Aeran will find me beautiful enough to talk to me even.The evening was full of hopes.I smiled to myself.

Granna called for Aiinata again who startled looking at me sitting by Granna's left side. Breaking eye contact she looked at Granna.

"Wasn't the time for today's feast 7.?Or did I miss something.?"Granna's voice interrupted my musings.

"Yes Elder.The time was indeed 7.I believe they will all be arriving any moment."

"Yes.You can go now.Bring some tea for the girl."

Both Granna and me enjoyed the tea. Granna asked about me and I pleased her with all the information she asked.Time went by. I kept looking at the clock time and again.

Despite my uneasiness I smiled at her and kept her entertained with my childhood stories.After the first hour bell I already knew no one was going to show up.And my face must have shown my disappointment and hurt.I was waiting for even one of them to show up.Even one would suffice.Mother Nature.Please.

I kept praying and hoping but none seemed to be answered.

Granna was also failing at keeping her composure and as the clock struck the bell at 9, she got up and shouted for Aiinata with anger clouding her stance."Where is everyone.?And do mind your answer Aiinata.I am in no mood to tolerate your haughtiness today."

Aiinata subdued Granna by bowing her head respectfully and answered meekly "I-I don't know Elder."With a quite pause she continued "But I heard some rumors."

"Rumors.? What rumors?"

Aiiinata remained silent.

"Stop testing my patience Aiinata."

"Yes-yes Elder.It is..um..that is..it is Ravine's birthday today and as per I heard the Claron family were planning to host a big dinner party for her.I suppose everyone went there." She looked at me then "Even Aeran."

I felt cold.So cold.

"Ravine's birthday.?Why wasn't I notified of this .?"

"Y-You were resting the whole day and I thought better than to disturb you after the long journey you had."

Granna got up from the chair and started to march towards Aiinata with the clear intent of scolding her.I clasped her hand and pleaded "Granna.Please don't."

Her furious eyes were enough to let me know that Aiinata would not be the only one to face her brunt of anger.

Granna turned to me "Don't stop me.Let me go out there and find out how Claron's party is progressing.They insulted you and in turn insulted me.I won't let it go this time.Leave my hand child."

"No,I won't.Please Granna.You cannot force them to be happy in welcoming me here.They are letting me live here because of you,because they respect you ,even though we all know how much they hate my intrusion.You cannot keep on fighting among-st yourselves because of me."

Granna refuted my claim "You are a part of us now as well.They need to let go of their conventions and accept you as one of them."

"I am an outsider to them,have been for my whole life.How can I then expect them to welcome me.?Their hatred won't go away in a day.It'll take time"

Agitated, she shook her head and sat down on the chair "They'll keep doing this.I know it.They'll keep hurting you.Don't you understand this.I have to force them to acknowledge you.Without even knowing you they are placing their hate and for what.?"

I crouched dwon by her chair,taking her hand I gently proceeded.

"But even you were like this?Isn't Granna.?For the last 18 years you also believed the same and hated us.Forcing them to like me will make them even more remote." I replied sitting down by chair "I want to know Granna.Please tell me what is it?What wrong have I done?Why do they hate me?"

Granna's eyes dropped to the ground and it was the first time I saw the great Elder ashamed. Lifting her eyes ,Granna placed her hands on my cheek and argued "Listen to me there's nothing wrong with you.You haven't done anything.I was foolish to have let this go on for so long but not anymore.I won't let them degrade you like this anymore."

Taking her hands back she said quietly "I came to you.It was because of me you married Aeran. Not the other way round.If they have to blame someone they can point their fingers at me."

A gasp had me turning to look at Aiinata standing there.I blinked back the tear which had started to gather.I cannot cry.No,I cannot.With great effort I was able to calm myself and refrain the flow of that red tear.

"No need to look so surprised Aiinata. Yes, it was me.I forced her to marry Aeran."

Granna kept her eye contact with Aiinata who was forced to look down.

"It is true .I went there and asked for her hand in marriage and despite her mother's protest,this child here put her trust in the words of an old senile lady, who had prohibited her entrance in these forests since her birth.Without any promise of the future, without asking for anything in return, she came with me ready to fulfill my wish despite knowing the harsh treatment she will be facing."

With a sad smile etching her face Granna stroked my cheek with tearful eyes "Forgive me.They all believe that your mother,the witch threatened me with something to have you here.Some magic concocted has my eyes fooled.And I let them believe what they wanted without ever correcting them.I was weak.I didn't want them to question me,my authority.They'll never stop hating you.And it's all my fault.How will I ever be able to correct this deception child.?"

Streams of tears ran down her wrinkly face.

A sad chuckle escaped me.Wiping her tears I said calmly "You did what you had to do.I am not wise enough to question your motives.I know there must have been a reason behind what you did.I don't blame you and I never will.You gave me the one thing I never even dared to dream about.Let them believe that I did poison your brain. At least then the fingers will be pointed at me .I don't want to see you with your head bowed in shame ever."

"No,this cannot go on.I'll tell them all.It was me who did this.I'll right all this mess made by me.I promise you this."

"No Granna. It's my turn now.I'll earn it Granna. I'll work really hard to have them accept me.Whatever may have happened in the past,I cannot change it but I"ll try to change their mindsets.My Ma has put her faith in me and I will not let her down.I promised her.And I cannot disappoint you as well.You mean too much to me now.""

Granna hugged me tightly"No matter what anyone says or whatever happens ,Zairi ,I promise you this whether anyone stands by you or not.You'll have the support and love of this old lady by your side forever."

A hand placed on my shoulder had me looking at a tearful Aiinata who nodded her head to show her encouragement for me as well.

I smiled despite the grim circumstances and vowed to be a part of this clan completely.

"Now,now I don't want to waste the huge feast I prepared.Let me go and reheat everything.Be ready to eat it."With that Aiinata rushed back to kitchen. Granna laughed and settled in her chair to enjoy the delicious food.

I got up from my crouching position by Granna's chair and sat down on my chair

Aiinata heaped my plate with the different food items and urged me to finish them.

I dug in with a sense of accomplishment. Atleast someone is on my side now.

I won't fall back.I won't let them defeat me.