Page 100 of The Ruin I Chose

I turned.

“We have to go.”

“Of course.”

Just as I reached the door, he grabbed my wrist and kissed my cheek.

“You’re looking stunning.”

All I could do was gush like a teenager whose crush just called her pretty. But I couldn’t forgive him easily. The moment I remembered that, my face hardened.

Bitch face: activated.

I was going to make him suffer. Make him jealous. Test him. I had Vihaan to help, and Sahil’s friend—the walking erection, a man-whore with zero shame, trying to hump anything vaguely female with a pulse.

He’d been circling me since sangeet practice. Today, he pounced before I could dodge.

“Hey Roxy, you’re looking gorgeous.”

I rolled my eyes. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for you, Arjun.”

He tried to lean in for a kiss on my cheek, but I blocked him.

Did I want to make Marcello jealous? Absolutely.

Did I want this narcissist thinking he had a shot to slide into my pants? Hell no.

“Come on, we’re dance partners. We should spend more time practising—get our chemistry going…”

I cut him mid-sentence. “It’s only until tomorrow. Thankfully, I won’t be seeing much of you after that. And we don’t need chemistry. Just get the steps right and keep your hands to yourself.”

I spun around to see Marcello surrounded by women—old, young, married, single. Every woman’s eyes were on him. I hadn’t accounted for my own jealousy. He looked… delicious. Too delicious for public consumption.

One of Priya’s cousins was getting far too handsy, striking up a conversation, laughing too loudly, twirling her hair with her fingers.

I wanted to yank her hair and hiss:

Hands off. He’s mine, bitch.

Marcello was polite, kept his distance, but he replied. And I hated it.

The Haldi ceremony commenced, drawing my attention to Sahil and Priya. I needed the distraction, or I’d go up in flames of jealousy.

Some aunties sang old folk songs, dancing in the courtyard. I spotted Vihaan and Marcello in deep conversation. I didn’t interrupt. But it unsettled me. Marcello joined me as we watched Priya and Sahil’s families smear turmeric on them, blessing them with love, laughter, and prosperity.

“What was that about? You and Vihaan?”

“Nothing. Just talking. Sorting things out like mature men.”

I rolled my eyes at that. I didn’t say anything, just prayed this wasn’t the start of another storm. My mother called us closer and launched into an uninvited explanation, but Marcello listened like it was gospel.

“Oh, dear. Your clothes are going to be ruined,” she exclaimed.

“That’s what I told him,” I said, shrugging.

“This is called the Haldi ceremony. It’s a pre-wedding ritual. This paste is a mixture of turmeric, rosewater, and milk. Friends and family apply the paste to the bride and groom’s faces, neck, hands and feet, in that order. The yellow colour of turmeric is considered sacred and auspicious, believed to ward off evil spirits and bring luck and prosperity to the couple.”

My mother guided Marcello in applying the paste to Sahil and Priya.