1

A U T H O R

The sun was sinking steadily in the horizon as the sky was painted in amber and rosy pink, creating a serene yet captivating view. The bustling sound from the street could be heard. The people either talking to their neighbours or coming from their works. The air was thick with the sharp tang of Jhalmuri and the spicy-sour burst of panipuri, swirling together like an edible perfume, clinging to the laughter and chatter that echoed through the bustling street. 

The youngsters were playing cricket noisily, filling the area with loud cheers and shouts. The streets lights were turning on one by one. Idhika sat on the chair of her balcony. A soft breeze caressed her hair like a lullaby, and with a quiet smile, she tied it into a low, messy bun, embracing the stillness of the moment.

She had been reading a book, but something in the quiet evening pulled her away. Placing it gently on the table, Idhika rose and made her way downstairs, drawn by the calm unfolding around her.

When she reached downstairs, she saw her father was reading the newspaper as he didn't get time to read in the morning for his work. Her brother, Hriday, who was giggling on his phone like he got his honey. Her mom, Maitreyi, who was making snacks for them. Feeling happy, she headed to the kitchen.

“Ma!!! Let me help you.” She greeted her sweetly with a smile

I D H I K A

“No! No Idhi! You can't cook — your food is a disaster.” She said with a serious face

“Maaaa!!! I can cook.” I defended myself

“One bite and I saw my whole life flash before my eyes.” She said dramatically

“Maaa!” I yelled

“If cooking were a crime, you would be serving life in jail.”

“This is insulting maa.” I pouted

“Excuse me? You cook like you're trying to avenge someone.” She raised her one eyebrow

“I don't believe it. But I'm trying right. That's count something.”

“I know Idhi. But remember, you will not get a husband who will say ‘Idhika u cook better’ or he will not say ‘You don't need to cook, I can cook for us’. You know, I'm worried for this only.” She said with a concern face

“Yes” I pouted

”Do that kind of men exists maa?” I asked with seriousness

“Only in your books shona this is the reality.” She said with a smile

I nodded with a sad smile

“No Idhika. This is the reality Shona, those men only exists in your fictional books.” She laughed

I nodded with a sad smile

“After your finals, you are going to learn cooking, no excuse Idhi.” She didn't wait for a reply. She dismissed with the authority of a boss rejecting his intern’s proposal.

I approached to the living room  and changed the tv channel from sports to cartoons. I always like cartoons, it's my favourite. There is no such violence or any bad things in this unlike movies or series. As soon as I changed, my brother approached towards me.

“Dibhai you're not a child anymore, stop watching those.” He grinned

“Hriday…you're not not supposed to watch your phone so long….you have your entrance exams right.” I replied back

“Stop reminding me dibhai…. useless, nothing easy.”

“Yeah everything is useless for you.” I focused on the cartoon on the screen of tv

“Fine I'm going to study, don't disturb me.” He stormed to his room

A U T H O R

In the middle of the road, a stylish black car stood silently. The either sides of the road led into a deep shadowy jungle. The environment was calm, refreshing yet carried with an eerie sense of danger. The sun had already dipped in the west. The sky was soft blue, streaked with a hint of white. The dark green colour trees swayed gently due to the breeze.

A man stepped out from the driver’s seat. Without hesitation, he yanked another man by the collar from the back seat. The captive winced in pain, crying and screaming, desperate for someone—anyone—to help him.

“Shout! More! No one will hear you, Uday!!” The man said.

“Forgive me sir” Uday cried out

“Forgive? What do you think that I will forgive you after what you have done?” The man said in a cold voice

“If there is no loyalty then it's only cruelty.” The man said in a dangerous tone

“Sir ….” Uday pleaded

V E D A N T

Uday pleaded, his voice trembling as he tried to stand, still grasping at the collar of his shirt. His face was pale, eyes wide with fear, a cold sweat trickling down his temple.

“Loyalty? You betrayed me, Uday,” I said in a low tone. “You thought you could get away with it, didn’t you? Thought you could play both sides and still breathe? Well, it’s time for you to understand the price of betrayal.”

Uday stumbled as I  shoved him forward, his legs weak, barely able to carry him. The jungle loomed ahead, dark and silent, as if it were an accomplice in the cold retribution unfolding.

“I… I never meant to betray you,” Uday stammered, his words barely a whisper now, “I was forced into it…”

My eyes stared at his face sharply, as he stepped closer. “Everyone has a choice, Uday. And you chose wrong.”

Uday’s knees buckled, sending him crashing to the ground. His eyes, desperate and pleading, locked into mine.“Please... I’ll do anything! Just don’t kill me! Please, sir!”

I stood over him, his shadow falling long and menacing. He was unmoved by the pleas, as if this was nothing more than a simple task. "No, Uday. You won't get the luxury of mercy."

He raised a hand, motioning to the deep jungle around them, where no sound dared to disturb the thick silence. The breeze had stopped.

I reached behind, feeling the cold metal pressing against my fingers. I pulled the gun from my back pocket. He froze there, his eyes were widen, his lips are parted begging for mercy.

But no mercy for betrayers. Especially not from me.

Without wasting time, I pulled the trigger. Once. Twice — in his chest. The gunshot fell like a thunderstorm in the quiet jungle  — sudden and violent. He screamed in pain and then collapsed on the ground. The jungle was calm and refreshing again. No noise. No drama. No circumstances.

The jungle faded behind me as I walked back to my car. I tossed the gun in the background seat, slid behind the wheel and started the engine. No sirens. No witness. Just me and the road and the jungle.

Then in the meantime, I got a call from my right hand, Jai.

“Hello boss. We found the girl.” He spoke

I smirked when mentioned about her

“What's her name? Address? Job? Family.” I asked curiously

“Her name is Idhika Bhattacharya. She lives in 12/2, Shyambazar Street, North Kolkata, West Bengal — 700004. She doesn't do any job, but currently she is a student of Calcutta Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship. She is in final year. She has exams after two months……..she grew up in a close - knit family, her father is gentle and he is a bank manager, on the other hand , her mom is a government teacher, she is filled with warmth and she is modern , her brother is her best friend and the biggest nuisance, he is preparing for entrance exams.” He answered in details and I smiled wickedly.

I didn't expect him to gather so much information of her because he hadn't seen her.

“Thanks Jai.. you will get a bonus for that.” I said with seriousness

“Thank you boss.” He said neutral tone

“How did you get so much information about her? “ I asked him

“I got those information from her number plate of her scooter.”

Smart ass

“Oh yes. Send me her phone number quickly.” I hung up

She had disappeared like smoke — no trace, no sign.

And yet here she was again.

Right in front of me.

Shyambazar Street. Final-year student. Close-knit family.

As if nothing ever happened. As if she never tore my world apart.

I leaned back in the seat, still gripping the phone.

My fingers tightened around it slowly.

“Idhika Bhattacharya,” I whispered, tasting the name like poison I couldn’t get enough of.

You don’t know it yet, sweetheart…

But your story has already been rewritten.

By me.

And I’m not the kind of author who lets his muse walk away thrice.

I pulled the engine back and slid through the dark blurry roads as if I found solace in this — in her.

When I reached home, I already had her number. So I quickly saved her as ‘Sweetheart’ because she shouldn't attract the attention of something dangerous with a wicked brain.

But she was getting it anyway. Mine

I quickly called her because I got no patience or resistance after 3 months of that incident.

I waited a few seconds until a soft voice echoed into ear

"Hello?"

“Miss me ? Sweetheart” i spoke with firm determination laced with something called obsession

It was the time for a payback sweetheart, but why so hurry?

You would play as my pawn in my chess game.

Although you were going to deny my offer. But let's say, you were doing it anyway, sweetheart.

Yours truly devil.