3

Author's pov

The warm light cut through the white curtains and spilled her room in light yellowish gold. Idhika stirred in her beauty sleep, clutching her pillow tight as if she was going to lose herself.

She let out a slow sigh and turned off her morning alarm in irritation. She sat up in her bed, her hair was loose and messed up from sleep. She rubbed her eyes gently and saw the time — 5:45 am.

She was a deep sleeper but yesterday's incident made her lose sleep but she reminded herself that she would never kneel to him or his plans. She stood up and opened her window as the gush of wind brushed her hair softly, swaying her wavy hair in the air.

Then a message popped up in her phone — it was her best friend. Preity Roy.

“Good morning brave girl, I'm not going to college, I'm feeling lazy, kinda. If you go, then send me the importance.”

Idhika dramatically stretched her arms at her best friend's message.

“Seriously? When is she present in college? She is always absent for nothing.” She let out a heavy sigh

“Now she will sleep the whole day after watching tons of series! Oh god…save her.” Her voice was laced with with a known concern

The wooden comb glided through her hair as she was detangling her shiny black hair. She was massaging her hair with coconut oil to let go of stress, tension as she was going to survive this — his words.

She checked her phone, finding no message from him, she was relieved, a grin formed in her face, of course she blocked him, she jumped in joy twice as she felt the victory.

As she headed to the bathroom, she felt the cold water cascading down her form, making her feel alive. She gracefully put her rose body lotion on her body as she massaged it with a loofah and then wiped it off like a discarded thought.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she dressed herself in an olive green kurti and flare jeans that made her look like a pretty girl. She did her morning skincare routine and applied light make-up to her face — bindi, kajal and lip gloss.

Her body swayed in the soft rhythm of a line emerging from her soft lips —

Chal Tere Mere Iss Qisse Ka Sikka Uchhalein

Hoon Chit Main Teri Hai Patt Tu Mere Hawale…

She stopped in the middle as if she reminded herself that dance was never hers. She let go of her feelings and smiled a little bit it soon vanished when she saw seven texts and two missed calls —

Sweetheart! Are you there?

Are you going to reply to my messages or should I jump into your aesthetic room huh?

See if you don't reply then I will call you!

Wtf sweetheart , why aren't you picking my calls?

Meet me otherwise you will meet the consequences — my madness.

I'm desperate. Meet me, I will repair your scooter for free. And coloured it cherry red. Because it matches your fire.

And don't dare to block me ever, it will hurt me, my sweetheart.

Her whole body froze in fear. Like she didn't expect him to text her from a different phone. Then she clutched her phone tightly as she felt the sudden rage in her body.

IDHIKA

I never knew that a man in a suit could be so much trouble to me. I felt the sudden rage popping up in my body and yes my hands were shaking in fear too.

How dared him to get on my nerves like this? I didn't know him, I felt like a trapped person in a golden cage. But I won't let any man destroy my life.

I regained my composure and typed back to remind him I'm not scared or weak.

“Sorry Mr. I don't know you and how dare you call me and stalk me?”

“Last time, I checked you were a trouble in a business suit but a stalker? Very very out of syllabus! And don't call me that” My anger was palpable

I waited for the reply like my life was demanding on this.

And he quickly messaged me

“Oh I have a dare sweetheart especially when a girl curses me because I caused damage to her dear yellow scooter.”

“Do you think it's a joke to you?” I typed fast as if my life depends on it

“No. You're never a joke to me but a sweetheart.”

I shivered suddenly, but not from the wind but from his sudden confession.

“And I will call you wherever and whenever I want because you're my sweetheart. And I'm not a stalker yet but let's say I have my ways.”

I clutched my phone tight as my anger was inflaming under my chest. I wanted to say something but I didn't.

I threw my phone on the bed, rubbed off the lip gloss with a tissue. And searched my closet with every careful look and found one neon green kurti and hot pink leggings which I bought 4 years ago because I thought it would look good on me. But I was so ashamed and regretted.

Ok he wanted to meet me OK?!

Now I would make his eyesight blind.

He wanted to have egoistic satisfaction?.. now I would ruin his ego. Bruised.

Ok I was not going to college in this ever because I wanted him to squirm and leave me forever. He had the wish to see me? Ok accepted! And now he would not look at me after that.

I know I was going to look cringe but anything to get him out of my life.

But stepping outside in those dresses would be my most painful yet satisfying decision or my worst decision.

•

•

•

•

The clock tickled slowly as I waited for him in the cafe. But there was no sign of him. I was there sharp at 8am but it's 8:10am. I never knew men can be late. And clearly it was not a date. Just physical conversation.

But then the door of the cafe opened with the sound of clink. The arrogant pathetic man who shattered my beloved scooter just entered in a black — not black but charcoal grey suit, wearing sunglasses, one hand in pocket and the other on the phone.

His gaze searched for me across the tables. Then he looked at me — almost bewildered and shocked like he didn't expect me to dress like this.

“Good morning sweetheart. You look bright like — sun.” He spoke in a sneer voice

I clenched my fist under the table like he was absolutely a menace.

“Perhaps you have seen an angel.” I rolled my eyes

“Yes, I have seen an angel who dared to dress in a pathetic way to impress me but she is still beautiful to me.”

I felt my nails digging into my palms as my heart was racing faster than before from his damn stupid words.

“Why am I here?” I demanded

“Oh yes! For being my fake girlfriend.” His voice was cold like ice.

My jaw was not in the same place— it hit the ground. My heart was racing with something called fear, my hands shook, I almost felt thirsty.

“W..what?” I stammered

“You heard right, sweetheart my fake girlfriend.”

“I'm not!!!” I raised my voice

“Then real?”

“Nooo boka—” I stopped in the mid sentence ,realising what I was going to say

He raised his eyebrows slowly

“I don't know you!”

“Myself Vedant Thakur Singh, CEO of Thakur group jewelries. Anything?” His voice was rough

“I don't care who you are! I won't be your fake girlfriend.” I averted my gaze from him

“Don't look surprised sweetheart..it's just an act” His eyes shifted to my trembling hand

“Act? Are you serious, bokachoda?” I said bluntly

Then his gaze met mine..

“I like that fierceness. That's why you are going to be my fake date” he said in a cold voice

What? He was saying like it going to happen huh

“What if I decline?”

“Then you will face consequences sweetheart which I don't want.” His confession hit me like a wave

“What consequences?” I tried to sound plain

“Your father — is a bank manager. And I bought the company, now you decide whether you will decline the offer or not? If you decline then your father will lose the job sweetheart.” He said in an emotionless tone

What? How —

I felt my world was spinning around and I was feeling catastrophic.

He couldn't do this

No…..

Everything was slipping away from me. I couldn't hold myself anymore.

How could a man be so manipulative? How could he be so cruel? Didn't he have a heart or what ?

Emotions were spiraling in my head like thousands, a storm, that I couldn't calm

I clutched the fabric of mine tightly as it was the only surviving thing.

Something gathered in my eyes— tears. My vision was getting blurred, but I didn't let it fall, not especially in front of this bastard. He couldn't do that . Why was he so cruel?

“You are manipulating me” My voice almost cracked

“Oh sweetheart — because I do!” He sounded like it's his everyday work

Almost like a predator, he leaned and sipped my black coffee.

“Say something otherwise I will make you talk” His eyes locked with mine

“What? This is not fair Mr. Vedant” I looked away

“Yes or no?”

“I..I..don't know” My voice was almost shaking

Because no one had ever asked me this…why? What did he think? Threatening my father's job would make him satisfied?

“Oh sweetheart, you should decide by now”

“I will call the police” my gaze met his

He raised his eyebrows like he was amused

“Is that so ? Try me — I won't be a gentleman.”

“And this is not showing that you are GENTLEMAN.” I yelled at him

His eyes flashed with something called amusement

“I can be…..for you — Just try me sweetheart”

He was saying like my name was sweetheart!

Something stirred in me— anger. Oh god I hated that nickname in his mouth. I wanted to smack him, kick him but I couldn't.

“Liar” I clenched my fist hard

I'm a simple girl, find someone else.” I rolled my eyes

“No sweetheart! You're the one I need because I know you can act naturally.”

I scoffed. Almost glaring at him.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You can act naturally, like your expressions are very natural….are you perhaps a dancer?” He almost said like he knew

That made me completely silent…….

“Enough!” My voice cut through the coldness

His eyes lingered at my irritated expression as I looked away from him, my fingers digging into my palm.

“Am I provoking something in you?” his voice low but commanding

“No!” I lied effortlessly and lowered my gaze

He didn't know

He couldn't know

Never!

That he was provoking me with something that once I loved then but I hated now.

Nausea started to hit me but I clutched the fabric of my cloth tightly….. almost making me thrive into the past.

“Sure….” He paused

His voice distracted me from thinking about the past situation.

I breathed and as if this little thing calmed inside out.

“Then what about my offer now?” He asked coldly

Almost, he was making me mad with his words. I clenched my fist and slammed into the table.

Then I looked at him, wanting to hit him with the vase that was beautifully set on this table.

I wanted to say something, perhaps protest? But this bastard wouldn't let me ever. He was clearly thriving on my nerves.

His gaze searched for an answer but only found silence.

“Ok! I understand that it is hard, I'm giving you time for one week” He said causally

“One week? Seriously? Boka—” I did not finish the sentence as I came to my calm posture

Breathe Idhi…..

Breathe

“Usually I don't give time sweetheart, I want it I got it ....but let's say I'm first time giving you time, sweetheart.” he gently tapped on the table

“Why?” I glared hard

“Forget about it.” He removed his sunglasses

His eyes were bloodshot……

A completely horrible look ... .I didn't know why. Why were his eyes red?

“Perhaps, you should get some sleep…..” I suggested

“Why do you think so?” he raised his eyebrows

“You are looking horrible….your eyes are red, meaning you haven't slept for weeks properly.” I said bluntly

He was silent for sometime as his eyes darken like he was remembering something but it soon vanished with an amused smile.

“Aww sweetheart, are you worrying about me?” He smirked wickedly

“No away…..I'm just saying. Advice.” I raised my voice, wanting to punch him

“Hmm….I see, sweetheart.”

He again sipped from my cup like it was his

“Stop drinking from my cup. If you want coffee then order.”

“I know. I can but I have heard that if we share things, our bond becomes strong. Let's say pyaar bhadta hai …” he glanced at my bracelet

“We don't have any bond and love is out of syllabus.!”

“Oh yes, no love but we do have a bond.” He glanced again at my bracelet like he knew it

“What bond?”

“Fake right now.” He looked away from my face

“Fake till death.” I glared at him

“Fake till— let's see.” His voice almost above whisper

“....and stop glaring at me sweetheart. I'm the type of man who can destroy everything in a blink.”

“Perhaps you are a rich, powerful asshole.” I couldn't control myself

His eyes darken at the comment— something like I had provoked him to the worst level. …

But he didn't say anything. But then again he genuinely smiled.

“You talk bold sweetheart…. you're inviting danger in your life then.” He said in an emotionless tone

“Danger? My biggest danger is YOU.” I laughed

“Fair point.” He almost growled

“Ok I'm done! I'm going, I am having my classes.”

“And you're not going in this look, right? Because you feel cringe about it. So you're not going anyway…. And you don't have time to change this neon…dress.”

“How?” I was shocked..

“I observe sweetheart.”

“Observe? Nah it's called too deep observation, broooo join CIA, sure you will get promoted to high ranking position.”

“Bro?....Do I look like a bro?” His voice was laced with frustration

“Yeah of course.”

“I'm not. I'm your future fake boyfriend, mind it.” His jaw tightened

I abruptly stood up …it's done . Finished. Tata bye bye.

“Stop! I'm going home. Bhal lageche na….”

“Today…I'm giving you today only …make no mistake sweetheart otherwise you will regret it lifetime.” His voice was chilling

“Ok and don't worry I will pay the bill like a gentleman.”

You're not at all. I clenched my fist again and walked out of the cafe angrily….

What did he think of himself? A gentleman? No ….but a villain for me.

I touched my bracelet as if it could make me come to my senses like peace returning to a country after a dreadful war.

I didn't have my lily — my scooter now because he smashed it like it was nothing. I was still angry about this. Not sure when I will get my scooter back. Asshole

I took a yellow taxi, travel to North Kolkata. My home. I quickly messaged Preity about everything that happened in a span of 10 hrs. Of course she was sleeping.

I felt like I wanted to scream and kick at the same time. My full body was seething with rage and frustrations. And that encounter with him was not peaceful but a tragedy.

How dare he? He threatened me with my father's job and gave me only today to think. Was I a robot huh? I also had emotions. I also expressed things.

But he was definitely the most emotionless human I had ever seen. Smiled only once genuinely. And all the time with a cold look. Annoying