5

IDHIKA

Today….. today was the last day of my college life and…. And also the last day of his so-called ‘Offer’. One week passed without any notice. Yet my heart was not able to choose and my mind was not able to get rest.

Farewell. A quiet celebration of us students. A day where everyone belonged to that radiant, bittersweet, painful memories, which we created and which would never be replayed again. The last hugs, smiles, friendship.

No one knew where we all broke and separated from each other, scattering in different places for jobs and work for living. Why not? Because then this phase of our life was called the job phase.

All were jokes. A first class joke. No employment. No jobs. Then why study?

I sighed heavily as the thoughts were consuming my mind with its negative aura.

I let out a deep breath and focused on my breathing to control the sudden emotions which might get slipped in between.

The red clad saree clung to my form elegantly, the soft designs crafted perfectly, made the saree look like an exquisite fabric.

My feet ran to the dressing table, to collect the jewelleries. Simple earrings and of course the gold bracelet which my mom gifted me.

I did some light makeup, nothing much, just foundation, kajal and a nude lipstick which added stars to my look.

My gaze fell on the reflection of mine on the mirror. A girl in a simple red saree, that's how the universe wanted me to look. The gold jhumkas adorned with red ruby gems, the small red bindi which looked like a red moon in the sky.

And the bracelet, the perfect bracelet ever which was adorned with a peacock crafted from green and white gems in its centre. And the delicate lining of gold added shine to it, making it absolutely breathtaking.

A delightful smile escaped from my lips by looking at this masterpiece.

Who made this ?

Why was this so unique and special?

Who was the designer?

My heart was saying that an artist who was dedicated to his or her work, who wanted to show the real value of art, made this.

I wanted to meet the designer. Who were you? A man or a woman?

I pushed the thoughts aside because this was not the first time I questioned myself but from two months since I bought this.

I put my heels on, slowly walking a little bit so I would not embarassed myself in the farewell party.

With a graceful gesture, I put on some my rose cologne which made me feel so warm and sweet.

But I'm not his sweetheart. How dared him to call me sweetheart like he owned me?

Today was the last day of my freedom because I had no choice but to be his fake girlfriend, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of it. I would make him regret.

He would regret his actions that he would begged me to forgive him. He would.

After a while, I reached my college campus and saw Preity in her silver, sparkling saree, her crystal earrings perfectly matching her look. She looked like a shining star on a dark night.

“Hiiiii my babygirl!!! You're looking so slayyy” she hugged me tightly

And I laughed at her words, of course genz

“And you're looking like a star.” I smiled genuinely despite my nervousness

“Mm I'm a star only…look, and I'm Preity Sen, my name tells that I'm pretty.” She spoke in a loud voice, almost embarrassing.

“Yes yes” I laughed wholeheartedly

Sometimes your best friend could make your day better than anyone else. And those friends are rare like a gem.

I forgot all my nervousness and engaged myself with her talks more and chilling.

“Do you know Idhi? We have a special guest here!” She said in a mischievous voice

“So?”

“Oh god! You should know about it.”

“Ok! Who?” I asked

“It's a secret.”

“What ? What do you mean?”

“Means we all know there will be a guest but who is the guest, we don't know.”

“What nonsense is this? Huh!” I uttered irritatingly

My chest hammered fast as my breathing went long. I had a bad feeling about this. Very much.

What if……

“This is suspense Idhika, chill.” She said coolly like she didn't care

I held my breathe like it was eating me inside but I had to calm me

“What if the guest is our state's CM? Mamta Banerjee? Huh!” She spoke curiously

Wait..what?

I laughed. I laughed so hard that my stomach ached a bit.

“Are you serious? Or are you perhaps joking? She will not visit any of these types of events, she is busy with her politics.” I said

“Yeah? That's why our state has no development.” She mocked

Ironic ……

I laughed again until I felt the tears at the corner of my eyes rolling.

“And I'm saying because why the hell should the principal hide the guest’s name?” She spoke with some confusion

“Well yes but that can be someone too, like we don't know. Maybe an old person or a handsome person.”

“Well what? A handsome person …..oh god I will melt if it's predicted correctly.” She said in an exciting tone

Ok I laughed again because I couldn't stop myself when she spoke like this very much. She had learnt from the series, definitely.

Then we kept walking in the campus until we reached the auditorium hall.

The farewell was held in the evening as it was the more relaxed way of celebrating, no rush and no problems.

I and Preity, moved to the first floor where the students had done the arrangements of the special guest in a well mannered.

The decoration was simple yet wrapped in red and black balloons on the walls around, the cute red ribbons were pinned on the wall. The table was neatly set where the big cake was kept so that the principal can cut it.

The theme was cute, subtle and satisfying.

Everything looked so exquisite yet simple. I looked at Preity who was clicking pictures and making some poses.

I joined her, making thousands of faces, poses, and clicking unlimited pictures. I felt that today my phone's space would exceed it's limit.

But despite all, I had a very bad feeling.

The question was, who was the guest?

Why my heart raced when Preity mentioned about the guest? Was I imagining something?

“You're tensed again! This is not that handsome - devil Vedant.” She spoke with concern

“I know but I had a bad feeling.” I clutched my edge of pallu tightly

“What bad feeling?” She raised her brows in confusion

“I…You know what? Leave. It's… just my stupid mind.”

She nodded as she understood my feelings well. If course she did, she was my only best friend who stayed upto the darkness swallowed me but the light chose to make me shine. Of course her.

I can't believe my eyes……I would have a job after the exams …the excitements but it all vanished when I thought about him. He was like thorns to my roses. Always sharp and hard and cold feeling.

I took a deep breath, almost trembling by the thoughts but chose to fight against it. I was not a weakling, I could resist him and rebel against him….of course.

He was no one to me, he was a manipulative stranger who snatched my peace at one glance. The type of stranger that I hate. I hate how easily he could manipulate me.

A sudden rush of students gasped when they all saw the guest coming. I turned to see Preity cheering but when I turned my head to the back, that was my nightmare that I won't be able to forget for sure.

I saw ….. my worst nightmare. My villian in an expensive three piece suit….like he owned this place.

My breathing became fast, unable to decide what to do. I fist my fingers tightly so that I won't break here in front of everyone. I walked to the side of the pillar for support, nearly shattering.

I held the pillar and took deep breaths repeatedly, my chest was racing at the sleep of 120km/s.

Breathe Idhi…..breathe

He was not going to eat you Idhi….

Tonight, I won't bend in front of him, but I would show him the exact self respect of mine.

Tonight, he would lose.