8

AUTHOR

The cool morning breeze touched Idhika’s skin the moment she opened the window. Her form shivered a little in a strange way. As it was early morning, she felt a positive urge, a motivation to study like she could get what she wanted.

She gently sat on her chair, her fingertips brushing the edge of her books but her mind was completely wandered somewhere else.

“I fucked up.” She let a slow, tired sigh

Vedant's words from yesterday evening were lingering on her pretty mind heavily. Those didn't leave her mind instead it was echoing messily, making a chaos in her heart.

She dragged her mind to focus on her studies while she opened the book. But her focus was slipping and slipping again until she gave up. Her mind was crawling back to him.

“Can't this man leave my mind for a while huh?” She huffed in frustration

“I am so stupid.” She hided her face with her both palms

Her mind was replaying her actions that she did. She was already regretting her words. The embarrassment settled heavily.

Why did she give her plate to him as she was determined to choke him on spice? But he was clearly not

Why did he take the food from her plate?

“And what? That shona!!” She mentally screamed at her antics

“Why am I feeling so cringe ...oh god!”

“I'm so ridiculous so he is and the whole world.” She scoffed in anger

Was she trying to impress him? No

Was she trying to annoy him? Yes

But he was not annoyed....that made her annoyed more than ever like she just lost a competition.

She didn't know.

She knew that the universe was laughing at her by then because her own plan backfired upon her and that was echoing more than she wished to forget.

She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.

She breathed heavily, twice..

Thrice.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the middle of Kolkata, a sharp sound buzzed through the room continuously from the night stand. Vedant stirred slightly.

He opened his eyes just to find a sketch, a beautiful face was staring at him — Idhika. The same sketch he had drawn a few days ago, now it was hanging on the wall.

He knew she would not trust as she considered him as a villain. But the truth was, he could control everything but not her.

The thought of controlling her burned his heart. But he couldn't do anything except manipulation. Maybe just a few days, he thought.

Or got ruined by her.

He just slept for three hours. When he became the company's head, sleep was just ridiculous to him. But since Idhika entered his life, sleep became more ridiculous.

He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes with his palms. His mind was wandering yesterday’s conversation with Idhika. A slow, tiny smile tugged on his lips.

He felt amused and astonished at once when she called him shona. It felt like she was cursing him but her voice was dripping with honey, he couldn't ignore.

Nobody insulted him like this. Strange. It was the first time. If anybody did, he wouldn't let the person live! But Idhika? When did she get the right to insult him? But he did enjoy it anyway.

He again laid down on the bed, covering the duvet till his naked hard chest. His hand reached for the phone that was still buzzing and it didn't bother him as he was thinking about her.

He thought of messaging her maybe just to annoy her. Maybe to have the satisfaction.

But before that, he reached for his laptop and completed his pending work that was left. He designed some new jewelleries and sent them to the manufacturing department. He called the marketing department to know about the market price, the demand.

An hour passed, he was still in the bed with his laptop. Until a phone call disturbed his work. His mom. Panchali.

“Hello maa.” His voice was deep but soft

“What are you doing? Is everything well?”

“I'm currently working and yes everything is fine.”

“When are you returning to Jaipur?”

He paused

“Until I finished my important work here.”

“Acha. So listen, I have collected some pictures of girls, you may like one of them. Don't say no.”

His blood rushed in frustration as he heard from his mom.

“Maa, I'm not getting married to anyone. And please stop arranging girls for me. They are not worth it.”

“But Ved—”

“No maa. Love is exceptional for me, like any girl.”

He felt something in his heart. Like any girl? But Idhika was his obsession.

He closed his eyes “Maa, I will call you later.”

Before she could say anything, he hung up.

His mind was replaying the sudden conversation with his mom.

Why did he feel annoyed when his mom mentioned another girl?

Why did he think of Idhika immediately?

He didn't know that.

But his mind was already accepting Idhika as his obsession. But love? It's complicated.

And he was determined to not to fall in love but who knows what happened in the future?

Without wasting any seconds, his finger hovered over the contact of her and without a thought he pressed on it gently.

IDHIKA

I managed to study for two hours straight without getting distracted by his words. I finally solved the practical problems of project management. It took me half an hour to solve one.

But again my mind was distracted by him. I didn't understand why he was affecting me?

In a sudden moment, a call broke through the room. My eyes immediately searched for the clock. Seven in the morning.

Who could seriously call me at seven?

Was it Preity?

But my heart raced fast when I saw the villain’s name on my phone. My mood suddenly changed into an annoyed feeling.

“Good morning sweetheart.” The voice was deep and hoarse

I rolled my eyes

“Do you call everyone at this hour huh?”

“Maybe but when there is work.”

I scoffed as it was unbelievable. Who worked like that? Seven in the morning?

“Why did you call me?”

“To remind you…that from today you will play the perfect fake girlfriend.” His voice was emotionless

“In your dreams.”

“Idhika.” He warned me

“What?”

“Don't argue with me.”

“Oh yes yes. I always argue right. And what about you? You always make me angry.”

“And may I know the reason why you are angry at me?”

“Because I can't focus on my studies, your face is always distracting —” I paused immediately.

Realising what I was going to say. I chose to stay silent.

“Distracting? And by me? Strange. But don't get any ideas. Our terms are fake.”

“Y..yeah fake.” I hesitated

“Now get dressed like a good girl and be ready at 9pm. I will pick you up.” He spoke calmly

“What? How can you say that? I don't go anywhere with a stranger.” My voice was laced with anger

“Well that stranger is your fake boyfriend now. Accept it.”

“Are you mad?” I was absolutely losing my mind

“No. But we agreed to these terms and conditions. And if you don't, then we are having a talk. Or the consequences will be very bad, you know that.”

That manipulative tactic.

I hated it.

I hated it when he told me about the consequences.

He was no good for me. But he was annoying as hell.

I nearly screamed at him.

“Don't involve my baba in this.”

“As I said, as long as you're agreeing, I will not.” His tone was cold

“I hate you.” I just yelled through the phone

"Good.” He showed no emotions

“I hate you when you manipulate me like this.”

“Hmm..you should get to use it.” He hung up

I wouldn't go. I won't lose.