9

IDHIKA

The morning felt fresh yet eerie due to the strange call of Vedant. I didn't know why he was this emotionless and polite at the same time. Maybe he was great in manipulative tactics. Indeed.

I rolled my eyes as I remembered his words. It felt like a dagger in my chest. He couldn't manipulate me with my father's work. Or with my family.

At least what I told myself.

Yet, I was dragged into it. My family. My father's job. It felt like there was no escape from this. Like he created a loop in my life and I always fell in it.

My chest tightened. My mind was wandering through each and every word he spoke. From that first meeting, I didn't know that an accident would spiral my life into this tragedy. At least I expected to not be remembered.

Vedant Thakur Singh. A man who was a weapon and polite in disguise. I was unaware of his real face behind that mask.

Was he always like this? Or was there something behind it? Mystery.

I stood up before the wooden window of my room, the city was awake. People were rushing to their respective works. The students were running through the lanes, laughing like they got something special.

The sun was now becoming bigger and bigger, swallowing the city with its sunrays. Yet my mind circled back to him. I felt helpless…a lone girl who got lost in the tragedy of the forest.

Vedant didn't shout, didn't try to yell but his simple presence in my life made me feel under control. Under his eyes, like he was watching me from a distance but didn't try to threaten me.

I watched the city before me. A rustling busy street with the shine of the sun, the vehicles honking like to get attention without yelling in this morning.

As I walked away from the window, the clock tickled quarter to eight. I sighed heavily, tired, shaken. I remembered his words.

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

My anger flared, sharp and defiant. I hated how calm he sounded. I hated how my mind pictures his face again. He made me feel trapped without locking any door. It felt like I'm stuck in a maze where every open door led me to him.

My feet walked into the bathroom. My hand turned on the shower. The sudden cold water cascade down my body, making me feel shiver. But sometimes the coldness healed better than anything.

My vision blurred as the water gathered in my eyes. All at once, the tears fell streaming down through my face. The first time, I cried after I left my dance.

First time……

No one tried to make me cry like this.

No one was able to make me cry like this.

Was I wondering if Vedant makes people cry?

My clothes got soaked into the water falling from the shower while my tears mimicked the water from the above.

If he could make me cry then I would make his life hell.

I wept heavily till my knees got weakened. I gradually down myself to the bathroom floor, clutching my arms, I wept. My limbs felt numb due to the coldness but yet I didn't stop the water.

I felt disgusted and tragic. I felt weakened.

But I promised myself that I wouldn't be weak since I left dance. I wouldn't lose. Even if he tried to manipulate me. Even if he was my villain.

After a while, I dressed in a blue kurti, denim flare jeans. And walked through downstairs. It was warm. Healing. Alive.

The sudden healthy noises from my family were in the air. My mom shouted at my brother for using phone too much, like he couldn't live without it as his entrance exam was approaching.

My father was calmly eating his breakfast. My heart sank, seeing him. I remembered Vedant's words about my father's job. I felt a pang in my chest but I suppressed it.

“Good morning maaaaa.” I dramatically hugged her from behind.

“Don’t— the queen is awake now huh? What time is it?.” she sounded angry

“Maa…i woke up in the early morning then i studied maaa like a good girl and then took a bath and got ready.” I tried to explain

“It's 8:30 am in the morning. You have classes.” She scolded me

“Maa, I told you I have no classes as after one month I have finals maaaaaa.” I know I was being dramatic but that's okay now.

My gaze shifted from my mother to my father.

“Baba….kemon acho.” I asked my father

(Papa, how are you?)

“Ami bhalo achi. Tui giye kha tarpor toke porte hobe abar. Naki tui kothai jabi?”

(I'm good. Go and eat your breakfast and then you have to study right. Or will you go somewhere?)

“Na na..why would she go somewhere. Her finals are approaching.” My mom got angry

“Maitreyi. Listen. Why should she study all the time? It's okay to enjoy it sometimes. It will be good for Idhika.” My father smiled at me

I suddenly felt warmth. From my father. From my warm family.

I smiled back too.

I remember when I was a little kid, running into the streets for the Pani Puri stall, which my mom used to oppose. But my father always supported me. Even in my tough times.

Those memories lingered in my mind more than necessary.

I knew I was always Baba's lovely girl.

In that moment, every cage of manipulation, the maze of emotions, the threats were forgotten.

I felt alive. Like a leaf who just got watered.

Vedant didn't exist in my mind now but I know if my family’s warmth were away, he would exist.

“Dibhai! You seem to get lost somewhere.” He raised his eyebrows

“Uh- huh. It's nothing.” I said grumpily

“Do you fall in love? Acting like lost huh!!! Ohhhh Who.Is.Him?”

My expression changed, unbelievable.

What the heck!!

“Are you mad? Me? In love?” I scoffed, like someone offended me

My parents were now looking at me suspiciously, their eyes were narrowing at me like I did something illegal.

“WHAT?” I demanded

“Hriday may be right.” My mom's eyes linger at my face, studying carefully

“Maa!! What? What is this? Listen! I'm not in love. Not with anyone even with that demon Vedant —”

Oh shit.

Shit.

Shit.

“Then who sent you this….present.” My brother questioned

My mind went blank for a minute. I was not able to utter a single word.

WHAT? A PRESENT?

My eyes moved to the present which was wrapped with a red decorative paper. Like someone who had freshly wrapped it in a rush yet it looked clean and subtle.

My heart rates beat fast as I came to the conclusion of this situation. Vedant.

What was his problem?

Why would he send me a present ?

“Who sent you Idhika?” My father's voice cut through the living room.

“I …I really don't.. know.” I acted like I was absent minded

“Idhika!” My mom warned

“Ah..I have literally no idea.” I somehow managed to answer

“Wait…your name is written here. But as someone's sweetheart?” mom revealed

NO. NO. NO.

OH GOD PLEASE SAVE ME.

That monster…I would kill him.

Why was it so necessary to call me sweetheart?

“I'm not anyone's sweetheart.” I replied softly

“Then what is this ? Idhika? Are you in love? Perhaps your so-called lover has sent you.” My mom’s tone was laced with angry

“Maaaa!!! Why? Why would someone send me a present and call me sweetheart?” I literally wanted to hide my face

“Because you know.” Mom yelled at me

Yes I knew.

That Vedant called me sweetheart just to make me angry but nothing else.

“I..ok listen maa. Calm down.” I tried to cool my mom

“This is not fair, Idhi.” My father spoke

“Dibhai is in love…yayyyy who is he? Perhaps your college friend? Or your school friend that you hid for years? Or any local man? Or online?.” I wanted to punch my brother so hard that he would forget how to question me

I slowly closed my eyes and breathed deeply twice.

“Hriday!! Shut up. It's NONE. I don't know him.”

My mind was racing with possible li

es that I would tell my family in the upcoming situations because that manipulative man was getting on my nerves.

This was going to be tough but anyways fire was fire.