13



A U T H O R

A month passed without notice after their agreement. But the tension between them didn't seem to be easy. Her exams were going on, as he respected her choice to not disturb her during this situation. He never messaged her a single day.

The morning light spilled through the white curtains of Vedant’s room. A moment of peace was disturbed by a sharp ringtone of his phone when the woman who stole his mind called him.

Vedant was jolted awake by that sudden annoying noise of his phone, it was six am in the morning, where the city of pink was not fully awake.

“Hello?” She spoke through her phone

Vedant was silent not because it's early morning but she called him ... first time willingly and also suddenly.

“Did you dream of me that you called me now?” His morning was husky yet soft

“Ohhh hello! I didn't dream of you and most importantly I called you for a reason!” She sounded angry as usual

“Okay, can I know?” He was almost polite

“Today is my last exam! And you should not tell me what to do now and don't command  orders like you are a king! I need ease.”

“Okay. Good luck for your exam. Then how about I give you an internship?”

Her eyes widened at his words. She thought he was crazy.

“What? An internship? Are you mad?” She demanded angrily

“Yes? For being My fake girlfriend in public. You need to come here, Jaipur. For a charity gala, where I will introduce you to the world.” His words hit her more than any weapon could do

Because she had to do it without any choice but she never lost herself to a man.

She gripped her phone tightly against her ear. Her brows frowned in rage. She didn't know what to say to a man like him. A devil.

“Are you crazy? Because my parents will not allow it. And for your information, my results are not declared. Who gives an internship without seeing marks?” She paced in her room nervously

“My girlfriend. My wish. And I know you are a topper.”

“How did you know?... I'm not a…topper.” She breathed heavily

He paused, waiting to keep his thoughts unknown to her, perhaps he was thinking about how this game was getting riveting on her little lies.

But he didn't explain to her that he had seen countless pictures of her Instagram stories about her studies and ranting about how the books were like to her.

She didn't know that he was stalking her from her Instagram. The devil watched his angel like a worship. From the very moment of her smile to the restless night of her studies. He saw it all.

However, he started to respect her study schedules and her rants. It felt like a work of art to him. But for him, she was the art and he was just an artist.

She waited for his answer. But he had something else in his mind. A plan?

“Ever you had a boyfriend…real?” He asked

She narrowed her eyes on her phone quickly. Something flickered in her eyes. Then she decided to answer something boldly.

“What if I say yes?” She challenged him

“The past is highly unreasonable, I think you should stick to the present.” He sounded rough and slightly disappointed

Something shifted in his mood to not think about the possibility of her ex boyfriend still existing that he couldn't tolerate.

He hated that feeling the way he was feeling right now just because she dared to say yes.

“So, you had.” He paused a little

“Who is that?” He wanted to add unfortunate at last but thought she would question him

“It's my personal. I don't tell anyone any personal things…even my fake boyfriend.” She sounded bold but yet something in her was fearing

“Sweetheart, you seemed to forget you sold your soul to the devil and that's me.”

“Finish your exam.” With that he hung up suddenly

He was uncomfortable with the thought of her past relationship. But he was more angry that she didn't confirm him so he was in a dilemma.

One - She was lying just to test him

Second - She was telling the truth

He hoped for the first option. Like the first.

His mood completely changed as he felt the sudden burn in his chest. He tightened his grip on the duvet as he was still in his bed.

He saw red.

And in red…..he saw her.



V E D A N T

I was in my office by nine but still my mind was lingering somewhere else.

Of course. Idhika.

My whole nerve system was getting boiled. I didn't like it. I regretted asking her that question.

My jaw tightened as I remembered the conversation in the morning. My mind was screaming for an answer. But I was a man of patience.

I needed to be patient. I couldn't lose to a woman named Idhika.

She was undoing me, my thoughts. But I didn't want to stop. But somewhere I knew I had to stop it. I told myself I wouldn't mind anything nonsense she said if she had a boyfriend before. I should not get angry.

Because in the end, it's all fake.

And fake was everything to me.

.

.

.

By the evening when the sun dipped low into the horizon, my work began to overload. As I was working on the cartel of Milan. I wanted to drown myself into this, to the point I didn't want to return.

But my heart said to message…my dear sweetheart.

I should not message her after all this but I could try

So I messaged her “How's the exam?”

She saw it immediately and typed “Good but it was hard, anyways I attempted it all.”

She messaged like she was happy as she was never happy with me and I was the very reason for making her angry.

Then I didn't reply because I didn't want to ruin my mood at least now. So I started to work on the cartel for two hours until it was seven pm.

After some time, I approached my car where Jai was waiting for me inside. I opened the door and got in without wasting any time.

I just wanted to rest. So my eyes seemed to close slowly.

“Man! We got the green signal!” Jai cheered as he was driving the car

“What green?” I murmured without opening my eyes yet

“Idhika mam said her exams were all good. So she is happy and that's why there is a green signal for you.” He said like he was very excited

My eyes opened suddenly, not believing his words. A sudden shock formed on my face.

I was speechless. How did he know about her?

“How?” I asked as if I didn't want to burn him down

“I messaged her on Instagram. She told me everything.” He grinned

Everything seemed to pause around me for a moment.

What the fuck?

Why was he messaging her for a fuck’s sake?

Motherfucker.

I would clear him from this very earth if he was not my friend too.

The rage spread through my nerves, it felt like something in me was ready to destroy. My fist tightened and I wanted to do everything which screamed destruction.

It took me a moment to calm my little fire on my chest as he was waiting for my reply.

“Ready about the papers.” I ordered him

“What papers? I'm driving now.” He was curious

“Yeah I'm not a fool. I mean after reaching home. Just ready the papers with my company stamp, signature and seal…..for her.”

“What? Do you want to give her a job? Seriously, isn't she your fake girlfriend?” He asked

It took every ounce of patience to not smash his head on the front door glass. I just closed my eyes.

“Just do as I was told. I will not repeat myself again.” My voice was rough and slightly rude

The car blurred through the streets, cutting the evening traffic and horns until my car stood before the gate of my mansion. Yet…I couldn't ignore the burning in my chest. Something was making my mind go lunatic.

I tapped on my knees as the car rolled before my mansion’s door. I was just waiting inside as my mind was empty.  My thoughts, my focus, my concentration were all slipping through my very control.

Everything around me seemed to vanish. It felt like it was only me and my thoughts wandering into the moment as everything before me went still.

“Vedant?” Jai asked softly as he didn't understand the turmoil inside me

I didn't respond. I just got out of the car and slammed the door hard. And walked to the mansion’s door.

I walked through the stairs, long corridors until I reached my room. I just opened the door and dipped myself into my bed. I didn't know what to do.

I had to do something so I sat on my bed.

So I messaged Jai to complete his work by now that I gave him.

She wanted to escape me? Oh I had every string to pull herself in my direction. And I didn't want to cage her but built a house and put her there where I could give her everything she wanted.

But she could never leave…me.

The devil always got whatever he wanted. Even if he wanted to have his angel? He would.

Wherever she would go, she would find me. If she opened her eyes, she would see me.

This would be an interesting game, just like my chess board.

But for now I had to prepare myself. I couldn't lose anything. It took me years of patience to control things.

I would not lose my patience.

I had to think like a real strategic man. I had to plan like a masterpiece so no one could understand what I wanted.

I couldn't tell anyone my things, could I?

Just then Jai burst open my door, he looked slightly panicked but fidgeting if I would kill someone.

“What now?” I asked, testing him

“Rodriguez! He snatched away the cartel from Van Houten”

My eyes narrowed at him

“What do you mean?” I demanded

“Rodriguez killed Christopher Van Houten…..he wanted to join the cartel but Rodriguez came to know and he literally killed him.” He explained in brief

“Good.” My lips curled into a slow smile

“What are you saying? He literally killed.” He panicked

“Good. One enemy is gone but another exits. Good for me, I will finish him.” I really gave him an evil smile

I was not exaggerating. I was saying the truth. It would happen soon. I would take what I lost. And this time, any god could stop me.

I die, I die but I would take whatever.

“I asked you about the papers. Did you make it?” I asked calmly

“Yes..these are here.” He handed the papers

“Beautiful.” My lips spoke in a soft tone after seeing the papers

Then my gaze went to Jai. He was confused and perhaps wondering what was going on in my mind.

I wouldn't let anyone know my thoughts, even if it's Jai.

I slowly signed my signature on the paper with a pen which I bought from France. I liked it because it was red in colour so the ink was. It was carved of a red stone probably with gold lines.

My eyes went where her name was beautifully written in red printed italics. My lips curled into a smile absentmindly.

I didn't know yet but that's okay.

Jai looked at me with curious eyes. I suppressed my smile forcibly when he was looking at me.

“What?” I asked

“You're probably insane or just obsessed.” With that he left my room

“Probably not insane but definitely obsessed.” I whispered to myself

“What happens when a devil is obsessed with an angel? Is it tragically beautiful or a haunting tragedy?” I questioned myself

There was no return point. And I knew I would never overcome this obsession.

To overcome this dangerous, haunting obsession. I had to die.