Chapter 16 :
12 June, Wednesday, 2024
7:30 a.m.
Author's POV
Birds chirped on tree branches bathing in the day's initial sunrays. The soft glow of the sun peeping from behind the grey clouds, caressed the flowers in the garden. The soothing sound of water droplets from the peak of the white marble fountain meeting the pool below calmed the atmosphere.
The serenity danced with melancholy silence as Anika gazed nowhere blankly, seated on the swing chair in the balcony.
Her fingers played with the ends of her wavy hair cascading down her shoulders, as the loose white shirt over a pair of light blue shorts wrapped her within, providing comfort by bits.
Lost in her thoughts, she extended her hand to pick up the ringing phone when it hit the coffee mug nearby, resulting it to crash against the floor.
She flinched at the sudden sound, before she stood up from her chair.
A sigh escaped her lips, as she stared down at the broken pieces.
"It's not even the beginning and things have started to shatter already", she muttered aimlessly, crouching down.
As she picked up the visible pieces, her foot unknowingly stepped on a piece causing her to rest her right hand on the ground not noticing the mug's broken handle underneath, to take a look at her bruised foot.
Hissing in pain, she stood up to see her palm bleeding profusely with a deep cut across the palm.
Clenching her jaws, she took out the small pieces before walking inside to get her hand cleaned.
•
Anika's POV
The pieces were cleared long ago by the maids, yet, I was still there, gazing at my bleeding hand inside the washroom.
The tap water ran over my palm washing away the red liquid staining the white sink underneath.
Turning off the tap, I wiped my hands on the towel hanging by the mirror and walked outside.
Maybe I'd have put some ointment and a band-aid on it but the time I took a note of just now, tensed me.
It was past 7:45 and I was still not ready, driving away was a matter far-off.
I rushed to my closet before hurriedly picking out a pair of black trousers, chestnut brown silk shirt and a brown belt.
Getting changed, I tied up my hair into a low ponytail after middle parting my hair. Putting the Cartier watch around my wrist, I slipped into my black Gucci heels and walked out.
I rushed out with the black handbag in one hand and my phone my another. I needed to rush or else, it won't do any good to me.
My Mercedes was at the doorstep with the driver waiting for me. The car door was already open and my personal bodyguard stood by it.
Composed myself, I sat inside as the door closed.
The car wheeled towards the main gate of the mansion as I threw my head back on the backrest, heaving out an exasperated sigh.
Taking out my mute brown lipstick, I put it on and sprayed some Dior's perfume.
Maintaining professionalism and being disciplined is the main thing I focus on while being in public.
I looked outside the window.
It's the last day today.
It'd been years since this thing has been going on and it needed to end before I got married. If I somehow continued this, Arnav might find out about it and will accuse me of cheating.
The car halted infront of the hotel that shone in bluish-black tinted mirrors. The tall building stood with pride.
"I'll call you when I'm done", I spoke to Novan, my driver. He nodded in affirmation and drove away.
Putting on my black cateye Louis Vuitton sunglasses, I stepped inside the reception hall accompanied by my two personal bodyguards. Four stayed inside at the main gate.
I walked over to the reception prior to taking off my sunglasses as I tapped on the countertop, "Excuse me."
She looked up only for her calm composure to tighten because of sudden uneasiness. She seemed surprised and maybe scared at the same time.
"Good morning ma'am. How may I help you?", she asked politely.
"Can you provide me the information if there's a booking in the name Vikram Singh Rathore?"
"Yeah sure", she replied with a bow and smile before looking back at the screen of the computer. She knew she could neither deny nor question why I wanted someone's information because, she knows who I am.
"Yes ma'am. It's on the fourteenth floor's room no. 1414. Ms. Somalika will lead you", she replied before nodding at the female staff dressed in a deep purple suit and skirt.
"Ma'am this way", spoke Ms. Somalika with a bow as she walked ahead of me.
He chose that room deliberately.
Hope he chooses 1499 very soon.
I sighed. My head already hurt and now the shits he was going to make me do will be frustrating.
As we neared the elevator, Ms. Somalika touched the button.
The few moments of silence seemed like an eternity of tension lingering in the atmosphere. She stood there in silence, her back facing me.
But still the uneasy feeling I was getting from her didn't digest. I couldn't comprehend what brought me to feel like that.
As the air started thickening, it melted the moment a sound of the elevator echoed in the long, empty hallway ending at the elevator.
I got in after her, followed by my bodyguards.
It took barely five minutes to reach the fourteenth floor.
Exiting the small place, I indicated my guards to stay outside the wide area infront of me, separated from the corridor by glass walls. Ms. Somalika stood by the guards, waiting for me to get inside as she had opened the door.
Once I was inside, she closed it swiftly and soon the glass walls turned foggy, shielding the secrets that will be unfolded in this place.
I turned around to see him dressed in a deep grey suit and black shirt. His neatly brushed black dyed hair shone under the sunrays penetrating through the glass wall behind him. A few blonde strands contrasted with the rest.
He was sitting infront of me on a deep green half circle couch with his legs crossed. One hand held a wine glass filled with red wine and the other hand rested on his thigh.
The blue eyes stared at me with its icy intensity despite the mild smile on his lips. No wrinkles were seen on his face, yet, they still revealed the intentions he was there with. He was raw enough to be seen through by me but not enough to be called transparent.
I walked over to the other identical couch infront of him prior to sitting down.
Putting one leg over another, I clasped my hands over my thighs and spoke, "What is it?", my tone stern and calm.
"What's the hurry? Let's take it slow. Want some wine?", he asked calmly. The sinister shadow lingering over his face felt suspicious. He never met me for anything good but for his benefits.
"Are you hard of hearing or are you fond of beating around the bush?", I asked staring straight at him.
He chuckled placing down the wine glass before resting his back against the backrest.
"You haven't changed at all in the past four years, Tanvi", he spoke in a husky tone, mockery dripping from his words.
The urge to slap right across his face filled me up yet I remained calm.
Breathing a slow and deep breath, I looked up at him and said, "It's up to me to decide whether to change or not. You may proceed with whatever demand you are here with."
He nodded dropping the mild smile he had.
"I have a great news for you. We'll be meeting in room 1499 very soon", he spoke.
"Make it fast and one more thing, stop calling me Tanvi. And what's the main point?", I asked feeling relieved that, the day is not far when it'll be us in 1499, finally.
"She's fine now. Her condition isn't worsening since doses are being given everyday. Now all you need to do is— ruin that family", he spoke.
Somewhere I knew this was coming.
But the mere thought of committing such a heinous crime nauseated me. I felt my fibres freezing as my heart shook. I—It was impossible for me to do that.
No I can't. I can't. I fucking can't.
I felt my inside shivering. But before I started panicking, I said, "You're aware of what you're demanding for."
He nodded, "I clearly am. But you need to do that or else, the hardwork of yours since years would be mixed with her blood and you'll be able to do nothing", he spoke calmly yet, those words pierced through my heart.
I can't let her die. She can't die. She is important.
I'll destroy everything if she dies.
"I need to think about it for sometime", I spoke never lowering my gaze from him.
"No you can't. I'm returning back to America for one week, this evening. And within that week, I'll be planning out everything. I need your answer right at the moment", he replied.
I sighed, my breaths shaky. Looking down at my hands, I saw red stains on it. The red liquid dropped down from my nails and some drops stained my pants.
I shook my head closing my eyes and the moment I opened them, my hands were clean. Those memories still hunted me down.
My eyes widened making me shake in fear. I can't but I need to. Just for the sake of humanity.
"Fine. I'll do it. Just don't contact me after today until I contact you", I replied standing up before I walked away.
I agreed—I agreed to commit another sin. Maybe I won't even get a place in hell after what I've done.
Tears stung in my eyes and before they could fall, I wiped them away. Wearing my sunglasses, I walked out of the room without looking back.
It was just a small fight. The biggest war was yet to begin.
Tomorrow is my wedding and today I was planning some conspiracy for something so destructive that one might die, yet, the scars would remain unhealed. Deep scars would be imprinted on so many souls, trusts would be broken, hearts would be shattered and most of all... I'd be hated the most.
I'd be despised by those who love me, care for me.
I'd be the reason for their miseries.
How I wish the earth would swallow me in it erasing every bit of my existence.
I was born to bring bad luck to everyone.
"She's such a bad omen. Wasn't she satisfied that now she even killed them?"
"Such a cunning woman. Slut"
"Shame on you. Shameless bitch"
My heart hammered hard against my ribs as I felt oxygen never reaching my lungs. My body is turning cold and my hands are shivering.
Through my blurry vision, I saw my car waiting outside. I rushed over to it before getting in and took out the inhaler.
The moment I pressed it releasing the gas in it, my lungs relaxed. My mind had gone numb and all I was able to see was just memories.
Those memories which were the sole reason for my nightmares.