A knock interrupted me from the reading. Pushing my glasses, I stood up, unlocked the door and opened it.Dad was standing outside with a tray in his hand."You were hungry." I stepped aside, letting him enter. He had changed his clothes to casual. Placing the tray on the bed, he waited for me to join him. Sighing, I settled opposite to him as he revealed the dishes and the mug of hot chocolate. "Sorry, you had to hear that.""Papa." He levitated his gaze upwards. "I'm sorry for not picking your call.""You must be busy," He didn't mean it as a taunt or snide remark. He hoped I was busy."I wasn't," I squeezed my eyes tightly."Oh." Happiness wore down his face. "Then why? I thought everything was okay between us.""I'm sorry." I shook my head rapidly, curled my hand on top of my thigh. "I was mean. Forgive me.""Nothing to forgive, Alina. Just don't ignore my call again, okay? It worries me. When Kabir told you weren't coming, I was going to fly to Bangalore.""When you met Kabir?" I
"Akshay, this is Alina. Alina, this is my partner in crime," Kabir introduced us. "We used to play pranks on Nisha."Akshay dipped his head a bit, his face crackled in the glowing lights."You're the topic in our relatives." He grinned, and Kabir's look turned to tensed from playful. "Some guts you both have admitted your relationship and putting us all in danger. You should've kept it secret. These oldies won't let you live. Twenty-one and they'll be forcing you to marry."My eyes widened at his words, and frantically, I searched for Kabir's face, who shook his head at his brother."Don't scare her like that," Kabir hissed. "Alina, don't listen to him. He's mad." I nodded because accepting that was much better than the word his brother had pushed inside my brain. Marry? Was he absurd? I was just eighteen.Excusing myself, I engaged with Nisha and her cousins. It was much better than meeting with Akshay, but it wasn't for long they started asking me about Kabir. God, was this the only
[ K A B I R ' S P O V ]"Thanks for the gift." Nisha beamed beside me, but her whole attention was on the bracelet strapped to her wrist. It had cost me a fortune and I had no idea how dad would react to finding I had used too much from my debit card. He had set a limit for both me and Nisha, but I had overdone it this time. I could've gotten her a new dress, but it wasn't worth it. Her closet was filled with them, and she had all the supplies for her paints.And I was running late. So, in the end, along with Mom, I had gone to the jewelry shop. I had to give her something on Bhai Dooj."It must be expensive," She whispered, tensed."It's okay. You loved it. That's what matters.""But dad—""I'll handle it. Excited about England?" Dad informed her yesterday. She had been in shock but then jumped on the couch, screaming she was going to England and teasing me because I couldn't go.Some devil she was. She was getting back on the car thing."A lot." She smirked. "I'm going to miss y
Tugging my hand, she took me to the room, situated behind the stairs and closed her door."Alina!" Her mom shouted."Come in and I'll burn this room as well." And that stopped her mom. She turned around and gave me a look, a hard look. "What are you doing here? Who told you? Are you stupid?""I am?!" I raised my voice. "You burned your room. Have you gone mad? Why did you do that?""I had to!" She screamed back. "You don't understand." Her voice weakened. "You think I'm mad too, don't you? You must be scared of me.""Did you take your medicines?" I asked carefully.However, she had a whole different response to it. "I'm not sick! Will everyone stop asking for pills?!" She clutched her head. "I'm not sick.""Hey, hey." I removed her hands from her head. "Of course, you're not sick."She slipped past me, resided on her bed and covered her face with her hands. Giving a look at her slightly burned hand, I caught it and brushed my thumb across it."You should apply paste." Standing up, I lo
[ K A B I R P O V ]I paced back and forth in the living room, endeavoring to control my anxious thoughts. What was mom talking with her? Was she saying her to stay away from me? Was she scolding her for being reckless like that? No doubt mom wasn't a person to get angry easily, and she handled things with calm rather than anger, but she was still my mom.At some time, she too loses her patience like I was running out of now."We should send her to doctor again," Her mom's voice invaded my ear."Doctor?" I halted to look at a man, probably in his sixties. "Does she have a fever?"So, he didn't know Alina used to see a therapist.Amused, I glanced at her mom, flustered and trying to come with an excuse. "No, dad. For her hand, I meant."I rolled my eyes. They were her grandparents, the one who accused Alina of lying and causing her doubt to see if telling was the right thing she had done. The last time Alina had informed they were ready to talk to her, and after that, I heard no news
"I thought we were going to club on Friday," Deb said."Yes, that reminded me." Kabir turned to face me. "Come this Friday with me.""I've curfew after eight thirty.""Don't worry about that," He explained. "Kriti?" He slid his gaze to her. "You live with your cousin, right?" She nodded. "Would she mind if Alina stays the night?" My eyes widened at his question. Had he already planned all of it? Shouldn't I show some excitement? I had told him I would enter his world, see the nightlife he preferred so much."It would be amazing." Kriti jumped in her seat. "But I'm coming too.""I thought you were." He frowned. "Alina won't come without you." He knew I would be uncomfortable among his friends. And my heart melted on his thoughts, on his nature of thinking about each and every detail about me."What about the hostel?" I asked. "They'll call at home if I'm not here, and—" Fiza wouldn't mind ratting me out to the warden."That is already solved. Misha is ready to pose as your mother and ca
[ K A B I R ' S P O V ]"You!" I hissed at Kriti while walking into the club. "Have you seen her dress?"She grinned. "Doesn't she look hot?"That would be the understatement of the world. I was expecting Alina I was used to seeing, dressed in jeans and top or a simple dress that reached till her knees, but the Alina I was met with had been too different. Too irresistible. Too hot. Too captivating.And damn those heels of her. Who bought her such clothes?What would she think of me I tell her I was barely controlling myself to not touch her, to not kiss her, to not run my fingers over that soft skin of hers? Who give such surprises to their boyfriend?If the front wasn't enough, her back was held by the closely tied strings.My brain warned me to get her dress changed, but then I saw the expression on her face. She was trying to accept something. Maybe she did need a chance to realize she wasn't overcrowded by her past.And she looked happy.I caught her hand, slipping my fingers be
Alina.Shit. I ran inside the club and sighed in relief. She was leaning on the wall with Kriti and Shikha. Inching closer, I stood next to her. Her eyes pulled to mine and she frowned."Where were you?""Restroom," I answered quietly. "I'm sorry about drinks. Wait, let me get it.""No need. Shika got me one." I frowned, noticing the glass in her hands. "It tastes bitter, but I was thirsty, so I drank three." I snatched the glass from her hands and took a sip, and coughed."Didn't you tell her you don't drink alcohol?""I did. Why?""That is vodka, Alina." I skidded my gaze to Shikha, who winked at me."It was her first time here. She should enjoy more. I helped her.""No, you didn't," I hissed, placed the glass on the table. "It's not she hasn't tried it. She hates it."The awareness came to her face, and she tried to apologize but I waved her off. Swirling, I caught Alina's arm, who was staring at the glass perched on the table.Deb and Sagar joined me, whilst I stared at her panicke