All Chapters of SWEETHEART: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The chirping midnight silence of Emerson Residence rumbled with a fast-approaching black BMW. Ballistics of laughter and chatter, together with metallic tunes announces the energetic and sweaty night that awaits. Given the stinging scent in the air, it had already begun. All of it halts abruptly in front of a pair of heavy white gate. The pack of 4 friends steps out of the car, shutting the door in chorus. Brows knit deep. The remnants of laughter die down. They exchange a confused look at the slightly ajar timber door. Shut doors when she is alone is a big no-no for Sarah, including her bedroom door. Sometimes, even her bathroom door. She always masks it well with the excuse of needing fresh air or vitamin D deficiency. But the friends know too well. It makes her uncomfortable-sort of a mild phobia. The door’s hinge squeaks low as they pace into the dark space. Jessica is the first to peek in. A shivering shadow caught her eyes. Sarah, huddled to a corner– on the floor, hugging her

LOST                   The only word booming in her brain. Her feet reluctant to grasp reality. Dress fists into her palm. Deep, dreadful howl of wind swirls around her. A brush of crude blanket, literally, dry straws at her knees, swaying to the sides. Sarah is stranded in the middle of a field.                 Nothing else but malty brown spread across the horizon. No trees, no houses or huts, no animals, no birds, not even a tiny little insect. Just a vacant grass field with the blaring sun to accompany her. 'How did I get here and how do I escape?' Her brain beaming with questions when suddenly, a crisp clamor from the grass broke her loneliness. About 10 feet in front of her, it starts shuffling. Her eyes grow wide at a particular spot as it ravages to find any clue of what might be rolling underneath. Nothing came in visi

Mike’s attempts to connect with Sarah have been dreadful ever since ‘the morning’. Avoidance is evident between them. Her constant diversion from him and narrow attention to Jessica and Laura drove Mike up the wall. Confrontation. That's what he needs. But even for that, he needs to pinpoint her alone, without the other 3 and that too, seems impossible since she runs off to work early before Mike. His touch, scent, and warmth send a shudder down her spine every time the memory resurfaces. Sure, they are best friends since 7– they had mud-wrestled– they had jumped over the school compound– she had helped him to get his feelings across to another girl, like a bloody postwoman– he had even helped her unbuckle her bra once. But it is different now. He is a full-grown, tall, masculine man, who reminds her of her attacker. Returning home from work, he caught her sitting on the living room’s sofa. One foot tuck under the other that has rose up, heels on the couch edge, her face next to

                   The week passed by in a blink and it’s time for them to depart. Even though she had put on a great show, she got to admit– Sarah was already missing them. The thought of staying alone in the house on weekends till they return was revoking and so, she resorts to staying with her mother for 3 days, hence packed accordingly and was ready to leave –not before she sends off the rest of the pack to their retreat.                  Mike took over the wheels and gave her a cold glance while Laura and Jessica were saying their heart-melting–goodbyes. He then darted to the road and steered the car forward without even a bye and frankly, she didn’t mind. The sure thing is he will be with the others during the weekend and she was definite that the others will find a way to enlighten his mood. Sarah dismissed with a smile and a head shake and carried o

The wedding...                      Brimming enthusiasm from their relatives and friends engulfed Sarah and her mother. Indian wedding is a celebration of a lifetime, where parents and bridegroom will spend tons of money to get it perfect, coming up with new schemes and ideas to outdo the previous wedding. Non-stop dancing, alcohol, a variety of extravagant food, sweets, and flowers are just a few musts on the list. Scheduled to begin a week before the actual wedding date itself, leaving little rest for the bride and groom that at their wedding night, they would prefer sleeping rather than boning.                     Not to mention the unmarried eligible creatures roaming like helpless sacrifices around the event. Inquiries after inquiries followed by advice and solutions, ending with the presentation of possible suitors are inevitable– there will always b