When I entered the mansion, it was bustling with activity; people had finally awoken and were moving around, some eating breakfast and others simply chatting. My eyes were looking for my sister Riya, and they rested on the wicked man who had attempted to force on me last night; Riya told me his name was Rahul. He was leaning against the doorway, brazenly staring at me and licking his lips. I felt horrible simply looking at him. I looked around and noticed my sister sitting between a bunch of males, blatantly flirting with them all.
How did my sister grow into this? Where have my father and I gone wrong? I approached her, and she clearly noticed me.
"Riya, can I speak with you?" I said.
"Excuse me guys, I'll join you later for the fun chat," she added, giggling. This was too much for me.
"Riya, I'm getting awful vibes from this place; lets just leave early. Vedant told me that there will be an adulterous campfire today." I pleaded.
"Didi, I've already told you I'm not leaving until this is all finished. Why do you keep bugging me about it? You can go out of here all alone, you poor virgin. I'm not done, so don't interfere with my life." She said, shoving me away.
I kept glancing at her. I find it difficult to comprehend that she is the same girl I raised after our mother passed away. I felt unhappy and disheartened as I made my way to my bedroom, not knowing what to do next. God knows how hard I tried to make her feel better. I and Papa have given her everything.
I sat on the bed, staring at the plain wall. Should I contact dad and tell him about Riya? I'm not sure how he'll react, and I'm sure Riya will make a commotion. It's best to tell him face to face. I need to get through these four days, and from now on, I will not back riya up. She has been thoroughly spoiled.
My trance got interrupted when my phone rang; I checked the ID, and it was an unknown number. I didn't answer the phone, but it phoned again the second time. I looked at the picture and saw an attractive guy picture dressed in a suit. I took it up because the face felt familiar.
I said, "Hello"
"Hey, am I speaking to Harshita?" the mystery individual inquired.
"yup. May I ask who it is?" I asked.
"Hey, this is Anup. I hope your father has informed you about me." He said. He sounded all grown up, unlike the boy I grew up with.
"Hi Anup, dad told me about you. How are you? After so many years, we are speaking again? "I said.
"I'm doing well. Yup, we're talking after exactly 10 years, 8 months, and 5 hours," he remarked, pausing for a moment before adding, "56 seconds," and I forgot to breathe. Wait, my mind isn't working right now.
"hun?" i said.
"I am joking, Harshita," he continued, making me chuckle awkwardly.
"You're the same prankster, ha. You haven't changed much, I must say," I murmured, returning my gaze to the wall.
"hmm... I don't know about that. When you meet me, you will be able to decide whether I am the old Anup or not. What do you say? When are we meeting," he asked.
"No way! What if you bully me again? No thanks," I replied.
"Come on, Harshu, I'm not the old Anup. Meet me, and I am confident I will blow your mind," he continued, and I simply smiled.
"By the way, I am sorry; I heard about uncle. He was such a good man," I added, feeling sorry for him.
"That's fine; not everyone stays forever. He made a significant impact on my life, and I am grateful for everything he has done for me." He spoke and sounded so mature.
"I've heard about what you're doing in your hometown. I'm delighted that you're doing such excellent job," I added.
"I'm not doing anything great. I'm giving back to society what it has given me, but the peace and happiness my work has brought me is unparalleled. The city's job and money have never made me feel as happy from within as this work does," he explained.
"You've changed Anup. I am very proud of the work you have done," I replied softly.
"So let's change the topic and let me ask you directly. Do you have a boyfriend?" Anup questioned me. I was taken aback by such blunt question.
"Sorry, I think I heard something wrong," I asked him.
"No, you have not. You heard me correctly?" he said.
"But why do you want to know that?" I asked him.
"Because I want to date you and I don't want any competition" indicated Anup.
"Anup, don't you think this is a very direct proposal?" I openly expressed my surprise.
"of course, it is, my Harshu." He spoke.
"Wait are you pranking me again now, right?" I questioned him.
"No, let me get this straight. I've always liked you since I was a child. I bullied because I wanted your attention, and when you didn't give it to me, I bullied you. I had no idea it meant anything for me at the time, but as time went, I learned how much I liked you, my cute chubby Harshita," Anup stated breathlessly. I was quite cute as a child, but I don't appear appealing to anyone anymore.
"You haven't even seen me. I looked different as a child," I said. I wasn't sure why I told him that. But I wanted him to know it
"you always took my breathe away, even in childhood and now too" he claimed.
"You don't know how I look now?" I asked him.
"Your papa sent me your photo, and you are beautiful. Even if you weren't, it wouldn't have mattered to me, because you're a wonderful person inside out. You were always courteous and kind to everyone around us since we were little. How could one not fall for such a lovely person?" Anup asked.
"I don't know what to say, this is all to much to grasp for me."I said.
"It's okay; you don't have to think about it right now. Meet me and help me with students, and you'll get to know me better. What do you say?" Anup spoke.
"I need to think about that," I replied.
"Okay, take your time. I'm waiting for you to make the decision," he added, and then there was a pause, "and what I said eagerly about waiting for 10 years is true, I've been waiting for you all those years," he concluded, hanging up the phone.
I kept gazing at my phone. I realized I had just received my first proposal from the boy who had bullied me for years. Could it be True, or is he pranking me? I received a message on my WhatsApp by an unknown number. I opened the app, the message was from Anup.
Unknown number: save my number, Harshu.
Me:okay
I saved his number and looked at his profile picture, which left me dumbfounded. I couldn't believe my eyes; he was an extremely attractive man. How can anyone like him would want to date me? I can't believe what happened in the previous 15 minutes. I laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling fan. I have no idea what is occurring in my life right now. I'm stuck in this goddamn place, and unintentionally, someone is interested in me.
I reminded myself that my focus was Riya, and I needed to do something about it. I didn't have time for Anup now. I'll think about him when four days have passed. The evening was going to be spent around a campfire. I had some time, so I finished my undergraduate thesis. By nighttime, I was exhausted but my responsibility was now to keep an eye on Riya. I went to the window and looked outside, and the place was once again alive with people. I donned a long skirt, shirt, and jacket. I was freezing outside.
I stepped downstairs and couldn't believe what I saw. Everyone was dressed in swimwear, and I felt shy seeing females in bikinis and boys in boxers. There was some type of clothing code. Nevertheless, I managed to get by everyone and set off to find Riya. I questioned her pals, and they said she was near the shore, so I went there, and the sight was more immoral than anything I'd ever seen.
There was a campfire, and few couple sat around naked. Some couples were kissing openly, and others were as well. Some girls kissed multiple men, and so did the men. I just wanted to puke right now. What a hellish place I've come to. I mustered the bravery to approach the campfire, where my sister sat with all of her admirers. She had on the shortest outfit ever. My anger bubbled over, and I marched towards her, grabbed her arm, and dragged her with me. After arriving at an isolated location, I gave her a slap.
"Riya, what are you doing?" I shouted at her.
"Bitch, did you slap me? How dare you, you pathetic loser," she said to me angrily.
"Riya, wake up from all of this. I'm your sister. We are not these people." I said, gripping her arm.
"Do not touch me, fatty. If no one considers you attractive enough to fuck, that is not my concern. I have many admirers," she remarked, laughing and rolling her eyes.
"Riya, are you drunk?" I questioned her.
"Of course, I'm drunk. I'm not a loser like you," she continued, but her words were hazy.
"We're going home right now," I replied to her, reaching for her arm.
"No, I am not going with you. You can leave all you want, but I won't. I have a full night to spend with all of my boys," she remarked, beaming.
"Wake up, Riya; this place is not for us. Look at yourself. What have you become? I can't even say it, but what you're doing is turning you into..." I paused; I didn't have the strength to even say the word.
"Whore," she stated. "I know I'm"
"riya, why?" I yelled again.
"Because they pay my bills. I don't have to beg Papa for cash. These wealthy men supply me with whatever I desire. Everyone enjoys being with me. Everyone spends a lot of money on me. I am gifted in whatever I touch. I'll never be able to live among middle-class folks like you. I chose this life for me, and I don't want anyone to come between me and my lifestyle. Not even you or Papa," she added, pushing me. I felt on the ground. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I wasn't sure what was going on.
I sat on the ground crying for what seemed like an eternity before returning my gaze to Riya, who had rejoined the boys. She sat on a boy's lap, kissing him. I'm not sure how I'm going to go back and tell Papa all of this. Papa is going to be devastated. Riya is beyond redemption.
"Are you okay?" Someone said, and I looked up to see Vedant looking down at me. I just brushed away the tears.
"I'm okay," I answered, avoiding his stare.
I expected he'd leave, but he shocked me by sitting next to me. We sat so close together. We didn't say anything and just looked at the beach, which was shining in the dark. I'm not sure why Vedant is suddenly concerned about me. True, I've started adoring him, but he can't feel the same way for me, right?
"Why are you being soft on me? You don't need to look after me," I said.
He replied, "I don't know," and didn't say anything else. I assumed he was not going to talk, but the next line he said stopped my heart.
"I'm not sure what I'm feeling for you. When I see you in tears, something inside me cracks. I definitely do not like you, but something draws me to you. I just don't understand the feeling," Vedant stated as he drew closer to me.
His face moved closer to mine. His eyes said a thousand words. Eyes don't lie, and looking at him, he truly felt sincere. His gaze shifted to my lips briefly before returning to my eyes.His eyes were so genuine and he looked like a work of art. Now that he was so close to me, I looked at him. He looked stunning. He had such beautiful brown eyes. He has wonderfully formed lips and a strong jawline. Everything about him was simply wonderful.
"Can I kiss you?" Vedant murmured unexpectedly, touching my cheeks, and I had no idea how to respond.