✧It all started with a slap✧
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒊 𝑺𝒆𝒉𝒈𝒂𝒍
She is beautiful, smart, and an introvert who has no problem putting others in their proper places. She is selfless and compassionate and prioritises others before herself.
She is trying to...
"Chandini, Rohit was talking about how you beat up a senior because he was bullying a girl," said Barkha, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Who? You, darling? Violent?" Rudra said, seemingly in a shocked manner.
"Rudra, do not be so shocked. You should know it better than anyone else. right?" I smiled at him, and his friends burst out laughing when they realised what I meant.
Rudra pretended to glare but failed and smiled, drawing me closer to his chest.
"Let me tell you what happened," Barkha exclaimed, her face beaming.
Everyone nodded, and I laid my head on his chest.
"Every student in school knew her, whether they were seniors or juniors. Because she was always willing to help if there was a problem" Rudra raised his brows at me.
This is something I consider to be both good and bad about my nature because it sometimes works against me.
"She was popular and at the top of her class, so teachers always let her off the hook. A senior, but I do not remember his name. He would make mean and sexual remarks to a girl in her class. Then one day, during lunchtime, he touched her inappropriately, and she saw it," Barkha pointed at me.
"She asked her what happened, and the girl told her everything; turns out he was following her and trying to force himself on her, touching her whenever he got the chance." She stopped, and they all looked at her, waiting to know what happened next.
"The teachers did nothing because he was good in his studies and her parents did not believe." So our girl here punched the guy in front of everyone, breaking his nose, and was suspended for it," she said, punching Rohit, animating the action.
"I did not break his nose," I muttered under my breath.
"Right, you not only broke his nose, but also his arm, and do not forget, his face was badly bruised." Bhaiya brought the story to a close.
"She has always been like this, never accepting any wrong done to anyone-I love that about my sister, but sometimes she forgets about herself in order to help others, and I despise that. But she changed after Aditya entered our lives after our parents died." I stare at him.
"Why? What did he do?" Rudra asked, leaning forward and supporting his elbows on his knees.
"I do not know, and she never talks about it. She changed completely-she was the girl who loved to go out and explore and turned into someone who would only stay with him. I still remember that she did not talk to me for nine months and stopped talking to her friends. It went on like this for about two years and suddenly he disappeared." Bhaiya wiped his cheek and smiled sadly. "I missed her old bubbly, active, rebellious self. Until now, I have noticed the same spark in her eyes."
I turned to face Barkha, who was already staring at me with sad eyes.
I get to my feet. "Let us not be depressed or anything. We are all here to have a good time. I'll be leaving tomorrow, so drop the gloomy mood," I said, clapping my hands.
I couldn't ignore the burn of Rudra's stare; I would have to tell him the truth one day. And I do not think he will want me to stay once he knows everything.
"Come, Nini, dinner is ready," Rohit said, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the dining room.
Rohit was going to sit beside me, but Rudra yanked on the chair, causing Rohit to fall.
"Did not see you there?" Rudra said, looking at Rohit, and I glared at him, but he gave me a smile.
"Help me, at least," Rohit said from the floor.
Rudra looked him in the eyes and said flatly, "No."
He made himself at ease by placing the chair next to mine. I shook my head, and we began our meal.
"Usko ghoorna band kroge?" I told the man sitting next to me. (Will you stop staring at him?)
"Usko bolo, woh apni ankhe apne khane pe rakhe, aap pe nahi," he said as he turned to face me. (Tell him to keep his eyes on his food and not on you.)
"Rohit, why do not you focus on your food instead of my wife?" Rudra scowled at Rohit, who choked on the water.
After calming down from his coughing fit, he looked Rudra in the eyes and smiled, saying, "It is difficult when she is so beautiful.
Uh-uh, he never calls me that!
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I'm tempted to gauge his eyes out.
I despise every second of his roving gaze over her. He touches her whenever he gets the chance.
I keep reminding myself that he is just her, and I hope he stays that way.
I curled my hands into fists, trying my damnedest not to launch myself over the table, and just hit him. I don't want to disappoint her anymore.
"Hey, it is nothing-he is just messing with you. Can you please relax?" She whispered into my ear as her small hands crept up to my arms and grabbed me.
I shift my gaze away from him and towards her, and she smiles. But there is uncertainty in her eyes-she is afraid I will lose it again. I nod, gently removing her hand from mine, and place it on her lap before exiting the room.
