INVISIBLE STRINGS // SARAJ

a shift

One of them finally worked up the courage to approach her. "Hi," he said, flashing what he probably thought was a charming smile. "You look very gorgeous tonight. Want to dance?"

Savi arched a brow. "No, thanks."

"Come on," he pressed, he took a step closer to the point if she turned she'd be pressed against him "It's just one dance."

She gave him a flat look and took a step away, "I said no. Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

Another guy joined in, emboldened by his friend's attempt. "What's the harm in one dance, Miss Attitude? koi maharani toh nahi hai, ki hum ko orders denge"

Savi's lips curved into a saccharine smile, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "hoon mein maharani, aur order hi nahi punishment bhi dengi who bhi khatarnaak wali"

The guy clenched his jaw and seemed like he was going to say something else but she brushed past him making sure to hit him hard as she walked by. Savi stepped out into the garden for some air, she wasn't in a good mood already and the guy from earlier got on her nerves more than they should have. 

With a sigh, she pulled out her phone to aimlessly scroll, but before she could she noticed a little girl struggling with the ribbon on her dress as well as the ribbon in her hair which was undone lying on the grass. 

a smile made itself onto her face as she saw the girl, she seemed young and was adorable. Savi knelt beside her, and the girl looked up at, her bottom lip trembling, Savi smiled, "do you need help with it?"

the small girl nodded, and Savi tweaked and twisted the big pink bow on the center of her dress, and then spun her around to tie another bow onto her two ponytails, and then turned her back around causing the girl to giggle and Savi joined in.

"Thank you, Didi!" the girl beamed, hugging her tightly and pressing a kiss to her cheek. Savi grinned and pressed two kisses on the girl's cheek, and let her run off to her parents. 

From across the garden, Bhavani watched with a fond smile. She loved how ambitious her granddaughter was, but moments like these made her hope that Savi would also find time to settle down someday. Shaadi, bacche, sab kuch...

***

As Savi made her way back inside, the same group of guys cornered her near the hallway.

"Why so rude earlier, huh?" one of them sneered. "You think you're too good for us?"

Savi's jaw tightened, but her voice was steady. "Move."

"Or what?" another guy challenged, stepping closer and this time he cornered her against the wall and slide his fingers up her arm.

She didn't flinch. Instead, she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the hallway, making the other guys freeze.

"Mujhse bilkul door raho" She said her eyes blaze, holding up a finger in warning, however this seemed to make him angrier, and instead he pulled her forward. 

She shoved him off and slapped him again, "mujhse paanga mat le, line pe khade kardungi," she said coldly, slapping him again  "Samjhe? Stay away from me."

"Yeh bas warning thi," she said, her tone sharp and stepped on his foot while bending the finger he had pointed towards her "Agli baar socho bhi mat."

He and the others scrambled away, muttering apologies under their breath.

She took a deep breathe, calming herself down. She felt disgust crawl up her skin where they gave tried holding her, she regretted not getting to slap him more.