It's the ungodly hour of 3:16am, and sleep is playing hard to get. I'm still tangled in thoughts, debating whether a visit to the police station is in the cards. You see, after bidding adieu to my former self, something rather eventful unfolded on the sea shore.
I must say, I executed the perfect sabotage of Ram's wedding. But let's not forget, Ram happens to be my next-door neighbor. And as fate would have it, dear old dad was on the guest list too. So, whatever spectacle went down, my dad had a front-row seat to the show.
As I stood on the sea shore bidding my old self adieu, the caress of warm waves on my feet was oddly soothing. Suddenly, a powerful force crashed into me. I teetered, but managed to regain my balance just in time to hear my dad's furious voice. "Shameless! I will kill you," he thundered.
I turned to find him clutching a slender, ornately decorated bamboo pole, reminiscent of the wedding's intricate design. It seemed he'd picked it up from the festivities. Without a word, he lunged at my thighs, his formidable strength propelling each blow.
Fury radiated from my dad, his next strike imminent. In a surge of adrenaline, I snatched the bamboo from his grasp and flung it defiantly into the sea. It bobbed and swayed, carried by the relentless waves. Disappointment etched across his face, he turned and walked away.
As I pivoted, I found myself encircled by a cadre of Ram's cousins, a lively bunch I'd danced with at Sana's wedding. Luv and Kush, the dynamic twin brothers, seized my arms and hauled me towards the water. The twin sisters, sassy Sasi and spirited Salu, shot me accusing glares, still fuming over my wedding-wrecking antics.
Sasi, her voice edged with disbelief, demanded an explanation for my audacity in spoiling the celebration. I met her gaze squarely and declared, "I saved a girl from a lifetime with Ram."
"Just apologize to our family." Sasi suggested.
"Did Ram sent you?" I ask.
"No! But if you don't come with us. Things can get worse." Sasi blackmails.
"you are better than this. We can talk." I muttered, acutely aware of their intentions. The twin brothers exerted their force, compelling me to kneel. The water surged around me, enveloping me up to my chest. Then, in an instant, a colossal wave surged forth, swallowing me whole. I clenched my teeth, holding my breath as time seemed to stretch infinitely.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I seized the forearms of the twin brothers, determined to reclaim control. With a surge of resolve, I hoisted myself upward, breaking through the surface and gasping for precious air.
Salu, the youngest and the most volatile of the lot, closed in, seizing a handful of my hair from the crown. Our eyes locked in a chilling exchange before her slap landed, a merciless punctuation mark to the chaos. "Consider it a lesson in moving forward," she spat.
My patience snapped, and I leveled a warning at her, "You're still a child, oblivious to what's coming. You may want to reconsider your next move."
"Just save your breath, or you might get a real punch," Salu sneered.
I snatched the decorated bamboo, bobbing conveniently within my reach, and shot back, "You fancy yourself a black belt?"
Luv was the first to feel the sting of my warning, "Don't tempt fate... you won't like the outcome." I cautioned once more. With a wince, Luv clutched his thigh, edging away from me.
Kush's grip on my arm persisted, his face registering the first strike. My rage surged, a relentless tide. I battled the urge, reminding myself they were just impulsive teenagers. Kush's cry pierced the air.
Suddenly, they rallied, desperate to shield their fallen comrade. Salu, undeterred, seized me from behind and sank her teeth into my neck. Sharp. Calculated. My anger roared to life.
With a swift maneuver, I turned the tables, clutching her hair and bringing her face-to-face. Her eyes, mirrors of the slap she'd dealt me. It was an impulse I couldn't suppress. My palm met her cheek with a resounding crack. She wailed, tears streaming, chanting, "Karma... Karma...! K--"
I halted, and Salu's voice sliced through the tension, contrite. "I'm sorry."
"I wasn't the girl who wilted in the shadows when my ex belittled me for loving him. I did what you can only imagine. At least choose your battles wisely!" I declared.
She nodded solemnly and retraced her steps.
"Salu, let's go!" Kush called, and Salu swiftly darted away.
[The phone buzzes at 3:23 am, jolting me back to the present.]
"What have you done to those kids? They're just teenagers. Now you're going after them too? How much hatred do you hold, Karma?" Ved's tone drips with disdain.
"They came at me, Ved. I acted out of self-defense," I respond.
"Self-defense? They were just enjoying the seashore. You turned it into a vendetta," Ved counters.
"Fine, I'll be there soon. Alright," I concede before ending the call.
[@3:41 am, Ram's house]
As I step into the hall, a heavy silence descends. A handful of relatives occupy the couches, while Ram and Ved stand beside Salu and Kush. The aftermath of the 'Battle of Bay of Bengal' is etched across our faces, a testament to the ferocity of our clash. There's no pride in this victory.
I cut a sorry figure, my gait unsteady, a bruised cheek marring my face, and a neck bearing Salu's unforgiving teeth marks, still vivid in their impression. Not to mention the wound on my left hand courtesy of an intentional encounter with the fan. My silk pajamas cling uncomfortably, my hair still damp from the sea spray.
"Is the first aid done?" I direct my question at Kush. His response is a lifeless stare, while Salu continues to hold an ice pack against her cheek.
Ram addresses me in a measured tone, "Are you responsible for this?"
"Yes, but they attacked me," I assert.
"Kush! Is what Karma says true?" Ram inquires. Kush vehemently denies it, claiming I was the one who shoved Salu into the sea.
"I would never do that," I affirm.
"Are they lying?" Ved interjects.
"Yes, they are," I reply.
Ram instructs Salu and Kush to retire for some rest. As they head inside, Ram studies my neck and states, "Ved, attend to her first, then let her go."
Ved raises an objection, "But Ram, she-"
Ram interjects, "After all that commotion, if she still has the audacity to come, it's a sign she's not carrying guilt."
"Sorry on behalf of my cousins," Ram's voice holds no emotion as he utters his words before departing. Ved looks at me, suggesting I take a seat, but I deflect, insisting that I can manage on my own. In a low voice, Ved scoffs, "When you relished your pain, it revealed that Ram still wields power over you. That's why he let you off without taking any legal action."
Ved's words cut deep, striking at the heart of my own misconceptions. I had set out to strip Ram of his power, but in truth, I still craved his attention, yearned for the days when he pursued me with intensity. It's clear I need to turn inward, to find strength within rather than seeking it externally. I relent and sit down, allowing Ved to tend to the bleeding neck.
It's strangely liberating to acknowledge that Ved's grasp of my psyche is astute, uncovering truths I might have overlooked.
The following day, my father deal the decisive blow - I have to leave town. My actions have tarnished his reputation within the community.
"I have a job. I am not leaving." I say to my dad.
"You will have to leave this place and stay in BBSR with my sister." He orders.
"So I have to travel for 2 hours everyday for my work?" I ask.
"None should see you here and everyone will know that you left for Kolkata." He says while getting busy in surfing through news channels.
I gathered my belongings and found myself amidst the ceaseless rhythm of the bustling city.
I'm uncertain about how I'll navigate life in this metropolis, but one thing is crystal clear - I'm determined to breathe life into my wildest fantasies.
{Author's note}
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