Aakrithi's pov:

I walked towards Karthick's room wanting to check on him before I crash into my bed and curse my existence. When I crossed my parents room I over-heard voices, my parents having a serious conversation more like an argument. When I about to enter I heard 'Aakrithi' and 'marriage' two different words in a same sentence. I should have packed my bags at the instant and caught the next flight to Delhi hearing those. But I stopped and listened to them. I wish it had came with an exclaimer like

Warning :Oh Darling Your life will go downhill from here.

"No more excuses Ranjith the only way to make her stay is by arranging her marriage soon!"
Mom said solid to my elder brother.

"Mom did you hear yourself? That is absurd. I will talk with her about staying here. But marriage is something big we should wait till she is ready. Please it's her life she has the right to decide!"
Ranjith said.

"No Ranjith don't argue with me on this. I am taking no chances when it comes to her. I want her safe. I want her married "
Mom said point blank.

"So you are implying that getting her married in a month would solve every problem we have now? Don't say me you already have a groom in mind?"
Ranjith asked. There was a minute of silence.

"Oh I do in fact."

"VASANTHI STOP IT ALREADY!"

Dad said. He kept quiet all this time.

"Oh let me Prakash. Ranjith you know our company is facing a huge loss past two years. If this continues same way soon we might have to give up the company. Both our family and our employees life's are at stake." Mom said.

"So?!" Ranjith asked not being able to connect the dots.

"The Doss company has offered a huge deal which can save the company but it has few conditions. The owner Lalit Doss has asked for Aakrithi's hand for his son and 20 percent of our shares."

Mom said and I can't believe what I am hearing.

"Did I misheard something Dad?" Ranjith asked. There was no answer from Dad.

"The family looks good and their son is also a doctor. It will be perfect for our Krithi."

Mom said and I decided to make my appearance hearing enough.

"Krithi you are back?!"
It was Ranjith he looked guilty.

"Good now I don't have to repeat anything again and again as if I am planning some terrorist attack."
My mom said.

"Did you accept the proposal already mom,dad? Does Karthick know about this?"
I asked solid.

"Oh I did. Your dad's decision is till pending. Krithi if you do this for us problems will not be fully over at least this it would lessen your dad's worries."
She said.
Here goes again the trump card.

"Listen Karthick does not know about this and I would prefer it to remain that way. He has already enough on his plate" Mom said.

"Mom you're under emotional stress you don't know what you're really talking. I promise we can work another way out to save the company."
I said.

"It is not only about company Krithi. We are worried about you and we are growing old I don't know how many more days we have to wait till you 'get ready for marriage'."

Mom said and wiped her tears off.

"Mom if you are going to continue this emotional drama I am taking the next flight to Delhi!"
I said as I reached the verge point of breaking down.

"Heard her clear Prakash? I am making a Emotional drama it seems. Yah Krithi all we do is emotional drama look your elder brother is lying about the company's big loss we all are facing. Karthick is lying about his bullet wound and threats we receive everyday. Oh to top it all, even your dad faked a mild heart attack two months back."
She said and her eyes widened like she said something that was decided not to tell me.

"Dad had a mild heart attack?!! "
I said and sat in the chair dealing with whatever words were thrown towards me.

"Vasanthi! Stop this right now otherwise I swear..."
It was my dad to rescue. But before he could say anything hard to mom.

"I am ready to be married. Do the necessary!"
I couldn't even recognize my own voice.

"Aakrithi no..."
Ranjith was starting to search some excuse.
Every time it's my brothers or my dad save me but for a change I want to solve my own issues.

***

After a week

Today was Ashok's birthday he invited us to the party at his Hotel Daisydew. Karthick has recovered good so he was finally out of the room. The shooter was caught few days back and the lockdown put upon us was released by Shiva. So we are good to party.

I entered the party hall in a baby blue lantern sleeve bodycon dress which ends midthigh and was in voracious need of alcohol to calm my body to reduce the growing amount of stress from past few weeks.

"Happy birthday Anbu" I hugged the birthday boy calling his middle name.

"You look good!" Ashok said and kissed my forehead.

"We were just planning a long gateway for a few days in two weeks hope you are free and will tag-along" Ashok asked and I bit my lips. My marriage is set to happen in two weeks. All I can is plan for is honeymoon. The guys have no clue including my Karthick, my brother. My parents have been keeping it so secretive.

"Maybe I will let you know" I said and then my eyes fell on the Devil. He was sipping whisky and talking with someone with his whole attention on me. He feasted upon my appearance. I was taken back to the kiss we shared on the deck. I shivered and looked aside.

"I am going to steal my girl" It was Karunya she dragged me to the girl's group immediately.

'Tell me everything about it already" She hissed as she handed a glass of white wine.

"The date is yet to be fixed for marriage. The engagement is in two weeks. The invitation will reach your home in two days" I said with distaste like I just planned my own funeral date.

"Does Aatharva know about this?" It was Kayal.

"No and I wish he doesn't know about it till last minute" I said.

"So you have don't have feelings for him anymore?!" Aadhira asked.

"It is complicated, All I want now is for him to let me go without any fuss. I want my marriage to happen peacefully for the sake of my parents." I said.

"Krithi do you even know how he looks at you? I don't think he will let you go. Period."

Karunya said solid.

"Guys it is not easy as you say. We have hurt each other to an extent there is no going back. Aatharva and I are like Sun and the Moon, polar opposites and we can never co-exist peacefully."

I said.

"Ok cool down now we talk about the new guy in Krithi's life. Heard his name is Hari?"

Diya asked changing the topic. I smiled.

She is really an angel. Lucky bustard Ashok Anbu Selvan.

"I have not yet met him. He is in UK for the past month for a medical conference. Will return just a day before the engagement it seems"

I said and sipped the wine again.

"So how does he look?" Karunya asked.

"I don't know" I said and my cheeks heated.

"Don't tell me you said ok to your marriage without looking at the guy's photo" Karunya hissed.

"Oh she did exactly that!" Aadhira said. "But I happened to see the photo and the guy looks bomb!"

She continued following whistle and howls from the girls.

"I don't care about looks. You know I just wish this Hari would lovely, loyal and down to earth person so maybe one day I will fall in love with him and bear him as many children as he like" I said and blushed deep read.

"You know we pray for the same for you Krithi. As long as you are happy it will make us happy too"

Kayal said and I gave them a group hug.

"I need to pee" I said and they all laughed. I walked to the loo. There was a long queue and some were smoking. I moved to a corner trying not to inhale the cigarette smoke as much. Her phone vibrated and she fished it out of her purse.

There was a text from a unknown number.

"Hey birdy, you look ravishing in that short piece of dress"

"What have I said about following rules? You definitely begging for a punishment"

"Oh how much I want to run my fingers along your velvet skin"

"You use the same perfume still? Smells like heaven!"

All the blood left my face. I looked both directions afraid I would find him before me. Panic kicked in my system as the alcohol lost it's effect. The word birdy brought a horrifying memories to me. It was the nick name he used to call me.

I walked quick towards the area where the boys were standing last. I wanted to leave the place immediately. My nightmare is happening in reality.

It has been months since I have received messages like this. No this is not happening.

"I am going to meet you soon my little Birdy. Be ready!" Another text arrived. He is here.

I started to have a panic attack at this point. People were dancing like crazy in the dance floor and it was hard for me to pull through them. I don't know where I am going anymore. I couldn't breathe. I want to be out of here. But I could not move a step. I wanted to scream for help but no sound came out of my mouth. The deafening music made me squirm more and resembled my erratic heartbeat. I was blacking out.

Veer is here.

***

.