• mayura •

The clock struck twelve.

Sliding the key into the keyhole, I silently unlock the door and step into the house. My body aches in exhaustion, my mind fuzzy.

Today was fun!

Locking the door and taking off my shoes, I trudge down the hallway to my room. The house was completely silent and unlit, my breathing echoing in my ears.

A smile appears on my lips as I remember the events of the day. Dragon and I worked for around three hours, then he took me to the library that he built for me.

Dragon is the best!

"Kahan thi?" A stern whisper hits my ears, and I jump, hitting my arm against the head of the sofa.

That hurt!

The curtain flutters, the moonlight giving me a clear view of the owner of the voice. Vansh smirks, looking down at me in... is he disappointed in me?

He strides towards me and I back up against the sofa. My wrist, being weak, throbs in pain. He stands close to me, his hands pushed into his pant pockets.

"Where were you?" He repeats, his voice firm. I lower my gaze, gulping the lump in my throat.

I want to go back to dragon. He is so nice and sweet, so caring and understanding. He isn't intimidating at all, like the men I know.

I feel so safe with him.

How did I even fall in love with Vihaan?

Dragon, save me!!

"Darling, where have you been? I was so worried." He says softly, his voice holding a soft undertone of vulnerability.

Don't cry, Vansh. I'm not prepared to handle anyone's emotional baggage atleast today.

Not today, please. I want to rest. I'm tired. My heart hurts. My head hurts.

Vansh clicks his tongue, calling me in a stern voice yet the fear underneath it was clear to me. "I am asking you something, Mayura. Answer me!" He puts his palm under my chin and makes me look at him.

His eyebrows were furrowed, lips pressed together, and eyes red in anger. I gulp, freeing myself from his hold. "I'm tired," I reply, making way towards my room.

"Wait, Vihaan is -- "

"Kahan thi?" Vihaan's steely cold voice booms in the house, making me shudder. I glance at him. His expressions were dark in anger and rage, teeth gritting in fury, every footstep heavy and calculated.

I freeze in my place, too scared to move back. He grabs my wrist, the one I injured a few minutes back, dragging me towards the clock hanging in the hall. His grip on my wrist was hard, making my skin burn.

"What is the time?" He glared and I gulped. "Is this the time to come home?"

"Sorry," I stammer, lowering my gaze to the floor.

"Sorry? To hell with it!" He rages, his voice echoing in my ears.

I shouldn't have gone out with dragon.

I should've stayed at home.

It was just a promise. Promises are meant to be broken. Why did I overreact?

"I told you to be home by lunch!" He scolds, pulling me close with force. "Tell me honestly, where have you been, Mayura?"

His voice was cold and sharp, piercing through my heart. I feel the tears prick my eyes but I blink them back. Another lump forms in my throat, and I try hard to swallow it and speak.

I shouldn't have acted out.

It was just a promise or two, Mayura. Why did you have to act out like an idiot?

He forgot, then you should've also forgotten. Why did you act like it was the end of the world and cry over it?

Why did you stay out till midnight? You should've come back home an hour after lunch.

I screwed up!

I got this upon myself!

I should pay for the consequences!

You are an idiot, Mayura!

Do you want to be abandoned by the man you love, you fool?

"I'm asking you something," he orders, shaking me out of my thoughts. My wrist burns.

I'm scared.

Just apologize, you dumbhead.

What if he abandons you? Will you be able to live without him?

Will you be able to live with him hating you?

No!

Then, shut the fuck up, throw away everything and apologize.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking. His grip on my wrist loosens and I immediately pull it back, stunned at the red marks on it. "I won't do it again." I say and make a dash for my room, locking it.

Closing the windows and terrace door, I slide down against my bed, massaging my wrist.

Don't cry. You brought this upon yourself.

I curl up against the bed, holding back my tears. I want to dragon, run to him for comfort, but I cannot. He will feel bad for making me spend the day with him.

I don't want him to feel bad.

My wrist aches. I rummage through the bedside drawer, pulling out my wrist support. I strap it onto my wrist, pulling my knees close to my chest.

This is your destiny, Mayura. Deal with it, you chose it!

I gulp, accepting the fact.

Yes, I chose to fall in love with Vihaan. I chose to be friends with Vansh and Vyom. I chose to be in their lives.

I chose everything.

There is a loud bang and I hear Vansh yell. "I've warned you enough, Vihaan! You are not allowed to treat her in such a despicable manner."

"And she is allowed to act out?" He fought back. Their loud voices are echoing in the house. I press my hands against my ears, trying to cut out their voices.

Stop! Please, stop.

You must be very proud of yourself. You made two brothers go against each other for you. Shameless woman!

If you have even an ounce of shame in you, go and stop them. Apologize and live your life as their obedient doll.

I gulp, slowly making my way to the door. Pulling my sleeve over the support, to hide it, I unlock the door, hit in the face by their loud arguments. Luckily, there were no physical altercations except for a broken vase.

I wonder who threw it.

I freeze in my spot, my arms locked behind my back. My words are stuck in my throat, my eyes glued to the floor.

Say something, you shameless woman.

What do I say? I... I don't know.

"Bunny," Vansh cups my face. "Are you alright?" He voice was laden with worry and concern, much to my dismay.

Why are worried about me, Vansh? I don't deserve it.

You don't deserve anybody!

I nod, pursing my lips. I have no decent words to use, might as well keep my lips shut to avoid any further damage.

Vihaan, too, reaches to us. "I'm sorry. I won't do this again." I say in a low tone.

"Jaan, you don't have to apologise. I was worried --- "

"Stop, stop fighting and go to bed." I interrupt him, talking in the same low tone. Turning towards my room, I was about to go back in when Vihaan holds my wrist. The same injured wrist that I was hiding under my sleeve.

I wince despite his soft grip.

Vansh immediately pushes him away, standing in front of me. "Don't touch her!"

"Vansh," Vihaan growls.

"You've lost my trust, Vihaan. I will not allow you to be around her anymore."

My vision blurs, body swaying like a leaf in the wind. I grip the door frame, steading myself against it.

I should have been sleeping at this time. No wonder my body is so unstable.

I grab my head, involuntarily letting out a groan, as another wave of giddiness washes over me.

To hell with this useless and weak body!

My ears feel hollow, my grip on the door frame loosening. I fall back, hitting myself against something firm. Weirdly, it doesn't hurt.

A pair of arms wrap around me, holding me steady. "Relax, Jaan. Keep your breathing steady."

The world around me turns dark.

✎

• author •

Vihaan rushed to her side, allowing her to fall on him for support. She leaned on his chest and he put his arms around her waist, gently stroking her hair. Holding her securely in his arms, he instructed her to stay calm.

Sweat trickled down her forehead, eyes drooping in exhaustion. Her breathing was short and forced, much to his suprise. Vansh pulled out his phone, ordering the doctor over to the residence immediately.

Vihaan, slipping his arms under her knees and around her back, fingers brushing against the side of her breast, carried her into her room and made her lie down on the bed.

Turning off the air-conditioning, he threw open the window and terrace door, allowing for maximum ventilation.

With a damp napkin, he sat on the edge of the bed, and wiped the sweat off her face, neck and arms. With a sigh, he dropped it to the ground, running his finger down her cheek.

"I'm sorry,"

He remembered very clearly the pain and fear in her apology. The guilt, the shame and the vulnerability - he had felt it all, the shock making him loosen his grip on her arm.

He leaned close, the tip of their noses touching ever-so-slightly. Resisting the urge to kiss her forehead, or whisper some sweet nothing's to comfort her, he retracted back, his lips pursing into a thin line. "I'm doing this for your good. If you don't learn now, it'll be troublesome later."

His eyes fell on her left wrist, over the strap. He took it off, his strong facade cracking as he saw the bluish-purple finger prints on her fragile wrist. He clenched his jaw, anger coursing through his body at his own mistake.

'How? How could I do that? What if it leaves a mark? What if her wrist is permanently destroyed? What if it causes a disability?

What if she tries to break up with you? No, even if she does, I won't let her go. I'll get the best doctors and have her wrist healed. But I'll never let her go.

Never. Ever.'

Vihaan exhaled, standing up when he heard the sounds of a vehicle. Cradling the strap in his arms he ran up the stairs to the terrace and sat against the wall to listen to the doctor's diagnosis.

A team of four medical experts stepped in, a doctor followed by three nurses. The ambulance, filled with modern equipments, waited outside with another team on standby.

'Don't crumble, Vihaan. It was just an accident. You have to more stern with her if you want her to be completely submissive and obedient. What if she acts out again? No!'

Biting his lips, he relaxed when he was reminded of her biggest desire - to be loved wholeheartedly. A devilish smirk appeared on his lips, a plan formulating in his mind.

'If you desire to loved wholeheartedly, my doll. Then I'll fulfill that desire of yours. I'll do everything - fair or evil - to keep you in grasp, my innocent love.'

"Her blood pressure and sugar levels fluctuated drastically. And her stress levels also increased, causing her to faint. I'll write down some medications for her and a drip also, since she is dehydrated." The doctor spoke, taking out her writing pad.

Vansh, opening the side drawer, produced the prescription Mayura had been living off all these years and handed it over to the doctor. She sighed, scratching the pad with her pen.

"A drip should be enough." She changed her tone, handing it back to Vansh. "Please ensure that she eats on time and eats a lot. Despite her age and height, she is quite malnourished. This may cause her to get injured easily."

Packing her kit, the doctor left the nurses to set up the IV drip and sat down in the ambulance. A few minutes later it drove back to the private hospital behind the VR mansion wherein they had submitted a report of their visit to the supervisor. The supervisor, in turn, handed over the report to Indrani, due to Vansh's absence.

Vansh sat by her side, gently stroking her hair. "My precious chestnut." He grit his teeth, his eyes turning bloodshot red as his gaze fell upon her bruised wrist. The medical team had wrapped it in a cold gel compress to heal the swelling. "There's no need for you to stay here any longer. I will take you home with me. Right now!"

"Who gave you the permission to make such a decision?" Vihaan inquired, looking pissed, as he descended the stairs.

"I don't need anyone's permission, Vihaan." Vansh spat. "She is my best friend and I have every right to make decisions that have her best interest and safety."

"She is my girlfriend, Vansh! You cannot take decisions for her anymore." He shot back venomously.

Vansh scoffed. "So? She may be your girlfriend, but I've not let her go completely. She is my bestfriend and if I want, I can even have her break this relationship of yours."

"You cannot do that!" He raged. "She loves me."

"Yes, and? You don't love her. You don't have any feelings for her. You just want to possess her, she's just an object for you. An obsession."

Vihaan chuckled darkly, closing the distance between each other. "We're the same, Vansh. If I," he glanced at a sleeping Mayura, "want to possess her, so do you. If I think of her as an object, so do you."

"I don't!" He refuted, even though deep down he knew it was the truth.

"People don't show-off their friends, Vansh. They show-off their trophies and possessions. But, not people." He reminded. Vansh clenched his fists to the point that his knuckles turned white.

"Stay away from her." He warned, stepping back. "You've hurt her once. And I won't let their be a second time."

"Wrong. You hurt her first. I was second." Vihaan spoke, walking to the side of the bed. Vansh grabbed his arm and pushed him out of the room, shutting the door. "Regardless. I will not allow you around her anymore."

Vihaan scoffed, throwing his hands in his pockets and walked back to his room.

"Your actions were not a mistake, Vihaan." Vansh spoke in a calculated tone. "It was pure abuse. Mental, physical and emotional. If you don't fix that anger of yours, I will serve your relationship with her without a second thought."

"Change, or give up."

They both knew the answer. It was obvious - Vihaan had to change.

[2436]