' True colors '

Nia

*Ding*

I looked back at the door then at the dearly made chapati.

Damn it!

Why do people come by at the most terrible moment? I frowned, but swiftly turned off the stove and hurriedly went to open it.

I swear if it's something silly. I will murder them!

As soon as I opened the door, my heart dropped into the pit of abyss, an uneasy feeling settled deep down my gut.
The person I wasn't expecting at all, not once in millions of dream.

Mr. Raj Bhansali

My grandmother's only son! The only 'rightful' owner of this place, according to the law.

My throat went dry but still I managed to utter out without losing my voice.
"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same!"

I clenched my palm into a fist, digging my nails in the skin. The urge to throw punches at his face intensified so much that I almost forgot where I was standing.

"Spill out the nonsense." I said, rolling my eyes.

"What's the hurry? Won't you invite me in?"

"I AM in a hurry. Just talk about whatever you've come up with." I said in a dismissive tone.

He chuckled, lightly scratching his forehead. Many of his hair had turned white, wrinkles running freely along the eyes and forehead. A look of tiredness prevailed instead of his once smug face.

I had always hated him.
I still hate him.

"Whatever." He clicked his tongue waving his hand off. " I have good news for both of us."

I curled my eyebrows at him.

"I got a great deal." He said excitedly.

No way! He didn't.

"Wh- what are you talking about?" My voice slurred at the end. My chest tightened with invisible weight, I was out of breath or was I not breathing?
I can't differentiate.

"You need to vacate, sweety." A long breath left my mouth as I gasped for air. My lungs ached, eyes burned and my throat was tightening as I slowly digested his words.

"You Bastard! Tell me you didn't accept his deal." I caught his collar and asked with a flaring nose and red face. All I could see was red!

"Oh! So you've met him?"

He casually dropped my hands from his collar and slid inside, staggering through the couches and finally slumping down in one of them.

I was raging with anger, or fear. I don't know! What would I fear?

Being alone, abandoned, left to die.

A voice at the back of my head whispered. I shook my head and focused on the situation I was stuck into.

"He offered me a huge sum of money that you can't afford even in the next few lives." He venomously said while leaning on the couch.

I stare at him with wide teary eyes.

"So..." my voice trailed off,I took a large gulp and started again." So you took it!"

"Of course. Why won't I?"

I went silent, he clicked his tongue and spoke again.

"To tell you the truth. I was rooting for you. But see, life isn't always about rainbows, there are lightning, thunder, storms, cyclones.. etcetera, etcetera. You got the point right!"

He smiled as he turned to face me. The person in front of me wasn't my grandmother's son but a devil. A devil in human's disguise.

"You know our deal right?" He asked, tilting his head a little, showing a glint of evil.

"You can live here as long as you can keep paying me for each month. Like some sort of EMI. The day you'll pay fully, the house will be yours."

Yes, How could I forget? He came crawling back when he heard my grandmother's death news. The hunger for greed was clearly visible in his eyes from miles away.

After all the guests were gone that day, he told me his one condition. The mere thought of that day brings immense anger and pain. To the point I just might kill him.

"Of course you do." He answered himself." Well I'll take it back."

"No. You can't." I said in between unstable breaths. "You can't be that evil. You didn't even come back to see her one last time but was after her property. I took all the responsibility, I managed all of her funeral works."

"I know, I know." He quickly surrendered.

"You don't deserve to step inside this house. This place is too pure for you."

"Who said I am gonna live here? Now, pack your bag and leave by tomorrow."

The ground shook under me, I saw black dots everywhere, it could be because of my rapid heartbeat or the news itself. My knees buckled and almost gave up but I still tried holding up.

"Wh- what?"

"Pack your bag, sweety. Time to move out. If you don't leave by tomorrow then I will have to take legal action."

"You can't - do that" I broke into fits of sobs that I had suppressed till now.

"I can and I will." He said slowly with clenched jaws.

My hands started shaking, his face became blurry. I tried to suppress the sobs but I failed miserably.

"Please don't do this, Uncle."

I begged helplessly with fits of sobs and hiccups.

"Oh! Now I am your uncle?" He burst out laughing hysterically. "Nice try." He added bitterly.

"Get out until tomorrow morning. I had to run for court tomorrow and sign all those documents and count all the money. Too much work."

He talked to himself walking out of the house, but suddenly halted and turned around to face me.

"I hope to not see your face again." He seethed out those words like he had always wanted to say that before walking out of the door.

My legs shook violently before I finally gave up and fell to my knees with a loud thud.

How did my life change so fast?

Viraj Malhotra!

He's the one behind my misery.

Everything was in its place before he came crashing into my life.

I hate him! He's the villain of my life.
__________

Chilled shivers run down the spine again for the millionth time. I sighed out loud, tapping my foot uncontrollably, avoiding anyone's gaze. People passing by gave me looks I can't pinpoint nor do I have energy to do so. All I cared about was to somehow meet Uncle and convince him to take back the deal.

Sun had now gone down, a couple of hours went by, still there's no sign of him, the doors didn't open for once.

Cold breeze blew past me and shivers ran,again.

I can't give up! I won't give up!

None of this would happen if I hadn't met Viraj Malhotra.

I don't know what I should do besides begging Uncle to take back the deal he made with Viraj. I don't have enough choice.

After Grandma, all I have is her memories. I want to preserve those memories, the warmth she provided for me. I want children to feel the warmth and comfort my grandma provided for me.

"He won't see you, Miss Nia." I turned around startled by the sudden voice behind me.

Viraj Malhotra..

I clenched my jaws and turned around to the other side. Let him vanish into thin air, let it be my imagination. I don't have enough patience in me to handle the cause of turbulence in my life.

I didn't hear anything for a moment. I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he spoke again.

"Go home. It's too late."

Maybe he would go away if I keep ignoring him. And why was he concerned anyway. So what if I die, he got the house he wanted.

Dogs' bark could be heard faintly, the street lamp had turned on, very few houses were lit. I do feel a bit afraid but I was concerned more about the house than myself.

Some ruffling and shuffling almost startled me again. I forgot for a few seconds, the devil was right behind me.

All of a sudden my arms were wrapped around in a thick and warm jacket that I almost moaned at the warmth.

It's soft and cosy!

NO! He's the one behind all of the miseries. I shouldn't show him any more weakness.

The rage instantly blazed my heart and I grabbed his jacket and got it away from myself.

But before I could throw it away, a hand clasped it and prevented me from swinging my hand.

"Don't be stubborn. Go home."

"Which home?" I hissed at him, he halted for a brief moment, a splash of reality hit his face.

"I apologise deeply." He said dryly, I clenched my jaw and glared at him.

"Why?" I gulped down the weight before I added. " What have I done to you? Why are you doing this to me?"

"There's nothing personal-"

"That was my only home. The only thing that reminds me of grandma. You are taking it away from me and have the audacity to tell me to go home?"

I broke into fits of sobs. I closed my eyes tightly and clasped both of my lips between my teeth.

I don't want to look vulnerable, at least not now.

Please not in front of him.

"It was totally business with him. I didn't knew-"

"How much?" I asked and looked at him directly. My vision was blurred but I didn't let those tears run free.

He looked taken aback, he frowned deeply and cleared his throat.

"20 million."

The shock I felt was beyond my imagination. Uncle wasn't being greedy for nothing.

"You offered him beyond market value. You did it intentionally."

"Why No!" He fake gasped while covering his mouth.

"You sick bastard."

I clenched my jaws, glaring at him in agony.

"I had no choice." He shrugged as if it was child's play to him.

"Trust me when I call you devil."

"Aw!" He clenched his heart, faked pain, and snickered loudly, then added in a low voice."I trust you."

Is he psycho!

There's nothing I could do. But I won't lose to this man. Never in my life. Even If I had to turn back and face my past, I will.

********~~~~~~******

I am so sorry for the late update! I had exams!

But now it's over.. so you'll be getting more updates from now on.

Anyway happy Dusshera guys!