(Okay ppl read the above thing; pic and tell me I am not alone to got the magic thing in it?👆)

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"Avi keep the glass here, dear"

I put the glass on the side table. My hands shook but I tightened my hold on the glass as if clasping the crumble of strength that I could've managed to found in me.

Without looking up, I turned my feet rushing to the door.

My eyes squeezed shut as I heard the glass breaking sound. Thrown down which such intensity that it struck me to within.

"Avi dear I couldn't reach it can you bring the glass of water again"

I nodded stiffly, walking to the door. My insides yelling to me to leave, turn the way around, just leave her to be.

"Avi your poor old Aunt would hurt herself you know how she's so clumsy, dear won't you clean it up for her" she requested, her voice breaking in hiccups.

I looked up glancing at her way. The makeup smudged over her face, tears rolling down her delicate cheeks. She appeared like a disheveled Barbie. So fragile and so broken. Could get anyone's pity but what I felt was only disgust. I drew my eyes away from her. My face scrunched up as she puked her guts out for the second time. The stench didn't even bother me much than the need to run away and cry my eyes out.

I can't take this anymore the same thing over and over again. I bent bringing the bucket near her mouth, holding her hair back. The room was a dark mess.
Three glasses now to broken pieces, clothes tossed around that I yesterday only folded and placed in the cupboard. Windows shut preserving the gloomy stale air.

"You want to get rid of me dear?" she asked heaving. Her thin fingers tugged my sleeve like a kid.

I tied her hair into a pony avoiding the reply.

"Why don't you answer?" She clasped my wrist roughly watching with tearful eyes.

I blinked back my own. I wanted to shout at her. You're 25 you're very much capable of taking care of yourself. It's because of you I suffer.

"Don't leave me Avi you can't leave me I'll die you know I won't manage a day without you and Ryan.. wait where is Ryan?" Her fingernails dug in my wrist it was now hurting me but not more than the name of him.

I pushed her away as gentle as I could be, "he's downstairs" I told withdrawing away quickly before she-

"You ungrateful child" she clawed my arm through the sleeves.

I flinched stepping back instantly freeing myself from her.

"You left him alone! He must be hungry! Did you cook dinner for him? Did you? I didn't keep you here just for nothing. You're a burden only a burden ... what if he leaves me, I'll die it will be all your fault, just because of you!"

She hurled the lamp I dodged it by now been a practiced reflex  The rod broke rolled towards my foot.

She continued throwing things at me. Crying, wailing.

I remained unfazed watching her counting till ten when it will be over. Like a switch, she flipped on and off.

My eyes caught the glimmer of glass pieces in this dark hole.

I ran quickly picking them with my bare hands before she hurt herself and then me.

My head was yanked up roughly by my hair, "Where is Ryan?"  She hissed.

"Leave my hair," I said my face contorting in pain. Her bony fingers felt like needles to my scalp.

"You've got some sharp tongue huh?" She snarled pinching my cheeks to get some reaction from me.

The door opened suddenly, "mom leave Avi I am here"

I got up jerking out of her hold which loosened when she noticed her son.

With shaking legs I moved past Ryan his fingers brushed by my wrist, turning he gave me a smile which could be charming if I didn't know what lurked behind it.
.
"Sorry," He said tracing my wrist where the fingernails had left their indents.

My lips curled in a forced relieved smile.

Slowly I walked out then eventually I rushed downstairs. Tortured of one Devil left me now on mercy of the other one.

*

I took out the casserole from the refrigerator all along my legs felt heavy unresponsive while my hands were jittery. I clutched the container tightly before it fell from my hands.

I glanced at the watch in the dining room. I wanted to wind it up quickly and run back to my room.

I set the bowl in the microwave. My fingers halted as I felt his eyes heard his steps from behind. I took a shuddering breath and continued the work. Was now conscious of having his eyes on me. If I just didn't give him bait he won't bother me.

If I...

"Hey," I said facing him with a grin, found him right there at the back of me. The soundless way he slithered around was unsettling.

All he looked saddened at my condition but being here right at me blocking my way out, scared me most than anything could ever do.

"I am sorry I should have come earlier," He said rubbing his neck awkwardly looking here and there.

"It's fine she's not in her right mind right now. I don't blame her" I assured him patting his arm. He looked down at my hand then took it in his.

I bit my lips hardly, muffling my protest.

" but she hurt you I should have been there then she won't have" he brushed my cheek. I squeezed my eyes shut to numb the feel.

"I told you to call me whenever this happened why didn't you call? "

His fingers tracing my eyelashes, "why didn't you?"

I squirmed shifting back the oven beeped. I swirled around acting busy.

"Avi are you scared of me?"

I jerked open the door taking out the bowl ambling towards the counter.

"Are you?" He asked standing right behind me. His breath on my neck sending chills down to every pore.

I kept the bowl.

"No way! Why will I be scared of you ?" I asked back with a laughing voice.

"You're not?" He angled his head looking at me as if to read through my expression.

His dark eyes, his soft features looked relieved when I shook my head lying.

My phone ringtone made me jump back. I stumbled felt never so grateful. Ryan reached for me as I lost my balance but I reassured him by giving a 'all's fine smile'.

I grabbed my mobile swiftly my eyebrows knitted seeing.

Isha

name flashing.

"Who's it?" Ryan asked nonchalantly tossing an apple in the air as he walked towards me.

"No one" I blurted.

His eyes narrowed at me.

I bit my tongue but grinned, "my friend, Ryan she's so irritating"

"Show me"

"She calls me now and then-"

"Show me!"

"But I never call her back-

He snatched my phone out of my hands unlocking it .

I stood there helplessly looking at my fingers

"Who's Isha?"

"My friend" I repeated.

"I never heard of her show me her picture"

My heart raced wildly in dread.

When I didn't say anything Ryan spoke, "I am going to call her"

"No!" I said immediately.

Ryan observed my reaction I babbled out, "I have a picture of her I will show you, hand me my phone back please" I asked nicely.

With a suspicious look, he returned it to me.
In the process, I dropped it purposely and I hoped and prayed that it had broken there and then. Everything would have been ended. I would be saved from further explanation and lies.

He stared at me and at the phone dropped on the floor.

"It's hurting my wrist is hurting," I said lifting my red scrapped wrist.

His lips turned into a thin straight line. He took it pulling me out from there.

I gazed back at my phone as it lightens I moved quickly.

*

I traced the bandage that Ryan tied around my wrist. I wanted to rip it off at once.

When I was back in my room. I called Ishaan

"Anandita?" He answered picking up.

I rolled my eyes but felt near to relieve being close to familiarity I was saved in.

"Avi"

"Oh yeah Avi how can I forget your beautiful name"

I leaned against the wall. The moonlight was seeping in through the window to my darkened room

"I don't mind," I said gleefully while zoned out to whatever he said after that.

My eyes stayed transfixed on one bright star making the moon dim by its glow.And when there will be no light I'll look up at the sky for a star. How something dead still shines?

"Lux would be there and.." Ishaan continued.

My ears perked up I straightened.

"What about Lux?"I asked cutting him off coming out of my trance

"Like I said tonight I heard from my sources that he would be going out to some illegal racing"

"Racing?"

"Yeah, I am damn sure he takes part in such stuff. I have the address and I was hoping if you could take the spy plan seriously?