Chapter 1 | Ten Years Later | Her
“Are you really waiting for this call?” I whisper to myself in the bath mirror; more knowing than asking. A rhetorical question.
Sometimes we ask ourselves questions that we already know the answer to. It might be one of those times in my life. The why part is what I haven’t figured out yet.
I keep checking the clock to see how much time is it till midnight. He is always on time, ten minutes past midnight.
I know the dangers of talking to strangers. Strange men to be specific. Couple that with a shitty website, and you get the perfect material for inviting trouble.
But am I not deep down the swamp already? You always knew you were going to get sucked in when you signed up for this.
The alarm in my head has been going off for so many months now, I’ve grown accustomed to it. Like it’s some kind of background noise. Ignorance may not always be bliss!
I fear him to say the least; all because of the stupid lying business I’ve done. And I can’t deny that it’s something I am going to get punished for. But right now, that has to rest at the back of my mind.
He has lied to me a thousand times, which is why he’s the last person whose judgement should bother me. Not that he has ever judged me; none that I’ve been told. But that’s the last thing that’s expected from him. Especially after what he’s made of himself.
What he’s made of us.
IT STARTED A FEW MONTHSago after my big leap of faith – for defending my independence, and leaving my parents place for good. Hell was breaking loose and I was under the impression that things were changing for the good.
Mom and Dad were super upset about me leaving the city. I mean I had informed them about it soon after completing the placement process back at the university.
I had anticipated a more welcoming response, to me being one of the only two people that bagged the job this particular conglomerate. I was delighted...after all that’s all that I had been working for the past six years, overlooking all the adventures people my age was indulging in; and had made working towards my career my ulterior and only motive.
But the way my parents had planned about my life was sure to be doomed right from the beginning. Like expecting of me to do my degree and come right back to get married and put an end to my career officially, was anything other than career suicide. Which of course, I wouldn’t commit.
I wish God had blessed me with the power to understand the hypocrisy of Indian parents. They’ll expect you to be the best in class, have a great resume, land a hell of a good job only to say ‘No – I have to go back get married to the moron my parents have in mind’ – who will also judge you for not having a career.
I mean how can anyone expect a grown ass woman to play puppet for literally anyone.
So, I packed my bags, confirmed a ticket and informed them last minute. I still didn’t have the courage to fight them but I couldn’t fight myself too. I mean you win if you could call that, that. Yeah, I am a shitty daughter, but I’m leaving anyways.
And I left.
Good thing my office had arranged for a residence in a nearby location. All the rent documentations were almost complete by the time I came in, and all I had to do was sign the papers with the private attorney and get my copy of the agreement.
The process was so smoothly completed by the property owner’s private attorney and helper, that it was almost too sweet for my awkward introverted self that I don’t get to entertain him in person. Good riddance!
I was joined by one of my college friends in Mumbai; she insisted on accompanying me to help settle me into the new place, since my flat mate was yet to arrive. Pune had always been one of the places I’ve wanted to live in. It’s serene in a way that it almost feels like home...something vaguely familiar every time I’ve been here. It feels fulfilling to finally be able to live like I had always dreamed of.
We almost crossed the entirety of the rush on our way to the neighborhood, which is a good thing. I’d always pick the less populated and secluded location as compared to living right in the heart of the city.
With a final left, our cab pulled over to the entrance of the huge township. And frankly – my jaws were on the floor.
Is this the place I am supposed to live in, because then it would mean that the photographs did no justice to the real thing. Its breathtaking!
It flaunts a beautiful arched gateway, opening into a garden with a working musical fountain and a stone pathway surrounding it, leading to the housing blocks which itself looks like something out of a lifestyle magazine. An architectural marvel.
After getting our biometrics recorded for entry, I receive my keys and check in with the lobbyist downstairs before proceeding to my apartment on the eleventh floor.
When I step inside my new home, my eyes widen further. Not just the society, but the apartment is a masterpiece in itself. The fully furnished setting is almost too perfectly designed for a tenant, which wasn’t something I was expecting.
Also, the owner of this place must be a fan of mirrors, because this place seems to be full of it. Every shape – from an entryway mirror to decorative mirrors, to portables, and even a huge led mirror in the bathroom.
But the one I get most intrigued by is the masterpiece standing beside the dresser in the bedroom. The full-length beauty.
Straight out of my fantasies!A smile rises to my face.
The manager sure did an over the top – great job finding this gem. But really, I could manage without all this as well. I mean who the hell anyways needs a bathtub, or a full-length mirror, or any of the baking equipment!
Unpacking and setting everything takes another two hours. The temperature of the wind is dropping. Looks like a storm is about to break. And although I insist her to stay, she seems convinced that she’ll be able to catch the next bus back to Mumbai. So, we book her a cab and I see her off to it.
A sudden chill goes down my spine, the moment I turn back to the apartment building – to my new life.
I am out in the open for the first time all by myself. Its liberating and subjugating at the same time. The fear of failure is just as overwhelming as the chance of being free. But I am also in absolute authority of taking this in the right direction.
Stepping out of my dreamland, I realize it is drizzling and I’m lightly soaked. The wind is adding to the chill. Or is it something else? The quiet, or the darkness... Can’t exactly figure out.
The lightly soaked material of my tank and shorts is making the goosebumps worse, exposing my skin in unnecessary places. Moreover, I need a hot shower to wash away my OCD from the journey.
My joining date is almost a week away so I can worry about everything later in the peace of my own place. My own home, I think and smile.
Folding my hands to cover whatever heat I can help trap in my body, I head back to my apartment; only to find a surprise waiting for me on the entrance. A bouquet of red roses waits sitting on the table right beside the front door with a note on it.
I open to see the only word written in red - WELCOME ??
No company name or signature. But I’ve heard it from my friends about organizations doing it as an act of greeting. Although red roses are a bit odd, but it looks like the warm kind of salutation; and I am too tired to bother worrying.
As soon as I open the door, the hair on the back of my neck rises. Goosebumps getting worse.
Something seems odd but I can’t figure out what. Someone is behind me. I move back out into the corridor, doing an eye check of my surroundings and then – I turn around in a flash.
There’s an empty corridor staring back at me like I’ve falsely accused it of a crime.
And then my gaze shifts to the actual culprit. The security cameras.
So, that’s probably why I felt like being watched.I almost laugh at the thought. So dramatic of me.
I withdraw myself from the cold air of the passage and close the main door behind me. This is how it will be for now.
My fingers graze the walls as I walk inside the bedroom towards the terrace separated by floor to ceiling sliding windows made out of clear glass. The only thing missing in this house; I’ll have to get blinds for these.
Stepping out into the terrace, I realize that I hadn’t yet seen the best part of this house. Because the view from here is otherworldly.
Lush greenery surrounds the reserved forest land for miles. The view of the Sahyadri is a cherry on the cake, with a cool breeze blowing suggesting the presence of a water body somewhere nearby.
I let my exhaustion wash away in the raindrops that splash on my face and torso, from the safety of my new home. When I realize, the way my drenched clothes expose about everything underneath, I chuckle to myself before rushing back inside to get rid of them.
Putting on a sexy number on my phone, I start unbuttoning my denim shorts before sliding it to the floor. Then pull my red tank top over my head and let it fall to the floor too.
Staring silently when I meet my reflection in the full-length mirror in nothing but a set of red lace underwear. The peaks of my breasts ache from how hard they are; the rain and wind working it’s magic on them.
Sometimes it depresses me to see my almost perfect body because it doesn’t deserve to be untouched for just so long. It is astonishing how people can judge me to be too good to date.
I mean how can you know before even trying.
Overthinking has always been my super power. But I’m too tired to use it right now.
Patting the redness on my cheeks, I chin up, looking in the mirror before saying the magical words, “Mirror-mirror on the wall, rate me out of ten.”
The childish behavior I could get away with in seclusion is something people certainly wouldn’t expect of me on a normal day. But tonight, is different. I’m finally free and I’m going to enjoy every moment of it until it bores me. Nothing is supposed to get my energy level down tonight.
I blush back at my reflection like I expected it to answer me. Then I head in for the warm bath I promised myself.
Unlike the bedroom which is somewhat standard size, which comes with a built-in closet big enough to keep all the stuff for two people; the bath is somewhat bigger than what a standard Indian bath is supposed to be.
But then again, nothing about this place looks average. I’m guessing it must have been customized.
The bath shares the shower space, and is disconnected from the rest of the dry area that comprises of a small ottoman in front of the sink and another mirror. Gulping down the shine sparkle, I climb inside the bath and turn the shower on.
I am a ten. At least for the night.
JUMPING INTO MY NIGHTIE, I don’t waste another moment before climbing into the cozy comfort of my bed. It’s about past midnight, and the light from my phone, possibly a message notification is begging for attention.
Before I can pick my phone, it starts ringing; and the name on it surprises me in the most relieving way to say the least.
“Hi Mahika...” I whisper into the call. Why I do that? I don’t know.
“Hi Di. How are you? And where the hell are you?” She’s almost paranoid since I left without giving much of the details.
“I’m fine, don’t worry sweets. I wanted to call you but things just went south...” I clear my throat, “Anyways, you won’t believe how fine the weather is here...”
“Yeah, is it? Where are you staying? And who are you staying with? Should I come over?” Her voice cracks as she speaks. I bet she’s crying and smiling at the same time.
“Oh my God, take a breath little sister... I’m fine. The company did my housing arrangements. And I must admit they did a fantastic job. This place is classy. I mean can you imagine the bedroom has a full-length mirror, and the bath needs maybe an essay to describe. My roommate will be here next week, till then I have this place to myself...”
And then the chatter goes on for what feels like an hour. Or was it two? But by the time we are done, my eyes are already shut and all I remember is asking if she was texting me before and she said no.
Possibly one of my friends... I tell myself and drowse back into sweet dreams.
OPENING MY EYES TOthe sound of birds chirping, I wipe the drool out of the corner of my mouth before getting up.
Last night I forgot to close the terrace door and it must’ve been raining all night. That explains the chilly temperature and the wet floor.
Getting up from the bed, still rubbing my eyes to the light that floods inside, something crashes on the floor as I realize it must be my phone. Then I suddenly remember that I had an unchecked text from someone.
The message still flashing on the notification bar is from a hidden number which catches my attention. The contents are even more undecipherable.
Only one word. TEN
Ten... That’s it? How is that supposed to mean anything? It must’ve been wrongly sent.
This message was not meant for me. I’m almost certain. Someone would’ve misplaced a digit and whatever this thing means was sent to me.
But what could it be? Time... Quantity... A password, probably. Or a score? A chill runs down my spine before I could control.
Overthinking can be dangerous. That mirror cannot be haunted, can it?
I turn towards the mirror and say again, “Mirror-mirror on the wall, rate me out of ten.”
And then, I wait.
You need to chill... It’s just a cross check to clear your doubts.
Ten seconds.
Fifteen.
Eighteen.
Before I could sigh in relief, a notification buzzes on my phone.
Don’t dread, just check it. It might not be what you think it is.
My breathing quickens as I unlock the phone, eyes narrowed on the screen.
Unknown – TEN.
What the hell? Is this why this place was cheap? Why is it screaming trouble?
Am I in trouble?