THIRD WORLD PRINCESS

Chapter 21 : Reconciliation

"You know someone once told me that running away from problems doesn't help. We need to stand up for ourselves," Vedant said as he leaned across the railing.

I just stood there like a statue pondering over his words. Could he be really right?

Of course, he is! Look at yourself, this isn't who you are...
Still, what if our aura affects him again?

Amruta, I'm tired of restricting myself just because 'what if my aura affects him?'
We'll find a solution soon Mohini-

I can't wait anymore.
What do ya-

[Mohini's POV]

I snatched away the control from Amruta. I saw Vedant before me who looked suspicious. I quickly covered my face with my hand to avoid any-

"What's that mark on your left cheek?" he asked. "It wasn't there before. It just appeared all of a sudden!"

Mohini, why are doing this?

"It's... It's nothing..." I defended as I looked away. Vedant instead stepped sideways to have a better look at my face. "Stop, it's... It does not look good."

"Come on Amruta, there's no need to hide anything from me," he said as he put his hand over mine.
"You'll get scared," I protested.

"Why will I get scared?" he said as he removed my hand slowly from my face revealing my true face - Mohini's face.

"Woah," he gasped. "What's that on your right cheek? Is that a tattoo?"
"Are you okay? Didn't you feel-"

"Amruta, that looks so cool," he said instead. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"

Is he really liking my scar?
Uhh, he's weird... So yeah... Maybe.

"Does it... A really... Look good?" I stuttered as I realized that it was the first time I was talking to someone other than Sejal Di and Vizz aunty.

"Yess indeed," he said as he ran his fingers through my scar. His warm hands felt great as they touched my smooth face.

"Thank you," I said as I hugged him tightly.

This isn't how you thank people!
Huh? Is it?

"Uhh you're welcome," he said as he pulled himself away. "Non-Amruta."

What?!

"What are... You... Saying Vedant?" I asked.
"Who are you? You aren't Amruta. Amruta who was hesitant to even talk to me won't just hug me like that," he remarked.

"Uh... I can explain..." I panicked.

If Vedant finds out about you, he's going to run away and end our friendship once and for all. Erase his memory.
...

Mohini?!
...I can't.

"You are right," I said as I removed the rubber band from my hair and let it fall free. The free hair covered up my scar, making it hard to notice.

"I'm Mohini," I said as I put my hand on my waist. "I'm Amruta's second... I mean Amruta and me share the same body..."

"Woahhhh. So you have dissociative identity disorder?" he asked as he inspected me from all sides.
"Not exactly, we can hear and talk with each other. So... even now Amruta is listening to what you are saying..." I said.