𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬

CHAPTER 6

Kiara comforting Vijay above.

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter talks about the aftermath of sexual assault so please proceed with caution and sensitivity!

fasta

(n.) unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause

The producers had organised for a private jet to fly the Enlightenment cast around throughout these two weeks of press junkets and promotional events. They were scheduled to visit Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and Brazil before returning to America. Not wanting to arrive late, Kiara had woken up earlier specifically to get Vijay ready ahead of time. It was for that reason alone that a scowl was now permanently etched onto his face. They trudged up the stairs into the jet to find Jeffrey and Emilia already seated inside.

Jeffrey looked up at him in surprise, "Morning sunshine."

Vijay grunted in response, walking right past Jeffrey and settling into the seat furthest away from everyone.

Emilia raised a brow, turning to look at Kiara as she shrugged innocently, "I might've shoved him out of bed two hours earlier than necessary."

It took another hour for everyone to arrive and the jet started preparing for take-off. Vijay had finally shed his morning irritability, hyperactively jumping around the jet to humour Kiara as she clutched her stomach from laughing so hard. Poorna, Emilia and Jeffrey were immersed in a heated debate, becoming increasingly louder as each person argued a different point. Henry watched as Vijay finally calmed down and reclined in his seat, chugging from his flask.

Turning to Kiara, he asked, "Why do you put up with his behaviour?"

She laughed awkwardly, puzzled as to where this line of questioning was leading, "I don't understand what you mean."

"You're one of– if not, the most loved actress in Asia. If there's anything people dislike about you, it's probably your friendship with Vijay."

"I don't let others dictate my life."

"I know. That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean then?"

He sighed deeply, trying to articulate his thoughts, "He's drunk majority of the time and when he's not, he's only partially tolerable. You always end up having to clean up his messes. Is it worth it?"

She glanced over at Vijay as a faraway look clouded her features, "He might be a handful but so am I. He has his reasons for being this way and just like he welcomes all my flaws, I accept his."

As if sensing Kiara was thinking of him, Vijay smiled in her direction, frowning when she didn't return his smile. Henry's stare lingered on her a few seconds longer before he nodded and pulled out a book from his bag. His comments brought back unwanted memories as she began to recall the aftermath of Vijay's father's funeral.

Vijay brought his knees up under his chin, shaking as he curled up under the duvet. Kiara crawled across his bed towards him, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace. His breathing quickened, tears forming in his eyes as he began to relive those memories. Over and over again. He was beginning to hyperventilate. He knew he was going into a full-blown panic attack now, but he didn't know how to stop it. She felt useless, watching her best friend break down in front of her. He turned his face away, trying to appear strong, but she reached out, gently cupping his chin and turning him to face her.