Impossible to Forget

Chapter Five

R is for river

I turned to check my appearance in the floor length mirror on the left wall. I looked... almost dazed, as if I was still feeling the reeling effects of shock. My eyes were slightly wider than normal, my mouth agape.

A few strands of hair had escaped my once neatly woven braid, so I tugged at the rubber band at the end, pulling it loose. I ran my fingers down through my long hair untangling and freeing it from its fixed shape. Smoothing the river of smooth wavy hair, I tossed it behind my shoulder.

The slight movement of air caused snapped me out of my reverie, and my eyes snapped up. I glared myself down in the mirror, the edges of my lips curled into a snarl and a scream threatened to tear my jaws apart. 

R is for red.

My strangely appropriate red chudidar, glimmered in the light the many intricate gold designs standing out and defining the curves of my body.

It was red like the blood I was planning on spilling. I sharply turned around and started down the hallway each step faster than the last . My bare feet pressing into the marble floors didn't make a sound as I meticulously stalked. My fingertips bit into my palm as I clenched them to my sides.

I slowed down as I approached the staircase not wanting anyone to see me so uncomposed. My face stiffened as my mask of aloof nonchalance was put on, hiding my tumultuous emotions. 

R is for right.

Left, right, left, right. I took each step one at a time, knowing that controlling my emotions was critical. A boil was tempered, the fire reduced, and came to a simmer, small, fast, hot, but contained.

The words that had been effortlessly stopped by his mesmerizing blue eyed gaze were back, triumphantly waiting on the tip of my tongue to strike. They were ready to lash out, to criticize through masked compliments, to encrypt my disgust and despite in a code of sugary dialect.

I stepped into the kitchen expecting to see Ram sitting at the counter eating breakfast, and surprise surprise there he was.

R is for rage.

I felt it clouding my mind. Through the haze, I heard Mrs.Vyas point me to my seat and I mechanically followed her direction. My gaze was on the food in front of me, my mouth was moving either eating or answering the questions directed to me.  

I didn't turn to look at him, but the awareness of Ram sitting only three feet away was like a knife in my side. I could literally feel him, like a slime covering my skin making me want to vomit and scrub my skin with acid to get his existence off. 

R is for really?

"Oh, Preeti, I don't think you have met our son yet. This is Ram. He is only a year senior to you, so you should get along well."

"Hi Preeti."

"Ram."

"So how are you liking your visit so far?"

Our eyes were locked in a battle for dominance. Each comment a weapon used with the subtle skill of masters.

"Wonderful, except for the pest."

Ram's eyes narrowed but Mr. Vyas cut off his response when he turned to me briefly putting down his newspaper. "If you want to buy some mosquito repellent Ram can take you to the store after breakfast."

"Sure that would be great!"

"Sorry but I have plans, so I can't chauffeur today." Really? I rolled my eyes. What a typical, holier than though, response from a jerk.