Blood Ties

Prologue

"No!! I think you've got it wrong."  Bhoomika screamed. "He's been so nice to me and never shied away from talking about future plans." She took a pause.

"He'd mentioned about our family being a vital part of his life. How can he say no?" I could see tears filling her eyes.

Prajwal Gowda had said no to Bhoomika's marriage proposal. It was clear to me, that Bhoomi liked Prajwal. I'd seen her drool over him at times.

"It's all because of her!" She snapped and stomped towards me.

"It is always her. Goddammit, can't even find a proper job and here she is snatching potential life partners from people." She snared.

I stood shocked. Bhoomi and I have been friends since childhood, or that I thought. How could she accuse me of such a thing?

I understand she's hurt. But Prajwal is a grown individual capable of making his own decisions. I've never romantically seen him. Hell, he doesn't give me those vibes at all! I've mentioned this to Bhoomi as well. We've had talks about how she feels about him and how I can't think that way about Prajwal.

"Dude! How could you? You told me you didn't have any such feelings towards him." She asked me.

"And I'll repeat that I don't," I said.

"Lies! All lies!" She took in a deep breath. "I've seen him looking at you, like you mean something to him. I've never paid heed to it. But now that I recall, you used me as a shield to test if he's worth your time."

I blinked at her sheer dumbness. Does she even know what she's blabbering?

"You saw his pocket size and decided to have him to yourself. You've always been jealous of me. Be it getting a job, being independent, right?"

Now, she'd reached her limit. No one, I mean no one talks about my goals, job or life.

"That's enough! I've told you a million times and I'll tell you again. I HAVE NO SUCH FEELINGS TOWARDS PRAJWAL GOWDA!" I raised my voice a bit. She's been acting crazy and I needed to show her my craziness before she pushed me to my edge.

"Get out of your head. Prajwal is an adult capable of making his own decisions. If he's said no, just learn to respect it!" My protective instincts spiked in. I felt like defending Prajwal for his decision.

"And you accusing me of such a filthy thing is a clear vision of you being jealous of me and not the other way." I mocked. And the next second, my cheeks burned, and a humming sound stretched through my ears.

I looked up with my hand on my cheek to see my father. He had just slapped me. In the 25 years of my existence, this is the first time my father had so much as laid a hand on me.

Shocked? Shaken? Nothing could explain my feeling right now.

He'd slapped me and for what? Bhoomika unable to take a rejection? Like seriously?

"Is this what we've thought you? To raise your voice unnecessarily?" Father snarled. "And what wrong did Bhoomika say? Huh? You are so ungrateful, you've always been a disapp—"

I knew what was coming, and braced myself for those harsh words. But instead... I heard another voice.

"I dare you to complete the sentence, Mr Sagar."

I turned to see the source of the voice and was shocked to find Prajwal standing at the entrance.

"And who are you to tell me how to talk to my daughter? I can treat her however I want." Father asked, anger dripping from his words.

"Oh really? Your daughter is a woman." Prajwal scoffed. "And I might as well report you for your behaviour with a woman." He added.

Father was annoyed. He knew he couldn't fight Prajwal. He knew Prajwal had enough power to crush him. So he decided to take out the added frustration on poor me.

"The slightest doubts I had of you being innocent are now vanished. Thanks to your beloved over here." He said pointing at Prajwal.

Why does it hurt every time he says such things? WHY?

I let it go every time but not this time. I had to stand up for myself. I don't know where I got that feeling from. Maybe it was Prajwal, his protective demeanour around me. The safety I felt in his presence. I just don't know.

"I'm surprised you weren't fully convinced with Bhoomi's allegations, and had your doubts." I snapped.

"The audacity of this girl!" Padma Ajji chimed in.

Father lifted his hands again. And in an angle I was sure would hurt like a b*tch. I closed my eyes, ready for impact. But, that didn't happen. When I opened my eyes, I saw a man about the same age as my father stopping his hands.

Father's eyes were wide in shock. The anger from earlier vanished, replacing it with something else.

Who was this man? Why was my father so shocked looking at him? Moreover, why did I feel an odd connection to him?

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