Of Lies & Love | on hold

12 | RIHAN

My vision turns red the moment I lay eyes on the white powder smeared over her lips. I can't unsee it even after she wipes it off. It's going to be seared into my memory for a long time as a constant reminder of my mistake. The only thought I had when I brought Mira to Mysore was to help her. But I realise it's all in vain if she doesn't want my help. You know that age-old saying, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

She keeps her gaze fixed on the carpeted floor as if it is the most interesting thing in the world.

I let out a sigh. “Give it to me.”

Her head snaps up, her expression shifting to defiance. “I don't have anything.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods.

I stride into her room and look around. She follows behind me and positions herself in front of her wardrobe as I reach for the handle.

“No,” she says, her tone firm.

But it doesn't stop me. Leaning in, I bring my face close to hers so that I can look into her eyes. She needs to realise how serious I am about it.

“Hand it to me or let me search,” I demand, my tone leaving no room for negotiation.

I watch her throat move as she swallows. If she denies it again, I don't know how I'll handle it. As a teacher, I pride myself on my patience. But right now, the anger pulsing through me is blinding. It won't subside until I right the wrong.

She walks past me and heads to her bed, lifting the pillow. My gaze zero in on her hand as she reaches into the pillow cover and retrieves a medicine strip with her credit card and a 20 rupee note. Though I can't recognise the specific usage of the tablets, I can tell they are painkillers.

“Throw it away, and delete the phone number of whoever you meet every day,” I say, waiting for her reaction.

Her fingers shake, but she doesn't let her grasp falter. “How did you know?”

“I received a call from the facility earlier.”

“So you have been pretending?”

“I was giving you another chance, but you chose the wrong route.”

“You were stalking me, Rihan!” She flings the medicine at my feet. “Why would you do that?” The disbelief in her tone fuels my anger. She is making it sound like I have bad intentions.

“I didn't have a choice, dammit!” I snap, my voice echoing in the silence that follows. I take a deep breath to regain my composure and grab her arms. “I'm sorry, okay?”

She slumps on the bed, not meeting my eyes. Just when I think the conversation has reached a dead end, she takes out her phone and deletes a contact. “I'm sorry too. I won't lie again.”

Relief floods through me. “Freshen up. I'll take you to the facility.”

“I won't go.”

Not again. I am going to lose all my hair at this rate. “Can you not be stubborn for once?”

“It won't work, Rihan. You should know better than anyone how tough it is.”

“Exactly. I know where there's a will, there's a way. It's not easy to give up when it seems to be the only best thing. And sometimes, realization is not enough. Efforts matter.” I pick up the strip from the floor and extend it to her. “Look at it and say fuck this shit. Only then can you start anew.”

Her mouth opens and closes but no words come out. If it were any other situation, I'd find it comical.

“Do it, Mira,” I urge her in a gentle tone.