Tainted Flames

𝟏.

amaira's pov

9:00 PM 

MEHROTRA MANSION (delhi)

 "Amaira, pass the salt," Mom said, her tone a bit annoyed as i sat for dinner with my family.

I handed it to her with a forced smile. "Here, Mom."

Everyone tried to make small talk, but it felt fake. Dad talked about work, Chachu tried to change the subject, and Chachi mentioned family outings. yeah I pretended to listen.

"Amaira, pay attention," Mom snapped.

"I am," I replied. Our family dinners were like acting, hiding the problems we had.

"Amaira, I need to talk to you about something," Vriddhansh, my cousin said, looking at me in a way that told me he understood I wanted to leave the table. He said this on purpose.

He's the only one in the family who knows all my secrets, even the not-so-pretty ones, and you know what? I'm proud of them. Unlike the rest of my family who can't handle the truth, Vriddhansh isn't bothered at all. He gets it, you know? atleast he doesn't pretend we're some perfect family when we clearly aren't. and what can be more good then having a brother who sees me for who I am, crimes and all, and still stands by me.

As Vriddhansh and I started to stand up, ready to leave the table, Dad's serious voice stopped us.

"We're not done with dinner yet," Dad said firmly, looking at me with a warning look

"Yeah, but we are done," I retorted with same tone as him. In our whole family, only I could talk back to Dad like that, except for Daadu and Daadi, of course.

"Amaira, apne dad se aise baat karogi tum?" (amaira,is that how you will speak to your father?) Mom scolded, as she glanced between Dad and me.

With a shrug and tilt of my head, I replied, "Why not? Someone's got to keep things real around here."

Chachu spoke, "Tum kehna kya chahti ho? Hum sab acting kar rahe hai" (What do you mean? Are we all pretending?)

I leaned back in my chair, "Exactly, Chachu. We're all just putting on a show here."

Dad's expression hardened. "Amaira, watch your tone." 

But I wasn't in the mood to back down. "Or what, Dad? You'll kick me out of the family like you did Rakesh chachu?"

Dad's face turned red with anger, his voice rising, "Don't you dare bring that up, Amaira!"

Chachu tried to diffuse the tension. "Amaira, maybe we should all calm down and-"

"No, Chachu," I interrupted, my patience wearing thin. "aren't you tired of pretending when we all know what's really going on."

Daadi, scolded, "bhot ho gya, sab shaant ho jao ab" (Enough, everyone, let's calm down now)

Vriddhansh added, "Haan Amaira, thoda relax ho ja tu bhi." (Yes, Amaira, you also relax a bit."

Reluctantly, I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms defiantly. The room fell into an silence. "Excuse me," I said curtly, and made my way out of the dining room.

After I left the dining room, I went straight to my room. I closed the door firmly. 

my phone buzzed with a call from Naisha maheshwari. my bestfriend. I quickly answered, knowing she wouldn't hold back until i answer.

"Hellooooo" I spoke.

Naisha's voice came through the line, "Arre baba, tu kahaan gayab ho gayi thi? Maine tujhe kaha tha car mere dene ke liye!" (where had you disappeared? I told you to give me my car!)

I groaned inwardly, realizing I had forgotten about returning her car. "Oops! Sorry yaar, woh Mom aur Dad ne meri favourite car le li hai, toh maine teri wali le aayi." (Oops! Sorry man, mom and dad took my favorite car, so I brought yours.")

"Amaira, you have so many cars, you could've just used one of them." Naisha's voice came through the phone. "but nahi, madam ko toh naisha ki hi car leke jaana hai, jabki pta hai...." (But no, madam had to take Naisha's car even though she knows...)

I chuckled, knowing Naisha's straightforward nature all too well. "I know, I know. you need to go to office tomorrow morning"

"Exactly," Naisha replied.

I rolled my eyes playfully, "Don't worry, I'll  be there right away, with your car, of course."

Naisha let out a sigh, "Thank goodness! You better bring my car back in one piece, Amaira. Remember, I have an important meeting tomorrow, and I can't afford to be late."

after cutting the call, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers, With a devilish grin, I muttered to myself, "I'll bring it back in one piece, alright. But who said I won't have a little fun with it first? it's a sports car afterall"

As I tiptoed out of the mansion's back door, fully aware that Vriddhansh had caught me. Vriddhansh, stood there clearly expecting some trouble.

"Amaira," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "What trouble are you planning to stir up tonight?"

"Trouble? nope. just the usual." I spoke, looking back at him over my shoulder. "Don't worry, big brother" And with that, I swayed out of the door.

I hopped into Naisha's sports car, feeling excited about the speed and power it offered.  

As I zoomed down the road, suddenly another car swerved into my lane. I hit the brakes hard, but it was too late. Bang! We collided.

Stepping out of the car, I saw the other driver—a man with an unreadable expression. damn. he is hot though. fuck what i'm thinking. ew. focus amaira.

"Excuse me? You okay?" I asked, he stepped out of the car. The man, though clearly not taken aback by the accident, seemed unharmed.  

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, his voice calm.

I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "Of course, you're fine. Why wouldn't you be?"

He seemed to catch my sarcasm but didn't react. Instead, he glanced at the damage to both cars.

He merely raised an eyebrow,  "Accidents happen," he remarked coolly.

"Excuse me? You're not even going to apologize?" i snapped, my hands on my hips.

The man raised an eyebrow,  "I don't see the point in apologizing for something that was clearly an accident. Besides, no one was hurt."

I nodded, crossing my arms. "Just be glad it's not my car, or I would've made you regret it."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged. "I'm sure I would be. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

"As if I'm stopping you," I retorted and got in the car watching  him also driving away. "i hope rest of your life sucks" i shouted as i drove off my car.