𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐘𝐀

C H A P T E R - 9

Mayra

I was pacing my room, all sweaty waiting for any ideas that would help avenge me. A stuffed face Diya giggles at my restlessness "Are you going to stay here forever? I'm dying to play holi!" she complains.

I glare in her direction "Can you let me think. I want that jerk to be punished IN. MY. OWN. WAY." she gives me a long unknown look "Why're you so worked up every time Aarav's the topic?" my thoughts jumbled again. 

 His very own name is enough to stir my focus and drive me to madness.

"I despise him" she waits for a second or two to reply back when a knock interrupts us. A maid comes in with a tray full of snacks and drinks. "Ms. your mom is looking for you, there are more guests" Diya takes over the tray and I give her a dismissive nod.

"Now we'll have to leave" she squirms and I take a deep breath "Gimme five minutes" I was about to enter the washroom when she calls back "You were going to tell me something yesterday what was it?" oh yes. I totally forgot.

"Later" she brings the cup till her mouth and tilts it towards me "Later, then".

We both descent the stairs together when Iti found us "Mayra! where were you" I instead of answering her question slid my hands on the plate full of blue color and painted her cheeks "Happy Holi Iti" she smiles softly.

"Let's go. Arhaan bhai and Anika bhabhi is here" I thought they were in New York handling business. anyway it's great they're here. The more the merrier.

As we entered the courtyard, my eyes roam around to get a certain someone's location. Dadi acquired a seat next to a grand table with Dadu, Papa, mumma, Abeer uncle, Suvy maa and Shorbari chachi. In a corner Samay was busy chatting with a girl and Raghuveer was nowhere to be seen.

But Iti drags me to the other side of the courtyard, I did a quick scan of the group Moksha, Aaksha and Daksh lined on the right and Aditya, Sharan and Aarav lined on the left, the later's glare intensifies when I cleared the distance. As soon as Anika bhabhi catches us coming she closes in the distance.

"Oh my! sweetheart how're you" she cups both my cheek and I round my hands around her for a hug "I've been great bhabhi, what about you? I had no idea you were coming too" Iti giggles beside us "Neither me. You surprised us bhabhi" the said person laughs then someone interjects.

"Mujhe to laga sab miss karrhe honge hume par yaha koi khush nhi dikh rha" (I was hoping a warm welcome but look at my brothers sulking) Arhaan bhai tangles his arm over Adi's shoulder "Mai bhot khush hu bhai apko lag nhi rha?" (I'm not sulking and you know that) Adi did looked as if he would cry right here and now. 

"Arhaan bhai hum hai na welcome karne ke liye" (We are here to welcome you Arhaan bhai) me, Diya and Iti kills the distance and grab him by sleeve. "Come on" he laughs patting my head "Okay okay" we take him to a near by table and painted him with whatever colors we could find, within a minute he was turned into a living rainbow.

"Hello brother" we all turned around to Manav jiju making his way towards us, he greets bhabhi first then hugs his brother. They engrossed themselves in a deep conversation, even Iti and bhabhi busied themselves.

"What are we waiting for?" the voice caught all are attention we revolved around to Moksha and Aaksha holding their water guns in front of us "You're kidding me. I'm not playing these childish games" Daksh retorts with a cringing face earning a smack from Arhaan bhai "Akki shoot him first" he calls Aaksha to round and capture him.

In the middle of the chaos the Dj turned the music on. They were all enjoying this moment, Adi clanged on Sharan's back both all soaked thanks to Moksha, Arhaan brother side hugged Manav jiju, they both looked different shade of green. Then there's Iti locking her hands with bhabhi while rounding in circles. 

I always loved her smile.. she's happy and wholesome with her new family. She's got more people than just me and I should be glad and I swear I'm trying to be. I take a long breath and look around but found something off, where's Aarav?

Just as his absence caught my attention a text pops up on my screen and I bring the phone up to read it.

You're a coward.

It's an unknown number and I've never received messages from this profile before. AND who the hell is it to call me a coward!??

Me: Who are you?
the person on the other side was typing 
Unknown: Find me bunny.

Bunny!? who even calls someon-- ...you're just like a bunny. Holy fvking shit.

Me: How did you get my number?
He left me on seen. The audacity my god. 

I left furiously inside the house, everybody were busy playing so no one actually noticed my absence neither his. How can he call me a coward? I've never been afraid of him, never backed down on any fights ...then who is he to speak to me like that.

Someone grabbed me by my wrist and I halted immediately cooling my swagger. I will teach him the lesson myself "You bastard--" I shut my mouth with the back of my hands "What?" Raghuveer looks me down.

"I'm s-sorry" he calms me by patting my shoulder "Are you okay?" I nod instantly wanting him to shrug off this topic. Just when I was about to reply another text pops up.

You have a buzz lightyear's plushie? so Mayra coded.

What is he doing in my room!!! "Ahh I think Samay was looking for you" he blinks  for some seconds assessing me then nods "Alright" and then he leaves.

I made to run for my room and vigorously turned the handle. The lights were off but the sunlight from the balcony gave in a clear view.

Where is he? I stepped in to look around maybe he's in the bathroom, hiding and silently waiting for me to approach. A thud echoed and I startled turning around but a firm grip on my hand twisted around my back didn't let me. His other hand snaked down capturing my other wrist.

He was breathing down my neck and I could not move a finger let alone myself. But I will not give in to him. "I am not a coward" I hissed, it was frustrating enough to not be able to look him in the eye and say that.

"Yes you're not a coward.. but a big fool" he twirls me around like nothing. We faced each other and again he had that annoying smirk plastered on his face.