The proposed Rival

10) Philotes

Philotes
(Goddess personifying affection, friendship, and sexual intercourse)

YUGANTIKA

What does it feel like to be unseen?
What does it mean to be the brightest star in a galaxy, only to realize you are invisible to those on Earth?
What does a lone comet feel like? Blazing through the darkness, only to burn out without anyone noticing?
Yugantika did not dwell on feelings, yet the answers to all these questions were too simple for her mind.
It was suffocating.
To experience a void that consumed her every effort, leaving her cold and empty. The hatred she received all these years was a storm, relentless and unending. It left her battered, stripping away any defenses she held, until she was raw and exposed. She could still hear their voices, dripping with contempt, reminding her of her place as an outcast.

"You should be grateful to us. We let you exist." Their words were like venom, poisoning any sense of accomplishment she dared to feel.
The nights spent working tirelessly, the sacrifices made to keep a roof over their heads, all seemed futile in the face of their unyielding disdain. The walls, covered with accolades and certificates bearing her name, felt like a cruel irony. Each piece of recognition was a testament to her hard work, yet none of it mattered to the family who had used her for their needs, never for her.
After all these years, why did it still bother her? She had no answer to this.
While it was their hatred that pushed her to the edge, her own hatred towards them was what fueled her days.

Her phone lit up again, this time accompanied by a loud, persistent ring. She glanced at the screen and glared at the caller ID.
Netra.

"Not so fast, Netra." She smirked, turning her back on the phone.

"She is buzzing persistently," Lalitha commented, using blush to highlight her high cheekbones. She glanced Yugantika's way to make sure she was listening.

"So?" Yugantika asked, scrolling through her tablet, replying to the endless emails. If not her family, there were people who wanted a word from her. "Does this woman ever listen? The minute I see Savita Raje, you are calling an ambulance for her."

"And the cops on you."

Yugantika glared at her executive secretary. "Are you improvising your tasks, Mrs. Dwivedi?"

"If that makes my boss happy." This woman was testing her composure.

"Office or not, I am still your boss," Yugantika gritted.

"Can never forget that, darling." Lalitha winked. "So, why are you planning murder for Savita?"

"That damn sloth, I asked her to schedule the meetings for the day after tomorrow. But look at my schedule, it's a mess. Also, why am I answering emails to suppliers and HODs? Is this not what I pay for?"

"You are absent, she took a breath." Lalitha reasoned, illogically.

"All the more reason she shouldn't."

"Cut her some slack. Will you, Yug?"

"Sure." I will cut her. Yugantika glared at her soon-to-be ex-best friend.

"So, I was saying..." Lalitha started.

"Can't wait for you to speak."

Lalitha glared at her through the mirror. "Netra is calling you because you made me block their cards and deliver a reminder to her husband of the impending layoff. Are you sure you are not going to answer her?"

"The Charity Gala is in an hour," Yugantika knew what came next, so a change of subject it was. "I have an impression to make."

"As Yugantika, or as Garfield? The tabby orange cat?" She was bloody mocking her.