Fairytales And Foulplays

Chapter one

It was my second week at the football club. And I was doing everything I could to prove it to everyone that I deserve this position.

One night as I was working over time I heard a knock on the door of the media room.

Startled I look up and find the team's captain and my favourite player looking at me.

"What are you even doing here this late?" The Captain asked me.

"Well the fanclub's president reached out ten minutes ago and since we don't have much time I'm going through their poster designs and I've to also calculate the budget and then I guess I can go home" I informed him.

"You check the posters and I'll do the calculations for you" He said taking the budget allocation sheet from my desk.

I sent all the posters for printing and then looked at him.

"And it's finally, sorted!"

He slides the calculator towards me - "10√e".

I look up.

"You," he whispers.

I look at him surprised.

"The budget is 7,645 rupees by the way, See you tomorrow Kash" He said walking out.

"See you Captain" I replied smiling to myself.

Present day -

Kashti's POV

I'm Kashti, the resident wordsmith of the Hyderabad Football Club's media team. By day, I conjure up captivating narratives that transform our players into legendary figures. It's a high-stakes game, a battle for attention where every word counts.

But when the final whistle blows, I trade the roar of the stadium for the hushed silence of a crime scene in my mind.

True crime is more than just a hobby; it's an obsession. Sidney Sheldon is my my idol. His books are my escape, a world where logic triumphs over chaos. True crime was my jam. I'd rather binge a murder doc than catch up on the Kardashians any day. It was my secret escape from the office, a twisted little hobby that kept my brain sharp.

While my colleagues are busy gossiping about the latest Hollywood scandal, I’m lost in the labyrinthine corridors of criminal psychology, my headphones pumping out true crime podcasts. It's a stark contrast to the often superficial world I navigate during daylight hours.

My days are a whirlwind of deadlines, brainstorming sessions, and way too much caffeine. The office is a battlefield of egos, where backstabbing is a contact sport. But hey, at least the drama keeps things interesting, right?

After all, where there's drama, there's content, right? But behind the polished exterior of the media guru is a mind that's constantly piecing together puzzles, searching for hidden motives and unexpected twists. It's a dangerous game, but someone's got to do it. And that someone is me.

I’ve always seen myself as the steady hand guiding a ship through a tempest.

My crew? Akash and Nikhil, two forces of nature in human form.

Akash, a hurricane of wit and impulsive charm, is a mix of Damon Salvatore's devil-may-care attitude and Jeremiah Fischer's way with words. His sarcasm is a lethal weapon, delivered with a casual nonchalance that's both infuriating and undeniably entertaining. He’s the kind of person who can turn a tense situation into a comedic circus in seconds, much like Jeremiah's ability to find humor in the darkest of times.

Then there's Nikhil, a complex enigma wrapped in an aura of cool composure. He’s a blend of Conrad Grayson’s calculated charm, Stefan Salvatore’s brooding intensity, and Elijah Mikaelson’s effortless grace. Behind that serene exterior lies a depth of emotion that’s both fascinating and intimidating. His silence is often more powerful than words, much like Stefan's brooding presence.

Navigating between these two is like walking a tightrope. Akash is the unpredictable storm, while Nikhil is the silent ocean. I’m the lighthouse, I suppose, the constant in their ever-changing world.

I'm no Belly Conklin; my role isn't about summer romance but steadfast friendship. Unlike Katherine Pierce, manipulation isn't my game. I'm the steady hand, not the scheming architect.

And yet I knew that it was okay to love them both. Because I did.

I spotted Rohit at the coffee machine, engrossed in his phone.

"Hey there Rohit cutie!" I called out, trying to sound more worried than I felt.

"Hey, Kashti! How's my favourite mediaperson doing?" he replied, looking up with a smile.

"Same old, same old," I said, shrugging. "How about you?"

"Oh, you know, just drowning in sweat,I think I'm going to lose all the remaining muscle and become invisible in a few days" he joked, rolling his eyes.

We shared a laugh, and I grabbed a coffee from the machine. As I took a sip, I asked him

"By the way, have you seen Nikhil and Akash? They were supposed to be at the training session this morning."

Rohit's expression changed. "Actually, that's what I wanted to tell you. Akash and Nikhil started off to the training session but left midway."

I frowned. "Why did they leave? Is everything okay?"

Rohit shook his head. "Apparently, something was wrong with Nila. They didn't say much, but they seemed really worried."

A sinking feeling hit me. "Nila didn't come to work today either. Now it makes sense. I wonder what's going on."

Just then, my phone rang. It was Akash. I quickly answered.

"Kash, can you meet us immediately?" Akash's voice sounded urgent.

"Akash, what's going on? Rohit told me you left the training session" I asked, worry creeping into my voice.

"I can't explain over the phone. Just meet us at the Serenity Hospital, okay?" he said.

"Alright, I'll be there in ten minutes. Hang in there," I replied before hanging up.

I turned to Rohit, trying to hide my anxiety. "Looks like something serious is up with Nila. I'm heading over to meet them now."

Rohit nodded. "Okay, keep me posted. I hope everything's alright."

"Me too," I said, grabbing my bag and heading out the door.

I raced to the hospital, my mind racing. When I found Akash, he looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"Akash, what's up?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. He took a deep breath.

"It's Nila... she's gone," he finally managed to say.

"Gone? What do you mean, gone? Is she okay? Where is she?"

I was freaking out.

Akash grabbed my arm. "She's dead, Kashti," he said.

"Nila? Dead? No fucking way."

The words felt like shards of ice piercing my tongue.

I locked eyes with Akash, desperately seeking a flicker of disbelief, a hint of a cruel joke. But his face was a frozen and agonizing .

A cold, clawing dread seized my gut. How could such a vibrant soul simply...vanish?

And then the unthinkable thought surfaced: if she was vulnerable, so was I. A cold sweat broke out as I realized I was no longer safe.

And that some foul play had just begun in my fairytale.