RHYTHM
Walking out of the restaurant, all I feel is numb and relieved.
Relieved because now I can take care of my mom and my brother. I can give them everything they need and more.
As I'm typing a text to Rohan to come and pick me up, I hear someone calling my name.
I look up from my phone and see Gabriella coming towards me.
She is a very beautiful woman in her mid-twenties, I guess, with her auburn hair and grey eyes.
As of now, she is the only one I have found genuine in this group of rich people.
"Hi, again. I just wanted to ask, do you have anything for me to do right now?" she says it all in a breath, almost pleadingly.
I understand the feeling. So, I give her a reassuring smile, "Gabriella, can I call you Gabi or Ella?"
"Whatever you please, I don't mind." she replies.
"Okay Gabi, right now I just want you to make all those appointments, you know for my grooming and shit. And brainstorm some ideas for the other list from Mrs. Singhania for Mr. Adams."
"Okay, I've already made a list for that, I'll get it to you by morning and we can discuss it then."
"Gabi," I interrupt her "you can take a couple of days. Make all the appointments for after two days, okay? A lot has happened for me in a very short time. I need some time to myself."
She nods in understanding, "Of course."
"Meanwhile you should explore the city and enjoys some food, okay?"
"Yes, sure I will!"
"Good night, Gabi." I wish her and walk to my awaiting brother.
"Let's go home." He says grabbing my hand.
"No," I stop him "I want to walk for a while. Let's just go near the street market."
He stares at me for second then asks, "How did it go in there?" nodding towards the restaurant.
"It was fine." I reply, dragging him towards the market.
"So, it's happening."
"Yes, now will you walk a little faster?" I demand.
He rolls his eyes but complies.
"I don't like it." He grumbles.
"Why? You gonna miss me?" I tease, batting my lashes.
"No, I won't but New York is very far away." he says with a frown.
"I'll facetime you every day, okay? And you can come visit me anytime."
"Fine." He relents, puts his arm around my shoulder and pecks me on my temple.
"Now let's enjoy, we are in freaking Mumbai!" I exclaim making him laugh.
For the next couple of hours, we just walk and eat every street food that we could find. It felt good to not think about anything and just enjoy sometime with Rohan. I just can't believe he'll turn 18 this year.
A text message notification stops me on the sidewalk.
It's an unknown number.
It says-
"It's the half of the amount we discussed. You'll receive the rest after the wedding."
I frown.
It is followed by another message that says an amount of money has been credited to your bank account.
I gasp when I click on the message and see the amount that's now in my bank.
The message is from Adams, then.
The amount makes me so uncomfortable. I said too much in the heat of the moment. I shouldn't have asked for this much.
"What is it?" asks Rohan ahead of me, snapping me out of my guilty conscious.
If I go back on the amount, they'll think that I'm weak or stupid to not be able to handle it.
"Nothing just got my salary from the online job." I reply with a smirk.
His eyes widen, "How much?" he shouts, lunging towards my phone.
"No, no I'm not telling you how much." I say, getting out of his reach.
He glares at me with his hands on his hips, "You used to tell me from your last job."
"Yeah, but now you might get greedy." I tease, waggling my brows.
He lunges at me again and I run away from him, half screaming and half laughing.
We stop in front of some shop and pant with our hands on our knees.
I look up, it's a very fancy tattoo parlor.
I straighten and look at my small semi colon tattoo on my left wrist which the artist totally ruined. I never got a chance to get it re-done.
Making up my mind, I start to climb up the stairs.
"Where are you going?" calls Rohan.
"I'm getting it removed." I reply, gesturing to my tattoo.
He follows me inside.
We enter the reception area with black and white themed walls.
The reception lady greets us and asks, "A walk in?"
"Yes, I want this removed and get it on the right one." I explain gesturing to my tattoo.
"You want the same thing on your right hand?" she asks to confirm.
"Yes, this time I want on the side of my index finger."
Half an hour later, I'm a happy woman, finally satisfied with my tattoo, just like I always wanted.
"Did it hurt?" asks Rohan
"Like a bitch."
And we go home.
YOU ARE READING
The Broken Heart Syndrome
RomanceCaught off guard by her father's sudden announcement, Rhythm finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of uncertainty. As they journey to Mumbai, she grapples with the echoes of past betrayals, wounds still raw from the unfaithfulness of those she once...
