Aap Koun Hai? PT 1

Arrival🧳

I am on the ground floor of the chawl, waiting for Vihaan's vehicle to pull up.

It's evening , the sky sinks into a deep violet color, and people from inside the chawl have begun turning on their lights.

Even from below I can see pin pricks of lights simmering along the city buildings, like ripples of moonlight casted on a dark sea

I watch longingly at the towering glass skyscrapers, their windows bursting with a golden glow, one behind the other. It reminds me of my father's house-after he left us. My jaw ticks.

How could he live like this while we struggled?

My hand tightens on my suitcase, I realize that I too will experience something similar to this. I will be meeting affluential people, those who have the same status as my father.
The connection isn't strong, there are many people who have the same power as my father,but still, dread churns in my stomach.

I clench my fist, and shivers run through my veins as someone touches my shoulder. Breaking from my thoughts , I turn around to see Ma.

Her eyes solemn, face sagging.
I heave out an exasperated breath already knowing what she will say. She hadn't mentioned it for the past day but I knew she would bring it up.

"Don't leave Payal" she begs, clasping her hands.

"Why Ma?" I ask irritated at her desperation, and try to unclasp her hands. But she is on the verge of crying.

Ma marches up to me, yanking me closer by my shirt, her heated forehead touching mine.

"You know why! What are you getting from this tell me?What?You know your father, you know what he will say if he finds out..." She heaves letting me go. "Hai ! What are we going to do?" ma massages the ridge of her nose.

I know she's right...it is dangerous to work for Mr.Leela, especially since my father despises him.
And I know mercy won't be shown if he got to know.

But there is no other choice, but to hope that he doesn't find out. Because if my father forces me to stop, and Mr.Leela exposes me, then it is certain death.

Everyone I've written about, politicians, rich brats, businessmen , they all will know that I am responsible for those articles. I'll no longer have the upper hand against them.

"So I should let Mr.Leela expose me?You know what will happen..."

"This is why I had warned you a thousand times . Don't get involved.Don't get involved. But will you listen? So listen to me now, tell your Papa what happened-everything and he will help you find a way out "

Her voice cracks and her eyes are glossed with imminent tears

But yet my stance remains.

I am not doing that. I am not asking that man for a favor after everything he did.

He is not my father anymore. He hasn't fulfilled the roles of one.

Before I can open my mouth to break her hopes and heart, a loud screech breaks the silence. I flip around to see Vihaan's car swerving inside the area, taking a whole loop on the ground before stopping just in front of me.

He winds down the window, "Get in"

My Ma grips my wrist, pleading with her eyes.

My lips thin into a line, torn between the two.
"I -I will see what I can do Ma." I breathe, trying to console her.

I let go of her grasp of me, but when I turn around Vihaan stands right in front , his forehead wrinkling at my suitcase.

"I told you to pack light, '' he grinds "I said I will get your clothes and all , just pack the necessities. I expected a hand bag or something! "