Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

* WHERE' HAVE YOU BEEN*

***author 's pov***

As the sleek black car came to a stop at the college gates, Aayara felt a rush of anxiety. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, before stepping out. The moment she did, a wave of whispers and stares enveloped her. Students who had been milling about paused, their eyes widening at the sight of the luxurious vehicle.

The car's polished exterior gleamed in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the typical bikes and scooters parked nearby. Aayara felt the weight of their gazes on her as she stepped onto the pavement, the blue saree she wore flowing elegantly around her. She reminded herself of her purpose: to reclaim her independence, to get back to her studies and her dream of becoming a chef.

As she walked toward the entrance, she could hear snippets of conversation.

“Isn’t that the girl who drives around in that fancy car?”

“Who does she think she is, showing up like this?”

Aayara bit her lip, feeling the sting of judgment. But she refused to let it deter her. She had a goal to achieve, and she wouldn't let the whispers of others stop her.

Once inside, she headed straight for the library. She needed to focus on her studies, gather her thoughts, and plan her strategy for the upcoming exams. With her heart pounding, she reminded herself that she was more than just Arjun’s wife or the girl who arrived in a fancy car—she was Aayara Sharma, a student with dreams of her own.

As she entered the library, she took a seat at a corner table, surrounded by books. The smell of old pages and the quiet buzz of students studying calmed her nerves. She opened her notebook, ready to tackle the subjects she had fallen behind in. This was her moment to take control.

As Aayara settled into her usual spot in the library, the familiar scent of old books surrounded her, offering a moment of solace amidst the chaos of her life. Her friends, Aarav, Priya, and Tanushri, appeared almost out of nowhere, grabbing her hand in unison and pulling her from her thoughts.

“Aayara! Where have you been?” Priya exclaimed, her brows knitted with concern. “We’ve been worried sick about you!”

“Yeah, you just disappeared,” Aarav added, his tone a mix of relief and frustration. “We thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth!”

Aayara felt a rush of guilt wash over her. They were her closest friends, and here she was, keeping them in the dark about everything. “I’m sorry, guys,” she began, searching for the right words. “It’s just... a lot has been going on at home. Family issues and all.”

“Family issues? Like what?” Tanushri pressed, her eyes narrowing as she studied Aayara’s face for any signs of dishonesty.

Aayara hesitated, the weight of the truth heavy on her shoulders. She knew she couldn’t reveal the details of her sudden marriage to Arjun, the powerful man who had turned her world upside down. “It’s just... my parents have been stressed about work, and I didn’t want to add to it,” she finally said, hoping they would buy her excuse.

The three exchanged skeptical glances, clearly not convinced. “Aayara, you can’t keep pushing us away like this,” Aarav said gently. “We’re here for you, no matter what. Just tell us the truth.”

Taking a deep breath, Aayara knew she had to reassure them without divulging too much. “I promise, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I just needed some time to myself. I’m back now, and I’ll catch up on everything. I’ll make sure I’m ready for the upcoming exams. I’m really sorry for worrying you.”

The friends appeared to soften, though doubt still lingered in their expressions. “Just don’t shut us out again, okay?” Priya said, giving Aayara’s hand a squeeze.

“Yeah, we need you around,” Tanushri added, her tone more playful now. “Who else is going to help us cheat on our next history test?”

Aayara forced a smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. “I promise I won’t disappear again.” But inside, she couldn’t shake the unease of hiding such a significant part of her life from them. With everything going on, she was determined to find a way to balance her new reality with her dreams, even if it meant navigating this difficult path alone.

As Aayara, Priya, Tanushree, and Aarav walked into the classroom, a palpable tension filled the air. Mr. Ajay, their teacher, sat at the front, his gaze fixed on Aayara with an unsettling intensity. She felt his eyes boring into her, the weight of his stare making her skin crawl.

Aayara instinctively lowered her head, focusing on the floor to avoid his filthy looks. She couldn’t fathom why he was staring at her again; it made her stomach churn. The memory of her marriage and the commitment she had made echoed in her mind, reinforcing her resolve to distance herself from such unwanted attention.

"Hey, Aayara, are you okay?" Priya whispered, noticing her discomfort.

"I'm fine," Aayara replied, forcing a smile while feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She wanted to shake off Mr. Ajay's gaze, but it lingered like a shadow.

As the class began, Aayara struggled to concentrate, the unsettling feeling of being objectified hanging heavily in the air. She shifted in her seat, hoping the period would end quickly, leaving behind the scrutiny that made her feel vulnerable and exposed.

Mr. Ajay's voice cut through the chatter of the classroom, making Aayara's heart race. "Where were you all these weeks? You’ve left a number of tests. Come and grab the papers from my office. Now!"

His tone was commanding, but it was the way he looked at her—up and down—that made her skin crawl. Aayara clenched her fists under the desk, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

"I'm busy," she replied, trying to sound assertive, but her voice trembled slightly. She could feel the eyes of her friends on her, a mix of concern and disbelief reflected in their expressions.

"Busy? You think that matters to me?" he snapped, leaning back in his chair as if challenging her. "You need to take responsibility for your grades."

Aarav, sitting next to her, shifted uneasily. "Mr. Ajay, can’t she get them later? We just got back to class," he said, trying to defuse the situation.

Mr. Ajay ignored him, still focused solely on Aayara. "You’ll come to my office now, or I will have no choice but to mark you absent for all those tests," he said, his eyes narrowing.

Aayara felt her heart sink. She knew she had to stand her ground. "I’ll get the papers later," she said firmly, raising her chin. "I have a right to choose when I’m ready to talk to you."

His expression darkened, but Aayara refused to back down. The classroom felt stifling, and she could sense the tension building around her. She glanced at Priya and Tanushree, who were watching intently, their expressions a mix of worry and support.

“Let’s just go, Aayara,” Tanushree whispered, urging her to leave the confrontation behind. But Aayara knew that this was not just about the papers; it was about standing up for herself.