Ishq hua (Duet 1)

Chapter 14: Prisoner

Aira:

Self - loathing is exhausting.

I sat on the cold stone bench, in the garden. The only place he allowed me to go without eyes boring into me every second.

It's very pretty here. Tall trees, a pond, flowers and even a swing to give it the perfect dreamy look.

There are all kind of flowers, pretty flowers that I am allergic to and so it didn't feel refreshing anymore.

Two days, since he left the mansion and didn't come back. Atleast I had a presence who made me feel like I was atleast alive and with him gone, it felt like I was already dead.

Trapped among a few people who acted like they were Robots.

Maybe I shouldn't really have tried but if I get the chance, I would do it all over again - only this time I would be a little more cautious and atleast succeed.

Fuck, I was sure I had avoided all the cameras then how did he even know which car I got in in less than even ten minutes?

My hand moved to the pendant around my neck and my breathing hitched at the realisation that it was from him.

The pendant was from him and I had never really taken it off.

It was a Pheonix wrapped around a little butterfly.

What did this symbolizes?

The Pheonix crushing the butterfly while it burns to ashes and resurrects again leaving the butterfly to it's twisted fate of ruination?

Solitude? It's worse than you could ever imagine it to be.

It made me realise this was the worst kind of torture and he was doing it all knowingly to drive me insane.

He was going to drive me mad and then snatch my heart out and leave me abandoned for the vultures to feed on.

It felt suffocating.

My eyes moved down the the pendant and with a long breath, I snatched it away from my neck hurting myself in the process and threw it somewhere in front of me.

Feels so much better now.

My eyes swept over the object lying beside me and I held it in my hands, it felt warm as well as foreign to my hands.

I dialled the only person I wanted to talk to right now but knowing I would just put him and others in danger, I decided against it and dialed the two people I knew would pick up.

The phone was lent to me by Rekha aunty despite his clear orders becuase she couldn't see me wallowing in self pity anymore and I was more than Thankful for that.

The call connected in less than three to four rings to both the girls and as soon as my eyes met theirs, I felt a lot more at ease.

"How are you doing there?" Tara's voice was soft, laced with worry. Her concern wrapped around me like a hug I so desperately needed.

I closed my eyes, trying to imagine her beside me, the comfort of familiarity washing over the thorns of isolation.

"I feel like he will suffocate me to my death," I whispered, my voice blending with the rustling of the leaves. The garden seemed to grow quieter, as if listening.

Silence fell on the other side of the line, the only sound my breath mingling with the soft hum of the air. "Aira, I am so sorry. He is being so..."

Varya paused not able to find the right words as I interrupted them.

"There is nothing you both can do about his behavior. In fact, I am sorry for..." I trailed off, my eyes fixing on a cluster of lavender flowers that swayed as if in sympathy. Guilt was a gnawing beast, always ready to pounce when I let my guard down.