Who Are You?

The Final End

The kettle pot whistled, steam splintering through the porcelain tube.

Payal's fingers went taut over the keyboard, before crumpling into a fist. She jolted off her table. Hands flailing to her forehead in exasperation.

She shot up from her seat only to pull on the cord attached to her computer. It slid down the table, hurtling towards the edge.

Payal lunged towards it in a pulse. She caught it in her arms, right before it hit the ground, straddling the equipment.The wires hung around her wrist, the cords pointing down and the screen sloping in her grasp.

Her hands weighed down. She settled them on the ground before collapsing herself.

It had been quite hectic since she arrived from the conference.

After gathering no useful information whatsoever, she had gotten a good scolding from her seniors-and of course-double the workload.

Five articles needed publishing by tomorrow.And she had done none.

Before she could sulk at her predicament- she remembered. Her tea! Darting to the kitchen, she hurriedly poured the boiling liquid into the mug, before scurrying back to her work table.

There was still so much to do.

She was quick to reassemble her computer and monitor and keyboard back on. Click the pieces together. Start a fresh article. Lock in.

She couldn't risk her job after the failure at the conference. Forcing back sleep, she leaned into her computer, determination lining her forehead. I need to do this

And then she lurched once again. The screen.

Her article: The Prince Underneath stared back at her from a rogue instagram page- a mockery of the past .

She had done everything she could to erase it off the web, deleted it from all her socials and websites, but yet it had spread like wildfire, sticking in all corners of the internet.

Her throat soured. Acids burnt it

It drove Vihaan away that day. And maybe it wasn't solely his fault.

Why had she been so nosey? So desperate to tear someone's life into pieces?

She sighed shutting the computer off-though she knew it was still on the page-viewed by thousands-heck even millions of people.

There was nothing else she could do-it was permanently there.

A ring blared across her apartment.

And she rolled off her seat, sluggishly sliding on her feet, dragging her lifeless body to the door.

The ringing continued incessantly and Payal grunted back "Oh stop it I'm coming!"

Her bones heavily sunk in her skin and her eyes were blotted with dark circles from lack of sleep. The last thing she needed was a persistent salesman at her doorstep.

She glided the door open on its hinges. The creaking hiss pierced the room.

And then there he was.

Her palms pressed tighter on the knob . It's as if a sheen on light was shining behind him.

He flashed a slanted grin, holding out a huge bouquet of blue roses that shrouded every part of him except his face.

"Surprise!"

It was just like before.

Payal stilled in her spot . Eyes poured at the blue roses. Navy petals twirled on the stems like ballerinas.

And then she looked at him, mouth agape.

"What are you doing here? Are you supposed to even come here? Where is the press? Did you sneak-"

He placed a palm on her mouth "Shh ...You don't seem that happy"

She blinked waiting for an answer, but instead he shoved the roses in her hands.

"How much did they cost?" She blurted when he removed his hand

"2000"

"2000 Rupees???" She jolted and he laughed.

"2000 US Dollars" he corrected.

"You're such a showoff-" she muttered , her finger tracing the petals. "But seriously, why are you here? Are the press going to bombard my house?"

"You still worry too much," he hummed, peering into her house "But I will admit your house does look posh-hopefully you don't act like those rags to riches people who act all smart after gaining money."

Says the one with a helicopter .

"Okay" she thumped him lightly. Placing the bunch of roses at the side table. "Now tell me, why is a bratty prince at my doorstep?

His grin widened and he leaned in "I've earned a job -at a Google office nearby-for life"

"Earned?" She scoffed

An impudent gleam danced in his eyes "let's just say father pulled some strings...and it's pure coincidence he bought me a room right next to yours"

Her eyes widened and she crossed her arms. "Pure coincidence huh?"

He leaned in closer "Definitely wasn't intentional"

Sarcasm dripped from his tone.

"From now on..." he straightened his spine. "You can call me Dhruv Kurrar...and I have a feeling we'll be very close neighbors"

Payal stood silent. For a good moment the whirring of vehicles filled the gap between.

She fiddled with the roses contemplating his presence here , before swinging her head back.

Hesitancy leaked from his eyes "Are you really not happy?"

His voice quivered.

"I am" her voice hardened, but something in her throat prevented her from speaking.

"It's just-" she choked "you did this for me Vihaan? Moved from your home- your life-"

"Everyone is alright with it" he cut her off, locking eye contact. "Even me.It can't be that bad having a normal job. It's just ... I don't want to not be with you again. Like half a decade ago."

Maybe the past could be mended. Maybe people could heal.

"Anyway...." He cleared his throat "My name is Dhruv Kurrar -don't call me Vihaan- unless you want the press after me again"

She laughed, widening the door. "Come inside I'll call Amara and Kairav."

"How about this time..." he grabbed the door knob "it'll be just us"

Okayyyy
So this is actually the end. No other books or anything. I understand it may be a bit rushed so feel free to ask any questions you may have about the book.

Thank you to everyone who read till the end and showed support through voting and commenting. It means a lot and has motivated me like ALOT in my journey of writing this novel. So thanks again.

Anyway that's it for this novel. Imma continue writing on other projects on my yt channel the Tales....my handle is ink and insight. And I'll be posting stories on my other account KalaKatha. I'll also be posting the chapters for Wedding Season Story.

Anyway that's it. Thank you for your time.

See you then next time I spell you with me stories!