The Girls Of December

Chapter 29

Kiss and tell

Mayra's POV

I was staring at the wall, mind spiraling again-straight to Vihaan. I hated that. Hated that even now, after everything he did, a part of me still thought about him. About his voice, his smirk, the way he knew exactly how to get under my skin. He was supposed to be my fucking enemy, And yet, there I was, thinking about him like some lost, lovesick idiot.

The sharp ring of the doorbell cut through my thoughts. I glanced at the clock-2 a.m. My heart skipped. Who the hell shows up at that time?

I walked to the door, cautious but not scared. I opened it slowly. No one. Just silence and night. I frowned and stepped forward to scan the hallway, but my foot hit something hard. I stumbled, caught myself, and looked down.

A box. A gift-wrapped box sitting neatly at my doorstep.

I bent down, picked it up, and noticed a small note stuck to the top: "Open me."

I hesitated. Was this from Aashika? No, it couldn't be. She'd never send something like this without telling me, and if she did, it'd have flowers-tulips, lilies, something sweet. This felt... different. Off.

I rushed back inside, heart racing, and grabbed my phone to call her-just to be sure. But before I could hit dial, a message popped up on my screen.

UNKNOWN:
Open the gift, babe. I'm still watching.

I froze. My skin prickled. I looked around the room, scanned the windows, the shadows-nothing. I scrolled up through the chat, hoping it wasn't who I thought it was.

But it was.

My stalker. The one who'd disappeared months ago. He was back.

Fear gripped me for a second. Then it turned into fury.

ME:
You really have no guts to show your face, do you?

UNKNOWN:
I will, sweetie. Just wait for the right time.

I stared at the box in my hands. I wasn't scared anymore. I was done running. I texted him back.

ME:
What's in the box?

UNKNOWN:
I am telling you to open it.

I wanted to open it, curiosity clawed at me, but I wasn't going to give that man the satisfaction of knowing I'd listened. Instead, I marched to the kitchen, turned on the stove, and dropped the box on the flame. If he could really see me, he'd be furious. And that's exactly what I wanted.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

UNKNOWN:
What the fuck, bitch? It cost me thousands of dollars.

I smirked. Mission accomplished.

But my smile vanished just as quickly. If my windows were shut, curtains drawn, and doors locked, how could he possibly see me? How could he watch my every move? The air turned thick, and a chill coiled around my spine.

I had to leave.

I grabbed my keys, heart pounding, and as I swung open the door-there he was.

The last person I expected.

"Neel?" I whispered, breathless. My chest tightened. I wasn't over him. Not even close.

His eyes widened in horror. "WHY IS THERE FIRE IN YOUR HOUSE?"

In my panic, I'd forgotten the flames. How immature. I moved aside, and he dashed past me, stamping the fire out with the precision of someone who cared. God, what a man.