Shattered Desires

Chapter Two

*Flashback*

"No." I said, as I put my backpack down. I had just come home from school and instead of my mom asking about my first day of school, she dropped a bomb about some intelligent suggestion my grandmother gave her.

"Maya, at least think about it!" My mom pleaded.

"Illa ma (No mom) I can't do this and all." I said, dismissing the idea.

"You know how your grandmother gets. You have to do this." my mom said, as she rested her elbows on the granite. The wonderful suggestion was that I go to 'grooming' classes. What in the world?

"Why should I go to grooming classes?" I asked.

"Because I said so. Nee ponnu madriye dress pannala (You don't even dress like a girl) so they need to start from the basics." My grandmother said, as she stepped down the stairs, sizing me up.

"No way Paati, Senior year is busy enough, I can't be bothered with all of this." I said. I was already a lifeguard at the local pool for volunteering hours, assisted a daycare for more college money and was a classical music singer to an uptight music teacher on top of school-work and college applications.

"I don't know about all that. But it starts in October from 5 am. It goes until 7 and it is twice a week. It will make you more feminine." My grandmother said. Her logic was appalling. A grooming class to make me feminine. Then what was I now? A man to her? And 5am, is she crazy?

I went upstairs to get ready for my shift at the pool. I tied my hair in a ponytail and touched up my makeup. After tossing my lip-balm in my bag, I was ready to go. My mom drove me to the pool and I stood at my usual post when I spotted Ved in the water? What was he doing here? Stalking me?

"Hey Maya." he said, as he climbed out of the pool. His chest was on full view and I could see that he had muscular arms and the makings of some abs. But what was I doing! Look away!

"Stalker much?" I diverted my eyes to his face.

"I am just practicing for my tryouts for swim team this year." he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I volunteer here as a lifeguard." I said. I also assisted with some of the junior swimming classes and I loved my job.

"Wow! When are you teaching?" he asked.

"I have a shift for Level One swimming on Wednesdays. It's a new batch starting this week." I said.

"That means you would be teaching my little brother Virat!" He said. "He is a 2nd grader and loves to be in the water. I guess it runs in the genes."

"That's awesome. I can't wait to meet him." I said. Then I spotted Nancy, one of the other lifeguards giving me a withering look. I quickly bade good-bye to Ved and finished my shift in silence. After reaching home, I decided to finish some homework now itself so I wouldn't be swamped so much. Then I went to sleep, sweet memories of Ved floating in my mind.

*Present Day*

I should have known then. I should have known that he would be a person who would be the sweetest person, but with horrible intentions. I should have known that he was like a drug, in the literal sense, poisonous and waiting to consume my body. But I gave in. It was my fault. My mother stormed in and saw me in this state.

"Maya? Maya honey, what's wrong?" My mom asked as she kneeled down next to me. I threw my arms around her. I needed my mom right now to get over the heartbreak I was going through.

"He betrayed me!" I sobbed in her shoulder.

"Who?" she asked.

"V.V.Ved." I said, hiccupping. My mom said nothing more and just held me. Then my grandmother called her and she had to go serve dinner.