Dark Paradise: Book 1

Chapter 5: Losing Into You

Paradise Island Resort, Maldives
17th May 2018

It had been a good 15 minutes since they had returned to the party. They were sitting at a table quietly. There was a lot of music, laughter and energy surrounding them but all Samara could do was drown herself in the lifesaving liquid in her hand. She had already finished two glasses of champagne and was on her 3rd and that’s when Ahaan realised he had to stop her. Their parents couldn’t see her in that state or they’ll both be dead.
“Hey, slow down” Ahaan said, gently taking the glass away from her.
She made no efforts to protest. She was too numb to do that.
“Ahaan…” She said, in pained voice after a few moments.
“I know” He replied, keeping a comforting hand over hers.
It was true. He knew everything and he understood why. He knew her story better than anyone. He wanted to strangle that bastard right then and there but he held back. Calming his sister down was more important. Ahaan might have been the younger one but he was mature beyond his age about such sensitive things, especially when they were related to his sister.
“Why? Why now? After all this time…why now?” Samara whispered brokenly, staring at her helpless brother.
“I don’t know, but what I do know is that he has hurt you enough. Don’t give him the power to do that again” Ahaan said, encouragingly.
“I’m not. And I won’t.” She spoke, her eyes looked hollow.
“Yes, exactly. So, forget about him. He doesn’t deserve it.” He said squeezing her hand across the table.
“Is he still here?” She asked, without looking up.
“No. He’s gone” He replied, after subtly scanning the party.
Samara sighed and looked up finally.
“I’m going to the restroom. My make up’s a mess. I’ll be back in a minute” She said flatly and stood up.
She stormed away without waiting for a reply from her brother. She walked away from the party steadily towards the restrooms and only allowed herself to stumble a little when she was sure Ahaan couldn’t see her anymore. The drinks had officially reached her head.

**********
She entered the restroom and closed the door behind her. She looked at herself. Her eyes were red. Her lips were slightly quivering and tears threatened to fall, but they didn’t. For 2 years, she had learnt how to control her emotions, she hadn’t let herself feel much, she had turned her heart into stone. Her life wasn’t great but she was living. She was okay. 2 years of being okay and suddenly Karan shows up again and wow. She’s back to being a wreck. She’s back to being an emotional mess. An idiot. She stood there, staring at herself for the next few minutes.
She couldn’t bring herself to do anything. She took a few deep breaths and composed herself. She opened her little purse and retouched her make up. She also practiced smiling like she always did. She tried to smile. First attempt, it was too big. Second attempt, no, it didn’t look convincing enough. Third attempt, a little too small. Fourth attempt, tried to show her teeth, a huge no. She huffed in frustration.
In the end, she exhaled and settled for a neutral face. Her eyes were no longer red. She was okay now. She was fine. She gathered her stuff and moved out of the restroom.

**********
“Hey” She said as she reached the table where her brother was sat.
“You look better” He said giving her a small smile.
“I know” She said, absently, her eyes flickered at the dance floor.
“So, tell me, what do you want to do now? Eat some amazing seafood or fly paper lanterns?” Ahaan asked hopefully. There was a lot to do at the beach and she could use a nice distraction.
“Let’s go dance” She said, still looking at the dance floor.
“You want to go dance? Since when do you dance?” He chuckled, mildly amused.
“Since now” She said stubbornly as she placed her little purse on the table and pulled Ahaan up, dragging him to the make shift dance floor.
Underwater by Rufus Du Sol blared through the speakers.
Samara grinned as she made her way through the sea of bodies on dance floor and Ahaan huffed.
“Okay” Ahaan held out his hand for her. She took it gracefully.