Chapter 4: Family

NISHA

Avyaan's words sent shivers down my spine. How could someone be so ruthless and be proud of it?

I gulped as I looked at him. His black eyes threatened me.

"Get dressed, shona. I don't like repeating my words twice," he muttered.

I nodded as tears started to pour down my eyes.

Soon enough he left my hand and walked out of the room. I sat there on the couch, crying on my miserable life. What did I do? Why all of this was happening to me?

I wiped my tears as I picked up the clothes that he had asked me to wear and started to get dressed. I did feel good as I wore the clothes that civered me completely, but then, it wasn't because I wanted to wear it.

As I looked myself in the mirror, I gulped in nervousness. I was adorned in a black jeans, black full sleeve high neck top, gloves, and a mask that covered my face completely, leaving only my eyes visible. It was suffocating to the least.

Today was supposed to be the last day of my trip in france, but now, I didn't know what my life would turn out to be in future.

I immediately dreaded the day when I fought with my parents for this solo trip. The way I always behaved with them, it made me feel miserable.

A birthday gift that I demanded from my parents, something they didn't approve of, yet had to abide by turned out to be the worst mistake of my life. Something that would make my life a living hell.

FLASHBACK

"Nisha, did you apply for a visa?" My father shouted at me as he barged into my room.

I was startled at the sudden outburst of his anger. But realising that he caught my deed, I had to face him now. I gulped and looked at him.

"What happened? Why are you shouting?" My mother rushed to my room immediately.

"Ask your loving daughter," he responded in a to e full of anger.

"Nisha! What did you do now?" My mother scowled at me.

I remained quiet. I knew if I say a word, I would he the target of their unlimited scolding and shouting and I just didn't have the energy to bear it all.

"Speak up, Nisha. Your mother is asking something," My father demanded.

I still remained shut.

"Okay. You tell me what's happening," my mother asked my dad.

I closed my eyes tightly as I knew that I'm screwed up now.

"Your daughter has applied for a tourist visa to France," My father announced.

And now I knew, that my dream of a solo trip to france is screwed now.

"You did what?" My mother was shocked at my father's announcement.

I gulped.

"Your mother is asking something," My father shouted.

I almost jumped at his loud tone.

"Why did you do this Nisha?" My mother demanded.

"Because... Because I want to go to a trip to france," I replied.

"With whom?" She questioned.

"No one," I answered.

"What?" She looked shocked.

"It's been my dream. A solo trip to France, and I have been saving up for the past five years, thinking that on my twenty first birthday, I will gift myself this trip. I have wanted this for so long," I spoke in a low tone.

"We don't let you travel alone to somewhere that's just two metro stations away, and you think we will let you go to france?" My mother scoffed.

"I'm no more a kid, Mom. I'm all grown up, and I have my own life," I shouted at her.

"Is that a way to talk to your mom?" My father shouted, interfering between us.

"Then what should I do? You guys just don't get me," I reacted.

I knew I was being rude but this is my life, and I had no control over it. That didn't make sense at all.

"I'm twenty one and I'm not even allowed to go two blocks away from our house alone. There should always be someone with me. Why?" I demanded.

I had to bear a lot, but it's enough now. It's my life and I wanted the control to my life in my hands.

"Nisha Malhan, the daughter of the dean of one of the prestigious college in Delhi, Mr Krishna Malhan and one of the senior teacherz of the best international school in this city, Mrs Namita Malhan, feels caged in her own house," I shouted at them.

I knew that if I remained quiet, I would never be able to fulfil my dreams. I had to stand up for myself.

"My parents are highly educated, having multiple degrees and holding important roles in the education sector, yet they're so narrow minded that they don't even let their daughter go out and live her life a little," I shouted, looking at my parents in anger.

"What kind of bullshit are you even speaking, Nisha? How can we let you go to an unknown country alone? You don't know the language, the people or anything. You just have seen a few videos over the internet, and now, you just want to go there. Do you know about the country? If it's safe or not? What of you get into some kind of trouble? How will you manage alone and how will you get out of any trouble? Have you thought about anything?"

My mother questioned.

I was getting irritated at her assumptions and questions. I felt like screaming at them and tell them to stop controlling my life.

"Mom! There are many female travelers who travel solo. I have seen a lot of vlogs of them. How hard it would be? Reach france, hire a cab and get to the hotel, hire a cab again and visit the places I want to visit. There's nothing to overthink and stuff. It's easy and hassle free. You guys just don't want me to live my life."

I shouted at them.

"Nisha! The world isn't all flowers and roses. There's so much in this world that you would never want to encounter. Trust me!" My father shouted at me.

"Whatever, Dad! I am going to France and I will see how you stop me," I spoke in a firm tone.

"Even I will see how you get out of this house," my mother retorted.

"I will be turning 21 in two days, and as my birthday gift from you guys, I am snatching away all the rights you have on me from you guys," I announced and stormed out of the room.

I couldn't even believe them and their low thinking.

END OF FLASHBACK

AVYAAN

I was looking at Nisha as she was getting dressed. There were cameras installed in that room that I had access to, so I could monitor her every move.

I smiled as she covered herself completely. I knew she wouldn't like this, but she had to do it. She has to understand that no one in this world is allowed to see her anymore. She is all mine now.

"Isn't my shona beautiful?" I muttered as I realised someone's footsteps approaching me.

"Sir!" Namit mumbled.

"I'm not your boss right now. Consider me as your old friend. Like we were before I got into all of this," I responded.

Namit was my childhood friend, we grew up together. He never left my side, and when I entered this world, he chose to be my right hand, my most trusted man.

"Avy! Do you think this was reasonable?" Namit muttered.

I got up and looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, 50 million for that girl? Was that necessary?" He questioned me.

"She's my Shona, Namit. I told you about her when I first saw her and you're asking me this?"

I was surprised at Namit's question.

"I mean, indeed she us beautiful and all, and yes She's meant to be yours, but 50 million is still unreasonable. I mean, no one would have bid above 10 million for her. Okay, at max, 15 million. How could you spend 50 million just to bid at her?" He questioned.

I chuckled at Namit's question.

"Because I wanted everyone present in the auction to realise that she's the most precious girl anyone could ever have, and now, I own her," I calmly responded.

"What would you do to her?"

"Anything that I want to."

"And her family back in Delhi? They are influential people, they will try to find her."

"Let them believe that she's dead. Because, Nisha Malhan is no more alive. The girl who's here, is just my Shona."