MasukArthaTears were streaming down my face and my hands were trembling. I may have just made the biggest mistake of my life.Arjun would kill me if he laid his hands on me.I couldn’t drive home cause that would be stupid.I had to get to Dean. He would know what to do.He always does.I drove as fast as I could without breaking any speed limits. The last thing I needed was to be pulled over and handed back to my responsible adult. Plus I didn't have a licence.It was only when I was close to his house that I remembered that Bianca was the one living there, and that Dean was back at his parents house.Shit.I began reversing.What if this car had a tracker and Arjun could see exactly where I was.Oh lord. I can’t drive this car!But I didn’t have any money. I scratched in the glove box and found nothing. In the cup holder there were some coins. But where would that get me?I need to call Dean. Have him get me then park Arjun’s car at a gas station where he could retrieve it.“Fuck!” I r
Roshni“I’m so sorry, Junior. That’s why I didn’t want us to be together. But you insisted… and then I fell in love with you…” He began shaking his head as if it would change the truth.“But it was never intimate between your dad and I…”He bent over as if trying to catch his breath after a marathon.“He used to pay me… after… and I really needed the money for nursing school…”My words faded when he looked up at me from his position and screwed up his face like he was queasy.“I deeply regret doing that, Junior and if I could go back I would never allow –”He raised a hand as if he couldn’t take any more. “Please stop.”“Junior, I want you to know that I am really sorry.” I stepped closer. “I don’t ever want to lose you…”Junior suddenly moved aside and threw up on the sidewalk.“Are you okay?” I placed my hand on his back.“Don’t –” He immediately pulled away as if I would contaminate him. “Don’t. Touch. Me. Ever.”He stood upright and ran the back of his hand against his mouth. He
08h45ArjunThe cold morning air felt like a reminder that warmth had left us.I came around to Artha’s side of the car and closed the door for her.She was avoiding my eyes but I could see her eyes were red and swollen.She started putting on her jacket and I helped her.I had been angry about all this the whole of last night and today. But right now, seeing her in front of me, ashamed and trying to put on her jacket – I felt sad, weak, a failure. I let my friend do this to my little sister. I was more to blame. I took her out of school and made her live like an adult when she wasn’t ready. How could I blame her for wanting to live like one?Dean took advantage of her, she was just naive. Just seventeen years old. After this, I would forgive her. I would really put everything behind us.It’s Dean that I could never forgive.“Brother, just to be clear.” She looked up at me. “I’m not going to lie about anything that didn’t happen. I’m just going to tell them what did happen.”I nodded
ArthaWe drove in utter silence. Arjun had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the open window. He looked deep in thought. When was he going to say something? Should I start?Maybe this was him giving me the platform to lay my case. He was probably just too arrogant to state it.Okay, I am gonna start. I darted at the dash board. Clearly he wasn't going to work today.Speaking of which, will Dean still have a job at the company?Artha, you’re getting distracted. The platform is open, use it.I sucked in as much air as I could. I can do this.Five… four… three… two –“I’m your big brother.” His voice came out of nowhere. “And as your big brother, my job is to protect you and if I can’t do that then I have failed our family.“Do you know how mom died?”“Cancer?”He shook his head.I shifted in my seat, feeling the seatbelt strangle my chest. Was I ready to hear that what I had believed my whole life had been a lie? “She died because I couldn’t protect her.” He sa
RoshniJunior pulled out my chair, pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head, and took the seat opposite me. The restaurant shimmered in tones of gold and silver. Candles flickered on every table, while warm orange bulbs dangled from the ceiling, casting an intimate glow. The atmosphere was both cosy and elegant – the kind of place where a Bollywood hero would bring his heroine for a perfect romantic evening. This felt too perfect to be my reality. What did I do to deserve Junior? Why did he love me so much, me with all my imperfections? I was just a nobody, someone who used to work at his parents store, currently I was unemployed. I didn’t have any qualifications except my high school diploma. Junior on the other hand had everything, in a few years he would qualify and become a medical doctor. He could get any woman he wanted. Surely there were more beautiful and smart girls at his university? Why the nobody from his parents’ store?“Are you okay?” His smile fading. “Do you not li
RoshniWe ate at Kiki's Kitchen. Yasser had chosen the spot, claiming that they made the best murgh makhani. Turns out he wasn’t exaggerating. They did.“Hm…” Mr. Arora hummed after the first bite.“It’s really good, hey?” I commented.“Is this place new?” He asked us. “I’ve never seen this restaurant here and we live just a few blocks away.”“But Mr. Arora you never leave the house.” Yasser chuckled.“Maybe we should change that.” I smiled.“I’m up for it.” Yasser’s gaze lingered on me.“I mean just Mr. Arora and I.” I stressed, pretending I couldn’t see his expression fall.“Roshni, have you got a fiancee?” Mr Arora asked just before he took a big bite.I almost choked on a piece of naan. “Hm?”“You don’t have a fiancee, Yasser doesn’t have a fiancee. You two should… what's the word you young people use nowadays… date.”Yasser had a smug smile on his face, obviously enjoying this.“We’re just –”“Friends.” Yasser pretended to support me.“Not even that… we’re just… associates.”“Ass
DeanNo. No, not her. Not Bianca. I had already ended it with her. The universe had to be really twisted to make this true. Not after I had finally managed to break up with her and things were going so well with Artha.
Arjun“Therapy?” The very word left a bitter taste on my tongue. As a man, coming from where I come from, therapy is not a word exchanged so lightly amongst men. I imagined myself sitting across the desk from some woman, talking about my family issues. I didn’t see it happening.“Yes, Arjun, thera
Preetah Did I get used to spending my days completely alone in a two-story house? No. Every day was the same and really boring. Eating takeaway food and not doing anything except make our bed. I even gained some weight. My joys came when Arjun would come home, be it at 4.30pm, which was rare, 5pm o
PreetahAfter lunch, which was pizza and cold drinks, both Artha and Babaji went back to their rooms and left me alone in the living room. It was boring without a phone or anyone to talk to. I didn't know how to turn the large flat screen on, it didn't seem to have a remote.After sitting on the cou







