The aromatic flavor of early breakfast lingered in the light air- a cool atmosphere settled inside the Agarwal residence.
That's when, Soniya Agarwal, the anchor of the house marched out of the kitchen, her expressions soft yet firm as if something was annoying her constantly.
"Siya? Girl? Are you not going to college today? Will you come down or shall I be up there?" Her voice boomed in the silent environment, breaking the trance of Pradeep Agarwal, who was engrossed jn his newspaper.
Chuckling ever so slightly at his wife's short temper, Pradeep gently placed the newspaper on the table taking a stand, stretching a little.
"Let her sleep for a while Soniya, she slept late last night due to the movie session" Pradeep placed his hand on her shoulders smiling warmly.
However, this didn't change Soniya's reaction stood her ground with stern and narrow eyes.
"You have only spoiled our daughter this much, Pradeep. Her boards are up close and this careless girl, when will she grow up?" Sonia mentioned with a hint of warning in her voice enough for Pradeep to remain obedient.
Sighing at his defeat, he moved back, returning to the table to resume the newspaper.
Now only God was capable of saving Siya from her mother's hands.
Soniya, with determination launched forwards, stepping on the first stair when the door bell rang.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
With furrowed brows, she retreated to reach out for the front door.
Sensing the presence of someone, Pradeep rose his eyes from the newspaper to glance at the door.
As Soniya opened the door, the next person standing outside greeted her in a calm voice.
"Good morning ma"
Smiling widely at him, Soniya pulled him inside with a welcoming resolve.
"Good morning, Rudra" She replied once they were inside.
Rudransh nodded with his face void of any emotion. It wasn't something new for Soniya as she knew how much of a enigma he was.
Then, his gaze shifted to Pradeep who was watching them with a small smile playing on his lips.
Bowing a little, Rudransh greeted Pradeep.
"Good morning baba"
Hearing him, Pradeep's face broke to grin as he said Rudransh good morning with more enthusiasm.
Qupping his head back to Soniya Rudransh asked, "Where is Siya?"
After listening to his question, Soniya's eyes widen as big as saucers while a chuckle escaped from Pradeep.
"She is still sleeping, beta. I'll go and wake her up till then you go and sit with Pradeep, I'll be back in minutes" Saying this, she practically ran upstairs without hearing any of Rudransh's side.
Seeing her departure, Rudransh turned his heels, striding across the hallway, finally reaching the table to seat beside Pradeep.
Since Rudransh was sitting beside him, Pradeep placed his newspaper back on it's place, facing Rudransh.
"So, how is it going?" Rudransh initiated in a grave tone, his face not betraying any hint of his thoughts.
Pradeep didn't need any brief description to know what he was talking about, so instead, he rubbed his palm on his face, sighly deeply.
"Prateek has handled the business in New York, he will be back tomorrow" Pradeep stated letting his words get absorbed by Rudransh who's eyes darken.
Pradeep's eyes harden before he continued, "He informed me that there were at least fifty of them, channelling one another for support"
"How many of ours were sacrificed?" Rudransh opined in a low voice, enough to send chills to any normal person.
"Fifteen" Pradeep informed, not bothered by the icy man seated beside him.
Rudransh nodded his head in acknowledgment, choosing to remain quiet after that.
Pradeep too, picked his newspaper back, indulging himself into its abyss.
•|Siya|•
"Ms. Agarwal, you should know how to tie your shoe laces properly, you're in 12th right now" a voice mocked me seeming dissapointed at my lack of knowlege about tying shoe laces.
"I'm sorry, sir" I muttered unable to bear the humiliation, as all the eyes were fixed at us, silently judging me.
"Your sorry won't work here, hurry up and tie them neatly" The cold domineering of a man, scolded me while I did nothing but lower my head.
"Ms. Agarwal" his voice now was low, sounding dangerous passing second.
Tears threatened to fall from my eyes as I didnot raise my face to see the look of disapproval in his face or the judgment in other's eyes.
Just then, I felt him shifting closer, crouching till my level,"I don't like to repeat myself"
"Sorry sir" not being able to control anymore, I burst out into tears and everyone around me just laughed at my dismay.
But there was him, who was not really interesing in laughing as if it costed him his lifetime's income.
Anger bubbled inside my stomach as I finally held my head high matching his eyes.
Just when I was about to pass a rude comment, something or rather someone interrupted my dialogue.
"Siya, you silly girl, wake up"
Ma? What is going on here?
Feeling the splash of water on myself, I jerked abruptly discarding the jug fallen on my face.
"What the hell?" I shouted loud enough for whole neighbourhood to hear.
There stood ma, stormy as ever, holding the comb in her hand to beat me up.
"W-what are you doing?" I sluttered not being able to contain the fear gripping me.
However, she did not answer me but started to move forward as if a predator moves towards his prey.
Gulping the fear down my throat, I stood from my bed, quickly running inside the bathroom.
"Sorry ma, I'll get ready fast" I urged in a desperate voice, scared of her anger.
"You better, Rudra is waiting for you downstairs. You always make him wait and late too if I may add" She remarked, tired of my antics.
"Okay" that was all I could manage to speak.
Without commenting furthermore, she stormed out of the room, throwing the comb on my study table.
Damn, moms are dangerous!
I shook my head to shrug off the incident that just happened.
"That crazy neighbour of mine is responsible for all of this. If only he wouldn't have to pick me up and drop me off like the so-called gentleman he is, I wouldn't have had any problems in waking up late" I mumbled under my breathe, my brain flashing the picture of his cold, immovable face.
Scratch the man, he was a trouble in my life and I, well was stuck with him.
Ignoring the thoughts about the crazy man, I opened the tap to get fresh before my ma cooks me up for the breakfast.
•••○○○•••
That was it for the chapter!
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Till then, Adios !
Love, C.S ❤