Simran

******

WHAT. THE. FUCK.

I wish I could say that aloud. The enormous chopper, with freedom like no one else and wings so mammoth that it looked nothing less than a glorious, beautiful bumblebee, was the reason for my shock. Who would have thought I would feel jealous of a chopper with wings, a strong indication of its freedom, while I had none? My legs were a way to my freedom through my dance, but people were even trying to tie them to snatch whatever ounce of liberty was left for me.

The posh, deep black-colored chopper stood in its glory, screaming power and authority just like the beast does. Of course, it would emanate all of those dominions. That chopper might have every freedom in the world, but even it operated on the tunes of the beast only. It might fly in whichever direction it wanted, but the controls were still in the hands of the beast. I knew him enough to know the chopper was not there to help us, but rather a reminder for solely me that there was no way out for me, that I was his prey.

Surprisingly, his showoff of his big, large ego of sending this chopper was going to help me. The thought of my enemy helping me caused me to laugh, and I did. My sudden burst of emotions made the people, the surrounding staff, and my dad look at me strangely. I pursed my lips instantly, reminding myself not to make a fool out of myself.

After the incident of a past flash in the car in front of Dad a night ago, I could not bear being in another car again. I knew after I agreed that I would marry the jerk, I would have to travel to my home country with my father for the wedding preparations to begin. But then again, I should have thought twice that with a beast in the picture, nothing expected to ever happen. That night I was made to stay at the hotel only. Uncle insisted, and I could not deny him. Besides, I was exhausted after my performance. The next morning, I found Biscuit, Popcorn, and some of my packed stuff at the hotel in Dad's room, and I was told I was flying to Italy with Dad for the wedding. And guess what was the biggest shock? The wedding was happening in a week.

Yep, a week, a freaking week.

I did not lose my cool. Though inwardly, I definitely did, but I did not show it to anyone.

So, when I got ready, Dad and I boarded the private jet of my loving future husband. Oh, he is so courteous and generous. Even my thoughts about him were coated with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes, thinking about that evil asshole. And now we stood at the private airport in Italy owned by Kiaan's grandfather. The helipad, where a helicopter was waiting to take us to our destination, was also there.

Is this a secret wedding?

Am I being kidnapped by my father, uncle, and Kiaan?

There were too many questions loaded in my head, like bullets being loaded into a rifle, but I did not have the liberty to fire them at my father, who, by the way, did not care to ask me how I was doing after the panic attack, nor did he bring the topic up. He did not initiate any conversation except for asking if I could leave Biscuit and Popcorn at someone else's place. Heck, no way was I going to leave my kids at anyone's place for a week. I would have been confused about how my stuff ended up at the hotel, but I knew Kiaan. He always makes sure there is no room left for any doubt, and he hates loopholes, so he himself covers them.

Bloody creep.

That man was giving me a migraine. However, I was somewhat relieved Dad was not initiating any conversation. For once, I was relieved that he did not care because I did not want my headache to increase now.

"Ma'am, let me take them to the destination safely via car." A man who looked like a bodyguard, dressed in a formal blue outfit, approached me, asking to take Biscuit and Popcorn. As much as I did not want to trust anyone with them, I also did not want to subject them to a higher altitude for more hours than they already had. I was still hesitant, though.

"They will be fine," he assured me. I stared at my kids in the two small baskets I was holding. They were ignorant of everything right now, just chewing the toy I had left inside those baskets.

I was going to hand my kids over to him but at the same time needed to make sure they would be treated royally and respectfully.

"Be careful; they are your boss's kids," I said, with the intention of put the fear of the beast inside their heads. And also for the time being, they were the Beast's almost kids. The guards who heard me looked at me strangely and confused like he had seen a ghost. Popcorn did not seem to like what I said either because he made a weird face he generally makes when he is against something. Biscuit gave no reaction. Either she had not heard or did not care.

"Don't worry, Popcorn. I will never let that man become your father. I hate him," I whispered to him as I stroked his head. When I handed my babies to that man, I glared at him, trying to instill fear in him. He gently took the baskers and then headed another way while I walked to the other side, where the chopper was.

I had a plan. A stupid but big one. Kiaan, with his actions, had already let me deduce that I was his need. For whatever reason it was, I knew this wedding with me was benefiting him in some way, and planning to marry me in a week and preparing everything on his own was a sure indication of it. I was going to use myself to pull the truth out and defeat him in his well-curated game. If he thought he could do whatever he wanted, he had no clue who he was up against this time. This was going to be fun. Besides, I had already played one move—not too big, but significant enough to trouble him.

I smiled inwardly, thinking about it. I had sent some of my and Kiaan's cropped pictures with a half-written article about us dating for three years to a gossip reporter. I knew he would buy that shit, and soon the beast would be hounded by the very press reporters he hates in front of his house and his workplace. It was not a big move, but it was still a move that would hamper his peace, even for a short while.

The chopper, after a flight of only fifteen minutes, landed safely on the helipad, closer to a gigantic green-colored lake. The water shone with sunlight reflecting off its surface. It was not only the lake that caught my attention but also the three-storey two houses standing majestically only a few feet apart from each other. There was a long and high bridge over the top of the endless lake. The lake, though beautiful, had deep waters. I could tell by the way the water was still and not flowing. Generally, still water is much deeper than flowing water, and no matter the beauty of the water body, it was still dangerous, and the threat would actually be witnessed at night when it would be quiet everywhere, and so would the lake be quiet, ready to make someone the target of its deep depth.

After getting out of the chopper, the more I stared at the lake, the more shivers ran along my spine. The lake was a beast too, with its identity hidden by its incomparable beauty.

Keeping my gaze fixed on the lake and the connecting bridge that went from the shore on this side to the other side in the woods, I could envision my plan in fruition. I found that place perfect to execute my mission, for which I was going to put my life at stake. No matter how ridiculous it sounded or seemed in my head, that was the only big move that could deter the beast. I would soon execute it, defeating Kiaan in his own game. That would be the day when it would be decided whether I would take my last breath or the one of contentment, free from my worries.

I was deep in thought about everything I was going to do when my father's voice reached me.

"Always remember, you owe this to me...." I turned to him. He was not looking at me, but rather at the house, and then he finished his sentence with, "...and to your mother...."

He walked inside, saying those deep, hurtful words. My strong self almost began to crumble, but I held myself together. I was not fragile, unlike I used to be.

"Of course," I replied, but to myself.

My father thought he needed to remind me why I was there only for his satisfaction. He surely doubted if I would ditch this entire wedding thing. But he did not know that, with all due respect, I was definitely going to pay back everyone I owed. Albeit, my priority was the beast. I was going to pay Kiaan the dues with interest. Even in my vengeance against him, I was not going to put others in jeopardy because of me, especially my deceased mother's name. I took a deep breath as I put on my glasses, covering my eyes as I held my head high and walked up the three steps of the house leading me inside the gigantic, ancient building, which looked lively. Both the houses were being decorated by the decorators for the wedding. Vibrant-colored flowers were used as props, and I felt sad for the poor souls, for they were not going to witness any wedding at all. No wedding was going to take place, and I was going to make sure Kiaan Chauhan fell to his knees in defeat.

With my strong determination, I stepped inside, only to receive another shock. I found my entire family present there as if they had been waiting for us. If they were already there, it meant this whole wedding planning had been going on for a long time, but I, who was the prime person to be told, rather asked about it, was uninformed. That was another level of betrayal. At that point, I thought I should entirely stop getting shocked because, with Kiaan involved, there was nothing unprecedented that could not happen to me. I believed that he could even bring aliens to Earth.

Uncle and Aunty were seated on a three-seater couch. Ishaan Bhaiya and Adya Bhabhi stood in one corner of the couch, while Sonia was scrolling through her iPad as usual, sitting beside Aunty. Dad was talking to somebody over the phone. Everybody looked at me now. Neither of them looked delighted to see me, but cautious. Sonia put aside her iPad but stayed seated there. She did not run to me like she used to when we were kids. I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what I had to do.

Should I go talk to them or simply ask a staff member to guide me to a room?

Should I take blessings from the elders and greet others, or stand there awkwardly as a prisoner does coming back from prison?

All my thoughts, anxiousness, and worries stopped the moment a pair of soft hands grabbed my left hand and a chortle just like music reached my ears.

"Sim." I heard my name from someone I had begun to love a lot recently. I looked down at my nephew Ikshit, holding my hand and smiling at me, causing my grin to break instantly. He turned to his mother and then called her, "Mom, look..."

His eyes went wide in astonishment when he looked back at me and said, "...it's my Sim..."

"Yes, my darling. It's your Sim," Adya Bhabhi said, a smile passing her features too. It felt like someone from a different world stepped into my nephew's real one the way he looked so gleeful.

I squatted to the level of my adorable little nephew, who had his cheeky smile plastered on his face. I had not seen him grow up in person, but I definitely had witnessed it virtually. Adya Bhabhi generally would video call me and would make sure I got to interact with Ikshit. He started calling me Sim because Bhabhi used to call me that, and I was glad he did not start calling me Aunty. I was too young to be called that. I guess I would never consider myself old enough to be called an aunt.

I ruffled his hair, and his cheeky smile broadened.

"Hi, superhero."

"Hiii..." His cheeks went pink when he replied excitedly. I picked him up in my arms, stood up, and kissed both of his cheeks. I did not care about others then because at least there was one person who was pleased and thrilled to see me, who did not see me as a culprit or indifferent. I suppose that was another reason I bonded with Popcorn and Biscuit more than humans, because they never saw me indifferently, too.

"Did you miss me?"

He bobbed his head adorably, causing me to chuckle, removing all the awkwardness I had been feeling a few moments ago. I squished his fluffy cheeks, and his laugh then sounded like a gargle.

"I missed you too, little man." I peppered more kisses on his face while he kept laughing and raising his arms in the air in joy.

"Ikshit, come here. Sim had a long journey. Let her rest." Not sure if my three-year-old nephew understood that much of what his mother said, but he definitely understood he had to get back to her. Ikshit crunched his nose, which signified he did not like Adya Bhabhi's words, and hugged me, hiding his face in the crook of my neck. Bhabhi came closer and said, "He had not slept a wink in the excitement of seeing you." It was a matter of concern, as children need plenty of sleep to help them in their growth.

Stroking his hair, I faked a yawn and said to my nephew, "I really need to sleep. How about we sleep for a while and we play in the evening?" Ikshit pulled his head out from where he had rested it and looked at me curiously.

"If you will sleep for a while, we can play with your toys in the evening." Ikshit glanced at his mother, then at me, and then at his mother again before he opened his arms for his mother to take him and said, "Mom, sleeeeepppp...." He yawned, causing Bhabhi and me to smile. When he was in his mother's arms, Bhabhi gave me a side hug and said, "It's so nice to see you." When she pulled back, I found her smile to be genuine. There were now two people happy to see me.

"We don't have much time to waste. The reporters are trying to contact me. I don't know how they get a whiff of everything." It appeared as if my father did not like how I was bonding with some of my family members. Otherwise, what could be the reason to interrupt when someone genuinely expressed they were happy to see me?

"We need to discuss something," Dad said, looking at Uncle and Aunty, who nodded at him and stood up, ready to follow him.

"What about Samaira Di? Where is she?" Sonia stood up, impatiently asking my father about Di. Perhaps Di was the one everyone was gathered to meet. It was understandable. Why would they wait for me, for someone they did not consider family but a liability and a culprit?

"She and others would be here in a few hours." Dad gave a vague response, not mentioning who all would be here. Sure, Kiaan's family would come with her, and who else?

"Come, I will take you to your room first," Bhabhi said to Bhaiya, who gave her a curt nod and did not spare me a glance. It affected me, but I did not display that I was impacted at all and simply followed Adya Bhabhi to the first floor. I already had a bad headache, and all I wanted was a peaceful sleep before being curious, worried, or anxious over anything. So when Adya Bhabhi escorted me to a room, I simply followed her, keeping my worries and pain aside.

Once we reached the room allotted to me she said, "Have some rest. We will talk later." 

I nodded at her, and she left with Ikshit.

I walked inside the room and shut the door but did not lock it. I found all my bags were already there, and so were my kids in the jute baskets from earlier.

The room was immaculate, polished, shiny, and it smelled like me. It felt like I had been living there only, as if that place belonged only to me. The furniture, the pictures, the curtains were all as per my preference. At least the beast was leaving no room to impress everyone, including me. Looking and analyzing the place, I could only infer it did not belong to the self-obsessed Kiaan Chauhan, but rather somebody who was thoughtful about others. Perhaps that was the reason he decided that place to be the venue for the wedding. Sometimes, to impress others, even the seemingly trivial details, like the colour of walls or the comfort of furniture matter. It might sound weird, but if one thinks about it clearly, one would realize it happens in our day-to-day lives. The beast undoubtedly gained a point in my eyes, and I definitely praised anyone who is worthy of it, but then my eyes fell on the picture on the bedside cabinet. I picked it up instantly, only to be staggered. It was a picture of my mother, me, and Samaira Di. It was clicked on the day I had a show when I was a part of a Baller Dance Academy in India. My dance group had won a prize that day, and dad had clicked the picture post the performance where I was holding my prize. I traced my mother's face in the picture. Her smile was too radiant, and she looked extremely proud of me. A sudden realization awakened my rage, and I gripped the photo frame in a tight grip. There was no way that picture was kept by any of my family members. It surely was Kiaan's deed. It was another indication or a reminder for me from his side that he was the one in control and not me, that I needed him for the sake of my family's reputation and not otherwise.

For once, I thought he was going to play a fair game, but I was too early to judge. How could a beast play fair? He was playing a dirty game, one where he dared to bring up my deceased mother to put a leash around my neck. But he did not know things had changed. I was going to strangle his fucking plan with the same goddamn leash.

There was a rush, chaos, noise, and chatter in the house, and I knew no one would disturb me. But I had my demons to disrupt my peace. I put my handbag on the cabinet, and the picture and then pulled out the bottle of sleeping pills from the bag. The migraine-like headache had escalated to a level that it could only quiet down with some destruction. Since the plan of destruction was for later,  the other way to quiet it down was to use the pills. I did not rely on them always, but sometimes, when there was too much chaos, they became the only option. I took out one pill, gulped it down with the help of the water kept already on the cabinet. Removing my boots, I lay on the bed and pulled the covers. I did not care to even change or pet Popcorn and Biscuit. Their baskets were already filled with so much fresh veggies, courtesy of the guard from earlier and the house staff. I simply wanted to take one peaceful slumber before I started ruining the beast's life, and with that thought, I slept.

******

Kiaan

******

A night ago

******

I stared at the pictures and the half-constructed article which was staring back at me from my laptop screen. A grin passed my lips as I sat laid back on the plush reclining seat of my plane. A chuckle almost left me. The keyword here was almost. This woman really knew how to grate somebody's nerves, adamant about not giving up. Too bad she had no knowledge of how to even graze mine. This article and the pictures she sent to the reporter to cause me trouble published nothing without my consent. That information, which she desperately wanted to be out for the public, was going to do me no harm. Instead, it was only going to pique people's interest in my personal relationship, which is exactly what I wanted. I could handle such media intervention, even when I was not a fan. However, even if that got published, what could they do now when I was on the plane, heading to exactly where she was?

If she thought there was any way out of this relationship for her, she was in the wrong. The chopper I sent was a sure reminder for her. She could go to any part of the world she wanted, but not without my consent. A lot had to be changed about her life, and she needed to grasp the changes because if she didn't, she would fall hard.

My finger traced the mouse pointer, ready to send the approval to the reporter for the article to be published. I could definitely not have it published if I wanted, but that was not the case. I wanted this chaos. This article was going to work in my favor, very much to that little firefly's dismay. She had started her game. Even if her first move was weak, yet not too bad either, she did not intend to give up, just like I had anticipated.

'It would be fun playing with you, firefly. You are not playing against me on my board, you are playing with me, with me by your side.'

I hit the send button and shut the laptop. The wires in my brain activated with the weaving of the next course of action. I was glad things worked out when I suggested I wanted the wedding to take place in a week's time. I presented the argument of knowing Simran well and vice versa to her father and mine, and the courtship period did not have to be that long for either of us, considering everybody's desperate need to quiet the fire started in the media again. The fire this time would not cool down until this wedding happens; after all, I was the source of it. I started it all, and only I could end it. Till now, everything had worked according to my plan, and the only hiccup I would be dealing with would be my grandfather. But that would not be much of a bother if that fiery woman behaved the way I wanted her to.

I stared at the yellow-wrapped box kept on the seat beside mine as I recalled her getting scared the last time she opened a similar box at the auditorium.

'See you soon, firefly.'

There was no escape for her, not when I had spent my entire life creating this plan to trap her. It was time for the due repayment, and even if I had harbored patience for a long time, it was wearing thin now. I was not going to let her escape me, not this time.