Chapter 18

JENNIFER'S POV

After giving Mandira some last moment instructions, immediately I winded up my stuff from the desk
and made my way to the elevator. My forehead had gained a wrinkles of anxiety by the time I reached
the basement, to my car. Dont get mistaken of thinking them to have appeared out of nervousness of
meeting that Mayank-freaking-Prakash. Well, quite the opposite! They were out of the worry of how to
save myself from all the legal shit if I ended up shooting that bastard between his eyes! SAVAGE 'me'...
isn't it?

I drove back to home, purposely driving Sweety at the speed of 30 KMPH. At a point, even an old man
riding a cycle overtook me. I was amused and ended laughing at my childishness.

I reached my hell on this Earth, parked my car and made my way up the stairs. I was literally climbing
one step at a time and then counting till ten. I glanced on my phone to check the time. It had been one
and a half hour, since I had left HOPE, The soul reason why I found 18 missed calls from father. But
this time, I didn't dread about the consequences of ignoring his calls. Surely he had that much of sense
of not leaving me bruised just before I was about to attend a party with my for-now-fiance.

At last I reached and pressed the bell. The door opened revealing Tristan. He was wearing a hot pink
velvet coat over a white shirt, looking outrageously hideous! He had pushed his hair back with gel, and
had several studs on his eyebrows. If he got some magenta strips on his pink coat, I bet he would have
resemled the 'pink panther'.

"You here at last, Sweety?" He said while leaning on the door's frame.

"Unfortunately yes." I replied while walking past him.

"So our chicken laying golden eggs is finally home huh?" He continued. I ignored the taunt.



"Dress up. Dad informed that your soon-to-be-husband will be here in 15 minutes." He informed
casually while his eyes fixated on the porn movie running on the T.V.

It was clear now that father was really not in the house right now.

I didn't bother to respond back. I made my way to my room. I walked to my shelf, now overflowing with
designer gowns, lehengas, sarees, mini-skirts and a lot more clothes wrapped in jacketed boxes which
I had not even glanced for once. I was used to my comfortable t-shirts, denim jeans and some handful
of full-sleeve kurtis. The kurtis were especially to hide away and marks I got due to some wrathful
encounter between me and father. That's it.... I never ever demanded for more.

I lazily moved my eyes up and down the cupboard, inspecting the beautiful outfits. Finally after some
tussle, I decided on red , shimmery off-shoulder lehenga with a net dupatta on it.I thought of pairing it
with a simple heart shaped locket. I had almost ransacked the jewellery boxes to find something simple
but appealing.

Then, wearing my usual and simple titan watch on my left hand, I looked for some bracelet for the right.

Finally, I found a bracelet which somehow took my breath away. It had Cresent moons and stars
dangling from it.

Stars.... something which had always given me peace.

I was ready with everything to wear for the anniversary party. I proceeded further towards the door to
latch it. I was about to close the door when suddenly a hand stopped it.

Who the hell is this? Father?!

To my relief and disgust both, it was Tristan. He pushed the door hard and barged into the room,
knocking me at a side.



He inspected the room, specifically the dress I was about to wear, had he not pocked his ugly nose in
my business....again.

"Don't you think this dress shall cover those pretty breasts a lot?" He asked narrowing his eyes, and
stroking his chin as if in deep thought.

"Leave Tristan." I said in overly calm tone, through gritted teeth.

To this, all of sudden, the jerk cornered me and held me by my shoulders. He looked pissed off. I was
confused.

"Why Jennifer! Why me?" He spat in an agonized way. I frowned in confusion.

"I have loved you since day one! I always wanted you to be mine." He shouted as if I was deaf. I simply
rolled my eyes. A blockhead lover was the last thing I wanted to add in my list of headaches!

"Move fucking back Tristan!" But instead of moving back off my personal space, he ran his index finger
on my face. I immediately swat it away and kicked him on his shin. He lost balance and fell to the
ground. I thundered,"Dont you dare show me your shitty love! I was never yours, A. Because I am the
age of your elder freaking sister. B. You know nothing about love and are a lust thirsty orgy and C. I
hate my to-be-husband but still, I am engaged to him!"

Slowly, but steadily his eyes turned bloodshot red. He lunged towards me. He was on the edge of
strangling me when father's voice boomed.

"MOVE AWAY FROM HER TRISTAN!" And the bastard froze. I pushed him back and slapped him
hard, very hard. His face jerked to a side. He was beyond angry now. Father, luckily ignored my actions
and informed curtly,"Mr. Prakash and his son are waiting for you in the car, in the basement. We shall
follow you in our car."



I was finding myself drowning in the whirlpool of negative feelings. One monster, then another, and
another.... the list didn't seem to end. I sighed and nodded. Seeing the cue, Tristan left the room
without uttering a single word. Instantly, I locked yhe door and leaned on it exhausted, even before the
party and the real creepy guy yet to be faced.

I soon straightened myself, and dressed up. After applying the kohl on eyes, eyeliner and the
sheer(well, its my favorite part of make-up) I gave a last approving look to myself in the mirror, and
walked out the room, in simple maroon wedges.

Still somewhere, in the back of the mind, I was slowly getting the vibes of getting drained.

Shall I always lead this life of imbalance, no support and no compassion? Simply be predated for my
outer beauty?

I pushed back those threatening thoughts....

Why threatening?

Because I didn't have answers to those questions.... and I was afraid maybe the possible answer was a
Yes with a capital Y.

| was finding myself drowning in the whirlpool of negative feelings. One monster, then another, and
another.... the list didn't seem to end. | sighed and nodded. Seeing the cue, Tristan left the room
without uttering a single word. Instantly, | locked yhe door and leaned on it exhausted, even before the

party and the real creepy guy yet to be faced.

| soon straightened myself, and dressed up. After applying the kohl on eyes, eyeliner and the
sheer(well, its my favorite part of make-up) | gave a last approving look to myself in the mirror, and
walked out the room, in simple maroon wedges.

Still somewhere, in the back of the mind, | was slowly getting the vibes of getting drained.

Shall | always lead this life of imbalance, no support and no compassion? Simply be predated for my

outer beauty?
| pushed back those threatening thougNts....
Why threatening?

Because | didn't have answers to those questions.... and | was afraid maybe the possible answer was a

Yes with a capital Y.



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