18) I hate you

How many of you hate Arjun right now? Lol.

Arjun's POV

Walking in a fast pace, I tried to ignore the burning rage in my heart. I needed to get out of here. Fast. This place was suffocating me.

I knew dad was going to do something like this. But I didn't expect him to react so soon.

A week? A fucking week only?

What could I do in this short period of time? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

My life was ruined. I was stuck with a girl whom I hated with all my guts.

I couldn't back off now, I had promised to do this for mom.

Raking a frustrated hand through my hair, I clenched my jaw and my other hand tightened into a fist as I kept walking towards my car, controlling the urge to kick something.

"Arjun!" Someone called out after me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see Sid and Rohan jogging towards me. The look on their faces told me that something was wrong.

"What the hell happened back there?" Sid asked angrily as he stopped in front of me.

I gritted my teeth and looked away. "That's none of your business."

"None of my business? Are you insane? Kiara was crying when we went there. She was having a pa-"

"I don't care." I yelled, effectively cutting off.

"I don't care if she was crying or not, okay? And I don't give a fuck about her." I shouted furiously, stepping forward.

For a fraction of a second, a face appeared before me, big chocolate brown orbs filled with fear looked at me with tears spilling from them but I quickly shut down my train of thoughts.

"Arjun..." Rohan was looking at me with cautious eyes as if one wrong move by them would set me on a rampage.

And it was true.

"Don't, Rohan." I stopped him, breathing heavily and keeping my anger in check. I didn't want to hear anything and they knew better than to argue with me. So, I left them standing there and went to the parking lot. Without wasting a second, I drove the car out of that hell hole.

Driving past the cars and the busy streets of the city, I reached the only place that could provide me some calm right now.

The car screeched to a halt and I stepped out, taking a good look around. It had been quite long since I visited here. Maybe a month?

Exhaling deeply, I put my hands in my pocket and entered the garden. I used to come here daily as a child with mom. Since this land was owned by us, it was a private garden. After mom's death, no one other than me was allowed here. Not even dad. I wanted to keep all the memories to myself.

The cool breeze blew against me as dead leaves crunched beneath my feet and I felt at home. My feet took me to my favourite spot, a huge tree stood there proudly, its branches spreading out and waving slightly due to the wind blowing in the night.

I sat down under the tree and leaned my head against the trunk. Closing my eyes, I sighed audibly, my shoulders relaxed as memories of my childhood filled my head and an unconscious smile appeared on my face.

Mom's melodious laugh rang in my ears as I recalled the time when we used to be happy.

When I used to be happy.

But everything was different now. Mom wasn't with me and I had long forgotten what happiness was.

I had turned into this ruthless, arrogant person who didn't care about anything.

Only if she hadn't left.

My life had already turned upside down. And now it was ruined because of a girl. Even the thought of that nuisance made my lips turn in a scowl and only 5 words revolved around my head.

I hate you, Kiara Sharma.

Kiara's POV

Lying in my bed, I turned sideways as my eyes swept over the page. I was so involved in the thriller book that I had lost the count of time. And it was a good thing. I couldn't sleep as the nightmares won't leave me and I had to pass my time somehow. So, what better way than reading a book?

The room was utterly silent, except from the tick tock of the clock, when my phone rang.

A crease formed on my forehead on seeing the caller ID. Maahi. With confusion brewing in my mind, I picked the phone and placed it near my ear.

"OhmygodIdon'tbelievethisHarryandCamillefinallybrokeupIamsohappy." A high pitched, squeaky voice rushed into my ears and I winced away from the phone so fast as if it was on fire.

I shook my head with a small smile playing on my lips.

Maahi is a synonym for crazy.

"Maahi, slow down, will you? I didn't get a word."

"Harry. And. Camille. Broke up." She squealed loudly and I cringed away from the phone once again. "I am so fucking happy." She giggled loudly. I could already imagine her creepy smile that kidnappers usually give to small kids to lure them.

I looked at the clock on the wall and it was 2 in the morning. My brows raised slightly as I realized I had been reading for an hour. How time flies when you're enjoying yourself.

And Maahi called me to inform this at 2 AM in the night?

Well, what else did you expect from her?

And how the hell did she manage to sound so happy and excited at this time of the night?

I opened my mouth to reply but she cut me off. "Wait a second. You haven't slept yet?"

"No, Maahi. I am already asleep. I am just sleep talking to you." I deadpanned.

"Shut up, Kia. By the way, I have to tell you something else, too. I have done all the arrangements for the bachelor party."

"The what?"

"The bachelor party." She emphasized. "You know, where the person who is about to get married enjoys his/her bachelor life?" She explained to me slowly if she was talking to a 5 year old.

"I know what a bachelor party is." I snapped. "And we are not having any such party."

"What? No. Please, Kia. Everything has been arranged. I have ordered all different kinds of liquor-"

What?

"-there is vodka, beer, champagne, some wine-"

What?

"-and oh-oh, I've invited the male strippers, too." She giggled.

"The WHAT?" I shrieked as my eyes bugged out of my socket. Sitting upright, I shook my ear to confirm if I had heard right.

"Duh. Male strippers, Kia."

"What do we need male strippers for?" I asked frantically.

"To play chess with us." Sarcasm dripped from her tone. "What else do you think? You very well know what male strippers are for."

"Yes, I do and no such thing is going to happen. In fact, we are not having any bachelor party. And how in the name of God did you manage to book these strippers?"

"Well. I have my resources." She answered mischievously. "Come on, Kia. Just say yes." Maahi whined. "Don't be such a mood spoiler. It was my childhood dream to attend a bachelor party."

I looked at the phone incredously.

"Have you lost your mind? You can attend your own bachelor's party if you are so interested because I am not going to have one."

"You just spoiled everything." She complained bitterly.

"And where did you run off to after the engagement? Anushka told me you had gone with Arjun to celebrate. You didn't even show me the ring. And wh-"

"Okay, okay. Stop." I interrupted her otherwise she had gone on like this for hours.

It's her special talent.

"I'll come to college on Monday and tell you everything. Is that fine?"

She seemed to ponder on the thought and replied after a few seconds. "Okay. Now, go to sleep while I drool at Harry on Instagram. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh....." She shrieked all of a sudden, "You know what, I just came across some pi-"

"Goodnight, Maahi."

"You, too. Have some wet and wild dreams, babe." And she cut the call.

More like nightmares.

I placed my phone on the bed stand and stared at the wall in front of me. My mind was completely blank, I couldn't think of anything. Sliding under the covers, I peeked a final look at the expensive diamond resting on my hand and closed my eyes.

*

I woke up with a loud gasp and heavy breathing. Covered in sweat, I gulped harshly and placed a hand on my heart. The erratic sound of my heart beat could be clearly heard in the silent room. I looked at my hands only to find them shaking.

Another nightmare.

But it was worse. It wasn't just him in my dream but Arjun, too.

Black eyes filled with raw anger and hatred were chasing me in my dreams. And those eyes belonged to Arjun.

At that moment, I realized that Arjun was just like him.

How could I marry such a person?

I had to do something about that. I needed to do something.

But what?

Maybe.... Maybe I could cancel the marriage?

Yeah.

A spark of hope ignited in me.

Yeah, I could do that.

I could just tell mom and dad that I can't marry him. Simple. They would definitely understand. Earlier, I had agreed for this wedding just for the sake of their happiness but I don't think that seeing their daughter in this helpless condition would make them happy. Also, somewhere, I had hoped that maybe this marriage would work out. Maybe Arjun was a good person, after all. But I was so wrong.

Yeah, I should tell them. But when?

Not now. What would I tell them? Pacing around my room, I pondered on what to say and came up with nothing.

As I was swallowing in self-pity, my door opened with a bam, making me jump in the air. Tina stood at the door, panting heavily, her hands resting in the door frame and she struggled to keep her upright.

I rushed towards her.

Still breathing heavily, she looked at me and signaled me to wait for a few seconds while I looked at her weirdly. After a few seconds, she seemed to gain her breath and straightened herself, handing me a newspaper that I hadn't noticed earlier.

"You. Are. In. The. Newspaper." She squealed loudly, jumping up and down in excitement but my sole focus was on a picture. A picture in which Arjun had his arm on my back and I was looking at him almost... lovingly?

I didn't know I had such great acting skills.

We actually looked like a couple in love. At least, I did. I had a small smile playing on my lips whereas Arjun was glaring at the camera as if it was the cameraman's fault that he was getting married.

We almost looked.... good together?

Oh, my god! Did I just think that?

Maybe the lack of sleep had an effect on me.

"Isn't that amazing? Now, I can go brag to my friends that my sister, yes bitches, my sister is the wife of the Arjun Singhania." Tina rambled to herself and I still stared at the picture, not able to hear anything at the time. "Why later? Hell, I would tell them right now." Excitement bubbling through her voice, Tina ran out of my room just the way she had come.

Tossing the newspaper aside, I concentrated on the task at hand.

I had to talk to my parents.

Wiping sweat from my forehead and rubbing hands together, I rushed downstairs with a new determination.

I wouldn't marry Arjun.

I was about to enter the drawing room when mom's voice stopped in my tracks.

"-you think, Anand?" She sounded worried. "Do you still have your job or not?"

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What were they talking about?

"I... I don't know, Neetu." Dad's hesitant voice rushed into my ears. "He said I won't lose the job if Kia agrees to marry Arjun."

Oh, my god!

No...

This was not happening.

"I wouldn't have ever agreed for this marriage if Rajveer hadn't threatened to sack me. How would we have survived then? I want to keep you and the kids happy and..."

My heart beat started racing.

"Do you think that he can really do that? Fire you, I mean?" I heard mom asking.

"You know how powerful he is. He can do anything he wants."

"Don't worry, Anand. Nothing's going to happen. Kia said she is ready for this. Everything will be okay."

"I know but I never wanted this to happen to my daughter. And what pains me the most is the fact that I can't even do anything about it."

"I think we shouldn't tell Kia about this." Mom said.

"Yeah, I don't want her to worry." Dad agreed and I glanced inside to find him sitting on the couch with his head in his hands and mom placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Immediately backing away, I climbed the stairs to my room and closed the door.

Mr. Rajveer had threatened to suspend dad from his job if he hadn't agreed?

Like father, like son.

What was I gonna do now?

What could I do now?

I didn't have any other option. Rajveer Singhania is a very powerful man. We do not stand a chance against him.

My shoulders slumped at the realization that my fate was already decided.

I was screwed.

And that was all because of one person.

I hate you, Arjun Singhania.

*

"Fuck. Oh. My. God. You are one hell of a lucky bitch. This ring is so pretty." Maahi's voice wavered as she hollered and it seemed as if she was performing an exorcism. She was holding my hand for 10 minutes 29 seconds and still fangirling over the ring. I agree it was beautiful but it would be better if she could admire it from afar.

She sighed and shook her head dejectedly. "I guess where's my Prince Charming."

"What about Harry Styles?" Nandini asked, smirking.

"Well, obviously, I'm in an imaginary relationship with him." Maahi rolled her eyes. "But that doesn't mean I don't want a real relationship."

"Ah, don't worry, you'll find one soon." Saumya patted her back sympathetically.

The class had been over a few minutes ago and we were standing in the corridor.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" A shrill voice rang in my ears and I groaned in frustration. A pair of heels came into my view and I wished the heels would break so that the person wearing them would fall and break their front teeth. Almost dejectedly, my eyes moved upward only to come face-to-face with a face caked up with cheap makeup.

Ahha.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the classical bitch of my class - Tanya Singh.

She crossed her hands in front of her chest and her eyes immediately went to my left hand, which was still held by Maahi.

Her eyes narrowed infinitesimally and then she looked at me and faked a smile. I could tell that it was fake as she wasn't capable of giving a true smile.

"So, it's true then?" She cocked her head sideways.

"What?"

"That you are engaged to Arjun Singhania?" Her eyes glittered with something when she said Arjun's name.

How did she know?

Well, the news was everywhere. Eventually, everyone knew.

"Yeah, so?" I asked a little rudely. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her. The fact that I hated her with passion was cherry on the top.

"What did you do?" She asked, confusion marring her face.

"Excuse me?"

"Arjun Singhania is the richest bachelor in Delhi. Smart, intelligent and handsome. So, why would he choose a girl like you?" She spat with disgust. "How did you manage to charm him? What did you do, apart from acting like a slut?"

Wait a second.

That bitch called me a slut?

My anger flared up and I looked at her menacingly.

She's gonna regret it.

Just as I was about to retort with a very good comeback that I had conjured up in a record time of 3.6 seconds, Maahi stepped forward.

Uh-oh.

"What did you say, bitch?" Maahi narrowed her eyes at Tanya.

Shit's about to get real.

One thing you should know about Maahi is that she's very protective of her friends. She cannot stand someone insulting them.

"Hold my bag." Handing her bag to Saumya, Maahi marched forward towards Tanya and glared at her while the rest of us exchanged wide-eyed glances.

"Now, listen here you motherfucker." Maahi started and Tanya looked shocked at her sudden outburst.

The show has just begun.

"Why don't you take this shit and stick it up your ass cause that's exactly where it belongs." Maahi propped one of her hands on her waist.

Tanya looked ready to pee her pants (though she was wearing a skirt) and I actually felt sorry for her even though she didn't deserve it. But angry Maahi was very, very scary.

"And talking about what Arjun saw in her, well, she has every single quality that you lack so it's obvious that she's fucking perfect." Tanya's face had completely turned red due to embarrassment.

Serves her right.

I was very much able to fight for myself but who says no to a good show?

"Do you want to hear something more insulting or are you leaving?" Maahi cocked her head just the way Tanya did and I had to try very hard to stifle my laugh.

If she had been a cartoon character, smoke could be seen coming out of Tanya's ears. With an angry, twisted face, she sauntered off not before stomping her foot on the ground and we doubled over in laughter.

"T-that.. was grr-eat." Nandini gasped and I nodded my head, clutching my stomach.

"I know." Maahi winked which was followed by another round of laughter and at that time, even if it was for a few minutes, I felt relaxed from all the drama happening in my life.