||Nandini||

"Never envisaged that you'd be my escape"

"This is Vishu, youngest son of Nayanar family" Radhika chechi (sister, she is Vishu's elder brother's wife) informs. "Take care of all his needs"

I nod at her words obediently, that is what I was to do. As the mistress instructs me on all that I should help him with, I can fuzzily see him smirking at the corner of my eye. What a jerk!

The moment I saw him at the temple, it occurred to me that, it wasn't the last I saw of him. It's absurd how much of a wayward can a guy from a prosperous family be.

Radhika Chechi (sister) turns to the jerk and talk gibberish which I am sure I'm not supposed to pay attention to. I scan the room to notate how much of a cleaning and arranging was to be done.

"So Nandini" I respond to the call by turning around.

He advances to me nonchalantly, I see a glint of risqué spread across his eyes. He smirks at me studying him fixedly. The warmth of his body soon encircles me. His intimate presence sends chills down my soul, it almost intimidates me.

He leans into me, halting right below my ear lobe, and whispers, rising up all the baby hair on my skin "Your first command of the day, take off my clothes"

I flush bright red. That betrayingly deep voice made me lose control of myself. My body tingled with untoward emotions. I am befuddled.

"What the-" I am cut off by his upsurging laughter.

Laughing hard, he almost lost his balance and had to lean against his bed frame to prevent himself from collapsing. I can feel the fervor of embarrassment rush in. He mocked me, and I fell for it. How dare he!

"You should've seen your face" he can't sway his tee-hee, I hope that laugh is the end of him.

Oh, Krishna (Hindu god) the things I'd do to be the one to terminate him. Furiousness embraces me as I walk out of the jerk's room.

There was no end to his humiliation, at lunchtime as I served him food, he kept tugging his shirt taunting me with his uncontrollably exasperating smirks.

The more I see him, the more riled up I get. One more reason to add to my loathing of this family. I'd run away if I got a chance. It's unjust that I've to continue here cause my Amma (mother) worked here as a servant, though she's long gone. Dang the varna (caste) occupational order (Varna system prevailed in the early 90s century, though it is still practiced in society, according to it one occupation was determined by their varna; caste). And it's not like I've a choice, opportunities for girls like me are fewer, especially without an English education.

Distracting myself engaging in washing the dishes till I tire was the only way to get rid of the thought that I've more issues to get a grip on. It's what I've always done to halt my aggravating sentiments.

There was no end to it, sometimes it would be Karnavar (elderly) Nayanar denying my request to be educated in English or to say of the present: treating the young master, Vishu.

I accommodate myself in the steps of tharavadu kulam (a laterite paved pool, it's where people used to take baths, located inside the house). Reading translated novels was my escape from reality. It showed how life was outside the norms and customs. Before I could even complete the first sentence of my novel. I hear footsteps proceeding in my direction. He discovered my haven.

"Hey servant girl" he pronounced. "I have been searching for you all around, sweetheart"

"What is that you want young master Vishu" I retort, emphasising my derision in the last three words. "Want me to help you take a shower?"

He smirks "Wouldn't mind it"

I abruptly avert my face, he is infuriating me again. "I would"

"Well you'll have to cope with that" he deadpanned. "Apply this Velichenna (coconut oil) into my hair"

I leer at the yenna (oil) bottle he extended toward me. What all ill-suited things should I do to survive in this illam (house), oh Krishna? (Hindu god)

He seats himself a step below me and stretch his head towards my lap. Ah! I sure will pluck out his hair in the process of applying oil.

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Thank you so much for reading and for all the votes you all gave for the last chapter.

Please do vote and comment on this chapter as well.

- Love Chigi