-• hide and seek •-

Happy Holi ✨

I ignore the call.

I had many instances in the past to do this, ignore his existence that is, but being the fool that I'm, it took me a deception, false information, fake concern, and thousands of lies to understand that. But better late than never, I guess.

My phone rings again but a knock on the door distracts me. I press on the power button, silencing the call and open the door. Agastya stands on the other side, a bruise on the corner of his lips. I fly into a panic mode and step closer, my hand reaching out to touch the cut. Big mistake. He winces aloud, recoiling away from me.

"I'm sorry," I apologise. "Who did it? Yuvraaj Bhai?"

Agastya shakes his head. "He's not really a type of man to use his fist."

I inhale a deep breath, hoping it brings some patience along with it. "Yuvaan Bhai is getting on my nerves now." I try to walk past him. He grabs my forearm, causing me to look at him over my shoulder.

He sighs. "It's not worth it. And he's got it worse than me." He shrugs cockily.

I click my tongue exasperatedly but stop myself from going over and swearing at my elder brother. Instead, I decide to treat the wounds on Agastya's face. It's like I'm his appointed, unpaid nurse, always taking care of his bruises when he returns home after a fight at school.

"Sit here," I make him sit on the edge of my bed and head to the bathroom for the first aid box. Upon coming back, I find him trying to solve the rubix cube. "I don't think you're solving it in this lifetime." I taunt him. He chuckles, tossing the cube over his shoulders before interlacing his hands between his knees, waiting patiently while I pull over the desk chair and settle before him. "Who started it?"

He shrugs. "Both of us?"

"Or he said something that hurt you so you used your fist to retaliate?" I offer.

"Something like that." He nods reluctantly, hissing when I dab the disinfectant on his cut.

I drop my arm to my lap in annoyance. "How old is he again? Because he doesn't act like he's twenty." I snort, sorting through the ointments for the one suitable for his injuries. I pick one and open the tube, squeezing out a little on my index finger before I apply it on the cut at the corner of his lips.

The phone in my pocket rings and I clench my jaw. Fishing it out, I make sure the screen is out of his sight before I put the device on vibration mode and shove it back in my pocket.

The skin on his knuckles is torn apart in scratches and cuts. I apply a thin layer of ointment on there as well before spraying his bruises with the pain relief spray and patching them up.

"You guys should stop this. What if one day you hit either one's vital point?" I ask rhetorically as I pack up the first aid box.

"We make sure we're not hitting the vital points."

I roll my eyes. "You two need help." I shake my head and return the first aid box to where it belongs in the bathroom. Just as I close the door, my phone vibrates again.

"It's been ringing for a while. Why aren't you answering?" He raises a brow in my direction. I know he's starting to think it's suspicious.

"It's Arush. He's asking me for some history notes that I made for self study. If he needs them so bad, he'll come ask them personally." I bulk up a lie effortlessly. Can anyone tell there was a time I couldn't lie to save my life? I guess, strict families do produce perfect liars.

Agastya buys my lie immediately. "I should go to my room now. You guys still have one exam pending, yeah?"

I nod, watching him walk to the door before he turns to look at me. "I can drive you three to the exam center. I won't be able to pick you up though since I've to be at the field for practice. Would you be able to wait until six?"

"My exam finishes at two." I deadpan.

"Right. The wait will be long." He understands. "Alright, let's trust your bodyguard again, then."

I blink at him in reassurance.

"Good night."

"Good night." I walk up to the door to close it after him.

My phone starts vibrating right at that moment. I release a tired breath and fish the device out, grimacing at the thought of the caller. His name sends out a thousand warning signs in my head, crushing the primal urge I feel to give him benefit of doubt.

There's no point in listening to his side, or give him a chance to explain himself. We don't owe each other anything. He used me, I stupidly let him, and now I need to chalk up a line of difference between us.

What was I expecting anyway? That he's my soulmate? Bullshit. He's comfortable in the dark, and I find it scary. We're from two different worlds, and his is powerful enough to tilt mine. I can't turn everything upside down in my world to fill up his. How would I be any different from those girls I used to pity then?

I toss the phone on the desk and sit down to study for my exams. I've wasted quiet a lot of time mulling about nonsense stuff. I need to learn how to be happy going about my mundane lifestyle.

Thirty minutes into study and my phone vibrates again, this time for a brief moment, notifying me of the recent message. I swallow audibly, almost physically stopping my hand from reaching out to check the text.

"No, Taranya, ignore it." I tell myself.

Just a glance.

"Don't be so weak willed, Tara." I scold.

I can leave him on seen?

That gets me thinking. "I can, right? And if I do that, he'll also realise I'm blatantly ignoring him. Then he won't bother me anymore!"

My hand is quicker than my head as it immediately reaches out to pick the phone. I unlock the device and check through the new notifications.

Rudra: Are you ignoring me?

There, I satiated my curiosity. Now I can concentrate on my studies. I flip over the phone and look down at my books. Not a minute pass and the fucking phone buzzes again. I channel my inner voice to read the paragraph in the textbook but then my hand betrays and I'm checking through my phone once again.

Rudra: You are.

I leave him on the seen, and duck my head low, but this time I just pretend to read. Not a word makes sense to me, my entire attention on the phone as I wait for it to make another noise.

And when it does, my hand is flying to pick it up.

Rudra: You know what's my biggest pet peeve? Being ignored.

I scoff out aloud at his audacious response. Rolling my eyes, I put the phone down and recline back on my chair, my arms crossed on my chest.

Another text comes.

Rudra: I think you're doing this intentionally. You want me to come to you, don't you?

"You give yourself too much credit." Is my response to his text, of course, it's just for my ears. I'm not giving him the satisfaction of breaking my tough posture.

Rudra: Alright, Princess. Let's play a game.

"What game?" I whisper to myself.

Rudra: Hide and Seek.

My brows furrow in confusion.

Rudra: Let me introduce the rules to you.

I lean back relaxed, slightly entertained by his inherently dangerous attitude.

Rudra: For a change, screw the rules.

I chuckle. That was so like him.

Another text pops up.

Rudra: If I catch you in next twenty four hours, I get a reward.

I roll my eyes.

Rudra: And if I don't, I'll never see you again. It's a promise.

My breath hitches in my throat. "Good riddance, I guess." I throw the phone in the pile of my books. "I can't wait to go back to my normal, non-problematic, ordinary life."

After that, I stuff my face in the books until my spine can no longer keep me straight. At the break of dawn, I go for my usual run with Agastya, but the intense feeling of being watched lingers on my consciousness like a swinging sword. I know I'm being paranoid. It's not been more than twenty four hours that he got shot, he won't be walking around so fast.

Breakfast gets served in the room so I don't have any reason to step out for anything except checking on Ayush to squint my eyes at his study progress. I also switch off my phone, focusing entirely on cramming up the history notes. It's not that I've any friends here. Janet also has her exams starting soon and she might not look like it, but she's obsessed with getting good marks. I mean, if you've two doctor parents, it must be naturally in the genes.

Things become weird after dinner that night. I get held back by my father because he has something to give me, so I'm obliged to follow him to his room while my brothers return to theirs.

"What is it?" I ask impatiently. If I can get out of here before all the staff retrieve to their in-house rooms, I'll be able to make it back to my own without having to keep an eye over my shoulder.

"I saw this dress today on sale," he digs through different bags and produces one from the hoard. "Here," he forwards it to me.

"Oh, thank you. Good night!" I chirp and turn around to leave.

"Wait." He stops me.

I force myself to face him again. "Yes?"

"You're going to leave?" I nod. "Just like that?"

I frown.

"Try the dress. Let me see how it looks on you. I believe you already know the way to the bathroom." He sits down on the couch.

"Can't we do this sometime later?" I request him.

"No. Show me now. Go go go!" He waves me off violently.

I agree unwillingly.

Closing the door of the bathroom, I unpack the faded pink box, removing the frills and flimsy paper to reveal a beautiful white dress. I gasp in awe and take it out, my eyes widening in disbelief at what I see. The dress is perfect. It's a tea-lenth, so it falls a little below my knees. Has a sweetheart a-line neckline and ruched short sleeves. The soft material hugs me like corset around chest area and flows like a river from my waist down.

As I stand before the mirror, I find myself looking at a beautiful girl and I can't believe it's me. My fingers run across my dainty collarbones before I feel the shiny material of the dress under my skin as I lower my hand down my bust area and to the waist. It's glamourous and it's wild and it's still so fucking elegant.

I open the door so my father can see me.

His jaw drops at my sight. "Perfect, my little star."

I chuckle. "Thank you so much for this!"

He nods. "I bought it for your fresher's party."

I squeal and rush over to hug him. He gives me a deep belly laugh, patting my back fondly in love. I pull away from him and hand him my phone to take my pictures. We click so many of them, we even practice a little waltz because he thinks he deserves my first dance in this dress, and then he shows me what he bought for the twins since we three will be starting our eleventh grade at the same time. I end up losing the track of time and regret it as soon as I notice it's already eleven fifty five. My heart drops but I hear it speed up in my chest.

I've fucked up.

"It's late, dad. I should head to my room." I tell him softly.

He nods, busy putting the stuff away.

"I'll leave." I say and turn to open the door.

"You're not changing?"

I can't afford to waste my time. I've less than five minutes to make it to my room because in this fairytale Cinderella comes out once the clock strikes twelve.

"No, I'll just keep it on. I want to show it to my bestfriend."

He nods, wishing me goodnight. I open the door and close it gently behind me. My breath actually rushes to my throat and I exhale through my mouth. I clench my phone tightly in my hand, trying to stabilise my trembling limbs.

"It's okay." I hear myself say, words of encouragement whispered to my quivering soul before I let my feet take the first steps of bravery. My hands turn clammy out of anxiety.

I reach the staircase and hold the railing. The wood is freezing cold, it bites at my skin with icy teeth. My palm slides as I ascend the stairs, my eyes on the lookout for anything that moves and breathes.

The main lights of the palace goes out as soon as my feet touch the threshold of the first floor.

I glance at my wrist watch.

The display reads sharp midnight.

00:00

I continue climbing the stairs, my heart in my mouth, my courage crushing beneath each step I take. The dark feels ever so consuming, as though it has invisible hands throttling me right now.

I'm knocked out of breath when I see a shadow emerge from the dimly lit corridor of the second floor. He reveals himself, not a bend or dent in his posture given how hurt he was the last time I saw him. He leans against the wall, feet crossed, his body covered in black, from that tight leather jacket to those shiny black boots, a stark contrast to the marble flooring he stands on. He's night embodied, and his ebony eyes ghostly, like any moment they'll expand to consume the white.

I swallow thickly and stumble back, my hand holding the railing tightly.

Just as he lifts himself off the wall, I turn around and dash downstairs. Hearing the quick feet chase me, I make a prompt decision to seek refuge on the first floor.

I run with all my might, my hair an unruly open mess as I look over my shoulder, my gaze falling to his feet as he follows me casually. Because that's all I can see in the darkness, the reflection of the light on his black boots.

I regret wearing this dress. It exposes me like I'm put on a display for anyone to notice me from miles away. The shiny material sparkles like stars in the dark and half the time that I run, I'm just worrying my dress will give me away.

I think running twenty laps everyday has finally started to paid off. Because he has been tailing me for the last fifteen minutes and I haven't started panting like I've Asthma yet.

The first floor is a labyrinth of interconnected corridors. I've never dared to venture on this part of the palace. Specifically, because of the haunted stories roaming around regarding this floor. And it really suits the theme. The entire floor gives me creepy vibes.

Sometime later, I stop to take a breather. My hand clench the railing as I look down at the ground floor, then everywhere around before my eyes land across me, past the gaping hole between us. He stands leaning in, his arms bracing the wooden railing, half of his face covered with a mask.

I watch him take his phone out from his leather jacket and as expected, mine lets out a shrill sound that penetrates through the silence. I quickly answer the call and put the device to my ear.

He says only one word, "Run."

And I do.

I've no idea why I haven't screamed yet. Maybe because I know it's a game and I'm safe. Or maybe because my sick mind is enjoying this game of chase. I've never felt my adrenaline take charge before. And now that I know how it feels, I don't want to let go of the feeling.

Every room on this floor is locked, but the doors that surprisingly open, reveal another huge library. I gawk as I enter the humongous room doused in darkness. These people read books like they're addicted to it. Like one is to opium.

A thud echos and I swear under my breath, rushing to find a spot to hide. I duck under a desk in the reading lounge, holding a tight hand to muffle my loud breathing as black boots walk into my sight. They prance around, the soft carpet swallows the sound of his dominant footsteps, they walk back and forth in my sight, increasing the internal pressure that feels like I'll be crushed to death any second.

"I know you're here, Princess," he says gruffly, his breathy voice concealed because of the mask. "Your scent always leaves a trail behind." He chuckles, amused of my predicament.

I hug myself tightly, making sure not an inch of my shiny fabric reveals itself to him. Licking my dry lips, I hold in my breath, hoping he walks away to find me somewhere else.

"Do you like this, Princess?" He asks, and I hear the rhythmic tap of his fingers on the surface of the desk. It resonates throughout the library. "Do you like it when I chase you?"

No.

I know I'm lying. I'm pathetic.

This is the same guy who blackmailed me when we first met, probably had me commit a crime, then proceeded to use me at his convenience, played me like a chess piece and here I'm, playing hide and seek with him. Something's wrong with my head. But now that I'm here, I don't want to give up.

The surprised ringing of my phone has me jolting straight in pure shock. Before I can shut it off, he looks under the desk, "Gotcha!" I scream and scramble back, wiggling through the table legs to come out and book it blindly. I hear him laugh boisterously behind me.

I end up on the next floor between the high shelves, plastered to one of them as I keep glancing back and forth. My heart thuds louder each time I hear the littlest of noise, even if it's the wind howling like a rampant wolf outside.

"This is so fun, Princess," he comes to the second floor, confident and fearless, exactly opposite to what I'm feeling. "Is this really hide and seek anymore? Because I've already found you." He muses, sounding thoughtful. "All that's left is to catch you now." His voice drops even lower, as if he is chanting a series of words to summon something cynical and mysteriously powerful.

I slowly slide to my left upon noticing his shadow step into the moonlight streaming from the huge french windows. As he walks ahead, I hide myself in the row behind the one I was previously in.

"Can you hear me, Princess?" He knocks on one of the shelves. "Knock knock?"

I roll my eyes, the staircase directly in my sight, helping me form a quick plan to get away from this monster. It's easier to first reduce the gap between me and the stairs than blindly running for them. When I'm close, I slide to the front end of the shelf and peek out. There's at least ten feet distance between us. I'm aware of his agility and speed but he will have to be a vampire to catch up to me that fast. So I listen to my inner voice and take a leap of faith. I hear him whirl around just as my feet pound down the stairs.

I turn when I reach the ground floor. He's watching me from up there. I hold up my middle finger to him and spin around, hearing him laugh as I exit the library and try to find my way back to my room.

Without him breathing down on my neck, I find the staircase leading upstairs fairly easy.

A sigh of relief escapes me upon reaching the third floor. I walk up to the room and raise my hand to tap the card key only to realise it's not there.

"Fuck!" I look down at my hands. I only have phone on me.

Shit.

Did I forget it in Dad's room?

No. I remember holding it tightly in my hand.

Panic reels me helpless.

Did I lose it while running from him?

"Ugh!" I clutch my head tightly in anguish.

"Looking for this, Princess?" I spin on my heels hearing the familiar voice.

"How- What?" I feel paralysed.

He holds the key in the scissor of his first two fingers. "Caught you."

This is so fucking hot 😭

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