chapter : 04
soft greetings

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n o o r
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"I feel like a Red Panda." I shriek out as I look at the guests gawking in our direction. Kabir— yes, I only address him as sir when I am talking to him otherwise he is called by the other colourful names I have allotted to him. He had listed off my duties for tonight as his pretend partner.

"What!?" His eyes widen at my comparison, his steps faltering a bit before he regains his composed state. His fingers brush against my exposed waist, and I feel my breath halting in my throat.

We had parked the car and taken a walk to the entrance, his hand had snaked to my lower back then, as a gesture. He was careful with his contact, respectful but even those small brushes against my skin were strong enough to make a shiver run down my spine.

"Like how spectators in a zoo get excited when they see a panda, and more so if it's a red one? That way. I can feel the burn of their gazes, charring to the core of my soul." I exclaim, whispering my observations to my uninterested boss who is smiling at everyone.

"Snob."

"Behave."

"Should I kneel down, sir?" I give him a side-eye. Looking caught off guard by my statement, he opens his mouth clearly to berate me for my language when he stops. His eyes widen and narrow in accord, and the grip around my waist tightens, pulling me towards him.

"What are you doing, sir?" I murmur under my breath, our bodies so close.

"Kabir."

"Call me Kabir." He explains once I give him a confused expression. Before I can ask more questions, a new voice interrupts our conversation.

In the car, Kabir apologised for using Sana's card to blackmail.

'By the way...'

'Hmm?'

'I am sorry.'

'You finally realised that you trouble me?'

'Noor..'

'Okay go ahead.'

'I am sorry for using Sana to blackmail you. That was my only resort. I had no other option, I needed you to be there with me.'

'But that was wrong.'

'I know. That's why. I am genuinely very sorry. I knew that the only way for you to agree is if it involved your friend.'

'If you ever pull that stunt again—'

'It won't. And don't forget I am still your boss, drop that tone when you speak to me.'

I swerve around slightly with the man holding me, coming back to reality. We move around to face an older man, whose features resemble Kabir's.

"There you both are." His voice is heavier but weak, looking at us, calm and poised. He has a soft smile playing, comforting and yet reserved. He stands straight even when he is clearly over seventy.

I understand why my boss is so poised and careful about his manners every time, the reason stands before us.

It's not foreign to me to behave like a doll, to act poised and calm. To act like I'm an artefact, one who is labelled the highest price in a shop. One who has the pedestrians gawking at them, one who is wanted by all but far from their reach.

It's like my second skin, one I hate donning. I detest acting so prissy and demure. But I don't have an option, I am here for a job.

Just this last time.

"Good evening, Mr Sood." I don't even recognise the tone of my voice, it sounds sweet and noble. I smile at him, not too much to scream desperate but not too less even.

"Good evening, dear." He avoids a pause, his eyes not leaving our stature. He waits for me to fill the gap he didn't leave. I know I shouldn't speak, but I am confident that Kabir would do the needful.

"Pa, she's Noor, my girlfriend." I am introduced.

I haven't ever met his grandfather personally, he had come to some meetings which I weren't a part of but I have heard Kabir talking to him on call. It's uncanny to see how detached and professional they seem on the outside while their calls haven't sounded so stiff but were never warm too.

It makes me question the bond they share, they both genuinely care for each other but they are too uptight with their status.

"I see. Noor, beautiful name."

"Thank you."

"How did you two meet?" It's a rapid-fire I was being prepared for. His grandfather walks closer to us, the waiter nearby handing us our drinks. I choose a soft drink while they both choose flutes of champagne.

Gross.

"It was a blind date arranged by Jay." Kabir's answers are short and complete. Crisp to the point, I resist the urge to yawn loudly. The atmosphere is too dull, the people around are decked up, it's a garden area and still, it sounds as if I am in a silent club wearing noise-cancelling headphones.

"I see. It's nice to finally meet the woman who has entranced my child." It's a statement uttered in good faith but I can see the curiousness swimming in his eyes.

He's a man of power, he demands respect when he enters the room, I am certain he had certain expectations about Kabir's girlfriend.

Kabir and his grandfather busy themselves talking and I take a look around. People are hushed, talking softly, pretending their one loud word would splinter their social statuses.

All this feels too suffocating, I feel breathless, hating the fake exaggeration by the rich. I politely interrupt their discussion, excusing myself to the restroom.

It's located inside the home, a bungalow that screams wealth. The decor and the furnishings are top-notch. The house is so eerily quiet and smells like a floral bouquet.

I am alone in the powder room, standing before the mirror I stare at my reflection. Looking at the version of myself, I had promised to never return to. It seems fake, and not me, never me.

I am not against dressing up, but the act of dressing up to please people, that bothers me. Has always. I splash some water on my face, and wipe the droplets using tissues, thanking my choice of waterproof makeup.

I head outside on the lawn when I notice Kabir and his grandfather talking to a family. A group of seven, all stiff and regal. Their clothes are sophisticated to the point of nonsense and decked up with minimal jewellery that manages to shun others with its cost. Even the younger ones stand listening to the conversations between the elders.

I decide I can't go there, I can't show up in a place where I'll feel left out. I don't want to indulge in any conversations with them.

I turn around, ready to bolt back to the washroom when I can discern eyes on me. My dorsal aspect is facing them, my eyes closed at the prospect of this happening.

"Here she is. Noor. That's my Kabir's girlfriend."

This is going to end so badly.

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thank you!

fun fact: Arsenic poisoning can leave transverse opaque lines on your nails- Mee's lines.

Hi. I hope you are all doing well. Here goes the third chapter.

I know this book's new and not many readers are reading it, but to those who are, it would me the world for me if you could share your reviews with me.

it would help me correct the places i am going wrong and boost my confidence as I write the following chapters.

i might not be new here, but i would still urge you all to share the book around.

thank you!

do vote and comment.

royally yours,
meethi.