"Love the giver more than the gift"
- Brigham Young

CHAPTER 12

Abir knocked on Anya's door and entered upon her answer.

Anya (surprised) : Abir!

Abir : Anya, I brought you something.

Anya : You did? For me?

Abir sat down on the sofa and handed out a gift-wrapped box to her. She took it silently, sat down and opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw the delicate diamond and ruby necklace inside the box.

Anya : This..

Abir : I got this for you.

Anya : But it must be terribly expensive. I can't accept this. It.. It wouldn't be right.

Arjun : Of course, it would be.

Abir and Anya swung around to see Arjun stand at the entrance, a smile on his lips.

Anya : But...

Abir : Whether we knew it or not, whether we understand it or not, we are siblings, Are we not?

Arjun : And as your brother, Abir and I can give you presents. As for you thinking it being too expensive, remember we have twenty years of birthday gifts that we owe you.

Abir nodded.

Abir : That's right. I thought this would be perfect for your entrance into the Elite.

Arjun : Not that these jewels can compare to your beauty, but they are exquisite.

Anya chuckled and smiled.

Anya : Thank you. They are lovely and I love them.

Abir nodded gently and walked out of the room. Arjun shook his head exasperated.

Arjun (thinking) : When will he learn that distance is not always the answer?

Anya : Did you tell him to buy this for me?

Arjun looked at his sister, an enigmatic smile on his lips.

Arjun : Abir bought these for you himself. He, He's just being Abir. Everyone thinks that he doesn't love anyone but himself. That he thinks about no one but himself. But that is not true. He loves me, He loved our father. Even you have managed to create a place for you in his heart. But... He chooses to hide it because he thinks he won't be hurt then.

Anya : Funny how our mother's sins have reaped on us, Isn't it?

Arjun : Our mother's sins are hers and hers alone. We may be influenced by the memories, but I refuse it to rule my heart and mind.

He came forward and placed a soft yet firm hand on Anya's cheek.

Arjun : Both you and Abir have to let go of her.

Before Anya could say anything, Arjun walked out to find Abir waiting for him in the staircase.

Arjun : Abir!

Abir : That woman doesn't control my heart.

Arjun : Perhaps not. But she does control your mind. You compare everyone to her. You compare everyone to our father. You ran from your sister's room as though you were afraid she would bite. You choose to keep your distance from Anya even though I know you will do anything to keep her safe and happy.

Abir scowled.

Abir : Who are you, My therapist?

Arjun chuckled.

Arjun : If only. But you forget, We are twins. I may not believe in love and its romantic notions, but I do believe in happiness. I believe in optimism. You are too jaded.

Abir gave one last scowl then turned and walked upstairs to his room. As he closed the door, He remembered Mishti clinging to the wall even as she desired his kiss.

The thought made him smile. He remembered her hands around his shoulders as they had kissed. They had been so soft, so gentle, yet filled with strength.

He thought of her and her opinion on love, then thought of Anya and Arjun.

Abir : They are all wrong. Affection and desire are the most a person should feel for another.

He looked at his piano ignoring the second jewelry bag on the desk.

Abir (thinking) : I should go and return that before anyone else finds out.

Then he began tapping the keys on his piano and was soon lost in his musical world.

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FEW DAYS LATER

Mishti stood beside the door at the Vallabhai Patel Concert Hall waiting for the Rajvanshs and Anya. Kunal's family, Kuhu, Naksh and her mother were already seated in their respective seats at the front of the room, A position of great honour anywhere.

Tonight was to be Anya's official entry in the Elite world. Mishti didn't want Anya to be seen first in a party or dance as she would be more subject to gossip and scrutiny.

By asking Anya and the rest of the Rajvansh family to sit with them during tonight's performance, Everyone would realise that Anya had three members of the Elite's support and approval of her, making her less of a scandal in their world.

Mishti noticed Anya entering along with her brothers and smiled, satisfied. She could see many of the Under-Elite and Elite look at her curiously and intently.

If the attention were any indication, Italian or no, daughter of a disreputable woman or no, Anya would make a remarkable debut.

Anya (happily) : Mishti!

She came forward for a hug and Mishti obliged.

Mishti : You look very pretty, Anya.

Anya : As do you, and you too Kuhu.

Mishti noticed Anya wearing the diamond and ruby set and her heart skipped a beat. Had Abir given this to her? Abir didn't have anyone else to give the jewelry set anyways. He had told her himself that he would not do anything to jeopardise Anya's entrance into the Elite.

Mishti (thinking) : It's alright. It's alright.

She watched as Anya behaved in an excellent manner with Kunal's family, then with Mishti's. She noticed Kunal's father looking at Anya, a kind smile on his face and knew that they liked Anya.

Suddenly her gaze met Abir's who was standing in the side after greeting everyone. She inhaled sharply as their gazes collided, trapped by his glittering cat eyes, intent and unreadable. He tipped his head, almost imperceptibly. She understood the meaning implicitly.

Thank you.

She mirrored the action and then urged everyone to sit. They sat and Mishti realised that Abir was going to sit next to her.

Mishti (shocked) : You're sitting here? Why not with our brothers?

Abir (smiling wryly) : Wow, I feel welcome. If you notice, Miss Singhania, There is no space there and I don't feel like standing all evening, so yes, I am going to sit next to you.

Mishti nodded, unable to meet his face, then looked on proudly as her sister introduced Anya to Mr and Mrs Saigal, Elite number 9. By their pleased look, she knew Anya was a hit there as well.

Abir : You look proud of yourself.

A flutter of excitement coursed through her at the rich, amused voice so close to her ear. With shining eyes, Mishti turned and beamed at Abir.

Mishti : Ofcourse I am. Anya is doing really well. She's behaving perfectly, Don't you think?

Abir nodded and looked at his sister.

Abir : She is becoming a true Elite. Thanks to you.

Mishti nodded her head once more in silent gratitude. She stared forward at the empty stage where the drama would soon begin.

Mishti : Do you enjoy watching plays?

Abir : Not really, no.

Mishti : I was told that this play is an excellent one. The main female protagonist is said to be the best actor ever. I forgot her name, Do you remember, by any chance?

Abir : Natasha Sen.

The words washed over her. Natasha. Understanding dawned.

Natasha! I can't believe you actually decided to come here. Have you no sense? I meant what I said and I said that we are done.

Mishti remembered those words and realised that Natasha Sen was no one other than Abir Rajvansh's ex-lover. His ex-girlfriend.

She looked up at him, meeting his calm, unreadable gaze.

Mishti : Oh!

He did not reply, but she knew that he knew that she knew who Natasha was. Cheeks crimson, she looked anywhere else but at him, trying to see how she could escape. Failing to find any other seat, she sighed and turned to Abir's ever amused eyes.

Abir : No place to escape?

He was infuriating.

Luckily, she was saved from having to respond by the rising curtain. She turned her attention resolutely to the stage, willing herself to stop thinking of Abir.

Of course, that was impossible, particularly when the play began in earnest, and Natasha Sen appeared. She was gorgeous with her silky hair and huge expressive eyes. She played her part of a struggling woman in love with ease. But all Mishti could see was the glamorous woman in Abir's arms. She could not shake the vision of his hands on her pale, flawless skin and could not staunch the vicious envy that burned deep within as she cataloged the actress's remarkable attributes against her own.

She looked covertly at Abir. He didn't seem to be concentrating only on Natasha but all that could be an act. After all, He had to be discreet now.

Mishti caught Natasha trying to gain attention from Abir, even though she was on stage. All her dialogues and expression seemed to be for him. Mishti blinked to see if she was hallucinating, but then her suspicion changed into confirmation. Natasha was trying to get Abir's attention.

Mishti's hands clenched into fists. She officially hated all plays now. As the curtain fell for a short interval, She wondered how she could return home without arousing anyone'es suspicions. Anya's laugh reminded her that she had successfully performed her duty that night and now, in all probability, she could leave.

She got up to whisper her excuse of a headache to her mother, when a young man came up to Abir and handed him a note. Abir opened the note and Mishti could make out the words:

LET'S MEET NOW, DARLING - N

Abir and Natasha were still dating.

Mishti let out a choked gasp in horror, before masking it as a cough. Her mind reeled. She shouldn't be surprised, of course. She should not be thinking of the other evening—of the betrothal party, of their encounter in the night. She should not be wondering why, if he was involved with Natasha, he had thought to kiss her.

But, of course, she did wonder.

And what of his sister? Surely he wouldn't accept the invitation. Not tonight, of all nights. It was Anya's first night in society!

Sadness and outrage warred within her for quite a while but when Abir abruptly left muttering an inaudible excuse, outrage won.

Mishti got up and told her brother that she would be back in a while. His sharp eyes noticing Abir's absence, he came forward and whispered.

Naksh : Be careful, Rhea.

Mishti : I will.

She would not allow him to ruin his sister's first night out. Not after all that Anya had done to ensure its success. Not after all that Mishti herself had done to ensure its success. Not to mention the others, who had also cast their support for his sister.

How dare he risk it all? And for what?

Her anger rose. She squared her shoulders. Someone had to think of Anya.

She left the room, her mind whirling. Could Abir be so bold to go and meet his girlfriend when all the Elite were in the next room?

Turning right into the front hall, She noticed him walking fast towards the actors' rooms and she cried out, asking him to stop. Abir froze, casting a disbelieving look at the empty hall, where she was hurrying to catch him. Once he registered her purpose, his obvious disbelief turned to fury, and he retraced his steps until he was face-to-face with her.

Before she had a chance to speak, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a darkened corridor.

Abir : Have you completely lost your mind?

Mishti looked at him, irritated at having been pushed into a uncomfortable place by him.

Mishti : I should be asking you that. What's wrong with you, Mr Rajvansh? Don't you know that you could be hurting Anya's reputation by going and meeting your...

Abir (his voice laced with anger) : My?

Mishti : Your girlfriend, lover. Whatever you want to call her.

Abir : My sister's reputation? What about yours? You think no one saw you leave just after I did? Especially when we had been sitting together for the entire first half.

Mishti (angrily) : I can take care of myself, Mr Rajvansh. I have many excuses. Unfortunately you do not. If you go and meet Natasha, your lover, you will hurt Anya and her chances of being accepted by the Elite. You really don't care about her, Do you? Do you care about anything other than yourself?

Abir shut his eyes and clenched his fists at his sides. He opened his eyes, forcing himself to keep an even face and took a step forward.

Abir : You should not meet my sister anymore. She will not learn anything useful from you. If you do not care about your own reputation, why would you care about hers? Stay away from her. You're too much of a risk to her.

Mishti's eyes widened in shock. She walked forward and pointed a finger right at his nose.

Mishti : I... I am a risk? What about you? Meeting with your paramour when the Elite is just outside the bedroom door. You are the flirt, the one who keeps consorting with the ladies. I refuse to listen to you. I shall continue to see your sister. I will not be told what to do by a playboy....

He lost his temper then, capturing her hand, wagging finger and all, in his own and using it to pull her against him.

Abir : If I am to be labeled as a playboy, I may as well prove you right.

And, with that, he kissed her. Mishti tried to get loose. She fought him but he had her in a tight grip. All her jerky movements only made him grip her tightly each time. Abir caught her hands and placed an arm around her waist and lifted her off the floor.

Abir supported Mishti by placing her against the wall, but he did not stop kissing her. He teased her tight lips, urging them to open. Finally Mishti stopped resisting and with a triumphant grunt, Abir kissed her more deeply.

Unable to hold on to anything, her legs in mid-air, Mishti tried to match Abir's ruthless yet seductive kiss. She refused to surrender. At last, Abir's lips gentled, caressing hers as his tongue stroked along the soft, sensitive skin of her lower lip, ending the kiss infinitely more gently than it had begun.

The caress wrung a little sigh from Mishti, and Abir smiled at the sound, pressing a final, soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. He pulled back a fraction of an inch, and their gazes collided.

There was no sound in the corridor save their labored breathing—reminding them both of the intensity of the argument that had preceded the kiss.

Abir smiled arrogantly at Mishti, feeling victorious.

Mishti's outrage grew anew. She pushed Abir away from her.

Mishti : I am not like your Natasha or your Laila or any of the other women you might have known over the years. I will not accept this type of behaviour meekly. You had better remember that.

Abir raised his eyebrow in a mocking style and smirked.

Abir : Yet, you enjoyed it a lot. Maybe you are like one of " My women".

Of her own volition, Mishti's hand moved to land on Abir's cheek. She knew she should not, yet she was not able to stop her hand. When Abir caught her hand in a tight grip, Mishti met Abir's eyes and registered the anger in them.

She had exceeded her limits and she knew it. She struggled to free her hand, only to discover his hold was thoroughly unyielding.

He twisted her hand and she turned, her back colliding with his chest.

Abir : Miss Singhania?

Mishti : I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...

Abir : Yet you did.

Mishti tried to move away again, but she was trapped by her own desire and his hand holding hers.

Mishti : I didn't mean to.

Abir whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

Abir : You know you meant to strike me. Do not lie to me... Or to yourself. If you plan to make a habit of acting without care of the consequences, I would recommend taking ownership of those actions. Have that courage at least.

He paused, waiting for her to respond. When she didn't, he shook his head and let her go. Mishti backed up against the wall, trying to calm down.

Abir (softly) : I never thought you were a coward.

His words registered in her brain and a fresh wave of anger enveloped her.

Mishti : STAY. AWAY. FROM. ME. Do you get it?

She ran from the corridor towards the hall while Abir watched her go, his face completely in a poker face expression.

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