AUTHOR

"Do I look beautiful?" A trembling voice echoed in a dark room, a feminine voice.

"Do. I. Look. Beautiful?" The tone changed with a threatening menace. She asked again.

"You wont say anything?" She lowered her voice. The man in front of her in the wheel chair, trembled, but couldn't speak due to his paralysis.

She walked to him, and kneel in front of him. Looking up at him, with tears in her eyes, and something dark that he wasn't able to guess.

The only dim light of small lamp in that room, giving their faces a glow. They both watch eachother.

He wants to speak the died words. She wants to understand that unspoken emotions.

"I have never been your choice..... isn't it?" She asked, that was a question, a threat, a danger.

The man on wheel chair trembled, but his eyes still finding some warmth in hers. His body is still, unmoved but heart shattered as he saw distrust, hurt, pain and hate in her eyes. Years of emotions which was silenced forcefully.

"Never? Never right? Every thing was just out of pity?" She accused. Her words piercing both of their hearts.

She stood up, wiping the unshead tears roughly from her cheeks with the back of her palm and looking down at him.

Her eyes- blank; an empty shell like. As if someone snatched the life from there. She let out a sigh, her eyes never living her face.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ravenwood. You are gonna meet your family soon." She whispered with a smirk on her face.

"And that girl, Rini Sehegal. She will be dead soon and you won't be able to say Ethan, anything." Her words sent a shiver down his spine.

He can listen, feel, understand but can't express, move, or say.

This is his punishment, his destiny. To watch, witness the death game yet unable to say or save this own ones.

He is John Ravenwood. Ethan Ravenwood's grandfather.

～☯～

RINI

I stay laid on my bed, my whole body trembling slightly under the blanket.

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I can't sleep, it's 3 A.M. now. But sleep, doesn't holding my eyes.

How could I sleep? I can't tell anyone what's happening with me. I can't risk others life.

Two days, I have only two days to save myself from this unwanted fuss. I rolled myself, now laying on my back, facing the ceiling.

The white ceiling, playing with my mind, creating uninvited images- of him.

All I could see, is him- Ethan Ravenwood.

No, I don't want to think about him. I hate him.

But why then all I could imagine his face? Why it looks so familiar yet unknown? Why does he speaks to me like he knows me since too long?

Why my heart fluttered when he kissed my forehead?

That kiss like cured the fear somehow a little.

He is beautiful, attractive. No, not just attractive. He looks majestic. Beyond words.

His personality speaks; gentle, respectfull yet dominant. The combination every girl desires for.

Those tattoos, baby-blue eyes. That freaking voice. And they way he lifted me up and carried me in here, in bedroom.

My stomach flutters as my mind replays the past hours.

I don't know when I stopped crying while thinking about him.

Will he come again?

With that I closed my eyes and drifted off.

～☯～

Fifteen- twenty minutes later, woke up with a knock at my door. I blink few times to check my phone. It's 3:25 A.M. now.

I sit up. Who could be at this hour? But suddenly, the thought of him hit my mind.

Him? Again? Why again? Is he came here to take me with him?

Then, I remember.
No, he won't knock.

I snapped out of my thoughts. Who could be at this hour? I climbed off the bed and walked out of my room.

Reached the main door, I unlocked and opened it to see.

It's Saksham. Him? At this hour? Without him asking for, I step aside to let him in. As soon as he entered.

I closed the door. We both sat on couch. I watch him. He is continuously staring to the view accross him.

"What happened? You look tensed." I asked breaking the silence.

He didn't answer, he stayed silent. Seconds ticked by, as he slowly turned his face to the left, to face me.

I felt a pang in my heart, because my best friend is in the verge of tears. I scoot little closer. Placing a hand of mine on his shoulder.

"Bro, what happene-"

"She is .....hurt." He cut me off, his voice hoarse, painfull.

"It's too painfull, Rini. To just watch and couldn't give comfort." His voice hoarse. I know whom he is talking about.

It's Reeddhi, Reeddhi Sen. A secret, mystery. His lifeline.

"Explain me.....what exactly happened?" I managed to say. His eyes turned back to stare nothing, in front of him.

"She.....she is hurt because...." Saksham begun.

～☯～

As the thin rays peeked through the curtains, I wake up slowly.

My eyes flutter open. I lay there, quietly, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with the reminders of recent events.

Last night, how Saksham almost broke down, his words. My bestfriend was so hurt. I didn't ask him, but usually he disscus about Reeddhi with Kabir. Why last night he shared with me? Wasn't kabir there? Did something happened between them?
No, no, it shouldn't be. God knows.

And then, my mind remainded me, of him- Ethan.

My heartbeat slightly picked up a speed as I remember his touch, words and that- kiss.

Though it wasn't an actual kiss, just on my forehead. But still, it effected me more than I want to accept. His face flashed infront of my eyes as I stared at the ceiling.

Why he felt so familiar? Why I couldn't resist his touch? Why even I had let him? First in college and then last night. Why? I didn't feel unsafe.

He felt safe. Even though if he's not.

My phone beside my head suddenly rang. I snapped out of my thoughts. Is it him?

I take my phone, holding it above my face. It's him- Ethan.

Unsure what to do next. Should I answer? Or don't? I bit my bottom lip. My mind raced with thoughts. But taking a deep breath.

I swiped my thumb on the responsing joystick- Declined.

Within one second, he's calling again. I declined it again. What he'll do?

My phone rang again and I declined again, setting my phone back beside my head.

I won't answer! What does he think of himself? Sneaking in my apartment like a thief, then pinning, blackmailing, manipulating me like a psychopath.

My phone rang again after seconds. Frustrated, I take the phone, answering without glancing the Caller ID, because I know it's him. And now I'll give him a correct answer. I hold the phone to my ear.

"What the fuck you want? Huh? You think you can call me? Disturb be? And I'll just be quiet? Get that in your mi-"

"Rini, it's me." The heavy voice suddenly hit me cutting me off. It's papa. What the fuck I have done? I bit my bottom lip.

"Papa....so-sorry... actually I....was..." I trailed off.

"I thought.... it's kabir." I blurt his name, he hummed in response. I couldn't gauge his tone.

"You know, you are my- empitome. As long as I'm breathing, no one can hurt you." He said, calmly, as if he knows that I'm stressed or I needed to hear that.

Tears pricking the corner of my eyes. I want to tell him everything. But I couldn't, not yet. His one reassurance, one sentence, one declaration made me feel- safe even from miles away.

"I love you, Papa." I said.

"I love you too, ma." He said, I feel so good, when he calls me 'ma'. That isn't only nickname. He means that. My papa means that.

Wipping tears with the back of my palm. I say.

"Papa...how are you? And everyone? Ma? Sonia? Rudra? How you all are?" I asked, trying to sound composed.

"We all are....fine, ma. Your ma, Sonia, Rudra. Every one is ....well, but we all miss you as hell..." He said, reassuring me.

"What about you? You are okay? My baccha, you are eating properly, having proper sleep?" He asked, in a different tone- worried.

"I'm... okay papa, and I too miss you all everyday, every second...." I pause.

"Even though Aishi, Kabir, Saksham are here, they are my backbone here. Yet, I miss you all." I mumbled. He chuckled in response.

"Yeah princess....we miss you too. And honestly, kabir and Saksham are my only support there. I'm relaxed because they are there with you." He said, sighing.

We talked for hours, it's almost 11:00 A.M. now. We have been talking since 8:00 A.M. Three Hours.

"I have heard the university is sealed. I know the whole case, kabir told me.." He said, suddenly. His voice turning serious.

I cursed under my breath. This kabir. He is a 'Narad Muni'. He can't live without spreading news.

Now that papa knows, that university is sealed, I'll be in apartment mostly, free for a check up. Papa or ma or my siblings will call frequently.

I wouldn't have any problem with that but I do now, because I have a headache in my life. Ethan Ravenwood.

How the hell I'll handle both?

"Baccha? Rini? Are you there?" Papa asked.

I snapped out of my thoughts and answered. "Yes, papa. I am here."

"Papa I have to take bath now, then they'll wait for me for breakfast. I'll call you later okay?" I said.

"Yeah, take care, ma. And..." He paused.

"Stay safe, from..... Ravenwoods." He said and hanged up the call before my response.

I freeze at my place. Papa knows about Ethan? He knows everything? Then why he sent me here?

No, I can't ask him now. Everything had just begun. Let me understand this myself more.

But he surely knows something. He meant Ethan is a danger for me? But he said Ravenwoods, he didn't say Ethan Ravenwood.

Was he referring to someone else? God, everything is so sudden and confusing.

Sighing, I climbed off the bed and went inside the bathroom.

Finishing my morning business and shower there.

After 20-30 minutes, I came out. My long black hair is wet and water dripping. A towel wrapped from my chest to my knees.

I walk to my bedroom. Stepping in my eyes fell on my bed. I freeze. My eyes widened.

He is there, on my bed, sitting there like he owns this. His eyes are already glued to mine.

My heartbeat slightly picked up the pace. What the fuck he is doing here? How it's possible that I didn't hear anything?

"Ahhhhhhh-" I screamed, but before it could reach it's peak, he stand up, closed the distance between us. And suddenly pinning me again the wall.

His large palm, covered my mouth shut. His baby-blue eyes glued to my black ones.

His free hand, found my waist. Wrapping it around. Sending a unwanted sensation down my spine.

"Shhh, little spark. Don't scream. I won't hurt you." He said. I nodded, gesturing him to release my mouth.

He smirked at the gesture and released my mouth. I pant.

"You are....wet." He said, in a low, husky voice.

"Huh?" I respond back, confusingly.

"Your body, you are damped from shower...." He trailed off.

My eyes widened at the realisation, that I'm only in towel infront of him. I clutched my towel to my chest tightly.

I pushed him away and rushed inside, my closet. Closing the door behind me. I leaned my back against it. Panting heavily.

I feel my face turning red. Not only because of embarrassment, but something else I couldn't guess.

I hear his deep, rumbled chuckle from the opposite side, and then I feel him leaning against the door of closet.

"Are you all red there, feather?" He murmurred, loud enough for me to hear.

My cheeks heat up. First 'little spark', then 'dove', now 'feather'. And wait, he knows that I'm flushed.

"If you want, or if your hands are trembling then say a word and I'll change your clothes piece by piece." My stomach flipped at his words.
Yet, I try to compose myself. Finding words to reply.

"Shut up, and stay there quietly." I said, trying to sound firm.

"As your wish, dove." He said. I feel him stepping away from the door.

I sighed. But suddenly a blur like flashed through my minds, the blurred vision, voices came infront of my eyes.

A boy holding a girl in his arms. The vision is too blur. But I can assume that my vision is reflection of a mirror. A sharp pain hit through my brain hitting my nerves, my head ache badly.

"As your wish, dove." The boy spoke to her. The voice is hazzy, I can't guess who's it is. But it's familiar. I clutched my head with my both hands.

I stumbled on the couch in my closet. Laying myself unconsciously there.
Than again another words echoed my ears. My head feels like, it gonna burst.

"My Everything." My vision blurred, a lone tear escaped my eye. And all blankened. I closed my eyes.

"My everything."

RINI

I stay laid on my bed, my whole body trembling slightly under the blanket.

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I can't sleep, it's 3 A.M. now. But sleep, doesn't holding my eyes.

How could I sleep? I can't tell anyone what's happening with me. I can't risk others life.

Two days, I have only two days to save myself from this unwanted fuss. I rolled myself, now laying on my back, facing the ceiling.

The white ceiling, playing with my mind, creating uninvited images- of him.

All I could see, is him- Ethan Ravenwood.

No, I don't want to think about him. I hate him.

But why then all I could imagine his face? Why it looks so familiar yet unknown? Why does he speaks to me like he knows me since too long?

Why my heart fluttered when he kissed my forehead?

That kiss like cured the fear somehow a little.

He is beautiful, attractive. No, not just attractive. He looks majestic. Beyond words.

His personality speaks; gentle, respectfull yet dominant. The combination every girl desires for.

Those tattoos, baby-blue eyes. That freaking voice. And they way he lifted me up and carried me in here, in bedroom.

My stomach flutters as my mind replays the past hours.

I don't know when I stopped crying while thinking about him.

Will he come again?

With that I closed my eyes and drifted off.

～☯～

Fifteen- twenty minutes later, woke up with a knock at my door. I blink few times to check my phone. It's 3:25 A.M. now.

I sit up. Who could be at this hour? But suddenly, the thought of him hit my mind.

Him? Again? Why again? Is he came here to take me with him?

Then, I remember.
No, he won't knock.

I snapped out of my thoughts. Who could be at this hour? I climbed off the bed and walked out of my room.

Reached the main door, I unlocked and opened it to see.

It's Saksham. Him? At this hour? Without him asking for, I step aside to let him in. As soon as he entered.

I closed the door. We both sat on couch. I watch him. He is continuously staring to the view accross him.

"What happened? You look tensed." I asked breaking the silence.

He didn't answer, he stayed silent. Seconds ticked by, as he slowly turned his face to the left, to face me.

I felt a pang in my heart, because my best friend is in the verge of tears. I scoot little closer. Placing a hand of mine on his shoulder.

"Bro, what happene-"

"She is .....hurt." He cut me off, his voice hoarse, painfull.

"It's too painfull, Rini. To just watch and couldn't give comfort." His voice hoarse. I know whom he is talking about.

It's Reeddhi, Reeddhi Sen. A secret, mystery. His lifeline.

"Explain me.....what exactly happened?" I managed to say. His eyes turned back to stare nothing, in front of him.

"She.....she is hurt because...." Saksham begun.

～☯～

As the thin rays peeked through the curtains, I wake up slowly.

My eyes flutter open. I lay there, quietly, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with the reminders of recent events.

Last night, how Saksham almost broke down, his words. My bestfriend was so hurt. I didn't ask him, but usually he disscus about Reeddhi with Kabir. Why last night he shared with me? Wasn't kabir there? Did something happened between them?
No, no, it shouldn't be. God knows.

And then, my mind remainded me, of him- Ethan.

My heartbeat slightly picked up a speed as I remember his touch, words and that- kiss.

Though it wasn't an actual kiss, just on my forehead. But still, it effected me more than I want to accept. His face flashed infront of my eyes as I stared at the ceiling.

Why he felt so familiar? Why I couldn't resist his touch? Why even I had let him? First in college and then last night. Why? I didn't feel unsafe.

He felt safe. Even though if he's not.

My phone beside my head suddenly rang. I snapped out of my thoughts. Is it him?

I take my phone, holding it above my face. It's him- Ethan.

Unsure what to do next. Should I answer? Or don't? I bit my bottom lip. My mind raced with thoughts. But taking a deep breath.

I swiped my thumb on the responsing joystick- Declined.

Within one second, he's calling again. I declined it again. What he'll do?

My phone rang again and I declined again, setting my phone back beside my head.

I won't answer! What does he think of himself? Sneaking in my apartment like a thief, then pinning, blackmailing, manipulating me like a psychopath.

My phone rang again after seconds. Frustrated, I take the phone, answering without glancing the Caller ID, because I know it's him. And now I'll give him a correct answer. I hold the phone to my ear.

"What the fuck you want? Huh? You think you can call me? Disturb be? And I'll just be quiet? Get that in your mi-"

"Rini, it's me." The heavy voice suddenly hit me cutting me off. It's papa. What the fuck I have done? I bit my bottom lip.

"Papa....so-sorry... actually I....was..." I trailed off.

"I thought.... it's kabir." I blurt his name, he hummed in response. I couldn't gauge his tone.

"You know, you are my- empitome. As long as I'm breathing, no one can hurt you." He said, calmly, as if he knows that I'm stressed or I needed to hear that.

Tears pricking the corner of my eyes. I want to tell him everything. But I couldn't, not yet. His one reassurance, one sentence, one declaration made me feel- safe even from miles away.

"I love you, Papa." I said.

"I love you too, ma." He said, I feel so good, when he calls me 'ma'. That isn't only nickname. He means that. My papa means that.

Wipping tears with the back of my palm. I say.

"Papa...how are you? And everyone? Ma? Sonia? Rudra? How you all are?" I asked, trying to sound composed.

"We all are....fine, ma. Your ma, Sonia, Rudra. Every one is ....well, but we all miss you as hell..." He said, reassuring me.

"What about you? You are okay? My baccha, you are eating properly, having proper sleep?" He asked, in a different tone- worried.

"I'm... okay papa, and I too miss you all everyday, every second...." I pause.

"Even though Aishi, Kabir, Saksham are here, they are my backbone here. Yet, I miss you all." I mumbled. He chuckled in response.

"Yeah princess....we miss you too. And honestly, kabir and Saksham are my only support there. I'm relaxed because they are there with you." He said, sighing.

We talked for hours, it's almost 11:00 A.M. now. We have been talking since 8:00 A.M. Three Hours.

"I have heard the university is sealed. I know the whole case, kabir told me.." He said, suddenly. His voice turning serious.

I cursed under my breath. This kabir. He is a 'Narad Muni'. He can't live without spreading news.

Now that papa knows, that university is sealed, I'll be in apartment mostly, free for a check up. Papa or ma or my siblings will call frequently.

I wouldn't have any problem with that but I do now, because I have a headache in my life. Ethan Ravenwood.

How the hell I'll handle both?

"Baccha? Rini? Are you there?" Papa asked.

I snapped out of my thoughts and answered. "Yes, papa. I am here."

"Papa I have to take bath now, then they'll wait for me for breakfast. I'll call you later okay?" I said.

"Yeah, take care, ma. And..." He paused.

"Stay safe, from..... Ravenwoods." He said and hanged up the call before my response.

I freeze at my place. Papa knows about Ethan? He knows everything? Then why he sent me here?

No, I can't ask him now. Everything had just begun. Let me understand this myself more.

But he surely knows something. He meant Ethan is a danger for me? But he said Ravenwoods, he didn't say Ethan Ravenwood.

Was he referring to someone else? God, everything is so sudden and confusing.

Sighing, I climbed off the bed and went inside the bathroom.

Finishing my morning business and shower there.

After 20-30 minutes, I came out. My long black hair is wet and water dripping. A towel wrapped from my chest to my knees.

I walk to my bedroom. Stepping in my eyes fell on my bed. I freeze. My eyes widened.

He is there, on my bed, sitting there like he owns this. His eyes are already glued to mine.

My heartbeat slightly picked up the pace. What the fuck he is doing here? How it's possible that I didn't hear anything?

"Ahhhhhhh-" I screamed, but before it could reach it's peak, he stand up, closed the distance between us. And suddenly pinning me again the wall.

His large palm, covered my mouth shut. His baby-blue eyes glued to my black ones.

His free hand, found my waist. Wrapping it around. Sending a unwanted sensation down my spine.

"Shhh, little spark. Don't scream. I won't hurt you." He said. I nodded, gesturing him to release my mouth.

He smirked at the gesture and released my mouth. I pant.

"You are....wet." He said, in a low, husky voice.

"Huh?" I respond back, confusingly.

"Your body, you are damped from shower...." He trailed off.

My eyes widened at the realisation, that I'm only in towel infront of him. I clutched my towel to my chest tightly.

I pushed him away and rushed inside, my closet. Closing the door behind me. I leaned my back against it. Panting heavily.

I feel my face turning red. Not only because of embarrassment, but something else I couldn't guess.

I hear his deep, rumbled chuckle from the opposite side, and then I feel him leaning against the door of closet.

"Are you all red there, feather?" He murmurred, loud enough for me to hear.

My cheeks heat up. First 'little spark', then 'dove', now 'feather'. And wait, he knows that I'm flushed.

"If you want, or if your hands are trembling then say a word and I'll change your clothes piece by piece." My stomach flipped at his words.
Yet, I try to compose myself. Finding words to reply.

"Shut up, and stay there quietly." I said, trying to sound firm.

"As your wish, dove." He said. I feel him stepping away from the door.

I sighed. But suddenly a blur like flashed through my minds, the blurred vision, voices came infront of my eyes.

A boy holding a girl in his arms. The vision is too blur. But I can assume that my vision is reflection of a mirror. A sharp pain hit through my brain hitting my nerves, my head ache badly.

"As your wish, dove." The boy spoke to her. The voice is hazzy, I can't guess who's it is. But it's familiar. I clutched my head with my both hands.

I stumbled on the couch in my closet. Laying myself unconsciously there.
Than again another words echoed my ears. My head feels like, it gonna burst.

"My Everything." My vision blurred, a lone tear escaped my eye. And all blankened. I closed my eyes.

"My everything."