Kyra

I feel the breath inside my lungs slowly disappearing as the scent of burning metal fills the air. The hot tears following down my cheek making my skin burn as my eyes blur looking at Dadu's unconscious state.

Panic tightens in my chest as I notice the blood flowing from my grandfather's forehead. The flames devouring the car making my breath constrict minute by minute.

I struggle against my seatbelt, trying to get out of my seat so I can wake up my dadu, but the hotness of my surroundings makes my head spin.

My eyes frantically move, searching the outside of the car to find someone to help us get out of the wrecked car.

I slowly feel my consciousness slip away, as my eyes fixate on a figure standing by the car, watching.

'Help us please'

I desperately call out for help, my voice trembling with fear, begging to be saved from this terrible nightmare. Struggling to breathe, I catch a glimpse of a silver locket hanging from his neck, his body unmoving as if he's having pleasure watching me burn.

"Please help us, we'll die."

A shaky scream leaves my lips, desperate to save the person dying next to me. I feel my heart waver as I see the boy's step slowly retreating before he turns around and flees into the shadows, leaving me stranded in my place.

"God help us please"

"Kyra"

I feel a shake move my body, and I open my eyes immediately, waking from the heart-wrenching nightmare. I place my hands on my cheeks feeling the wetness there.

My eyes move up to find Kaynaaz standing there looking at me in concern. Her hands softly reach out to me, wiping away the tears flowing down my cheek.

"Did it happen again?"

"Hmm. Same nightmare, same boy, same necklace."

She snakes her hands around my body, softly bringing me in for a hug. I rest my head against her chest, as a soft sigh leaves my lips remembering the hair-raising nightmare. The nightmare I faced when I was four.

Before my thoughts pull me back into a dark space, I feel something sliding through my blanket, closer to my legs.

A soft chuckle leaves my lips as I feel soft fur on my thighs, I lift the blanket to find Riri rubbing her small head against my muscle.

I pull away slightly from Kay, lifting the blanket off my legs before picking up the white kitten in my hands. After the events of last night, we had all decided to keep the kitten with us since I didn't have the heart to make her leave the house.

"She looks comfortable in your arms."

Kaynaaz smiles at the kitten, who's curiously looking at her pink paws. I hand Riri over to Kay before slipping out of my bed and stretching out my muscles.

"Isko kuch khane ko de de Kay, I'll go get ready, college ke liye late ho jaega."
(Feed her something Kay, I'll go get ready or I'll get late for college.)

A deep sigh leaves my lips as I feel the hot water drip down my smooth back. Remnants from the nightmare I had this morning play past my head. The blood, the fire, the locket. Their images continuously replay in my head I feel myself getting pulled into that headspace again.

Until some loud squeals of laughter pull me out of my dark thoughts.

I swiftly move out of my bathroom, and get dressed in a black dress before tying up my hair into a ponytail.

My hands move quickly, picking up my notes and the copy of Pride and Prejudice kept on my side table, before dumping everything into my tote bag and leaving my cozy room.

I start to step down the stairs but my feet pause in the middle of the staircase looking at the scene in front of me. Dadi sitting on the sofa with Riri in her hand while Kay is wheezing at Kanishk who has his hair up in a fountain ponytail.

Finally stepping down from the stairs, I secretly take out my phone from my tote before pointing my Camera at Kanishk, but before I can click a picture he covers the lens and sprints towards the stairs

I hear Dadi let out a chuckle before I click the picture of his running figure and he disappears upstairs.

"Good morning Kyra."

I turn around, hearing to the strict masculine voice. Dad stood there, his eyes focused on the newsletter in his hand.

I slightly bowed my head towards him before moving towards the kitchen where Mom was standing.

As much as I love my parents. My relationship with my father isn't the best. He was always strict, and overly protective, but then again that might be just fatherly behaviour, but it doesn't excuse that he somehow never has the time to attend my fairs and performances. And I have a feeling he has always silently blamed me for the death of his father.

Mumma set a plate of pancakes in front of me before bringing me a cup of coffee. She gives me a small smile before patting my head and giving me a short peck on my forehead.

"Good morning, and all the best for your project submission."

I give her a short smile before returning to my breakfast.

I had to submit my English honours project today, something on which I had worked very hard on. Plus it was a major part of my grade.

Let's hope nothing jinxes this day.

Time skip

I quickly packed up the things which I had laid out on my desk. I hear the chair next to me squeak as the person who was sitting there a few minutes back, steps down from the lecture hall stairs and leaves the class.

I had to say it was a boring day. Except for the fact that my presentation went wonderful, nothing truly interesting had happened all day.

Pulling the tote bag over my shoulder, I walk out of my lecture hall and towards the exit door of the college.

Aaj Sangeet ki raat hai, but I still had to come to college to submit my work so most of the work at home was done by Kaynaaz and Kanishk.. although I doubt my lazy brother was any help. The only field he is in any way productive is his own. He is really the worst helping hand.

"Oh hi, didn't know you were still chasing me around."

Talking about something interesting happening, I look up from the stairs to find Tanmay standing at the steps of the college with a smug, disgusting smile on his face. This was the first time I had seen him since our break up.

A soft scoff leaves my lips as I make my way down the stairs and face him. His eyes do an aroundabout of my outfit before settling back on my face.

"Oh hi, Tanmay. I didn't know my college started collecting trash at its steps. Also, I don't chase trash. My standards have grown higher than your lies, and my heels are higher than your IQ. But then again you can always be delusional."

I give him a sarcastic smile, and weird pleasure bubbles inside me, seeing the colour of his face turn red in embarrassment. I could hear the whispers of students around me gossiping to each other curiously, some even pointing to the shameless man in front of me.

"You know you talk a lot, maybe someone should teach you to shut-"

Before he completes his sentence, I hear someone's car horn at us. I graze over the windshield to find Ishaan fixed inside his black BMW.

A small smile makes it to my cheeks seeing his annoyed expression. Ishaan never really liked Tanmay, and nor did his brother. As far as I remember, this might be the only thing the Khurana brothers agreed on together.

Throwing one last glance at Tanmay, I make my way towards the black beauty before opening the door and settling inside.

"What was that around?"

"What do you think Ishu, he was trying to embarrass me or smtg, ulta khud ka mazak banwa liya."
(What do you think Ishu, he was trying to embarrass me or smtg, in turn he got embraced himself.)

I hear a soft curse leave Ishaan's lips before he shakes his head and puts the car in drive.

Ishaan had been one of the only friends that I had stayed close to all these years. Even after the one-year age gap, we stick to each other no matter where and what. Even he and Anvi have been close friends, from being in the same class to going to the same college.

Just then, a sudden thought hits me and I immediately look at Ishaan who had his eyes focused on the road.

"What?"

"Ishu tu Anvi ko date kar raha na?"
(Ishu, are you and Anvi dating?)

He tightens his hands around the steering of the car and his cheeks start to turn a bright red colour.

A knowing smile makes it to my lips before I nudge his side with my hand softly.

"Bolo na"
(Tell me)

"It's complicated."

I raise my eyebrows in curiosity, staring hard at his flushed face. Complicated? Yea like they weren't literally stuck to each other the whole night yesterday.

He clears his throat feeling my eyes fixed on him before pressing the brakes and stopping in front of the driveway.

"Aree bol naa" I nudge at him again.
(Tell me)

"Bola toh it's complicated"
(I told you it's complicated)

He turns off the car before removing his seat belt and stepping out of the car. His lean body moves swiftly towards my side and opens the door for me.

They might be annoying sometimes but Aruna Aunty raised two gentlemen for sure.

I step out of the car carefully, before grabbing the bag sitting on the dashboard.

"Chal ab jaa ke ready ho" Ishaan ruffles my hair softly but I cross my arms in front of my chest before staring at him intensely.
(Go get ready now)

"Kya chahiye Kyra?"
(What do you want Kyra?)

"What does complicated mean?"

"It means that she's not my gf but she's also not just my friend."

He stands behind me before softly nudging me to move forward towards the house.

"But you guys confessed right?"

"Umm, I think?"

"What is 'I think'? Sidha sidha answer do na"
(What is "I think" give a straight answer no.)

"UFF bas karo maharani, ja ke ready ho ja, everyone else is ready already."
(UFF enough, go get ready, everyone else is already ready.)

I open the door of the house to find Rooh, who was wearing a blush pink saree and Kanishk, clad in a black kurta, both of them playing with my small cute baby white kitten.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Riri jumps out of my brother's hands before tipping over to me with her small legs.

She circles my feet before latching onto one of my legs making me chuckle softly. I pick her gently before running my warm hands through her soft white fur. A soft purr leaves her mouth before she snuggles close to my chest.

God, how could you make a creature so adorable?

"Dekho, billi ne billi ko pakad rakha hai."
(Look, a cat is holding a cat.)

I whip my head over my shoulder in search of the voice which had been slowly becoming my favourite these days.

Shivyansh stood next to his younger brother, clad in a dark blue kurta, its sleeves slightly rolled up. I could see a silver bracelet shining on his wrist along with his expensive Patek Philippe watch secured around the other.

I feel Riri move away from my body, peering at the gentlemen standing behind me before her small paw reaches out towards Shiv, asking for his attention.

The man moves from his stand, his big hands gently picking up the cat away from me before caressing her fur softly. She purrs loudly at his touch before snuggling close to him and licking his cheek.

A deep chuckle leaves Shiv's lips and I feel my insides heat up. I stare at Riri and him both of them having the time of their life as something inside me flares up.

I don't know whether I should be jealous of Shiv or of Riri.

I clear my throat at the two big and tiny creatures. Shiv looks at me before raising his eyebrows at me in question.

"Guys I smell something burning." He looks at everyone in the living room before waving his hand in front of his nose. Burning. The dude noticed my jealousy rather quickly.

"You know Panda.."

I move closer to his figure before eyeing my cat.

"Aruna Aunty was right when she said you need some perfume."

His expressions change to an annoyed one and I repeat the actions he had done a minute ago before a giggle of amusement leaves my lips.

He moves his hand to swat the back of my head but I move just in time to escape and sprint towards the staircase.

"Let me know you wanna go perfume shoppinggg"

I hear everyone in the living room burst out laughing, as a soft smile appears on my lips.

Friends or not, we can't go a day without annoying each other to the fullest.

I open my bedroom door and flop onto the fluffy bed. A sigh leaves my lips as I look at the ceiling fan turning in circles. I had met Tanmay after almost one month of our break up and the first thought in my head was.. how could someone even like this asshole.

I roll my eyes to myself before getting up from my bed and sitting in front of the mirror.

You liked him, Kyra, you were dumb enough to think that he's worth calling your 'first love'. Look where that got you. He blamed you for cheating when he did that himself and then blamed you for things you never did.

I take out the tight ponytail I had made this morning before brushing out my hair softly.

You're the one who made the mistake-

Okay, brain shut the fuck up will you? I'm tryna get ready here.

I put my brush down before getting up from my place and taking out the beautiful black saree I had picked out for tonight. Even though I had complained about wearing a saree on the first night, I did look beautiful in it.

About thirty minutes later, I find myself standing in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the fabric of my saree. The black snitch my waist in, the curve of my hip clearly visible.

Sliding the last bangle in my hand I fluff up my hair slightly before grabbing my phone to take a sexy picture in front of the mirror.

"Kyra, jaldi."
(Kyra, quickly)

I hear Anvi's voice from outside the room and open the door to find the gorgeous beauty clad in a black and silver lehenga. The tika on her head shines beautifully, reflecting under the lights of the hallway.

"Well hello, gorgeous beautiful woman. Can I take you out sometime?"

She giggles at my behaviour before looping her arm through mine and walking downstairs. I hear a loud whistle go off and look up to find Ishaan standing there looking at both of us.

Well more like drooling over Anvi but anyway.

I eye the small bag kept near one of the sofas and point towards it before facing Kanishk.

"What's in that?"

"Daru hai."
(It's alcohol)

I hear someone snicker from the background and turn around to find Kaynaaz and Rooh goofing around with a bottle of scotch.

I quickly march towards both of them before grabbing the bottle out of their hands and putting it aside.

"You'll better not get drunk."

I point a finger at each one of them but they just roll their eyes and before out of the hall into the huge garden, with Kanishk carrying the bag full of alcohol to one of the counters.

I suddenly feel a hand grab my arm and I get pulled outside, and then into a tight hug. A sweet scent of perfume hits my nostrils and I pull apart to see Mariam standing in front of me with a huge smile on her face.

My heart melts seeing the beauty standing in front of me. Me and Mariam knew each other since middle school. I had met her after a group of girls made fun of my poems and I was crying in the corner of the playground. The angel had hugged me and told me how much she loves to listen to my poems in class. We were good friends till 11th grade, but then streams changed, colleges changed.

Yet she was always here for important events.

"You look beautiful Kyra."

"I could say the same for you Tulip. Bohot khubsurat lag rahi ho."
(I could say the same for you tulip, you look gorgeous.)

Tulip, I had made that her nickname since she likes tulips so much.

"Oh hey, Miss Potato."

I look up to see Shivyansh coming from behind Mariam and she turns around to face him.

"Oye panda, how can you call someone so beautiful, a potato? Pagal hai Kya?"

"She loves potatoes."

Me and Mariam look at him in confusion before she asks.

"But tumko kese pata I like potatoes?"
(But how do you know I like potatoes?)

"You get excited whenever you've something made of potatoes in the office."

He gently grabs her hand, before placing a soft kiss on the back of it.

I feel something burn inside me, but before the burning sensation spreads, I hear Dadi call for me.

"I'll see you guys in a bit."

Without a second thought, I quickly walk away from the two, slow breaths leaving my lips.

The next hour or so goes by with me talking to and welcoming the guests. I occasionally glance over to Kanishk and everyone else, keeping an eye on them to make sure they aren't drinking.

"Kyra, my child."

I turn around to see Mr. Sharma standing there with a big smile on his face. He was here the other night as well and was present at my project demonstration today. Kind of a big deal when your college's trustee is doing a business deal with your brother.

"Good evening Sir. How are you?"

I grab Dadi's hand with me as I drag her with me to stand in front of him. He pats my head softly before acknowledging Dadi's presence with a head bow.

"I'm good bache, your presentation today was outstanding, the concept of the book you're planning to write is intriguing."

A dimpled smile makes it to my lips. Oh, the joy to hear someone praise your writing in such a way. All the other guests had only asked how I was doing or when I was going to get married now that Kanishk was set. But the compliment this old man had given me, warmed my heart.

"Thank you so much, it means a lot to hear it from you."

He gives me a soft smile before he reach out to grab a guy from his side and makes him stand next to him.

"Kyra I wanted to introduce you to my grandson, A-"

Before he gets the time to finish his sentence or I get the time to look at the young gentleman's face, I hear someone shout my name from behind me and I whip around to see Kanishk standing on a stool and Rooh screaming at him to get down.

I give Dadi an apologetic look before sprinting towards the two idiots and grabbing my elder brother's hand.

"Omg, how much did you drink Kanishk? WTF I was looking at you all while I was talking to the guests."

"Tu hi, zyada smart hai Kya? We're smarter than you."

He lefts up the bottle of sprite in his hand before showing me the alcohol filled in it. Oh. This whole time they were drinking alcohol and not sprite.

I give my brother an extremely annoyed smile, before I feel someone poke my stomach.

I look over my shoulder to find a drunk Shivyansh along with an empty glass in his hand.

"Nice tummy Kyra."

"Good lord. Save me."

Before I can collect all my drunk kids, the DJ blasts the stage with some songs and all of them run out of my grasp onto the stage.

I plant my head on my hand when I see Kanishk on the floor trying to replicate the "haye garmi" step.

I looked around to see if someone was watching but to my relief, most of the guests had already left and the ones left were paying no heed to the crazy group of young adults twerking on the stage.

I take out my phone before playing record and capturing a video of The Shivyansh Khurana, drunk, on stage, and throwing it back like there's no tomorrow.

A chuckle leaves my lips and I pick up the shot of vodka kept on my side drowning it into my system. If they're having fun, I deserve it too.

Half an hour later, with me on my fifth shot. All of us can be said to be heavily drunk.

The lights had dimmed, probably because Mom and Dad wanted to go rest, and the DJ had left, Meanwhile Kanishk's playlist controlling the music going on.

I couldn't spot any guest in particular, so finally, my very drunk ass decided to get on stage and dance with those lunatics.

With "Akh lad jaave" blasting through the speakers and Kaynaaz and Rooh doing a silly dance together, I search around for the other. I could see Kanishk passed out in the corner of the stage but my drunk self fails to spot the rest of my people.

Giving zero thought, my hips start to move on their own, as my body sways to the music on its own.

Some minutes of being in my own space, unable to make sense of my surroundings, I feel a soft breath near my ear. A big hand puts a lock of hair behind my ear before I hear the person's deep voice whisper.

"Seeing a captivating goddess as you move with such sensuality has truly blessed my eyes, señorita."