Threads of Attraction

Samruddhi's POV:

After reaching home, I went straight to my room and sat down on the bed. My mind couldn't focus on anything besides him. How many times do I have to remind myself that I shouldn't feel anything for him? He's a monster, so cruel. He doesn't care about me anymore. As I thought about all this, a lone tear slipped from my eye. I closed my eyes, trying to compose myself. After some time, I went downstairs to distract myself and help mom in the kitchen.

Mom and I planned to cook Bhaya's favorite dish today since it's his birthday tomorrow, and we won't be able to have a family dinner because of the party. Just the thought of the party brought his thoughts back into my mind. I have to face him tomorrow. Just when I was lost in my thoughts, someone put their hand on my shoulder. I shouted loudly and turned back to see who it was.

It was Isha and Naina, laughing at my scared face. I grabbed the first thing I reached and threw it in their direction, but they dodged it. "What was that? Do you both want to kill me?" I exclaimed angrily. They laughed and Isha said, "No, Didi, we don't want to kill you. We just wanted to record your scared reaction."

"What!? You both recorded me?" I asked, disbelievingly. "Yes, Samu," said Naina. I looked at her with displeasure on my face. Just as I was about to say something, Chachi came and said, "You both, stop troubling my baby." I laughed at them at that and said in sugar-coated words, "See, Chachi, they always trouble me."

They both glanced at me and I laughed harder. But Mom came from nowhere and said, "Radha, why are you being angry with my girls?"

Chacha, coming towards us, said, "They are troubling my daughter, that's why." After listening to him, Mom and Chachi laughed, and I gave Chacha my best smile and stuck my tongue out at Isha and Naina, who were looking at their father in disbelief. After some more talk, Mom asked us to freshen up and come for dinner.

Later, at the dining table, as dinner was being served, Anirudh bhaya asked with happiness, "Wow, Mom, all my favourite dishes today?"

"Yes, Bhaya, Samu Di and Chachi specially cooked for you today," said Isha, serving herself kheer in two bowls, which I made and said while laughing, "Isha, I made a plenty lot of kheer for everyone to eat, you can eat slowly also give others little bit or you want finish it alone? "

Isha laughed and said, "Come on, Samu Di, chahe main khau ya meri family, dono ka ek hi hai." After hearing her statement, I just shook my head in disapproval, and others laughed, knowing how much she loves the kheer made by me. We finished our dinner with lots of talks and jokes. It felt really good to have a family dinner like this, where everyone is present.

I'm sitting in my balcony, waiting for midnight so I can wish Bhaya first at 12. I craved ice cream, so I went downstairs to grab some from the freezer. I came back to my place, enjoying my ice cream and looking outside. Just then, a notification sound came from my phone. I opened it and saw an unknown number saying, "You are mine, Love"

My heart skipped a beat. I read the message again and again, the words almost echoing in my mind. I knew exactly who it was, yet a strange emptiness filled me. The familiarity of the words, the possessiveness they carried, should've stirred something in me, but instead, I just... felt nothing. I couldn't decide whether I was hurt, confused, or numb. I stared at the message for a while, but the emotions didn't come. So, with a heavy heart, I put the phone aside, letting the silence of the night take over, and got lost in thoughts of someone else—someone who I am never supposed to think about.

Just before 12, all the family members gathered outside Bhaya's room to wish him. When the clock hit 12, we all rushed into his room and wished him a happy birthday. After wishing and cutting the birthday cake, we went to our rooms.