Blind stop.
1708 Words
Nine weeks just passed so soon, I decided to go back to my routine that I had before I met Rhea. Sabrina was my best friend and I thought that meeting new people will get my mind off the Gills and all their problems.
Excited I got up in the morning for a quick shower, had breakfast and wore my best sundress. Mom and dad were delighted that I was doing well on my own. I obviously had not disclosed any information about the Gills I could not even if I wanted to as I have signed the Non disclosure agreement.
Going out was different this time .I didn't have a driver to pick me up and I am not going to lie I missed it. I guess I almost felt sad that I had to walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus just like any other person. I felt like a peasant. I was all very unsettling.
While I was waiting for Sabrina I saw Sheel, walking towards the mall alone. Why is she alone? normally she has a lot of friends with her and she is very cheerful around there. Something seems wrong, why is she alone? This question haunted me.
I could have walked up to her and could strike a conversation, after all I lived in her house for quite some time. However, I was afraid that she might get rude and just slap me or just give me a silent stare. I don't know she is a very snobbish girl and I am kind of intimidated by her.
But I wanted to know what happened to Rhea was she OK. I absolutely had to know.
I took a deep breathe, had to gather courage. Drank some water. I wanted to get up and walk but I had this bad feeling in the gut, I am not sure why was I feeling so uncomfortable. But I just got up and walked into the mall.
It was a crowded place I just couldn't see her any where near the shops so I walked up to the first floor. Sabrina is calling me, I ignore her calls hoping she will just leave. I was more interested in locating Sheel.
I looked everywhere, It was almost an impossible task to search her there, but still I wanted to. At last I waited outside for four hours for her to come out however I was not able to locate her.
I just came back home tired and extremely worried, to be frank I was exhausted I was not sure why was I worried so much.
As soon as I entered my house my mom was sitting on the stairs. " Sabrina called, She said you ditched her. What happened? I was worried" She yelled. "Did you meet Rhea? Have you started lying to us?" She pulled my hand and dragged me to the kitchen.
I calmed her, tried to keep my tone as soft as possible. " I didn't meet Rhea Ma, I just lost track of time and I didn't see my phone when Sabrina had called. By the time I looked she had called me a couple of times already and I was embarrassed to call her and so I dodged her and left late. Trust me why would I lie?
And also if I meet Rhea its not a bad thing. Is it?" I asked.
She nodded " No its not bad, but i thought you were lying to me and hiding something. Sorry, sometimes when I am all alone at home I get worried am sorry"
"Come on, You can trust me, Don't worry unnecessarily, What's for dinner I am starving" I smiled.
Mom immediately started plating food and asked me to freshen up. I started thing about Rhea and Sheel. I had to meet one of them tomorrow.
"Mom, I am going to the library tomorrow. I have to sort out my library card OK?".
She Nodded "Eat your food first, do the dishes first and we will see in the morning". She walks out to her room to rest.
Ok, now how do I meet Sheel. I think I will wait down the hill one of them are doing to drive by or Maybe Richard.
But I should be careful I don't want Mr. Gill to spot me and I need to find a shady place.
This time I wear a scarf and an old dress to not be spotted I wanted people to ignore me. Also i had to leave early so that Mom doesn't start asking me question, Its very stressful to answer her questions with a straight face.
See, I lived in the other side of the town where us middle class people lived and the extreme end of the town was for the wealthy, The place was separated by a bridge.
No buses, barely any taxi. As it was a class divide. Only wealthy people would go there and they wanted to keep the place exclusive and so public transport was limited.
I found a taxi driver who could wait for an hour, however on extra charge. I am crazy why am I doing this, was it excitement, curiosity or concern I was not able to put a finger on it. But I still did it.
The first day I waited for an hour, when Sheel would normally go out. But she didn't this day.
So went out again the next day, But I made a deal with the driver that he would leave me at the curve of the hill and come pick me up after 5 hours.
I waited for 6 hours, The driver didn't come to pick me up didn't answer my calls and so I had no other option but to walk. I couldn't take help from anyone there, It almost as a private island. I could just be kidnapped and thrown in a basement if I got into the car of a Stanger.
That's it I am not risking my life for that spoilt brat what ever happened to her is her fault not mine. Just forget about her and live your life.
It was a bloody long walk, I am sweating, my face is red its so hard to breathe , my legs are on fire This is ridiculous. I heard some one honk behind me. But I didn't dare turn. Who know what creep it might be. It just wanted to cry, I just want to go home.
I gave in turned back and signaled to the driver to just drive past me. I heard a voice " Girl, Hey girl".
So, I just turned to see what was the issue, did this girl want to help me. It was Sheel!!
She smiled ear to ear. She invited me to get in the car. I ran back and sat back in the passengers seat.
"I am sorry I don't remember your name" She said.
"Its ok, my name is Agni."
"Yes, yes, I remember you. What are you doing here?" She asked. But her tone was very mellow, She seemed like she was not surprised, but just wanted to make conversation.
"I don't want to sound weird, When I left, it was a very scary scenario.
Rhea was very upset and I was just asked to leave.
I just wanted to make sure she was ok.
We had built a nice bond and I still feel it in my gut that something went wrong that day, She never called me after"
"She is absolutely fine" replied sheel with a happy tone.
"She is getting married after a fortnight and do you know she asked for you , when I asked her what gift did she want.
She just wants you to be by her side when she is leaving our house." Sheel turns back and gives an assuring smile.
"In fact, I was driving to your house to take your permission to book tickets, hotel and arrange for the time.
I am glad I met you here".
I was shocked. Rhea getting married, This is so random.
Is she getting married to the guy who she had a relationship with? What was she worried about then? Why does she want me there? And why is this girl so good to me all of a sudden?
"The trip is going to include first class flight, five star hotel suites and also you will have to shop for the whole months wardrobe.
We would want to leave a good impression with the new family that we are getting associated with." explained Sheel.
"We definitely don't see you as a help you are more like a family, Agni"
What, Is this Bi**ch serious, I cant say if she is being mean or just out right honest. A help ? I have to keep an eye on here.
No who would not like shopping, travel living abroad. "All I have to do is convince mom and dad. I have never left like this before. I am not sure If they would let me " I was concerned.
"Don't worry, they can come along. However, they will not be attending the wedding, they can stay at the hotel. I am sure they wont mind" Sheel sounded very confident while saying this.
My parents are self made people, they normally would not take up any free stuff like that, Me I am a free bird I do what pleases me and I am taking this from people who are rich, It will not effect them.
But mom and dad I am not sure. "Sheel, can you talk to my parents?" I asked.
She agreed immediately.
"What about YOUR dad" I asked.
"What about him, he just wants Rhea married to this nice guy, Your stay request is something she was keen about, So he don't mind. He likes you anyway, so its cool"
The bridge is long and so I wanted to strike a conversation as there as awkward silence, "So, who is this guy she is getting married to?"
Sheel played a song very loud on the radio ignoring my question, which was in a way her way of saying, shut up I am done talking to you peasant.
Anyway, I was happy Rhea was safe, She was getting married. I was getting to travel and enjoy a good life. Mr. Gill didn't hate my guts completely and Sheel was responsible to convince my parents.
All in all a win win if you ask me.
I cant imagine what can go wrong in my life!
- Writer
