The Game

The Beginning

"Help me, Aaisha !!!!!" He screams, making me thrash in the shackles I am bound in. My heart hurts to see him like this, begging for his life. Darkness surrounds me, and my lungs tighten, restricting any air entering my body.

"Promise me that you will make them pay, promise me," He says, and then I hear a gunshot ring in the background. I let out a wail, and then he suddenly disappears. Everything starts blurring around me, and suddenly a hand clamps around my neck. I choke for air but to no avail.

I sit up in bed, panting hard and gasping for air. As sweat trickles down my body, I relish those horrible moments of my nightmare again. I look around to see it's still dark. Walking down to the kitchen, I pour a glass of water and gulp it down.

Each night these nightmares haunt me, taunting me that I couldn't save my father. His frantic voice is still evident in these visions. I look at the average two-storeyed house, the pale green color falling in places, indicating the decades of its existence. It's four in the morning, so I decide to go for a run.

Changing in my tracks and sweatshirt, I walk out of my house. I start running towards the forest area, observing the calm surroundings of the vicinity. The trees pass by me as I run to my calming spot.

Reaching the top rock of the boulder arranged, I look at the waterfall in front of me. Water has always comforted me, bringing me solace in times of need. My father was the one who introduced me to this way of tranquillity. He told me that I was just like water, quiet and peaceful when left unbothered, but raise hell and destroy everything if I want.

He was the only one who could instill confidence in me. My protector and knight in shining armor is no more. My eyes well up at the image of a bullet hole on his forehead, reason of death, a robbery went wrong. But I feel like it has more it than the police led us on. He was found on the footpath, all bloodied and money gone. He was a senior police inspector in the Jaipur police department.

I look around, and the chirps of the cuckoo instantly soothing me. Nature always had me calm down in an instant.

When I reach back home, the sun has already risen, and I will listen earful when mom sees me.

I slowly open the door, and close it, and let out a breath of relief.

"Aisha Sharma!!! You sneak out in the middle of the night, giving me a shock as always!!" Mom shouts from the kitchen, her hands on her hips, and she is looking at me as I have just done a sin.

I smile sheepishly and walk towards her, " Mom, you know I love nature more than anything. It calms me down. Please, don't be mad at me," I speak as sweetly as I could. She sighs and motions for me to come closer to her.

"Again, a nightmare?" She asks, and I stiffen.

I nod lightly, and a tear rolls down her eye. She lost her soulmate, the man she loved for more than half of her life. She hugs me, and I relish in the motherly love for one last time.

I am moving to Banglore, for my job. I graduated this year in business studies and, I got a placement in the R&M Industries as their finance manager.

I insisted she come with me, but she couldn't leave this house as it had my father's memories. I was reluctant at first but then eventually gave in. My two best friends Mayra and Siya, were over the moon when they heard of it. Mayra is a fashion designer, and Siya has her restaurant.

Mayra's parents were pretty rich and moved to Banglore when we were just fifteen years old. Later on, Mayra helped Siya to open her restaurant.

Siya was an orphan and lived on her own since she was twelve. My father helped her with everything it took and three of us met at school.

They were gonna help me with my moving and had already sorted an apartment for me there.

________________________________________________________________

I landed fifteen minutes ago and am waiting at the entrance for them to come. I walk towards the exit door, sorting out my novel in my handbag and, suddenly I crash against a body. I squeeze my eyes shut waiting for the impact, but it never comes. A hand snakes around my waist holding me as I clutch the shoulder of the person tightly. I open my eyes, only to be met by pitch-black eyes.

His eyes are captivating, demanding attention and fear. His sharp features and plump lips only adding to the dark aura he has around him. His perfectly jelled hair stands out the most, as I think how it would feel to run my hand through them.

I snap out of the reverie and stand back on my feet, maintaining some distance.

"I am so sorry," I speak out softly and turn around to walk away from him.

His white shirt barely contains his ripped muscles, and his height intimidates me more than anything.

I quickly spot my friends and run to them. I quickly hug them both as I feel my shirt soak with their tears. I cry quietly and hug them more tightly.

"Oh god, Ishu. We missed you so damm much," Mayra speaks hoarsely and Siya is just quiet. She looks up at me and I kiss her forehead. She is like a little sister to me. She hugs me again and I pat her back.

"I missed you, B. Ab kahi mat jaana aap," She says, calling me the endearment I have grown a liking.

(Don't leave me again)

We make our way to Mayra's car and sit inside.

Buckling up, we catch up with everything, and they tell me about their businesses. Siya is opening another branch of her restaurant, and Mayra has a fashion show in three weeks.

I am joining my office tomorrow, and they are going to help me unpack.

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I wake up with the sound of my alarm blaring up. I yawn loudly and rub my eyes to get rid of sleep. Yesterday girls stayed up till eleven and helped me arrange the wardrobe as they already stocked the kitchen and furniture. They are so precious to me. I quickly scramble out of bed and freshen up. I pick out a pair of black skirt and, white satin shirt for today. I pair them up with black flats and tie my waist-length hair in a bun, with few tendrils leaving it.

After finishing my breakfast, I pick my bag and walk out of my apartment and lock it behind me. As I walk towards the lift, a man, looking like he is in his late twenties, walks up next to me and smiles.

"Hey you new here?" He asks and I nod with a friendly smile.

"Yes, just moved here for job. I am Aaisha," I say and his smile widens.

"Pleasure to meet you Aaisha, I am Dev," He forwards his hand for a shake and I oblige. We enter the elevator and I grow an instant liking towards him, maybe because of his friendly nature.

"I would totally date you Aaisha, but I swing the other way," He says and my cheeks redden at the compliment, but when I realize what he said my eyes widen in shock, " Really!!??" I ask, a little too excited and he nods, chuckling at my reaction.

"Oh my god, my friends are gonna love you. Bach nhi sakte ab tum, Dev Babu," I say in mock seriousness and he laughs.

(You can't escape me, Dev darling)

We exchange numbers and I hail a taxi and quickly tell him the address of my office.

After a span of thirty minutes, we stop in front of a building. I step out and pay the driver. I turn around and take in the huge building in front of me. It feels as if the top floor is up in clouds because it's so big. I have to crane my head up to look at it. The architecture of this building is exquisite.

I walk in with confidence and my head is held up high. I walk up to reception," Good morning, I am Aaisha Sharma, the new finance manager. I have a meeting today," I ask her and she quickly verifies my id and directs me to the office of the CEO, on the twenty-fifth floor.

I step out of the elevator and walk up to the desk of the secretary I assume.

"Good morning, I am Aaisha Sharma, the new finance manager," I say and she looks up and smiles sweetly.

"Good morning, Ms.Sharma, I am Mr. Malhotra's secretary, Kavya," She says and shakes hand with me.

A loud bang startles us and we follow the source of the sound. She enters the large office of whom I presume is the CEO and I walk behind her.

"Mr.Malhotra, are you alright?" She asks in a shaky voice.

"I am fine, Kavya," A deep husky voice replies and I am mesmerized with the amount of power it held.

"Sir the new finance manager is here. Should I let her in?" She asks and I think he nods because she motions me to enter.

She leaves and I feel nervous to look at him.

"Good morning, Mr.Malhotra," I speak and I hear a sharp intake of breath.

Confused I look up, only to met with the pitch-black eyes of the man from the airport.

Oh boy.....