Her Destiny

Five

Rose left cause she got a call from someone. Only three of us are there. Kartik was curious to know what was inside the package and was continuously pocking me to open it.

“Come on Navya open it I don’t think so, she will send you a time bomb. Just open it and get done with it.” Ekta ordered me. I unwrapped the rectangular gift box and opened it a letter was there. I kept it aside.  I took out a dress which was a beautiful full-sleeved red gown, Beautifull decorated with small white roses, and the sleeves are of net fabric.

“ Navya, did you like this dress.” Kartik asked me taking the dress from me.

“One-second Navya, take a look at this.” Ekta says, passing the letter to me, I took it from her and opened it.

Navya,

     You must be wondering why I gave you a present after an unpleasant visit. Initially, I planned to gift you outside your café. But you pissed me off with your shitty talks. So here it's for you, it’s the same dress you asked Siddhartha to buy it for you. Right, so here it’s for you gifted by me. I hope you will attend my wedding wearing this dress, as you can't afford this dress. And the most important news which I didn’t give you in our meeting. My brother is going to propose the love of his life on my wedding day. So I want you to witness this mesmerizing scene wearing this dress, which you want to wear on the day when he will propose you. But fortunately, that is impossible now. So why to waste this dress. So, you wear this dress on my and Siddhartha's special day and move on.

Richa

I threw away the letter in frustration. Ekta came running towards me. Kartik found the letter and read it silently. Ekta kept asking me about the message, thankfully Kartik came to us and passed her that letter. She read the letter and didn’t say anything to me, for which I was grateful to her. I need to get out of here. I need some alone space to clear my head.

“ I am going to my room, please don’t follow me. I want to stay alone for some time.”  I said to both of them, Ekta tried to say something but Kartik stopped her and nodded at me. Therefore I went to my room and locked it from inside, dimming the lights I went to my bed. I can't believe this he really moved on. At first, I wanted him to do this, but now when he did, I don’t know why I am in pain. These i***t tears are not stopping. I laid on my bed inside the blanket, cursing myself for my current condition. I remember those days clearly, when we met for the first time.

21st November 2018.

“ Navya wake up come on stupid it's your birthday.” Ekta entered my room, shouting at the top of her lungs. Then she started pulling my blanket.

“Noooooooo please Ekta give me 10 minutes.” I said without opening my eyes. I am so sleepy that I don’t have even a bit of energy to open my eyes.

“ Who sleeps like a hippo on her birthday. You are not allowed to sleep even for a single minute.” She started again. She went outside the room. Good, now I can sleep in peace for some time. After a few minutes, I got splashed with water. I woke up hurriedly taking long breathes. There she is standing with a jug in her hand and smiling devilishly.

“What the..” I screamed at her.

“ Don’t you dare to complete it lady.” Ekta says, crossing her arms.

“ I am tired yaar, at least give me 5 minutes.” I say making my best puppies eyes.

“ No, you are getting up now, and I don’t think you would be able to sleep in this condition.” she said, pointing at my wet t-shirt.

Someone knocked loudly or more someone was banging at our door.

“ EKTA open that damn door before that i***t breaks it into pieces.” Ekta laughed and went to the door. I heard Kartik talking loudly with Navya. I knew he was at the door. I changed into fresh clothes and went to the guest room where they were whispering to each other.

“Happpyyy birthdaaayyyy Navya.” Kartik wished me when he saw me and gave me a tight hug. Ekta smiled at us.

“Here birthday girl your birthday present from both of us we hope you like it.”Kartik gave me a colourful box smiling brightly. I slowly opened the package, and there is a set of fountain pen, some sheets of handmade paper and a novel ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’.

“Thank you so much guys I loved it.” I thanked them while hugging kissing in their cheeks.

“ I know she will love it.” Kartik said to Ekta to which she gave him a small punch on his arms. To which he acted as if he was severely hurt. I laughed at their childish behaviour.

“Okay, the present credit goes to him.” Ekta said, pointing towards Kartik to which he bowed taking her appreciation. Then she continued.

“But I have planned for the whole day. Okay, so as Kartik is ready you go downstairs and get the car ready. Navya you go and get ready. I have arranged your dress in your washroom fine.” She said, and Kartik went downstairs to his car. I got dressed wearing a warm black sweatshirt with ‘CRAZY’ written on it. Ekta came out from her room wearing a full-sleeved pink colour cotton shirt and is holding three heavy overcoats.

“Three.” I asked her point at the coats. She smiled sheepishly and says.

“ It is for Kartik he forgot to bring one. So I took this, which he left here last time he came for dinner.” I nodded for now and started planning how to tease her.

We both went downstairs towards the car, Kartik was in a call. Kartik mouthed us to sit inside the car, So I hurriedly opened the backseat and locked it from inside. So that Ekta has to seat in the front seat beside Kartik. I laughed seeing her red face, Kartik said Ekta to take a seat because we can't be late for my birthday. We all got in the car and started our drive.

As per Ekta’s plan, our first destination is an amusement park. Due to acrophobia, Ekta didn’t enjoy a lot and for her Kartik also didn’t ride. But Ekta forced him to ride some of the rides with me. We all had a great time there now the most exciting part was left, The Haunted House. Ekta continuously requested us to leave her, but we didn’t listen to her. As per the system, only two visitors are allowed at a time in the house. So I planned to send Kartik and Ekta together, first. We took the tickets from the counter and sent both of them inside the house. Outside the house, we can hear the voices of someone screaming, loud thudding sound and all type of creepy voices. I laughed remembering Ekta’s face before entering the house and how tightly she was holding Kartik, which was a bonus for him, the way he was smiling at her and how he was handling her making sure. That she doesn't hurt herself, Oh I love these love birds.

“ Excuse me miss.” Someone called me, I turned around and saw the boy who was present in the entry gate.

“Yes.” I said to him.

“ Miss I think you don’t have any partner, Right.” The boy asked politely. I nodded cause I sent Ekta and Kartik before so now its all me.

“ Then if you don’t mind, can you go with him.” He said, pointing towards a man who was standing near the entry gate, busy in his phone.

“Okay.” I answered with a smile. The boy thanked me and went somewhere. Then I moved towards the entry gate. This man with whom I will be going in the haunted house seems very cold in nature. The aura around him sent chills in my spine. This man must be six feet and a well-built body. I started heading towards the entrance stealing small glances at him seeing his features. He is a handsome man by the look, his jet black hairs and hazel brown eyes with some golden colour in it. I looked at him properly when he looked at me directly. He had a very sharp look which scared don’t know why? So Ignored him and stood at the entry facing my back towards him, waiting for my turn. I can feel a pair of eyes on me. Seriously why did I agreed, can I change my partner now.

“Now it's your turn lady you can go inside.” The man at the entrance opened the door and asked both of us to enter. I entered slowly, and I can feel him entering also. When we both were inside the door closed with a loud thud, and there were complete darkness and silence for a moment. I started taking small steps cause I can't see anything, then I saw a dim light at a corner. I started heading towards it the man, followed me quietly. I can hear low creepy noises, then a gush of air in front of me, someone touched at my feet which creeps me out. And I shouted and jumped due to which I lost my balance. But someone held me tightly. When I opened my eyes, I saw that same person face. Due to lack of brightness, his face was not clear. But still, I can recognize him. He made me stand properly, held my hand tightly, made me stand in front of him my back facing to him, which covered my backside by him and then he whispered.

“ Do as I say.” And then he guided my all way. His presence which at first creeps me out felt safe to me now. His presence and voice soothes me and has an unknown effect on me. I am a person who loves horror movies and loves to visit a haunted house, but today, the scene is different.

We completed our tour and reached the exit point. He knocked at the door then someone opened it, and we were out of the house still holding hands.

“Are you okay.” He asked, looking at me. His look is not cold like before.

“Yes, I am fine thanks for asking.” I told softly looking at our joined hands. I took my hand out from his hold, which turned his look to blank, which was difficult to read what he is thinking exactly. He took a few steps towards me, bent at me and, then says in my ear.

“Happy Birthday, Navya.”I got stunned hearing him, how a stranger can know my name and my birthday after a short meeting. To whom I talked once, and that was only thanks not my introduction. Is he some mind reader or what?

He smiled at me, seeing my condition and then got disappeared in the crowd.