oh my shyla!

(⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

A U T H O R

Fate is something that no one can change. No one knows what's going to happen the next moment. It takes only a few moments to shatter everything whereas it takes years to heal from that trauma. Or maybe it never heals actually.

It was a stunning sunny day, the kind that makes the world feel alive and vibrant. The sky was a brilliant azure, dotted with fluffy white clouds that lazily drifted by, casting playful shadows on the ground below. The sun shone brightly, its warm rays filtering through the lush canopy of trees that lined the sides of the road, creating a dappled pattern of light and shade on the pavement.

A winding road meandered through this picturesque setting, its pitched surface glistening under the sun. As a sleek car glided along the road, its windows down, a girl was sitting in the backseat. Her head was resting on the window of the car.

Earphones were inserted into her ears and her eyes were fixed on the white clouds in the sky.

Beside her sat a woman in her late 30s. The woman was as beautiful as the girl. She was wearing a saree and her body was adorned with beautiful gold jewellery.

A man was sitting beside the woman. He was in his mid 40s and he was scrolling through his tablet while talking to the person in the passenger seat, probably that man's assistant.

Things were going smoothly; the road wasn't busy either. But who knew it would be the end of this beautiful family?

The girl's father glanced at her and asked in an affectionate way, "What do you want for your 21th birthday?"

She didn't listen as she was so consumed by nature and the music.

"Arohi? Your papa is asking something." Her mother snapped while shaking her hand.

A R O H I

A temporary life with too many regrets. However I believe we should enjoy every single moment of our lives. Throughout my whole life, I focused on one thing only 'making my parents proud'. Maybe everyone does it but my parents aren't like others. They never scolded me for getting bad marks in exams. They never imposed their decisions on me.

I have a lot of friends whose parents are no less than monsters. I'm not afraid of those monsters. I'm afraid of my monster, the inner self of mine.

However, meet me, Arohi Singhania. A third year student of AIIMS Delhi.

The sudden tap on my hand brought me back to reality. I took off one earphone and turned my gaze toward my father, Virendra Singhania. He is the current Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

"What happened, Papa?" I asked while narrowing my eyebrows and a slight pout on my lips because of the confusion.

My father chuckled and replied, "I asked you what do you want for your next birthday?"

Seriously? We're in a car and out of nowhere he is asking me what I want for my birthday! I already told him three months ago what I need for my birthday. Then what's the use of asking the same question again? Moreover it still has two months left until my 21th birthday.

"A new pet, Tez needs a friend. Please don't say no." I pleaded while sticking out my lower lip, like a baby. I'm not that innocent I pretend to be in front of my parents, but I love to see the happiness and amusement in their eyes when I act innocent.

"Not at all. You already have one." My mother yelled though her voice was still soft. And in response, I sighed knowing my mom doesn't like pets at all.

"Bhabhi, bacchi hai. Ek pet he toh mang rahi hai." Harish uncle, my papa's assistant took my side. He always does. Even though we're not blood related, he is just like a family member to us.

(Sister in law, she is just a kid. She only asked for a pet.)

"Bhai sahab, do you even know what kind of pet she is asking for?" My mom taunted and gave me a death glare.  Meanwhile, I sank my teeth into my lower lip, trying hard not to burst out laughing.

(Brother)

"What kind of pet?" Harish uncle asked while drinking water and mom replied, "Lion cub."

Papa and I burst out laughing while Harish uncle choked on the water.

That's it! My little life and my little family. Life is so beautiful when you have a family who supports you always and stays with you at your lowest.

"Arohi!" Before I could comprehend anything mummy's scream reached my ears and I felt her wrapping her arms around me—pulling me closer to her chest.

Suddenly I felt the jolt of the crash, my body thrown against the seat, and then darkness enveloped me. The sound of crunching metal and shattering glass reached my ears, and time seemed to slow down. My heart raced, and I could hear the ringing in my ears, drowning out the chaos around me.

Another smack and I hit my head on the side of the car. The pain was exaggerated but adrenaline surged through me when I felt something hot was dripping down from the side of my shoulder and it pooled down inside my dress, soaking the fabric. The smell of blood reached my lungs. It's not my blood, but. No.

Someone fucking tell me it's just a nightmare. Mummy please wake me up from this dream. Papa, please turn on the lights and hug me tightly.

I tried to lift my head but suddenly a pair of hands dragged me out of the car. I underwent too many emotion until I was completely cold-blooded—only a palpable sense of unease that made my stomach churn.

I lifted my head slightly ignoring the pain in my head and my eyes landed on the backseat of the car. The door was opened, and everything was dusky, glass pieces were everywhere.

My mom!  She was lying on the seat and her hand hung low on the edge of the seat.

Blood– blood was dripping down her head. And behind her, Papa's head rested against the door of the car. His–his face was covered with blood.

It took me a few seconds to process everything before I tried to crawl toward the car. But I felt a strong grip on the shoulder, which was dragging me away from the car. I couldn't breathe anymore, I wonder if I even breathed the whole time or not.

"Run, Arohi ma'am." The driver who was driving the car urged against my ears. My vision was getting blurred, but from a corner of my mind, someone was saying danger.

Without thinking twice, I stood on my feet and started running in a direction. I didn't dare to look behind, maybe too scared to see the scene behind me. Does it make me a brave person or a selfish person? I left my parents in the face of death.

A few moments later, when I was in a certain distance away, my legs gave out and I couldn't run anymore. Darkness enveloped me again and I collapsed on the ground.

God, please protect my parents. Just take care of them. Just don't take them away from me.

A D V I K

I walked toward a warehouse in a quite dangerous and intimidating manner , my movements stoic yet deliberate. I wore a tailored suit that contrasted sharply with the sterile environment, the fabric catching the sunlight above and giving me an air of elegance.

An hour ago , while I was working in the office, I received a call. The Chief Minister of our state had been in a car accident. There were a total of five people in the car ; four people had already died. Only one person was alive, the Chief Minister's daughter. After crashing their car, those rascals took her into the warehouse, probably to sell her or worse.

Even though it was none of my concern, my father told me to bring that girl back. He is out of the state , so he told me to take care of this matter.

I walked inside but stopped in my tracks when I heard the sound of music; my legs took me in that direction, and my heart skipped a beat.

A girl in her early twenties was dancing while four men were leering at her. Despite being in a strained situation, I couldn't tear my eyes away from her graceful moves.

I took a step forward to get a better view of her beautiful features. I had never seen anyone so beautiful, so delicate. Her long, reddish brown hair framed her face like a halo, and her skin glowed with an ethereal quality.

It was as if time had stopped, and in that moment, I felt an overwhelming connection to her, a pull. My pulse throbbed against the base of my neck and I had to fist my hand to stop it from shaking.

Suddenly , she collapsed on the ground. My jaw clenched when I realized she was dancing barefoot on the broken glass all till then. I swallowed and my nails were digging into my palm as I clenched my fist roughly.

One of those bastard was about to touch her , but I rasped in a low yet dangerous tone, "Don't you dare put your filthy hands on her." All of them turned their gaze toward me in a swift. Their eyes widened as they recognised me and their eyes darted toward the police officers behind me.

I took a step closer to them, and they were trembling as if they had just seen their death. "Sir, I swear we didn't do anything to her. We just found her unconscious on the side of the road , " one of them pleaded, kneeling in front of me.

My eyes fell on her unconscious figure again and I felt something stirring inside me. I licked my lips and bit my inner cheek to control my rage. But I swear, it was damn torturous to see her like this.

"Kill them all , and after that, you know what to do , " I commanded the officer behind me. There's no forgiveness to these kinds of men, there's only punishment. They deserve death only.

"Sir, please forgive us. We didn't know she was your relative. Sir, we're sorry , " another man pleaded desperately. I ignored their plea and made my way toward the girl—or I can say, angel.

"I hate apologies . It doesn't matter whether I know the girl or not; you have no right to assault her . So, now, go to hell , " I growled in a vicious tone that made everyone silent, my voice echoing through the warehouse.

I stopped in front of her. Her face was hidden behind her long hair. Without wasting any time, I scooped her up in a bridal style and made my way outside the warehouse. My fingers curled around her side protectively as I was ready to burn those men alive for her.

It's not like I'm a saint, but I don't forgive those who try to devour innocent women.

The sound of gunshots was echoing through the place. I looked at her beautiful face for the first time: long lashes, full and defined lips, with a turned-up small nose.

She was wearing a sleeveless red long kurti and straight jeans. The dress was dusty , and her hair was messy. Also, there was a bloodstain on the side of her neck that made its path through her cleavage, inside the dress. She looked like a queen who had come from a war.

But she is a winner, a warrior, a goddess.

✧

I walked toward the VIP section of the hospital, and one of the police officers led the way. I stopped in front of a particular room. The officer opened the door , and my movements were still graceful, as if I were stepping onto a stage. I took a few steps toward the hospital bed. A nurse was sitting there. As soon as she saw me, she got up and walked outside, leaving me alone with the patient.

The rhythmic beeping of the machines surrounding her was a stark reminder of the fragility of life. She looked so peaceful, yet the tubes and wires connected to her body told a different story-one of struggle and uncertainty.

I stood at the foot of the bed , and my heart said no to beating—I smiled at myself. The view in front of me was just like a dream. A tempting dream.

She is so damn alluring even when unconscious, totally unaware that a monster has his eyes on her. I'm not a man who gets turned on by seeing every woman , or maybe this is my first time feeling something new in my chest—a sudden urge to protect her and keep her with me.

I'm sounding like some kind of lovestruck teenage boy. I shook my head and tried hard not to smile again but this damn smile.

I walked closer, and unknowingly my hands reached to touch her delicate cheeks. My fingers were shaking from the overwhelming confusion—should I really touch her? She's an angel and I'm a sinner, it's forbidden. My fingers were inches away from her face, I could even feel that warmth radiating from her skin.

My fingers brushed against her soft skin barely before I pulled myself away, and the door opened in a swift. I turned my gaze toward the door, where Manish, my assistant, was standing.

"Congratulations, CM sahab," he cheered in joy, his face was filled with exhilaration. A satisfied grin plastered across my face as soon as I heard him.

In the same fleeting moment, the smirk faded, revealing a glimpse of something far more sinister—a flicker of malice that would send a chill down the spine of anyone who dared to meet my gaze."Ab toh CM ka chair bhi mera aur unke beti bhi."

(Now the Chief Minister's position is mine , and so is his daughter.)