VAANI

Mumbai, city of dreams so bright,

Skies filled with dreams taking flight.

Bustling streets, a vibrant sea,

In Mumbai's heartbeat, I am forever free.

It's been 4 months I escaped. It's been 4 months I stepped towards my freedom. It's been 4 months my career in painting is skyrocketing. Now the people don't know me as a mute helpless girl. The people know me as the strong headed, vibrant and successful painter of surrealism. The world knows me as the painter of emotions. They said they feel emotions in my work. They said my paintings speaks to them and it feel too raw, but they see the work I present infront of them. They don't see the broken me in my paintings and no one will able to see it. How can anyone see through the person when the walls are too high? It's simple they like the painting. They like the dreamy feel in them and they buy them. It almost feel like I am selling my emotions to said peoples.

In all this hassle I did one thing right and I will always be proud of it. As soon as reach Mumbai, I filed FIR on my so called step mother on the basis of Domestic Violence, Inheritance Theft, Threat of Death, Verbal Abuse, Psychological and Emotional Abuse, Financial and Material Abuse, Modern slavery and Discriminatory abuse. Next day the police was in her door. It's not like that witch tried to stop them. She tried to bribe and ask for what evidence I submitted and I know that she'll ask that, so I already showed the papers, then give them the memory which I managed to stole from her only and she didn't even notice. The memory have all her evilness that was served in the golden platter. If you ask me why I stayed 1 year into that prison and take the torture then? Well then I was preparing for the downfall of that witch and preparation for my rise. In that one year I was faceless artist with the nickname of VA and in that one year my paintings got famous and my name shine like the sun shining in the bright sky. After that I took the decision to shift in Mumbai. I bought the decent flat in the decent neighborhood and believe me they are not cheap by any means, so I have to use some amount from my inheritance. After all the process with cops were done. Within one month I revealed my face and now I am one of the famous artist and in today's date my paintings are not selled, they are auctioned. It's like I found my voice without my voice.

Today, suddenly my PA less, friend more- Aarvi called me told me there was some mishap in paintings and I got the signal that I have to go to my studio. It's not necessary for me to go there but the said girl had her parents coming in her house. She is 24 year old and one of the most extrovert person I've ever met. I was strolling on the beach after my first exhibition here. When I saw her sitting on the beach with the bottle of bourbon in her hands and let's say she was very drunk. I was noticing her her from distance of atleast 10 meters so she won't notice me. I don't know why was I observing her but she was looking very disturbed. I watched her for good 45 minutes and I decided to go to my home because approaching drunk people at night is not good and on top of that I can't explain anything to her. But, when I was standing up I noticed her she was entering in the sea and I thought she was going to feel the water but she didn't stop. Then it clicked me that she was going to do suicide. At that time my instincts kicked and I run towards her at first she fought me but I am also one hell of stubborn, I didn't leave her till I take her out of the beach. After that, she starts rambling about how her whole life is a lie and she wants to die. I tried to sign her about where she leave and to my surprise she understands pretty fast but I didn't understand what she was telling me because all her words were blurry. At first, I thought of leaving her nearby park but there are many devils who lurked in the dark who will try to tame her. So, I ended up taking her to my home only. Next day when I woke up with the sound of earpeircing scream coming from my guest room. When I go there she was threatening me that she know karate and what knows defence, before she can ramble more I tried to sign in very understanding language but then she interrupt me and told me that she knows sign language. Later I explain her everything and unknowingly she also share me everything. She told me she was trying for the job and she wasn't qualified in any interview and the pressure of society and parents expectations and many more. I also come to know that she has done hotel management from a reputed college. So, I ended up making her my PA and I was in the need of one because of my workload and one profit is that she understands sign language and believe me she was on cloud nine when I gave her the offer.

Unknowingly in the span of 4 months the bond of friendship between us formed and she told me besides being her social butterfly she only has few of friends in which I am also included now. Unknowingly, in that time Aarvi made me believe in myself and she became one of my closest one till now. 'She became family.' Bond's related to blood are overrated, emotional ones are the most important.

Aarvi knows that I don't like to interact with people more often, it's not like that I am insecure about my voice, everybody have their flaws and I have mine, it's not a big deal, but the people oftenly don't understand what I am saying and I really hate to always write on pen and paper that's why I always take Aarvi with me because she can translate what I am saying. She always does the short meetings with my clients but in the big ones my presence and my opinion is necessary.

I sat in my brand new Mercedes-Benz GLB. Call me boyish but I have thing for cars. I still have the baby which was the main key of my freedom and she will always be close to my heart. I wore mask because why not? I don't want any random person to click my pictures randomly. The paparazzi nowadays is crazy. I start the music system and Anuv Jain's "Husn" song filled in the background. I roared up the engine and run my goddess towards my destination.

It is in not pleasant time to drive past nine at the night in this city but the paintings has to be delivered by tomorrow so it's kind of urgent also. I am in the halfway towards my studio when I notice a person is standing on the side of the road. I just ride past him when I notice his car. Wait! Is that Porsche 911? I reverse my car and rolled my window and this is indeed a Porsche 911 which is the latest model. I was admiring the beauty when I notice the presence beside it. The person beside it is like the handsome devil telling his mighty presence. Our eyes met, and time seemed to stand still. Light Brown. Like earth. That's what the colour of his eye is. His gaze, intense and penetrating, held a certain darkness that intrigued me. The sharp angles of his face heightened by the play of shadows. Which made him undeniably handsome as the forbidden sin and dark as merciless devil. There is a mysterious attraction about him, and in that moment, I couldn't help but notice the captivating blend of his enigmatic personality and striking features. It was as if the shadows themselves acknowledged the depth of his complexity.

I came out of trance when he narrows his eyes at me and I noticed that he's looking distressed. To my surprise rain also start pouring. Didn't he notice that he's drenching himself? I point him and then the sky and do signed him of 'Are you crazy to stand in the rain at this time of hour?' With that his nostrils flared and his gaze darkened and he replied.

Handsome Devil: "Listen miss my mood is already spoiled, the way my car stopped in the middle of nowhere made it worse and you are making making it even worse. You can go from here. There is no need to call me crazy." Oh! I didn't knew that his car stopped working in the middle. I can examine it and can fix it like I fixed my baby and I will also get the chance to stare, touch and maybe ride the beauty after he give the permission. I came out of the car but then instantly the rain increases. Wow! What a timing! I glare at the sky.

I huffed the air. I should go away, I don't have anything to do with the person standing infront of me. I should mind my own business. Then why did I open the back door of my car and offered him help? Just why? The rain starts to pour heavily now and I am not fan of cold. I shrugged and just entering in my car when the voice of presence behind me replied.

Handsome Devil:"Okay but are are you sure you want to help me I can murder you."Shit! Why did he have to reply. I was just going to slip away. I just stare at him. Now what? Should I also have to drop him now? And what's with the murder part, he said it like he actually mean it. I continue to stare at him not knowing what to say? He break the silence and said.

Adesh: "Okay.okay.okay... Don't be rude just wait 2 minutes." He jogs towards the backdoor of his car. Am I being rude? Lol! I am the who got the threat of murder. Rudely. But then I curse my self. Stupid. Stupid girl. What's with making strangers problems your own problems? Always going in the mouth of obstacles. I sigh. Then notice a small girl nearly of 4-5 age in the handsome devils hand. What? He has daughter. He's married, but he looks young to be father. God! I was just drooling over him few minutes ago. You should control Vaani every person is not single like you. He settles his daughter in the back and comes toward front. I shake my head and also sat in my car. Great! Now we both are drenched. I turn on the heater, buckle my seat belt and point him towards the tablet to write the direction.

After that I roared up the engine. When I thought the night couldn't be any bad, we're stopped by the cops by telling that we cannot go ahead because of landslide. Struggles. Now I don't have any other option than taking them both to my home. Who will give them rooms in hotel at this hour and that too in this heavy rain? When I change the direction the handsome devil protested but eventually understand and agreed to come with me when I explain him by writing in paper. I take off my mask and turn on the music.

I stare at the girl from mirror. She's definitely a heavy sleeper and she is cute though. Then my gaze landed on the person beside me. He seemed in deep thought. He is undoubtedly gifted with good genes. God! Vaani don't go there, he's married and has a daughter for god's sake. I suddenly became aware of my attraction towards him which is wrong, very very wrong and forbidden. How can I be attracted someone within just few moments? I focus on driving but then again my gaze wonder on my left and this time brown orbs of the handsome devil are staring at me. Reluctantly, I broke the eye contact but can still feel his heavy gaze on me which is making me squirm. The 10 minutes drive is feeling like 10 hours drive now.

The music changed in the background and ultimately we reached infront of my building. I came out of my car and take a deep breath. The environment in car was like bolts of electricity was surrounding us. I place hand on my racing heart and notice the handsome devil also came out of the car and stare at the building where I live. It's nice and decent building and have the high protection and gives the privacy also and the view is also good, but the person infront of me look rich. I mean reachy rich and he has Porsche 911. So, he's undoubtedly rich and I think he is used to live in mansion or penthouse. He opened the door of backseat and takes out the toddler. She squirms in his hand but frantically stops when he pat her head soothingly. He must love her a lot. He takes his gaze to me and raised his left eyebrow. I also raised mine mimicking him. The corner of his mouth lifts silently. Did he just smirked? I stare at him and he forward his hand and told,

Handsome Devil: "Lead the way Beautiful Stranger angel." Now it's me who smiled. What? The Handsome Devil called me Beautiful and Angel. Atleast I can enjoy the compliments.

I lead the way, enter the lift and punched the 9 floor button. The lift open in my flat it's simple 3 bhk flat with open terrace balcony. I turn around to tell the handsome devil to enter but he already had his way and scaning the surrounding. Observant much. I start to walk to guide them to guest room and take out my phone and start to type. After I reach the room I showed him the text.

"You can make the toddler sleep here if you want I have one more spare room for you and by the way myself Vaani"

He read the text and I forward my hand for shake. He shaked my hand and replied with smirk in his face.

Handsome Devil: "Adesh. I am Adesh. Pretty late for introduction by the way and I don't think this toddler Pakhi would like to wake up in the unknown place in the morning so I'll stay with her only. Thank you once again."

I nod towards him and open the room and he settle Pakhi on the bed and I walk ahead in the room and he notice my movement. I open the door on the right and signal him towards it. He come forward and murmured bathroom. I nodded and start to write on phone again and showed him text.

"My room is infront of yours if you want anything you can knock, and I should go now, Good Night."

Adesh: "Okay. Thank you Again and Good Night. Vaani." He paused for few seconds before saying my name. Hearing my name rolling from his tongue has the butterflies dancing in my stomach. I don't know why I like my name coming from him but it's also like he's also tasting my name on his tongue to savor the moment. I hastily nod and come out the room and close the door and lean my head on the door and wonder what's wrong with me? It's not like he's the first man I've ever meet in my life. Then why heck my heartbeat increase when I'm near him. I take some deep breaths to calm myself. It's past 11 and I've to wake up early tommorow to see the mishap of paintings in my studio.

It's not like I want to sleep but nightmares and the monsters of my past are always lurking behind me. That's why I didn't experience the good sleep from more than 8 years. I came in my room and change my clothes and sit on the couch and close my eyes, just to relax for some time. In the hope that I can get good sleep without the demons dancing on my head.

I woke up with the jerk. Same screams, same nightmare everyday. I check the time, it's 3 past 15 and beads of sweats are rolling on my back. I reach for water but the jug was empty. I wore my slippers and make my way towards kitchen. After filling the jug, I make my way to my bedroom. I was just going when I sense the movement on my left in my living room and lights are off also. I put the jug on the table beside me and pick up my antique vase. I tighten my hold around its neck and take my step forward hasitly. After 2-3 steps my foot collide with something which resulted in the vase landing on the ground with thud. Crap! how could I forget that there is tea table?

Everything happened so fast as someone spin me and there is hand on my neck and somehow I ended up getting pinned on the wall. A pained breath come out of me as my back crash with the hard wall. My hand claw the masculine hand gripping on my neck as I tried to get free from the chokehold. After good 1 minute the hold around me loosened and I take the greedy gulps of oxygen. The sweet, rainy, earthy and masculine aroma enter in my nostrils and I know who the person is. It's Adesh. How can I forget I am not alone today? As I am recovering from the impact, the lights turned on and the deep voice filled in my ear.

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Adesh:"Vaani?"

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