Chapter 5
'Hate' Is A Strong Word And That's Why He's The Only Person I Truly Hate
Here's the thing. I never really liked to seek attention and nor do I need it. I'm not exactly popular - in fact, most people probably know me as 'The Neil Chaudhry's Sister' or 'The Jocks' Best Friend'. The jocks are the football team guys, by the way. But after word spread that Virat's my new neighbour and that he gave me a lift to school, people have been cornering me, asking me about my 'experience' with the jerk. Seriously? Oh and not to mention, they finally bothered asking me my name rather than referring to me as Neil's sister. Wow, isn't it? Usage of sarcasm again and you should've known that if you've been reading 'the pages of my life'. I'm a cynical teenager, get it? I'm sarcastic, I'm rude, I'm a nerd and I'm just plain cool, deal with it. Ha! Have a hard time believing I'm a nerd? Just so you know, I'm totally in love with books. Now when I say nerd, I'm not the overly cliche nerd. Not the one with geeky glasses, or the one who's face is always hidden behind a book or the one who has a terrible fashion sense. God, being a nerd doesn't mean you have to fit in to that description!
So, I'm not going to the 'nerd talk' again. The main problem here is the attention I'm getting which is totally horrible. The fact that I can see everything going on in Virat's room is not too helpful either. I don't know how people come to know about such stuff. Stalkers, I tell you. Looks like I have to stay undercover!
"Maanvi, I told you to check your email. I'm sure you've been selected," Sophia butted in. She has been troubling me with this thing since the first period. I don't care if I'm selected as the lead guitarist so why is she even bothering? Oh yeah, now I get it... she's my best friend. And an annoying one but I love her all the same.
"Relax, Soph! It's up to Maanvi to decide whether she wants to check her email or not. We can't have an argument about 'emails'," Josh replied, rolling his eyes. I smiled at him. You know when people say that a girl can only have a best girlfriend but not a boy best friend? Well, that is not true because Josh is as close to me as Soph. And, it gets even more irritating when people tell me that one day I'll fall for Josh and he'll fall for me. We three had come to an agreement that we'll never fall in love with each other. By chance we do start having feelings for each other, we're going to blurt it out. Well, so far so good because I haven't fallen for Josh and neither has Soph. And Josh doesn't have feelings for either of us. And we never will, if I may say so. We're good as best friends.
"But she has to check to know if she's in the band or not!" Soph protested with an annoyed face.
I sighed. "Okay, okay. Wait, I'll check."
I tapped on the screen of my mobile to check my email and sure enough I had one. It was from Liam, the drummer of the band. The email said :
Congratulations, Maanvi! You've been selected as the lead guitarist. Please show up on Wednesday after the last period of school for practice.
"Shocking, but I made it," I said, nonchalantly. It's not like I wasn't happy. Trust me, I was but what about the memories that came with the happiness? What about my father's face which popped up inside my mind whenever I played?
I was trapped in a hug by Soph as she squealed excitedly. Sharing a brief hug with Josh, I parted ways with them to reach my class, but was dragged back by a hand. My eyes wandered off to a red haired girl with wide eyes, full of astonishment.
"You're Maanvi, right?" She asked whilst I nodded. "And... you're Virat's new neighbour. OMG! You're so lucky!!!"
"Uh... what so lucky?" I asked, clearly irritated. This was probably the 100th time I was cornered before class about this matter. The girl looked at me in disbelief.
"What so lucky? Of course staying next to Virat Vadhera and getting a view of his room!" She said in a 'duh' tone as if it was way too obvious. Rolling my eyes, I pulled back my arm, entering my class. As soon as I stepped inside, everyone started looking at me, some glaring, some shocked while some squealing. Right, so much for staying undercover.
* * * *
I was standing with Neil, fiddling with the hem of my white dress. Thanks to my mum, I looked really good but comfort was always the matter. My high stilettos were not doing anything to make me feel comfortable either.
The situation ahead of us was more terrible... having dinner with my jerk of a dad. Why did he even want to meet us? He never even bothered to check up on us.
"Can you believe it that he called us to dinner in a 5 star restaurant?" Neil asked with disbelief. No, I didn't. When did he even become so rich?
"Nope, not even a bit. Where the hell is he, anyway?"
"How am I supposed to know? He's always late."
I looked at the restaurant. The ambience was amazing, with huge chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. The tables were decorated with a vase of flowers on the middle of each one and the table cloth seemed to be of a delicate material.
"He's here," Neil whispered, taking my hand in his and giving it a squeeze. My eyes wandered off to where he was staring and when my eyes landed on him, they almost bulged out of its sockets. Standing with him, hand-in-hand, was a woman dressed in an elegant purple dress. Her dark brown hair was tied into a neat bun and she was constantly laughing at whatever my dad was saying.Tears pricked my eyes while I tried to force them back. Spotting us, dad and 'his girlfriend' made their way towards us.
"She's probably his girlfriend," Neil said, rage evident in his voice. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and his expression softened.
"Don't do anything bad, Nee-Nee," I pleaded, my voice cracking. He responded with a slight nod.
"Hello, Neil and Maanvi," Dad said, his deep and stern voice making me wince. This same voice, at one time, was soothing to me but now it was anything but.
I shook the hand he brought forward but refused to hug him but Neil, on the other hand, didn't even bother to greet him back or shake his hand. Dad and the woman sat opposite to us.
"Um... I want you both to meet Carrie. She's my.. uh.. girlfriend," he said nervously, his hand resting on Carrie's waist. The site itself was making me want to throw up. Neil's grip tightened on my hand, if that was even possible.
"That's why you called us?" Neil scowled at him. Dad's expression hardened as if he was already boiling with rage. Weren't we the ones to be angry? If I thought he was horrible before then now he has exceeded my expectations. He's even more horrible and I can't stand to look at him anymore. I shook with rage, trying to stop myself from screaming. I wanted to just claw Carrie's eyes out... and yes I'm serious.
"Don't need to make a face, Neil. being your father, I felt it necessary to introduce her," Dad put in.
I scoffed loudly. "Oh, I see! You wanted us to meet Mum's replacement and the next time you'll call us to dinner it will be to tell us that we're going to be replaced by your children. Great!"
"I expected this from Neil but not from you Maanvi. What happened to your manners? Most importantly, what happened to you?" Dad replied, sternly.
"Oh what happened to me? Well, I'm still the same Maanvi. The very same one whom you taught to ride the bicycle, play the guitar, play football. So, where the hell is my dad and who are you?!" I shouted back. "Do you think we came here to talk to you? Well no because we only came because Mum pleaded us to. Our MUM who you left there alone and probably even cheated on her. Right Carrie? How long have you been his girlfriend?"
"Enough, Maanvi," dad warned.
"No it's alright! I've been with him for 2 years, now. Anymore questions?" Came Carrie's reply. It was the first time she had spoken and her voice was unusually calm. I looked at both of them in disbelief.
"So you did cheat on Mum," Neil said, voicing my thoughts. "We should've known that you're a jerk. A big idiot! You should be glad that I'm not swearing. Otherwise, I've got many words to describe you. Want to hear them?
"Shut up, Neil!" Dad shouted. The people around us were staring at us but that was the least we cared about. It was followed by silence and glaring. Neil and I were staring at him in anger and he was doing the same.
"Erm... so which college do you go to, Neil?" Carrie asked, awkwardly, breaking the silence. We both looked at her in disbelief. College? Is she out of her mind or did she not even pay attention when dad 'may have' told her about us.
"College?" Neil frowned at her and then looked questioningly at dad who in turn raised his eyebrows.
"She's asking which college you go to. Don't tell me you sit at home doing nothing," dad replied clearing his throat. At that, I let anger get the better of me and prepared to shout at the top of my voice. My dad did not just say that. Wow! It has just been 2 months and he has already forgotten that Neil is 'just' 11 months older than me, still is in High School, not in college. Amazing, don't you think? Now you truly know how brilliant my dad is. Or should I even call him that?
I opened my mouth to speak out my thoughts but I felt Neil squeeze my hand for the 100th time. I glanced at him, hurt was registered in his eyes but he was looking at me as if giving me a warning not to shout. I closed my mouth and nodded at him. He had to do the speaking this time, not me.
"It's unbelieving, isn't it?" Neil asked dad, who again raised his eyebrows, which was starting to get on my nerves. First smirks and now raising eyebrows.
"What?"
"That you've even forgotten how old I am. If you don't know, I'm just 11 months older than Maanvi and I'm still in High School. Not in college! You know a lot about us," he replied, acting as if he was impressed. I suppressed a laugh, when dad opened his mouth but then closed it again, looking like a fish. I even noticed how my dear Nee-Nee said exactly the same words going on in my head. He was my brother after all!
"You guys are doing great here. Not surprising that both of you are big idiots," I added, smirking. Dad's face was turning red with all the anger blaring inside him. My smirk got wider when I looked at his expression. You know what? I don't care what he thinks about me or that I'm disrespecting my own father. But the truth is, if he didn't act like a father then why should I act like a daughter? Most important of all, I don't even consider myself his daughter now.
"Maanvi Shekhawat," dad finally said.
"Maanvi Chaudhry," I corrected, using my mother's surname.
"Oh, I see. Using your mother's surname. Genius! But you get one thing clear Maanvi, I never expected this behaviour from you. You've always been the sensible one, so act like one. You've changed, I'm telling you again," he snarled at me. I let out a hysterical laugh.
"Well, I'm telling you again, that I have not changed even a bit. And as for expectations, I never expected this from you," I said, looking pointedly at Carrie. "So, stop telling me that I've changed and that I need to learn manners. YOU should start caring about your relationships rather than cheating on each and every one of your family members. You get it?"
"I've had enough of you both," dad said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"As if we haven't," Neil sneered.
"Just shut the hell up Neil!" Dad shouted, the anger now coming out. I haven't seen him like this this. Ever. And I'm not ashamed to admit that we're the reason why he's this angry.
"No, I won't! Not this time!! I've been quiet for months but now I won't. I've had enough of you hitting me and then telling me to keep quiet. If there was anyone happy with you leaving, then it was me!! Should I tell everyone what all you did? Nobody knew your true face but me. I'm not going to keep quiet right now," Neil shouted at my dad. I had never seen him get this angry. He was now shaking all over with rage, his hands, which had already left mine, were curled into tight fists, his knuckles turning white.
I gasped, tears threatening to flow down. Dad had hit Neil and nobody even knew it? Sure, I had seen Neil coming home with bruises and wounds with blood but I had always thought he had been fighting. But this? It never crossed my mind. To think that dad could stoop this low?
However, I wanted to hear it come out of his mouth. I wanted to let him know that we no longer cared about him and if possible my hate for him grew even more. I never hated anybody before. I had said that to Virat many times but I wasn't serious. Dad though is a totally different case. Hate is a strong word and that's why he's the only one I truly hate.
"You hit him?" I almost whispered. Tears were already flowing down my cheeks but I didn't care to wipe them away. Dad flinched at the venom in my voice. He kept quiet and I got what this silence meant. "I asked, did you hit him?" My voice was shaking with rage now.
"Yes," dad replied emotionless. There was no regret, nothing and that made me want to hit him. I got up from my chair and brought out my hand to hold Neil's.
"Then we have nothing to talk about," I said and was just about to go when dad stopped us.
"You both aren't going anywhere. This conversation is not over. Sit down!" He shouted, making all the people around us look at him. My eyes wandered off to a person I least expected to see here. He nodded his head and walked over to us. Clearing his throat, he said, "Sir, Maanvi and Neil have to go now. Their mother asked me to get them. There's an emergency at home."
"What kind of emergency?" Dad spat and I glared at him.
Virat, yes Virat, hesitated before answering. "Their um... dog, Imagine... well something's wrong with him. He has been taken to the vet."
"Just for that dog? No, they aren't going anywhere," he replied black, plainly. I looked over at Neil, his expression was that of hurt and he had been queit ever since he shouted. I gave his hand a tight squeeze.
"He's not just a dog. He's family... unlike you. You're the one who's a dog here," I snarled at him for insulting Imagine. Anyone say anything about me, I don't care but if anyone goes to insult Imagine, Neil or Mum, they have to go through my wrath.
With that I walked away, dragging Neil with me and Virat was following us. True, I dislike (dislike because hate's a strong word. Wink wink) him but I was thankful to him for getting us out. Just to get your mind cleared, we are nowhere near friends, even now!
As soon as we settled inside the car, Virat with us (apparently, his friend had dropped him here for a date. IN A 5 STAR HOTEL!! That brat's got money, I tell you), I let my tears flow down, not stopping them.
"Why didn't you tell me, Nee-Nee?" I asked, sobbing, from the back seat.
"I didn't think it would be necessary," he said, shrugging.
"How can you think it wasn't necessary?" I asked in disbelief. "Surely, you don't think we don't care about you, right?" I just hoped it was not the case. I hoped he didn't think we didn't love him.
"I know you and Mum love me. That's why I didn't tell you. You both were happy with him around," he replied.
"I can't believe he could stoop this low. I hate him." I sobbed hard, my head on my hands. "I can't believe it, Nee-Nee. I hate him for doing this to you. You could have just said. Mum would have thrown him out of the house straight away."
"I'm sorry, Em," he whispered, looking at me from the rear-view mirror. Virat had been quiet so far and I was grateful that he wasn't saying anything. Had he heard everything?
"You shouldn't be. I'm sorry for not looking out for you. You're my big brother, I should've known there was something wrong rather than ignoring all those wounds. I thought you had been fighting or got hurt during practice. How long had this been going on? And why?"
"Em, you have nothing to worry about. You've been a great sister to me and I love you. I really do. And whatever you said to him, I'm glad you said it. I'm proud of you," he chucked lightly but then stopped before going to the difficult part. "About 6 months... I had seen him... uh.. with his secretary. I don't know if it was Carrie, though. But well, I said I would tell Mum but then he threatened me. I said I will tell her and so he resorted to hitting me. I still wanted to, I honestly did. I was about to but I noticed Dad had asked a few men to stalk me everywhere. They told me if I let out one word, they would kill you. I was too stupid to think it was true. Of course, it was too far fetched but then I panicked and I believed every word. I let them hit me on the condition that they wouldn't touch you. After that, I think dad decided to leave Mum so... I was glad. I still kept quiet. Please don't cry, Em. It's all over now!"
I cried and cried... it was too much. People would think this just happens in books and movies, heck even I thought so, but this I knew was true. Every bit of hit and I hoped I wouldn't see that man ever again. If yes, then I would send him straight to jail and do anything to get back at him for torturing Neil.
"You're telling this to Mum after getting back. You have to. Do you understand, Nee-Nee? She has every right to know and I don't care if she's hurt or not. It will hurt her, I'm sure. But you have to tell her," I said in between my sobs.
After crying for another few minutes, sleep took over me and I closed my eyes, a few tears leaking out of my eyes. I don't care anymore.
I. Hate. Him.
* * * *
Author's Note
Thank you sooo much for the comments :D I just wanted you all to know that I'll stop updating from 1st of September due to my half yearly exams. I'll continue as soon as the exams are over.
I've already stopped updating in the other site. But here, I just have to copy and paste :P Which leads me to another thing I've been wanting to tell you. You may see words that have stars instead of letters. Those words are not any abusive words. I just copy and paste it from the other site where sometimes the alphabets are exchanged with stars. I do edit the stuff here whenever I spot any mistakes but complete editing will only take place after I finish writing this story.
There's a lot of time for that :P The story has not even started.
Thank you!
Love,
Stella
Edited by Stella_8D - 11 years ago
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
CID
193