Then I step out, my strides steady, but my mind lingers. There’s been a shift between us tonight. And damn if I’m not hoping it stays that way… hoping she doesn’t pull away again.
Chapter 11
Nisha
A small smile tugs at my lips as I stare at the screen, the words ‘Application Submitted’ flashing back at me. I’m sitting cross-legged on my bed, in the same spot I’ve occupied since I woke up hours ago. My finger hovers over the trackpad for a moment longer before I finally close the mail tab and sink back against the headboard, a quiet sense of pride settling in my chest.I did it. I actually did it.
Closing my eyes, my mind drifts back to the conversation I had with Mr. Tiwari.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Mr. Tiwari?”
“Yes, speaking,” he replied in a deep voice.
“Mr. Tiwari, this is Nisha. Dr. Tanushree gave me your contact. She mentioned you run the online MBA program,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Ah, Nisha!” he had replied almost immediately, as though he’d been expecting the call. “Yes, yes, she did tell me about you. I’m so glad you reached out. How are you feeling?”
“I’m… getting there,” I admitted truthfully.
“Good. Now, let’s talk about your course. But before we get into how to start, could you tell me what stream are you looking at?”
“Marketing,” I answered without hesitation. “I’ve always been drawn to it. It’s always felt like the right fit.”
“That’s a smart choice. I’ll send you a link to the application form. The entire process is short and simple. You can fill it out at your own pace. And if you need any help, I’m just a call away. You’ve already taken the first step by reaching out. The rest, we’ll figure out as we go.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me, feeling a little less overwhelmed than I had just moments before making the call. “Thank you, Mr. Tiwari.”
“You’re welcome, Nisha.” His voice came immediately.
I let out a slow breath and open my eyes.Things will work out, I whisper in my mind as I stare back at the new MacBook. A fresh smile tugs at my lips. It had been an unexpected, thoughtful gift, maybe even a little too much, if I’m being honest. But whatever it was, it gave me this odd, fluttery kind of happiness.
Over the past few days, I’ve tried to keep Sidharth at a distance. But he never once backed away. In fact, he’s carved his presence so deeply into my life that pushing him out feels impossible now. And somewhere along the way, without meaning to, I’ve started to trust him. Just a little. But somehow, that little feels like a lot.
The buzz of a notification pulls me from my thoughts. I glance down at the screen, and my heart skips a beat when I see the wordsNew Mail. Just two words, but somehow, they set my pulse racing.
It must be the reply from the university about my admission. My fingers move faster than my brain can catch up,as I open the email tab. But the moment my eyes skim over the words, the air is sucked right out of me.
Sender:Unknown
Subject:You Deserve Everything That’s Coming
A shudder passes through me. My fingers tremble over the trackpad as I click on the mail.
You bitch. You and your precious sister actually think you’ve won by putting Prakash behind bars, don’t you? You really believed he was the one behind your accident, and that now you can live happily ever after? Then, you’re even dumber than I thought. Prakash was never the mastermind. He was just my puppet. He only did what I told him to. And now that he’s rotting in jail, you’ve really pissed me off. If you think you’re safe now, you’re dead wrong. Because I was the one who wanted you gone. I still do. You may have cheated death once, but next time, you won’t be so lucky. I’ll make sure of it.
My hands freeze. For a second, I just stare at the screen, my heart pounding so violently I can hear it in my ears.Who sent me this?
With each passing second, a chill runs down my spine. Unable to take it anymore, I slam the laptop shut, but the words still echo in my head.I’m the one who wanted you gone. I still do.
A sick, uneasy feeling twists in my gut. I thought I’d left the worst behind, but it turns out, the nightmare isn’t over yet.
No.I won’t let this scare me. I didn’t crawl my way back from darkness just to be pushed into another pit of fear.
My mind begins to race, struggling to think rationally instead of giving in to fear. This email makes one thing clear: Prakash isn’t alone like we assumed. He has someone. Someone with their own motive, someone who hates me enough to want me gone.
But who could I have wronged so deeply?The more I think about it, the more my mind spins, and still, no name comes to my mind.
