Intertwined

Chapter 6 : Hostage Of Those Eyes

Having taken showered already, Sneha decided to get ready for the dinner. It was 7 in the evening as she stood before her wardrobe when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in!”

Disha barged inside the room with her chirpy demeanor followed by Divya and Shreya who were much calmer. Apparently, they all were ready to go.

“Bhabhi you are not ready yet ?” - Disha inquired, her tone squeaky and impatient.

Sneha chuckled. “Was just about to. But you know the dilemma of what to wear...” - she joked, shaking her head at herself.

Divya's eyes shone, getting an idea. “Wear brown Bhabhi. It's Kabir Bhai's favourite colour!” - she snapped her fingers in a ‘problem solved’ manner.

Sneha's heart instantly rejected the suggestion. Instead, at the mention of favourite colour, her mind conjured up a memory from years ago...

“Mahir, why do I see you mostly in black ?” - fourteen years old Sneha asked her age-mate as they both sat down on the stairs of the mansion. It was Holi, every member of both families was dressed up in white except for Mahir who was wearing a black kameez salwar.

“It is the only colour I like.” - he replied, shrugging.

“But why ?” - she asked, curious.

“Because it doesn't let other colours change it.” -

His deep words shocked her but slowly, a mischievous smile came on her lips. “You are forgetting that my favourite colour, white, changes black.” - she teased.

He smiled and shook his head. “Uh-huh! I don't count that as changing. It just neutralizes black. Like humans neutralize devils and angels.”

Her smile widened. “Like the evening neutralizes day and night.” - she added.

“Like you neutralize me.” - he said softly.

She gave out a delighted laugh, her head falling back and the conversation continued...

“See you both confused her...” - Shreya chided Divya and Sneha came out of her thoughts. “Sneha, don't listen to these two and wear whatever you want or feel comfortable in.” - she said smilingly, placing a hand on Sneha's shoulder.

Sneha smiled lightly. “Oh it's not that. I was just thinking that I don't have many brown dresses that would fit a fancy dinner.” - she lied.

“It's okay Bhabhi. You look beautiful in every colour anyways. Wear what you want to.” - Disha said smiling softly. “Just be quick please...” - she added, her eyes doe.

Sneha chuckled. “Just give me ten minutes. I'll join you guys downstairs.”

The girls nodded and left. Sneha turned to her wardrobe again and saw that a black dress and brown dress both were right in front of her eyes. She worried her bottom lip as the war between her heart and mind started again. She knew she should listen to her sane side, her brain. Knew what she was thinking, doing, how she was acting, it all was wrong. But still, her hand shot towards the black dress guiltily and pulled it out of the almirah before closing the door shut.

~

Sneha's pencil heels clicked on the marble staircase as she came downstairs. She was dressed simple in a black halter neck dress ending on her knees. She had tied up her hair in a carefree ponytail which despite being high, reached her waist. Opting for subtle makeup, she had applied black eye shadow, gloss to her lips and perfected her look with silver hoop earrings.