The euphony of fans cheering and applauding was the only place where I found solace. The echoes of each applause wrapped my past deep, deep and deep. Indeed a blanket it was!
My first beauty pageant–the embarrassment, the shame and the cacophony! How could I forget, the first question " What is your purpose in life Tamasvi? " " To be on the cover of Vogue," Said I, carrying my visions, which started to blur hearing the cacophony from the audience. " With that walk? " Said someone from the crowd mockingly. My heart sank, not from the cacophony silly! Seeing my twin giggling about it.
She did pay a hefty amount for it, didn't she?
My gaze darkened, my smile faded and I became cautious, cautious of Vyoma, I grew more awake for the last 48 hours of her breath.
I didn't dare to utter a word in front of her. You have to sacrifice things, to achieve your ambition, don't you? So did I. I spent the whole night like a paranoid, planning my steps.
" Check this out! " Said Vyoma. A joining letter from Skyline and Limited. I read it with a poker face, hiding how envious was my soul, but for how long could I hide the demons inside me?" when did you apply? I thought you were more into business wasn't you ?" I asked desperation flickered in my eyes, my hunger urging to hear the answer. " yeah but this is sort of fun, see I don't have to work hard, I'm naturally good at modeling! " I tightened my fist in rage under the table, trying to keep my temper but what did she mean by being "naturally good at it? " Am I not good Is that what she meant? Am I not worthy enough? And is she worthy enough to say that on my face? Isn't she aware I'm the lioness and she's the hare, I would feast upon ? Soon she will, I chuckled, "I'm proud of you, sister." " It feels nice Stepping into a new opportunity, You know? " " I know," Said I in the most supportive tone I could've used with my practiced smile but dear, you're only Stepping closer into your coffin, not opportunities.
" For you a thousand times and over Vyoma ! Tomorrow I'll cook a supper to celebrate you my heart. " She smiled, of course, she did. You should take this as a precursor my hare, words are often twisted but not more than my vivisect hunger desires–craving your blood with each breath you're left with.
I will be leaving for the market, Honey gotta make sure I pick your favorite veggies ! " don't spoil me ! " Said Vyoma teasingly. Spoil? Honey I could burn you alive with the surge of my rage if I want to. I want you to feel, feel the depth of your giggles.
I was done with my luggage and now it was the time–her last supper, a final goodbye. " I made you your favorite cassava stew, just how maa used to make it! " " This means a lot Tamasvi, I couldn't believe my eyes, I had expected you to sulk in a corner knowing I was the one who got selected and not you ." Said Vyoma with an infectious smile.
That smile, that damned smile! It was enough to instigate me further, I pretended to be galvanized by her words, " No my hare, just have your last meal " She had a spoonful of them, probably she didn't notice the bitterness laced with my words and the cassava full of my love and cyanide.
As the spoon clinked against her bowl, I knew it was time. I bashed out with my luggage and made sure not to look behind, the sinister and my dark past.
And a glass for my present–Mumbai, Vyoma always haunted me in my dreams, it felt like her soul came along with me watching my every step. The flashbacks of the past lingered in my mind as I opened a letter–photographs of my traces! "Meet me, Marine Drive at six." The sinister aroused, unveiling my lurking past, I couldn't escape– It's been twelve years ! "how are you–" " How am I still alive? " Said Vyoma mockingly. "How are you showstopper? Heard you stopping more into your boss's office than the runway. Oh, your concealed hard work! " I stood silently and numb, seeing her alive–how? Every hour, every minute, I made sure to be your shadow and track you down Tamasvi or traitor? Whatever you prefer. I thought our bond–us–we were inseparable! When life gives you a second chance you should use that opportunity. Straight to the point, amidst the chaos admit it live, what you did twelve years back in summer! The world should have a better grip on their role model and her dark past, how you swallowed my career! What a snitch!
I left a chuckle out, "How Innocent of you, when life gives you a second opportunity use it wisely, maybe this is your last chance! " I was about to push her down the bridge, well I didn't. "Enlighten me further, what would you do?" I asked sarcastically. "You'll know soon !" Smirked Vyoma, her gaze diluted, darker than my soul and intentions. But how lethal could that be? I didn't take her seriously–let her live her life, she already paid for the giggles. I left. I tried my best to sleep but it looked like luck had rolled its dice. How did she survive? That's all I could think about, with my eyes open wide staring at the ceiling. I didn't notice how time flew, I heard banging against my door. It was four in the morning, and I highly doubted who was at this hour. I crept the door a little, he was a familiar figure, whom I couldn't recall. " I'm Rudra, on behalf of the Mumbai police–" I know you, I'm trying to recall but– " coincidentally a friend of Vyoma." No–no–no this couldn't be true ! I should have drowned her! I tried maintaining my composure, but how could I? I stood cold-blooded. "What brings you here ?" I inquired " You, I'm here to detain you." " where is an arrest warrant?" "It's a cognizable offense. "
I froze at the moment, I was under custody, on national television but– how, how could that be– " I know what's eating you alive." Said Rudra offering me food. Resisting at first I ate it. " cassava stew, just how your maa used to make it" The Satan inside him served her "THE CASSAVA STREW ."
Vyoma, emerged from the dark, " It was all just a prop to set your greedy soul up, baby don't you wanna know how your honey survived? You still have 160 seconds left to savor your life. " You can leave Rudra. "Sure" he left. " Your sugar-coated words were enough for me to assume something was wrong, Honey? Isn't that what you called me? Now endure this Honey, your behavior was the biggest takeaway, those sweet words coated with cyanide? I'm glad I spectated your room and peeped into your diary physio! The only reason I was at ease was Rudra he came to Bareli to visit his family, I for my safety texted him if I didn't respond come home. He did, I had 120 seconds to live. Under proper medical care, I was given a second chance, not to live but rather an opportunity to snatch yours! You and your socials lol! I stalked you till your grave, those pictures of your affair weren't for you, sister. It's for the Media, you should be thrilled to know you've made it into the headlines, That filthy affair of yours and you being absconded! I snatched what should've been mine years ago, If I can't get to live the glamour so should you die in this derelict cell.
"She played it well, I'm delighted she knew the plan yet disappointed she didn't know it's her who snatched my dreams, from my eyes. Igniting the rage inside me but I only have five seconds more! And that affair? It was the only gate to reach this glamour..... A perfect time to reveal the truth isn't it? " Glamour doesn't exist it's all Glitter, and Glitter is fake–"
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