She stepped back again, looking at her reflection in the mirror as she fixed her hair. ‘I don’t give second chances. Don’t make me regret giving you the first.’
She turned and left, the door closing behind her with a click.
The sound swallowed all the air. My face burned bright while the rest of my body fell cold. A sheen of sweat formed on my skin.
The mirror blurred. My vision narrowed until I felt like I was looking through a tunnel.
Breathe.
Her perfume still lingered in the air, coiling tightly around my ribcage. My breath caught again and again, never quite enough.
Breathe.
My heartbeat was loud. Too loud. In my throat. Ears. Veins. Dizziness crawled up the back of my scalp. My tongue turned into a ball of cotton.
I bent forward, resting my palm flat on the cool marble counter, taking in large gulps of air. But it didn’t feel like enough.
Somewhere in the distance, footsteps passed by and a door clicked shut.
But I stayed there, paralysed between the counter and Rekha’s words.
Breathe.
In. Out. In. Out.
My shoulders loosened.
I continued taking deep breaths until the dizziness went away and my heart slowed.
I exhaled harshly and looked at my reflection. I looked the same, but felt nothing like myself.
The door swung open, and my heart lurched.
Jasmine walked in, her eyes landing on me. ‘Here you are,’ she said, sounding relieved. ‘We saw Jai sir again, and you weren’t with him. Where were you? It’s been an hour.’
I forced a smile, but my lips felt stiff. ‘I … I’m not feeling very well. I think I’m going to go home.’
Her eyebrows knitted. ‘What happened?’
‘Nothing,’ I said quickly, grabbing my clutch and moving towards the door. ‘I just need to leave.’
‘If you’re sure.’ She followed me out, still frowning. ‘Text me when you get home?’
I nodded, already out in the corridor. The air felt cooler here, but it wasn’t enough. I needed space.
I pulled my phone from my clutch and shot Jai a quick text so he wouldn’t look for me.
I was halfway to the hotel entrance when a large hand clasped my wrist. ‘Ananya.’
I looked up.
Jai was a little breathless, as if he’d chased me out. ‘What happened?’ His eyes roamed over my face. ‘Are you okay?’
My eyes stung. ‘I …’ My voice cracked. I swallowed, nodding.
His hand closed over my trembling fingers; his voice grew low and dangerous. ‘Did anyone say something to you?’
‘No.’ I was on the verge of breaking apart. ‘I just need to go home, Jai.’
