Page 15 of Wicked Trap

Rashmi nudged her. “Get to the interesting part! About a gorgeous, dimpled guy who was protesting along with you and got arrested with you too.”

Everyone’s eyes widened again but with interest.

“Ooh, who is it?” her friend Kavita, the birthday girl, asked.

Rashmi mock glared at Tanvi. “She doesn’t know his name. And neither do I. She ran him away before I could get his name or phone number.”

“He wasn’t a protester,” Tanvi replied. “He was some random arrogant ass who just happened to be there.”

“A gorgeous arrogant ass,” Rashmi said dreamily.

Tanvi let out a scoff. “More like an annoying arrogant ass.”

Everyone laughed.

“You find all men annoying, Tanvi,” Kavita reminded. “Either the men are too intimidated by you, or they are scared of your father.”

“Yeah,” Rashmi added. “The very few ones who try to suck up to you because they are acquainted to your father, you scare the shit out of those too.”

Tanvi didn’t argue because it was somewhat true.

“I want a boyfriend,” Rashmi continued. “Kavita is getting married soon. Even Divya has a boyfriend.”

Kavita was engaged to a family friend’s son who lived abroad. Divya Mohan’s eyes widened in fear. “Shh. Don’t say it out loud. If my father finds out about Rahul, he will kill us!”

Although Divya wasn’t as a close a friend as Rashmi and Kavita, Tanvi had known Divya for a long time. Divya’s father, Rajesh Mohan, was a distant family friend of Tanvi’s father. At one point, they used to be good acquaintances. But over the years, since Tanvi’s father became active in politics, they had lost touch. The only time they met and spoke recently was when Divya’s brother died tragically in a car accident three years ago.

Despite being the same age and having studied in the same schools and colleges, Tanvi and Divya weren’t that close. Divya was completely opposite in personality to Tanvi and of a different wave length. Divya didn’t socialize much, was mild-mannered, overly cautious and prone to anxiety. She barely interacted with people. But Tanvi tried to be inclusive and friendly with Divya and invited her over for most get-togethers with college friends.

“You should speak to your father about liking someone, Divya,” Tanvi said softly.

Divya shook her head. “No way! He won’t ever let me step out of the house then. He will also separate Rahul and me!”

Tanvi didn’t understand how the other girl planned to be with the man she loved without ever letting her parents know. Tanvi had tried to reason with Divya many times, but her friend wasn’t ready to talk to her parents yet. So, Tanvi let it go and decided to respect Divya’s decision.

“What about that cute guy you mentioned who moved in downstairs?” Rashmi asked Tanvi, continuing the previous topic about finding boyfriends.

Tanvi knew her friend was talking about Sameer, the guy who tried to chat her up whenever they met. “He apparently works for Prism Corporation. He seems like a nice guy.”

“Not boyfriend material?”

Tanvi laughed. “Not for me, for sure.” The guy was cute, but he didn’t interest her. “I don’t have the time or inclination to date or entertain a boyfriend.”

There were too many things going on in her life. A boyfriend would not only prove to be a huge distraction, she also didn’t think any man would adapt to her lifestyle.

She thrived on working for multiple causes. And once she picked up a cause, she became obsessed until it reached its natural conclusion.

Her current cause was saving City Central Park. Despite having hit a roadblock a few days ago, there was no way she could give it up. She was already planning and coordinating to find alternate site to protest.

Although none of her close friends joined her at protests or felt similarly passionate about a cause, they did support her by listening to her plans and giving her honest feedback. She enjoyed their company because they accepted her the way she was. She didn’t think a man would feel the same. He would expect her to change.

“I want to come to your next protest,” Rashmi insisted. “I am sure I would run into that gorgeous guy again.”

Tanvi laughed. “We are planning the next protest in two days at the street behind the Prism building,” she said. “There’s a school.” Since it would be the weekend, the school would be closed.

Rashmi nodded. “Wherever it is, even if there is a one-percent chance of running into that guy again, I’m going to come.”

Tanvi shook her head with a laugh. “I’m telling you we won’t ever run into that jerk again. It was a coincidence that he—”

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