Page 23 of Addiction

Her phone rang. It was Reina. Smiling, she joined the group video call. Both her sisters came online. While Reina was walking down a corridor dressed in hospital scrubs, Ananya had the camera pointed to the ceiling.

“Girls, I’ll be there in a minute…” Ananya dashed a quick look into the camera and dropped her phone again. “I have to send an email.”

Ananya was in the media business, and her work hours were all over the place. A few years ago, she’d started a fashion magazine, Noir Fashion,which was slowly but surely becoming famous.

“Hi, Reina,” Navya said. “It’s been a week and we’ve barely spoken to you.”

“You left at the right time, Navya!” Reina sighed. “It’s been crazy since then. I’ve been working nonstop. The hospital has been inundated with patients coming in with accidents. I’ve assisted on so many surgeries that I’ve lost count.”

“Ok, I’m here now.” Ananya adjusted the camera, and finally, Navya could see her better. Navya noted that her elder sister was still in her room, dressed in her PJs, and working, exactly as Navya had left her.

“Ananya, did you eat dinner?” Navya asked, studying her.

“Not yet. I’m not hungry,” Ananya replied.

Worry flickered over her. On video, Ananya looked tired. The bags under her eyes were deeper, and her face looked thinner. Her sister wasn’t eating well. Four years back, Ananya had been healthy and smiling. But now… Navya hated how lacklustre Ananya had become. Navya knew what ailed Ananya. She was suffering from heartache. Ananya was pining over a man who wanted nothing to do with her, and what was worse was that he thought she’d deceived him.

Navya felt so helpless. She didn’t know how to lift her sister’s spirits. After all, she was the one who’d caused Ananya’s misery. Had she not encouraged her to meet Mihir Oshnov four years ago, Ananya wouldn’t be so sad now.

“You need to take care of yourself,” Navya said carefully. “You promised you’d eat when I left.”

“And I will. Just not now.”

Over the call, Navya shared a look with Reina. Ananya noticed it and said, “Girls, stop worrying about me. I’m fine. By the way, I’m mad at you. Why didn’t you tell me about that incident? How could you keep something like that from me?”

“Navya, you told her?” Reina said.

“Reina, why did you tell her?” Navya said at the same time.

Ananya chuckled. “Caught you. I knew you both were behaving cagey. Neither of you was willing to talk about that New Year’s Eve party you went to. You kept brushing it off, and I figured something was up. So out with it. I need answers.”

“Nothing happened,” Reina and Navya said at the same time.

Ananya arched a brow. “Invoking elder sister rights here. What the hell is going on? Is it a man? I’m sure it’s a man. Who is he, and which one of you is involved?”

Fuck. Ananya was too damn clever.

Reina raised her hand up. “It’s not me, for sure. My work keeps me so busy that I have no time for myself, much less a man.”

Ananya’s gaze narrowed on Navya. “So, it’s you. Who is it?”

Shit. Navya had deliberately not told Ananya about the party and meeting the Oshnovs. Both Reina and she had decided that the less she knew about the Oshnovs, and especially Mihir, the better it was for her. But now she’d caught them keeping secrets from her; hence, keeping Ananya in the dark was no longer an option.

“Look…” Navya began. Just then, her driver stopped the car in front of the Sehgal Plaza Hotel. Navya peered outside.

“I have to go,” Navya said. “I’ve reached the venue. But I promise we will talk when I’m home, okay?”

“You better,” Ananya said.

“I’ve gotta go too,” Reina said. “They’re paging my name. I’ll talk to you both when I can.”

Navya disconnected the call and climbed out of the car. She was worried about how Ananya would react when she told her about her interactions with the Oshnovs. However, that was a subject to ponder over later. Right now, she needed to ensure she was on top of her game. Entering the elevator, Navya pressed the button for the banquet hall.

She took a moment to study herself in the mirrored wall across from her. Her beige pre-draped sari, worn with a golden strappy, embellished corset, looked on point. Her makeup was flawless, accentuating her eyes, and her hair was pinned up perfectly with a few soft strands framing her face. She looked elegant and stylish. The lift dinged on her floor. Taking a deep breath, she walked forward. The thigh-high slit in the skirt of her sari parted to show a hint of her left leg as she moved. She looked good. Tonight, more than ever, she needed to look the part of a successful fashion stylist.

She entered the hall and looked around in awe. The invite mentioned that the show tonight was an ‘ode to spring’. Hence, the entire theme for the night was floral. Bouquets of burgundy and soft pink flowers set over dark green vines flowed from everywhere. Arches of those flowers and vines were wound around doors and railings. Huge urns were set up with bouquets of the same selection. Far ahead in the front, the same burgundy and pink flowers and green vines decorated the sides of the mirrored ramp around which rows of seating were set up for the fashion show later. She’d walked into paradise. It was all surreal and so beautiful.

A small band was playing soft music from the side while smartly dressed servers served drinks and appetizers. She studied the crowd already present there. Her heart stumbled as she recognized the faces around her. The who’s who of the fashion world were all gathered there—models, photographers,fashion stylists. She even spotted stars from various film industries across the globe.

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