Page 26 of Born in Sin

“I’m Majid. I’m in your grade, different section.” He sat down beside her, a big smile on his face. “We haven’t really spoken till now.”

Majid, of course. He was friends with Varun, the boy her mother had introduced her to on the first day of school. They were part of the same gang.

“No, we haven’t,” she replied, smiling back a little warily.

“Are you enjoying your time at Crestwood?” he asked.

Celina grimaced.

Majid laughed, a bright, clear sound. “That good huh?”

She smiled reluctantly. “It’s okay, I guess.”

In the distance, someone called out his name and Majid rose to his feet. “Come hang out with me and my friends? We’re not a bad bunch.”

Celina glanced over to the cluster of boys and girls in the distance, standing under a tree. Celina wasn’t sure she liked Varun and his lackeys though they mostly left her alone. There were some benefits to being the teacher’s pet. And then she looked at Majid and his wide, welcoming smile.

“Maybe another time,” she said, shaking her head. “Thanks for the offer though.”

Majid left to join the others, with one last look over his shoulder at her. Celina’s gaze strayed to where the other kids were standing, seeking shade on a bright, sunny day.

She sat there, alone, bright, hot sunlight beating down on her head. And realised something…She didn’t want the sunlight. All she wanted was the storm.

Chapter Ten

CARA

She let herself into her penthouse, bidding her bodyguard, Shiva, goodnight. She padded through her home, grateful to see that everyone was asleep, her mother and the staff that lived in with them. The space was in darkness, just one light in the hallway left on for her.

Amigo padded over to her, winding his way through the furniture to get to her. She placed a hand on his soft, boxy head and walked forward with her furry shadow at her heels.

She went into her bedroom, shut the door behind her, and then, only then, crumpled to the floor. Tears streamed down her face, soundless, useless, endless. Cara wrapped her hands around her legs, hugging herself, as her walls crumbled, bringing with it an avalanche of emotion. Beside her, Amigo whimpered, pushing himself closer to her in a bid to offer comfort.

When she finally felt the tears ebb, she pushed to her feet and made her shaky way to the bathroom, Amigo following closely. She washed her red, blotchy face, averting her gaze from her reflection and changed quickly into the shorts and t-shirt shehad hanging on the hook on the back of the door. She got her contacts out, slipped on her glasses and went back into the darkened room. The chill breeze from the air conditioner cooled her overheated, flushed face as she grabbed for her phone and scrolled through her messages. She tapped on Kabir’s name and sent him a text.

You up?

The ticks turned blue immediately and a second later, he was calling her.

“Hello Gorgeous!” Kabir’s voice was loud, boisterous and just this side of sozzled.

Cara sighed. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the launch for that new restaurant in Colaba,” he said, adding a random woot at the end of it.

“Kabs,” Cara interjected. “Could we meet in the morning? Somewhere private? Maybe your place?”

Kabir’s voice sobered immediately. “What’s wrong?”

Cara sat down on the side of her bed, grounding herself with the feel of crisp, cool linen under her hand. Amigo settled on to her feet, his furry warmth sweet comfort.

“Nothing,” she said, pleating the sheet with her fingers. “And everything.”

She heard the sound of a door shutting and then all the extraneous sound cut out.

“Talk to me baby,” he said gently. “Is it another nightmare?”

Cara listened to the tinny echo of his voice and smiled. “Are you hiding in the toilet?”