When Eighteen Began

CHAPTER 1-PART 1

"It's my birthday," I said, stepping into Vedant's room, "and I want you to fulfill my wish"

He didn't even look at me. He was hunched over his telescope, wiping it like it was some holy object. Not even a "happy birthday when I'd brought him cake in the prettiest plate we had.

"I'll get you the whole Twisted series or whatever spicy book you're into," he mumbled, eyes still on the lens.

I rolled my eyes. He didn't get it. I didn't want a book. Or a gift. Or another boring wish I wanted something only he could give me.

"I want you to make love to me, I said, barely above a whisper.

"Alright" he started, not really listening. Then he froze.

He looked up at me slowly, brows furrowed. "What?

"Have sex with me," I said, crossing my arms to stop them from trembling. My voice came out steadier than I felt.

He blinked. Then he laughed-soft, surprised, almost awkward. "You're a minor," he said, his tone half-scolding. "I'm not a pedo"

"I'm eighteen," I replied, stepping closer, my breath catching just slightly. "As of today"

He didn't say anything. Just stared at me like he wasn't sure if this was real.

I reached out, gently took the cloth from his hand, and placed it on the table. Then I stood on my toes and kissed him.

Soft, tentative. My first kiss.

His lips were warm. A little chapped. He didn't kiss back-not immediately-but he didn't pull away either.

My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

"I don't want anything" I whispered, my lips still blushing his." but you".

PART 2

"Maa, you didn't just sell all my novels to the kabadiwala? I shrieked trying-failing-to keep the panic out of my voice.

My Zade, my Hardin, my Chris-all gone? I tare through the bookshelf. Empty Hollow Lifeless. My babies-gone.

*You've got your 12th boards in a month! I see you giggling at those useless novels all day! she shouted from the kitchen "Finish your 12th first. Af ter that, life gets easier

*You said the same thing in 10th! I groaned "Just get me married already! I can't deal with maths anymore!

Maa stormed out, holding a knife in one hand and-WHACKL-a big potato in the other, which she hurled at me like it was a weapon of mass destruction

"Hal Missed I yelled, ducking and laughing

Wait till your papa gets home! Ill tell him his daughter has a boyfriend and is dying to marry him!

I don't have a boyfriend I huf fed, rolling my eyes. "Nobody around here meets my standards"

No they didn't. Because, truth is? My standards were unreal Fictional men had ruined me.

I didn't want soft. I wanted savage I wanted the emotionally unavailable, knife-wielding, trauma-ridden bad boys who loved like hurricanes and kissed like war

I wanted someone possessive, borderline toxic Someone who'd burn the world just to keep me warm

Not these IIT-aspiring boys who smelled like cheap deodorant and who'd still wear flipflop sandals

"Sohini, go and study" Maa yelled.

I stomped into my room like a mar tyr and glared at the math textbook as if it had personally betrayed me. I hated math. But no-Maa said maths is important for all jobs.

Jobs. Pfft I just wanted to marry a rich. emotionally damaged CEO with a dark past and zero regard for boundaries. Was that too much to ask?

"You're drooling over your book boyfriends again my younger brother muttered, dropping his bag and logging onto the PC.

I ignored him. He was the human version of a mosquito. Buzzing, irritating, and impossible to swat without consequences.

That was my life was boring No drama. No crush No passion.

Until he showed up-Vedant Khanna

I was gazing out of my window, ignoring calculus For the sky it was prettier and made more sense -when I saw him

Shirtless. On the balcony across the street.

I snapped my textbook shut My eyes lit up. My mouth may have fallen open.

The abs-Oh sweet abs of destruction.

"Who's that daddy? I muttered. My brother raced to the window.

Isn't that old Khanna unde's son? he asked.

We'd lived in this rented 2BHK since I was five. The Khannas' house was right across from us.

Their son had always been away, studying or working abroad I'd seen him twice-once at his wedding, and once during his dad's hospital stay 5

"He's divorced now my brother added casually.

I already knew that. Obviously. Research purposes. I nodded I always wondered what went wrong.

That's why I tell you-arranged marriages are best Maa said while setting the dinner plates. The divorced Khanna son was the topic at the table.

Mrs. Sharma said his wife was af ter his money she added, full of gossip as usual. This generation

"How many times have I told you no gossip at the table: Papa said, tapping the table with two fingers.

Instantly, silence Everyone in the house feared Papa. He was a high school history teacher, and discipline was his middle name. Even at home. Even with his wife.

That's the kind of arranged marriage I saw every day one talks, the other obeys But I wanted love.

A love that made me forget my limits. A love I'd

only read about in novels. Would I ever get one?

The doorbell rang

"Chinut Maa snapped. "Go open the door

"I'm not going he sulked.

"Sohini Papa said That one word was enough

I stood up and went to the door, expecting same aunty wanting coriander or Papa's morning walk Friend But when I opened it-

It was him Vedant Khanna

Up close, he looked even better. Handsome. Flawless skin Hunter-brown eyes. And so fall-I barely reached his chest.

Who is it, Sohini? Papa called out from inside

Its-I I stammered