One Night...

Boom!

Khushi’s eyes shot open immediately. She gasped, gasping for air. Her vision was blurry, and as she regained her breath, she slowly sat up. Her head spun, hurting at the same time. Everything spun and she held onto the sides of her head. When her vision cleared, she realized she was in a dark hallway.

Khushi slowly stood up and looked around her. The hallway was lit up in candlelight, candle stands on the wall, holding them. The walls were painted in a beautiful dark shade of burgundy. There were small tables, each with décor resting on it.

Where am I, she wondered.

She took a candle stand off a table and waved it around. She looked around her, trying to recognize her surroundings. She looked around her, trying to recognize her surroundings, but she couldn’t. She held the candle up and saw a big window at the end of the hall. Khushi walked over to it and placed her hands on the long, black drapes. When she touched it, she had a flashback, the vision hazy.

*Flashback*

“I guess you’re right. It does go with the walls,” a female voice said.

*End of Flashback*

Khushi gasped and flinched, her head hurting. She looked at the curtains and wondered.

Whose voice was that, she wondered, all puzzled.

She looked at the curtains again, and then turned away. She walked down and arrived to an intersection. The left path led out to a balcony, the French doors open wide, letting a light breeze in. Ahead, the hall leads to a series of rooms. The right led to another hall, more light peering in.

Khushi decided to go left and headed out to the balcony. From inside, it seemed small. But, the reality was that it was huge! There were loungers, several of them. Khushi walked all the way to the end and looked over. There was a huge pool, the water swaying to and fro gently. Not far was the cabana with white drapes swaying in the breeze. Khushi noticed some stairs and headed downstairs. She went over to the pool and dipped her hand in. The minute she did, she had another flashback, once again hazy.

*Flashback*

“If you splash the water at me one more time-”

“Then what,” Khushi asked, cutting off the guy.

“Then I will without a doubt pull you in,” he said devilishly.

*End of Flashback*

Khushi removed her hand from the water and looked side to side. Her heart began to race up, her head hurt and blush crept onto her cheeks.

Why do I feel like this, she wondered. And who was I talking to?

She stood up and headed to the cabana. She took one step in and had another flashback, still hazy.

*Flashback*

“I will never let go of you,” a guy’s voice said softly, the same voice from before.

*End of Flashback*

Khushi stepped back and felt her heart race up again, her head spinning. She clutched onto her clothes above it. That’s when she realized what she was wearing. She looked down at her clothes and stepped over to the pool to see her reflection. She was wearing a simple red sari, a necklace hanging around her neck, reaching up to right below her bosoms. It was simple, diamonds placed into the smiley-shaped, silver piece, about seven of them. Khushi held the necklace and once again had a flashback, it still hazy.

*Flashback*

“Please place the nuptial necklace around her neck,” a man said.

A figure leaned forward, holding the necklace, and placed it around her neck.

*End of Flashback*

Khushi felt her neck lingering and let go of the necklace. Her heart raced up again, making Khushi hold her sari, above her heart, as her head spun.

She walked back up the stairs and headed back to the intersection. She looked at the hall with the series of rooms. Curiosity kicked in and she headed down that hall. All the doors were French doors, bordered with maple wood. You couldn’t see into the room, the glass tinted. As she passed room after room, she suddenly stopped in front of a room. For some reason, her mind kept telling her to go in… so she did.

Inside the room, the lights were off. She instinctively moved her hand to the left and switched on the lights. It turned on and the first thing she saw in front of her, shocked her. Right in front of her, above the big, larger-than king-sized bed, was a big picture of her. She wasn’t alone, but she was with a guy, the two holding each other by the waist, Khushi resting her head on his chest.

What the, she thought, and she had another flashback, still hazy.

*Flashback*

“What the,” a guy’s voice said, once again the same guy.

“Will you stop saying ‘what the’,” Khushi exclaimed. “That’s like your friggin’ catch phrase!”

*End of Flashback*

Khushi’s head pained again, but less this time. Her feet lead her to the picture, her hands reaching out automatically. When she touched the picture, another flashback went off, this time not being so hazy.

*Flashback*

“Will the newlywed couple please come for a picture,” a guy asked.

The guy from the picture took Khushi’s hand and held her, just like he was in the picture, and Khushi held him like she did in the picture. The other guy picked up his camera and snapped the picture.

*End of Flashback*

This time, her head hurt less, but she paid no attention. She looked at the picture, looking at the guy. Looking at him made her heart feel warm, also fuzzy. She looked at herself and analyzed carefully. She had her nuptial necklace, and she was all dressed up in bridal attire. She looked up and noticed her parting. It was red, filled with vermillion. She touched her parting and looked at the mirror to her right. Her parting was indeed red and she looked away at herself.

Why didn’t I notice before, she asked herself in her head.

She brought her hand down, the tips of her fingers red, and she once again had another flashback.

*Flashback*

Khushi picked up a small box, when the guy from the picture took it from her. “Arnav, what are you-”

“Shh,” he said, placing a finger to her lips. “Not one word.”

He took a pinch of the vermillion and placed it through her parting. Khushi shut her eyes as he did, savoring the moment. When he moved his hand away, Khushi looked up at him, her eyes shining bright.

“Arnav… you don’t know how much this means to me,” she said softly, a smile playing on her lips.

He smiled and caressed her cheek. “I love you Khushi.”

She smiled and leaned against his hand. “I love you too, Arnav.”

*End of Flashback*

Khushi’s head hurt a bit, but she ignored it.

Arnav, she wondered questioningly.

She saw a small picture frame and picked it up. It was another picture of them and she placed her fingers over the guy.

“Arnav,” she breathed out.

 Her heart ached, wanting to be with him.

Where is he, she wondered.

Khushi walked out of the room. She headed back to the intersection and faced the hall with a lot of light. For some reason, her heart paced up, thudding:

Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!
Dhak-dhak! Dhak-dhak!

She gulped and headed toward the light. Khushi didn’t know why, but she felt nervous. It felt like something big was going to happen. As she entered the hall, she realized this was the main hall. She looked at the grand staircase, the fancy railing, and the beautifully big crystal chandelier. It surprised her how this was the only place with light, the backyard being an exception.

Khushi stood at the staircase, ready to go down, when her mind told her to turn. She saw a huge portrait, going from floor to ceiling. She was in it, as well as Arnav, and two elders, a man and a woman. She placed her hand on it, between the elders and had a flashback, this time completely clear.

*Flashback*

“Khushi, why didn’t we have you as a daughter,” the woman asked.

“Hey,” Arnav exclaimed. “I’m still here!”

The man chuckled. “Sorry son, but it’s true,” he chuckled.

Arnav looked at Khushi. “I don’t get what kind of spell you have them under,” he muttered, jealousy in his voice making the elders chuckle.

*End of Flashback*

Khushi gasped and her head hurt less, but she ignored it. She placed her fingers over the painting.

“Dad,” she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. “And Mumma.”

Khushi turned away and looked around at the room.

This is my home, she said in her head. Our home. I remember everyone now! She gasped. Then where is everyone? Where are Dad and Mumma? And where’s Arnav? Her head pained and she held it. And why was I on the floor? Why does my head hurt so much?

All of a sudden, she heard…

POP!

Khushi flinched and looked downstairs.

What was that, she wondered, a bit frightened.

Taking in a deep breath, she headed down the stairs, grasping onto the railing. She was starting to get paranoid, wondering what that noise could’ve been? The candle blew out but she didn’t care, her mind set focused to the sound.

POP!

Khushi stood still immediately, her eyes almost popping out. She took in a deep breath and stood in front of big, dark brown, wooden double doors. She placed her hands on the cold silver handles, and took a really deep breath.

I have to find out, she said in her head.

She pulled the handles down and pushed the doors apart. She was welcomed by a blast of light and she shielded her eyes with her hands, turning away.

“Khushi?”

Khushi tried to look, squinting her eyes.

“What the? Khushi, what are you doing here?”

Her vision cleared and right in front of her was her husband. “Arnav?”

He scrunched his eyebrows and held out his hand. Khushi reached out and went over to him, placing her hand in his. Arnav pulled her in close and looked at her questioningly.

“What are you doing here so fast? I thought you’d take a full hour to get ready,” he said.

“Hour? Getting ready? What-”

“Come on Khushi. It’s your party, so you obviously need to be all dressed up.”

“Party?”

“Yes, and I don’t care what you have to say. I said we’re having a party, so we’re having a party.”

“But what for?”

“Really? You’re going to be that way? Really Khushi?”

She looked at him confused.

“Sweetheart, I get that you didn’t want a birthday party but-”

Khushi paid no attention after that. He’s right, she said in her head. It’s my birthday today, and he’s being stubborn for a party… like every other year, and she smiled.

“Why are you smiling,” he asked, confused.

“Because you’re being as stubborn as ever.”

Arnav shook his head and pulled her into a hug, placing one hand into her hair. Khushi hugged back, holding onto him tightly, not wanting to let go. Arnav was about to say something, when he felt something. He brought his hand out of her hair and looked at his hand wide-eyed.

“Khushi,” he breathed.

“Hmm?”

He let her go and pulled slightly away. Khushi was confused and looked up at him. His face was filled with worry and she looked at what he was looking at. On his hand, at the tips of his fingers, was blood. She was in shock, completely confused, not to mention terrified. Arnav placed his hand back in her hair and her hair was damp, blood spreading.

“Khushi what happened,” he asked, terrified. “And why are you bleeding from the back of your head?”

“I… I don’t… I don’t know- Arnav I-”

She had no words, when all of a sudden her head began to hurt. She was getting a vision in her head, but it wasn’t clear. She tried to focus on it, but it made her head hurt even more. Khushi didn’t give up and the vision cleared.

She remembered everything now.

“Arnav,” she breathed, “she’s here.”

“What? Whose here?”

“Her” she stuttered. “It’s her! She’s back!”

“Who?”

“Me.”

Arnav and Khushi turned to where the voice came from. There stood a woman, looking just like Khushi. It was her twin, Gunjan.

“Gunjan, what are you doing here,” Arnav asked.

“To get rid of her and get you like I should have.”

“Oh will you get over yourself! Stop-”

“No I won’t stop! All my life! All my life Khushi has always gotten the better stuff. She’s the oldest twin, always getting Mama’s and Papa’s love! She always got the better toys, better treatment, had awesome friends, and had freedom! Heck, she even got a hot boyfriend who became her husband!”

“Instead of always being jealous of me,” Khushi began, “you should have done something! Instead always seeing what I had, you should have done something to get something!”

“Oh shut up,” Gunjan yelled. “And remember this that Arnav liked me first-”

“Oh for the love of God, I never did,” Arnav yelled. “I thought you were Khushi, so I had tried to talk to you, thinking it was her! When will you realize that,” he exclaimed.

“Arnav-”

“Gunjan, enough,” Khushi said in a sharp tone. She walked over to Gunjan and grabbed her arm. “You need to leave, before I call the police and tell them how you attacked me with a candlestick and hit the back of my head!”

Gunjan pulled her arm away and grabbed Khushi’s arm and twisted it behind her back.

“Ouch! Gunjan, let go of me!”

Gunjan paid no attention and dragged her out to the main hall, Arnav going after them.

“Gunjan let go,” Khushi cried out.

“You wish! Tonight, you’re going to die.”

“Gunjan get back here,” Arnav yelled.

“Oh I will, once I’m done with this piece of trash!”

Gunjan dragged her out and released her, making Khushi swing around. Khushi clutched around her stomach and gaped at Gunjan.

“Gunjan stop,” Khushi yelled. “Let’s talk about this-”

“No! You are done tonight!”

Gunjan went through the pocket of her coat and produced a gun. At the sight of the gun, both Khushi and Arnav froze.

“Gunjan don’t,” Arnav yelled.

“Why not sweets,” Gunjan said over sweetly. “After she’s gone, we can be together forever.”

“Gunjan, just stop-”

“NO!” She pointed the gun at Khushi. “My sweet, loving twin sister Khushi. You are completely done for. Tonight is your last night. Any words?”

Khushi had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I hate you! You took everything away from me! I used to be the one everyone loved! Until you had to be all smart and come home with good grades, and your greasy wavy hair became all straight and clean, I was the favorite twin! I was the good looking one, until you missy became all pretty and smart!”

“Gunjan-”

“Enough Khushi!” She pointed the gun at Khushi. “Goodbye sis!”

Just as Gunjan was about to pull the trigger, Arnav ran and moved her hands out of the way and into the air. The trigger was pulled and the bullet shot out, hitting the top of the chandelier, hitting the chain and it snapped.

“Khushi move,” Arnav yelled.

Khushi did as he said and stepped away and backed up against the wall. Arnav and Gunjan fought, trying to get hold of the gun.

“Arnav,” Khushi cried out, worried.

Arnav struggled to get the gun, being careful to not to press it. Gunjan was being arrogant, trying to pull away from him and getting her task done.

“Give it to me,” Gunjan exclaimed.

“Not in this lifetime,” Arnav roared, and he pushed her away really hard and got hold of the gun. Gunjan tripped back on her own feet and the chain of the chandelier snapped, falling straight down. It came crashing down and landed right on top of Gunjan.

Crash!

Khushi looked in horror, her mouth open wide. She covered it and looked away, as blood began to spread throughout the floor. Arnav was in shock and ran around it and went over to Khushi.

“Sweetheart, are you okay,” he asked.

Khushi was too shocked to say anything, so she just shook her head.  Arnav hugged her tight and held her close. He quickly got out his cellphone and called the police. After a few minutes, the police arrived and cleared the room. Gunjan’s body was taken to the hospital and Arnav and Khushi were left alone. Since Khushi was in too much of a shock, Arnav had asked the police to question them the next day.

Arnav took Khushi upstairs to their room and had her sit down. “Are you okay Khushi?”

She nodded and Arnav got her a glass of water. Khushi drank it all and tried to regain her control.

“Khushi?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She took a deep breath and looked at him. “I’m fine. Really. It’s just that… I can’t believe she felt that way about me.”

“Yeah… it just wasn’t right at all.”

Khushi chuckled lightly. “Guess it’s true. That there’s always an evil twin.”

Arnav scoffed. “Yeah.”

Khushi wrapped her arms around her tummy and took in a deep breath. “I’m just happy to be safe.”

Arnav wrapped his arm around her. “So am I.”

“But I am even more.”

“And why is that? Don’t wanna leave me so quick, I get that but…?”

Khushi chuckled. “Otherwise you’d lose someone else as well.”

Arnav looked at her. “What?”

Khushi blushed and looked down.

“You mean…” and he completely understood. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” she said, very shyly.

Arnav gave her a hug and was beyond happy. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad! Wait till Mom and Dad come back from England! They’ll be so excited!” He sighed and caressed her face. “Thank goodness that Gunjan is done with. Otherwise… I don’t even want to think about it.”

The two hugged, grateful that Gunjan was out of their lives.