48 The one

Divya flared in anger but was wise enough to keep her head down. She bit her lip in anger and a small drop of blood oozed out from the cut. Ananya pulled out a tissue and immediately tried to wipe it off. But Divya was infuriated and pushed her away. Ananya fell down with a loud thud and her other minions rushed to her in a hurry. One of them helped her get up and pulled her to the side.

"I don't know why she's still acting so arrogant. Now that the truth is out no one would just stand there and take her abuse anymore." one said.

"Yeah. We kept quiet because we were afraid of Dhira. She should be grateful we are still here and trying to be nice." said another.

"I feel Visha is much better than her. She helped me even though I had never been nice to her. I think it takes a big heart to stand up for the right thing even if it's your enemy who was wronged." said Maya. She was the one Divya had slapped before. Her left cheek was still swollen and ached when she spoke.

Divya could hear their conversation and she grit her teeth. Visha had taken away everything from her. She was the sole reason of all her problems right now. Divya had to get rid of her before this news reached Priya. What if she got afraid after learning that Visha is Dhira's sister? She couldn't take that risk and had to end it tonight by any means. She kept her head down and left the room. No one followed behind her this time. The four minions who always followed behind her came to Visha with their heads shook in shame and guilt. They had been bullying a good person just to curry Divya's favor.

Maya stepped ahead, "Thank you and sorry."

These people had been very nasty to Visha in the past but she could see that this gratitude and apology was extremely sincere. So she nodded to say she accepted it. A faint smile appeared on Maya's face as she turned around and glared at the others. Then they too repeated the same phrase one by one. Since Visha had never been someone to hold a grudge she forgave them. They wished her luck and started to leave. Ananya stopped midway, "I don't exactly know what Divya had planned. But please be careful, I'm sorry I was of no help."

Visha nodded at her as they left the room entirely for the finalists. She sat down back in front of the mirror and continued her make up. Ananya's warning was still ringing in her head so she decided not to go anywhere till the performance, nor to eat or drink anything. She wasn't afraid of Divya but who knows what trap that sly fox had laid down. It was better to be cautious. After a while, one of the anchors for the night came backstage to announce a change in schedule.

"Visha, since Divya has decided to leave the competition you'll be going first."

Everyone was stunned to hear this announcement. Divya quit! That arrogant b***h finally had some shame left. After being humiliated like that no one would dare to go on stage. She might soon leave the college out of shame. That would be a great relief to all of them.

Visha on the other hand couldn't comprehend why Divya would do that at the last moment. She was hellbent on winning this competition. And just a slap was enough to drive her away? Did she really admit defeat?

Since she had no idea of the ordeal between her and Dhira, she didn't know that Dhira's slap had been a hundred times more stronger and noiseless than hers.

***

"Master, this lowly subordinate doesn't understand the meaning behind this sudden change." Vir expressed his concerns as he glanced to his side. Yash was sitting on the passenger seat quietly as he drove the car away from their house. He couldn't understand the meaning behind this rash behavior. His master has never been this indecisive and unpredictable before. Just a few days ago he had humiliated that little girl, got scolded by her, and now wanted to follow her! He had been staying in his room for all this time and refused to come out for the past few days. An hour ago he suddenly came out and said he wanted to see the competition finale. Vir remembered that Visha had asked them if they would attend and they had agreed because they thought she was the Madam. Could it be that his Master was just trying to keep his words? It must be. There was no other reason to rush over to an event which was unrelated to Madam. He finally heaved a sigh of relief and drove quietly.

Yash stared outside blankly at the cars that swept by. His mind had been a total mess these days and he couldn't get Visha out of his mind no matter how hard he tried. There was this strong intuition he felt that he had missed something. When he saw her for the very first time he was sure she was the one. And even after her blood scent proved otherwise this feeling refused to die down. His heart just wouldn't accept it and kept on saying he must have missed something because she definitely was the one!

***