Chapter 6 - Weaving Plans

Onyx eyes skipped over the intricately designed architecture; a kind of blankness pooled in its depth as the mind wandered over the smiling face in the middle of the forest. A smile that he once knew yet was so unknown now, and the beauty that was once a part of his life but so foreign now. A girl with a fate that he did not know and a life that had nothing to do with him. And yet here he was, for that very same beauty that invoked so many forgotten emotions in him; emotions that he didn’t want to deal with but were blindsided by their sudden appearance, leading him to take a decision he might have never thought of taking, ever.

It seemed impulsive and with so many unknown factors that he almost thought of backing away, but there was something, maybe an instinct or some unknown force, that implied the need to do what must be done.

Or maybe he was simply being a sentimental fool haunted by the past that was no more. Vihaan hissed in anger, clenching his fist before opening the novel waiting on his lap.

The decision was taken, and the deed was done. Then why was he feeling like it was bound to cause something huge and unpredictable?

He hated feeling helpless, and he hated the unknown factors that increased the risk of failure. Everything was starting up as he wanted, but he had felt that restlessness that he abhorred feeling. It was a risky game that was going to start, and he was not ready to lose for anything in the world. Failure was not an option. There were lives at risk.

Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the yellowed pages with black lines of "Wuthering Heights." His mind once again turned back in full circle. The smiling face shone in his mind like a persistent light.

He could hear the footsteps and feel his parents approaching the hall, sitting on the couches in front of him, but he did not dare to look up from the lines that he had been staring at for how many minutes.

“Our identities have been established; no one can doubt the authenticity of our history or anything, for that matter,” his father spoke in his customary deep voice that commanded attention. However, Vihaan had always been someone who did what he wanted, so he kept on staring at the dance of shadows on the worn-out pages.

There was a pause before his father started speaking again, “We are doing exactly what you asked, but aren’t you going to tell the reason behind this sudden and elaborate plan to make a return when you yourself had forsaken all this?”

There was a double-edged meaning right there that stung in a way his father may not have considered. But it did, reminding him of so many things that he did not wish to remember at this crucial stage, adding to his already increasing worries.

He raised his head and stared at the slightly stubbled face of his father before onyx eyes met with the cold grey ones. He stared into the iciness of grey, conveying his decision of silence with utmost determination. His father scoffed, but Vihaan simply turned his head away with finality and stared out of the glass window overlooking the dark forest on the other side.

“What will be our names?” Vihaan asked instead, turning the direction of the conversation to things that had little importance to him.

There was a hiss of laughter from his father, indicating he understood his distractive tactic as he always did. But the topic was closed, and neither of them was going to mention it again, for now at least.

“You will be Vihaan Agarwal, the only son of millionaire Rishab and Shreya Agarwal,” his father answered with slight amusement coloring his tone.

He was not amused though. Shutting his eyes briefly, he suppressed the emotions, not wanting to deal with them at the moment. Inhaling sharply, he turned back to the window and continued to stare at the darkness of the forest.

“Why the real one and not something... fake?” he asked in a neutral tone, but neither of them was fooled.

“The more we mix the truth, the more difficult it will be to unravel the lie,” his father answered sagely, but there was more, so Vihaan remained silent, waiting for his father to say whatever he wanted to.

“Tomorrow, you will join Ashcroft University with that very name,” his father said smoothly.

Vihaan spun to his father faster than they could blink. He stared at him incredulously, hoping that his father was simply teasing him for his determined silence. But his father stared back with perfect seriousness that told him this was no joke.

“I have never been to college, dad. I know nothing,” Vihaan hissed, suppressing the fury in a futile attempt.

There was a mocking glint in his father’s cold eyes, and it angered him to know that his father was enjoying his plight.

“C’mon now, Vihaan. Don’t say you know nothing. You are a brilliant actor and an even better learner. You know how to fool anyone. A little research, that’s all,” Rishab said, spreading his arms to add effect to his words.

“What’s the purpose of this façade? I could simply act to work in your brilliant office,” Vihaan tried to reason, his expression growing frustrated.

“I think it aligns with your goals very well. So university it is,” Rishab said with finality, and somehow Vihaan had the feeling that his father had some inkling of his plans, and this was a twisted revenge for trying to hide it from him with a sprinkle of help. But whether this help was really helpful or not, only time would decide.

Vihaan bared his teeth in disgust, clutched the novel tightly before realizing it might get damaged, and loosened his grip. Turning away, he stood up.

“You don’t have to worry so much; there is not anything you have to do. The principal is ours,” his father said, probably in an attempt to placate him.

“Doesn’t make much difference,” Vihaan grumbled, leaving for his room immediately, having had enough of everything.