2020 A/N: Ah, all these old author notes are making me emo. We've been through so much and it's kind of sad we're past those glorious days.

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10
Confrontation

<unedited>

To say I was shocked beyond measure would be the understatement of the century.

Funny how I get the shock of the year and the century in the same day. Good thing I was young and strong to not pass away in a heart attack.

I seriously didn't know what I looked like at the moment. Whether scared, or petrified or simply shocked: I had no idea. But whatever my face was portraying wasn't nice since the grimace on Hrithik anna's face got darker.

"Ha. Ha. Ha," I tried laughing but it sounded miserable beyond measure.

To be honest, I didn't feel anything like how all the leads feel in the books. I wasn't shaking or crying Niagara Falls like all those girls. I just felt weird, like I was hollow, like I ceased existing. I didn't even know what that feel was entitled to be called because no character in a book had ever explained they felt like they didn't exist during a problematic moment.

Hrithik anna glared at me. "I don't think I said anything funny."

I've always thought the constant grin on his face was weird. But let me tell you, that grin had masked this face of Satan. He literally looked like he wanted to fry me in a lava pot.

Still I tried to lighten the situation.

"Anna," I started playfully, or I hope it was playful, "you think this is funny? What are you doing? Calling me a girl and all."

The glare didn't fade.

"Oh, did you see Rohan?" I tried another tactic. Whatever to make it look like I was indeed not a girl and the things he heard in the Principal's room was wrong.

Hrithik anna's face melted into a pool of disgust.

"For what?" he barked and the disgust in his face somehow managed to penetrate the hollow layer and kind of hurt me.

"For dinner," I replied, my voice subdued and weak.

He gave a monstrous laugh. "Mission, is it?" he spat.

I sighed exasperated and took a step to leave. Who knew he was this mean.

But he was faster than me and got a grip of my collar. He pushed me against the wall, slamming my back so hard on the wall that I could feel my backbone rattle. Well, I'll blame this guy if I end up in a wheelchair.

He was strangling me, yet in a way that I wouldn't die. Pain ran through my body because of the merciless slamming and how he was cutting my air supply.

My muscles started clenching because of the lack of oxygen and it felt like a ton of bricks were resting on my shoulders.

Let me tell you. Don't ever believe the girls from Teen Fiction books. Slamming my body against a wall wasn't even a little near "romantic" or "hot." It freaking hurt.

Hrithik anna's face contorted to horrible levels as he saw my face.

What was now in my face that he would look this angry?

"Don't you dare," his voice clawed at my face like talons, "start the water works with me, you disgusting piece of crap."

And before realising what I was doing, I did it.

I slapped Hrithik anna.

His hands around my neck loosened and I took that fraction of a second to escape from his monstrous hands. I scampered back till there was a good ten feet in between us.

"Uthra," he called, obviously irritated.

"Oh, or is it even your name?" he asked with a fake laugh.

"My name is Uthra," I whispered.

In the silence of the night, even the whisper sounded frighteningly loud. I wanted one of the guys to come here and save me, but at the same time, I didn't. That would mean Hrithik anna would tell the whole dorm about my little (actually quite big) secret.

Hrithik anna didn't bother to reply and suddenly all the guilt and fear that was flowing through my body turned into anger.

"Listen here, anna," I said equally rude, "I can understand that you might be shocked and angry to find my dirty secret. But by 'strangling' me, you've crossed the line. You have no right to get this angry with me!"

I air quoted "strangling" and Hrithik anna's face turned shameful just for a second. But his glare once again replaced it.

"Of course I have every right to feel like pulversing you," Hrithik anna said.

"Rohan has," I spat the words like acid, "not yo-"

"I am Rohan's cousin," Hrithik anna said interrupting me.

"And that gives you per..." my voice faltered till it turned to nothingness.

Cousin.

Cousin?

Oh my freaking god. COUSIN!?!

I tried to compare Rohan and Hrithik anna's looks. His black eyes against anna's brown ones. His tall frame against anna's tall yet not-Rohan-tall frame. His facial features with anna's facial features.

How..?

They looked nothing like cousins. There was zero similarity.

"Cat got your tongue?" Hrithik anna said smirking.

I didn't bother answering. I wracked my brain for any information about Rohan's family. Now that I think about it, I knew nothing about him other than that he was the heir of Chakravathy empire, his family is Uncle's main partner and that their family wasn't that close with their relatives.

My knees felt weak and I collapsed. I didn't expect Hrithik anna to run to my aid but it still hurt when he looked at me with disgust and with no amount of friendship.

It actually was funny when my mind recalled all the times from the past, like how it happens in films. The first time I saw anna, the big friendly grin on his face, the genuine smile he gave me even when I was beyond rude, his arms around my shoulders numerous times, the special caring smile he gives only to me since I was the new kid and the way how his warm eyes glazed over me with the slight, almost nonexistent amused smile.

My mind automatically compared the countless smiles with this look of disgust and repulsion.

And that's when the tears really started or, that's when I noticed the tears.

Hrithik anna and I weren't the best of friends who would give their lives for each other. Nor did we knew each other like the back of our hands. Yet, we were close.

The pride in me chided me for looking this vulnerable in front of someone who wouldn't even give me a chance to explain. But something in me wanted Hrithik anna to understand, to look at me like he used to.

For a moment both of us didn't say anything to each other as kept looking at each other. Him, glaring. Me, staring.

"Let me explain," I said at last.

Hrithik anna's mouth opened furiously but then he closed it and took a deep breath.

"As the school President and this dorm's Head, I should hear my inmates out," he mumbled.

I was surprised. Like, really surprised. I was seriously expecting a snarky 'I don't want to hear your pathetic reasons' but anna was trying to be reasonable.

"Just spit it out before I change my mind!" he shouted and I cringed.

His eyes twitched but he didn't say anything. So I started with my story of what happened. The bankruptcy, Uncle's offer, the disguise, the weekly reports, my father's anger, everything.

And like I expected Hrithik anna didn't answer.

After an uncomfortable five minutes of silence, I glanced at the older boy standing in front of me.

"So..?" I whispered.

"You're stupid."

I sighed. I understand he was angry and stuff but I think that he was overreacting.

"Maybe yes," I accepted carelessly.

"You should leave," he said next.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated.

"I won't."

"You have to," Hrithik anna said with a finality in his voice, "or I'll complain to the officials."

I cackled and Hrithik anna frowned.

"This school's owner asked me to do this," I said smirking, "go ahead and notify him."

I folded my hands across my chest but instead of the shocked submission I was expecting, anna mimicked me and folded his hands across his chest while grinning.

"It won't take me two minutes to announce this to all the guys. After that what will you do? Even the Principal can't help you, sister."

He stressed 'sister' and I felt like punching him.

How the hell am I going to get out of this?

I sighed.

"Minding that you are Rohan's cousin, you'd be pretty rich yourself," I stated.

Hrithik anna nodded. "And?"

"What will you do if you were in my shoes?" He won't show mercy. This is the last tactic I could use.

"Pardon?"

"What will you do if you go bankrupt?" I hissed, "they give you two options. Disguise as a girl to help a socially awkward kid in exchange for your family to lead a nice, dignified life or spend the rest of your lives in the streets or freeloading uncle. What will you choose?"

Something shifted in his eyes and from the look on Hrithik anna's face, I knew I did it.

I made him understand.

Thank god.

"See?" I whispered hopefully.

"Rohan loves you as his best friend," was all Hrithik anna said.

I knew what he meant. "Know this, it all started as a mission. But he is my best friend okay? You know why I'm not transferring back even though Rohan's is doing fine now? It's because I don't want to lose him- well not yet. Just four more months."

Hrithik anna's eyes softened a fraction of a bit. Just a little.

"After four months, I'll disappear from his life... forever."

The impact of the words hit me. If I tell him the truth, he would hate me. If I didn't, I can never meet him. Ever. Both hurt but I knew what was the better option. Nonexistence is better than hate. Just four more months.

A sudden crack pulled me from my thoughts. Hrithik anna has turned and had started walking back by now. Not knowing what to do, I watched his retreating back.

"Just four more months. Don't forget," he called before turning around the corner.

"I won't," I whispered.

I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. The chilly night air did nothing to soothe me as I stood in the darkness of the night.

After a moment, I sighed and started walking towards my room with an empty stomach and an even emptier heart.

************************************

My poor poor Uthra :( Everything is going bad for her. From her father to Hrithik. Tsk, tsk.

What did you think about the chapter? Thanks for reading :)

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. I seriously don't see a romance between Rohan and Uthra hehe. A love triangle? (oooh I hate love triangles :p). Please tell. Who knows, I may include your idea too ;)

Sorry for the late update. College is tedious. I have many stuff to do plus I have to get hold of a skull O.o My mom's going all "I won't allow it inside my house nor inside my car." I don't know what I'm going to do T_T

Song attached: Be Alright ~ Justin Bieber

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With love,
Kai.