What are you doing here ?!

Not wanting to stay locked away with my dark thoughts, I decided to leave early for my hair appointment. I called a driver, and a few minutes later, I got in the car, leaving the oppressive atmosphere of my apartment behind. The journey allowed me to calm down a little, the landscape passing before me like a soothing balm.

Arriving in front of the luxurious hair salon, I immediately recognized a familiar car parked outside. My heart sank slightly, an unpleasant feeling rising within me. Ignoring this discomfort, I entered the living room, determined not to let anything ruin my day.

The interior of the living room was sumptuous, with gleaming mirrors and leather armchairs. The pleasant smell of high-quality hair products hung in the air. As I walked forward, my eyes landed on a familiar figure.

Visha.

My heart began to beat harder. Visha was the last person I wanted to see today. She was the second person I hated the most in the world, right after her brother. And yet, there, in front of me, she turned and smiled at me mischievously.

-Here, well, she said in a honeyed voice. "What a surprise to see you here."

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm and not show how much his presence disturbed me.

"Visha," I replied coldly, forcing a polite smile. "I didn't expect to see you either."

She stood up from her chair, elegant and confident, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint that annoyed me so much.

-It's always a pleasure to meet an old friend

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

-I doubt we're really friends, Visha

She laughed softly but there was nothing warm in her eyes. "Ah, always so direct. I appreciate that about you."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep calm.

-What are you doing here ?

-I could ask you the same question, she replied with an enigmatic smile. "But I'm here for a date, just like you, I guess."

Before I could respond, a hairdresser approached, smiling and professional.

-Hello miss. Your hairdresser is waiting for you. Please follow me.

I nodded, grateful for the interruption.

-Thank you, I said, taking one last look at Visha before following the hairdresser.

As I settled into the chair, I couldn't help but think about the unsettling coincidence of this encounter. Why was Visha here at the same time as me? Was it really a coincidence, or was there something more behind his presence?

I decided to put these thoughts aside for now.

Suddenly an idea popped into my mind. I decided that I no longer wanted to be passive. If Visha wanted to play this little game, I wasn't going to stay behind. As I waited for the hairdresser to come and take care of me, I glanced over at Visha, who was still sitting there with that smug look on her face.

"So, Visha," I said, making sure my voice was loud enough for her to hear me. "It seems your parents wonder why no one dares to marry you."

She turned to me, her eyes narrowing slightly.

-What do you mean by that ?

I smile, feigning innocence. "Oh, haven't you heard? I can easily understand why no one wants to risk doing that. Even I wouldn't dare."

The silence that followed was palpable. The few people in the living room had stopped talking, their gazes alternating between the two of us. Visha stood frozen for a moment, visibly struggling to keep her composure. Then she rose from her chair, approaching me with deliberate slowness.

-Really?, she said in a soft but venomous voice. "And what would you do in my place?"

I shrugged my shoulders, playing the indifference card.

-Maybe work on my personality. Maybe try to be someone people want to spend their lives with."

She then laughs, a joyless laugh. "That's funny, coming from you. It seems like you already have it all figured out, but look at you. Still so alone."

His scathing retort hurt me, but I didn't let it show.

-The difference is that I am not desperate to fill this void with just anyone