2│Hidden Fire

Sun rays cast through my blinds and kissed my face. Wow, what a pleasant way to get up. I rubbed my eyes to remove the sleep. Everything was like a dream till something came that was sharp and busted my dream bubble....

In a serene Indian town, where ancient traditions whispered to the present, my day began with the familiar dissonance of my parents' heated disputes. Our ancestral mansion, a place steeped in history and concealed agony, bore the weight of secrets untold. This place looked like home but one can never say it is like a home after they stay here.

As I descended the grand staircase, the dimly lit dining room greeted me. My father, a man of towering reputation and an even mightier temper, presided at the head of the table. My mother, a vision of grace tarnished by perpetual melancholy, moved with an aura of quiet sorrow.

"Shravani, you're late for school once more," my father scolded, his voice carrying an air of authority that stifled any response.

I nodded; my gaze fixed firmly on my untouched breakfast. The world of my Muggle school was my daily reality, a realm where my magical lineage remained a closely guarded secret, even from myself. My pure-blood heritage, my most cherished inheritance, was a puzzle I had yet to solve. I was never late but today I don't know how I got up so late….

"Reina, eat your breakfast dear, it will burn if you continue to give it a death stare." My mother said with humor lacing her voice. (Translation: Queen)

My mother is a risk taker. She knows how to tackle a situation with her humor. She is an angel in disguise. She was obsessed with 'Reina' as some witches and wizards called me Reina while storing my prophecy in the glass ball, my mom's words, not mine!

My father huffed in anger and stormed out of the room. He was never the one for humor. He would never tell me jokes. I wonder why he is so cold…..

"Mom!!" I giggled while she laughed at me. But soon her laughter died and she started to stare at the place where my father sat.

"Mom, please don't cry. It hurts when I see you cry." My eyes started to get blurred as I saw a lone tear falled on my mother's face.

She wiped her face. She came close to me and wiped the tear that had fallen on my face, I didn't know that the tears were falling.

"Shravani, you are a Guerrera (Warrior), cry but stay strong in this world for yourself and your loved ones." She whispered as she held me while I sobbed on her shoulders. I wanted to tell her everything but I know I can't as she is barely living. If I told her, she would collapse and I don't want that as she is the only one, I can expect for a shoulder to lean on when I desperately need it.

"Mom, thank you for everything you have given me till now." I kissed her cheek and got up to go into my room to change for my Muggle school.

I was already late so I grabbed blue cargo pants and a purple cute crop top that had a medium-sized bow in the front. I put my black hair in a messy bun and practically ran to my school as it was near. 

>✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧<

My school days floated by in a blend of mundane Muggle subjects, surrounded by classmates who had no inkling of my true identity. I was a pure-blood witch concealed among Muggle students, my magical abilities a treasure waiting to be discovered. I usually kept my profile low as I was bullied for my nerdiness and especially my eyes. Strangely, my eye color was never constant. They changed according to my emotions.

"Hey, see the strange witch has finally got the guts to face us!" Roshan, the bully said while smirking at me and laughing with his friends. He is a dick to be said or better son of a bitch.

Every time I try to ignore them as I don't want to hurt anyone. But he crosses the line when he grabs my sleeve and rips it.

"What sweetie, what are you gonna do now baby girl? Cry? Or call your daddy? Hmm?" He started caressing my arm which was now bare.

I grabbed the hand that was caressing me and twisted it painfully so that his back faced my front. I heard the pop which indicated that I had dislocated his arm. 

I sweetly and sickly whispered in his ear, "You don't wanna know what will I do dear". I kicked his ass as hard as I could. He landed face front on his face. He got up with the help of his friends who were now slightly scarred by me as my eyes were shining, a mixture of gold and red.

It was a beautiful sight to every eye as my hair was no more in a bun and was softly flowing with the wind. But I was radiating power by holding my head high and shooting daggers at him.

"You will regret this, you fucking whore!" He screamed as much as he could cause he was shivering from the cold wind and the pain.

"Sorry, but do I look like your mum?" I spat back at his insult. His mother was a prostitute and she barely paid attention to him as she was busy spreading her legs for someone.

Everyone was astonished to see this side of me and the insult. He looked furious but he gave me one last glare before storming off to somewhere not before hearing my words.

"Make sure to tell your mum how her baby boy got thrashed and kicked in the ass by a 'little girl'. I smirked as he babbled curses under his breath. One of his friends came near me but had no guts to invade my space, so he backed off.

I put on the spare jacket I carried in my bag and started walking home while wondering how everything was at home. Did my parents fight again? Did my mom cry again?  I shook those thoughts away and hoped for the best…..