Sakshi glared at the phone when it rang for the fifth time. She switched it off angrily and put it back on the table, thinking how satisfying it would be for him to get the taste of his own medicine.

"You know, communication helps. Switching off your phones, you guys are wasting your own time which you both would be regretting later," told Aditi while closing her books. "I am going to make some delicious pasta for you."

Sakshi looked up at her, hiding her smile.

"It won't be that good as of Aarush but I'll make us have a good time," she said. "We can binge watch some movies. Not chick-flicks."

Sakshi chuckled, watching her cringed face. "Okay." She watched her going towards the kitchen and rested back on the bed, closing her eyes. "What's going to happen now?" She asked herself.

Shrey hadn't picked her calls till the noon and now, he was calling her back to back. It wasn't fair to her. But this wasn't what she wanted for them to behave with each other.

She was lucky that she had best friends to keep herself distracted and feel loved. Aditi would try to be as charming as Aarush but she didn't have to do anything, according to Sakshi. She loved her anyway.

Suddenly, she remembered why Aarush didn't attend the rest of the classes. She got up from the bed and walked out of her bedroom.

"Hey. What's up with Aarush? Why wasn't he at Uni after the first lecture?"

Aditi slowed her movements as she was putting down soya sauce and few jars of spices on the counter. "Um, he said that he had to go to bank for some account thing. He didn't tell me much and went off. I haven't called him since then. I would give him a ping before sleeping."

Sakshi nodded quietly and smiled when she realized something. "Okay. Where's the sass that Aditi is famous for? How is it not him who should call before sleeping?"

A roll of eyes followed by a sweet blush, Aditi picked up the non-sticky pan and shook her head.

"There's no need to be sassy to someone who doesn't deserve it. Aarush seemed serious and I would be caring rather than be sassy. I feel as if it would not be suitable for his mood. He must be tired. Things like these pushes the person away which I never want to happen between us," she explained absentmindedly.

Putting the pasta in the other pan, she boiled it while glancing at Sakshi whose eyes were filled with tears.

"Hey. Did my speech made you cry?" She asked in humour, biting her lip.

Sakshi looked up, blinking and breathing, trying to calm herself. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I mean, I couldn't answer him on spot. I was scared that he would judge me. I didn't want him to think that I was desperate or helped him so in the end, that evening could take place," her voice cracked.

Aditi stared at her blankly, feeling awkward as to what she should say to that. She should maybe change the topic. "What did the professor say to you?"

Sakshi wiped her tears and gulped, walking towards the counter. She took the knife and helped by cutting the olives and mushrooms. "He just wanted to know what was wrong with me. Wanted to show up how of concerned he was." She shook her head.

"I kind of got emotional and said mean words about him coming in between me and the guy he saw with me yesterday," she mumbled.

Aditi was picking the pill bottle when she looked at her. "No. You didn't?"

Sakshi nodded tiredly. "I am fucked, I know."

"Your brother's will become hulk if he finds out," told Aditi. "He's not going to hit the professor nor you. In the end, it will be poor Shrey. I can already feel sympathy for him."

Sakshi blinked slowly, realizing that it was serious than she had thought. Pihu already knew about her obsession with Shrey and now, when a third person would bring the news, it all would become a disaster.

"But now, everyone knows that Shrey is innocent. He is not the guy anymore that you would be afraid of showing off to your family," Aditi said while moving the pan as she poured the soya sauce and cheese.

Sakshi chuckled nervously. "You don't know, Aditi. It's just not about him being a play boy in my brother's eyes. It's a rivalry between my brother and Shrey's brother. It's like a family war."

She stepped away from the counter when she was done with the vegetables and moved ahead, thinking deeply.

"But those things are away. Before them, I want to know if I am doing any mistake again by letting him enter my life again."

Aditi looked at her, "Think about Shrey mingling with someone else. If your ass burns, bro I tell you, get him. Make him yours. If you don't feel anything, you wait for the right one."

"Ass? My whole body fumes at the thought of it," whispered Sakshi to herself but Aditi had heard. "He is someone I could only dream about. I don't want to feel insecure ahead in my life, Aditi. Which is why, I am scared and quiet."

The smell of pasta filled the room and Aditi brought out the cans from the refrigerator, passing them to Sakshi. She picked out a pack of chips from the cupboard to and started walking towards the couch, filling the table.

"You know deep inside, what you want. Which is why, I am not gonna fill your mind with any extra bull. Just go with the flow and let him and you cool down. Let you both first be mentally ready to switch on your phones," Aditi rolled her eyes. "Then, maybe you both can step ahead."

She walked towards the switch board on the wall, switching on the screen and opening the Netflix. Putting on the movie, she grinned as she realized it was thriller movie. Turning the light off, she lit a lamp behind their couch on the wall, so they could have enough light for the pasta.

"It feels like we are making up our moods for some break up," muttered Sakshi.

Aditi choked on her pasta. "Damn you, don't say that. You know I have been struggling with relationships. Don't jinx this one," she said irritatingly, putting her feet up on the table, and looking at the numbering going on.

Sakshi chuckled, enjoying her mood. "Is someone scared of loosing the charming and utterly cute, our pet hunk, Aarush?"

Aditi's smile turned goofy at her words as she shook her head, taking another spoon full of pasta.

"Does your ass burns too at seeing him with someone else? Oh wait, that's a stupid question. You are a ghost Rider when he talks to me, then I can only imagine what happens when he is with others-" she laughed when a cushion came flying on his face.

"He is so easy to be loved," mumbled Aditi. "It is so easy to fall for him when he doesn't even put any efforts. I am just a bit possessive."

"Or obsessed?" asked Sakshi, laughing widely when Aditi went off to slap her butt.

"I'll ask you the same when you and Shrey become a thing."

Sakshi's breath hitched as she felt her cheeks warming up. "It's far, I don't see myself ready for it." She mumbled.

Aditi sighed, relaxing on the couch. "I know. I know. God, just cut the crap and dare each other a kiss. Everything will be sorted."

"Mhmm," hummed Sakshi, opening her can and cheering with Aditi. "Is this what you did with Aarush?"

"Kind of."

Sakshi widened her eyes. "Oh yeah. But God, it's weird. You both are my best friends. Though, I still want to know. How far is it?"

Aditi raised the volume, wanting to shut off topic now.

"Don't worry. I didn't see his dick yet. He's quite shy when it comes to that. Not that I am any desperate. We are cool." Sakshi giggled when Aditi further added, "He is Mama's boy. He would flirt to the end of the world but when I ask for a kiss, he is scared of his Mama's beatings."

"Now, that's the Aarush we truly know."

They exchanged a high five before finally focusing on the movie.

_______

"I don't freaking understand why he is keen on ruining my days," growled Rishabh while pointing towards the door.

His uncle came forward, trying to reach for his elbows. "Rishu, calm down. I understand. But-"

"No, you don't understand. These past months, I ran here and there, bleeding money and sweat to save him. I haven't seen Alisha from two weeks, Chachu. Do you even have an ounce of empathy?" He said angrily, glaring at his Uncle and Aunt.

"Dad's getting worse day by day." His eyes teared up. "I want to get over with my wedding so at least he could be there at the biggest happiness of my life." His voice cracked.

"My father-in-law has been that much understanding. Why not you guys? Why couldn't this dick control his dumbass mind and be alright for a day?" He yelled. "Just the night of the verdict. This isn't fair, Chachu."

"Rishu, he will be fine soon." Shrey's mother looked at him worriedly. "The doctor's said, he will be discharged day after tomorrow. You don't worry about him, and talk to Alisha. Meet her and plan about the wedding."

Rishabh removed her hand from his cheek, as he looked away. "Do you think, it all could be done alone? Mom's freaking out about Dad and then, this Shrey. You think, I can plan my wedding, not caring about these two. Even Alisha is not that desperate."

Shrey's father handed him the glass of water. "First, sit down." He sat him on the couch and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down."

"Calm down? I haven't even paid the lawyer fully and this idiot reached hospital. I was out of town and he reached hospital, worrying you all. Like what? We don't have our own lives. Will it always be revolving around him and his horrors?" Rishabh asked while holding the bridge of his nose.

His Chachu stayed quiet as he further asked, "What did he do? How did it all happen?"

He looked at his Chachi who gulped shakily. "Anxiety attack. I don't know what is he worrying about, Rishu. But it was that serious, he was choking." Her tears flowed immediately, raising Rishabh's fury.

"What was he doing? You guys left the court and then?"

This time, his Chachu spoke, "We were only telling your mother about the court. She was preparing the food and then, Shrey told us, he was leaving."

Rishabh's ears perked up. "What? Where?"

"To. . ." Shrey's father hesitated as he glanced at his wife. "To meet some friends."

Rishabh stared at them in utter shock. He couldn't believe his ears.

"You know what kind of friends he had made," he muttered through gritted teeth. "What friends he went to meet now? Do you know them?"

Shrey's father shook his head. "One of them had his brother in Shrey's class in the University. Maybe, that's how they know each other. He even came in the morning to see him. What was his name? Aarush."

Rishabh's eyebrows furrowed. He had never heard that name before ever linked to Shrey. He rubbed his forehead and shook his head as it starting jolting with pain.

"I can't believe this. You guys are made of wax or what? He just told you about these friends when you know that how friendly his past friends were?" He said angrily. "What else do you guys need? God taught you such a big lesson. What else do you need! Huh?"

Both the parents were highly scared of Rishabh's anger. He was fuming.

"Bikes, Girls, Fights—I suffered him then. Now, these friends. Fraud, cheat, beatings, courts and cases. Then, his suicide. I suffered. You suffered. We all did and he still doesn't learn to be careful," said Rishabh, glaring at the table. He pointed his finger at the door. "He is losing his mind."

"He is still weak by mind. You guys can't let him mingle with new friends. He needs to get over this whole case and be healthy first. Or else, little things could break him. I don't even understand, why you both are being so silly," his nostrils flared.

Shrey's father shook his head absentmindedly. "We couldn't deny him. He seemed way too excited to meet them. He was happy too when he returned. Don't know what nightmare he suffered. . ."

"There are no such things as friends, Chachu. If you want your son alive and healthy, deny him. Don't let him wander with people having more brain than him." Rishabh's jaws clenched. "Whatever he say or do. He is safer acting wild at home, than sweet outside."

"Everyone's cruel," muttered Rishabh.

For next five minutes, no one spoke. Shrey's parents knew their nephew's anger. They couldn't blame him. He had been suffering a very busy year. He had been burdened with the responsibilities of handling the firm, the changes in market, the health of his father and the consequences of Shrey's carelessness. They were only grateful of his existence.

"How is he now?" He asked lightly.

His uncle glanced at him warily. "He is fine, just need some medicines and quiet environment. They have lined up his classes with psychiatrists. Tomorrow whole day, they're going to attend him and only then, will discharge him next day."

"Will this disorder even go some day?"

His uncle sighed heavily. "They haven't given an answer. But he would be fine if forget all the bad happenings."

Rishabh rubbed his eyes, exhaustively. "We still can't tell him about Dad's health getting worse."

His uncle nodded. "We can't. It will worsen him too. Rishabh," he looked at his nephew. "Don't make Alisha wait. You can go for a light function and then we can organise a big one later in future when everything is settled. We won't be lucky enough to get people like them again. The family truly likes you."

Rishabh lowered his gaze.

"I can't be happy or make her happy when inside, I am freaking over Dad and Shrey. They will have to get better or I might lose Alisha."

"Don't say that," scolded his Chachi. "We will handle it all here. Your father is being watched by nurses and your mother. Go and meet her family. Tell them the circumstances. They'll understand. Don't take her for granted."

"Then, we can find someone for Shrey too. Who can distract him from all the horror of his past and handle his craziness?" His uncle suggested.

A small smile lifted Rishabh's lips as he realized, it was a good idea. Maybe, that's what his brother needed.

He was alone and hadn't felt loved for real.

"We can go for that. But who will chose your crazy son?" He asked, making both of them chuckle. "At least, we can all rest and let her suffer him. Which means, I must hurry." He smiled sadly.

The parents nodded, with smiles on their faces.

Rishabh got up and ran fingers through his hair. "I'll go now and come tomorrow evening after office. Call me if you need something. And Chachi you come with me. I'll drop you home. You need the sleep."

"No. Shrey's. . ."

His uncle spoke up. "I am here for him. You go and come back tomorrow morning."

"I'll drop you," Rishabh mumbled and started to walk away when his Chachi called his name.

"Rishu? Won't you see him?"

Rishabh shook his head, turning around. "Let him rest. The sight of his loser face will only make my blood boil. It won't be of any help."

His Uncle and Aunt could only shake their heads as they watched him walk away. They only wished for things to be settled soon.

But how could the circumstances be settled when every word was audible to Shrey's room.

______

"What do you think?"

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#missionquadruple

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