As if someone had flashed a bucket full of cold water at the whole flat. The rooms felt cold, the liveliness was missing. There was cleanliness around, it looked like no happy people lived here who would use things and then put back to places later. In simple terms, this flat didn't look like usual.

The place he'd enjoy the most in his college life, sighed Aarush. His eyes moved around and noticed the door to Sakshi's room was shut. The moment she entered the car with bloodshot eyes, he knew things hadn't gone like they had assumed, they would.

She hadn't spoken much except for one spine-chilling line.

"He opened my eyes."

Aarush couldn't understand the reason behind misery in her eyes. There were so many assumptions, guesses but he didn't ask further when she told him to just drive out of the area. He didn't wait and even Aditi had nodded in agreement considering Sakshi's urgent need to rest her aching shoulder.

He couldn't understand why she even needed to bath when they had an exam tomorrow. There's so much to talk, to plan and to implement. He himself bathed only when Aditi forced him to. Now, it was her turn so he combed his hair, settled up the bedsheets and books. The moment that Kabir left, they all had just worn decent clothes and went to Shrey's home.

Now, making coffee and some toasts for them, he couldn't wait to listen to Sakshi's thoughts. His one side of mind was telling him to study but how could he do it when circumstances were like this.

He heard the door opening and caught Sakshi wearing different clothes. He immediately picked up his plates and ketch up from the counter, he took it towards her bedroom. He glanced at her, watching her blank face, her eyes stoned on the mirror as she dried her hair. His eyebrows raised at seeing her smiling at herself. He could swear, he felt a chill running down his spine.

Sometimes, he couldn't understand girls. They were complicated. God knows, how creepy she would behave now with this heartbreak. The sad thing is not Shrey, not that Kabir is here to suffer that.

It was him only.

He went back to the kitchen to bring mugs of coffee, he took Aditi's too as she heard her getting out of the another bathroom too. He sighed heavily when he caught Sakshi looking for her books in the wooden case, she would usually put them. It wasn't maintained because of exams period going on.

"You can eat the mini-breakfast and later, search the books." He managed to say, feeling slightly scared to sadden her more in anyway.

Sakshi had found the book she was looking for and put it on the nearby chair. She put her notepad and her pens on it, turned around to sit on the bed with him.

"Here," he passed her plate, and heard a faint thank you from her as she started eating the toast. He raised his eyebrows watching her with extreme suspense. "So, is that this going to be?"

Sakshi didn't glance at him. The wall of her mind was soaking Rishabh's words and she couldn't help but feel sorted out now. But what of her heart? It still was drowning deeper at lack of contact with the person she loved most.

"What do you want to know?" She questioned quietly while eating another toast.

Aarush shrugged his shoulders, giving her narrowed-gaze. "You tell me. What I need to know, considering we are best friends and we are supposed to share every problem with each other."

Right that moment, Aditi entered the room, her eyes popping out as she observed Sakshi all clean and without tears. She looked at Aarush who gave her a shake of head, signing her that he was as blank as she was. She sat down on the bed, smiling at him when he slid her plate towards her.

"I don't know where to begin. Isn't every moment these days bringing a problem to me? Which one you want to know about?" Sakshi mumbled, while dusting her fingers as she picked up her coffee and leaned on the pillows, still sitting straight, looking at them all quietly.

Aarush and Aditi exchanged a glance. "You went to Shrey's home. What happened there?" Aditi asked, letting out a breathe.

Sakshi gulped the lump that had already started to form, she put coffee on the plate as her hands started shaking. "It wasn't Shrey. It was his brother, Rishabh." She told them in a collected tone.

Aarush widened his eyes. "The brother that I mean, all those years ago, had told Shrey to play with you?"

Sakshi nodded, making them gasp in shock.

"Oh my God! What did he say?" Aarush asked her immediately, his eyes turning furious. "Did he say something brutal? Tell me. Is this why, you are this much traumatized, you aren't even crying anymore?"

Sakshi blinked shakily, she lowered her eyes and explained, "Whatever he said, it all made sense."

"What did he say?" Aditi asked slowly.

Sakshi shrugged her shoulders, sniffing as she told them, "Our families are more like enemies. My brother and him, hate each other. Shrey and I can never be together."

"Are you kidding me?" Aarush chuckled humorlessly. "This is twenty first century. People can marry in court. People can survive. Love Marriage is not a taboo. Don't they know, Shrey loves you?"

"I don't know," her voice cracked. "I don't know, if he told them or Rishabh just found out on his own. But he was telling me the truth. I can never have the courage to tell my brother about loving Shrey and even if I do it, my brother will never allow me to be with him. It will always be complicated-"

Aarush blinked desperately. "We can convince, everyone. Come on, you are doing MBA. You just have to market your relationship."

"I wish it could be that easy," Sakshi choked out. "But it will never be. Rishabh said, even if he allows us to marry. My own family would never let us live peacefully. I would always be burdened by their judgements and their lack of happiness."

Aditi narrowed her eyes. "So what did you conclude? What's with this clean look? You are done with heartbreak? You're moving on?"

Sakshi glanced at both of them before wiping a tear off the corner of her eye. "Yes."

Aarush's mind was close to burst out. "Are you insane?" He nearly shouted, getting off the bed. "You're going to marry that bastard professor?"

He breathed in suspense at seeing her eyes blank as never. "Years ago, I loved Shrey. I tried everything to be with him. But it was all for nothing. God didn't want it to happen. The whole relationship was built on a lie," she explained softly, her lips trembling.

"Years later, now, even now I fought to be with him. It's more tough, more hard for me. It looks like God really doesn't want him to be with me. It's not like Shrey has messaged me yet. He has not responded-"

"That's a lie. He did call last night. You were hurt, I couldn't pick up." Aarush defended easily.

Sakshi shook her head. "That's not even a relief. Because even if he has still love in his heart for me. I don't want him to. The moment I will tell my brother about Shrey, it won't be me getting any insult or beating. It will be Shrey," she sobbed, her eyes filling up. "I can't do that to Shrey. His uncle is sick. He himself is suffering from so much worse. He hasn't even recovered from those traumatic events."

"I can't put him through such harsh ways to get my love. I can't," she explained sobbingly. "It's better if I forget about it-"

Aarush kicked the door of the room and glared at her. "He brainwashed you. Don't you realize it?"

Sakshi stared at him quietly. "Then, what? You want me to run away with Shrey? Is that what you want to imply? Do you think Shrey won't get sick of anxiety at even thinking about it? I am not even sure if he is still not angry at me after knowing about Kabir."

Aditi bit her lip while slowly mentioning, "So, what have thought now?"

Sakshi smiled at her sadly. "Because of me, you guys couldn't study. I shouldn't fight for things now. If God wants it to happen, then it will happen. I can't oppose him. I can only go with the flow."

Aarush's mouth opened in shock.

"I don't think, we studied enough for the exam. I could just tell Kabir that I'll marry him. Our marks will be fine and so will be him. I'll put him at rest. In upcoming holidays, I'll tell my brother about his behavior and this marriage thing will blew off," she said, wiping her cheeks and looking at both of them. "Then, I need some me-time. I will travel, roam around or even log in to Tinder. It's better to have flings for exploration, rather than these stupid relationships with all drama."

Aarush was fine till the blew off thing but her last lines, made him crack up sarcastically. "So, you'll forget Shrey this easily?" He laughed mockingly, giving her a salute.

"And you don't think that Kabir won't make the marriage thing more of a trap than it already is," he laughed further.

Sakshi's face fell while Aditi flared her nostrils and glared at Aarush. "Don't be a moron. I am proud of her for collecting herself up and be this great," she looked back at Sakshi and smiled at her.

"The plan is dope, I swear." Aditi muttered while reaching her and throwing her arms around her. "Kabir can go suck his dick, and Shrey will be under his brother's control. It's not as difficult as Aarush think it is. But for now, please be alright and let's start studying. You guys would anyway pass but I'll flunk, I am sure."

Sakshi smiled while pulling away and looking at her. "Yes," she spoke out while wiping her eyes and chuckling when Aditi rubbed her back, encouraging her.

Aarush was speechless.

After all, it wasn't them suffering two girls behaving creepily. He could swear, he was desperate for some male company. He needed to feel normal.

Shaking his head, he turned towards his bag to pick out his own books and laid on the sofa, not really being able to focus.

________

Shrey bit his lip, feeling his heart beating faster in tension. Sakshi had switched off her phone. Aarush wasn't picking up too. He knew that they had exam on the upcoming Monday which meant tomorrow.

But one call wouldn't be of much problem. He shifted on his seat restlessly. Sitting beside him, his mother noticed him. He truly hadn't enjoyed the movie because his mind wasn't getting off the thought of that professor marrying Sakshi.

He needed to go to her flat and talk it out.

"I need some help with hospital's formalities and some interviews in the company too. Shrey, would you mind giving me a hand-"

"No."

His mom gasped while Alisha laughed out loud. Rishabh too let out a chuckle, "This muh hate brother. Are you jealous of me or what?"

"I am not jealous of your shit face, brother." Shrey smiled humorlessly and grimaced when his mother gave him a disappointed look. "I can't. I have to go somewhere."

Rishabh stopped the car just as they entered through the gate and slowly everyone got out. Alisha hugged her Aunt as they both went inside with shopping bags. Shrey had stopped to take out his own car when Rishabh called him immediately.

"Look, I am in hurry. I did spend the day with you all," Shrey muttered, his heartbeats still faster while his hands were sweating.

Rishabh stared at him, observing ghe restlessness in his eyes. "I know you hate me."

Shrey let out a humorless chuckle "Well, I am relieved. Now, you would stop talking to me. Right?"

Rishabh sighed heavily. His eyes showing hurt and he realized Sakshi was right. "I don't understand what I have done that you feels so disgusted with me. I saved you from that case. I was the one who carried your nearly-dead body when you had swallowed those pills," he said, his voice turning hoarse as he stared at his brother.

"Remember, you used to share your crushes with me and I would set them up for you in college, giving you my notes," Rishabh joked when Shrey had started giving him a furious look.

"I don't want to talk about it, now." Shrey said quietly. "I have to go somewhere."

Rishabh knew where he wanted to go and he couldn't let that happen. So, he replied, "Why? Do you think it is fine to talk disrespectfully in front of my fiancee? I have taken care of the whole family and i am not even singing to earn praises from you or to make you feel inferior. All I ask is for some softness. Day and night, I wait for the day for you to recover so you could help me with the firm and we start together again with a bang."

Shrey looked around the yard and rubbed his forehead. He didn't like this conversation at all.

Rishabh remembered Sakshi's words as he mentioned, "It's not just you having demons in your life. I never got the girl I loved insanely. I couldn't get the degree I want to pursue because I had to handle family's business. I too could have left country and enjoyed my studies, considering I was more studious. But I never complained because I liked that ambitious you. And you are my only brother."

Shrey's nostrils flared as he didn't look in his eyes.

Rishabh's jaws clenched. "I don't hate you for everything that happened with the case. The media, the labour I had to do. I am just relieved, that I am here for you and you are safe here. But I too need your help in my life. My father's on bed for months and you never asked me if I feel safe. I don't feel safe, Shrey. I haven't even settled yet and I don't. . . don't want to lose Dad. His reports are getting worse," his voice shook.

Shrey finally looked at him, his nostrils flaring as he breathed slowly while looking in his glossy eyes.

"I know, I said some brutal things at your lowest moments. I should have been polite but you should have understood that I was angry. That I said those harsh things because I was disappointed in you. That you made those sick friends and how idiot was you. So much money was lost and tell me if you didn't deserve a single scolding from me," Rishabh asked furiously.

Shrey couldn't speak. He was torn between complaining or pitying the man in front of him.

"You don't want to speak to me?" Rishabh asked him, quietly. "You don't want to see me? Fine. I won't come to your house. Remember, I was the one who would do your homework. I was the one who had allowed you to go to those clubs. I was a cool brother. I have saved you from all those stupid bullying fights. I have saved you all the time. In return, what do I get? I don't even see the happiness in your eyes when I talk about my wedding. And I thought you would be the one handling all arrangements. It's a shame I have to make efforts in mixing up my Alisha with you all."

The first tear fell from Rishabh's eye. "Fuck!" He wiped it away, cursing himself.

"All I ask is for some brotherly love. Nothing else. But no, of all the world, the world that gave you no shit, you find me as your enemy. You hate me. You are frustrated with me," Rishabh muttered while breathing hard and looking away at the little garden.

Shrey's lips parted as he gulped quietly. His heart had calmed down but only to drown in pity as he suddenly realized that all this time, if Rishabh had been bitter to him it was because he deserved it. He was playing the big brother and a little release of anger was necessary for him to keep his sanity when the cloud of so many problems burst on their family all of a sudden.

"I don't hate you," he breathed out, his jaws clenching as he confessed it. "But I hate your tone. All the time you keep complaining, you keep frustrated. It's irritating-"

Rishabh smiled goofily as Shrey pushed on his shoulder.

"You might be the elder one. But you aren't God. I still have that grudge on the words you said in the hospital. You didn't know what I was going through when I ate those pills-"

"If I hadn't known, I would have let you rot in jail." Rishabh said, making both of them quiet.

A silence followed when Shrey gave him a soft look. "I missed the time when you didn't have to handle the family business," he said slowly. "We used to play cricket with guys."

Rishabh looked towards the left as the security guard lit up the lights. "Well, I will be glad to pass my post to you."

"I won't be able to handle it," Shrey muttered quietly. He observed the lights and remembered Sakshi's business ideas. "You do it well. I can only give a hand. We can enhance it further."

"That's the first praise in last five years." Rishabh exclaimed and chuckled when Shrey replied with a comeback.

"My payback for all your scoldings."

The evening was turning darker. Rishabh wanted to soften things with Shrey again. If whatever Sakshi had told him about Shrey, he needed to put more efforts in making him realize that his own brother wasn't any enemy but a well-wisher.

"You can go now, wherever you wanted to go," Rishabh said, pushing on Shrey's shoulder and started stepping back to turn around and go inside the home.

"What? Now, you are being all cool?" Shrey asked, smirking slightly because he knew this was Rishabh's reverse game to convince him to help with his work. "You don't want me to stay and help?"

Rishabh shrugged his shoulders, turning around. "It's okay. Whenever you are ready. No pressure."

Shrey bit his lip. One side of her heart wanted to go to Sakshi this moment and sort out everything. At another, he wanted to cop up with Rishabh's efforts. If he was being light, then he himself didn't need to be cruel.

Sakshi was his priority but at this time, going to the flat would only distract her from studies. He thoughtfully nodded to himself and let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Where do you need my help in?" He asked his cousin brother, who couldn't stop the smirk on satisfaction forming on his lip.

_________

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