"SITUATIONSHIPS CAN GET MESSY REAL SOON."

____________________________

The moon shone overhead as the engines growled to life, but Veer sat calm and focused, like always. His signature black helmet glinted under the light, visor down, hiding the quiet confidence in his eyes.

To the crowd, this was a big event—the state qualifiers. But to Veer, it was just another race to win. Another course to conquer.

As the flag dropped, the racers shot forward like arrows. The air buzzed with speed and tension, but Veer was already ahead, weaving through competitors like he knew the track by heart.

The dirt track snaked through hills and sharp curves, but his control was flawless. He leaned into the bends, every movement sharp and calculated. While others struggled with the terrain, he made it look effortless.

He didn’t glance back. He didn’t need to.

As he hit the final jump—a steep ramp that sent riders airborne—he didn’t even flinch. He soared, bike and body in perfect sync, before landing with a smooth skid on the other side.

The finish line rushed toward him. He crossed it without drama, slowing down just enough to flick his helmet off and reveal the smirk that every biker in the club knew too well.

Another race. Another win.

Just Veer doing what Veer does.

"VEER!"

"VEER!"

"VEER!"

The crowd exploded in cheers of his name, like they always did. He and Arnab made their way towards the organizer of the race to collect his prize.

As he collected the prize, his eyes met Subh's. His rival. Since the past few years, Veer had won every race he participated in. That meant making Subh gulp defeat far too many times, too. But this wasn’t it all.

When Veer was new to it all. Only 19, young, and curious, wandering, fascinated by the roar of bikes. Subh was the one to his rescue. Subh taught him all the ways with the race and bikes.

But as time went by and Veer became the top racer. Subh's envy grew. He wasn’t the same teacher anymore who taught Veer. He saw Veer as an opponent. A snake who bit back. In that envy and jealousy, their friendship fell apart.

Veer smirked, meeting Subh's furious gaze head on. Veer waved the check in front of him. Subh's fists and jaw clenched. How can he win again? I was the one who taught him. Yet somehow can he be better than me. How? Subh thought.

Veer passed by him but didn't fail to have the victorious smirk and rub Subh's failure on his face. Veer wouldn't have done that considering their past, but that guy had done enough damage for him to not give a crap about it anymore.

_____________________________

Veer made his way inside of the house, steps quiet. He didn’t have the energy to explain where he was, what he was doing, and stuff. What was he even supposed to tell them? Definitely not that he was out their racing at some racing club. He valued his life that much.

He successfully entered his room with a triumphant grin only for it to turn into an expression of a deer caught in red. As soon as he switched on the light... there he was.. his elder brother.

"Where were you?" Dhruv asked, his voice composed and calm, like always. Veer rolled his eyes, flopping on his bed. "You already know it." He said.

"Yeah, since I already do know it. How about I go and tell Papa about it. It'd be fun, wouldn't it?" Dhruv said with a sarcastic smile. Veer immediately sat up straight, giving him a glare. "What are you here for? Did you forget the way to your room, perhaps? Or you need me to carve a map for you?" Veer asked sarcastically.

"No. I don't need a map for my own room." Dhruv rolled his eyes. "I just need your bike." He added.

Silence.

.

.

.

"Yeah, no."

"It's just for this trip. And your bike would be safe and sound at the railway station." Dhruv promted. It wasn't like he couldn't take his car. But bikes were just more convenient in such places and situations.

"Nope. I don't want my dear moogi to rot in some railway station." Veer said seriously. He did rather die—maybe an exaggeration, but you get his feelings—than let his dear Koyal, his dear bike, eat dust at a cornor of some railway parking.

Dhruv sighed. "I don't know why I even asked." He mumbled, standing up.

"Exactly. You've got that big fat car of yours yet are eyeing my poor Moogi. Have some shame, Dr. Dhruv. Be faithful for your car."

Dhruv didn't bother replying to that and made his way towards his room. Ha had stuff to pack for this trip of his. He had a feeling this was going to be rather interesting because.. yeah, billirubin.

Out of all the things in the world, why would someone decide to toy with this chemical? This doesn't cause much harm other than jaundice if present in excess amount. But yeah, any chemical excessively is dangerous.

He sat in his study, which was in his room. His room was the biggest of all to say. His room had another room joined to it, which was his little study/lab at home. No one was allowed to enter it. Because god forbid his siblings entered, and the next thing he knew was his house set on fire.

So yeah. If he were to resummarize the whole case...

A real estate agent from Agra found dead in Naveli forests, with multiple stabs and a chemical present on his chest.

It all made no sense.

Why would someone want to kill a no-prior-crime-records-or any-shady-stuff-going on man? Did he witness something he shouldn't have?

These thoughts were continuously flowing through his mind. Even though it wasn't really his job. His job was to deal with the dead, not find what made them dead. But he couldn't help it. He had helped Harsh solve all the cases he found interesting—something worth digging.

And Dr. Dhruv loved interesting things.

So it was only fair that interesting cases piqued his interest sooner than later, and he is already on his quest to find everything about it.

Especially ones that involved dealing with chemicals.

And once he was after something, then he had to be satisfied with what it was before he let go.

_____________________________

Meera sat in her room, reading books. Though half her mind was someone else, how would she tell her baba what she wanted if her tongue betrayed her every single time!

Traitor tongue.

...Or coward she.

Meera huffed, closing the book. Just then, Garv barged into her room with a stupid grin. "Why are you happy this late?" Meera asked. He sat down beside Meera and showed her his phone.

Meera almost squealed.

She stared at him with a shining glint in her eyes, matching his stupid grin from before. "Where did you get this?!" Meera asked.

Garv fixed his collar proudly. "What can I say? I do have many connections, you know." He said with a proud smirk. "My friend studies there."

Meera was in awe, staring at the application form before her. An application form from none other than the 'National Law University'!

Meera wanted to be a criminal lawyer. She knew it the moment she... saw it in some series and thought it was really, really cool to be one herself. But as time passed away, her interest only grew more till it turned into passion.

But the problem was how to tell her Baba this. Only Garv knew about this passion of her and supported her about it. She never told anyone else. She feared what if they refused. Her Amma would totally oppose this, and being the eldest in the house.. what if her Baba considered her words and refused Meera?

Meera loved and respected her Baba the most, so if he had said no, then it would've been a no. She never opposed or refused what her Baba asked her to. He knew the best.

That's why she was so scared. Because it was over the moment he denied.

Meera looked at Garv, and Garv nodded in encouragement. A knock from the door turned their attention towards it. Vikram entered through the door and wasn't surprised to see Garv already present there. Garv closed the screen from his phone.

"Tum dono ne toh hume alag hi kar diya hai." He said, coming towards Meera's bed. His tone was light-hearted and teasing. Garv chuckled while Meera gave him a playful glare.

[You both forgot to include me again]

"Garv bhaiya, kehdo kisise ki humne nhi unhone khud khudko alag kar diya hai apne kaam ke chalte." Meera playfully taunted. Garv never missing the flow, added. "Yeah, bhaiya, you heard her."

[Garv bhaiya, tell someone that we didn't forget about him. He forgot about us because of his work]

"I see. Someone is upset with me, huh?" Vikram said, settling on the bed beside them. "And would they still be if I say I brought them another gift?" This was where Meera's interest piqued. Garv grinned. "Is that someone me?" He asked, earning a straight-up 'No'. He pressed his lips in thin line.

Meera looked at him expectantly. What did he bring? Vikram pulled out a book from behind him. Meera's eyes widened. She immediately snatched the book from it, touching it as if it was made of glass. "Thank you, bhaiya." She grinned. Vikram chuckled.

"Waise tumhari inn kitabo mein aisa hai kya jo itni khush ho jati ho?" Vikram asked. Meera grinned. "Nothing, bhaiya, you won't understand."

[What’s so special about these books that make you so happy?]

"Really? Then let me read it. I'm sure I'll get it once I read."

"No!" The answer was immediate.

"Why not?" Vikram frowned.

"Aap kaha politics, business, self-help books padhne wale, aap ye sab nhi jhel paoge." She said, dismissing him. Vikram's frown deepened. "I'll get it once I read."

"Yeah? Beware of the trauma you'll get afterward, bhaiya." Garv chimed in.

"Trauma? Why trauma?" Vikram asked, confused, glancing between the duo. Garv and Meera shared a glance, shaking their head, knowing well he would never get a chance to read, considering his work schedule nowadays.

"It's a love story. It's totally not your type of book. And tragic one at that. One that makes you cry at the end. That's why trauma." Meera explained almost in a way you'd explain a child.

"Then why would you purposely read something traumatic?"

"Uhhh.. leave it. Tell me, how come you're here today?" Meera dismissed him. Garv nodded at the last part.

Vikram's expression turned serious. "What did you want to tell Baba today?" He asked. Meera and Garv both paused. "She said it there. Shopping, bhaiya. You know how girls are." Garv said.

"I know how my sister is." Vikram retorted. "And she necer asked about something as trivial as shopping before." He looked at Meera, expecting the truth.

"Bhaiya, it was what I said before. I just wanted to spread some time with you all. You all have been so busy, that's why. It was just an excuse to spend time with you all." Meera smiled, a forced one.

Vikram looked at them skeptically. But sighed, knowing  he wasn't going to get the truth. "Bhaiya, leave all this. Go bring us ice cream." Garv said, easing the tension.

"Why me? You go."

"Bada kon hai?"

[Who is older?]

Vikram sighed in resignation.

"I'll have chocolate!"

____________________________

Charvi felt a gentle tap on her shoulder and turned around to find Arjun standing there. Without a word, he sat down beside her on the swing that rested quietly on the terrace. Their houses stood side by side, separated only by a narrow gap. Over time, they'd placed a sturdy wooden slate between the terraces, creating a simple bridge that let them move between homes with ease—a silent witness to countless shared moments.

Charvi narrowed her eyes. "Itna time kyu laga?" She asked. Arjun shrugged, giving her his notes.

[Why did you take so long?]

"Mujhe toh laga tha mai yahi pade pade so jaungi." She muttered, taking the notes from him. Arjun glanced towards the sky.

[I thought I would've dozed off here only]

Arjun glanced at her, keeping an arm beside his head, settling back on the swing. "Why don't you try and do it on your own?" He asked. "It's not that hard once you try."

"Pata hai mujhe." She snapped.

[I know that]

"Still snappy? Did my ice cream trick do no magic this time?" He asked, raising his eyebrow. Charvi huffed."It did. But mamta mam ruined it."

"Mamta, mam?" He asked.

"Yeah, she called and told papa about the incident. You know, how much I had to hear because of that? Papa, mumma, dadi, and on top of that Veer bhaiya. Pata hai kitna sunaya sabne mujhe. Mujhe toh rona aa rha tha. Maine toh soch bhi liya tha, roke sympathy gain kar leti hu. Lekin phir socha ki nhi, that's not cool. Apne aasu pite pite khana ka ek ek niwala apne gake se utara hai maine. Ha nhi toh. Aisa bhi kya kiya tha maine? Bas thoda sa gussa hi toh hui thi. Lekin nhi sab behave toh aise kar rahe tge jaise maine kisi khoon kar diya ho. Batao, ye bhi koi baat hoti hai?" She ranted, long forgotten the notes copying. Arjun just sat there, staring at her with a faint smile, listening to her rant.

[Do you know how much they lectured me? I was almost on the verge of crying. I even thought to cry and gain sympathybut then again, that's not cool. I took each morsel while gulping back tears, you know. What did I even do? I just got a little angry. But no, they were behaving as though I killed someone. Tell me, how was that fair?]

"Yeah, they lectured you too much, right?" Arjun asked, chuckling. As he patted Charvi's head. She nodded, huffing, going back to work.

Arjun chuckled again, remembering today's incident. 

____________________________

FLASHBACK

°•~ARJUN~•°

I made my way towards my desk as I entered the classroom. Karan was already seated on his desk. I went and sat on my desk behind him. He didn’t turn around and start yapping. He didn't even acknowledge me.

That's.. new and strange.

He looked gloomy. His head was down. He seemed rather sad. What happened to him? Normally, he would turn around and start saying stuff that barely made any sense.

"Hey..." I nudged him.

He glanced behind towards me, then again turned ahead and looked down. Why was he acting like he's the most depressed being on the planet right now?

"What happened?" I nudged him again.

He immediately turned behind as if he was waiting for me to ask. He looked at me with a gloomy expression. "Kya batao, yaar.." he looked like he was about to cry.

[What should I tell you..]

Okay, so this is serious.

I stayed put to let him continue. I raised my eyebrow, gesturing him to continue. He sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.

"I fought.."

"What's new?"

"...with Aadya."

Oh.

Oh.

Okay.

This was new. Brand new.

"Why?" I asked him. Because him fighting with Aadya was nearly impossible. He was a fool for her. A lovesick fool. Everyone knew that.

"So, I was talking with Myra—"

"Myra who?" I cut him off.

"Myra, from section A." He said, rolling his eyes. I nodded. "Continue."

He sighed before continuing. "But she tripped and was about to fall.." he mumbled with a tinge of frustration.

Ayaan came and took his seat neside Karan, giving us a small wave. We haven't talk to the guy much. He didn’t either. Maybe becayse we just sat together.

Anyway.

"So, Myra fell. Is that why you fought with Aadya?" I asked, frowning. Because if so, this was one of the shitiest reason for you could fight with the girl you like.

"Noooo!" He said quickly. "She was falling, and she geld onto my hand, so I caught her before she fell." He said, making animated gestures with his hand.

"So, that's a good deed. What exactly did you fight for?" I asked, stressing the last words.

"Abe, bolne dega!" He snapped, looking irritated.

[Let me speak!]

"Ha, sorry, bol."

[Yeah, sorry, speak]

"Yeah, so, she was falling and I caught her... but then Aadya came out of nowhere and saw us like that and she misunderstood." He ranted, looking somewhere in between annyoyed and guilty.

Damn, first relationship fight.

No, wait.

First situationship fight.

Karan nodded, as if he was sympathizing himself in the whole scenario. "Amd then she misunderstood and started walking away without saying—"

"Who started walking away?" I again cut him off.

"Aadya!" He almost yelled.

"Okay, continue."

He again sighed heavily. And started speaking. "Yes, so, I followed her and confronted her about everything, trying to clear the misunderstanding," he looked guilty as he rubbed his forehead again. "but she wasn't ready to listen to me... so, I kind of.. snapped and said stuff."

"What did you say?"

"That.. it'snoneofherbusinessandIcandowhateverIwant." He said in one go, like a bullet shot.

"Okay, kuch samajh nhi aaya."

[I didn't get a thing out of it]

"I said that 'it was none of her business anyway and I can do whatever I want. I don't get what the heck was she so upset about.' She, stared at me for a while, said nothing and just walked away. And now she's not talking to me.." He mumbled in a low voice. Even Ayaan head snapped in his direction for a while.

"Karan, you're an idiot."

"I know, I know, but... argh, fine. I'm an idiot. A huge one at that." He sank back in his seat, looking like his whole world had been destroyed. Drama queen.

"Did you at least apologize?"

"I tried. But she's not picking up my call and obviously ignoring me."

I was about to speak when Charu came fuming towards our desk—Karan’s desk. She slammed her hand on their bench, loudly, making both Karan and Ayaan jump off their seat.

That must've hurt her hand.

"What the heck, Charvi?" Ayaan asked but was royally ignored by the fuming fire who was continously glaring at Karan who was looking down with his hand on his lap. Looking like a child, about to be scolded by his mother.

"What did you do that, Charu?" Karan asked, indicating towards her slamming her hand on his desk.

"Why did I do that?! You still have the audacity to ask that?" Karan felt silent, he knew he didn't.

"Kya kiya tune?" She asked sharply.

[What did you do?]

"Oh, Me?.. well, I.. uhhm.. I.. I didn't mean to.. but I.. I just.. uhh.. I.." Karan stammered not finding the right words to describe his actions. While Charu kept glaring at him, if looks could kill, I swear he'd be buried ten feets under a great depth.

But to his luck, the teacher came and Charu gave him a last look, huffing before coming to settle beside me. I swear, I could feel the fire emitting out of her.

She and Aadya were like sisters, so her this reaction was pretty much expected. And to be honest, Karan was at fault here. He should've explained calmly instead snapping like that. That was such an idiotic move.

Midway through the class, Karan turned behind and looked at Charu who was quiet since and kept looking out the window. He then looked at me and I shook my head.

But when did he ever listen to me? Never.

I could tell by her reaction what was up and what it was, was not something you'd not want to mess with.

He nudged her arm by his pen, Charu shrugged her shoulder. But he again nudged her. She took his pen and threw it out of the window.

What I said about not messing with her?

Karan gasped, but composed himself, nudging her again.

Why was he so adamant on playing with fire?

Especially this one.

Charvi turned towards him, glaring at him. Karan cleared his throat, clearly nervous.

"Charu.." he called out ever-so-sweetly and smile sheepishly. "Woh.. mai.. mai na.. mai.. mai actually.. mai.." he stammered.

[That.. I.. I.. I..]

"Bakri ki tarah meh meh kehta rahega ya aage bolega kuch!" She snapped. Her anger was scary. I mean, normally, she was this.. this sweet, chaotic, fun-loving, goofball. But this furious side of her was nothing new to me. But still as amusing.

[Will you speak further or keep fumbling?]

Remind me to never get on her bad side ever.

Karan cleared his throat again. "I.. I.. I wanted to ask that.. A-Aadya didn't come today.."

The guy is so dead.

Don't forget to wish my friend here a happy afterlife and 'RIP'.

1.. 2.. 3..

"KARAN KE BACCHE!!!"

[You!!!]

Charu yelled, gaining the whole class' attention, including the teacher's.

We. Are. Done. For.

_____________________________

"Kutte! Kukur! Kamine! Leechad! Galeech! Bhai ke pakode! Chipkali ki pooch! Dimaag ke paidal! Ghatiya aadmi!"

[Jerk! Bastard! Idiot! Stupid! Lizard tail! Pig! Hippopotamus! Dog!]

Here, we were.

Standing outside of the class, taking swearing lessons from the one and only Ms. Charvi Saxena.

Bohot vivid prakar ki galiya aati hai inhe.

[She knows a variety of curses]

The teacher asked both of them to get out of the class and them being the good friends they were, they dragged me out with them, too. And now I was standing between these two, to make sure Charu doesn't rip his head off.

"Tu jarbuddhi ke, pehle tune Aadya ko upset kiya aur ab hume class se bahar karva diya. Tu mil mujhko school ke bahar!" Charvi spoke, more like whisper-yelled at Karan.

[You dumbminded being. First, you upset Aadya and now got us kicked out of the class. You just meet me outside of school]

"Aacha? hum meri wajah se bahar khade hai?" Karan said, raising his eyebrows. Someone give him some potion to shut his mouth.

[Oh, so, it's because of me, we're standing outside?]

The guy loves to provoke fire.

I held Charu back before she could attack him and pull out all his hair.

"You! You still made Aadya upset. Aur mera dimag subah se bhannaya hua hai aur mat bhanna. Samajha?" She said, huffing, crossing her arms and looking away.

[My mind's already a mess. Don't make it worse, understood?]

Karan pressed his lips together and looked at me with a tited expression. I kind of pity him. He chose the wrong time to mess this all up.

Charvi huffed, then turned to Karan abruptly again, glaring twice than before. "Ye bata.." she started off calmly. So calm that it was hard to digest. "Teri himmat kaise huyi Aadya pe cheat karne ki!" And she snapped.

[Tell me.. how dare you cheat on her?]

Karan froze, hearing her words, and for a moment, I did too. Cheat? That's a bold claim when they were not in a relationship.

Karan turned to her, his expression serious. Serious than I've seen him before. "I didn't cheat on her. We are not in a relationship." Yet. I know that 'yet' was there. It just didn't come out.

"Exactly—" She trailed off. I watched as the realization of what she had said sunk in on her. She turned to Karan, opened her mouth, and then closed it. Her expressions were still cold but relatively more composed.

"You know what?" She began. "Meko ab tumlogo ke jhadge mein padna hi nhi hai. Bina confess kare hi maro tum. Ek choti si misunderstanding thi. Choti si... Baat karte, solve hojati. Lekin nhi hume toh tamashe karne the." She rubbed her forehead, keeping a hand on her hip as if to support her weight.

[I don't want to middle in your matters anymore. Just die without confessing you both. It was just a small misunderstanding. Which would've been solved by talking but no, you had to go fight]

"But nonetheless you're right, maybe I overeated.. lekin bhad mein jao tum sab!" She turned away. Karan defeatedly looked at her then me, then her, then me, then her, then me, then her, then, me, then her.

I hope his neck is alright.

[Go to hell you all]

"Charu.." Karan tried to speak but..

"Chup." [Shut up]

"Mera dimag pehle se kharab hai mujhe toh samajh nhi aaraha mai itna bhadak kyu rahi hu!" She huffed again. I know very well what's happening.

[My mind's a mess and why am I getting so snappy?]

Karan and I shared a look. It was for the betterment of our well fare that we keep quiet now. And I guess it's understood between Karan and me now.

"Charu.. kahi tune.." Karan opened his mouth. He made actions of drinking from his hand.

Yeah, so my guess was wrong.

This guy is going to burn.

Charu griited her teeth and lunged foward grabbing his hair and pulling them. That looked painful, as if she was going to make him go bald for sure today.

I wonder how bald Karan would look..

Uhh, nhi, nhi, ye baalo mein hi thik hai.

[No, he's good with hair only]

"Mujhe baksha de meri maa! Bhari jawani mein mujhe takla karegi kya?" He cried out, as if this was going to stop her. I hope no one walks by the corrider or they might get a free show. And Charu might land in trouble and behind her me too.

He pleaded her again, but was that going to stop her? The answer was painfully no.. for him.

"Ahh, Charu, Sorry, Please chor de! Sorry bol rha hu na. Aadya se bhi sorry bol dunga. Uske pairo mein gir ke maafi magunga. Uske pairo mein hi bas jaunga. Please, chorde!"

[Ahh, Charu, Sorry, Please leave me! I'm apologizing, right. I'll apologize to Aadya, too. I'll fall at her feet. I'll be by her feet my whole life. Please, just leave me!]

The site before me looked painful for Karan, satisfying for Charu and entertaining for me. I wonder if the class could hear his cries. How much time will the period take get over? I have to complete my maths worksheet and that—

"ARJUN! Saale khada kya hai? Help me!!!" Karan snapped, breaking my trail of thoughts.

[Jerk, why are you standing?]

"Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot."

I pulled Charu back from her, who wiggled in my hold, huffing. She looked like a little tigress ready to pounce the moment she's let free. So cute.

I wonder why I never find her scary when she was literally on the verge of making someone go bald.  On the other hand, Karan looked terrified. He panted, massaging his head.

"Tu pagal hai kya?" Karan huffed.

[Are you insane?]

"Nhi, tu gadha hai." Charu retorted. I loosened my grip on her and she again tried to pounce on him. Karan took a step back, keeping a hand on his chest. I tightened my hold again.

[No, you're an idiot]

"Padke rakh iss jungli billi ko, jab dekho tab khatne ko dekhti hai." Karan said, earning a kick from Charu on his foot.

[Just jeep a hold on her. Wild cat, just looking for a chance to bite everytime.]

Iss bande ka muh abhi bhi band nhi ho raha. Mai isko dheth bolu ya aadat se majboor ya dimaag se paidal, currently mai iss dilemma mein ho.

[He isn't even shutting up now. Should I call him stubborn, bound by habit or straight-up idiot. Currently, I'm in this dilemma]

_____________________________

Where you ever stuck in a situationship where you knew they liked you too but couldn't confess for someone reason?

Till next time..

Adios, Mariposas🦋