"I race to win, losers."

____________________________________

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door only to meet with silence. Again.

I've been doing so for the last 10 minutes, only to repeat it again and again. Why wasn't he opening the door?

As Charvi asked me to give the tea to her dear eldest brother, I came here to do so, but he wasn't answering.

Should I walk away, drink the tea myself, and call it a night, or should I just storm in and present his majesty's tea to him like an honest person given the responsibility to do so?

Knocking was out of the syllabus because I've tried that like a hundred of times—aright, not really a hundred, but you get it emotion behind it.

I pressed my lips in a thin line, contemplating what to do. Sigh, one knock, if he answered, then well and good or I'm barging in. That's it.

As decided, I knocked again...

I guess, barging in it is.

I pushed the door open and peeked to in to see no one in the room. I opened the door and stepped inside, looking around. I flinched as the door closed behind me on its own.

What a... blant room. I mean.. the walls were white & grey in color with black wooden flooring. There was a king-sized bed in between with brown and beige covers.

There's a lounge chair near the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offers a view of a city skyline. The room had recessed lighting in the ceiling and a skylight. The ceiling over the bed was carved in an inward rectangle shape with soft LED lighting.

There were 2 doors to the floor-to-ceiling window walls, if you can call it that, opposite. There was another door opposite to the bed.

The one amongst the door adjacent doors opened, and a well-build, muscular half-naked body came into my view.

I froze.

My breath hitched for a second before I inhaled sharply, blinking, contemplating whether to look away as I should or keep looking as I wanted to. He couldn't see me. He was rubbing his damp hair with a towel. But I could. I could.

Despite the conflict, I let my eyes trail down, tracing those defined abs. 8-freaking-packs! Was I always so down bad for abs, or is it just him?

No, no, it's just the abs. Yeah.  The abs. Definitely. The. Abs.

They looked hard. Would he throw me out of his house and label me as a certified creep if I ask him whether I can touch them? Yeah, he most probably would.

But was I willing to take that risk? My intrusive self said yes. But the rational one smacked some sense into it and begged me to look away before I ended up regretting my existence.

"What are you doing here?"

My chain of not-so-right thoughts broke, hearing a hoarse voice. My eyes traveled up and up and up to meet his eyes. He was looking at me with curiosity, caution, and a hint of amusement.

I blinked, processing my reply to that question of his because I didn't trust my mouth and my dumb self. I opened my mouth before closing it like a freaking fish.

The devil and angel in me were still debating whether I should take a peek down to those wonders, giving in to my desires or keep my gaze strictly on his eyes to save my dignity. Or his dignity... maybe?

"I am tea. Wait... No! I mean, I brought tea." I raised the cup towards him to show the proof of my... innocence? Argh, stupid Meera.

He raised an eyebrow, amused, taking a few steps towards me. His face was neutral, I couldn't tell if he was thinking I was a fool or a full-blown pervert. Or maybe a spy.

"And why, in the whole house, would you decide to bring me tea?" He interrogated with a tilt of his head. He was looking at me like the truth would be rewarded with gold coins, and a lie would meet with his sword.

Does he even have a sword?

I composed myself. "Charu asked me to give this to you." Otherwise, had I lost my mind to suddenly be possessed by the ghost of serving you tea? Though, I kept that thought to myself.

"Why did she ask you to do that?" He interrogated again. What is this, a typical episode of Crime Patrol? Stop asking questions and just take this tea already. Huff.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

He took another step forward. There were good respectable inches between us. But it still was close, close enough for me to notice the defined abs more prominently. "You don't know?" He asked amused rather than offended.

"No—I mean, she just handed me this cup and ran upstairs like her tenant was there, and her rent was due." I mumbled, keeping my eyes on the ground awkwardly aware of his half-nakedness now that he was so close.

Has he no shame? He's not even putting on a shirt. Shouldn't he do that, considering I'm in front of him. A girl. A female. A XX chromosome

"I see," he hummed. There was a brief silence before he spoke again. "Don't you know it's bad manners to enter someone's room without their permission?" He crossed his arms over his chest, straighting up. The curve at the side of his lips told me he wasn't offended.

That.. caught me off guard. I blinked, my eyes shot up to look into his. Before I could say something, he spoke again. "Were you trying to pry on me, Ms. Gulabo?" He mused.

"What—I—no! I was... I knocked, okay? Before entering, I knocked for a good 10 minutes, but you didn't answer. I thought, what if something happened to you, so I came in to check, NOT PRY. Hum toh bas ye chai deke chalte bante agar ek baari mein darwaza khul dete aap. Lekin aapne nhi khula. Toh sab aapki galti hai." I ranted defensively.

[I would have just walked away after giving you the tea if you had opened the door in once. But you did not open it. So it is all your fault]

"Accha? Toh lao do chai aur chalti bano." He sassed, with a smirk, nodding towards the cup in my hand.

[Really? Then give it to me and get going]

"Haa, toh ye lijiye," I forward my hand again to see the tremor in my hand. Why was my hand shaking?

[Yeah, here]

Maybe because there is a half-naked man in front of you. Turn around. The angelic side of me tried to correct an upcoming indiscretion from happening.

Exactly. There's a man with abs that are just your type. No harm in taking a good view you're seeing for the first time in your 22 years of lifespan, right? The demonic side of me suggested and encouraged the indiscretion to happen.

"Why is your hand shaking?" He asked glancing at my shaking hand, completely unaware of my unseemly conflict in the unwise brain of mine.

"Kuch nhi. Aise hi. Aap apni chai lijiye na." I prompted hurriedly. I need to get out of this room as soon as possible. Any delay and I'll lose my mind. Completely.

[Nothing. It's nothing. Just take your tea]

As if you haven't already. The angelic side said, scoffing while the demonic side snickered. Hey, you were supposed to be the nice one! I said, offended.

Niceness have patience too. He/She/They/It (whatever pronoun the sides preferred) deadpanned.

"Are you sure you're not insane?" My head snapped towards him hearing his question. As I processed that question, my eyes narrowed.

"What made you think that?" I asked.

"You're making funny faces and keep zoning out. That's almost border-line to insanity." He deadpanned like stating an universal fact.

Oh, um, uh, so yeah. Anyway.

I shook my head, sighing, and forwarded my still shaking hand, promting for him to just take the tea and free me. He threw the away. The veins on his neck became visible and the speed of shaking hands increased.

His brows furrowed, as he took out his hand to take the cup of tea from my hand only to eince as the tea fell on his hand. "Ahh," he winced, looking at the back of his palm turning red. Was it hot?!

My eyes widened, and my mouth fell agape. I quickly kept the cup on the dresser beside his bed and took his hand in mine to check it.

I winced, looking at his hand turning red.

The skin looked angry and raw, the redness spreading as if the heat was still biting him.

"Why didn’t you just—" I started, but my voice cracked halfway. Heck, I didn't know what to say. It's all because of my stupid self that his hand got burnt. If I had just kept the tea on the table and left, none of these would've happened.

He didn’t say anything, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on me.

"Let me get some cold water," I muttered, already reaching for the jug on the bedside table. Maybe I was just trying to escape a scolding or something.

My fingers trembled as I poured it over his hand, the water running in thin rivulets down to his wrist. He hissed softly but didn’t pull away.

"Hold still," I said, more to myself than to him. My heart thudded in my chest, and I realized I was holding my breath. The rising heat of panic in me felt almost as hot as the burn on his skin.

"Ahh—what the hell!" He hissed, finally saying something when I accidentally pressed the wound.

I winced. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. I nean, you're so hot, no! The—The tea must be hot..." Trust me, I've already banged my to the wall multiple times in my mind. "...Jal raha hoga na?" I asked in a low voice, truly feeling remorseful.

[It must be burning, right?]

He let out a dry scoff. "Nhi, mujhe toh jannat wali feeling aa rahi hai." He taunted.

[Nope. I'm feeling heaven in here]

"Tch, tch, tch, kaisi galat feelings galat situation mein feel kar rahe hai aap. Aapka control-coordination toh vawastit hai na?" Though I knew it was a taunt, I couldn't help myself from commenting because it was a 'taunt' nonetheless.

[Tch, tch, tch, what kind of wrong feelings are you feeling in such a wrong situation. Is your control coordination working well?]

He gave me a dead look that clearly said, 'are you fucking serious, right now?' I swear I could feel the curse in that look.

"First—First aid? Where's the first aid box?" I asked, switching the topic.

He pointed towards the left drawer near the wall cabinets. I brought the first aid box, and pulled out a burnol cream.

"Gently, Gulabo." He winced. I mumbled a sorry and started doing it gently. But wait. Gulabo?

"Aapko humara naam abhi tak yaad nhi hua kya? Hum Meera, koi Gulabo nhi." I corrected, feeling slightly irritated. I have a great name. Why does he use someone else's name to address me every other time?

[Do you not remember my name still? It's Meera, not Gaulabo]

"Mujhe pata hai tumhara naam Meera hai." He replied coolly.

[I know your name is Meera]

"Tum phir ye Gulabo kyu?" I looked up at him as I was done applying the cream on the burn.

[Then what's with this Gulabo thing?]

He didn't say anything, just looked at me up and down, nodding towards my outfit. "Ab tum har bar mere samne Gulabi rang pehenkar aajati ho toh isme meri kya galti hai?" He said nonchalantly.

[What's my fault if you appear before me wearing a pink outfit everytime?]

I glanced down at his point out. I was indeed wearing a baby pink cotton suit. But I frowned at the weird logic. "Toh isme kya hai? Aap bhi toh humare samne har vakt kala pehenkar aajate hai. Toh kya hum aapko ab Kala ji bulaye?" I mocked. But to my utter surprise, he chuckled. Actually chuckled. This was the first time I was seeing it.

[So what? You wear black all the time. Should I start calling Mr. Black now?]

The side of his lips curved into a smirk. "Tumhari marzi. Lekin mai toh abse tumhe Gulabo hi bulaunga." He shrugged. There was a playful glint in his eyes.

[Your wish. But I'll surely call you Gulabo from now on]

"I never knew you could be this infuriating." I mumbled, closing the first aid box.

"Neither did I."

______________________________________

VEER made his way towards the usual race arena on his bike. He's body was still painted black and blue due to a certain someone's stupidness. He just wanted wanted to sleep the pain off but couldn't.

This race was important. The money was good. He had to win. No, he will win. He always does. Always will.

He reached the race arena. Arnab came running towards him the moment he stepped.

"Do you know how late you are, bastard? Just a few minutes and the race is about to start." Arnab started, glaring at him.

"But I did made it on time, didn't I?" Veer deadpanned.

"Barely." Arnab countered. Veer didn't reply. Arnab continued. "Did you get into a fight? You painted you black and blue? Was it that piece of shit Shubh?" He asked, checking his bruises.

Veer brushed it off. "It's nothing." It's embarrassing. So I'd rather not tell.

"Let's go. The race is about to begin, isn't it?" Veer shifted the topic smoothly.

"Finally here to lose, Saxena?"

They were about to make their way towards the course when an annoying voice made their steps halt. Veer muttered some colorful words under his breath before turning towards the bane of his existence.

"Don't you have anything better to do then go on showing off your insecurity, Jaiswal?" Veer cocked, titling his head, making the cocky smirk falter from Subh's face.

"Insecurity my foot. I was just awaring you about your upcoming loss." Subh said, trying to nurse his bruised ego.

"Oh, my, my, to what do I owe such kind well-wishers." Veer dramatically clutched his chest as he sarcastically remarked. But the very next moment his expressions changed. "Don't f*ck with me tonight, Subh. I'm already in a foul mood." He warned in a low voice.

"Oh, and I'm sooo scared by that, aren't I?" Subh retorted, crossing his arms.

"Tere paas koi aur kaam nhi hai kya saale? Jab dekho tab Veer ke piche pada rehte hai." Arnab intervened, trying to stop the situation from escalating further.

[Don't you have anything else to do? You're always leeching around Veer]

"Wow, look at that, so touching. Did you both started swinging that way now? Are you Veer's little wh*re now, Arnab?" Subh spat, smirking. Veer's jaw clenched, so did Arnab's fist. Things were about to escalate when someone called for them for the race was about to begin.

"Kutte ki dum kabhi seedhi nhi ho sakti." Veer muttered sharply under his breath and walked away with Arnab.

[You can't straighten a dog's tail]

He suddenly stopped in his path and looked over his shoulder. "Being gay is ten times better than being a sore loser who's all barks and no bite. Honestly, using sexuality as an insult is such a cheap move. Get ready to lose again, loser."

The race began. Engines roared down the narrow street, dust rising in the racers’ wake. Veer weaved through the pack, grumbling the whole way about potholes and bad turns—until the last corner, where he shot past the leader with a cocky smirk.

The gali rattled with the roar of engines, tyres biting into broken asphalt. Veer hunched low, his elbows tight, weaving between two riders as his back wheel sprayed grit. Subh kept close, his front tire nearly grazing Veer’s, both leaning dangerously into the chai-stall turn. The other racers were left far behind.

Dust curled in their wake, shop shutters blurring past. At the final stretch, Veer’s bike jolted over a pothole but he steadied it, surging ahead with a burst that left Subh choking on dust. Veer crossed first, smug grin in place. Subh rolled in after, scowl dark as the skid marks behind him.

And just like that, Veer had won. Again.

Veer ran towards Arnab, giving him a high-five as they both grinned. "50,000 in account just like that!" They laughed as Veer said that.

Suddenly Veer's face turned sideways as hard punch landed on his face. The metallic taste shot in his mouth, as he touched the side of his lip to see blood. He looked up to see a seething Subh standing in front of him.

Veer smirked, as he wiped the blood away. "As usual, haar hazam nahi huyi humare pyaare Jaiswal babu ko? Papa ke paas jana hai?" Veer fake cooed, making a pitiful face.

[Couldn't take your lose well, dear Jaiswal baby? Wanna go to daddy?]

As he said that, another hard punch landed on his face making him chuckle. Veer pushed past the sting and kept his expressions smug. "Look at the baby throwing tantrums. How cute." He smirked.

"Jyada bol mat, Saxena. Aaj tera tha lekin meri bhi din aayega yaad rakhna." Subh said through gritted teeth.

[Don't fly too high, Saxena. Today was yours, but remember, tomorrow will be mine]

Veer nodded feigning understanding and sympathy. "Sahi baat hai. Har kutte ka din aata hai." He titled his head sideways. "Lekin ye filmy dialogue marke konsa tu Hrithik Roshan banne wala hai?"

[You're right. Every dog has its day/ But by delivering this filmy dialogue, are you going to turn into Hrithik Roshan or something?]

Subh lifted his fist to throw another punch but this time, Veer caught it midway. Veer's expressions darkened, a muscle in his jaw ticked. "Tujhe pata mere bhaiya kehte hai..."You know what my brother says. He began, his voice was dangerously low, a threathing whisper.

"Never throw the first punch, but make sure that the last one... is always yours." He twisted Subh's wrist that he was holding and threw a hard punch on his face, making Subh stumble back a few steps.

"Agli baar na mujhe haat lagane se pehle acche se soch lena, kyuki mere Papa lawyer hai aur mera bhai forensic mein hai. Jail se toh Papa chuda lenge, aur bhaiya tere body ka dekh lenge. Samjha?" He warned, raising an eyebrow.

[Next time, think before you decide to hit me. Because my dad's a lawyer and my brother is in forensic department. Dad can get me out of jail and Dhruv will handle with your body. Got it?]

Just then, they heard sirens going around the space. All of them froze in their spot, as their eyes widened. Arnab quickly came towards Veer, dragging him by his arm. "Isko baad mein dekh lenge Veer abhi nikalte hai isse pehle police pakadle." Arnab said as they both ran towards their bikes.

[We'll deal with him later, Veer. Let's leave before the police gets us]

They got on their bikes and sped off without caring to look back. After they had left the arena behind, Arnab rode to catch Veer's bike. "That was close." Arnab sighed through the VOX system in their helmets.

Veer chuckled. "Real close."

"Waise ye bata kya Uncle aur bhaiya such mein teri help karte agar unko pata hota toh?" Arnab asked out of curiousity.

[Would Uncle and your brother really helped if they knew?]

"Pagal hai kya? Bhaiya aur papa ko pata chala na toh agle din meri arthi utha raha hoga tu." Veer said. Gods knows, his father would really skin him alive for first, racing, second, illegal racing. His old man was a aficionado for law.

[Are you dumb? You'll be attenting my funeral the very next day if they knew]

"Lekin Dhruv bhaiya ko toh teri racing ka pata hai na?" Arnab asked.

[But Dhruv knows about your racing deal, right?]

"Ha, lekin unko ye thodi pata hai ek pagal sanki nevla mere piche pada rehta hai. If he saw the bruise on my face, my swollen cheek and the split lip, then I'm done for it." Veer huffed softly.

[Yeah, but he doesn't know that I've a crazy, eccentric mongoose out of leash for me]

Arnab snickered. "How do you plan to hide it from your family?" He asked, concerned. Because if Veer's parents got to know, so will his.

"It's not much. The swelling will go away till the morning. I just have to go to sleep after going home avoiding bumping into anyone." Veer said.

The voice of police siren was heard from behind them, who were following the bikes that came racing behind them. Muttering some colorful vocabularily, they increased the speed. "Let's split up. Your house is that way." Veer suggested.

"But your house isn't that way." Arnab said, as they split up. Arnab went right and Veer took the left lane.

"Don't worry. I've got it."

______________________________________

I closed the door behind me as I stepped inside.

Home sweet home.

I sighed. I glanced around my apartment. Nothing new. Of course, what was I expecting. I step in and went towards my bedroom to wash my face and change.

Today was a long day. Tarun sir was hell stuck on a stubborn case, which meant so was I. I was practically counting the seconds till I could get to the comfort of my home.

It was a small apartment. A living room with attached kitchen at a cornor, a bedroom and bathroom. That's it. Which was more than sufficient for a single person's living. Yeah, I liked alone.

My family lived in Mumbai. Well, by family, I mean my father, Ojas Vyas, a retired clerk and my twin, Siya, a prosecutor. Siya and I are fraternal twins. I'm the older one by 8 minutes. Mom died due to cancer 10 years ago when Siya and I were 17.

We are orginally Pune based. My dad lived in Pune all his life, my mom lived there all her life after marrying Dad. Mom was born here in Agra. After mom died, dad couldn't possible raise two daughters alone so he send me here to live with my grandma, mom's mom.

I was fine with it, honestly. It understood that it wasn't really a decision he wanted to make, but he had to make. And the amount of tears he shed while I was leaving testified that.

Siya was although sad and sulking because we were twins. But we both got into a mutual understanding that situations aren't always in our favor. She and I share a great bond together.

After Siya got accepted into a prestigious law college in mumbai, we decided that she would shift to Mumbai in a hostel for her college. Siya got a great job and decided to settle there.

She got Dad to retire because his health wasn't really good and bought a house in Mumbai for them to live there. Although, I know it wasn't fully the job that kept her there in Mumbai.

It was Daksh Rastogi, her boss/batch mate who had her heart since the day she saw him. But she never really approached him because he liked another girl, Nandini, I guess, yeah that was her name. But Nandini never liked Daksh and was quite clear about it to everyone but something happened between them that left Daksh heartbroken and now, he was a cold-hearted jerk.

How I know all this in detail? Siya used to call me late nights to cry about her unrequited love. She was a goner in love. Like she joined his firm for him as his secretary. Because she believes she can heal him.

Now back to me. Well, I decided to settle here and not go to Mumbai with them because I had grown quite fond of Agra. After Nani's death, Agra became a comfort place. So, I decided to settle here. Also because I had already applied for a job and got accepted.

After changing into something comfortable, I cooked myself a easy dinner and made my way towards the bedroom to sleep the tiredness off my body after washing the dishes.

I entered my bedroom to see a man standing there, peeking outside the window, facing his back towards me. I froze.

Did someone break in?

I took steps back and quickly escaped towards the kitchen. I began searching for a weapon. My hand stumbled over a knife in the counter drawer.

I made my way towards my bedroom, watching my steps. I couldn't even call anyone for help because my phone was in the bedroom.

The man was still peeking out the bedroom as if looking for something. Were there more men? I caustiously took steps towards. I lifted my knife, ready to strike just in case.

As if sensing my presence he turned, I forwarded my knife to strike him, but it grazed his upper arm as he turned. A loud wail of pain left his lips as he clutched his arm, his black jacket had a wet patch. Blood.

He looked up and a gasp escaped my lips and the knife dropped from my hand. Both of my hands fled towards my mouth, panic surged through my body.

"Aap?!"

[You?!]

We both yelled together. He hissed and fell on the ground, clutching his arm. I rushed to support him. "Are you okay?" I asked, panicked and concerned.

"Do I look okay?" He hissed.

"Wait. Let me get the first aid." Without waiting for an reply, i rushed out towards the living out to get the first aid box. After getting it I made my towards the kitchen and grabbed the jar of haldi(turmeric) too.

I kneeled before him and started cleaning his wounds with an antiseptic liquid. After cleaning, I applied turmeric over it to stop the bloos flow. All of the while, he kept hissing and yelping.

"Dard ho raha hai?" Is it hurting?

"Bohot," A lot.

A pang of guilt and regret washed through me. I should've checked before attacking. That wasn't wise at all. If anything, it was reckless. But the exhaustion of the day had blocked my brain from functioning properly. But wait, I did what I felt was right. The main question here is...

"What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

We both asked together again and shared a look. I took a deep breath and repeated my question. "What are you doing in my house, Veer?" I asked.

"Your house? Is this your apartment?" He questioned. I nodded. He didn't know it was mine? Then why was he here?

His face contorted in pain as he huffed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know this was your house. The back window was open so I got in." He explained.

"Why?" My eyes narrowed.

"I was escaping poli—some goons. I needed a safe place to hide." He said. I found it hard to believe but kept the doubt to myself.

"Goons?"

"Yeah, look what they did to me." He pointed towards the bruise over his cheek and some faint marks over all his body and made a pitiful expression. "Sirf aapke flat ki khidki khuli thi isliye mein ghus gaya. Bachne ke liye."

[I came in because only your flat’s window was open — to save myself]

I nodded reluctantly. "I'm sorry too." I gazed at the wound on his arm.

He followed my gaze and sigh overexagerated. "Why, woman?" He questioned, frowning.

I gulped. "I thought there was a break in. Aise choro ki tarah aayenge toh koi bhi yahi sochega na." I tried to reason. I was feeling bad but I wasn't entirely at fault here.

"Yeah, you're right, I suppose." He grunted, huffing in annoyance. "Aaj ka din—nhi, aaj ki raat hi kharab hai meri. Jisko dekho dhol ke tarah baja ke ja raha hai. Someone definitely jinxed my night. Woh sala Subh hi hoga. Kutta, kamina, chu—"

[My day—no, tonight is cursed for me. Everyone's thking of me as their personal torture bag. Someone definitely jinxed my night. It has to be that bloody subh.  That motherf*cking jerk, d*pshit, dic—]

"Language, sir." I cut him off firmly from the chain of his colourful vocabulary.

He clicked his tongue. "Sorry. Woh flow-flow mein nikal gaya." He said sheepishly and glanced around the room, examining it. I suddenly felt conscious. I was wearing an oversized, overly stretched T-shirt and a colorful pajama.

[I overstepped in my feelings]

"You live alone?" He questioned suddenly turning to me.

"Yeah." I nodded, glancing at his wound again. The blood has stopped. I should do the dressing.

"That explains your reaction." He said nonchalantly. "But it was precise like you've done it multiple times before, have you?" He raised an eyebrow.

I cleared my throat. "Let me do the dressing." He forwarded his arm to me, looking at me expectantly waiting for an answer. "When I was interning for your father, he taught was basic self-defence. As we are criminal lawyers and you know, just in case things got... unpleasant." I said, doing the dressing.

He hummed nodding. "Ahh," he yelped, suddenly. "Gently, woman." He hissed.

I mumbled a quick sorry, before going back to my work. After doing his dressing, I looked up to see him absent mindedly playing with his jacket button. I searched for his face and took out an antiseptic cream.

I reached out and cupped his face. He tooked taken aback by my actions. But before he could say anything, I started applying the cream on the bruise on his cheek. He winced, but didn't stop me.

Their was a faint bruise on his forehead too. I blowed on it and applied the cream there. I could feel him looking at me.

"How did you get this one?" I asked, pointing towards his forehead bruise.

"Um, that must be from Meera." He said nonchalantly, shrugging.

I felt a sudden pang in my heart as he said that. The way he was so casually refering to her... nevermind, I dismissed that feeling and focused on his aiding again.

""

______________________________________

We sat in an awkward silence after I was done tending his to wounds. It was.. well, awkward and strange. I never had anyone over since like forever. And not like he was a normal guest anyway. But I was still the host nonetheless.

"So," I cleared my throat with deliberation. "What made those goons chase after you? And breaking in like that, do you know how reckless that was? You could’ve got arrested... or worse." I spoke, trying to make him understand the gravity of the situation.

But the thick-skulled creature just nodded absentmindedly, least interested in the 'righteous lessons' I was providing him. Instead, he was trying to detect any siren noise outside, I assumed. He looked like if the goons or whatever were gone, then he'd very much like to leave than be here.

"What were you doing out so late anyway?" My question made Veer's head snap in my direction.

"I was with my friends." He said dryly. Rude. Mannerless. Uncivil. Not-so-gentlemanly. And more words I am not able to recall.

I sighed internally. It was as if I was dealing with stubborn, petulant, overbearing child, who didn’t listen to anyone. I shook my head. "So, what's the plan now?" I asked. I just wanted to sleep for god's sake!

Veer frowned. "Plan? What plan?" He asked, confused. But then his brows raised in understanding. "Oh, don't worry. I'll leave after a while after the po—goons leave the area." He said, passing me a tight-lipped smile.

Goons, huh? Truly very believable.

A moment of silence passed between us again. Neither of us uttering a word, but finding random objects to gaze at like they were the most interesting thing on the planet.

This was... odd. Because the Veer Saxena I knew could have a conversation with even a wall then sit in silence. And it always him who made the little conversations that ever happened between us. He's always the voice in the room. What happened to him today?

I cleared my throat again. "Aapke woh gunde chale gate ya abhi bhi hai bahar?" I asked, stressing the word 'goons.'

[Did those goons of yours leave or are still lingering outside?]

He snorted. "Lagta hai aapko bohot jaldi hai mujhe bahar nikalne ki, nahi?" He said, tilting his head, teasing.

[Aren't you too eager to send me off?]

There he goes again. I was stupid to think something went right with him today.

"Toh kya aapko puri raat yahi bitani hai?" I asked, crossing my arms.

[Or do you want to spend the whole night here?]

"Not a bad idea, actually."

"Shut up."

He chuckled. The awkwardness in the air finally settled to something light.

This time, he cleared his throat and spoke. "Waise, aap mujhe aap kyu bulati hai? Matlab aap toh badi hai na mujhse." He said, caustiously as if afraid he might have said something wrong.

[By the way, why do you adress me so formally? Aren't you, like, older than me?]

"Kyuki aap mere boss ke bete ho." I deadpanned, dryly.

[Because you're my boss's son]

First, I did not ask or needed that reminder. Second, he might as well be thinking of me as a 50 years old grandma. Because it's literally every single time that he teases me about it. Why? Not known.

Sometimes, it feels like he's holding some kind of grudge against me. But I never did anything wrong to him.

"Boss's son. Yeah, right." I heard him mutter under his breath.

My eyes drifted to the mark on his forehead again. Meera. I do not like that name anymore and I don't even know why. I was... painfully curious. Who is she? Is she an important part of his life?

Whatever it was, I already dislike her And I haven't even met her.

______________________________________

Next morning.

Everyone went back towards their rooms to get ready for their respective works. Meera went towards Tarun's study to discuss something related to her college. Veer once again went to sleep.

After getting ready, Dhruv stepped out of his room, adjusting his cufflink. He walked towards the exit. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, stopping him mid track.

"What happened?" He asked in a soft voice, one he rarely uses.

______________________________________

Poor Veer... and Dhruv.

Suhaba, darling, yes, she's an important part of his life but not in the way you're thinking.

Also, I've changed a little something, tell me if you get what it is.

I'd like to think that you've been introduced to every characters and have got to know them.

Thus, which Lana Del Rey song do you think suits each character so far?

In my opinion:

Charvi - Brooklyn Baby

Meera - Radio

Dhruv - Dark but just a Game

Arjun - Chemtrails Over the Country Club

Suhana - Say Yes To Heaven

Veer - Diet Mountain Dew

Tell me what you think.

See you next time ●~●