Chapter 30: 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Mai toh hu joru ka gulam, proudly."

[I am henpecked, a proud one.]

✧ D E V E N ✧.

I hate how I lied to her.

I hate how it wasn't just a small non-destructive lie. It was pure dishonesty.

I hate how I had to create a fictional story with an imaginary person. Ritika? I don't know a single person with that name.

I did not know what to tell her at the moment. I knew I couldn't explain the truth, it didn't feel like the right time. And Neava had sincerely told me how I should avoid revealing the reality, at least not at this moment.

But now, I carry this shallow feeling inside my heart of bloody lying to her face, when all she did was trust me. The way dynamics had changed after the confession of the one which I can't recall at all, was amusing.

The way her mind functions, I can only adore it. I don't know what it was, the silence or her presence even after having a reason to leave, which made me feel so guilty for being a jerk who couldn't open his mouth whenever needed.

I guess it was the second one.

Her unwavering trust made me feel remorseful.

Preet was the first person to react in this unexpected way. She did not force me, nor did she get frustrated but just sat with me peacefully, like nothing happened.

Whereas I used her faith in me for my benefit and moulded it.

Stupid. Fucking. Asshole.

But what else was I supposed to do? I had no idea how else to deal with the situation. Either way, I could tell her the truth-which wasn't an option. Or I could make up a lie so things go smoothly for now.

I hope this doesn't backfire on me.

I increased the speed of the treadmill to match my racing thoughts. The gym has been a way of escapism for me ever since I was in my twenties. I kept myself indulging in the exercises and dumble so I could stop thinking more than what was necessary.

"What's up?" I turned my head to find Rushaad, removing his gym bag and keeping it aside. "When did you come? You already look so sweaty."

"An hour ago." I woke up early automatically, probably because of the undying thoughts fighting to capture all my attention. I wasn't willing to dwell on that, so I came to the gym a little earlier than what time I usually come.

The sight upon waking up was the best way my morning could start. The first thing I saw was her face snuggling into my chest and my hand lying on her back. Although this has become a usual thing but yet it never failed at making my morning brighter.

The cuddling happens naturally in sleep, a way I'd decipher that a person trusts you, especially a woman. Or else, the alarms of their mind would not stop ringing. All thanks to some boys for fueling the fear they already have inbuilt.

"Where's Neava? Why didn't she come with you?" I was not a saint to not mention how both of them enter together every day. And also how Neava suddenly joined our gym. Or should I say Rushaad's gym?

Fishy.

"I don't know. She told me she's capable of coming by herself." My brows twisted upon hearing this as I looked at him with concern.

"Did you fight with her?" His eyes turned offensive at this.

"What do you mean by I fought with her? It could be her as well." I shook my head in slow shakes.

"Nope, looking at you right now, I think you were the problem, man." I patted his shoulder with sympathy. Guilt was plastered all over his face or maybe it was just me who could read it.

"Okay, I was, maybe." See, I knew it. I waited for him to continue, "I was a little rude to her, and it hurt her, I think. I should've been more careful with words I know, but...I don't know."

"What did you say exactly?" I cut it short to the main conversation.

"That's the worst part, I don't even remember it. I was busy with some work, and she said something to which I countered in irritation, and she just left." I pressed my lips together and focused back on my gym.

"You need to use your words nicely, especially with her, if you have feelings for her or anything of that sort. And overall too, you have to learn to be gentle with a woman. They're sensitive."

The Aunt I grew up with was pretty good at teaching me all these manners. She was very specific on how to behave with women because there's already evil in the world who don't understand it. If I am a gentleman, which I think I am, then it's all because of her.

If I have a son in future then that is how I wish to raise him.

"Yes. I realised it now. Thanks to the lack of female homo sapiens around me." I laughed at the term he used. This man was weirdly unintentionally funny.

"What about you? Where's your story heading?" My smile dropped in an instant upon hearing this, and the blunder flashed through my mind.

"Somewhere, hopefully," I replied to which he raised his eyebrow for an elaboration. "I lied to her."

"What the hell. I didn't expect you to be lying to her, out of all people, her. And you know lying is by far the worst thing because once you lie, you've to create a million other lies to cover that one and then another million to cover those, and shit goes on. So, now a small lie is turned into a mountain-"

Oh my god, did I forget that this is Rushaad I'm having a conversation with about lying?

"You suck at being a listener, man. Let me complete." He threw me yet another dagger from his eyes.

"Fine." I narrated the whole situation to him in brief, watching him pass me some very judgemental looks. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Don't give me that look. What else could I have done?" His expression softened as he, I assume, dwelled into thoughts of solutions. Upon finding none, he just nodded lightly.

"Yeah, you had a reason. She will understand, don't worry." He said after taking his own pretty little time.

"That's what scares me more. She understands everything and takes it in a very unexpected yet awesome way, and still, I lied. Yesterday, the conversation with her, man, was beautiful in every sense. The way her mind works, the empathy, the calmness she held, I was stunned, would be an understatement."

I recalled the cosy vibe she radiated while just sitting there with me, the softness in her voice; as if one wrong word weighed the cost of life, a tiny twinkling smile with rosy cheeks for which I'd risk my life with no second thought, the pureness of her eyes every time she looked up at me, confused, oh my god.

I fell all over again for her every time she gave me those eyes filled with innocence yet not lost rather than holding a sense of belonging.

She has questions and yet she stayed. That meant the world to me. Someone staying, for once, no matter what the external problems were.

She stayed.

That's all I ever wanted.

"I love how your eyes light up whenever you talk about her." A smile twitched at the corner of his lips, voice soft; almost a mumble with something I couldn't quite place.

I nervously leaned towards him as my forehead ceased with curiosity. "How do my eyes look?"

"Like a lost drowning wanderer... finally reaching the shore. As if you've found something you've been searching for your entire life and now you would suffocate in water again if you lose it again."

I gulped as the weight of his words hung in the air, heavier than the heaviest weight I do every day.

That was true, but I'm surprised how he got it right, framed it into a nice-sounding sentence, and just casually said that.

"If I wear my feelings right on my skin, so vivid that everyone notices it, then how couldn't she?" I muttered my voice barely a whisper.

"You're the last person she sees being in love with her for so long, Deven." He said, his voice mixed with pity and annoyance for me.

I sighed in defeat, his words still pressing against my chest. "And what does that say about my feelings?" I asked, with a bittersweet voice, "That my feelings are so less that they go invisible?"

"Who said that, idiot?" He countered, stopping the treadmill, once it did, raking a hand through his hair, he said, "It says that you've loved her quietly and selflessly. Maybe so quietly, that it didn't shatter with a loud noise. Maybe so selflessly, that it never became a burden on her."

And here he made me speechless again. I had to stop my treadmill as well and get down, with uneven breaths.

If there was someone with more knowledge of words and how to use them wisely, it's Rushaad.

I might have thought that I always knew what to say and where, and I was good with words, but this man, he was something else. In the span of less than ten minutes, he said things that made my mind search for replies in every corner of it, twice.

"Well," I took a deep breath, words stuck in my throat, but something held them back. "Let's get back to exercises."

Fuck you, communication. You're never on my side.

He shook his head disappointedly, "Sure, Romeo." and we began the other exercises, helping each other with the counts and time, simultaneously.

It was ten minutes later when I saw Neava entering the gym in a black tank top with black with high rise black pants, her face straight, and her posture upright tight, screaming the confidence she had. I also noticed how effortlessly she made a few heads turn towards her, especially the males.

"Le aagayi teri wali." Rushaad immediately turned to the side, his eyes fixed on her, scanning her from head to toe, taking his own time to check her out.

[See, your girl has come.]

"Sharam kar bhai, sharam. Edhar hi hu main abhi." His trance broke and I watched him give me a classic eye roll.

[Have some shame, dude, I'm still here.]

"Bhai, baat karu kya usse?" His eyes once again lingered on her who was busy keeping her gym bag aside.

[Should I go and talk to her?]

Feeling two pairs of eyes on her, she turned and spotted me, giving a random salute. I passed it back with utter dedication, and she threw her head back, chuckling.

My head instantly turned to notice Rushaad's reaction who had a teeny tiny smile which failed to hide even when he had his lips pressed together.

It vanished when she got back to her exercises and didn't even spare him a glance.

"Let's have breakfast together after this?" He said, his gaze still stuck to her like she was a daydream; could instantly vanish any second.

"You and me? No, buddy, I have a wifey to have the first meal of my day with." He cringed at my statement.

"Saale," he said, and his eyes flickered back to her, stealing a look at her yet again, waiting for an opportunity to meet her eyes. He continued after a scoff. "Tu toh usse already dimag patni man chuka hai na?"

[So you've already considered her as your wife in your head, right?]

"Haan, dimag, Dil, rooh, jo bole usse man liya hai."

[Yes, brain, heart, soul, name something and I have.]

"Thik hai, nautanki band kar."

[Fine, stop your drama.]

I smiled sheepishly.

"Now go to her and suggest the idea of breakfast aur teri wali ko bhi bula le." It was then, I understood why he suddenly wanted to have breakfast with me. I was just a pawn, the crown holder was someone else.

[And call Preet as well.]

"Okay, don't forget this favour, Ruru." He shot up a look mixed with cringe with an 'are you serious'. I chuckled at the expression he had on his face.

"Shut up."

I went towards Neava, dragging this man's hand with me as he tried to get rid of it; fear spread all across his eyes, "I'm not coming along. Dumble utha ke mar diya toh zinda bhi nahi rahunga, bhai."

[If she picks up the dumble and throws it on me then I won't even survive.]

My eyes narrowed at him automatically as I left my grip and crossed my arms below my chest. His lips pursed together, and his head fell asleep, and he mumbled, "Dar lagta hai yaar."

[I'm scared.]

"You are fearing her? You were taunting and getting irritated by her just the very last week. What changed? Ye suddenly joru ka gulam banke kaise ghum rahe ho jab?"

[How are you suddenly being a henpecked?]

"Romeo, saale, tu toh bol hi mat."

[You, Romeo, don't get a chance to speak at this.]

I just shrugged casually and told with a voice full of pride."Mai toh hu joru ka gulam, proudly."

[I am henpecked, a proud one.]

And I grinned at this like a fifth grader winning a participation certificate.

"Dikh raha hai, bete."

[I can see that.]

I smirked back at him with mischief in my eyes. "Haan, mujhe bhi dikh raha hai kaise usne utar diya-"

[Yes, even I can see how she removed-]

He interrupted with eyes widening and a strict voice, "ye kya bakwas bol raha hai bey-"

[What rubbish are you speaking-]

"Abey, gussa mere bhai, bolne toh de pura." The ceases on his forehead vanished slowly as the realisation hit him, and he bit his tongue.

[Anger, idiot, let me complete.]

I gave a heedless eye roll to the stupidity standing in front of me. "Love the possessiveness though. One word against her and die. Love it. I can consider you good enough for her now."

"I am good enough for her." He countered.

"She deserves the best," I replied, raising my shoulders. "And you're not even close to what she deserves." Taking out a handkerchief I wiped the sweat on my face intentionally as he glared at me offensively.

I've known this guy for five years on average, and based on that analysis, I can assume how much of a jerk he can be at times. He shall do such things in anger which one won't even expect. He knows which nerve to press on, very efficiently.

And if you watch him talking to people who are not his friends, he's the grumpiest person out here.

Sometimes, I wonder how I am even friends with him. But they say the opposite attracts, so I'd like to believe that's what worked.

"And you better not mess up, honey. I know you and I know your capability of doing so. If you do, better hide your face every time you see me." He just stood there, zoned out or processing what I had just said. I might have said it just like that but I was serious about it. I need to add weight to the sentence or else he will let it go.

"Neava is like a sister to me, I'm not sparing anyone who's hurting her. And certainly, that includes you, Rushaad." My voice was firm, portraying the sharpness in it. I might have known her just a few months but there's something, something that reminds me of Ananya, And the way she has been helping me selflessly, guiding me; I feel very grateful and see a little sister in her, giving me a sense of responsibility, I can't ignore.

Rushaad is not the type to hurt anyone intentionally, but constant warnings are necessary to not let him go out of control, which could be bad.

Rushaad's jaw tightened but the voice softened, a vulnerability breaking through. "Even I don't want to hurt her, Deven. Ever since she stumbled into my life, a fortune accident bound to happen every single day, starting with her smile and ending with her thoughts. I've started to smile, laugh, and feel all the emotions I never knew existed, all because of her. And I've started to live. She's teaching me how to breathe in every sense."

His raw and unguarded words hung heavy in the air catching me off guard. This wasn't some silly infatuation. It was something deeper, something real.

"Neava is the person filling the void she created." My expression dropped at the way he mentioned the person, disgust and hate coaxed together. Anything further would only ruin his mood, so I decided to stay shut on the topic.

✧

"Mehrotra, sup?"

We sat down at the table, and Rushaad sat across Neava and beside me. We had called Preet a while ago telling her to come to the restaurant we were at, yet there was no clue of her. "I should've gone to pick her up. You guys don't listen."

Upon hearing me, Neava raised her head, which was previously engrossed in the phone; glancing at the person in front of her, she switched to the seat beside her, in front of me. I looked at Rushaad through the corner of my eye who sighed in defeat. "She will reach anytime. We are five minutes away from your house, Romeo."

I deadpanned. "You, too, started using his Romeo shit, Pipadiya."

Her eyes flickered to Rushaad for a second in a question. "His shit? Hello, I was the one who started it. He stole it."

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. "Why are you so sour today?"

"I'm not." Rushaad let out a mocking scoff at this only to earn fiery daggers from her eyes.

"You toh shut up only, I'm not talking to you." Her inner Indian peaked here, let it be the accent, the tone or the mummy wala look.

I'm enjoying it, a little.

"I didn't even say a" Poor scared kitten was cut off by the wild cat who roared.

"Good. Keep it that way."

I held back my chuckle and interfered throwing a hand around Rushaad's shoulder, "Why can't he? Freedom of speech?"

Her glare shifted from right to left, right into my eyes. "You, brother, don't even talk about freedom of speech when you can't speak where it's necessary."

Ouch, that was personal.

I told her everything last night. I wasn't able to sleep after creating the blunder; my heart was just restless, so I had no option but to call her for an opinion on it.

She did say that I started a fiasco, which would be hard to solve, but then again, I couldn't tell the truth, so it's okay. Go with the flow and reveal the whole entire truth at the right time.

When is the right time?

I guess time shall only tell that.

I also felt guilty when she said that she had to distance herself from Preet because of the burden of hiding everything from her. Because some way or the other, if it slips out of her mouth, then I'm gone, but so is she.

On the safer side, she avoided all the conversations about me and all this stuff with her, creating a rift between them, which she was responsible for.

Practically, I was responsible for that.

Removing my hand from his neck and keeping it to myself, I replied. "Sorry, ma'am. Get your focus back to your target, don't make me one." Rushaad's jaw dropped as I felt his constant state at me which I happened to ignore.

"Kamine-"

"Reettttttt," My face brightened up as soon as I noticed Preet entering the main door. I glanced at them six times before, and they were unsuccessful.

"Hi," she waved back cutely in a low voice with a shy smile as blood rushed to her cheeks.

Upon reaching here, she frowned looking at our places, "Shift." She said to Neava who just shook her head.

I think she wants to sit either in front of me or with me.

No shit, Sherlock.

Yayie

My heart did its form of break dance at this.

"You sit there," She pointed towards the seat beside her.

I pulled up a face and so did Preet.

"Rushaad, you go there," I said, pointing towards the chair beside Neava.

"No, I don't want to" Within a span of a few seconds, Rushaad was found sitting next to Neava, smiling widely at her. "I don't-"

Keeping a finger on his lips, Rushaad let out an "Shh"

"You, Shhhh." Neava did a longer shh stretching the last part.

Kids.

"Hi, beautiful." I flirted, in a very slow voice, letting the other two fight as much as they wanted.

"Hi, handsome." She reciprocated with the same flirtatious tone, battling her eyelashes.

I looked at her impressively.

"Acha suno." She took a pause. Her slow and soft voice made me curious. "Remind me, ghar jate waqt dhaniya leke jana hai."

[Listen/Remind me, we've to get coriander on our way back home.]

I blinked in disbelief.

"Wow, so romantic." Muttering sarcastically, I rolled my eyes.

"I know," she giggled. I hit the side of her head, pushing it away, and her giggle turned into laughter.

"Baat karna band karo mujhse." Neava's strict voice echoed between us, grabbing all our attention.

[Can you stop talking to me?]

"Tum javab kyu de rahi ho?" Rushaad's question was like kerosene to the fire, making her even more annoyed.

[Why are you replying then?]

"Meri galti."

[My bad.]

"Nahi, meri hai. Sorry." He raised his hands in surrender.

[No, it's my mistake.]

"What happened to them?" Preet asked me in a low, concerned voice. I just shrugged.

"No idea, chodo na. Hume kya. Aag lage basti mein, hum toh apni masti mein."

[Leave it, let the fire rage on, and don't care.]

✧

A chapter filled with bromance and probably a filler one.

Don't forget to share your views and click the start button.

Until the next time we meet, which is I don't know when, but it's going to take a very long because I have things coming up in life.