Chapter 18 | Meritorious for contrivances.

Dost hai hum, to hear khamoshi mein

Ek dhadkan hai jo kabhi nahi soya

Saath main chalte hain her, raha mein

Dostana mein, kabhi koi aansu nahi hota

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

I'm feeling a bit anxious as I make my way to meet Shreenika aunty. She sounded tense on the phone, and I can tell something's bothering her. I've known her for years, and she's always been warm and welcoming, but today her voice was laced with a hint of worry. I wonder what's going on. Is everything okay with her? Did something happen in the family? I'm trying to prepare myself for any possibility. As I approach her house, I take a deep breath and remind myself to be supportive and listen attentively. I hope I can help ease her concerns and offer some reassurance. Here goes...

As I enter the room, I'm immediately struck by the concern etched on her face. But when our eyes meet, she forces a small smile, and I sense a glimmer of relief. She motions for me to sit, and I do, trying to appear calm and composed.

"How was your flight, everything is ok?" I ask, attempting to break the ice with a lighthearted question. She takes a deep breath and begins to recount her journey, and I listen attentively, trying to gauge what's really on her mind.

After a few minutes of small talk, she pauses, takes another deep breath, and says, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something"

She is not in a good state I can feel it, she has problems speaking up I know about it because she is never in that state to share her thoughts with anyone. She is a strong lady as I know, but today she is breaking. I don't know what the reason is. But somewhere I feel that he is behind everything.

I shifted to her little and sat across from Shreenika Aunty, I can sense the warmth and familiarity that comes with years of knowing her as my best friend's mom. We've shared countless moments, laughter, and stories, and I've always felt like part of the family. But today, her expression is laced with concern, and I can tell something's bothering her deeply.

"Shreenika Aunty, what's wrong?" I ask, using the affectionate title I've always used to address her. She takes another deep breath, collecting her thoughts before speaking.

"It's about Aadiv," she says, referring to a person . A person who is holding an important part in my life. My mind goes blank for a moment as Shreenika Aunty mentions Aadiv's name. Aadiv Raghuvanshi - my childhood best friend, my partner in crime, my brother. We've shared every secret, every dream, every fear. The thought of something being wrong with him, or something affecting our friendship, makes my heart sink. I feel a knot in my stomach as I think about the possibility of losing him or our friendship being threatened. Memories of our countless sleepovers, silly fights, and unbreakable bond flash before my eyes. I'm taken aback, trying to process what Shreenika Aunty might say next. Is everything okay with Aadiv? Has he gotten into some kind of trouble? I feel a surge of protectiveness and concern, like I need to be there for him, no matter what.

"What about Aadiv, Shreenika Aunty?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. But she is in her thoughts with her glistening her lips shivering. Why she is behaving like that is everything is okay with Aadiv. I knew it, it's about him.

I'm taken aback by the realization that it's been two years since I last thought about Aadiv, my once-inseparable best friend. I've been so consumed by my own struggles, my own misery, that I forgot about the person who was once my rock, my confidant. The guilt hits me hard, and I'm filled with regret for letting our friendship fade away like that. And to make matters worse, I realize that Aadiv, too, has moved on, never reaching out to me either. It's a mutual drift, a silent agreement to let go of what we once had.

I think about all the memories we created, the laughter we shared, the secrets we kept, and now it's all just a distant memory. Shreenika Aunty's words bring it all flooding back, and I'm left wondering what could have been if only I had made an effort to stay in touch. "What's going on with Aadiv, Shreenika Aunty?" I ask again, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart heavy with remorse.

"Aahan Am I a bad mother that he has forgotten about me?" She said slowly. I'm taken back from her words. Never she is the best mother I know.

"No Aunty what are you saying, you are the best mother I ever know. Even my own mother never loves me that you do to me." I chuckled while remembering my mother who abdomen me, leave me alone when I need her most that time Shreenika Aunty cares about me.

"Then why is he distant from me and his family." She sounds helpless, I don't know what the matter is but right now I feel like punching him.

"Aahan you beta, from the past 10 years he lives his life. I always want him to live with me but because of that man. He never lived with me. When I finally left that person and told Aadiv about this he was ready to live with me. But again because of business he.." she choked while taking, I give her water I know about that Jinx person of their life his own father what can I say..

"Then what happened to Aunty, As far as I know, the Aadiv loves you very much, he can't leave you like this, then what happened to him?" I asked as I know how much he cares about his mother, even right now I'm sure he knows where his mother is, what she is doing. But Aunty is not aware of what is her son is capable of doing.

"I know he loves me, in das saalo me wo mujhse milne aaya tha. Hum khush the wo humari baato ko manta the. Milne na sahi par phone jarur kiya karta tha. Par pichle in 2 saalo se uska kuch pata nahi hai beta, na usne koi call kiya na massage. Doesn't he miss his mother? Doesn't he want to know whether his mother is alive or not?" I gasped with this sudden news I talked to him the last 2 and half years ago he is happy and even I asked about his mother so he told me that she is fine.

"Aahan beta Have you talked to him? Ask him naa what is my fault? If I have done something then please forgive me but talk to his mother once." She desperately told me how I broke his hope that even I lost his contact from the past 2 years but nevermind. I will teach that animal a lesson, he will have to talk to his mother, no matter where he is, I will find him.

"Don't worry Aunty in the next 24 hours you are going to receive a call from Aadiv raghuvanshi it's my promise." I said to her she gave me a small nod and smiled at me softly.

"Thank you beta, you are his best friend he is definitely gonna listen to you. Because he always listens to you." She chuckled, I know how he is, He never shares his problems with anyone, he keeps his problems with himself but he hides anything from me. But he doesn't tell me what has happened in these last two years that he has distanced himself so much from everyone. Even me.

With lots of questions I leave her place in my mansion right now I deliberately need a peaceful mind to think about all this matter, I have to contact him anyhow. Ab tu gaya Aadiv ke bache, ise ravaan se tujhe ab kon bachayega. Tujhe mere saare sawalon ke jawab dene honge. I smirk at his misery.

The warm water cascades down my body, washing away the tension and fatigue of the day. As I stand under the shower, my mind begins to unwind, and thoughts start to flow freely. The conversation with Shreenika Aunty keeps replaying in my head, and I can't shake off the feeling of guilt and nostalgia. I think about Aadiv, my best friend, my brother, and wonder what he's been up to all these years.

I miss him, I realize. I miss the laughter, the adventures, the late-night conversations. As I turn off the shower and wrap myself in a towel, I make a mental decision - it's time to reconnect, to revive old friendships, to relive old memories. I pick up my phone, and my fingers hover over the screen, hesitating for a moment before calling him.

1 Ring ...

2 Ring...

3 Ring...

Finally that basterd picked up my call. How dare he to ignore my call. Pure 3 baar ignore Kiya hai isne mujhe. Agar ye mera dost nahi hota na tho saale ki tho Mai.. chodo sab Shreenika Aunty ke liye.

>Aadiv's response: "Who is this? And why are you disturbing my peaceful existence?" I chuckle, knowing exactly what's coming next.

Silly goose? You must be confusing me with someone else. I'm the Great Aadiv, Lord of the Universe!" I burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. Oh God he didn't even change, still full of himself.

As if you are not. Infect you are more than him. My inner voice mocked at me.

Wait, who is this again?" I realize we've been so caught up in the silly conversation that we haven't actually acknowledged each other's identities.

What? Are you lost your mind or you didn't even have one. How dare to call me that.

Teri tho..

Oh, that guy! I thought you were dead! He replied sarcastic tone. Seriously I too have the right to be angry and he immediately took away my right. Basterd

Oh sorry your highness. The great Mr Randhawa ke ego ko hurt hua uske liye maafi chahta hu." He chuckled sarcastically.

What offend him this much. He never talk to me like that.

Mr Randhawa I don't want to talk to you, I'm hanging up.

Look whose talking, jiski ego sabse jada badi hai. He mocked me.

No I'm not

I'm in Mexico, now this is ok to you.

Just shut up, just the fucking shut up you moron don't pretend like you are care about me. In do salo me maine tujhe kitni baar contact Kiya tha par tu khud hi gayab tha. Ab mujhe blame mat kar samjha. Or rahi baat maa ki tho Mai unse baat kar lunga. Aapko taklif lene ki koi jarurat nahi hai.

I know, your possession. He remains silent didn't utter a single word now what the fuck with this guy can't he speak properly. He can't be my friend. He is now creating a scene of daily soaps of ekta Kapoor uff..

Wo tho mar gaya kab ka. Kiski baat kar raha hai tu. He sadly chuckled

Aahan everything is gone yaar, wo chali gayi Bhai. He took a deep breath, the words spilling out of his  like a confession. "Aahan, my love, my madness, my everything... she's gone. Married to someone else, living a life without me." I felt a lump in his throat as he spoke.

>I've loved her for almost six years now. Six years of obsession, of possession, of stalking her every move. I know everything about her, from her favorite coffee to her deepest fears. But she never knew me, never saw me, never loved me back."

He paused, the pain washing over me like a wave.

>And now, she's gone. Married to someone else, building a life without me. I'm left here, a lifeless body, a shell of what I once was."

I was shocked by his sudden confession that

>I'm telling you, Aahan, I'm dead inside. I've lost my reason for living, my purpose. I'm just going through the motions now, waiting for... I don't know, I'm waiting for something to change, I guess."

He took another deep breath, the weight of his words settling between us. "

>That's why I didn't respond to any one calls, Aahan, I was too busy loving her, too busy losing myself in her. But now, I'm lost, and I don't know how to find my way back."

I sat there, stunned, as Aadiv shared his own story of love and obsession. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The intensity of his emotions, the depth of his feelings... it was like looking into a mirror.

I truly understand his emotions. Because Ashika my life. No no she can't, fuck I didn't even let her think about like that.

Aadiv's words cut deep, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I didn't want to face this kind of intensity in my life. I didn't want to be so vulnerable, so open to the possibility of heartbreak.

I was already in too deep. And if she were to leave me, abandon me like that... I couldn't even bear the thought.  Fuck I wouldn't survive it. I would be a shell of what I am now, a hollow, lifeless body.

The anger simmered inside me, building with each passing moment. How could Aadiv just give up on her like that? He is not that Aadiv that I know, he is just like me back then passionate about his things which belong to him. I know his craziness didn't match my level but still he is. I had been planning and plotting for so long, doing everything in my power to make her mine my Angel. And yet, Aadiv, who claimed to love his love just as much, was willing to let her go without a fight.

Something didn't add up. I couldn't just sit back and watch as Aadiv threw in the towel. I had to do something, anything, to make sure he didn't give up. I had to make sure he fought for her, by hook or crook.

"Everything is fair in love and war," I told myself, repeating the phrase like a mantra. I would stop at nothing to make sure Aadiv got her back, even if it meant manipulating him, using him for my own gain.

A plan began to form in my mind, a plan to push Aadiv to his limits, to make him fight for her with every fiber of his being. I would use every trick in the book, every tactic, every manipulation. I would make sure he didn't give up, no matter what.

And as I thought about it, a sly smile spread across my face. This was going to be fun. This was going to be war.

I leaned in close to my phone, my voice taking on a persuasive tone.

Then I'll do whatever it takes," he growled.

I smiled, satisfied. I had him right where I wanted him.

<Good," I knew I could count on you. Know all ok so whatever you want to make her yours. And go and talk to your mother. Don't you want to tell her about her daughter- in -low.

A smung plaster on his face and he cut his call. The thrill of victory coursed through my veins as I ended the call with Aadiv. My evil mind had done it again, manipulating someone to do my bidding. And now, my thoughts turned to my own sweetheart, the one I had to make mine.

I smiled to myself, thinking about all the things I would do to make her mine. I would stop at nothing, just like Aadiv. I would manipulate, deceive, and destroy anyone who stood in my way.

"By hook or crook," I thought to myself, "I will make her mine."

The world could burn around me, and I wouldn't care. My only priority was making her mine, possessing her completely.

I thought about all the plans I had made, all the schemes I had set in motion. And I knew, I knew that I would succeed.

No one could resist my charms, no one could stand in my way. I was Aahan, the master manipulator, and I always got what I wanted.

And what I wanted was her. My sweetheart, my obsession, my everything.

I would do anything to make her mine, anything at all. And I knew, I knew that I would succeed.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────........

🥀

ׂ╰┈➤

To be continued...

•dont forget to vote and comment on my story if you like it..

• keep appreciating my work. it encourages me.

Love you all❣️