Chapter 25

Side Story

When Ranjeet aimed the gun at the teacher's head, his father intervened, saying, "Son, what are you doing? Put that down, or I'll blow up Jay." Ranjeet lowered the gun, and both were locked in a room.

Ranjeet's dad said, "This world belongs to men like me, and it always will."

Ranjeet looked back and saw Omkara, who was hiding his face with a camera, so only his feet were visible. Baba said with a devilish smile, "Put your gun down! We came for a buddy. Do you think you can run this place?"

Ranjeet put the gun down. Noticing that Ranjeet was unhappy, Baba, who had also spent many years in this jail, knew exactly how he felt. He wanted to free them, but Baba wanted to do something else. His eyes expressed this. Jay said, "Sorry, Ranjeet's dad—I mean, uncle. Ranjeet! We are so happy here! Who is this guy?"

Omkara said, "OMG, you're Jay? Chipsy, right?"

Jay replied, "Yeah! How do you know my nick name?"

Baba asked, "Omkara, how did you know that?"

Omkara said, "Sorry, Chipsy... Chips, I want chips."

Ranjeet said, annoyed "One more chips lover!"

Omkara said, "I'm a pink lover!" acting like a model girl.

Ranjeet laughed, "Wow, you're so cool!"

Baba, angry, said, "Fix him, he's also garbage."

Ranjeet and Omkara exchanged glances. Omkara blinked sweetly, gave him a hint, and then winked. Baba said, "I'll stay here. Let's see if everything is all right."

Umeed saw Omkara and felt her heart start beating faster. "He's so cute," she said to herself. They had dinner and went to sleep. In the morning, Omkara tried to reach Jay and Ranjeet. Omkara's sleeping place was a little far. Umeed woke up early, around 4 o'clock. Omkara, searching for Ranjeet, accidentally went near Umeed, who looked at him and hugged him.

Umeed whispered, "Oh, you're so much cute cute! (Pinching cheeks) Your cheeks are really soft."

Omkara replied, "Ouch! OMG, you're cuteeee too, but I love your hair, lady. You're sleeping with makeup?"

Umeed replied, "I don't know how to remove makeup. They're teaching me how to do it. They said I look like a ghost without makeup."

"Easy, miss ..."

"Umeed."

"Oh, you're a lady driver?"

"Yes, yes," she blinked to confirm.

"I'm Omkara. Where are Jay and Ranjeet?"

"Over there," she pointed.

Omkara hugged her back and said, "Thank you." Umeed stood there frozen.

Umeed excitedly thought, "He smells so good. His hair is long. He looks like Krishna Ji. Oh, so handsome!"

Omkara tried to go there, but suddenly Baba came to check. Omkara pretended to sleep under someone's blanket. When Baba saw two people sleeping under one blanket, he discovered Omkara. Omkara gave big smile when Baba removed the blanket. Omkara went back to his place and woke up after 9 o'clock.

Omkara went straight to the bathroom and found everyone taking a bath. Omkara said, "I know we're guys, but privacy is important. I can't show my body to anyone."

Jay and Ranjeet entered the bathroom.

Ranjeet said to Jay, "He's a total weirdo. He winked at me."

Jay, angry, asked, "You winked at him? He's my husband. Don't do that."

Omkara replied, "Listen, I'm trying..."

Many people were listening, so Omkara didn't say anything more. Omkara approached Jay. Jay said, "What are you doing? I'm not that kind of boy. wait ....I'm that kind of boy not for you, I mean I am pansexual"

Omkara said, "Listen! I want to say something to you."

Ranjeet replied, "Jay is not interested in you. Why are you so close?" Omkara held Ranjeet's hand and pulled him to a single-door washroom. Jay showed his anger. Omkara locked the door, and Ranjeet, awkward and scared, said, "Listen, I love someone else. Don't do this to me."

Omkara put a hand over Ranjeet's lips and whispered, "Suhhhhh! You talk too much. Listen, sweetie... you'll come out soon. Payal is searching for you. She sent me with this message, don't do anything wrong. Just calm down and wait. They're coming." Omkara whispered in Ranjeet's ear and then opened the door. Jay was knocking on the door so hard. Finally, Ranjeet looked happy. Jay was shocked and asked angrily, "What did you do to him? Why is he so happy? Did you kiss him? or...?"

Ranjeet replied and hugged Jay, "Calm down!"

Jay, angry, said, "I don't want to talk to you. You cheater."

"What cheating? There's no love between us." In anger and frustration.

"You love me? You said, I love you too. What's the problem?"

Ranjeet replied, "The problem is that you love my face, not my heart. You need to understand more deeply. I don't think you love me."

"So what the hell did he do to you? He doesn't love your face. Yes, I love your face. I also love your body, your eyes, everything. Yes, it happened to me when you cut your mustache."

Omkara laughed hard. "What? Ranjeet, you're really cute, but seriously, he fell for you when you cut your mustache." The others laughed too and some are feelings disgusting.

Jay said angrily, "Omkara, he's mine. Don't ever touch him."

Omkara replied teasingly, "Listen, Jay Agarwal or ...Chipsy, you know what? Do whatever you want. Just don't tell your sister Payal that I turned into an ugly guy."

Jay thought for a second. Jay looked at Ranjeet, who raised his eyebrows to give a hint, and then Jay hugged Omkara. The guys were in shock. Voices came from the bathroom. Is he using black magic? People are falling for him. Omkara was hypnotizing people. Everyone was scared of Omkara.

Jay hugged him tightly, excited and Omkara said, "Stop squeezing me like a fruity. get lost." Ranjeet smiled and laughed. Omkara felt irritated, but Ranjeet and Jay kept teasing him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stepped back, and she continued coming closer as I kept taking steps back. She was confident, while my confidence was falling to the ground. She smirked. "It's boiling out here, right? Let's go turn some ice into water!"

"Huh?"

I added, "I think my mom is calling me." I was so scared. I went to my room. I felt so heavy. I opened the window. Cold air was coming in, and it looked like rain would start. I was lost in the breeze when I found out that Geet was also standing to my right. I was scared and screamed, "Hey Bhagwaan! You scared me. Your feet are like a cat's, soundproof." She laughed and said, "Don't you want to sleep?" I blushed. "Yes."

I sat on the end of the bed. She came to my side, and I lay down after Geet lay down on the bed. She was looking at the ceiling, and I was looking at her. She said, "This silence is so comfortable."

She found the silence comfortable, not me, who was thinking about something else. Otherwise, it's fine if silence makes her feel better. She smiled like she found enlightenment, turned her face to my side, and asked, "Give me a pillow." I gave it to her, and she clicked her tongue, extended her hand to me. I kept staring at her hand, wondering what she wanted... oh, she meant me? She needed me? I was her pillow. I blushed. I awkwardly moved closer to her. She just took my hand and rested her head on it. I usually lay on my left side. The bed was comfortable, and her presence felt like a baby's. She closed her eyes, maintaining a little distance as if she knew I wasn't ready for this relationship. She cared about me, so I could feel safe and sleep peacefully. Her behavior made me feel so grateful, I was so lucky to have her.

Around 2 am, I woke up. I had a bad dream and started feeling scared. She woke up too and asked me, "Payal?" I was lying on the bed, sweating. The rain had started, and a storm was coming. She closed the window. It was raining heavily. I replied, "Just a dream! Nothing happened." She gave me water and rested her hand on my heart, her head on my chest. I was breathing heavily. She petted my head and my heart. Her calm body made me feel relaxed. Little by little, I started feeling calm. I said, "I saw Chipsy dead."

She replied, "It was just a dream. Do not believe in dreams; they are stupid. Depression or anxiety has an old connection with me. Don't worry, I am with you. We will defeat your stupid thoughts together."

I took a deep breath and replied, "Thank you."

She smiled and closed her eyes. "If you need anything, just wake me up. My uncle is coming tomorrow. They want to meet their bahu, so I said not to come, but they are really excited and couldn't control themselves. I will go to Jaipur to pick them up and bring them here. You also want to go meet Chipsy. Tomorrow is a big day, sleep well."

I hoped Chipsy was fine. God, please help him, give him strength. I hope everything will be alright tomorrow.

I nodded and slept like that. I smiled, feeling good after she put her hand on my heart; my heart felt better. I had never slept like that, but it was extremely comfortable. I wanted to spend my whole life like this. All my pain went away. Her slow breaths made me feel like a cute baby being taken care of. Nobody had ever been with me, so near to me like this. Her touch and hand felt like a sense of peace, as if I was in a beautiful garden where many colorful flowers hugged me. Lots of cats and dogs wrapped around me, their soft skin and pure love making me feel calm.

The sun was over the head, and it was getting late. I quickly freshened up and went to check on the Moon and Earth, who were still asleep. After their Red Bulls and then tequila, they were suffering from a severe hangover. They were sprawled on top of each other, clearly having fallen asleep in the party place. They hadn't made it to their room.

"Hey, listen up! Get ready. The police will be here today, and Moon, your bodyguards won't be coming either?" I said.

Moon, still half asleep on Earth's arm, groaned, "Ugh, why am I here? What happened last night?"

I was shocked and looked at them. "You don't remember anything?"

Earth, struggling to open his eyes, said, "No, Payal, my head is spinning."

"Alright, let me order a hangover special drink." I called Bhola, who made the drink and handed it to them.

Earth tasted the drink and grimaced, "So bitter." Moon laughed, "First time, Earth? Looks like you're having this drink for the first time?"

Earth replied angrily, "I don't care! Breakups hurt so much! Moon, I don't want to fight."

Moon asked, "When did you had a breakup?"

Earth, while sipping his drink, said, "Yesterday."

Moon responded, "Well, He is free now. Anyone with you, He will find you disgusting."

Earth shouted, "Listen, bitch!"

I interjected, "You two are such idiots. Last night, you both kissed each other and expressed love. Moon, yes, you told her you love her, and Earth, you accepted her too."

Earth and Moon yelled, "What? You're lying!"

I said with a smile, "Look, your voices are echoing."

Earth, looking embarrassed, asked, "Wait, did I kiss her?"

Moon, feeling regretful, said, "Payal? I told her I love her? What the hell did I do?"

I replied, "Yes, you two were crying and exchanging many words. I thought you started dating each other."

Moon said, "Eww, me and Earth, never!" in anger.

Earth glared at her, "Same here. I expected this from you."

"Okay, we'll sort it out later. I need to check the video clips. Om is in some weird place. Let's go there, maybe we'll find a lead."

Moon and Earth quickly got ready. My mom wanted to come along, but I told her to stay behind. I shared my location with her and asked her to inform someone if we didn't return.

Twenty to thirty cars arrived with bodyguards, including some Hollywood types—thanks to Moon's power. I'm so proud of her. We got into a car, with me sitting between Moon and Earth. They were bickering like street dogs, acting like children. I was getting frustrated.

Moon said, "Om feels sad there. Look, this place is huge."

Earth also wanted to look at the tablet, but Moon moved her hand and Earth said angrily, "Moon, don't be childish. We're here to save his brother's life. Don't let anger get in the way."

Moon replied, "Earth, I think they're my bodyguards. We don't need you. You can go, green worm."

Earth, furious, said, "Why don't you get out, you bloody... (thinking for a moment) Moon, we can handle things without you."

I yelled, "Enough! Nobody will fight! You both have feelings for each other. Stop the car. Nobody will sit with me. You both go to another car and sit together, okay?"

The car stopped, and they moved to a different vehicle, still fighting. I stayed in the car, trying to see if my brother was there. I received a call and answered it.

A voice said, "Are you Payal?"

"Yes!" I responded.

"I think Geet Malhotra was shot by gun. She's in the ICU and in serious condition." (A high-pitched tone started in the background.)

The fear hit me like a ton of bricks. I froze, and my phone dropped. After a few moments, we reached the place. Outside, it looked like a warehouse or something. Moon and Earth came to me, looks like they are urging me to get out of the car, but I didn't hear them. It was as if my ears were only catching that high-pitched tone. tinnnnnnnnnnnn tinnnnnnnnnn