Chapter 25

As they strolled through the bustling mall, Shivay leaned in closer to Janvi and whispered a secret that made her face glow with excitement. She nodded eagerly, clearly intrigued.

Ahead of them, Pihu turned, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "What's happening?" she inquired, her tone laced with playful suspicion.

Shivay flashed a cheeky grin. "Janvi and I were just thinking of grabbing some coffee and catching up-just the two of us."

"Seriously, Bish, you're really going to betray me over just a man?" Pihu exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief and frustration, her voice rising with the heat of the moment.

"I am not just a man," he replied, his tone defensive, as he crossed his arms.

"Oh, and what are you then? A woman?" Janvi shot back with a biting sarcasm, arching an eyebrow as a smirk played on her lips.

"What the hell are you talking about-"

"Nah! He's a Superman! Shivay, did you forget to wear your underwear outside today?" Naksh exclaimed with a teasing grin, slapping his palm against Pihu's in a high-five. Pihu chuckled softly, murmuring, "Nice one" as she tried to stifle her laughter.

Shivay, with a dramatic flair, shouted, "I'M GONNA FUCKING SNAP YOUR NECK FOR THIS DISGUSTING SENSE OF HUMOUR!" His eyes narrowed in mock fury as he glared at Naksh, almost holding Naksh's neck.

"Reputation, guy's reputation." Janvi reminds them while pulling Shivay back from strangling Naksh.

"Now let's go for shopping." Janvi said to Shivay.

Pihu's face fell. "Oh, so I am the Bakhara who is going to halaal in the name of friendship. Seriously guys?"

"Don't be pouty about it, Bish. We're giving you both some quality time to spend."

"I don't need it." "Yeah, we can hang out. Just the two of us." Pihu and Naksh simultaneously said.

Pihu rolled her eyes. "For God's sake, Why? I have a feeling that it's going to trip off hell on earth."

"You're devilish enough to survive the hell," Janvi replied, controlling her laugh at her best friend's dramatic tactics.

Pihu looked at Shivay who gave her a little pleading eyes. "Fine, but you own me." She pointed at Shivay.

"Sure. Do you want something now?" Shivay asked, as always, gentleman.

"Maybe a strong coffee. I hope it keeps me sane after suffering with this guy." She sighed.

"Hey bossy, come on, I'm not that bad." He whined, in which response Pihu gave him a disgusting look.

"Yes, because you're worst, brother." Janvi completed Pihu's thought while laughing her ass off.

"Laugh Bish Laugh! As much you want in my misery, but remember, one day, karma will also bite your ass off."

"Whatever makes you sleep tonight, Mwah Bish. Goodbye." She winked and left with Shivay.

As they walked away from Shivay and Janvi, Pihu couldn't help but feel annoyed.

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Pihu trailed behind Naksh, her eyes rolling in exasperation as he flitted from one store to the next, buying up everything in sight.

"Argh, how the hell am I stuck with this self-obsessed man here?" Pihu groaned while throwing glares at the Naksh, who was checking himself out for the hundredth time today.

Naksh chuckled, still checking out his shirt in the mirror. "That's the Naksh effect, which makes me so lovable, Bossy."

"Lovable? Ew! You're not even likeable, Naksh."

He grinned. "That's okay, Bossy. I'll just love myself enough for both of us." Again, running in front of a collection which caught his attention.

Pihu shook her head, muttering under her breath. "Self-licking ass bastard."

"Seriously, Naksh, do you need another watch?"

Naksh turned to her, a self-satisfied smile plastered on his face. "This one's limited edition, Bossy and I'm worth it."

"YOU'RE WORTHY OF SOME FUCKING THERAPY."

Naksh's voice was laced with amusement as he said, "Calm down, Bossy. Bhari jawani mein Budhi ho jaogi." (You will become an oldie soon.)

Pihu's eyes flashed with irritation as she took a step closer to him, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Calm down my ass. Aur tumne ye buddhi kisko bola?" (Who did you call oldie?)

Naksh's grin only widened as he took a step closer to Pihu, his eyes locked on hers. "Tumhe," (You) he said, his voice low and teasing.

Pihu's eyes blazed with fury as she glared up at Naksh. "You think you're funny, don't you? Calling me oldie and jumping around like a frog."

Naksh's grin only widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, someone's got to keep you on your toes, Pihu."

Pihu's face twisted in annoyance, her eyes blazing with fury. "I don't take opinions from Frogs," she spat, her voice venomous.

The air was electric with tension as the two glared at each other, their faces inches apart.

Naksh's heart missed a beat.

The only difference between them was their height, with the need to look up at Naksh, and he needed to look down at Pihu.

Naksh's grin only faltered for a moment before he asked, "How did I become a frog from Mama Boy now?"

Pihu's face twisted in disgust, her voice dripping with malice. "Because you're jumping like a frog, And if you don't stop jumping around, I'm going to punch your shitty face so hard that even mom won't be able to recognize their son in one piece."

As their bickering reached a boiling point, Pihu's phone buzzed to life, slicing through the tension like a knife through butter. She took a step back, and for reasons he couldn't quite grasp, he felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, accompanied by an unexpected pang of hurt in his chest.

Pihu shot him a look that clearly said, 'I have to take this.'

With a hesitant nod, Naksh watched her slip away into the throng of shoppers, feeling an immediate void in her absence.

Suddenly, the joy of shopping faded; the vibrant colours and enticing displays lost their charm without her presence by his side. The once-bustling mall felt dull and lifeless.

He sank onto a nearby couch, letting out a heavy sigh, dealing with a storm of emotions.

What was it about her absence that made everything feel so mundane? He couldn't make sense of his heart's whisperings, but he knew one thing: without Pihu, nothing sparkled quite as brightly.

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As Shivay disentangled himself from Naksh and Pihu's conversation, he swiftly navigated through the bustling crowd, his eyes honing in on Janvi as she strolled gracefully toward a quaint bookstore.

The sun cast a warm glow, illuminating her features and making her presence even more captivating.

"You look stunning today, Princess. That smile could light up a room, but I'm not sure if it's enough to blind me to your questionable reading habits."

Janvi arched an eyebrow, unimpressed by his flattery. "Save it, Shivay," she replied sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not buying what you're selling."

Shivay flashed his most charming smile, but Janvi was unimpressed.

"Oh, please, spare me the charm, Shivay," Janvi said, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure it works wonders on the naive and the brainless, but I'm afraid I'm immune."

Shivay chuckled, undeterred. "Oh, come on. I'm just trying to be charming. Don't you find me charming, Princess?"

Janvi snorted, reaching for a book on the shelf behind Shivay. "Charming? You? Yeah, maybe if you turn and leave...and never come back."

She pulled out a book with a rather...unsettling title: "How to Kill a Man in 100 Different Ways".

Shivay's eyes widened in alarm as Janvi flipped through the pages, a look of intense interest on her face.

"Uh, Princess? What's with the...morbid reading material?" Shivay asked, trying to sound casual.

Janvi smiled sweetly, flipping through the book's pages, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, just a little light reading. You know, for inspiration."

Shivay took a step back, his eyes fixed on the book. "Inspiration? For what, exactly?"

Janvi smiled sweetly. "For dealing with annoying people, of course."

Shivay's eyes widened in alarm as Janvi continued to flip through the book, a look of intense interest on her face. He took a step back, hands raised in mock defence "Woah tiger," He said.

As Janvi delved deeper into the shelves, Shivay remained frozen in place, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. He was captivated by the way her nose scrunched up in distaste when she dismissed a book, and the way her entire face lit up when she discovered something that piqued her interest.

His gaze followed the gentle movement of her fingers as they danced across the spines of the books, her touch sending shivers down his spine. He was entranced by the way her eyes sparkled with excitement, and the soft, whispery sighs that escaped her lips as she read.

Shivay's heart swelled with emotion as he watched Janvi, his love for her growing with every passing moment. He felt like a lovesick puppy.

But as the moments ticked by, Shivay knew he had to tear his gaze away. He didn't want to startle Janvi, or worse, make her feel uncomfortable. He knew that she had a tendency to snap when she felt like she was being watched, and he didn't want to risk triggering her ire.

So, with a heavy heart, Shivay shifted his gaze to the store around them, taking in the rows of books and the quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

Shivay decided to roam around the store, taking in the musty scent of old books and the quiet hum of conversation from the other patrons.

Meanwhile, Janvi was completely absorbed in her search for the perfect book. She was so focused that she didn't even notice Shivay's antics, until suddenly, she heard a loud clattering sound.

Janvi's head jerked up, and she turned to see Shivay standing amidst a pile of books, his face flushed with embarrassment. It seemed that he had accidentally knocked over an entire shelf, sending books tumbling to the ground.

Janvi was not even surprised. She just rolled her eyes.

There is something common in her bias wrecker and Shivay - They both are God of destruction.

"Shivay, Not again?" she asked, trying to stifle her laughter, thinking how cute Shivay was looking.

Shivay looked up, his eyes sheepish, and his hair mussed. "I'm sorry," he muttered, bending down to pick up the books. "I'm just a little... clumsy."

Janvi sighed, walking over to help him gather the books. "A little clumsy?" she raised eyebrows. "You're a one-man disaster zone, Shivay."

"Hey, at least I'm consistent, right?"

"Consistent?" Janvi repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You're consistently chaotic, Shivay."

" It's not my fault! Princess."

Janvi snorted, shaking her head. "Save it, Shivay. You're going to stand in the corner until I finish finding my book."

Shivay's eyes widened. "The corner? You're sending me to the corner like a child?"

Janvi nodded, her expression stern. "Yes, I am. Now, go. Stand. Reflect on your destroying habits."

"At least let me help you, Princess."

"No"

Shivay sighed as he made his way to the corner as a rejected puppy, missing the fond look in Janvi's eyes for him.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered, leaning against the wall.

Janvi just shook her head. "You're ridiculous, Shivay. Now, stay."

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Pihu gazed at her phone screen, a mischievous smile curling at the corners of her lips as she saw the familiar name flashing. The call was ringing, each tone sending a thrill through her.

She answered the call with a sickly sweet tone. "Hellooo~~"

"GET ME OUT!" Sidharth's loud voice boomed through the phone.

Pihu chuckled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That's not how you beg, Sidharth."

"Don't test my patience, Pihu," Sidharth growled, followed by a loud bang.

Pihu giggled, her voice sweet as honey. "Did you enjoy your new place, Sidharth?"

Sidharth's response was laced with frustration. "Pihu, I swear to god, I am fuc-"

Pihu cut him off, her tone playful. "Ahn hn! Why did you get silent? Continue cursing me and let's see how many days you'll survive without food."

It all started on the day of clubbing, when Sidharth and Pihu got into a heated argument. In the heat of the moment, Sidharth let out a string of curses, which proved to be a huge mistake. As karma would have it, Sidharth found himself locked in the club's washroom, courtesy of Pihu's quick thinking.

But little did Sidharth know, Pihu had one more trick up her sleeve. Instead of letting him escape, she actually brought the club to the washroom, ensuring that Sidharth would remain trapped until she decided to let him out.

Sidharth's scream was deafening. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

Pihu held the phone away from her ear, a grin still plastered on her face. "It seems like you still have a lot of energy to survive one more day in the bathroom."

The phone fell silent, except for Sidharth's heavy breathing. Pihu waited for him to speak, but her patience was wearing thin. "I don't have all day, Sidharth," she said bluntly. "I'd rather listen to Naksh's face obsession than your tantrums."

"Now, you don't have anything to say-" Pihu started, but Sidharth cut her off.

"WAIT!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can't spend one more minute here."

Pihu's tone turned sly. "Then say the magical words."

Sidharth's frustration boiled over. "WHAT THE HELL?"

Pihu rolled her eyes. "You really love eating shit in the bathroom?"

Sidharth's voice was laced with a hint of pleading. "NO... Wait..."

Pihu waited, savouring the moment as Sidharth swallowed his pride.

"I... I... S... sorry," a small voice came from the phone.

Pihu feigned surprise. "Huh?" She chuckled mentally, thinking, One more sorry won't hurt... or maybe just his pride.

Sidharth's frustration reached a boiling point. "I AM SORRY!" he shouted.

"My my my... How sweet of you, Sidharth," Pihu cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"SHUT UP!" Sidharth bellowed.

Pihu laughed, unfazed. "Did you enjoy your one-day trip to the bathroom?"

"I HATE YOU," Sidharth growled.

Pihu smirked, knowing she'd gotten under his skin. "No, you don't," she said, her tone confident.

Her voice turned deadly serious. "Now listen carefully, Sidharth. If you try to pull any stunts or mess with anyone in this house, your lovely photo hugging the commode in the public bathroom will be on every news channel. Am I clear?"

A low hum of understanding came from the other end of the line.

Pihu's tone turned glacial. "And next time you curse me, you'll find yourself in the graveyard."

With that, she disconnected the call, a satisfied smile on her face. She turned back to Naksh, her "dumb husband," ready to deal with his antics once again.

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As the call ended, Sidharth stood outside the club, his face a picture of twisted emotions. But in an instant, his expression transformed, and he burst into maniacal laughter.

"Beautiful... So beautiful... She's still so vengeful. How lovely," he cackled, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.

He tilted his head, his voice taking on a menacing tone. "Did you find out who I am, Pihu? You can't, can you? Death wouldn't look good on your beautiful face, would it?" He pouted, his lips curling into a sadistic smile.

Sidharth's grin faltered for a moment, and a flicker of something dark and sinister danced in his eyes. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.

"Dead? Naksh? Ha! That would be... poetic. Don't you think, Pihu? The great Naksh, brought down by his own arrogance. And you... you would be consumed by grief. The tears would flow, and your laughter would be silenced."

Sidharth's smile returned, twisted and cruel. "But I wouldn't be the one crying, Pihu. Oh no... I would be the one laughing. Laughing as I watch you burn, laughing as I watch Naksh's memory haunt you."

Sidharth's laughter grew louder, more frenzied, as he spun around in circles, his eyes wild with excitement. "The game is ON, Pihu! And you're just a pawn, a delicious little morsel for me to toy with!"

He stopped suddenly, his chest heaving with exertion, and glared up at the sky. "You think you're clever, Pihu? You think you can outsmart me? HA! I've been planning this for years, studying your every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike!"

Sidharth's voice dropped to a whisper, his words dripping with malice. "And now, it's my turn. My turn to make you dance, to make you scream, to make you BEG FOR MERCY!"

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A piercing ringtone shattered the silence in the room.

"Hello! Miss Janvi, Your brother's body has been discovered beneath the bridge."

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To be continued...💙