Neev.

Sachin looked surprised to see me. l passed the ball to him and he caught it.

"Nivin!?" he said, then broke into a grin. "it's a surprise!" he said, walking towards me. "l hope you haven't lost your touch"

"Let's see, shouldn't we?" l said cockily.

"And the price? what will you give me if l win the game?"

"What do you want?" l asked back.

"That bike you imported, that Ecosse titanium limited edition," he said.

l stilled. he knew how much trouble l had to bring it to India.

It's my baby!

"So..do we have a deal?" Sachin asked me victoriously. He knew how much l love that bike.

"And what will you give me if l win?" l asked him back.

Sachin was playing with the ball, expertly doing some difficult positions with it.

"Ask it, it's yours" he shrugged.

"The bracelet!" l said and he stilled. "the old pearl bracelet," l said again.

Sachin's eyes widened a little, his eyes moved to Riya, who was sitting anxiously in the front row.

"Don't tell me!..no..it's not possible-"

"So what do you say, Sachin Dixit?"

"That bracelet is not mine to give it away!" Sachin said.

"So you are worried about losing to me!" l touched a nerve. yes, l am deliberately trying to trap him.

He broke into a grin. "that's right, why should l worry!" Sachin started to play with the ball again. "it's not a race, it's a basketball match!" he said. "and l get a bike free!"

"Sure, Then let's start," l said.

"Three minutes!" the coach shouted and blew the whistle.

And we started. Sachin took the ball in a flash, he was so natural and l tried to snatch it, blocking his way, but-

"THAT'S SACHIN DIXIT, WHO SCORED A BASKET!" The commentary started.

And l got the ball. Sachin was right behind me, trying to snatch it away, but l have known him for years now that, l kind of knows his moves, it was always beneficial whenever we played in a team, it was the first time we are playing against each other and l have this advantage over him.

l was near the basket now, as l tried to miss him, Sachin expertly got the ball from me and raised up, l know what he's doing and pushed him off with my shoulder and scored while the whole stadium gasped or cheered.

The spectators have split into two groups now, apparently, the betting has started again. My people cheered as Sachin's fans looked outrageous.

"FOUL!!!" The coach bellowed as Sachin fell down on the hard floor. He started to blow the whistle.

l walked to Sachin and offered my hand, he looked up and our eyes met. the confusion in his face turned to shock.

He took my hand, l helped him up, the coach was beside us now, shouting the rules at me, but we were in a staring contest.

"Stop!" Sachin raised up his hands at the coach who instantly shut up, his eyes were still on me.

"l never thought you wanted to win this bad," he said to me.

Both of us knew what he meant, Sachin's eyes turned to see Riya, who looked shocked and worried.

"l don't want to lose my bike" l shrugged, feigning ignorance.

"l am going to win Nivin Rosh Aldrick!because l don't want to lose her," he said firmly. His bluntness shocked me.

"Look here-" Coach started again.

"Stop it, we are going to play this our way" Sachin stopped him.

"But-"

But he was stopped again when we started to play, Sachin had the ball again. Both of us were circling each other, determined to win.

Sachin was almost near the basket and l tried to stop him from behind, he elbowed me hard on the ribs, making me lose my breath and fall back as he scored.

And so the war began!

Riya.

It's no game!! It's war!!!

"What's happening!? both of them are fighting like their life is depended on it!" Meera said beside me.

"l thought Nivin Aldrick was not playing? what happened suddenly? who do you think will win?" she turned to me.

"Shut up Meera," l said, biting my nail in tension.

"They are in a tie! l like both of them.. l don't know which side to take" she said again.

But l just watched them.

Both of them were neck to neck, now covered in bruises, they were not going easy on each other and nobody dared to interfere.

It was the last round and both of them were practically fighting to get in front.

Sachin was about to score when Neev pushed him off again, taking the ball. The seconds were going down and Neev threw the ball across the court, now sure that he won't reach the basket in time, just as Sachin tripped him.

Neev flew forward and landed on the floor while the ball touch twice on the basket rim.

"C'mon!" Neev fisted the floor looking at the ball, not even bothering to get up, and Sachin too, still on the floor, eyes glued to the ball.

Trrrrrrrringggggg.....

The bell went off just as the ball was in!

"IT'S IN!!!! HE SCORED THE LAST BASKET! NIVIN ROSH ALDRICK WINS!!" The announcement came and the whole crowd went wild. l slumped down on the chair, not even realising l was up.

Nivin won! Nivin Rosh Aldrick won the freaking basketball for me!

l sat there shocked. l watched the court filling with his fans, Sachin's team was raising him up, both of them were carried off to the nurse rooms.

Dub..dub..dub..

l clutched my heart. It is starting to beat out of my control. l saw Nivin trying to look at me through the crowd.

l got up from the chair and ran out.

Nivin.

"Stay right there, Mr.Aldrick" Our nurse, Mrs.Geetha said angrily. l groaned.

There's no way to escape her. Sachin sneered next bed to me and l gave him a glare.

"Just relax and lay back," he said cheerfully for a person who just got defeated in his field.

"l am sure she'll come," he said again and l looked up at him.

He was plopped up on the pillows, now eating those chocolates his fangirls brought him.

"you should mind your own business, you lost to me Sachin, that too in basketball!" l said smugly, wanting to wipe that ugly smile off his face.

"So what Neev? sure, l don't get to take her out, but l have discovered something else today Neev" Sachin said.

l instantly became alert. "what do you mean!?" l asked.

"Don't play dumb to me! since when did it start? for someone who was trying to be cool and hard, unaffected by emotions, you sure surprised the hell out of me!" Sachin said.

"l don't know what you are talking about" l shrugged.

"And l can always ask her out another day," Sachin said again.

"What?" l looked at him.

"Why? do you care about her? the girl you tormented all these days, what changed suddenly?"

"l don't," l said adamantly.

"What? you don't care about her or you don't have feelings for her?" Sachin asked.

"Both" l retorted back at him. "l am not interested in her!" l said firmly.

Sachin grinned at me, then turned to the door.

"Come in Riya, Don't just stand there," he said cheerfully, l turned my head to the door and was shocked to find her standing there, l know she heard me, my heart skipped a beat. l gave Sachin a glare who smiled innocently at me.

Bloody bastard, He was tricking me!

Riya came inside.

"what was that all about?" she narrowed her eyes at us and folded her hands across her chest.

"Relax, it was usual to us, this kind of things happened all the time"

"well, it's not that usual to me, do you think your fangirls are going to leave me now?"

"l will protect you," Sachin said with so much sincerity that l fisted my hands, no words seems to come, l was never in my life this speechless.

"No! that's why l am telling you both to keep your distance from me, l don't want anything to do with you"

"Riya-" l started, but she lifted her hands up, stopping me, tears sprang to her eyes.

"You guys have done enough! now l am begging you to just leave me alone" Riya wiped her eyes, turned around and left the room.

"Riya!" both of us called simultaneously, but she was already gone.

Sachin sighed loudly. "l didn't want to hurt her," he said slowly. l was still frozen in place, still looking at the doorway.

"l guess she is right, but l can't seem to leave her," Sachin said again. "um..Neev? are..are you alright?" Sachin realised l haven't moved at all.

"Why did you do it!?" l asked him dead serious, now turning slowly at him.

"Um..what?"

"you knew she was watching! you wanted to trick me!" l glared at him.

"Why are you so worked up!? you said you are not interested in her!" Sachin said. "and please mind your own business, l like her, so l will take care of her" Sachin said easily.

"She's my business!" l shouted before thinking. "and stay away from her"

"Why should l stay away? l like her Nivin, why should you care?"

"l care because I-" l stopped dead in my sentence, shocked at myself, my heart started to beat wildly.

What the! Dol care about her that much? why am l getting this much worked up?

"l thought you said you aren't interested in her!?" Sachin didn't leave it.

"She's staying in my house, l don't want any trouble," l said quietly looking everywhere but him.

"Don't worry, l won't make any trouble, it was me who saw her first anyway!"

"Excuse me?" l raised my eyebrows at him.

"Nothing" Sachin shrugged. "Don't concern yourself over it" he said.

"What do you mean, you saw her first?"

"How do you think l got hold of her bracelet?" Sachin asked.

"How did you?" l asked him, unable stop myself.

"It was nearly midnight, l was returning home from the company when someone jumped in front of my bike, l avoided the collision narrowly and shouted at this girl" Sachin started with his story.

"Then l saw her face, like a frightened kitten, l was still shocked when she ran to my side, hopped back on my bike and pleaded to me to take her away, l was dumbfounded but then l saw them, 3 or 4 men chasing her"

"And?" l asked him. l don't know why my heart is beating out of my control like crazy, slightly panicking me.

"And l raced out of there, she told me to stop near the bus stand and thanked me and before l could talk to her, she just vanished. l was so shocked," Sachin smiled a little. "So imagine my surprise when she turned up in our college!"

"And the bracelet?"

"Ah! it was hooked to my jacket, l saw it from home" Sachin grinned.

Riya.

l pressed hard above my heart, it's been frantically beating since l heard those words.

"l am not interested in her!"

Nivin's words have been echoing through my mind for a long time now, making me bothered more than l should be.

What did you expect Riya? you dragged him through so much trouble before that it's no surprise he is worried about it! it's nothing else!

It's Nivin Rosh Aldrick!! the unflinching cold-hearted man!

Why should l even care!

l sat up straight.

That's right! just because he is being civilised now doesn't mean he likes me!

"Riya" l heard his voice and jumped up from the bench. l came here in hopes of getting peace, but l should have realised that rooftop is the favourite place of Nivin Rosh Aldrick!

"Um..?" l said, aware of my heartbeats going uncontrolled. l want to hide!

"About earlier-"

"Yea, don't concern yourself over it, l won't get into any more trouble" l cut him and looked at my watch."God! l am late for work" l hung my bag across my shoulder. "l will see you later, Neev"

"But-" Nivin started to say something, but l waved at him and ran for my life.

Nivin.

What happened just now!?

"Neev?" l whirled around at the voice.

"Are..are you alright? l just went to the nurse's room and Sachin said-" Nirosha started.

"Don't worry about me" l said and started to walk.

"So you like her? are you avoiding me because of her?" Nirosha asked again, making me still.

"If l like someone, l have the guts to stand with that person, and don't worry about me"

"You look too desperate to win the game, l have never seen you doing something like that to anyone, not even me!" Nirosha exclaimed.

That got on my nerves, l gave her a look. "Really Nirosha'l Sebastian? don't you remember anything l did for you? not even fighting with Grandpa? and tell me..what have you done for me?"

"You know l am as helpless as yo-"

"Just tell me something-anything you have done for me then!" l shouted before l could stop myself, Amy's words slipping unknowingly. Nirosha looked shocked.

"You didn't stay by my side whenever Grandpa decided things, you didn't want to upset your dad or my Grandpa and l tried to understand it, but you were ready to leave me for them!"

"Neev" tears sprang to her eyes. "l am sorry! l know l was selfish! but l could not let my dad go bankrupt, l didn't have any other way then, l have to obey your Grandpa" she said.

"So keep obeying him and don't come near m-"

"Nivin please! do you think l want this? do you think l don't know the fact that Rohan doesn't love me, l am as helpless as you Neev" the tears started to flow down now.

"You had a choice, Nirosha" l told her coldly. "But you decided to give up on us"

what does she expect anyway? she is my brother's fiancée now!

l walked out of there.

Riya.

l read the notice again.

"Riya, you have to start with the seat arrangement first" My manager called out to me.

"Yea" l walked to him. "what's this notice about?" l asked him.

"Yea..we have two VIP parties and we need some extra help"

"I know some really good people! they are really good" l said.

"Be very careful who you select Riya, they should have experience and they should know how to serve the VVIPs"

"Trust me sir" l smiled. l was already dialling Jijo.

Nivin.

"What does he want?" l asked

"You have guests"

"Guests?" l asked, then opened the door to Grandpa's study and stilled.

On the settee was Dev Dixit and Sachin Dixit, who was bruised and beaten up just like me.

"Did you call me?' l asked from the door and everyone turned around to look at me.

"Neev!" Sachin grinned at me like we are best friends.

"Yea, come in" Grandpa ordered, not at all pleased.

Here comes another round of whipping!

l took a seat opposite to them in the settee chair.

"How are you Neev?" Uncle Dev asked good naturally.

"Um...okay"

"l don't see you coming home nowadays," Dev said. "Nandini misses you," he said.

"And what's this? l thought you know better than to fight?" Grandpa said.

"Uh..it was a friendly match, Grandpa," Sachin said cheerfully.

Grandpa looked him over. "l am aware of the friendly match," Grandpa said.

"Yes, we already have the details of your match boys," Dev said.

My eyes met with Sachin's just like old times, like whenever our troubles are caught and l moved my eyes away.

"It was actually college and stuff, nothing serious" Sachin shrugged.

"it's all over the social networks now," Grandpa said disapprovingly. "Do you want to make the world believe that the Aldricks and Dixits have internal war?" he growled.

"What!? no, no..of course no!" Sachin said.

"That's why we have a plan" Dev started and Sachin and I turned to him.

"Our new summer style is launching next week and there is a party for the important people, both of you will have to represent the company, there will be a lot of media, behave yourselves"

"And you have to be very careful now, you will work together all the time, let it be the college or outside," Grandpa said.

"Of course, that's easy," Sachin said.

"No way" l said firmly, making them turn to me.

Now l know what Grandpa want, he wants to introduce all the Aldrick loving family at the party!

"l am not interested in your company and l am not attending the party"

"You know what happens if you disobey me!" Grandpa said.

"Do whatever you want, l don't f***ing care!" l said, there was dead silence in the room.

"Um..er...so l heard the famous model Natasha is coming for the party?" Sachin said in a poor attempt to diffuse the tension.

"Yeah, of course," Dev supported him quickly, but Grandpa and I were still in the staring contest.

"l am out of here" l was out of my seats in seconds and moved to the door.

"Stop right there Nivin Rosh Aldrick!" Grandpa growled.

"l am not going to be your puppet anymore, l have worked hard for you and your company before and now l don't give a damn"

Sachin.

Nivin slammed the door shut after him and we were once again in that cold silence.

The nerve of him! even l don't want to upset his Grandpa, he's scary!

"Um..don't worry, l will convince hi-"

"No!" Grandpa cut across me. "I know exactly what to do to make him do it voluntarily," he said, and l was worried about him!

Nivin! that moron always finds ways to get in the wrong side of Grandpa!

Riya.

"At first she thought l am trying to prank her, she thought l am up to something as l was wearing my uniform first time," Danny told me about Swapna, his crush. "But now she looks confused, l mean, l no longer bully anyone"

We were in his study table, trying to complete his work-a working model.

"Ha! so you have crossed the most important task!" l said. "now you can try to be friends"

"I.. l can't do it like that," he said. "l mean, it's complicated," he said.

"But you managed to add her in your group somehow," l said. Danny slightly blushed.

"Um..she was really annoyed, l think she suspects me too," Danny said.

"Still..it's a good beginning," l said.

"l suppose" he said as we started his working model. "she doesn't like it though, she's a straight A student and takes her studies seriously, now she thinks she's going to lose because my group is practically the lazy ones, she's sure we will never complete it in time"

"But she will be surprised when you turn up with your work" l smiled at him.

He nodded again. "your phone is blinking," he said.

l forgot to switch it back to general mode after work, again.

l took it up.

Priya?

l was worried instantly, l attended the call as l walked out of the room.

"Priya, Are you okay? Is everything-"

"Relax! l just missed you Riya!" she said and l sighed.

"l just visited you last week!" l laughed. "it's better than before, we couldn't even talk before"

"l know, right!" she said.

The only thing Grandpa has done is keep his promise, he let me see Priya again.

She is still undergoing physiotherapy, but at a different hospital now.

She's happy too because her uncle and aunty seemed to really care for her.

"so when are you coming here again?" She asked me.

"l have my first real job at a hotel tomorrow, l will see you after that" l smiled.

"Sure," she said.

We were both silent for a minute.

"How's your uncle and aunty?" l asked slowly.

"They are good people, visits me often," she said.

"l am glad at least you have your family back now," l said.

"And you are my biggest family, more than a friend, you are my sister Riya," Priya said.

l nodded even though l know she can't see me. my eyes started to fill on their own accord.

l don't deny it, l was worried when she got her relatives. l was happy for her but still worried, she is one of the most important people in my life!

"And Riya," she said again. "l know you are confused, we all are confused, l don't trust that old man, not one bit," she said, talking about the great Joseph Aldrick.

"So whatever he said, don't take it to heart, l don't think Uncle Ananth was a person who would hide me from my relatives, there must have been more to it, so don't think about it," she said.

My tears started to flow then. it was really troubling me and l really needed to hear it. l don't want to believe Uncle Ananth is that kind of person too.

"Thank you so much Priya," l said, wiping my eyes. "please take care of yourself now," l said.

"Okay, congratulations on your first real job and Good luck!"

"Thank you!" l said and disconnected the call. l wiped my eyes and turned around.

l was face to face with Neev, l took a step back in shock.

"Are you..crying Riya?" he looked in my eyes, his face showed concern.

"No" l shook my head.

"What's wrong? is it Grandpa again?" his face turned angry instantly.

Nivin is protective of me!

l realised with shock.

Dub..dub...dub...

Stupid heart!

"I.. l am okay! in fact, l was happy, l was just helping Danny with his work and you know..he wanted to impress his crush and l thought it's kind of cute-" l started to blabber, but-

"You are ranting! something is definitely wrong" he stated, folding his hands across his chest.

l have to escape now! my only problem now is you! God..help m-

"Riyechi! It's working! see, we did it!" Danny was out of his room in seconds.

Thank God!

"That's really great Danny!" l said, now backing down slightly from Nivin, who narrowed his eyes at me.

"we are talking Riy-"

"God! l forgot something! see you guys later!" l exclaimed and started to run.

"Riya!" Neev called out, but l was already at the doorway.

"It's urgent" l shouted back.

Neev.

What the hell happened just now!? why do l feel like she's avoiding me? It's been 3 days since we properly talked, yes, she didn't talk to me after that basketball match! Is she still angry at me?

"Danny?" l turned to him. but he was looking confused too, now looking at the doorway she has just disappeared.

"It's dinner time, come" l dragged him by the collar and started to walk.

* * *

"Is everyone here?" Grandpa looked around, his eyes meeting mine for a second before it looked around and was satisfied that everyone is present.

"You must have learnt about the party next week, l want all of you to behave," Grandpa said, no one responded. "l am planning to announce the engagement date to everyone then" he added.

My eyes snapped to Rohan, who was spooning his soup with no care in the world like Grandpa is talking about someone else's engagement.

l pity him, l really do!

"Isn't it a bit soon?"

l snapped my eyes up at Nirosha, really surprised. Apparently, everyone else was as shocked too, even Rohan looked up, Nirosha, on the other hand, looked nervous.

"Grandpa..I.. l don't mean any disrespect, but..you see.."

"Do you have anything to say, Miss, .sebastian?" Grandpa's cold voice cut across her and she visibly flinched.

"It's just that..um..you know, Rohan don't care about me, he still treats me like his little brother's kid friend," Nirosha said.

Everyone stared at her, Auntie Alive had her palm against her heart, Danny was biting his lips, Rohan looked actually interested in Nirosha's words for the first time and Riya..she just looked away from me!

Was she looking at me the whole time?

The only person who looked unaffected was Grandpa, he took a sip of his drink. "you can work that out after the engagement, you are very compatible with each other" he said.

"l don't think that's going to work, l already told you before, l have seen her playing with Neev, she's like a sister to me" Rohan spoke firmly.

Everyone's eyes moved to him. "Rohan dear-" Auntie Alice started.

"You know it's true mom!" Rohan said and she instantly shut up, looking worried, l am sure she knows better than to disobey Grandpa.

Riya.

What's going on here? is it a family time or what? and why am l feeling so uneasy?

"Not this again, Rohan!" Grandpa said, actually looking angry.

"Why not? you don't keep your promise anymore, why should I?" Rohan talked back.

"l kept my promise, but Nivin made me break it, l granted him his freedom, but l can't allow anyone to tarnish the family reputation!"

"Excuse me, but l didn't ask you to sacrifice anything for me, Rohan, l told you many times, stop being a coward and stop helping me!" Neev said, making everyone gasp.

Of course, it's Nivin Rosh Aldrick, he can't appreciate other's feelings!

"Take.that.back." Rohan turned at Neev, very angry, l had never seen him like this before.

"You know it's true. If you are truly man enough, have the guts to marry the girl you love," Neev shouted.

Silence filled the room, Rohan looked super pissed now.

"You don't f***ing know what you are talking about Nivin!" Rohan hissed.

"Rohan, language!" Uncle John looked at him deadly, but Nivin and Rohan were too busy with glaring at each other to notice anything else.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Grandpa ordered.

"Oh really? then why can't you just fill every one?" Neev asked.

"It's not my f***ing fault that l am getting engaged to Nirosha, Nivin, so there's no need to call me a coward," Rohan said.

Neev jumped up, for a moment l thought he was going to hurt Rohan, but next second he knocked his chair upside down.

"For your kind information brother, l don't hesitate to speak up what l want, unlike you, but no, l am not that kind of a man who goes after my brother's fiancée!" Nivin stalked out of the room.

"And l don't want the history to repeat itself," Rohan shouted. "l don't want to hurt her the same way your mother-"

"ROHAN ROSH ALDRICK!" Grandpa roared and l know instantly that Rohan has crossed the line, because the usually cold and collected Grandpa looked really mad for the first time and l knew, Rohan is in trouble!

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Thank you for your support, l loved reading your comments!