💙

|The guns are worthless in front of you, my love. I'd die once with a bullet but you kill me each time a little more with your love|

by medicallymessedup

•present•

Aryan had taken his own good time standing outside Batra residence for legit enough minutes wishing that she might come back. No one other than him knew that, it was just a hope, 'Mystery girl' would do everything in her reach to avoid him now. The measures of it even stood for getting engaged to that guy Aarush or whatsoever, he didn't care in the bastard's name.

Why does it happen to them? One moment they were all smiles and the very next moment they are like day and night. One of them needs to fade away for the other one to arise.

Their situation was messed up even more than before, she was going to hate him once again. All credits to his irrational timing to utter things and due to an unsaturated level of lucidity, he was going to lose her.

'Fuck!', He cursed.

'Go ahead broda, show your rogue self to her. Instead of telling her about your real feelings you just went caveman on the poor girl.' Braine bellowed resentfully, ready to murder his landlord.

'I didn't want to hurt Ruchi for God's sake! How can I fuckin' be the reason of her pain when all I want is love for our sanity' Aryan yelped, unable to figure out anything at all about his puzzling dilemma.

He would fight anyone but himself to call Ruchi and all of his channeling emotions a mere figment of imagination. Their intimate encounters weren't a token of physical pleasure but bricks that were cemented towards their solidarity. A few years ago even if a part of him would have tried to claim such stupidity of getting deeper into this unnamed sea of hunches, he would have happily obliged and killed brainie by now but now he was back again to become hopeful.

'There could be chances' Brainie pondered, 'Are you going to lose the battle even before it's fought, master?' He provoked him further.

'Forget about the hazard, it's not one but hundreds.' The rationality reminded him. 'The girl he's mad about had chosen a path of destruction for them.'

In Aryan's oh-so happening world, Ruchi was a parallel ray running in an opposite direction to his and there were barely freak chance for their universes to mingle by any of the trials-and-errors in the homologous cosmos but that didn't mean he wouldn't risk upon the meager chances. He had spent a decade while waiting for her and now when he finally knows about her feelings for him then how is he supposed to kick on his share of serenity that she brings along.

His pragmatic front was smart enough to mock his ideas of being with his 'Mystery girl' who had rejected his meaningful advances for which Brainie had articulated different reasons.

Because he was still a practical stranger in her eyes.

She's not at all interested in the casanova reputation he is labeled with.

She still didn't trust him.

His infamous conduct history had outgrown all his glory.

He wasn't a very terrific kisser or she didn't like it all.

Firstly, the girl knew him a lot more than he had spared sufficient time to perform a thesis upon himself so it implies that she didn't consider him a stranger. Secondly, he wasn't even a real casanova but just a martyr of the whimsical yarns. Thirdly, he was irrevocable about her trust in him, she had bared him a lot, assured that he wasn't going to slip it. Fourth reason is the same as third and lastly, both of them were boldly triggered during the act so he would just cross all the chances related to carnal instincts.

He was left with interest and that was a long, controversial question and the answer was playing on a fifty-fifty which didn't really please Aryan, who wanted a fully-fledged conclusion to their abnormal situation or his head might just burst.

Ruchi Batra knew well how to play soccer with his head.

Her denial was the biggest weapon to tear their bond apart and Aryan could sense it coming if he didn't do something to prevent it soon.

The strings of Ruchi and Aryan's catch turned back to cipher when he noticed a large black doberman barking at him. Aryan rolled his eyes, annoyed by the unannounced interruption.

The dog was chained to an iron gate a few houses away and clawing like a savage beast, baring his sharp canines to the intruder who had disturbed his good sleep due to his delirious personal affairs.

"Quit being tough, okay." Aryan quaked, cowering down beside the animal and swiftly ruffled his coat, "It's already messed up big, bro. Your naive neighbor watches me as a villain to her story but you mute creature of God, look at me..." He lilted, "My innocent face does not give away any negative vibes, No!?"

The dog intently watched him and lost his stiffness leaning onto the touch, wagging its tail and he did a happy whooping. Aryan grinned victoriously satisfied by the response. He searched for something in his pocket to grab onto two parle-g biscuits, and he gave one to his new friend and had one himself.

"You think she loves me.." Aryan gulped, blowing out air, "Or was I just assuming too much?" He rubbed his clammy hands staring at the brick-wall with sincerity.

The dog barked again as if to tell him the queen of his dreams won't appear out breaking the wall. He needs to make necessary efforts without ruining it but alas he couldn't understand human behavior so forget about its advice.

Aryan shook his head and jumped up to his feet with his self-delusion. Was that even a thing?

"There's no time to ponder over the fact if you love or like or hate me, Ruchi. The fact isn't going to change that you clearly aren't with the prospect of getting hitched with that loser for now yet again knowing you, there's no doubt you'll still go ahead with the engagement and even marry him blindly." His neck-cords stood out as he asserted the happenings and a prickling thought floored his troubled mind, "You would compromise and I won't let it happen to you, Baby. I promise."

The quick, undaunted flame leaped in his dark black orbs depicting his confidence, ecstasy and over-the-moon belief in himself and the 'Mystery Girl'.

🖤🖤🖤

"Aryan, wake up."

Aryan who was in a brave-dead sleep didn't pay any heed to the loud voice. He felt a shake at his hand but he snuggled more into his bed, covering his face inside the duvet. He was willing to stay in Manali forever now, Ruchi could do anything trying to wake him up. They can build up a cabin near the stream, cultivate crops to earn their bread and stay on the bed with each other for the rest of the time. Also, he had already held a lot-back now, he won't compromise his sleep and she needs to understand that as she loves him.

"Aryan!!"

The perpetual action resulting from his no-heed policy to Ruchi's awakening had landed him in a grave danger zone. An ear-deafening yelp left his mouth, as he stood up on the bed realizing he was drenched from water. His face, shirt and the duvet was soaked in hair-rising cold-water, forgotten was the sleep now.

"Who the hell-" His words were left mid-air realizing the person's identity standing in front of him.

"Go ahead. Complete it!" His father prompted crossing his hands over his chest, triggering him.

Aryan grumbled under his breath, increasing the lines on his father's face who asked him, "What?"

"Nothing." Aryan swallowed knowing he was going to be roasted for sure. "I'll go and see Mom." He added swiftly trying to avoid his scary gaze.

"You should start getting worried about your whereabouts rather than my wife's. It would be both resourceful and appreciative. You are a grown up and certainly not in a dire need to babysit."

"She's my mother too." Aryan replied haughtily, "My big jealous Daddy, grow up and don't get between us." He cooed standing up to his feet. "Me and my Mom are inseparable lovers."

"You-"

"Aapka hi beta hoon main, Dad." Aryan stated as if Soham hadn't known it by now. "Aadat daal lo ab main wapas aa gaya hoon. Your honeymoon days are over because I'm not in London anymore."

["Well, I'm your son. Be habitual of my presence because now I am back."]

One thing that astute businessman Soham Mallik hated was the carefree and reckless guts of his only child, Aryan Mallik. It wasn't like Aryan had a silver-spoon in his mouth, but his thoughtlessness and devil-may-care attitude had troubled him at times. He trusted him and his wife's upbringing in his son even when he had lived away from them for a decade but at times Aryan had been a gone-case who had been aimless and limitless for now.

"What's going on here?" Anchal Mallik questioned who had heard the small tiff brewing between her husband and son. "I don't entertain any kind of nuisance in my house young man.." She pointed at Aryan who struggled to seem innocent but failed miserably, "And you too old man."

Soham lamented and Aryan grinned down leaning his head on his mother's shoulder, "The old man is a pain in the ass, Mom. Why did you choose him out of all of your boyfriend's to father me?" He quizzed, "Why didn't you think about the future sufferings of your child, Mom?"

Anchal dodged his head away boosting her husband's confidence but it was not too long as she broke into a contagious laughter with Aryan who was over the moon. Only his mother could keep his father in check, told aloud the glare beating him down.

"Your son's condolences are with you, Dad." Aryan cracked finding his father funny for a man at his age.

"You should be at my side." Soham accused being visibly betrayed by his wife.

"Nah! She's my mother, that's why she's on my side." Aryan was quick to retort and make whining sounds.

"Have you ever grown-up, Aryan?" Soham condemned, "You're for God's sake a boy of twenty-two not Anchal's five-year old toddler, Shona boy." He taunted.

It was Aryan's turn to cringe at the mention of his legendary nickname gifted by his mother. The time Aryan was an infant, Anchal had got a weird obsession for the pet name and being the crooked-mule, Soham had encouraged her to go on with it. He still shudders thinking of what his father was capable of doing if he wanted, he's a joker who can efficiently work on to manipulate all the cards in the deck.

"Don't call me that." Aryan appealed knowing his father was successful in defeating his mane. He took his time to substitute, "That stupid nickname is all because of you."

"What did I do now, son?" Soham confirmed sweetly.

"If you would've been an obedient lovely person who knows I had been saved from the brunt of that silly name. Mom would've been going around calling you Shona though it's unpleasant to hear among the peers." Aryan huffed.

Anchal, who had been fondly listening to the banter between the two, interrupted, "I don't think so, Shona." She said, "I have given you both good names and you know my son that I love to call you Shona."

Aryan keenly nodded his head. Nobody dares to hurt his mother, not even him.

"The breakfast is ready on the table. Go get a bath and be down asap, Aryan." She instructed.

"Mom, let me sleep a bit more-"

"None of you will get a bite if you cross the limit of thirty minutes." Anchal cautioned and Aryan had to oblige sincerely. "Take rest in the afternoon." She patted his cheek before leaving the room.

After Anchal had left the room Aryan tapped on his father's back to gain his attention, "What?" Soham asked.

"I don't know if you noticed but your wife still loves me more, Dad." He beamed from ear to ear rushing inside the attached bathroom leaving a fuming Soham behind.

"Get married and have children then they will show you heaven, my son!!" Soham grumbled inaudibly.

Later when Aryan joined his parents on the breakfast table, he pouted at his father who was censoring him under his radar and merrily wished his mother a sweet good morning.

"I missed your food." Aryan commented, stuffing his mouth with his mother's handmade food.

"It's all because of your Dad." Anchal accused refilling Aryan's plate with delicacies, "How many times I had asked him to make you stay back here but neither him nor you pay any heed to my words."

"It's not his fault, Mom." Aryan told off, "I'm a grown up and somebody has to take care of the precious gift you gave me. I love my place."

"Of Course!! Gulmohar screams for your lovely presence." Soham chortled but hushed when Anchal glared at him for the inordinate sarcasm while Aryan passed him a smug smile squirreling away from his mother.

"Mom, I am full." Aryan conferred, pushing away the chair to stand when Anchal made him sit forcefully, "Finish the entire food on your plate, Aryan! You can't survive on appetizers all day."

"Your trip was to end three days ago, Aryan." Soham inhibited after a while, "Where had you been all this while?"

Aryan whacked his brain to outgrow his father's sharp wit but failed miserably, "I lost my way back in the trek so I decided to stay back and anyway it was an unofficial trip so there were no restrictions on traveling."

"Why didn't you inform us, dear?" Anchal asked in concern, "Your dean didn't have any clue about your whereabouts and your phone went unanswered."

Aryan smiled sheepishly while playing with his food, "I forgot to buy a charger." That was half truth and half lie. "Moreover, I had someone to keep up with my steps. I didn't even realize that I was lost."

"It must've been a great company then." Anchal chuckled.

"Indeed! A great company." Aryan mumbled, reliving the moments he could bet his life on.

He was sure that his father would believe in his make-up lie until he got to the roots of the cause but was surprised with what Soham told him next.

"Be careful next time."

🖤🖤🖤

"Have you talked again with Kartik?" Bhavesh questioned the members of Six and Kick, the first thing as they met outside the campus.

"No!" Sarah informed him apologetically, "The last time Sammy called him, he almost bled off her ears. He's too angry at us to say anything. The Dean has suspended the council president for overlooking the matter of Ruchi's absence and continuing the trip but it's fruitless as Ruchi's missing till now."

Samiksha shook her head soberly, "Of course, he's her brother and he loves her too much to not lash out at me for my stupidity." Her voice was laced with a viable sense of guilt, "Don't worry I won't mind his words. It was me who forced everybody into this. Ruchi had disappeared due to the blunder I created."

Chhaya scornfully directed at her in a mock astonishment, "Oh yes definitely, it's you who should be blamed." Samiksha's face drowned a bit more in shame muttering an incoherent apology. "You idiot!" Chhaya smacked her head, scolding her further, "I'll hit you harder if you blame yourself. We all had equally taken fun in everything we have done, so don't you dare!"

Samiksha smiled, familiar with the love they had for each other. They were six pillars that supported the roof of their friendship come what may but still they haven't found Ruchi until now. Their group seemed incomplete without her.

"I think we should.." Vivek began but his eyes got distracted when a particular person came in his view, "Aryan is here." He croaked and everybody gained his attention. "Let's ask him. He too hadn't returned back to the guesthouse the next day." He quipped and they ran to where Aryan stood leaning on his sports car.

Meanwhile Aryan had just parked his car inside the campus parking lot and stood there for a while with the sole aim to catch a glimpse of his mystery girl but it didn't look like she would come. He was aware of her punctuality so he decided to check inside their common lecture room when out of nowhere he was surrounded by her friends.

He ran his eyes but couldn't spot the very person, he was eager to see and there was a strong urge to inquire about her but Sarah beat off that possibility, "Where's our best friend?"

"Uh..?"

"Where's Baby, freakin' Mallik? Tell us." Samiksha demanded. "Nobody but you keep trailing behind her like a shadow so do not pretend because I don't believe your shit!! C'mon, now spill about her whereabouts, fatty!!"

Aryan was quick to make out that they weren't still aware about Ruchi's return, "You don't need to worry anymore, guys. She had reached her place safely."

"You sure that you're not fooling us because this time we are pretty serious, Aryan. I can literally bruise your face right now." Bhavesh attempted to intimidate him but Aryan remained composed.

"Do you think I will lie about such a grave matter!?" He questioned back, "Do you think that I'll joke about her well-being, short stuff!!?"

"Do not twist our words-" Chhaya rebuffed, ready to charge at him when Samiksha stopped the rest. Her past self was familiar with his loyalty and dedication towards her best friend who was also the common link between them. "He is speaking the truth."

"But how can we believe him-"

"I believe him..." Aryan smiled at Samiksha's answer, "Just for this one time." She added, casting him a vexed glare. "Let's go and meet her."

The friends agreed and left the place while Samiksha stayed behind knowing there was a lot more than he had admitted.

"Do you want something from me, short stuff?" Aryan asked, lazily stretching his arms. "I am too worn-out for your early investigation."

Samiksha knew that this imbecile was clearly deriving pleasure from her indignation. He surely had leverage over her but giving her biggest enemy a weakness is an unsaid defeat which she definitely wouldn't like to afford.

"If you've not forgotten then let me remind you that I'm still very capable of snapping your neck." Samiksha gently demonstrated by cracking her muscles and Aryan's collected stance demurred. "Do you want to see a teaser?"

"There's no need for it."

"Toh ab tu khud bolega ya bulwao-?"

["Will you speak for yourself now or should I do the honors-?"]

"Fine!!" Aryan cribbed, "I was with Baby for the last three days." He promulgated.

"What the fuck-How!? You and she were together?"

"Rest whatever transpired between two ardent lovers doesn't concern you." He rejoiced and ran away inside the campus before she would literally bulldoze his body and interrogate the details out of his soul. "Neither am I fat anymore so watch out your tongue, short stuff!!"

"You-Bastard!! Come back here!! Asshole!!" Samiksha yelled from behind.

Lots of Love,

ANKITA