Happy reading...

Mahir sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes glued to his phone as he reread the message Pratham had sent in their group chat. His brow furrowed with concern, and his fingers tightened around the phone.

The news of Ruhaan’s grandfather passing away weighed heavily on him, and he felt a familiar pang of worry for his friend. The atmosphere in the room shifted as Bela, noticing the tension in his body, gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Mahir, what’s wrong?” Bela asked softly, her voice full of concern.

Without saying a word, Mahir handed her his phone. Bela read the message quickly, her eyes widening with shock.

"Oh no... Ruhaan’s grandfather passed away?" She gasped, her hand covering her mouth. The sadness in her voice mirrored Mahir’s growing concern.

Mahir sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back.

“I think we should hold off on sharing the good news for now," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Ruhaan needs all the support he can get right now. It wouldn’t feel right to talk about anything else.”

Bela, still processing the news, nodded in agreement. “You’re right. He needs time to grieve, and we need to be there for him.”

She paused for a moment, then added, “I’m sure Pratham’s taking care of him. He’s the only one who can handle Ruhaan when he’s like this.”

Mahir shook his head, frustration seeping into his expression.

“Pratham can handle him, but you know Ruhaan. He’s not someone who’ll just accept help easily. He’s probably drowning in his grief, and the last thing he needs is someone trying to console him. He won’t listen. Not now.” His voice was edged with sadness, and his eyes were distant, clearly worried about his friend.

Bela reached out, placing her hand gently on Mahir’s cheek, trying to bring him some comfort.

“I understand,” she said softly. “But we have to trust that Pratham knows what to do. Ruhaan is in good hands.”

Mahir exhaled sharply, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Maybe… but then there’s this other thing.” His voice lowered, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to say it. “Sameer’s back.”

The mention of Sameer’s name seemed to darken Mahir’s mood further. His face hardened, and his jaw clenched tightly. Bela could see the sudden shift in his demeanor and was taken aback by the intensity in his eyes.

“Sameer?” she repeated, confusion coloring her voice. “Who’s Sameer?”

Mahir closed his eyes for a second, taking a deep breath before answering.

“He’s Ruhaan’s stepbrother. Or at least, he used to be.” His tone was bitter, laced with unresolved emotions.

Bela frowned, unsure why Mahir seemed so upset. “Stepbrother? Oh, so like an elder brother then?”

Mahir let out a scoff, shaking his head. “No, not ‘like a brother.’ Stepbrother. There’s a difference.” His voice grew sharper, more tense. “If he were a real brother, he wouldn’t have left Ruhaan when he needed him the most. He abandoned him, Bela. Chose his career over family, and left Ruhaan to fend for himself. If it weren’t for Pratham… God knows what would’ve happened to Ruhaan back then.”

Bela could hear the anger building in his voice, but she placed her hand on his cheek again, guiding his gaze back to her.

“Mahir,” she said gently, “I get that you’re angry, but we don’t know the full story. You shouldn’t judge Sameer without understanding his side. Relationships are never as simple as they seem. They take patience, understanding, and time.”

Mahir’s eyes flickered with frustration, but there was also a hint of doubt creeping into his expression.

“You think I should just let it go?” he asked, his voice softer but still tense.

“You think I should just stand by and watch as Ruhaan’s stepbrother, who abandoned him, comes back and expects everything to be fine?”

Bela’s thumb gently stroked his cheek, her touch calming and reassuring.

“No, I’m not saying that,” she said softly. “But don’t act on anger. I know you want to protect Ruhaan—he’s your best friend. But Sameer is still his brother, whether step or not, and they need to work through this on their own. You can’t fix it for them. Give them space, Mahir. Let them sort it out.”

Mahir stared at her for a moment, his mind racing. Her words made sense, but he was still struggling to accept them. He wanted to believe that he could be there for Ruhaan, that he could somehow make things better. But deep down, he knew Bela was right. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Seeing his inner conflict, Bela smiled softly. “Don’t overthink it, Mahir,” she whispered, her eyes full of warmth.

“We’ll be there for Ruhaan, but we have to let him heal in his own way.”

Mahir let out a small sigh, finally nodding his head.

“You’re right. I just…” His voice trailed off, and he looked away, his thoughts still clouded with worry.

Bela, sensing the depth of his concern, leaned in closer and asked, “Mahir, what’s really bothering you?”

Mahir hesitated for a moment, then spoke quietly, “Bela… what if one day we have an argument, and you end up hating me? Will you still give me a chance to make things right?”

Bela blinked in surprise, not expecting such a question. She pulled back slightly, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Mahir, why are you asking something like that?”

He shook his head, grabbing her shoulders gently, making her look directly into his eyes. “I mean it, Bela. I know I would never hurt you intentionally, but… if I did, would you forgive me?”

Bela’s expression softened, her heart warming at his vulnerability.

“Mahir, it depends on what you do,” she said honestly. “But I trust you. I don’t believe you’d ever do anything that would hurt me. You’ve always been good to me.”

Mahir was taken aback by the sincerity in her voice. He hadn’t expected such a simple yet profound answer. Her faith in him was unshakable, and it left him speechless for a moment. Even his own family didn’t trust him so blindly, but here she was, giving him more trust than he’d ever thought he deserved.

Bela noticed his internal struggle and cupped his face with both hands, her smile gentle and reassuring.

“Don’t overthink it, Mahir,” she whispered. “We’re good. We’ll always be good.”

Mahir searched her eyes, looking for any trace of doubt, but all he saw was warmth and love. A small, grateful smile tugged at his lips.

“Really?” he asked, still needing that confirmation.

Bela nodded, her eyes sparkling with affection. “Really.”

Without another word, Mahir pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping protectively around her. Bela rested her head on his chest, her arms encircling his waist as she closed her eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

For the first time that night, Mahir felt a sense of peace wash over him. No matter how chaotic things were outside, with Ruhaan, Sameer, and all the unresolved tension, he knew that here, in Bela’s arms, everything would be okay.

------

The next morning, Daksh pulled up at Pratham’s mansion, parking his bike quickly and rushing inside, his heart racing with worry. He had read the message about Ruhaan late last night and had been restless ever since. As he stepped inside, he saw Pratham walking out of the gym, his shirt drenched in sweat, his body glistening from the workout.

Pratham, noticing Daksh's anxious rush upstairs, called out, "Daksh!"

Daksh stopped in his tracks, turned around, and with a concerned expression asked, "Is Ruhaan fine? I wanted to come last night, but it was past one when I saw your message. I couldn’t make it."

Pratham noticed the guilt written all over Daksh’s face and waved him over. "It’s good you didn’t. It’s not safe to drive at that hour, especially when your mind’s not in the right place."

Daksh hurried back down the stairs, walking up to Pratham. His eyes were filled with concern as he asked again, "But, is Ruhaan okay?"

Pratham took a towel from the railing and began wiping the sweat off his neck, his tone calm but serious. “He’s still asleep. It took a while to get him to even close his eyes, but eventually, he passed out. It’s been rough on him.”

Daksh sighed, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over him. He looked at Pratham, his voice soft but thankful, “Thank you, man. Really, for being there for him.”

Pratham, rolling his eyes, looked at Daksh with a half-annoyed expression. “Don’t give me that look,” he said, his voice gruff. “I did what I had to. I’ve practically watched him grow up, Daksh. It’s my responsibility.”

Daksh, unable to contain his emotions, took a step closer to Pratham, his arms slightly raised as if he was about to pull him into a hug.

“Of course. I know that,” he said with a cheeky grin. “But I can’t help it. You look so damn cool when you do stuff like this.”

Pratham instantly shoved him back, giving him an unimpressed look. “You’re invading my space, Daksh.”

Daksh chuckled, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “You wound me, dude.”

Pratham shook his head, still not entirely amused but his lips twitching in the slightest hint of a smile. “I made it clear to all of you—no one’s supposed to show up here until Ruhaan gets back to normal. Yet here you are.”

Daksh, looking slightly sheepish, shrugged. “I couldn’t just sit still. Knowing he’s not okay… I had to come see for myself. It didn’t feel right to not be here.”

Pratham shot him a quick glance, his expression softening for just a second before he finished drying himself off. “Fine, but since you’re here, I need you to do something for me.”

Daksh raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s that?”

“Find out where Sameer is staying. I want him to meet me at my restaurant. I’ll be heading there soon.”

Daksh blinked in surprise. “You’re not staying here to, uh, babysit Ruhaan?”

Pratham gave a short laugh, shaking his head. “I was planning to, but Ruhaan’s ego won’t let me. He basically kicked me out of his room, telling me to go out and find a date. Even in his grief, the guy never misses an opportunity to mock my age.”

Daksh burst out laughing. “Well, he’s got a point there. You are getting old, Pratham.”

Pratham shot him a withering glare, though there was a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth as if he were trying not to smile. “Old, huh? This old man can still outlift you in the gym and outrun you any day.”

Daksh smirked, leaning casually against the wall. “That’s not saying much. I’m here for the looks, not the strength.”

Pratham gave a short laugh, throwing the towel at Daksh. “Just make yourself useful and find Sameer. And don’t cause a scene.”

Daksh caught the towel and grinned. “No promises, but I’ll do my best.” He pushed himself off the wall, turning toward the door, but paused before leaving.

“Pratham, seriously, thanks for looking after him. Ruhaan means a lot to all of us.”

Pratham nodded, his expression softening for a moment. “He’s family. We all do what we have to.”

-----

Daksh rushed up the stairs, his heart pounding, not from the climb but from the concern gnawing at him. He knew he couldn’t leave without checking on Ruhaan, just to see for himself that his friend was okay, even if it was just a glance. He reached Ruhaan’s door and noticed it was slightly ajar. Pushing it open gently, he peered inside, trying not to make any noise.

The room was dimly lit, a faint glow from the early morning light slipping through the curtains. There, sprawled across the bed on his stomach, was Ruhaan. His legs were tangled in the sheets, one arm tucked awkwardly under his head, the other splayed over his back. Daksh let out a soft sigh, shaking his head.

“This dude...” he muttered under his breath as he stepped inside the room.

He moved quietly toward the bed, his eyes sweeping over his friend. Ruhaan’s breathing was shallow, his body still tense even in sleep. Daksh crouched beside the bed, his eyes falling on Ruhaan’s pale face. His cheeks were stained with dried tears, his lips chapped and cracked. Seeing Ruhaan like this made Daksh’s chest tighten. It wasn’t just the exhaustion or the sorrow that weighed him down — it was the way Ruhaan looked so small, so vulnerable. Like a stray cat abandoned in the rain.

Daksh leaned over, carefully placing a hand on Ruhaan’s shoulder. He gently rolled him onto his back, trying not to wake him. Ruhaan’s face, even in sleep, seemed to carry the weight of the world. His brows furrowed slightly, his expression one of pain, even as his body sought rest.

As Daksh looked down at him, he noticed the faint shimmer of new tears drying under Ruhaan’s eyes, as if he had cried himself to sleep. His heart ached for his friend. Without thinking, Daksh reached out, his fingers brushing gently beneath Ruhaan’s eyes, wiping away the lingering remnants of his sorrow.

“We’re your family too, Ruhaan,” Daksh whispered softly, his voice barely audible in the quiet room.

“Don’t you dare pull this stunt again. Why are you so careless, man? If you do this again, I’ll be so mad... I won’t talk to you for real, dude.”

He gently pushed Ruhaan’s messy hair out of his face, his fingers lingering for a moment as he gazed down at him. Ruhaan looked so fragile, so different from the sarcastic, lively friend he had known for so long. It was unsettling to see him this way, but Daksh knew that right now, all he could do was be there for him.

With a sigh, Daksh pulled the comforter up over Ruhaan, tucking him in carefully. He glanced around the room, noticing the air felt cold. Frowning, he walked over to the thermostat and lowered the temperature just a bit to make it more comfortable. He stood there for a moment, watching Ruhaan from across the room, feeling a strange mixture of relief and sadness.

“Get better, man,” he whispered to himself, before quietly slipping out of the room, leaving his friend to rest.

As he closed the door behind him, Daksh couldn’t shake the image of Ruhaan’s tear-streaked face from his mind. He needed to find Sameer, but more than that, he needed to make sure his friend wouldn’t fall apart again.

----

Daksh watched Tanya from across the meeting room. She’d been silent the entire time, which was unusual for her.

Normally, she would have at least made a sarcastic comment or shared her ideas, but today, she barely looked present. Her face was pale, her eyes distant as if she were lost in another world. He could see the faint dark circles under her eyes, suggesting she hadn't slept much.

As the meeting ended and lunch break started, Tanya stood up from her desk, moving to leave the room. On impulse, Daksh reached out and caught her hand, stopping her. She looked at him, startled, her expression blank for a moment before her usual guarded look returned.

“Hey,” Daksh said softly, “Are you okay?”

Tanya blinked, clearly caught off guard. She didn’t respond immediately, her gaze drifting away from him as if she hadn’t even registered the question. It was as if she were completely zoned out, her mind elsewhere.

Daksh frowned, still holding her hand gently. He figured she was probably worried about Ruhaan, given everything that had happened.

“He’ll be fine, you know,” Daksh said, trying to reassure her. “Ruhaan just needs some time. Don’t worry too much.”

Tanya nodded, but it was a mechanical movement, lacking any real conviction. Daksh could tell something deeper was bothering her. He noticed how tired she looked, the exhaustion etched into her face, and it gnawed at him.

Should he ask her?

He didn’t want to pry, but at the same time, he couldn’t just let her walk away like this. He hesitated for a moment, weighing his options, then decided to go for it. He could handle a little scolding if it meant helping her.

“Hey,” he said, his voice gentle, “You look... tired. Like you didn’t sleep last night. What’s going on? What were you doing?”

Tanya immediately shot him a glare, her eyes flashing with irritation.

“What’s there to do?” she snapped. “I was just working on my project.”

Daksh raised his hands in surrender, not wanting to push her too hard. “Calm down, okay? I’m just checking in.”

Tanya looked away, her lips pressed into a thin line. The irritation in her expression softened slightly, but she still seemed on edge.

Deciding not to press further, Daksh changed the topic. “I’m heading out for a bit,” he said, standing up and gathering his things.

“Where are you going?” Tanya asked, her voice suddenly sharper, a hint of suspicion in her tone.

“I need to find Sameer,” Daksh replied, grabbing his mobile and keys from the desk.

Tanya frowned, her brow furrowing. “Why are you prying into that now?”

Daksh shrugged, feeling a bit defensive. “Pratham asked me to. Actually, no, scratch that. He practically ordered me to find him and tell him to meet him. I don’t know what’s going on, but Pratham is serious about it.”

Tanya’s expression darkened, confusion mingling with irritation.

“Pratham?” she repeated. “He’s the one who asked? Why? He’s the one who made it clear that we shouldn’t talk about Sameer, and now he’s the one digging up old wounds? What’s he up to?”

Daksh stuffed his mobile into his pocket and gave her a small smile. “You know Pratham. He’s a patient guy, but something has changed. I saw him this morning, and trust me, he looked like he was ready to kill someone. After seeing Ruhaan’s condition, it’s like he’s done being patient. His teary eyes were the last straw for Pratham.”

Tanya sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. “I hope he fixes this, Daksh. Ruhaan is hurting badly, and it’s not getting any better. This whole thing with Sameer—it’s messing with his head.”

Daksh nodded in agreement, his tone more serious now. “Yeah, I know. He’s not himself, and I hate seeing him like this. I’m going to figure this out, though. Don’t worry.”

Tanya gave a slight nod, though the worry never left her face. “I just hope Pratham really can sort this out... for good this time.”

Daksh gave her a reassuring look before heading for the door. “I’ll keep you updated. See you later,” he said, waving as he left.

As he exited the building and mounted his bike, Daksh couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in his chest.

Sameer had been a ghost in their conversations for years, and now he was back, causing havoc in Ruhaan’s already fragile life. He just hoped that whatever Pratham was planning, it would help Ruhaan heal.

*****

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