Chapter 9- "Like A Werewolf On A Manhunt"

As I had expected, I ended up with a horrible stomach ache the next morning. I had started to sweat like a pig in the wee hours of the morning along with an extreme hangover. My head throbbed, my stomach throbbed and I felt dizzy.

Shit, I won't be able to attend the first day of shooting for Tere Mere Darmiyaan.

I got up and my head throbbed so violently that I almost fell face first on the ground. I should stop going out and wasting my nights drinking. It just makes me want to puke out the remnants of my dinner. Dinner. I had Mom's chicken curry, right? Damn, now that's why my stomach's hurting so bad.

I staggered along to the washroom and almost shrieked out when I saw myself. I looked like a werewolf who had gone on a man hunt. I generally have this amazing morning bed head but today I just had dark circles and dryness spread out on my face.

What was I doing last night apart from drinking my guts out? I racked my brains for possible suggestions but I came up with nothing that I was hundred percent sure of doing. Drinking... Leaving.. In the car.. Baboon.. Wait what?! Baboon? When did that happen? Did I go to a zoo or something? Baboon! I am seriously going nuts.

I remember meeting this really pretty girl. We talked too, I guess. And she told me her name too. Now what was it? Some Sharma, right? But wait, I handed her my card didn't I? I rushed out of the washroom and checked my wallet. And sure enough, one of my ten cards was missing.

Great! I must have invited her somewhere. But where? I can't even ask my driver. I remember it was me driving. I can't call her because I don't have her number because being the idiot I am, I never asked for it and even if I did have it, it would be extremely rude to ask her whether I had invited her somewhere or not.

Yes people, I had officially messed up my life.

I went in the washroom again and fixed myself up. Not to sound like a girl but being in the film industry automatically makes you self conscious. Then I put on a fresh t-shirt and shorts and went back to bed. I switched my phone off because trust me, I take a day off, and it's like all the producers and directors in the world call up to check on me. Once bitten, twice shy is a lesson I've learnt extremely well.

I switched on the TV and browsed through the entertainment channels. There were numerous movies on but unless you wanted to watch The Jungle Book, there was literally nothing amazing on air. And so, I ended up watching it. And I must say, I'm extremely jealous of that kid. Why? Because he gets to wear the most comfortable clothes a man could ask for in the whole planet.

Midway through the movie, while the kid was being hypnotised by this monster of a snake, my Mom stormed in. I just can't have a peaceful and non-interrupted day in, can I?

"What are you doing?" Mom stared.

"Umm.. Watching a movie?" I asked.

"Don't act like a dumb head. What are you doing inside the house?"

"Mom, this is my- I mean, our home." I quickly corrected myself as soon as I saw her widen her hazel coloured eyes.

"And why are you still in your bed?"

"Mom" I said as gently as possible "I'm not well."

Her fiery expression on seeing me in bed at eleven in the morning immediately changed to one of concern and panic. Yeah, she hated it when I slept in late. She said it was bad for my health but the whole point was that she wanted to clean up my room in the most freakish way possible. She sat at the edge of my bed and placed her hand on my forehead.

"What happened?"

"It's nothing serious. Just a little bit of stomach ache."

"Raghav, after everything that happened with your father, I promised myself that I would never let my sadness reach to you." At the mention of my father, my temper flared up and I got up to leave the room but my Mom held my hand and made me sit.

"This.. Him.. It's not necessary now, Mom."

"But it is, honey. You were the best thing that happened to me and couldn't let my problems affect you. After your father's death, before coming to live here, I also promised I would not let our past destroy you. But I failed Raghav, I failed." And I saw tears trickling down.

"Hey, look don't cry please. It hurts." But the truth was, seeing her cry made me want to cry and I didn't want to be a baby when she needed me to be strong.

"I know, you didn't want me to know and I also know that you don't do it on purpose. But Raghav, you can't keep doing this. You may say that this in your profession but I can see you drifting away. I know you've been drinking, Raghav."

I tried to protest but she held up her hand stopping me.

"I have no problem with this. I will keep out of all this, I promise. But only till the time it does not seriously affect your life. I know what happened with Tanvvi but that girl was a sorry excuse for a girlfriend. You just cannot say that you've been wallowing for her because this has been going on since the past year. Don't even deny it."

She got up and walked towards the door. Her hand on the handle, she turned back and said, "Just don't turn into your father." And she left.

I put my head in my hands. She knows. She probably loathes me for it. After all, it's the main reason which destroyed her beautifully designed life. And what have I been doing? Instead of coming home early and being there for her, I consume more of the stuff that wrecked havoc in her life. I must apologise for what I've done. I probably am the worst son in the whole world.

As I got up, the door opened an Mom came in with a medicine box in her hand. I reached out for some Advil and Mom slapped my hand away.

"This is what happens when you don't study biology properly." She laughed and it immediately lightened my heart's pain.

"But that's for headache, right?"

"Yes but Advil can also irritate your stomach and we don't want that on top of a stomach ache now, do we?"

I just shook my head 'no' as she handed me aspirin to relive the pain.

"Mom, I'm sorry for what happened, okay? Just don't.. uhh.. hate me. It was just to take away the pain. I swear, I won't do it again."

"What? I would never hate you, Raghav. After all, you are my favourite knucklehead." She smiled and reached out to hug me. I went in for the hug and was immediately relaxed. She smelt of all things wonderful. Flowers.. Sandalwood.. But best of all.. She smelt of home.

"What the f-" Gaurav burst into my room and I just couldn't refrain from rolling my eyes.

Mom looked at Gaurav and smacked his head. "No cursing in my house, Mister."

"Oh, sorry, Mom. I didn't know you were here." Yeah, that idiot calls my mother Mom. No, it's not cute. Imagine sharing your mother with a grown up brat. Wait, some of you already do.

"Get out, Gaurav. I'm not well and I'm not working under any circumstance."

"Yeah right. Well enough to watch a naked boy in a jungle but not well enough for work."

I was about to protest when my desk phone started ringing. Of course, I had forgotten to pull out the plug. Now some dimwit will make me puke my brains out.

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A/N

How do you like the story so far? Yeah, I'm building up the tensionnn!!!

I may take another few days to upload the next chapter. My exams are ongoing but I'll still be updating!

If it's not too much, be sure to check out my other book It's Time For Revenge, Mr. Billionaire and send it your love and appreciation!!

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