Rehan's heart thumped loudly. The client had been pretty whiny and irritative. Always speaking in the middle and not letting him complete. After the client had gone, he immediately checked this phone, not receiving any message from a certain person. He walked out of his office.

The early morning met up with Maya didn't end well. She was pretty stubborn in the morning. Not ready to listen to anything, she walked away in the middle of the conversation.

What an amazing day! His mind exclaimed.

Rehan recalled the day he met Maya for the first time in his life. That was a hell of a moment. He can never forget that. It's pretty coincidences and a little embarrassing every time, whenever he would recall it.

Two years ago, on a sunday evening, Rehan was on a shopping spree with his cousins.

He accidentally walked into the trial room for females searching for one of his cousins. Maya punched too hard on his abdomen and almost kicked him down to earth. People were gathered around them, and some were trying to rip Maya's  hands from Rehan's neck, Maya was too hard on him, strangling him, and he felt his breath stopping.

It took all in him not to attack her before a girl dragged Maya away. He apologized not because he wanted to, but he accepted his mistake. But Maya unapologistically dismissed his apology and walked away. He was never this embarrassed in his whole life. Though the manager in the shopping mall didn't want to make it a big issue, they did let go of Rehan that day.

Three days to the incident, they met again, and this time, in a coffee shop. 

Maya, with a cup of coffee in one hand, a few files, and the laptop, on the other hand, walked straight into Rehan, whose back was facing her, emptying the coffee on him.

Several apologies later, she figured out who he was, and to his biggest and greatest surprise, she apologised for kicking and punching him that day.

Rehan was never this intrigued in his life .

He chuckled, remembering how she blushed whenever he imitated her.

Within a week, they met again, this time,  destiny had other plans. Both of them had to work together, not for a long time, though. Slowly and steadily, connecting them together in an invisible red string.

"Aaj late kaise? " Rehan's mother inquired as she saw him walking into the home.

His mother, a retired lawyer who volunteerly retired, now stayed at home. She barely acknowledged anyone around her,a lady who was feared by all.

"Had a meeting." Muttering softly, he vanished into his room.

Leaving Mrs Janki hurt and disappointed. She recalled the days when he used to excitedly share everything with her, but then she had no time,and  now , when she had time, no one barely talked to her .

Mrs Janki, as a lawyer, was a successful lady, but as a mother, she failed to appreciate her kids. Gulping the pain, she retired to her room.

Rehan closed the door before stepping into his bed. Once he was in his bed, he took off his blazer and threw it somewhere, lying down. He took a deep breath , pressure building on his shoulder.

Within no time, he was dead to the world.

At the dinner, neither Mr Mahendra nor Mrs Janki enquired about Rehan.

The house-helps served them dinner, and they had it quietly and retired to their rooms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Somewhere , a few kilometers away , stood Chandra Villa , astounding those who walked through the gates , Chandra Villa , quite beautifully crafted with stones and enchanting lights.

Though the whole house screamed silence , patience, and peace,  in a room , a man punched too hard on his punching bag, almost landing it on the floor , venting his anger.

Turning,  once a study room , now into a gym, was the first thing,  a 21 - year old Kabir did. Now, at 27, he mercilessly punched and kicked the punching bags, too frequently,  needing to buy one every week. 

Kabir breathed heavily as he took a seat , sweat dripping off him, his hands still trembling and hurting.

Coming from a family of over achievers , he struggled all his life to match his family, often forgetting ,he, too, was a human.

It's not easy to live life as such.

Kabir Chandra,  a man who didn't have a single failure in any case he fought , who owns a big law firm, who was surrounded by a handful of assistants and helps and luxury,  sat alone in his room , wiping his tears,  that his eyes shed without his permission. 

There was a soft guy behind that hard and icy face.

Though Kabir looked like a lava, ready to burst anytime , grumpy and not to forget his quick temper. He , often, tries to keep a calm demeanor,  not wanting anyone to see his other side. He always hides his true self.

" Soya nahi abhi tak ?" Mrs Revathy Chandra inquired Kabir,  as she saw him alone in the kitchen making coffee. It was way past his usual bedtime. She thought.

" Nahi Maa,  case study kar rha tha , you need anything.  "

Shaking her head , Mrs Revathy gently ruffled his hair,  Kabir exactly looked like that twelve year old kid, who cried holding her pallu , when he was left behind with his Chacha fifteen years ago

Soon after that little Kabir's life revolved around his Chacha.

Who said , insecurities make a person strong , no , it doesn't,  it just makes one vulnerable, hurt and disappointed even in situations,  that you don't want.

When Rehan was fast asleep and dead to the world,  kabir stayed up all night to win.

Rehan Kapoor and Kabir Chandra,  once quite famous buddies,  were now rivals.

A misunderstanding,  a small misunderstanding,  destroyed their friendship,  making them rivals and villains in each other's life. 

Jab dosti dushmani mei badal jaati hai toh dushmani takkar ki hoti hai.

To be continued.......