Heartless

37.

Hey guys...
Sorry for lateness and also short chapter.
A small chapter for today because I am extremely exhausted. But i will compensate with the next one which will be on Saturday late night...

And thank you for the lovely comments.

Aryan had stopped the car in front of a house... a house... a big and well-maintained that none the girls recognised. Prachi didn't dare to question anything as she knew that right now Aryan was moody. However, Shahana did ask.

S: 'Where are we, Aryan?'

Aryan, avoiding any eye contact with both of them: 'Certain things still need to be clear. We just have to wait for Ranbir. He is on his way.'

As he finished, they heard a car behind and all eyes turned into that direction. Ranbir climbed out of the car and the trio got out of the car. The girls noticed the signs between the 2 best friends and grew confused. They exchanged looks but none of them understood a thing.

Ranbir, determinedly: 'Let's get all the answers now...'

He was about to walk to the house entrance along Aryan but Prachi stopped him by holding his hand.
Prachi: 'What's going on?'

Ranbir, as distant as possible: 'Getting answers...'

Prachi noticed his distant look and she felt a needle prick her heart. Her hand slowly dropped from his as it set her back for a second. Ranbir too noted it as soon as she dropped his hands but he let it slip away.

He didn't clarify any thing and it hurt Prachi even more. The other couple also noticed that and Shahana tried to end the awkward silence.
Shahana, clearing her throat: 'But we already got them...'

Aryan: 'Not all of them... but now, we will try the maximum...' Prachi couldn't help but see that both boys were actually very distant and talked in robotically manner. Not an ounce of surprise, anger or pain were present in their tone.
They talked expressionlessly since Mayank's truth was revealed.

Were they in denial? Or was something else going on?

Prachi's eyes went on her husband and her thoughts kicked in. Was he angry with her for not saying anything before? Or was it that he hadn't expected it to be his best friend?

These thoughts were eating her up and she decided to pursue this and spoke: 'Ranbir, I need to talk to you for a second...'

For the first time since the truth was out, he met her eyes and he easily identified the fear, doubts and regret in her eyes. Seeing this, he spoke softer to her.
'I am not angry with you, Prachi... but...'

Prachi, interrupting him: 'I know that I should have told you about his misbehaviours but you know how our relationship was in the beginning and I didn't want to be reason of a broken friendship. I talked to him on the reunion's day. Seeing the Rhea there, I saw genuine concern in Mayank's eyes for you and used that to make him understand. I thought he understood... but...'

She went on explaining in one breath, she needed to get it out otherwise it would have eaten her up. As her words died off, she looked up to her husband hoping that he got what she wanted to convey. Ranbir's eyes softened and he approached her; holding her arms comfortingly.

Ranbir: 'I know you had your reason and you are right, I would have been you in the beginning... And I also know that Mayank cares about me... He loves Aryan and I too much...'

Prachi looked at him curiously because she didn't understand what was going on.

Ranbir, continuing: 'I know you two are confused, but once inside you will get it. So, let's go...'
He ushered them towards the house while looking behind his back.

On entering the house, they heard some noises and followed it. They reached a kitchen and heard someone cussing.

Prachi, shocked: 'Mayank?'

Shahana too mirrored her best friend's expression and looked at the boys. Before the boys could answer, they heard footsteps and Mayank appeared in front of them. His eyes grew bigger in shock on seeing all four of them.

Mayank, angrily: 'What the hell are you doing here?'
His eyes too looked around in nervousness and then faced them.

Mayank, in a provocation manner: 'You came back to do what you couldn't do there... But out of this property... outside...'

Ranbir launched forward and his fist connected with Mayank's jaws. The latter stumbled backwards and held his jaws. The girls were shocked seeing that and their hands flew to their mouth.

Ranbir, back to his indifference: 'You are right... You deserve a beating... How dare you...'

Another punch followed soon after. The metallic taste of blood exploded on his taste buds and Mayank wiped it off. All the earlier anger had disappeared in thin air and somehow there was a strange sense of relief on his face.

Aryan too jumped in between and it was 2 against 1. It was obvious who will win but their opponent was in no mood to defend himself. Every punch that came his way, he accepted them in the most graceful way.

As soon as blood started oozing out, the girls stopped their respective partners and pulled them apart from Mayank.

Mayank, laughing: 'Let him, Prachi... He knows that if he doesn't beat me, I will easily take you from him. He thinks that he can stop me from this... I will not stop Ranbir... Never...'

Ranbir took something and angrily threw it on the floor. The decorative object smashed into thousand of pieces making it unrepairable.

Mayank: 'Why are you taking the anger on things? I am right here... in front of you. Your wife's stalker and harasser... So, punish me, Ranbir...'

The latter looked away and Mayank shifted to Aryan: 'I misbehaved with your sister, come on, hit me... end it all.... You are 2 against 1... You can easily take me out. Man up, boys....'

Ranbir pushed through Prachi and slapped Mayank as hard as possible. His one slap might have hurt more than the punches as Mayank's hand straightly went there. When he turned back, the redness of his one cheek was enough to tell how much it must have hurt.

Mayank: 'Done? Happy... now leave my premises...'
Aryan: 'Your premises? When has there be anything yours or mine in our friendship?'

Mayank fumbled for a counterargument but then answered: 'I envied Ranbir... there was nothing like an 'us'. I am selfish.... I want Prachi for myself and I will get her...'

Another loud slap waw heard and Ranbir burst it out: 'Say the fucking truth, Mayank...'
His voice resonated so loud in the house that it startled almost everyone.