||CHAPTER 50||
《¤》

"...long time no see?"

I froze. I fucking froze.

"What a pleasant suprise, Mr. Oberoi," I said in a clipped tone. "You're not satiated by your step-daughter's dealings anymore, I see?"

"Don't worry, Arvika. I'm very much sure that you're capable of many dealings. How is Arnav anyway?"

"And what makes you worry about my brother's health?"

The moment of silence relapsed into the moment of honest dishonesty.

"It's genuine concern from my side," He said.

"Among other things," I completed for him.

"You should use your brain in your exams the way you use it for matters regarding me, beta. Shayad tumhara bhala ho."

"Why are you calling my brother?" I cut it down.

I heard him heave a sigh. "When you're free, make sure to give Maanyata a call. She misses you, and you keep on hurting her."

"Atleast I don't give her false hopes about giving a shit about what she thinks. Anyways, I'll keep that in mind," I replied, "I'd wish you a Good Day, but hey you had a chat with me." He was not going to confess anything.

"It's always refreshing to talk to you, Arvika."

"There's no pleasure to be seeked here. So, Good Bye."

I clicked the line before he could.

Daadi wasn't in my room when I went back. Arnav was staring at the ceiling, and I was fighting the urge to ask him about the call.

"Kaun tha?" He asked, turning on his side, making some space for me to sit.

I looked at him, really looked. In his eyes, I could see the dreaded talk. The possibility of me knowing, and the brewing rage, and the possibility of me not knowing and then ensuing the unknown formalities. But he was exhausted right now. I didn't want him to stress anymore than he already had.

"Koi nahi," I replied, sitting, playing with his phone. I didn't know the password, but it won't take long for me to figure it out. "The normal sim-card company calls. Why haven't you blocked them yet?"

Translation: What was that?

Pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing his lips together, he closed his eyes. "I don't know."

He didn't need to speak for me to hear the I don't know anymore.

¿¤?

The Mehra household was everything that a normal housewife dreamt of, I had once heard a lady say during a luncheon party at their house when I was about six years old.

I remembered, because my mother had agreed. It was during that period that my parents had shown signs of not loving each other anymore.

I remembered, because somewhere, I wanted to not have a brother too, and probably envied Vansh, because he didn't need to share the spotlight.  Or toys. Or friends.

And now, standing outside the door of the generously huge bungalow, I couldn't help but remember that luncheon party. It was dark outside, and I had sent my driver with my car back. Ringing the doorbell twice, I waited.

Bufard- their labrador, named after the Phineas and Ferb character- started barking from inside before their servant opened the door.

"Hello, I'm Arvika. Vansh se milne ayi hoon."

Mohan kaka- their caretaker- recognized me immediately and let me in.

"Aap kuchh lengi? Juice ya coffee?"

"Oh, nahi nahi. I'm alright. Uhh... Vansh kaha hai?"

He pointed towards their gym, and I nodded at him before going in.

I probably should have knocked before entering, but I doubt that would have handed me the ticket to watch Vansh Mehra running on the treadmill, clothes sticking to his back and abdomen. I always had doubted whether he had any abs beneath his shirts, but I didn't need to anymore.

Not recognizing the song that was playing, I voiced my doubts. "Is this Spanish that I hear?"

Having not expecting me, obviously, the element of surprise registered his face the moment he fell off the treadmill  landing on his butt. Instantly, I walked up to his side, switching it off.

"Graceful," I smiled.

"Yeah, gracias."

I offered him a hand, but he declined, standing on his own, rubbing his back. "Does it hurt?"

"You just caught me offguard. What brings you here anyway?"

I frowned, "I can't just be visiting you? I thought we had our chemistry way better than this equation."

He grabbed a towel beside me, "Yeah? Well, the physics of our relation lies solely on Vansh's Theories of Arvika Deewan, and one of them states that Arvika often indulges in activities that spite her conscience."

I took the time he used for wiping off his sweat to stare at his being. Hey, I never denied his absolute beauty, I was a girl attracted to pretty things, afterall. "You almost lost me at physics part, but hey, your vocabulary turns me on."

I hadn't planned on saying that out loud, but I wasn't going to shy and hide myself once he looked up.

"I'm pretty sure it's not just my vocabulary that keeps you attracted."

I raised my hands up in defence, "Not denying anything here."

"But that isn't purely the only reason for you to be here?"

I smirked. "Where have you been all my life, Vansh Mehra?"

¿¤?

Vansh looked deep in thought, consuming the information. I had not intended on revealing everything about the phone call, but he was sly in his own way; he created an aura around him that had deemed me powerless.

"It is true that he hasn't been himself lately," he admitted, pacing across his room, while I sat on his bed. "And it would be normal to boil it down to exam pressure, but..."

"But we know better, Vansh. You've been his best friend for more than fifteen years, and I... I can just sense it? I don't know, I just have this strong intuition-"

"Admit it, you don't hate your brother anymore, not in your usual sense anyway."

That was not going to happen. I was still bitter about him being everyone's first choice, but yeah, okay, the feeling had faded away.
"I think we're diverting. Whatever it is between Raman Oberoi and Arnav, is clearly taking a toll on him. Stress ke maare bechare ko bukhaar ho gaya hai, yaar."

He picked a slice of apple from the tray Mohan kaka had sent, and sat across me. "Hold on, he must be having an auto-call recorder on his phone!"

"He's deleted every record, I checked," I sighed, leaning back against my arms.

"How did you even figure out his password?"

"I'm his twin sister, Vansh," I gave him a look. "Believe it or not, I do know quite a lot about him, be it his childhood crush on Meghna Sarkar from third grade, or his password pattern. Moreover, the duffer had the hints written all over his Vision wall."

"The one with his wanderlust pictures?"

"The paper-planes lead the way. Sometimes, it amazes me that I'm not the one who is stupid."

"Okay, that was smart."

I rolled my eyes. "Did he tell you anything though?"

"Are you worried for your brother?"

"Well, he hates my step-daddy, so yes, it does concern me a bit when I find out that both of them are in contact."

"He hasn't said anything regarding the Oberois, but don't worry Vika. If it's a matter that is too big to handle, I'm sure we will be the first ones to know."

Glancing at the clock, I rose, standing up. "I don't know, I am having a bad feeling about this. Maybe I am being a bit over protective, but I do not want him to deal with that vahiyad insaan. Anyways, I should get going. Das bajne wale hai."

"Hey, I don't mind. Actually, have dinner with me. Mere bhi parents kal subah ayenge."

I shook my head, winking. "Aaj ki raat tanhayee me hi guzariye, kisi aur din hame dinner pe bulaiye."

"Chicken hai..." he shrugged, cunningly.

"Tempting..."

"And fridge me chocolate icecream bhi..."

"Fine," I caved in. "Spoil me."

¿¤?

Dad was home, and I was so screwed.

Luck had grazed me momentarily when Ratan Kaka opened the door, but it vanished when I spotted Dad on the dining table, raising his eyebrows.

"I know it's late, and I am sorry-"

"What were you doing at Vansh's house?"

Offcourse the driver had to report to him about my whereabouts.

"What was it this time, Vika?" He asked, swallowing the food, "After school projects? Personal tuition?"

Hints of hidden smiles were springing through the wrinkles on my Daadi's face. However, my Dad's face remained neutral.

"Yeah," I replied, warily. "Why, what's up?"

"Nothing," my Dad shook his head comically, "Kuch hua kya Maa?"

Daadi shrugged, "Nahi tho. Aao, baittho, khana kha lo."

Something was definitely up.

"Nahi, I already had dinner at Vansh's house."

"Waise..." he scrutinized, "where are your books?"

"Sorry, what? Books?"

"Padhne gayi thi na tum?"

Oh, shit. "Haan... uske paas bhi tho books hai naa..."

Daadi and Dad looked at each other before bursting out of laughter. "What's so funny?"

"Your excuses, Vika."

Glancing at Ratan kaka, I grabbed the plate from his hand, "Ye Arnav ke liye hai na? Mai khila doongi use."

I had to escape my father and grandmother. God knows what was so funny about me meeting Vansh, that had put Binoy Deewan in an amiable mood. My family consisted of strange human beings.

Arnav had resettled himself back to his room. "You seem better now."

"Why do I not sense the happy undertones in that sentence?"

"That's the most you're gonna get out of me, loser. Now sit straight, something strange is going to happen now."

He eyed the plate in my hand, "Why am I not surprised?"

I sat beside him, ready to feed him. This really was strange, this wasn't me.

"Dude, agar aise hi maarna tha, tho lazeez khaane me poison milati na. Ye daal-roti khaake kaun marna chahega?"

_____

Namoshtaii!

WE CROSSED 2K VOTES EVERYONE!!!! You guys are absolutely amazing, and let me tell you one more thing: you guyz are amazing. Did I mention how amazing you guys are?

I can't believe we r on the fiftieth chapter already! This is incredible, and the longest i've ever written tbh. Let's pray that by the end of the vacations i am able to complete the drafts of this book so that you guys get uninterrupted updates :)

I do not know if I'd be able to update tomorrow, so well, please stay tuned bcus of it's not tomorrow, then it will be on Wednesday.

Anyways, read, vote, comment and promote!

~emcee.