Author's POV

After Shaurya tugged Aditi outside the building, everyone else at the party began dispersing after talking to the police.

Arhaan and Viren both are busy holding their respective girls. Paakhi is passed out with her head resting on Viren's chest whereas, Maanya was on the blink of losing consciousness.
That's when the chief of Police approach them.

"I need your statements " he announces.

"Later, right now we have to safely take these ladies home. " Viren asserted.

A speck of anger flickers on Chief's face with Viren's disrespect but he let it go knowing who they are.

Viren lightly hauls Paakhi in his arms and walks past the chief.
Arhaan copies his Brother and takes Maanya out to his car.

Viren walks outside the building to see the sun slowly dispersing behind the clouds giving a yellow-orange glimmer to the whole sky. It took him some time to find his car amidst all these cop cars and people bustling out.

He sees Arhaan opening his car's passenger door and carefully helping Maanya inside.
His attention shifts from him to the girl in his arms when she lightly snores.

He chuckles seeing how cute she looks. He got lost in his thoughts
When he hears a car horn and looks up to see his car parked just ahead of him. He walks towards it to see his father's driver opening the gate for him.

He safely adjusts Paakhi and himself in the backseat and asks him to drive towards Paakhi's house.

"Where is Dhruv?" He questions his new driver.

"Sir he left with your dad. He said it is safe for him to drive them home." The driver answers unsure of how Viren would react.

Viren just nodded wondering what is wrong with his driver, as he's behaving so strangely today.

On the other hand, Arhaan drives his car in complete silence, silence outside him but inside there is a turmoil of emotions. He can't decipher the reason for Maanya's resentment towards him.

He glances at the said girl and sees her serene expression. Her soothing personality always calms him down.
He makes a promise to get her back and drive towards his destination.

At the girl's apartment, he carries Maanya to her floor and then realized that he doesn't have the key to her apartment.
He is still contemplating over his thoughts when the elevator dings and opens to reveal Viren with Paakhi in his arms.

"I don't have the key to their apartment. Do you?" he asks Viren.

"Why would I have one?" Viren asks sarcastically.

"So now what?" Arhaan voice out.

Viren shrug, not exactly knowing his next move. When the elevator dings once again.

"You are back early!" Arhaan snickers looking at put off Shaurya carrying a very passed out Aditi.

"Don't!" Shaurya warns and passes them the key to the apartment.

"Where did you get it?" Viren asks looking at struggling Arhaan.
Who's trying to put the key into the keyhole all the while balancing Maanya in his arms.

"I would rather not comment on it." Shaurya reply, recalling how he felt the key in Aditi's butt pocket earlier when he was squeezing it during their make-out.

"Finally!" Viren exclaims and walks past Arhaan into the apartment.

"Oh sorry, I couldn't do it fast!" Arhaan taunts.
Viren just smirks at his brother and see Arhaan carrying Maanya towards a door on the left.

"And how am I suppose to know where is her room?" Viren questions, nobody in particular.

"Just place her on the couch," Shaurya calls out walking in the direction of the door adjacent to Maanya's.

"That would be rude." He calls out to Shaurya's retreating back.

"Oh really, from when did you care about your manners?" Shaurya exclaims with amusement in his voice.

Viren scowl at the now-closed door of what he presumes is Aditi's room and decides to wander off the corridor. He treads towards the left of the ahead rooms to see a small corridor and two doors at the end of it.

He whirls the knob on the door to view a small washroom.
He disappointedly closes the door and turns to the last door.

He unlocks the door to view a beautiful quadrangle space, it is all white with wooden cabinets along one side of the wall and the opposite one was framed with a window covered by a plain white curtain. In front of him rest a small grey bedding with a black designer iron side table. Altogether the room enunciates Serene and simple and that's what Paakhi is for him.

He carefully places Paakhi on her bed and covers her with the duvet.
For a few seconds, he observes the girl and her cute expressions but then his Phone buzzing in the back pocket of his pants compels him to leave her.

On the other hand, Shaurya sets Aditi under her duvet and astonishingly looks around her small room. Astonished because he expected a somewhat dark theme room for her as she portrays herself as a tough, punk woman. But looking at the soft feminine room he realized that this girl is not what she portrays. She is hiding from the world.

He chuckled seeing her wall full of polaroid photographs of her and the girls.
In some, she was flipping the bird and in some, she was vandalizing some things like a car or window.

He observed there are many pictures in her room. As if she captures every moment in her life.

He decides to leave when he heard the adjacent door closing.
He glances at Aditi and then leaves.

He walks outside and sees Viren walking towards the balcony. He follows him and steps beside him when Viren Accepts the call.

"Hello?" He answers.

"Yes, Dad girls are at their house right now. I think we can do this later." He answers while looking at the sky.

"We are coming." He exclaims and disconnects the call.

"So?" Shaurya pries and at the same time, Arhaan joins his brother.

"Dad wants us at home immediately." He replies.

"I wonder why?!" Shaurya replies sarcastically.

"Because he knows his son very well," Arhaan calls out, causing Viren to chuckle.

"Who are you laughing at? FYI you are a certified casanova." Shaurya smirks while pointing at Viren's chest.

Arhaan laughed out loud, causing both Viren and Shaurya to join in.

Brothers came back from their hysterical laughing episode and decide to leave before their dad send a search party.

__________________________________

After reaching home yesterday night, the boys directly visited their father And told them what happened there. They may or may not have omitted the fact that girls were drunk. They just said that the girls were drugged.

They all went into their rooms tired of the heroic day.

The next Morning all three brothers woke up early to Visit their girl. All trying hard to hide their trip from each other.

At the Breakfast table, Mr. Manav Singh and Mrs. Tanvi Singh are amused to see their three sons all ready for the day but what is most surprising is that they are dressed in casuals on Sunday
morning.

"Am I dreaming? Are they really dressed up at 7 am?" Mrs.Singh asks her husband.
Who just like his wife is smiling at their sons.

"It's not such a big deal," Viren replies nonchalantly placing a kiss on his mother's temple.

"Ya, bhai is right," Shaurya replies and follows his elder brother's action.

"And you?" Mrs.Singh smirk at her second son.

"I thought about making you happy today," Arhaan replies all flushed.

"After 25 years of your life?" Mrs.Singh teases.

"Better late than never." Shaurya quips.

"Alright, So you guys are going to spend your day with me?" Mrs.Singh questions giddily.

All three of them look at each other but Viren Says it first, "Sorry Ma, I have to meet someone; Maybe later."

Mrs.Tanvi looks at her other sons with fake sadness.
Shaurya gulps but sadly says, "Sorry Maa, I have to go to the airport to drop my friend. "

"I-I thought you were going to spend your day with me." Mrs.Tanvi wipes off her eyes.

Mr.Manav is enjoying his wife's acting and is having a very hard time suppressing his laughter seeing his children's expression of guilt and sadness.

"Mom, Arhaan can spend his day with you," Viren suggests provoking Arhaan to endorse a glare towards him.

"Really?!" Mrs.Singh asks Arhaan hopefully.

Arhaan very forcefully nods his head causing Mr.Singh to roar in laughter.

Everybody stares at him as if he's mad except Mrs.Singh, who joins her husband and laughs out loud.

"Manav!!" Mrs.Singh whine looking at her husband.

"Darling, I couldn't control it anymore! " Mr. Singh apologize.

"Did I miss a joke among all this?" Shaurya asks confuse.

Both Viren and Arhaan shook their head in wonder.

"Oh my dear children, I was just messing with you. I already have plans with your father." Mrs.Singh laughs.

Arhaan looks at his mother happily and announces "Mom, now I should be your favorite child. "

To which both Viren and Shaurya mumble simultaneously "Mama's boy!"

Arhaan ignores them and hugs his mother with happiness, Everyone present may not see this but the feeling to Meet Maanya is what portrays him happy at this moment.

All three brothers leave home at the same time, But each one of them is apprehensive and hope not the other men are going to the girl's apartment.

"So? Whom do you have to meet?" Arhaan asks his twin brother casually.

Viren thinks for a moment and then reply " I'm meeting with Ivanov."

"I thought he left the country a few days back." Arhaan points out.

"Yaa, he was supposed to but he didn't. "
Viren fibs.

Arhaan just nods his head thankful that Viren isn't visiting the girls.

He then turns towards Shaurya "your friend is flying where?"

Shaurya instantly replies with "LA"

"Who is this friend of yours that you are going to the airport for him this early," Viren asks his brother incredulous.

Shaurya probes his mind for a brilliant lie and when he got one he smiles cheerfully and said: "It's a flight attendant I'm seeing and she's leaving for LA today, so I'm going for a goodbye." He adds a wink on goodbye for emphasis.

Both his brothers smirk at him and chuckle.

Shaurya Sigh inwardly and pat himself for an instant reply.

He then questions Arhaan, " And where are you going? To meet Maanya?"

Arhaan laughs nervously and explains "It is too early to visit her. So I'm going for a jog."He replies while adjusting his tracksuit.

The other two contemplated that is it too early to visit girls.

Nonetheless, they all entered their cars and buckled up.

The calm composed Gardner halt his work when he heard the roaring of the engine and saw three cars driving off on three diverse streets.

Viren stopped at the bakery near Girl's apartment and bought them sandwiches, as sandwiches are something everyone likes.

Shaurya too stopped at a turn to buy each girl a rose from a florist.

Arhaan on the other hand, stopped at the famous coffee shop to buy them coffee and scones.

Each one of them is happy thinking they have fooled their brothers and now can easily meet the girl without getting teased later.

Viren Parked his car a few blocks away from the girl's apartment and hurriedly strode towards the girl's building.

Arhaan too parked his car away from the girl's apartment but opposite to where Viren Parked it. He impatiently steps into Girl's apartment and inside the elevator.

The door to the elevator was about to shut when a foot stopped it.

Arhaan bucks up to meet the eyes of his brother, who just like him are mirroring an expression of shock.

Viren looks shockingly at his brother who was supposedly on a jog.

The waiting Ding of the elevator caused Viren to step in.
Both were silent for the whole ride up and exited together when Viren talked " I was worried for them. So thought about bringing them some breakfast."

Arhaan nodded and replies "Ya same here, brought them some coffee."

They were conversing when the panting behind them caused them to turn.

Both Arhaan and Viren Looked at their brother who was holding a bunch of roses.

"Damn it!" Shaurya cursed.

"What happened to your flight attendant?" Viren asks Shaurya.

"The same thing that happened to the meeting with Ivanov and jogging." Shaurya taunts.

All three of them chuckled together.

"My coffee is getting cold. I think we should knock." Arhaan suggests.

Viren rings the bell and wait.

------------

Sunlight paints Paakhi's lips red and hair ebony; it plays over her dress, alighting softly on her skin. Her soft breathing and her chest moving rhythmically up and down signify her slumber.

But this sunshine now on her face compelled her to wake up with a banging headache and smelling breath. She groaned concealing her face from sun rays and for the first time she is hating these rejuvenating sun rays.

"Ughh...Why did I go to that party!" She groans while massaging her temple.

As she said that, she got a whip of her breath and she immediately scrunched her nose.

She stands up to change and brush when the ringing of the doorbell causes her temple to throb.

She groans once again and exits her room to open the door.

She slowly saunters towards the main door and opens it while stifling a yawn.

Her eyes almost jump out of her socket staring at the smiling faces of the Singh brothers.

"Umm...Hey," Arhaan smiles nervously.

Paakhi was about to greet them when she recalled her breath stinks. So she just nodded at them.

Viren felt Paakhi didn't like their arrival because she didn't even welcome them. But still, he followed his brother in.

"We thought we should check up on you girls and we even brought breakfast," Arhaan calls out.

Paakhi smiled at nodded her head in appreciation.

Viren frowns seeing Paakhi's behavior.

Before anybody can question Paakhi anything, a voice saved her. More of a groan, "Paakhi? My head is killing me. "

Arhaan perked up hearing her voice and in a second he is beside her.

Maanya looked at Arhaan and walked back to her room. Arhaan felt the same feeling of hurt as last night and decided to solve this. So he followed her inside the room.

Paakhi took this opportunity, to walk back to her room and grab a change of clothes. Viren decided to confront Paakhi about her behavior and followed her.

Shaurya looked at the flowers in his hand and towards the locked door of Maanya and retreating back of this brother.

He shrugged and walked towards Aditi's door.
He knocked twice, when he got no reply he went directly in to see Aditi sprawled on the bed with open mouth.

The drool on the side of her mouth made this a picture worth moment. So Shaurya grabbed his phone from his pocket and clicked some of her pictures.

He leaned in close to her face for a better angle when Aditi turned and her leg came flying towards him.
He lost his balance and fell on her.

Aditi Shrieked and started hitting the intruder.

Shaurya grabbed her both hands and pinned her on the bed.

"Stop it, woman," Shaurya growls.

Aditi forgot breathing for a second, looking at the angelic face on top of her, which made her forget the main thing for survival.

"You know, I want to punish you for ditching me yesterday." He whispers sensually.

Aditi regained her composure and voices out "Huh? So you think you can punish me?"

Shaurya beams at the fierce girl he had happened to start begin feeling for.

"I would show you now and here if my brothers and your friends wouldn't be here," Shaurya whispers dangerously.

"It doesn't mean you can't punish me with something else!" Aditi suggests coyly.

Shaurya smirks and slams his lips on hers. Aditi smiled and battles with him for dominance.
But in the end, Shaurya won and nipped hard on her lips.

__________________________________

VIREN POV

I followed Paakhi to her room.
I see her yanking some clothes from the cupboard and ask her "How are you?"

She leaped and spun with a comforting hand on her heart.
I smile sheepishly seeing Her death glare and apologize for my sudden entrance.

Still, she didn't utter a word and kept looking at me making me irritated.

"Look, if you don't want us here, then it is okay. We'll just leave. You don't have to ignore us." I said dejectedly, dishearten that Paakhi is just like other girls.

Her eyes widen for a fraction of a second when she hears me.

She frantically starts waving her hand and head animately. I look at her in wonder why isn't she talking.

I raise my brow in wonderment when I see her stomping like a kid and tries passing me.

I get a hold of her hand and yank her to me. She came crashing into my chest reminiscing me the day we hugged on the street.

She looked at me with her eyes widen, I would have commented about her beautiful eyes if not, the running mascara and sparse lipstick make her look funny.

With amusement clear in my eyes, I question her "What did I do?"

She isn't replying, she's just starting into my eyes.

I smile and move closer to her face, I act as if I'm going to kiss her when she pushes me away.

I step back with an emotion I can't decipher and look at her to see her covering her mouth with her hand and murmuring, "I can't talk, my breath stinks."

I laugh hearing this, pleased she isn't being an elitist.

She punches me and runoff from the room.

I chuckle and exit her room towards the living room.

__________________________________

Arhaan POV

I follow Maanya inside her room and shut the door behind me.

"Why are you here?" She asks rudely looking directly at me.

I reckon for a starting fact when her accusations became agonizing.
"You don't have to show fake sympathy, I don't need you Arhaan. Just be happy; I know I was just temporary in your life. Yet always remember that I genuinely love you. I won't be a burden in your life anymore."

I stood there confused why she is saying all this bullshit. Did she forget I confessed my love to her a few days back?

"What are you talking about Maanya?" I question her.

"What happened? why are you behaving like this?" I fire question one after the other.

She looks at me hurt and reply "I needed you yesterday here with me. You didn't even message me. I waited all day for you. "

"But-" I'm answering when she continues.

"I thought maybe you realized what a burden I'm and wanted out. So I did what any normal person would do. Let you go."
She sobbed uncontrollably.

I rush forward and take her in my arms. She cries in my chest while I brush her hair softly.

"I would never do that to you beautiful. I thought Paakhi told you." I confess remembering my conversation with Paakhi two nights ago.

"Paakhi?" She pulls back and asks confuse.

I nod my head and tell her "Ya Paakhi. She was the one who asked me to stay away from you for a day. I mean it was difficult but-"
She pulls out of the hug and sprints out of the door.
I chase her into the living room where she is shouting Paakhi's name.

Viren who is currently drinking coffee, the one I brought for girls. Also, rest it on the table and stand up.

"Paakhi!! Where the hell are you?" Maanya yell banging on Paakhi's door.

I hear a door beside me yank open and a very disheveled Aditi and a flush Shaurya coming out of the door.

"What is going on?" Aditi asks frantically looking at me and Viren for answers.

I shrug because genuinely I don't know what happened.

"Paakhi come here! You lying woman." Maanya yells throwing a picture frame on the floor.

I yank Maanya back before she steps on the glass shreds on the floor and hurt herself.

"What happened?" Came a frantic voice down the small hallway.

"You!!" Maanya yells and peeled out of my hold and rushes towards Paakhi.

Paakhi stepped back instinctively when she sees Maanya striding towards her.

"Maanu ?" Paakhi hum.

"I thought you were my friend but you turned out to be my enemy. You know the saying 'Better to have an enemy who slaps you in the face than a friend who stabs you in the back.' I understood its meaning today. You Paakhi, I trusted you with my life but you were so jealous of my relationship with Arhaan that you tried to separate us. I never thought you would do something so demeaning."
Everyone stood stunned, Seeing tears dripping from Paakhi's eyes and anger seething from Maanu's stunned everyone.

"Maanu?" Paakhi steps forward to take Maanya's hand when she just yanks her hand from Paakhi's and pushes her hard.

I push forward to intervene when I see Viren hurrying past me to help Paakhi.

I too took hold of Maanya and tried calming her down.
"Beautiful, I think there seems to be a misunderstanding here. Paakhi would never do something like that."

"Really? Then why didn't she tell me that she asked you to stay away from me? She saw me crying and feeling low the whole day yesterday but she still didn't say anything. Rather she told me that I don't need you in my life, I deserve someone better." I look at Paakhi with hurt and disappointment. I thought she is my friend.

Then why would she try to drift us Apart?

"Maanya?Arhaan? I-I can explain?" She begs.

"Stop it! Stop it and leave. Leave before I do something that we both will regret later."Maanya yells again when she watches Paakhi stepping towards her.

I tighten my hold on Maanya and from the corner of my eyes, I see Viren leading Paakhi outside with him.

I wipe away some tear stains from her face and usher her to her bedroom.

Before entering I ask Aditi to bring me some Advil.

" love, everything is going to be okay. Just relax." I confess and kiss her on her temple.

"Arhaan, Why did she do this to us? She knew how much I love you." I nod at her but still, I feel that Paakhi isn't that kind of girl. I know she loves Maanya and Aditi like her children. But why she did what she did is still a mystery!

___________________________________(Maanya's room above! )

So what just happened?

Did we witness a break in a friendship?

Holla! An update!

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Have a great day ahead!