Hey there! It's Araina! 👋 I hope you have started taking interest in my new story 'Overlooked' which is a spin-off to 'Prejudiced'. Thank you for your interest...😊

And for those that didn't visit the story yet, let me remind that it's a spin off and the strings of the stories might often be interconnected.

As for this chapter...we have already seen Hardik getting information of the whole Eshaanvi-Rahul fiasco from Bhavna. In 'Overlooked' we see him trying to be a good friend while advising Rahul to be a caring yet liberal brother to Eshaanvi. Rahul realizes his sore attitude and with Hardik's consoling words in mind, he now has a solution that'd cater to Eshaanvi's involvement in the IPL as well as his protectiveness towards his sister. But, what is that?

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I could barely get a sound sleep while trying to adjust my body in the living room couch barely measuring 3 ft of width.

I would feel cold as well but I decided to ignore that. I just wrapped myself by my knees and laid hoping no tomorrow.
How can one small decision I took for myself take me so downhill? What did I actually do to deserve this? While I laid, I heard my phone ring a number of times..from home. Bhavna called me more than five times. I pretended my laziness amidst the fear of being shattered and didn't receive the calls. I tried isolating myself to the coldness I might be destined to. But, I didn't even realize that despite the existence of my inner coldness, my outer coldness kinda vanished. I felt a little warm and especially towards my twilight sleep, I felt so contented that I totally forgot where I slept.

I hugged myself cozily as I turned my body to the other side carefully somewhat realizing I was on the couch. I pulled the covers accordingly and...

Wait! Covers! Ain't I sleeping on the couch?

My hands searched for the sheet above me as I eyes preferred to rest and then I felt it. My bedspread!

I opened my eyes awestruck as my eyes fell on my favorite pink coverlet. I sat up looking around. It must be around 5 and I still laid on the couch.

But, who brought the bedspread here?
Did Rahul ...?

No. With the mood he left with, I don't think...

I looked at the bedspread again. 'Thank you Krishna..' I said closing my eyes and thanking god.

But, the silent environment was soon interrupted with creek sound of a door opening and guessing by the direction, I definitely knew, who's making his way.

My eyes rolled in annoyance.

Hardik fucking Pandya! I already hated him so much and after seeing the way he completely ignored Rahul and my dispute like an emotionless jerk, I hate him even more.

I do not expect and neither do I need any sympathy from this idiot but he should've at least known the courtesy of asking me what happened! Mannerless jerk!

Hearing the footsteps, I quickly laid myself again on the couch, pretending sleep peacefully.

And then, a sort of humming reached my ears. God knows what this idiot was singing but it bugged my ears so very much. How can someone be so out of tune?

I slightly parted my eyelids to see Hardik wandering near the TV cabinet, looking for something. He was wearing a black muscle T and gret sweatpants.

Ugh! He's messing up the drawers again!

'My headphone...' he muttered suddenly turning around in my direction.

Oops...I closed my eyes.

I felt a brief stare on me, despite my eyes being closed and then, I felt the stare as well as Hardik move away.

Phew!

'Hey tweety bird! You know where my headphones are. ..?' He suddenly asked making my heart stop.

What? How?

And then, I felt his steps nearing. 'Come on now...! Any Tom, Dick and Harry could say that you are awake. The slumber stored in your eyes did their overtime already. Now, it's better for your health to get up and help me find the headphones. Come on! Hurry up!' He said slightly nudging my shoulders.

The nerves of this guy!

I opened my eyes in annoyance. To be honest, I did over-sleep and my eyes refused to pretend more.

'Good morning Eshaanvi!' Hardik said sparing a glance. 'You should just look at the mirror and know how your eyes swelled..' he taunted with a scoff.

'I'm fine with my eyes till I see perfectly. I'm not a seeker of external beauty.' I said indifferently while sitting up though I knew Hardik clearly felt the detested undertone.

'Good for you.' He barely muttered, not even sparing a glance.

'There...' he took out the Sennheiser headphone from somewhere.

He instantly put it around his neck and as it seemed, wrapped things up in the living room.

'All set..'

I picked up my phone. It was 4:40 in the morning..

But, what is he going with the headphones at this time. His attire clearly said, he was preparing to go out.

'You're going somewhere?' I asked curiously, though I hoped that the serious tone of mine doesn't let him understand that. I was confused because whenever there's a net practice, he and Rahul go out together and usually it's not until 7 or 8 am.

'Hmm?' He asked looking at me as if he was confused.

Even in such a frail mood, I wanted to smack him under his ears on his pretension.

'Where are you going?' I asked straight now.

'Woah! And what makes you think I'm answerable to you, tweety?' He asked showing some cockiness.

Ugh!

'First, I asked because I doubt that neither the night shift security guard nor the day shift security guard of the society would expect one to go out at this time and second...' I threw him a death glare. '...don't you dare call me by that name again...' I threatened.

Hardik looked at me blank, crossing his arms on his chest. He frowned. 'In that case, let us just...' he made a zip mark in the air, '...not question or answer each other...'

I rolled my eyes. 'Better plan.' I muttered to myself throwing the bedspread off. I stood up and went to grab the bottle of water. I don't know how long I cried but yes, that did dry my throat a little too much for my comfort.

I gulped down some water and a glimpse of the dining area told me, there was no dinner in this house last night.

But, Rahul...where is he? Is he okay?

'Uh... where's Rahul?' I asked turning around quickly before Hardik went out of my sight.

'He's alive and sleeping. Don't worry.' She heard Hardik say.

Can this guy actually answer a question properly? Shameless fellow!

^^^^^

Ignoring her annoyance at Hardik, Eshaanvi walked near Rahul's closed bedroom and sighed.

No matter what happened between them, Rahul was still Eshaanvi's brother, someone she loves more than herself.

She decided not to budge her brother, who she knew mustn't have slept well last night.  She returned to the living room.

Hardik was lacing up his sport shoes.

'Did he have dinner last night?' Sher asked Hardik softly, making sure Rahul didn't listen, even though he was asleep.

Hardik looked around to face her. 'Who? Your brother?'

Eshaanvi nodded not wanting to show her emotional side.

Hardik scoffed. 'He's your brother, of course. Do you expect him to eat after all that crap he had with you?' He said.

It was at that point that Eshaanvi's heart thumped. Not only Rahul's prolonged temper made her sad but the fact that Hardik could be aware of their arguments triggered a sense of new discomfort within her.

What's wrong with Rahul? Why was her sweet, affectionate brother acting so crude all of a sudden.

'Well...as much as I don't want to say this to you but..uhh...things are going to be fine. He was just off his mood yesterday, I guess..' Hardik consoled Eshaanvi, against his own will while avoiding to look at her as he put the headphone over his ears and started connecting it with his phone.

Eshaanvi was equally surprised to hear that from a man who she considered the least sensible person in this world. Not only that, she did realize that Hardik almost hinted on Rahul being on the wrong side!

She looked at the 6 ft man beside her carefully and it was then, that her eyes spotted something that made them widen in shock.

The wound in Hardik's right arm. It seemed so gross and paining.

She didn't realize when her steps started to follow her gaze and her hands rose up as her fingers located the region she knew she targeted the other day.

'What the...!' Hardik winced loud by the unexpected touch on his arm, considering he had already powered on his headphones.

Eshaanvi gasped by the impact of Hardik's movement and retreated her hand.

Hardik, on the other hand, indeed pictured something like a spider or cockroach running on his arm but the moment he realized it was Eshaanvi, he   immediately thought spider was a better option.

A sudden sense of empathetic guilt hit Eshaanvi, even though she ignored feeling it. 'Is...is it from..?'

'Yeah..that's your monstrous peck, tweety bird..' Hardik scoffed, realizing what Eshaanvi was referring to.
'You must be glad I'm alive and you aren't in jail..' Hardik made a holy triangle, playfully thanking god.

Eshaanvi was annoyed by that name but chose to ignore it this time, considering the gravity of the topic. Being associated with the field of medical science, she knew this wound wasn't a light one. In fact, it must have been quite painful towards the beginning.

Her mind drifted to the day her and Hardik fought and how Hardik's idiotic tantrums made her hit him several times with that remote. But, was it really that hard?

'Hello...Tweety!...I mean Eshaanvi!...can you hear me?' A waving hand in front of her face and a voice getting louder by each bit made Eshaanvi get out of the train of thoughts.

'Huh?' Eshaanvi responded, immediately regretting her unmindful naivity in front of a rival like Hardik. 'I mean, does it hurt now?' She asked trying to cover things up but once again, regretted acting like a caring friend to the jerk standing in front of him.

Hardik frowned in confusion, not being able to digest the strange enquiry. 'Well, I'd say yes...in case you have decided to pay the compensation.' He shrugged with a smirk, not knowing what else to say. Truth to be told, his arm did swell a bit on the first day and it pained a little the first two days. But, then..an athlete is built to stand against such little pricks. So, after his pain numbed the next day, he completely ignored the wound on his arm.

^^^^^

I'd be wrong if I say I didn't expect such a cheap response from this guy.

Seriously! He really mentioned a compensation? Well, in that case, I'm compensating enough by standing him for so long.

I threw him an offended glare. 'You know, it's absolutely nonsensical to talk with you.' I said sitting back on the couch, rolling my eyes. 'Besides, being in this field, I just wanted to suggest you a toxide or something...if didn't have already.'

Hardik looked down at me, as if debating he would pass a stupid comment or not and I'm glad he decided not to and looked away.

'By the way, I was going to jog, if you couldn't get that from my clothes.' He said answering the question I asked million years ago.

'Go.' I said focussing on my phone.

But, after few steps, he stopped. 'I'm going to get some good breakfast on my way for Rahul since my boy didn't eat anything last night. Uh..you want something?' He asked shocking me and perhaps, himself too.

Even though I was craving for vadas and idlies, I decided to feed my ego and 'No thanks. I'll be out in some time anyway. I'll have my breakfast at the hospital canteen.' I said sharply.

Hardik smirked. 'So, you're trying not to face your brother or something?'

I only threw a death glare. 'Go..' I said not at all in a friendly tone.

Hardik scoffed raising his hands up. 'I don't want to be in this sibling mess anyway.' He taunted like a prick. 'But, for your information, don't create a scene this afternoon when my Krunal and Pankhuri would visit this house..' he said.

Krunal and Pankhuri! Who are they?

Krunal...Oh! His brother, may be..

'Why are they coming all of a sudden?' I asked frowning not caring how rude it sounded on my part.

I could see the glow in Hardik's face  vanish a bit as his eyebrows frowned. 'Not to talk about getting us married, of course...' he said in a rude tone while opening the door, going out and slamming it in the process.

What.the.hell.did.he.just.say?

Ugh!..Avivēki...dad munded...yeno naayi... Katte....

My teeth gritted and my mind started consoling me not to recall more cuss Kannada cuss words.

Relax Esh...

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