-• let's go camping •-

It was a prompt decision, and I admit I didn't really think it through, so there was no planning or preparations done in advance. But this is the only chance I've at convincing Mr. Khan. There's no way we could have gone to and fro everyday until he either lets us in or calls the cops on us. I don't care. I'm going to give it my all. And it will also allow me some space from the seven breathing disasters. Fine, let's make it five since Ayush and Agastya are not really at fault.

"Why do you think this case has a potential of reinvestigation?" Mrs. Deshmukh queries.

Atharva and I glance at each other. We're in front of the class, concluding our five minutes presentation, and I feel, if not students, but the professor sure has several questions for us.

"It has many loopholes." Atharva replies.

"Like?" She prods.

This time I step forward. "Like the case file we submitted. Except for the post mortem report that states death caused by brain hameoreage, nothing much is clear. Did they match her handwriting with the suicide note? No, they didn't." I shake my head. "Alibis of her friends, classmates, roomates? None. Was cybersecurity even involved in this? I bet they didn't even know she had a phone and a laptop that she won through a hackathon competition." I explain. "We didn't need to dig in any deeper or bribe someone for this information, we got it just by sitting in the library and using our mediums to explore any possible leads that this case will allow. And turns out, we've many."

Mrs. Deshmukh nods. "So, is this the limit of your research or are you not stopping until you get to the end of it?"

"We're not stopping until we get to the end of it." I say with conviction.

"And how are you going to do that? How are you going to convince the authorities to reopen this case? Because I assume, that's your end goal?"

Atharva and I nod.

"So help me understand this," she leans forward curiously.

"Well," I begin, only to be stop by her.

"Not you," she holds up a hand, then points her finger at Atharva. "You answer me."

He nods confidently. "For privacy reasons, we're keeping the identities of our sources unknown, but we're in touch with someone who was directly linked with this case."

"So, you're constantly in contact with them?"

Atharva looks at me to take the charge realising he fucked up.

"We're not in touch with them per se, but we're trying to convince them." I correct.

"Oh, that changes the whole point. Choose your words wisely, Mr. Saxena. You're a reporter in the making." She smiles at Atharva.

"Yes, ma'am," he nods obediently.

She looks back at me. "How long until you convince them?"

"Three days."

"Are they a reliable source?"

"A hundred percent." I state.

She nods, jotting down something in her file. "Who made this presentation?" She points the tip of her pen at the screen.

"We both did. I made the first six slides, he made the rest of them."

She hums, writes something more. "What if you're unable to convince them?" She looks up at me, then glances towards Atharva.

"We'll convince them." I say firmly.

"That's overconfidence." She counters, dwindling me slightly. "I need to know if you've a back-up plan."

"We do." I state.

She narrows her eyes at me, as if seeing through my lie. We don't have any back-up plan. We didn't even think about it until this point.

"You're going to be the tough one to handle for her bosses, aren't you?" Her lips quirks at the corner in amusement.

Several chuckles echo.

Blush catches upto my cheeks. I shrug as a response to her teasing remark and she grins broadly at me. I think this is the first time I've seen this woman showing emotions so openly. She is always reserved and poised.

"I love that attitude." She nods at me. "Keep it up."

"Thank you, ma'am." I return my gratitude.

"You're done for the day, you can go back to your seats."

Atharva closes the presentation screen and ejects our laptop from the projector.

"Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, guys." We say to the classroom.

A round of applause goes around as we return to our seats in the middle row. I sit down, Atharva sits next to me and we both exchange relieved smiles. This went better than we thought. Honestly, I was expecting sheer disappointment from the professor, but after sitting through ten presentations did I realise perhaps we were one of the few to take this project so seriously. Most of them were half-assed, some didn't even know about their own case details. I couldn't be anymore proud of the team Atharva and I make together.

By the end of the class, I'm happy that no one received the compliments that I did. Yes, I'm selfish.

Professor seizes the podium five minutes prior to the end of the lecture, addressing everyone's attention with a clear of her throat.

"Honestly, only two cases stood out to me. Kunal and Anushka, please stand up." Our eyes move to the pair in the front row. "Fabulous job. I loved the topic you chose, I loved the details and I loved the passion. Well, another pair matched the same passion as you guys," her smile reaches me. "Taranya and Atharva," we grin at each other and get up in our places. "Will say the same for you. You were amazing today. And to think this is the beginning of your journey to becoming a good reporter one day. And I've absolutely no doubts regarding that. I'm glad you chose journalism as your major, because seeing how passionate and dedicated you're in the first semester, means you knew what you were doing, and you're clear about your goals. I appreciate such kind of people." She nods. "Everyone else, that does not mean you're not as good as them. But I think, and I know you'll agree, you haven't explored your potential yet. Projects like these are tools for you to upgrade your skills. So make use of it." She instructs gently. "See you tomorrow -"

"Nooooooooo!" Everyone drags out.

She chuckles. "Right, how can I forget? Silly me." She mock chides herself. We laugh. "I know many of you won't come on Friday either since weekend awaits you right the next day. Hence, alongside fun, focus on your studies too. Have a great day ahead. Thank you." And she walks out, her hair, her saree, and her attitude, all in right places.

When the bell rings, I walk out the happiest. "It went so well!" I grin, turning around and walking backward.

"Careful," He grabs my elbow and pulls me in front of him right before I could knock into a random student in the hallway.

"Sorry!" I say to the boy. He flashes me a quick smile and waves it off. "So?" I look back at Atharva.

He nods, smiling back at me. "It went great. I wasn't expecting that. At all!" He exclaims.

"Told ya, we'll do it!" I raise my fist, he bumps it with his. "Oh, I'm so happy! What a great day, yar!" I chirp.

"Yeah - Tara!" It's of no use because I've already slammed myself into a broad chest, my balance tilts and gravity pulls me down. The person holds me in the dip of their muscular arms, the familiar scent invades my nostrils. I look up with a gasp and my eyes clash with the light brown ones.

"Thanks." I breathe out, still reeling in the panic.

He smiles, and the tiny dimple fizzes out the remaining rationality in me.

"You okay?"

Never been better.

Butterflies play badminton in my stomach. I feel drowsy, kind of intoxicated just from looking at his handsome as sin face.

"Tara?" A foreign touch breaks me from the daze. Atharva pulls me back to his side and I sigh, forcing a smile at Shourya so he doesn't think I've lost a few screws when I tripped.

"Are you okay?" He asks again.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm splendid."

He nods. "Alright, see you after college."

"Yup." Is my lame reply.

He smiles slowly, tongues the inside of his cheek and walks away, biting his lower lip as he glances at me over his shoulder, at the same time as I do, and our eyes meet. He winks at me. I whip my head ahead so fast I'm relieved I didn't get a whiplash.

"Tara," I look at Atharva in question.

"I need to go home and pack for the next three days. So if Janet is available, you can hang out with her or you can come with me." He offers.

"No, I'll wait here. I don't think Janat is free yet. It's still two in the afternoon. She gets done by three." I glance at my wrist watch. "I'll wait in the library. I've a few course books to issue." I tell him.

"Suits you." He steps back. "I'll see you directly in the parking lot at three?"

"You'll see me in the parking lot at three." I confirm.

"Bye!" He waves.

I wave back and wait until he's gone. Turning around, I take the stairs and cross the campus to reach the library. On my way, my phone starts to vibrate. I stop humming Britney's If U seek Amy and fish out the device. The name on the screen stops me abruptly.

M.M

I slide right to answer the call and press the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Princess,"

Guilt seeps in deeper when I hear his deep voice.

"Hi," I release the breath I didn't realise I was holding.

"You sound tensed. Everything okay?" He inquires.

A tight, painful knot forms in my stomach, compelling me to seek refuge at further left corner of the stair under the palm tree. "Yeah, everything's fine." Except that I'm having indecent thoughts about another man even after having you. Well not really, but still, I'm considering it's exclusive even if it's not a proper relationship.

"I don't think everything's fine. What's wrong?"

"I need to tell you something."

He hums, expecting me to go on.

"Not now. In person. Face to face."

"Sure, when?"

"Friday night?"

"Alright, see you on friday midnight. Bye, Princess."

"Bye," I whisper and hang up, fisting the phone and clutching that fisted hand to my chest as I stare into the distance.

I'm everything but a cheater.

But the possibility of an uncommitted Shourya pursuing me is enticing enough to make me have wild, crazy, erotic dreams about him. And I need to confess before it's too late. We need to establish what is this that we have, whether it's short term or long term, and also whether he's interested to keep it open and non-exclusive because one thing's clear, he's not into this a hundred percent. Perhaps he's having fun, or maybe he's testing waters, or it's just something fickle to him. And yet, the thought of him going to another woman, talking to her the way he talks to me, touching her the way he touches me makes me so fucking jealous I want to destroy something.

God, I'm a hypocrite.

And how am I going to explain him I have a huge ass crush on his half-brother?

I groan in the curtain of my hands. I'm such a mess. Who am I to preach about the right and wrong to my brothers when I'm committing the most detestable sin; wanting two brothers intimately. Even the thought of it is enough to shudder my soul, both in need and panic. I've lost it. That's the only way to describe me. Tara, the lost star.

I get up and stomp upstairs to the library. I roam the shelves of journalism section, which is right next to business management. And what are the odds I come across the man who's the root of all the mess in my life? Turns out, a lot.

"Looking for something, Esther?" He leans against the shelf, his broad, muscular arms bulking out of that thin stretch of sweatshirt and I'm determined to focus on the books in front of me.

"It's a library, Rajawat. What would I be looking for if not books?" I deadpan.

He gets off the shelf and approaches me.

No no no no no!

Stay there.

Freeze.

Don't come- His chest muscles flex and he shoves a hand in the pockets of his trousers, regarding me with a schooled, passive, but intense look that makes my knees turn jello.

Okay, wow, this man knows what he's doing.

"Let me see," he stands partially behind me, half of his chest touching half of my back. My heart pumps more than it's getting paid for. He takes the book from my hands and reads the title, flipping to see the back and hums, the exhale of his breathe caressing the curve of my neck. I sigh. "Are you breathing, Esther?"

I nibble on the inside of my lower lip, staring at a fixed spot as I blink hastily.

He touches my shoulder and I step away. The hand slips down. "Of course, I'm not. Did you swim in that cologne or something? It's suffocating the air." I wave my hands in the air haphazardly.

"The book?" He calls out when I walk past him.

"Keep it." I answer aloud. "You looked more interested in it than me anyway." I add under my breath.

I spend the rest of my time in the cafeteria sipping on the large cup of an iced americano and completing the last of my Editing Techniques assignment before hitting send to the professor's mail.

He looks fine as hell in that profile picture.

I swear to God, in a job interview if I'm asked what my weakness is, I'm saying sexy men. That's it.

Janet joins me at 2:45 and orders herself a combo that includes a chicken burger, peri peri fries and coke. She asks me twice if I'd like the same but I deny both time only to salivate at the sight of her eating her burger.

She sighs. "I asked you. Twice."

I smile sheepishly. "Just one bite. I'm on a diet." I lean in, swallowing as she shoves the burger in my face. I hold her wrist and gently take a big bite of the burger, groaning in pleasure as I drop back relaxed. I reached Nirvana. "Food never disappoints!"

She chuckles and nods.

We end up sharing the burger and fries because as I said, I'm a hypocrite, I've weak ass morals, and my resolutions are lose as hell. It's surprising I'm still surviving.

We leave the cafeteria when I receive a text from Atharva that he's waiting in the parking lot. Shourya meets us on the way and the three of us head to the parking lot.

"So, whose car are we taking?" Janet asks, looking between the boys.

"Mine, of course." Atharva nods.

"With that shitty sense of directions? I don't think so." Shourya remarks crudely. "We're taking my car." He says confidently.

I open the door of my car, sit in and close the door. "We're taking my car." I announce. Janet beams and gets inside without wasting a minute. Atharva and Shourya stand rooted to their spots. "Get in the car, boys. We're already late. I also need to take permission from my father." Shourya sighs in defeat and surrenders. Atharva follows right after.

Without any further delay, I drive us to Veer Mahal.

I notice the boys getting slightly fidgety once we enter the palace grounds. I cut off the engine at the porch, toss the keys in the hands of the valet and head inside alongside Janet. The boys follow behind quietly.

I texted everyone I have something important to share and will be home at three, so whoever's interested can be present to hear me. And I'm surprised. The man who didn't come to see me when I fainted is occupying the center couch. The always busy doctors on his adjacent. Yuvaan stands slanted against the beam, arms crossed on his chest. Agastya sits on the last stair, while the twins lean against the walls.

Yuvraaj grows attentive when he sees me coming along with the boys and leans in, bracing the knees with his thick, veiny forearms, hands interlacing in between.

"Interesting sight, Tara." He nods.

"Never cease to amaze you, do I?" I smile.

The sarcastic crescent on his lips drops, his eyes narrow in pure rage.

"Maybe we should sit this one out?" Atharva whispers anxiously. I don't know who he's talking to. I assume Shourya. But the latter doesn't respond.

"Two boys we always warned you about." Yuvaan stands straight. "Are you finding ways to anger us? Because let me tell you they're working."

I roll my eyes. "I'm going camping with my friends. Three days, four nights. To......." I turn my head towards Atharva.

He jumps to answer, "Meerai,"

"Right. There." I shrug.

"No." Yuvraaj answers.

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you." I make myself clear. "I'm a nineteen year old adult, and I know what I'm doing."

"You're a teenager." Agastya presses.

"I'm above eighteen!"

"Yes, nineteen. Teen. Teenager." He states.

I frown. "Don't get technical with me!"

He sighs in what sounds like disappointment.

"You're taking one of your brothers along." Dad speaks up.

"Dad-"

"We've hurt her enough. She deserves this time away from us." He cuts off Yuvraaj.

I hold back a smile. He's finally speaking back to Yuvraaj for me.

"Fine. I'll go-"

"I get to choose." I interrupt Vivaan. "I want Ayush."

"Yeah, I'm rushing to pack up." Ayush spins and hurries upstairs, excitement in his tone. I'm sure he's losing it at the thought of spending three days with Janet so close.

"Take someone responsible." Vivaan says, hurt in his eyes that I intentionally don't want him around, but I don't let that puppy eyes melt my tough walls.

"Hey! I'm responsible!" Ayush screams from upstairs, sounding heavily offended.

"I'm coming too. Perry and I'll appreciate some sunshine." Yuvaan says, making alarm bells go off in my head. If he finds out what case I'm investigating, he won't leave a second to tattletale about it to everyone else in the house.

"No! You're old. Go with people your age." I reject.

He looks at me aghast. "Excuse me? I'm twenty three."

"Yeah, an adult." I retort, smirking at Agastya who shakes his head at me. "I'll take......" my eyes roam around, locating a hopeful looking Arush and ignoring him to continue my search. I can literally see the nonexistent tail falling to the gravity and ears flopping down. My eyes shift back to him. "Arush." His head snaps in disbelief. "If he doesn't say yes in one sec-"

"Yes!" He almost screams. We all flinch. "I- I mean, yes. Yes." He sways on his feet. "I'll- I'll go and pack my things." He rushes upstairs.

I chuckle. I love my power on these men.

"You guys can wait outside," I look over my shoulder. Atharva and Shourya nod, walking out the next moment. "Go and pack your stuff." I pat Janet's shoulder. She hums and skips her way to the bedroom. I face the remaining men in the room.

"Arush and I'll solve our problems there. And when we return, let's have a proper dinner with everyone present." I eye Yuvraaj pointedly since it's him skipping night dinners often these days.

"Will you be willing to talk then?" Vivaan comes to me.

I tilt my head to look at him. "Yeah, well, that's why I said let's have a proper meal together." I shrug.

He cups the back of my head and presses a kiss to my forehead. My eyes automatically fall close. I resist the urge to hug him. When he pulls away, I act unbothered, nonchalant. His hand slips down to cup my cheek. "Take care. Keep your gps on all the time. And call us if you think you need our help. Please. You'll do that, right?"

I nod.

He strokes my cheek and gives me a smile. "Have fun. I love you." And he leaves.

Dad approahces me next. "Have fun." He pulls me for a hug. "I love you. Never forget that." He whispers and hugs me tighter. The vulnerability in his tone makes me frown. "Bye." He walks away after ruffling my hair.

"As Vivaan said, keep your gps on all the time. Take care." Yuvraaj adds curtly.

"No hugs?" I tease when he turns to walk away.

He stops, eyes me disappointedly before striding off. I snort. So brooding. I haven't even met Sara and I already feel bad for her. If this man hasn't moved on even after eleven years, I don't think he's ever planning to move on. I'm dreading the day they cross paths again. It's going to be catastrophic. And weirdly, I want to see it. I want to meet the woman who could get this man to react.

"You know when to play the cards, don't you?" Yuvaan scoffs.

"Are you salty because you don't?" I taunt.

He sighs. "Call me if anything happens." And walks back upstairs.

Agastya comes to me last. "What about my exercises?" He pouts.

"Hey, no emotional blackmailing, okay?" I point an accusing finger at him.

"Do you really have to go?" He wraps his arm around my back and pulls me closer, dropping his chin on my shoulder. "Don't go." He begs in a small voice.

"Don't act cute, na!" I pull away to cup his face. His cheeks squish and lips turns to fish's mouth. I laugh. "I love you." I kiss his forehead.

"Then don't leave me." He tilts his head.

"Not working, Mister. I'm taking your favourite twin along, you should be thanking me." I chastise.

He stands straight. "He's really guilty."

"We'll see."

"Take care of yourself. And please, please call if you need any of us, okay?"

"Yes, I will." I promise.

Arush arrives first. He descends the stairs hastily, the backpack swinging on his shoulder. He looks like if he doesn't reach me any faster, I'll tell him to make an about turn and head back to his room.

Ayush follows a minute later and then Janet comes.

Agastya orders the valet to bring a six seater suv from the garage. He makes sure we've everything needed, from tents to fishing rods to mattresses and the cooking essentials. Vivaan and Dad come to see us off when we're ready to leave.

"Remember to use masks when you step out in public." Dad says to me, twins and Shourya. "Your brother has already contacted the local cops. They'll be at your service in one call. So don't hesitate."

We nod.

"Shourya, please take care of them." Vivaan says, surprising all of us.

"Yeah, I will." Shourya nods.

"Ayush, remember what I told you?" Dad cocks a brow at the younger twin.

"Yeah, Dad. Don't worry." He nods.

"Let's go, guys." I say to the remaining. Arush is all buckled up in his seat, just waiting for the car to start driving. I stop myself from laughing at his antics. Two years and this is the first time I'm discovering this cute side to him.

Janet and I take the middle row, Shourya gets behind the wheel, Atharva settles himself on the passenger seat.

Shourya ignites the engine and pulls the car out of the porch.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Janet beams giddily.

I smile at her.

I don't know why I'm not feeling the same excitement as hers. Maybe because I'm afraid Dr. Khan will not approve of our persistence.

My eyes meet Shourya's in the rearview mirror and he nods, as if reassuring me.

And I'm also afraid this trip is going to change things between us.

Which I'm not ready for.

Well, are you ready, readers?

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.