Chapter 10
Reddened with rage, Ranbir stormed to the terrace. From time to time, he had reflected upon one question, why did he have to suffer so much? At what cost and for whom? At much as he recalled his traumatic pre-teens; Ranbir was just a harmless kid - till date he had failed to comprehend as to what wrong did he commit to deserve all the hatred from everyone?
All these years he soothed himself with a simple thought that he was just a forsaken child of God and that was the reason for his endless miseries - and for that simple reason, he had completely shut his inner self off from the rest of the world. As expected for him - no one cared, no one asked. And after innumerable efforts to find his true identity If he had to be truthful for once, maybe this was exactly what was written for him - to be aloof, to be hated.
But then something different happened - he met Prachi. Oddly, out of everyone he had interacted with so far; she made him vulnerable - she brought a calming vibe at once; a feeling that was foreign to him for a long time - and that’s what he despised the most; he never wanted sympathy, support or care. It was normal for him to deliberately scare people away with his temper. To his shock, none of that affected Prachi; he wanted her to keep a distance, he wanted her to hate him, he had intimidated her, humiliated her but she kept on coming closer and he wasn’t sure why.
He cursed himself as he recalled her bloodied state at the edge of the road. Not once had he ever reacted to the gruesome attacks on him alone. But, for the first time he was frustrated, he felt powerless; was he just trying to protect her from the cruelty in his side of the world or was it because he was actually getting attached? Perhaps Raghuveer was right to question him on his unlike behavior. But he wanted to stand firm on his grounds even if it meant to destroy others.
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Prachi shut the door and lay on the bed in silence. Despite being tender-hearted, she had terribly failed to peek into the emotional aspect of Ranbir’s personality; from insulting her, then protecting her twice, to again threatening her to leave the house; Ranbir had displayed a certain pattern of peculiar actions.
What surprised her even more was her unusual impulse to interact with him; even if it meant arguing with him or just having him around with his usual lunatic attitude. Why were his actions influencing her so much? Perhaps Neha was right, Ranbir’s aura was dominant and Prachi was strongly drawn towards him. The kind of emotions she had started to experience in his presence were different - different from whatever she had for Varun. If she could find one word to name them - they were intense.
Though she had parted ways with Varun owing to his insensitivity and selfishness; Prachi subconsciously and repeatedly found herself giving into the devil’s wishes despite being degraded multiple times. Possibly, it was high time for her to accept that undoubtedly, she was crushing over Ranbir - Prachi reflected. On hearing a knock on the door; she immediately fixed herself. Prachi loosened up a bit at seeing Raghuveer;
“All good?”
“Yes, please come in.” - she gave him a faint smile.
“Well, I was just leaving, I thought to check on you.”
“Where are you going?”
“Some office work; I’d be back in a few hours. Till then, have this glass of milk with these medicines.”
“Thank you...” - With her brief response, Raghuveer could sense her being stressed out.
"His voice was audible enough downstairs.”
"In that case, you must've guessed that I still stick to my request."
"You will not go anywhere. Understood?"
"Why are you forcing me to stay against his wishes?"
"Why do you want to give into his every nonsensical wish?"
If distancing from him, earns me his normalcy; it's worth it.
"I don’t have an answer." - Raghuveer smiled in response; leaving her puzzled.
"You’re a lot more worried about Ranbir being upset with your presence, isn’t it?”
“No! Kaka it’s not the way you think; it’s just -”
“My child, there is nothing wrong in caring about someone; provided you don’t lose yourself in the process. I know you want to make him comfortable, because I said so; having said that, he should know how to give respect to others.”
“Please, don’t do that; I don’t want the situation to get worse than it already is. I have burdened you enough.”
“You're not a burden - let's be clear on this. As for Ranbir, he has got a lethal tongue but his temper doesn't last for long. For now just bolt the door, I'd ask the staff to serve you everything inside.”
As Raghuveer got up, he studied her tense frame;
“Your presence would mould him for the better.”
“How can you say that?”
“At the end of the day, he’s just a human with a million flaws."
**********
Though Aarti had repeatedly assured in regards to conveying the latest happenings to Pragya peacefully; nonetheless, Neha couldn't help but worry about Pragya's arrival. Her primary concern was the distorted story she had narrated on call with utmost genuineness. Especially after witnessing enough drama from Prachi that day, her sole motive was to keep both women at ease. However, as much as she knew, Pragya had been a doting mother for all the right reasons and it wouldn't be a surprise if she ended up accompanying Aarti in college.
What if they found out about Prachi's absence for this long? How would they react to finding her in a stranger's home? Situation would get uglier for sure. If only Prachi had the guts to face the situation instead of running from it; things would be entirely different. The easiest solution she could think of for now, was to inform Prachi about the partially made-up story; before things got out of hand - Neha contemplated as she made her way out of the hostel.
As much as Ankit loved attending computer labs; currently, his gaze was stuck on his wrist watch, as he anxiously waiting for the lecture to end. Excited even at the thought of Prachi; he couldn't concentrate at all. He had to meet her and this time, in a more civilized manner - just the way she would possibly prefer. After 20 more minutes of torment, his prayers were finally answered - grabbing his stuff he rushed to the cafeteria as quickly as he could.
Despite the open cafe being less crowded; he had failed to see Prachi from her usual route. Uneasy with his posture, as he seated himself on one of the empty chairs - he quickly checked the time, her class should have ended 15 minutes ago. Had he been too late? What if she had left early or possibly not showed up at all? A part of him still tried to give out a convincing statement that she might had not reached yet. As he juggled with countless thoughts in his head; he saw Neha, making her way out of the closed cafe. Taking a sigh of relief he approached her flaunting his brightest smile;
"Hey! How are you?"
"Well, my day was going fine ten seconds ago…"
"Never-mind. Um... mind if - if I accompany you?"
"If you want your nuts cracked, go ahead…" - Ankit's smile dimmed at once.
"I was just trying to be nice and you -"
"You're only nice when you need a favor… so bark it out..."
Though he had gotten used to Neha's personal remarks wrapped in humor - observing unusual soberness in her tone; he thought of not making any requests at all; yet, his inner demons suggested otherwise;
“Well, where is - I mean are you all by yourself today?”
“I already know from day one, that you want to try your hand on Prachi! Well, here’s my answer to your question; you think of coming near her and I would break your face!” - Neha retorted meeting his conflicting gaze.
“I wouldn’t dare to - its just that she seemed quite different from you. I thought there was no harm in befriending her.”
“Oh yes, I know your drill! Befriend her, drug her and then force yourself on her! Do you think I’m stupid? Do you actually believe I am ignorant about the fact that you’re nothing but a creepy asshole?”- Ignoring the apparent redness on her face; he pulled out a small gift box; dropping it into her bag.
“What’s the idea!!!”
“Give this to her today.”
“I’m pleased to tell you, you won’t find her for the next couple of days.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s with Ranbir! Now move!”
“Wait, what?”
“None of your freaking concern! Get out of my way!"
As Neha left, he stood speechless. When on earth did Prachi and Ranbir meet? If he looked at the overall picture; It's only been three weeks since she joined in - for her meeting a guy and that too from a different department immediately; was highly unlikely. Maybe Neha was just messing around with him - as far as he knew that arrogant and rich brat, Ranbir was too temperamental to allow anyone around him - needless to say that's what he had been fuming at till date. He never understood why Dr Dhanush adored that disrespectful scumbag so much - if only he didn't intervene between the young men; who had apparently gotten into a heated argument the very first day of meeting - Ankit would have paid back to his mate, in the same coins.
But, what if Neha was actually being truthful? What if Ranbir and Prachi had interacted already? Neha was a close friend of both and she must've acted as a bridge between them. Ankit instantly recalled about the fight on campus, Neha had narrated to him. So, it was actually Ranbir who saved Prachi? If only he had been there on time; Ranbir wouldn't be this close to her. But who cares even if they had met, both of them believed in opposing mindsets. It was somewhat similar to comparing fire with water. Ranbir and Prachi could never get along - not at all - Ankit pondered.
**********
Aarti glanced around the living room - Neha’s call in the morning was upsetting for sure. At present, she only hoped for Pragya to absorb this piece of information calmly. Strolling towards Pragya’s room - she could see her friend packing stuff in a hurry.
“Thank God you came in; we’re leaving for college - come on let’s go!”
“Wait…”
“What are you saying? Neha hadn’t called back at all - I can’t wait any longer; we must rush!!!”
“I’ve talked to Neha already - calm down.” - However, the soberness in Aarti’s posture channeled a different message.
“Aarti, tell me what’s wrong?”
“Like I said, calm down.” - Aarti made Pragya sit on the sofa. “Prachi is fine - Neha was accompanying her to the grocery store on foot; when…”
“When? Would you tell me what happened??”
“When she got into an accident…”
“Accident!!! See, I knew something was wrong! And you - how did that happen?”
“That’s not important; what’s important is that; Neha had taken Prachi for bandages - at present she’s fine.”
“I’m done with all these superficial stories from her end! I’m going to visit the hostel right now!”
“Prachi isn’t there - Neha has taken her for an outdoor project; as mids are approaching - we’d have to wait by the end of this week.”
“Outdoor project?? Is she out of her mind? How could she take my child in such a state? I’m telling you -”
“Pragya enough! How many times would I have to tell you Prachi is a grown up college student now; she can take care of herself! She has got a million priorities to look into rather than obeying you all the time!”
“I can’t believe you just said that! So, do you mean, I do nothing but suffocate her? Is that your point?”
“I don’t wish to get into any further arguments with you; Prachi had messaged me a while ago and said she’d call you later today; once she’s settled. You can ask her the details whatsoever! If you still wish to panic for no reason; your choice!”
“Fine with me. But, I am still visiting her tomorrow - I’d coordinate with Neha for their exact location!” - Pragya left, leaving an anxious Aarti behind.
Prachi immediately felt guilty - was she making her feelings too obvious? Or maybe it was just his experience with the younger generation that spoke in general. But, what if Raghu kaka revealed about her budding feelings for Ranbir? That rascal would bury her alive for sure. Whatever it was, she needed to be careful. No matter what happens she won’t talk about this to anyone. Besides, letting out everything at once would earn her sheer embarrassment in the eyes of that affectionate man - She mused.
With these thoughts making rounds, her eyes instantly fell on the jacket placed folded on the study table. She felt mentally and physically exhausted, yet she had found another perfect excuse to see the young lad once again.
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Edited by manu9 - 6 years ago
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