The best arrangement: Between us...

Chapter 42 - Back to the present

" Hey is there any way to break into Chachu's study?" Sameer, the eldest of the 'Mehta cousins' asked, fidgeting with his Rubik's cube. 

"Bhai, I get it that you're bored, but shouldn't you respect chachu's privacy?" His younger brother Daksh asked, ever the voice of reason. In fact, he was the only member of the junior quintet who remembered to use his brain cells, before jumping into "situations".

"Oh ho, Daksh, just think about it! That study has been off limits for what? 9 years now? I'm sure there's some sort of secret inside.... Something that Chachu wishes to hide.." Their cousin Shruti chimed in, taking a break from bingeing on Netflix. Just then, Aarav (Son of Abhisha; Abhishek's nephew) walked in, returning from Ahmadabad.

"Aarav Bhai, how was your trip?" Shruti asked.

"Nothing special.... To think that I was personally sent there to deliver an invite!" Aarav huffed, and plonked onto the sofa, where the others were seated. "What were you talking about?"

"Sameer wants to get into Chachu's study" Daksh replied. Aarav smirked, and leaned in, putting on an air of mystery "So, you want to know about uncle's past?" The others too leaned in, and nodded.

"See, from what little I remember from the time before that accident, there was this guy. He was Siddhi aunty's brother, and uncle's best friend. He died in that accident." Aarav said.

"They were close? Then why is there a cold war going on now, between our family and the Kotharis?" Sameer asked, curious.

"You know, during those times, these 2 families were closer... There used to be frequent gatherings and family dinners, sometimes in our manor, sometimes in their mansion. But after that accident, they slowly drifted apart. You guys don't know, because it was only a couple of years after this, that you guys returned from the US for good. Before, it was just me and Sam...." Aarav explained, looking a bit wistful. 

" And to think that we never knew about any of this! People here can be quite tight lipped...." Daksh mused to himself. Shruti snorted, and said "Please, these people are anything but that. It's because you don't listen, that you are unaware... I have heard all sorts of rumors, about what happened back then. No one here knows much actually, but they all have theories.. . "

" 'Theories' might not be the suitable term for this, but anyway, tell us what you've heard." Daksh joined them.

"Not much sense in them, but any way, I've heard that Chachu used to have a lover, in those days. They say that she left him, and that Chachu has preserved her memories in that study. hell, there are some romantics here, who say 'Oh what a love story! he has immortalized her in his heart, and she still lives in his heart, so much so that there is no space for Neeti Chachi" She scowled.

Sameer frowned, lost in thought, and spoke after a while "Guess what, the first thing may not be totally nonsense. Haven't you noticed? Chachu and Chachi.... They give off more 'distant friends' vibe than 'couple' vibe. Even my parents look more in love than them!"

Aarav nodded "Mm... They rarely sleep in the same room... "

Daksh suddenly remembered something " Guys, there is something else...."

"What?"

"Chachu has grown more quiet and withdrawn these days, haven't you noticed? He looks paler and sleep deprived as well...."

" Yeah, but he's a doctor, and he must know better, right?"

" That's true... Wait, Aarav, what was the actual date of your accident?" Daksh asked, finally having caught up on something.

Aarav frowned "Around August 8th, or 9th, I guess" What about it?

" Guys, that date is only a week away! And Chachu being especially melancholy now, it can't be mere coincidence. And isn't it said that Chachu's youthful demeanor started changing after that accident? What if there was more, to Chachu's friend's death?" Daksh leaned in, and ended in a whisper.