Anurāgaḥ

Chapter 9

This is my birthday special so enjoy my darlings. Please vote and comment :))

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Authors pov

The tension in the room was thick, Arjun and Anand were staring at each other just as fierce, neither of them willing to break the eye contact and make the first move or speak the first words.

The rest of the family moved to sit on the couches to give them space. Subha lingered around but at the end she also gave up and decided to sit down, understanding that these two stubborn men have to figure it out on their own. 

Arjun caved first under the rock hard gaze of his father, "Fine, I'll tell you what happened," he sighed, "It's not like I was hurt or anything, I'm completely fine," he muttered underneath his breath while moving towards Subha to take a seat next to her. 

He put his arm around her on the back of the couch and started the story everyone was waiting for.

Arjun's POV

"I was talking to some relative, when I received a work call, it was urgent and one of my officers was slightly injured and hence the blood, I can't tell you guys much more than that because of work protocol but I promise I'm fine, I'm not injured. Everything is completely fine, don't worry guys, okay?"

Everyone looked skeptical but the still nodded, they were aware that my job was demanding and had many risks, but as long as I was okay, they were okay. 

I looked down at Subha who was still looked worried sick, I blinked reassuringly and moved my arm down to her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze, as she subconsciously leaned slightly into me, relaxing and the most of the worry leaving her face. 

I look up and meet eyes with my dad. As much as I can convince everyone else that nothing is wrong, I can't do the same with my dad. As a retired police officer he knew exactly how much I was downplaying the events that had happened. He knew that I wouldn't have left my own engagement unless it was a grave situation. But he won't ask anymore questions. As much as he knew how I was lying about the depth of the situation, he also knew that I won't share any more than that. My life is already at risk with the profession I'm in, but I refuse to put my family and loved ones in more risk than they already are by being associated with me. And my dad knew that, and respected it. 

But thinking about what actually happened earlier makes my blood boil once again. 

Flashback 

I was in a unnecessarily  deep conversation about married life with some relative that I forgot the name of. I feel bad for not knowing, but I'd feel even more shitty if I asked who they were now so I just continued the conversation, praying it would end soon. 

Just as I thought that my phone rang. What a saving grace!

I excused myself and answered, it was Chandu, why was he calling? Wasn't he around here somewhere?

"Chandu, what happened ra? Where are you?" I asked as soon as I answered. 

There was no answer.

"Chandu?" I was confused, was this some sort of prank? "Chandu, stop playing with me, I need to go soon, hurry up an-"

"After years of searching I finally found you," A clear, deep voice rang through the line, a voice that was definitely not Chandu's.

"Who is this? Why are you calling off of Chandu's phone," Panic crept its way into my body, all other things seemed secondary. Chandu was in danger, I could sense it and my first priority was to get to him.