'Three days ago New called me.'
'Huh!'
'Don't interrupt just listen, got it?'
'Go on.'
'He asked me to meet him at the library. I wanted to tell you about this but he strictly asked me not to do that. Sorry.'
'Then?'
'First of all, tell me, did you say that you wanted to break up with Mint because you fell in love with someone else? And did you also say that I know about it?'
'I wanted to confess so started to open up but chickened out at the last moment. He misunderstood me and thought there is someone else.'
'Tay, he did all this only to protect you from the wrath of the Khemwaen's.'
'What do you mean?'
'When he found out that you don't want to continue your relationship with Mint and are in love with someone else he started to plan accordingly. At first he thought his plan was fullproof so he wanted to use a carrot and stick approach to force them to negotiate. All went according to his plan but what he didn't expect was that they were determined to find out the real reason behind New's sudden change of behaviour. He was afraid that they would discover the friendship between you two and your involvement with your lover so he fumbled and told them that he likes me. So that they won't target you.'
Oh New......!
'He said sorry to me more than hundred times. It wasn't his intention to drag me in this situation but what's done is done so he wanted to tell me in advance.'
'He always does that. He likes to take all the burden on himself.'
'Tay, I don't know how he managed to free you from their clutches but I think it cost him heavily. I felt so small in front of him because he was aware of your pain but I wasn't. I knew that you weren't happy with her still I persuade you to continue that relationship just because she is in ill health. I didn't pay attention to your inner turmoil. And I claim to be your caring brother! Shame on me.'
'Thada please, don't say all this. I know how much you love me. It was me who invited this calamity on my own head. You all are in this shit because of me.'
'I know Khemwaens are bad people and their relationship with New is not quite good but still...he had to stand up against them....to protect you. He has guts. If my observation is correct then.....'
'Then?'
'He loves you too ....just didn't realise it yet.'
'Thada!'
Don't give me false hope!
'No one in their right mind would do this for someone if they aren't totally invested in them. He really cares for you and to protect you he can go to any extent.'
'But why he has to protect me? I mean so what if they find out about our friendship?'
'I asked him that too. He said they will make your and your lover's life hell because Mint is obsessed with you. But if he could prove that he befriended you just to reach me then they will not pay any attention to you. You will be free from their wrath. And he also asked me to politely reject the Khemwaens when in near future they'll approach me to get in a relationship with him. The reason of my rejection will be my orientation. I am straight. He said in this way though they will be disappointed but they won't harm me because they will rejoice in New's humiliation.'
No!
'I was stunned by his casual attitude. I mean he is ready to accept humiliation just for your sake. I am telling you Tay, he loves you very much. I don't know why he still didn't realise it.'
