Silent Downfall

Chapter Twenty-Four

The turbulent flow of Aanvik's thoughts met a momentary disruption as the cool surface of the meticulously cut fragment of an apple rested on his lips. He mechanically opened his mouth, allowing his mother to push the piece in. Although his teeth were back in action, the storm in him deterred the pleasant taste from taking over.

The lady watched him, her eyes heavy with concern. "What are you thinking about?"

Aanvik swallowed the crushed fragment and turned to his mother. "Nothing, Ma. The orange is nice."

"It's apple."

"Oh, yes. Apple."

"Did you get into a fight with Shranav? You have been looking like a frog since he last dropped by. You haven't even talked to him once in the last three days."

"Oh, c'mon, Ma! We aren't kindergarten kids. And we are always texting each other."

"You all are worse than kindergarten kids," commented Mrs. Kumar as she put another piece in Aanvik's mouth. "Silly monkeys."

"Water."

"You aren't supposed to drink water when you are eating."

"Water! Water! There's a drought inside my throat."

Mrs. Kumar narrowed her eyes as he grabbed the glass of water from the table and held it before Aanvik. "Shameless boy," she said with a false hint of annoyance in her voice. "Almost thirty. Won't eat on his own. Won't get a wife—"

"Ma, I told you I am asexual."

"So what? Marry another asexual."

"Not interested."

"Useless. Eat on your own."

He let out a light burp. "Do you have other sons to feed, woman?"

The lady smacked his head in reply. "As if one like you isn't enough to make my hair grow gray in a day!"

Aanvik giggled. "Ah, stop complaining. Think of Shranav's mom. She has to feed three at once sometimes."

"Three?"

"Why? Shranav, his wife, and his sister."

"Oh, yes. He has a wife now. Good boy."

Aanvik rolled his eyes as he chewed the new serving. "Best in the town."

The captain's phone rang, as if to complement the banter. He crawled to the other side of the bed to retrieve the device. The edge of his lips was stretched by a smirk as he set his eyes on the screen.

"Took the devil's name, and here he goes," muttered Aanvik as he received the call. "Hello, dumbfreak."

"Aanvik."

Recovering from the momentary bewilderment caused by Shranav's unusually heavy voice, the captain let out a brief reply. "All good?"

"Get down this instant. I will be picking you up in ten minutes."

A few marks appeared on Aanvik's forehead. "What's the matter?"

"Will explain on the way. Now get down for God's sake."

"Everything alright, son?" asked Mrs. Kumar from behind, with traces of anxiety darkening her placid face.

Aanvik shot her a quick look in response. "Shranav, give me a hint. You are killing me."

A sigh that was suffocating under the weight of his mind's commotion floated in from the other side. Shranav held the phone against his ear, unsure of how to break the news to his friend. It was too good to be true, too stunning for the ears to behold, too deadly for a brittle heart with all its fluttering hopes, and yet it was too wild to be held in, too ruthless to be in the company of a fair precaution.

"Shranav?"

"Aanvik."

"I am listening!"

"Mayank is back."