🌸𝔇𝔬𝔠𝔱𝔬𝔯 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢🌸 (Completed )

Chapter 27- Confrontation

Adishh pov.

Since Jeevan had come to Bengaluru, I was fully immersed in catching up with him, and Adhya graciously gave me space for my friend. It had been 5 years since we last met, so we had a lot to talk about, places to visit, and shopping to do. In the whirlwind of these past 3 days, filled with hospital work and time spent with Jeevan, I hadn't seen Adhya. However, I made sure to call her, checking if she was upset with me. After all, Trishul had joked, somewhat cynically, that "you can't trust girls; they might get jealous over boys' friendships too." No offense intended, of course—those were Trishul's words.

Once Jeevan left for his hometown, Mysuru, I planned a full day date to make it up to Adhya. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side; she was swamped with a new project and under immense pressure. Meanwhile, our team decided to throw a casual party to celebrate a major thesis milestone. Initially, the plan was to have it at Trishul's place, but due to some unforeseen issues, it got relocated to my house.

I contemplated informing Adhya about the party, but Trishul planted some seeds of doubt in my mind, convincing me otherwise. He argued his point with what seemed like logic, and eventually, I found myself agreeing with him.

Adhya pov.

After a long night at work, I found myself running late back to my PG. Given the early start I needed at the lab tomorrow, compounded by a week teeming with the stresses of a foreign collaboration, I decided to head to Adishh's place for the night. My lab work had consumed me, and as I prepared to reach out to Adi, hoping he could pick me up, I noticed I had already received a message from him.

'I'm tied up tonight, laddu. I'm sure you'll understand.' -Adi❤️

Disappointed but understanding, I booked an auto to my old apartment, arriving within 5 minutes. I could have walked, but it was already 11pm, and the night had grown dark and quiet.

As I exited the lift on my floor, I couldn't help but glance towards where my old flat was, noticing that someone had already moved in. A pang of jealousy hit me, though I couldn't quite place why. At the same moment, music echoed down the hallway from Adishh's flat, unusually loud for his taste. Curiosity piqued and without hesitation, I quickly keyed in the password and pushed open the door, stepping into the unexpected.

Fuck.

Walking into Adishh's apartment, I was met with a scene that took a moment to register. Adishh was dancing with Ankitha, their bodies close, hands intertwined, moving in sync with the rhythm of the music that filled the room. Around them, the living area was alive with about ten others, lost in their own enjoyment of the casual gathering.

As my presence became known, it felt as though the room shifted into a slow-motion tableau. Adishh's eyes found mine immediately, locking on with a look that seemed to try to communicate a thousand words in a single glance. Ankitha, oblivious to my entrance, continued her gaze on Adishh until Trishul, sensing the tension, hurried over to me, his approach also dragging through the slowed time.

Adishh extricated himself from Ankitha and came towards me, just as Trishul reached my side, both of them looking like they were caught in a misdeed.

"We were playing truth or dare," Trishul blurted out, trying to diffuse the palpable tension with an explanation.

My face remained impassive, unreadable, as I absorbed the scene before me and their rushed justifications.

"I texted her that I'm busy today," Adishh reiterated his message to Trishul, his tone laced with frustration and a silent plea for understanding.

"Fuck" Trishul cursed under his breath, directing a glare towards Adishh. "It was my idea, but you went along with it too willingly." Adishh's response was a sheepish nod, akin to a child caught in a mischievous act.

Standing there, I felt more like a teacher overseeing two guilty students rather than part of their group of friends. Their expressions of faux innocence did little to quell the mix of emotions swirling within me.

Deciding to break my silence, I spoke, my voice steady, "Why did you lie?"

The question hung heavy in the air between us, their eyes darting to one another in search of an answer they could both agree on.

"We planned this casual party but you’ve been so busy lately... We thought you’d feel bad, maybe left out since you couldn’t make it. We didn’t want to bother you..." Adishh's voice trailed off, the excuse sounding feeble even to his own ears.

The situation, fraught with misunderstanding and the best of intentions gone awry, left us all in an awkward limbo, searching for the right words to bridge the gap that had formed in the span of an evening.

"Dr. Adishh, calm down, she's just your friend. She won't mind about this party," Ankitha interjected, pulling Adishh back towards the party area.
"Stop glaring at her, or else she’ll start a fire with those eyes," Trishul said. I shot him a deadly glare and moved inside.

"Truth or dare is boring now. Let's play Never Have I Ever," one of the girls on the team suggested.

"What’s that mean?" another boy asked.

"It's simple. Everyone will have a glass of juice in their hand. Someone asks a question, and if you've done what’s mentioned, you take a sip; otherwise, you stay quiet. And those who sip must justify their answer," she explained. I couldn't help but smirk at the childlike enthusiasm in her explanation.

"You might be bored, Adhya, since we're all from the same department. You only know Adishh here. Will you join?"

"Who told you that, Dr. Ankitha? Adhya is my friend too. She's more comfortable here than you, so please continue with your game and wrap it up. Everyone is getting late," Trishul interjected. My boys never disappoint me. What swagger friends I have – how lucky I am!

"I don't mind joining, but I'm tired. You guys continue. I'll grab something to eat," I said, managing a fake smile. "Adi, where are my cup noodles?"

"Sorry, Ankitha ate them," Adishh replied with that same innocent expression.
"What?" My voice rose, louder than intended.

"Yes, I ate them. I was hungry. I'm sorry," Ankitha said, her tone carrying a hint of irritation, as she again barged into our conversation.

"I didn't mind, Ankitha, but I was asking Adi, not you. It's better you mind your game," I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

"Come, I’ll cook something for you," Adi offered.

"Never mind. Enjoy your game. I’ll have some fruit and eggs; that’s more than enough," I responded, heading to the kitchen. I arranged some fruits, scrambled some eggs, and toasted brown bread onto a plate before heading back to the party area.

By the time I returned, several questions had already been asked. Now, perhaps in the 4th round of questioning, someone asked, "Does anyone have a crush on someone from our hospital staff?" Trishul, Adi, Ankitha, and two more sipped their drink.

"Has anyone kissed someone?" This time, Adi, Trishul, and one more girl took a sip of their juice.

"Has anyone ever fallen in love with someone in this room?" the question was asked. Adi took another sip, and even Ankitha did. I noticed a subtle glow on her face, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of discomfort.

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