The Rollercoaster Ride

PART-7

Karan felt the shift in weight. Instinctively, he tightened his grip around him. "Rudraksh, stay with us, buddy!" He whispered urgently, but it was too late. Rudraksh's head lolled down to the side, his chin dipping towards his chest as he passed out on Karan's shoulder.

Siddharth's eyes widened in concern as he quickly helped Karan in supporting Rudraksh's sagging form. "Woah, easy Karan, let's get him to my house, it's near from here." He suggested, his voice laced with worry.

Siddharth and Karan carefully navigated the quiet street, their footsteps echoing off the houses as they made their way to Siddharth's home.

The soft glow of the porch light cast a warm welcome, and Siddharth breathed a silent sigh of relief, knowing his parents were away, sparing him the awkward explanations.

With a synchronised effort, they gently lifted Rudraksh up the stairs, their movements slow and deliberate to avoid jostling their unconscious friend. Siddharth pushed open the door to his bedroom with his one leg, and they stepped inside, welcomed by the cozy familiarity of the room.

As they laid Rudraksh down on the bed, Siddharth's eyes lingered on his friend's pale face, etched with faint lines of sorrow.

Karan, too, gazed down at Rudraksh, his expression a mix of concern and compassion. Together, they removed Rudraksh's shoes, their movements tender, like they were handling a fragile, precious thing.

Siddharth pulled a soft blanket over Rudraksh, tucking it gently around his shoulder. They stood there for a moment, watching over their friend, their hearts heavy with empathy.

The silence between them was thick with unspoken words, questioning the depth of their friendship. In this quiet, peaceful place, Rudraksh was safe surrounded by people who cared for him without conditions.

Being a supportive friend, karan's voice cracked with anguish as he gazed upon Rudraksh's fragile state. "You were always right, Sid." He drawled, his words laced with deep sorrow.

"If this is what love does, I'd rather die alone than risk ending up like this." His eyes flashed with a hint of vulnerability, voice trembling with emotions.

He turned to Siddharth, his face a mirror of his inner turmoil. "Look at him, Siddharth. What has he become. Love... love was supposed to be this beautiful, uplifting thing, but it destroyed him." Karan's words were hung in air, heavy with the weight of his concern.

Siddharth nodded silently, his eyes never leaving Rudraksh's face. He, too, had witnessed the devastating impact of love and heartbreak on his friend. The pain, the heartache, the shattered dreams - it was all too real.

Karan's face twisted in a mixture of anger and anguish as he clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding together in a fierce snarl. "I'll kill that bitch," he spat out the word, his voice low and menacing, "for playing with my friend's emotions like a puppeteer." His eyes blazed with fierce protectiveness, burning with the desire for retribution.

Siddharth raised an eyebrow, his expression calm, as he gazed at Karan's fiery face. "Karan, cool down," he articulated nonchalantly in an even voice, as if he'd expected his friend's outburst. He reached out a hand, a casual gesture, but his eyes held a hint of concern.

But Karan's face remained twisted in scowl, his eyes flashing with deadly intensity. "She has destroyed him, Siddharth. She has taken our happy, carefree Rudraksh, turning him into... this." He gestured towards Rudraksh's limp figure, his hand shaking with emotions.

Siddharth's expression softened. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know, Karan. But let's not talk about that. We need to be here for Rudraksh, support him, and help him heal."

His words were calm and soothing, a balm to karan's seething anger. Slowly, karan's face relaxed, his jaw unclenched as he nodded, his eyes never leaving Rudraksh's face.

Siddharth peered at his wristwatch, and his eyes filled with deep concern. His gaze locked onto karan's as he spoke in a gentle yet firm tone. "It's been two hours. You should head home. Your family must be worried sick about you."

Karan glanced at Siddharth and nodded slowly, knowing Siddharth was right, but a part of him did not want to leave Rudraksh's side, fearing his friend might need him.

Siddharth seemed to notice his hesitation, his voice taking on reassuring quality. "I'll stay with him, Karan. I promise I'll take care of him. You go home, get some rest, and come back tomorrow, okay?" His words were gentle nudge encouraging Karan to take care of himself, too.

With a heavy sigh, Karan stood up, his movements slow, as if weighed down by the emotional burden he carried. He looked at Rudraksh, his eyes feeled with deep sadness before turning to Siddharth.

"Call me if anything happens," he murmured. Siddharth nodded, and Karan turned to leave. His footsteps echo in the silent house, leaving behind a trail of concern and worry.

Siddharth locked the door after karan's departure and returned to his bedroom, where Rudraksh lay serene, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Siddharth settled onto the couch, his eyes fixed on Rudraksh's tranquil face.

Siddharth had always prided himself on his practical approach to life. Love and romance were foreign concepts to him, and he often teased Rudraksh about his romantic nature.

But seeing his friend so broken, so vulnerable, stirred something within him. He felt a pang of empathy, a sense of responsibility to help Rudraksh through this dark time.

As the silence stretched out, Siddharth's thoughts turned to the events that had led them here. Tiara's departure had left Rudraksh shattered, and Siddharth couldn't help but wonder what had really happened between them.

He wasn't really a fan of Sanam, but seeing his friend happy with her, he was happy. But, he knew one thing, he had to make Rudraksh open up. Otherwise, this grief would kill him from inside.

He rose from the couch and approached the bed, his eyes locking onto his friend's face. The once radiant and charming features now seemed dull and lifeless, like a flame extinguished by the harsh winds of fate.

The captive smile that had once mesmerized all who saw it was now a distant memory, replaced by a haunting emptiness. The boy, who was once known as "fireball" for his vibrant energy and passion, now lay still, his emotions reduced to a mere flicker of grief and silence.

Siddharth's gaze lingered, his lips compressing into a thin line as he shook his head in despair. "Are we really puppets?" he questioned, his voice laced with sorrow and introspection. "Our strings are pulled by the whims of destiny or by ourselves?" With a final, lingering glance, he turned and left the room with this question swirling in his mind.

A/N: Hello, lovely readers!

I hope life has been treating you kindly - filled with joy, success, and love! How did you enjoy the latest update? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Wishing you all happiness, harmony, and fulfillment!