Rivals

Chapter 31

She sat on the couch after getting tired of waiting for him, sitting beside the kitchen counter. The sun was over the horizon and there was no sign of him though he called her in the morning telling her that he would be home in the afternoon.

She prepared lunch knowing he would be back but the food was left untouched on the counter. She had no idea when he would arrive like how she has no idea where he was these past few days. He rarely came home and whenever he did come back, he was so tired that he would pass out on the couch and he would always leave without telling her. He never picked up her calls and even if he did it was always Siddharth on the other side telling her to call later as they were busy.

The door bell rang and she went to open the door, thinking it was Shrey. As the door opened a bunch of carnations greeted her.

" Here. I found these on my way here. " Akshit handed her the bouquet with a smile. She was a bit surprised not because of his presence but because of the time he choose. He was the one that kept her from loosing her mind in the quiet house.

" I bought them because I thought they would good with you and they surely do. " He admired. She clutched the flowers close to her chest for it was a while someone gifted her those.

" Thank you for the flowers. " She mumbled, expressing her gratitude while a hint of red appeared on her face.

" Are you alright? " He lightly brushed her cheek with his fingers. " Your face looks a little red. "

" Must be the cold. " She moved her head back, surprised by the sudden gesture. " C'mon, get inside. " She said moving to one side to let him enter.

She asked if he would like to have some tea and he shook his head saying he would love her company more. She laughed taking it as a joke. Time flew by with him by her side. The moon was now rising in the sky, taking the place of the sun.

" You know, there's something that's been bothering me lately. " He said abruptly making her curious. " And are the only one that could help me with it. " He reponded, getting her more curious. " What is it? "

He turned to face her and slowly said, " The sadness you hold in your eyes. " He paused seeing her eyes widen in surprise. " I hate to see anything other than happiness on your face and it's been bothering me for a while. Did something happen? "

She shook her head and plastered a smile on her face. " I am fine. Nothing happened. "

" Don't pretend. " He took her hands in his. " It agonises me so much when I see you in pain. "

She didn't know what to feel about it and asked, " Why? " Her voice was just over a whisper.

" It's because I still have feelings for you. " He revealed. " I thought I could move on and wish the best for you after confessing my feelings and not getting them reciprocated. I thought I could do that but I couldn't. It hurts me every time to see how melancholic your smile has become and makes me regret my decision to give up persuing you. "

He continued placing her hands on his chest, " My heart still reacts the same seeing you, everytime. And at times I wonder what would've happened if you were with me? " He paused for a moment. " I may not know the reason for your sadness but I blame myself for it... because I never truly wished for your happiness with somebody else other than me... My love for you hasn't died even after all these years. " He lowered his head down and placed a kiss on her hands. " So if I still have a chance to pursue you, will you accept me? "

He leaned forward, closing the distance between further. She backed away afraid to ruin the bond they have.

" What do you think you are doing, Akshit? " A stern voice asked, making both of them to turn their heads to see Shrey walking towards them. Akshit stood up, a small smile forming on his lips which wasn't seen by her as his back was towards her.

" I-I am sorry. It was in the heat of the moment. " He put up on an act. " It's... It's all my fault and I am ashamed of it. " He smiled which irked Shrey so much so that he wasn't able to say anything after this.

A punch to straight to his face silenced him as he but his tongue. He wasn't given the time to recover from it when another and then another and another punch was landed on his face till there was a trail of crimson dropping down his face.

This reaction was expected by Akshit but what wasn't expected was the extent of his anger. He didn't expect him to be so angry to try to kill him. He was on the floor gasping for breath when Shrey bent down and grabbed him by the neck.

Shrey could see the arrogance in his eyes disappear the moment he realised that this could be his last day. He struggled to free himself from Shrey but the more he struggled the more force the hands on his neck exerted.

His body started to convulse as he lost the strength to struggle. He was on the verge of losing his conciousness when Shrey let go off his neck. He slumped on the floor, wheezing and coughing frantically while clutching his throat.

Shrey's anger subdued looking at the pathetic state he was in and he was feeling quite fresh after releasing his pent up frustration on him. He was going to let the situation slide without any more violence had it not been for the hand that stopped him.

" Let go off my arm. " He said while looking at the one holding his hand as if her life depended on it.

His plan was to drag Akshit out, call someone to pick him up, take a bath and then head to bed. So in order for it's completion he went and grabbed Akshit by his collar to drag him out when all of a sudden he was stopped by Navya.

" You'll kill him if I do. " She said using all her power to stop him from lifting his other hand. " So what? Wasn't he, without your consent, going to kiss you? " He paused. " Or was it you that initiated? "

She didn't say anything which made him scoff at her pitiful attempt to save him even when he himself witnessed the scene. He shoved her aside telling her not to interfere again or he might actually kill him.

She was going to try and stop him, even after the warning but dropped the idea when Shrey took out his phone and she realised that Akshit was going to be fine.

Shrey ended the call and dragged the garbage out of the house. Making sure that he wasn't dead already, he left him outside on his doorsteps.

" So tell me were you the one to initiate the kiss? " He asked approaching her while wiping the blood off his knuckles. She shook her head in response. " Words, Navya. "

" N-no. " She said, placing her trembling hands on his chest to stop him from moving closing the gap between them any further. With every step he took fear engulfed her.

" Then why didn't you push him away like you are doing to me? " He clenched the wrist of the hand trying it's best to push him away. " Tell me why you didn't even try to do something? WHY? " She flinched. " Or are you in love with him? "

" No. " She shook her head while lowering her head down. He grabbed her hair from behind and pulled them forcing her to look at him. " Then how come he was so close to you? " He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, " Even if you love him I won't let you go. You are mine. "

He was going to let her go when he noticed the blemishes on her neck. He lightly touched the dark red marks on her neck and was surprised to see them descending further down. These marks did the work of oil in fire and without saying a word he dragged her to the bedroom all the while his grip tightening around her wrist.

Throwing her on the bed he told her to strip. Her body tensed up and she begged him not to do anything. Getting impatient he himself forcefully undresses her while she tried her best to protect herself.

He pinned her hands above her head to stop her struggle while climbing on top of her. The marks trailed down from her neck to all the way down to her inner thigh. His hold loosend on her as he was taken aback by seeing the marks where he didn't expect them to be. " You slept with him? " He muttered which she couldn't hear as she was to find something to cover herself.

She pushed him away from her and ran towards the door only to find it locked. She was trying to open the door with her trembling hands but before she could he grabbed her wrist from behing. His grip was so strong on her that it felt like a bone might break.

With tears streaming down her face she accepted whatever awaited her in that locked room.