Hate ,Love and Everything In-Between (HLEIB)

Chapter 9: "Do you love her?"

Rehan's POV

I paced outside Parth's office, my mind racing.
Prerna's evasive responses in the parking lot lingered in my thoughts.
Her eyes had betrayed her. There was something she wasn't telling me. Something related to Parth.
I clenched my jaw, a mix of concern and curiosity driving me.

Why did I even care?
We ARE rivals, not friends.
But those haunted eyes...

I pushed open Parth's office door.
"Rehan," Parth said, looking up from his papers. "Kuchh chahiye?"
(Need something?)
"Jawab chahiye," I replied, shutting the door behind me.
(I need answers.)
Parth raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
"Prerna," I said, my tone firm.

Parth's expression turned guarded.
"What about her?"
"Don't play dumb, Parth," I warned.
"I saw the way she reacted when I asked about you two."

Parth leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Prerna and I are just acquaintances, Rehan."
I narrowed my eyes. "Liar."
Parth's gaze didn't waver.
But I knew that there was something.
Something Prerna was desperate to hide.
And Parth was hiding it too.

I stepped closer.
"I know there's more to your story."
Parth's expression turned cold.
"Mind your own business, Rehan."
But I wouldn't back down.
"Something's going on between you two," I pressed.
Parth's gaze hardened.
"Nothing that concerns you."

My eyes locked onto his.
"Prerna's clearly hiding something."
Parth shrugged. "Maybe she just doesn't want to talk to you."
I clenched my jaw.
"That's not it."
Parth raised an eyebrow.
"Then what is it, Rehan?"

I stepped closer to Parth's desk.
"Tell me what really happened between you and Prerna," I warned.
Parth's expression turned guarded.
"What are you talking about, Rehan?"
"Don't play dumb," I warned.
"I saw Prerna leaving your office earlier."
Parth's gaze didn't waver. "She asked about my request to check on Mr. Singh."
I narrowed my eyes.
"And?"
Parth shrugged. "She seemed upset."

I clenched my jaw.
"Toh tumne usse kya kahan?"
(What did you say to her?)
Parth's voice dropped. "Maine usse kahan ki yeh toh bas ek favor hain mere papa ke liye."
(I told her it was just a favor for my father.)
I sensed there was more.
"Kya tumne usse bataya ki tumhe pata hain ki Mr. Singh uske papa hain?"
(Did you tell her you knew Mr. Singh was her father?)
Parth's expression turned puzzled.
"Nahi, usne nahi bataya."
(No, she didn't reveal that.)
My eyes locked onto his.
"And you didn't suspect?"
Parth shook his head.
"No, why would I?"

My mind racing, I pieced together the clues. Prerna's emotional state, Parth's obliviousness...
There was more to this story. And I was determined to uncover it.

"Rehan, what's gotten into you?" Parth asked, his expression curious.
"You're not usually this invested in... anything."
I clenched my jaw.
"Drop it, Parth."

Parth leaned forward, his eyes sparkling.
"Rehan, what's your interest in Prerna?"
I shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze.
"I don't see how that's relevant."
Parth's gaze pierced mine.
"Relevant?"
"Come on, Rehan. You're not exactly subtle."

I turned back, my expression neutral.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Parth's smile hinted at amusement.
"Don't play dumb, Rehan. I've known you too long."

I strode down the hallway, Parth's footsteps echoing behind me.
"Rehan, hold up," Parth said, his voice curious.
I slowed, but didn't stop.
"What's going on, Parth?" I asked, my tone crisp.
Parth fell into step beside me.
"Rehan, I've noticed something. You're always reacting to Prerna."
I shrugged, "She's a pain."
Parth's eyes narrowed.
"That's not it. You're worried about her feelings."