Beyond the Beats

Chapter 73. Vulnerabilities

I didn't like the way Shailesh was looking at Tejas.

"Everyone is asking for you," Tejas told me.

"Okay. I will be back soon. You go ahead," I said.

Tejas didn't move. He again asked me who Shailesh was, and my anxiety shot up when Shailesh shot me a warning glare.

"He is a... relative," I lied to Tejas.

"A relative?" Tejas questioned. "Why are you meeting like this then?"

Shailesh smirked, and I knew he was enjoying this situation. I quickly thought of more excuses and kept my expressions blank.

"He doesn't live here," I lied. "He was just in the area to meet his friend, but since my family also lives here, he decided to catch up. He was just leaving."

"That's all?" Tejas asked.

I nodded and looked at Shailesh. "You are in a hurry, right?" I asked him as a part of my act.

Shailesh played along. He nodded to what I had asked, but Tejas still looked unconvinced.

"I will be back within five minutes. We are talking about some personal family issues, so can you please...?" I tried to persuade Tejas to leave.

He looked reluctant, but when I repeated that I and Shailesh were discussing something personal, he told me to come back soon and left.

As soon as Tejas was out of my sight, I breathed in relief.

"You Devarkar sisters amaze me," Shailesh commented.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"You managed to catch a big fish, Bhoomi - just like your sister had caught me. I shouldn't be surprised, but I am," he taunted.

Is he talking about Tejas?

"He is not my friend," I told Shailesh.

He rolled his eyes. "No need to act in front of me. By the way, he was Tejas Jaiswal, right? The only son of Jyoti Jaiswal?"

"No, he wasn't," I lied.

"Oh, come on, are you trying to keep him for only yourself? That's not fair. I don't know how you managed to trap him, but whatever profit you are making from him, make sure to share it with me, okay?"

I felt disgusted. "Please don't talk like that. I don't have anything do to with him."

Why is this asshole so interested in Tejas?

"Lies, lies, lies~" Shailesh sang. "For your kind information, I have eyes on everything and everyone, my dear Bhoomi. I know my wife is having an affair with her lover right now, but I am not jealous. You know why? Because I am hundred percent sure that Ritvik will soon realise his mistake, and your so-called pure and innocent sister will be abandoned again. I will be in the first row to watch that show."

I gulped down the curses that were on the tip of my tongue.

"You aren't saying anything. So boring," he irked. "We always talk about our family, so let's discuss something else - something interesting like Tejas Jaiswal, or maybe Akshay's girlfriend, Suhana?"

Is he serious right now? Is he stalking me or what?

"I don't know what you are talking about. As for your money, I will transfer my savings to you tomorrow morning at the earliest. I promise," I said.

"Don't try to spoil the mood," he complained. "Where was I? Oh, right. Suhana... Such a sweet name, just like the girl who owns it. You know, I also wanted to have a girlfriend just like her, but who did I get? Your faulty sister. My bad luck. But there is Suhana's friend named Mahreen, right? She is also my type. Maybe this time at least, I can have a girl of my own social status."