Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 116

The morning buzz at the breakfast table was lively, with Virat cracking jokes, Athiya teasing Rahul, and Anushka exchanging playful banter with Shubman. Meanwhile, a little away from the group, Kabir and Arjun sat engrossed in their conversation. Kabir took a sip of his coffee, his tone steady yet thoughtful.

“I feel someone should share a room with Meera for a couple of days,” he said, lowering his voice slightly. “Until we figure out what’s causing those nightmares. I’m not putting her on sedation to suppress it—it’s not a long-term solution.”

Arjun nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Makes sense. I’ll talk to someone about it. But she can’t know why we’re doing it, Kabir. If she becomes conscious of it, it might backfire.”

Kabir agreed, but before they could delve deeper, Harry walked into the room. On the surface, he looked as polished and charismatic as ever, dressed immaculately in a way that could make heads turn. Yet, his eyes carried a faint shadow, a sign of unrest that only someone looking closely might notice.

“Good morning,” Harry greeted Arjun cheerfully, though his tone cooled slightly when he addressed Kabir with a curt nod.

“Morning,” Kabir replied with a slight smirk, glancing at Arjun as Harry walked toward the team table. “Seems like everybody has a problem with me,” Kabir joked, leaning back in his chair.

Arjun chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re not exactly the most likeable person during first impressions.”

Kabir grinned. “Fair point.” He paused for a moment before asking, “By the way, what’s this guy’s deal? Harry. Does he have feelings for Meera?”

Arjun nearly choked on his juice, laughing. “What? No way. They’re just best friends, Kabir. Relax. Stop overanalyzing everything with your therapist brain.”

Kabir raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Best friends? You mean, like Ayan and Meera were? Or Virat and Anushka? Athiya and Rahul? And..." Kabir's gaze turned playful. "You and Arya?"

Arjun’s laughter faltered at the mention of Arya, his hand unconsciously brushing the rubber band on his wrist—a quiet reminder of a story he rarely shared. "Point taken," he said softly. "But you and Aarfa were ‘just best friends’ too, weren’t you?"

Kabir laughed, the sound carrying a hint of melancholy. "Touché, my friend. Touché."

Arjun leaned back, his expression more serious now. “Look, I don’t know about Harry’s feelings, and frankly, I don’t want to assume. But what I do know is that Meera isn’t ready for anything like that. Not now. I don’t want either of them getting hurt, you know?”

Kabir nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough. But let her decide when the time comes, alright?” He shifted gears, pulling out a book and flipping through the pages.

Arjun glanced at it while studying Kabir who was now smiling, a rare softness in his demeanor.

Arjun studied Kabir for a moment before quietly asking, "We’re going there for New Year, right?"

Kabir didn’t look up from the book as he replied, "Yes, we are."

Arjun nodded, his tone shifting. "Are we taking Meera?"

Kabir’s response was immediate. "Not yet. Let her enjoy this New Year with the family."

Arjun leaned back in his chair, letting the conversation settle as the hum of the breakfast table filled the space again. Something unspoken lingered between them, a quiet weight in the air that neither was ready to unpack just yet.

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The soft hum of the restaurant buzzed in the background, the fairy lights strung up for New Year's adding a warm, golden glow to the evening. Rahul and Athiya were enjoying their dinner date, basking in the gentle teasing and laughter shared with Harry and Meera.