A Bond Of Intellect

Chapter - 19

Riti got ready for college, but her mind was elsewhere. At breakfast, Evan noticed her distraction and asked, "What's wrong?" Riti's eyes were fixed on one spot, and she flinched at the sudden question, snapping back to reality. She looked at Evan, who was staring at her.

"N-Nothing," she replied, but Evan didn't believe her. "If something's troubling you, you should share it with me," he said. "Hiding it will only make you depressed." Riti insisted, "N-no, it's really nothing." Evan's response was, "Sure, if you say so, but I don't want to know it through ur troubles again ."

Riti felt a pang of hurt from Evan's words. As she ate, her mind wandered. "But what about him? Why does he have a gun? I don't understand anything. Does he use the gun...?"

After breakfast, they headed to college. Riti's mind remained preoccupied, and her friend Kavya noticed. "What's wrong, Riti? You're not concentrating on the lecture. What's on your mind?" Riti struggled to hide her concerns, but she knew she couldn't reveal the truth about the gun. So, she fabricated a story.

"Well, you know my cousin just got married? A few days ago, she found a gun in her husband's cupboard. He's a teacher, not someone who'd need a gun for work. She's scared and shared it with me because she doesn't want to think the worst." Riti's concern was palpable. "Why do you think he'd have a gun?"

Kavya thought for a moment before responding. "Maybe he bought it as a hobby or for fun, but it's still a bit concerning. Even if it's just for hobby, guns are dangerous. Your cousin should clear up this misunderstanding by asking him directly." Riti fidgeted with her fingers, anxious. "B-but she's not open with him yet, they're newlyweds, and she's scared to bring it up. Now she's just getting scared."

Kavya said, "Well, there could be other reasons, but I think we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Try not to think too much about it, okay?" Riti nodded, attempting to focus on the lecture.

After class, Riti returned home, changed her clothes, and had a snack. Evan was teaching, but he stepped outside to the balcony to take a call. Riti, heading to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, inadvertently overheard Evan's conversation. He said, "Yeah, I have it with me in my cupboard." Riti's curiosity was piqued, and she wondered if he was referring to the gun.

Riti crept closer, trying not to be noticed, and heard Evan say, "What do you mean? You don't know I'm good with guns too." Riti's concerns were now confirmed, and the next part of the conversation sent chills down her spine. "No, nobody knows about it. Even if someone finds out, we can dispose of it. We can use that thing in cupboard "

Riti hastily retreated to her room, her heart racing with fear. She thought, "I don't know what to think. I don't want to stay here anymore." Later, Evan began her lesson, asking her to pass a pen. As Riti handed it over, her hands began to tremble. Evan noticed and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you trembling?" Riti quickly grasped her trembling hand with the other and stuttered, "I-I, d-don't know."

Evan sensed her fear and decided to end the lesson early. "Okay, I think that's enough for today. Get some rest if you're tired." As Evan stood up, Riti stopped him, her voice shaking. "I-I want to go to my parents' home tomorrow, since it's Sunday." Evan turned to her, noticing the fear in her eyes, and said, "Well, okay, if you want to go, I'll drop you off in the morning."

That evening, Riti didn't eat much dinner and went to bed early. Evan noticed that something was wrong but didn't press her for answers. The next morning, they got ready, and Evan dropped Riti off at her parents' home. He greeted her parents and left, saying, "I'll come back in the evening to pick you up."

Riti lay down in her room, staring blankly at the ceiling. She had no interest in doing anything, not even checking her phone. After a while, her mother, Goriya, entered the room and asked, "What are you staring at the ceiling for, beta?" Riti sat up and replied, "Nothing, Mom."

Goriya sat beside her and asked, "How is it that you came to visit us? Are you missing us that much?" She patted Riti's head, and Riti became emotional, unable to control her tears. "I'm not missing anyone," she said, her voice shaking. Goriya hugged her and asked, "Okay, okay, tell me, is something bothering you?" Riti replied, "N-no, why?"

Goriya smiled and said, "Beta, I'm your mom. You know you can't hide anything from me. Tell me what's wrong. It doesn't seem like Evan said something to you, so what's wrong?" Riti again replied, "Really, it's nothing. The tears just came on their own." Her mother patted her head and said, "Okay, if you say it's nothing." She then handed Riti a tray of fruits and left the room.

Riti watched TV and used her phone, momentarily distracting herself from her concerns. However, when Evan arrived in the evening to pick her up, Riti didn't want to go with him. She hastily went to the washroom to waste time, avoiding Evan. Her mother called her saying  " beta , come in living room , after it " but Riti replied with a simple "hm."

As Riti entered the living room, she saw Evan sitting on the couch with Vinesh, her father. Riti slowly approached her mother and whispered, "Well, Mom, I don't want to go. Please, can I stay here? Can you talk to them?" Goriya replied, "What's wrong, beta? What's troubling you? Tell me."

Riti's tears began to fall as she pleaded, "P-please, Mom, just one more day. I want to stay." Goriya grew concerned, seeing Riti in such a state. "But beta, what should I say? Son-in-law is also sitting there. It won't look good, and your father won't allow it. You know that, right?" Riti couldn't control her tears and again begged, "Please, Mom, just make something up and let me stay. Just for today, I'll go tomorrow."

Goriya couldn't bear to see Riti in such distress and approached Vinesh and Evan. "W-well, Evan beta, can Riti stay here just for today?" Vinesh asked, "What are you saying? You know she has college tomorrow." Goriya replied, "But just for one day, she's crying... I mean, she's making faces, and she came after so many days. Please, just let her stay for one day."

Vinesh remained silent, waiting for Evan's response. Evan said, "I don't mind, but she didn't bring any books, so I'll have to send her online lectures so she can study here too." Vinesh agreed, "Yes, you can have her, and dinner is also being prepared. Stay here for dinner." Evan declined, saying, "No, I don't  able to eat dinner, as it will only take a few minutes to give her lecture and I have to leave early because I have something to do."

Vinesh offered that he must atleast have  coffee, which he accepted. As Evan stood up, he walked over to Riti, who was sitting far from the living area. Vinesh was too far away to see, and Goriya was in the kitchen. Evan approached Riti and said, "Take me to your room." His voice was firm but not loud. Riti stood up, showing him the way to her room.

As they entered the room , riti was going  to leave the room but Evan grabbed Riti's arm and closed the door behind them, locking it. Riti became terrified, her eyes fixed on Evan's chest. Evan's eyes were fixed on her face. "So, care to explain what's going on?" he asked. Riti whispered, "T-there's nothing to explain."