A Love So True

Season 2 : Chapter 11

Dear readers ,

I want to let you know that I'm currently working on a paper and have to submit my work within one week , also I have to go to another state to do field work. So I won't be able to update from 9-26 May.

Happy reading ❤️

The automatic doors of the hospital swished open, releasing Mayank, Yash, and Nehal into the cool Mumbai night.

The clock on the hospital façade glowed  1:47 am.

The locality, even at this ungodly hour, whispered of its affluence.

Towering buildings with balconies overlooking the Arabian Sea stood like silent sentinels, their lights twinkling like distant stars.

Expensive cars, draped in their protective covers, lined the wide, clean streets.

The air, though carrying a hint of the sea, also held the faint, sterile scent of antiseptic clinging to them from the hospital.

Mayank suddenly stopped, his hand flying to his mouth after he noticed the clock . "Oh God!" he gasped, his eyes wide with a sudden realization.

"Abhi! I... I locked him in the suite. He was so drunk, just collapsed on the bed. I locked the door from outside, thinking we'd be back soon."

A wave of worry washed over his face. "What if he wakes up? He'll be furious, banging on the door..."

He turned to Nehal, his expression a mixture of guilt and helplessness.

His eyes pleaded with his brother, a silent acknowledgment of the fresh trauma that made the thought of returning to the hotel unbearable.

Nehal's face was a canvas of pain.

A raw cut marked his lower lip, a thin line of dried blood tracing its edge. His jawline was visibly tender, and a faint yellowish tinge was already appearing on his cheekbone.

But it was his eyes that held the most profound sorrow.
They stared straight ahead, unfocused, lost in a deep well of melancholy. The vibrant gentleness that usually danced within them was extinguished, replaced by a dull, aching emptiness.

Yash, who had been silently observing Nehal's profile, his brow furrowed with concern, spoke up, his voice gentle but firm.

"Mayank, you should go back. I'll take Nehal sir with me to my house."

Mayank hesitated, running a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"Your family, Yash... it's the middle of the night. They'll... they'll wonder."

He then looked towards Nehal, a flicker of a thought crossing his face.

"Maybe... maybe we should take him to his cabin. He'll feel more comfortable to sleep on his own bed . " He then turned back to Yash .

Mayank mouthed "He has OCD"  to Yash so Nehal couldn't hear his word . Yash nodded . 

A hesitant plea surfaced upon  his eyes. "Yash... would you... would you mind staying with him tonight? Just tonight? I'll rush back to the hotel. If Abhi's awake, we'll come straight to bhaiya's cabin."

A strange flutter erupted in Yash's stomach.

The thought of taking Nehal to his cabin, of being alone with him, even in these terrible circumstances, sent a nervous thrill through him.

He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He opened his mouth to reply, but the words caught.

Seeing Yash's hesitation, Mayank's anxiety intensified. "Please, Yash, I have no choice . Abhi's reaction can attract unnecessary attention . " he begged, his voice laced with desperation.